Reporting Articles - Page 164

DALLAS — Dereck Lively II completed Thursday’s shoot-around by ending on a made corner three-pointer. The Dallas Mavericks rookie is known for his incredible dunking ability and impressive rim-protecting prowess. Lively, however, is working on a number of different areas of his game as he continues to improve. After sinking that three-point shot, Lively took […]

The Los Angeles Clippers were the NBA’s hottest team entering the All-Star break, but they’ve cratered coming out of it. Tyronn Lue’s ball club entered the break with a 36-17 record in 53 games, which was tied for the fourth best record in the league. What’s followed since then has been a collective struggle. In […]

For all the ways in which the San Antonio Spurs have struggled this season, no single position has been more maligned than their point guard spot. But as they head down the stretch of a tough season, perhaps no position has had more guys contribute as a collective. To start the year, the Silver and […]

The LA Clippers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers for a great bounce back win on Wednesday night, but James Harden stole the show in the third quarter on a hilarious play involving teammate Kawhi Leonard. With 4:28 remaining in the third quarter with the Clippers leading the Blazers 81-60, James Harden attacked the basket from […]

The New York Knicks are essentially a shoo-in to return to the NBA Playoffs in 2024. They’ve had an incredibly successful season — save for a few down weeks in February — and the organization should be upbeat about its immediate and long-term future. Having said that, some first-round match-ups are more advantageous than others. […]

Tyrese Maxey was far from his usual self in the Philadelphia 76ers’ loss to the Phoenix Suns. His off night created a snowballing effect that put the Sixers behind the Suns and left them unable to catch up, losing 115-102. With just six points on 3-13 shooting, Maxey had his lowest-scoring game of the season. […]

SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors used an utterly dominant third quarter to blow past the Memphis Grizzlies at Chase Center on Wednesday, resulting in a feel-good 137-116 victory. A stirring finish to the first half and utterly dominant start to the second turned a once-competitive game into a laugher, allowing Stephen Curry and […]

Despite so much uncertainty and an up-and-down stretch in their schedule, one thing has remained consistent for the Cleveland Cavaliers. That is big man Jarrett Allen. Injuries have kept four of the Cavs’ top nine players out of the lineup, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Max Strus and Dean Wade, forcing others to step up. None […]

The Detroit Pistons’ 122-103 blowout loss to the Indiana Pacers occurred for several reasons Wednesday night. But head coach Monty Williams is not interested in using injuries as an excuse. Detroit entered the game without Ausar Thompson (illness), Isaiah Stewart (hamstring), Simone Fontecchio (toe), Quentin Grimes (knee), and Taj Gibson (hamstring) being available. The Pistons […]

The Philadelphia 76ers (38-31) faced the Phoenix Suns (40-29) to begin their final West Coast swing of the season. The Sixers flopped in the second half and lost 115-102 after keeping it together for much of the first half. Let’s break down the Sixers’ loss. 76ers player notes: Tyrese Maxey: 6 points, 0 rebounds, 7 […]

The Boston Celtics have held the best record in the NBA for most of the 2023-24 season, and after rattling off six consecutive double-digit wins, they were looking for a challenge on Wednesday night. They got one versus the Milwaukee Bucks, but it didn’t go exactly as planned. Instead of the Bucks being at full […]

The Chicago Bulls have just a few weeks left in the regular season and they have their eyes on the postseason. Not a lot of people thought that the Bulls would be playing after the regular season ended, but they have found a way to put themselves in a good position as the end of […]

The Chicago Bulls have just a few weeks left in the regular season and they have their eyes on the postseason. Not a lot of people thought that the Bulls would be playing after the regular season ended, but they have found a way to put themselves in a good position as the end of […]

The struggling Brooklyn Nets will be shorthanded for Thursday’s road matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks. Dorian Finney-Smith has been ruled out due to left ankle soreness, the team announced Wednesday. Finney-Smith was listed on the status report for Brooklyn’s last two games due to his ankle. The 30-year-old missed six games in early February after […]

SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors enter Wednesday’s action with their most tenuous grip on the play-in tournament in weeks. At 35-32, they’re suddenly just two-and-a-half games up on the surging Houston Rockets for 10th in the Western Conference—closer to Ime Udoka’s team in the standings than the eighth-place Phoenix Suns. Golden State’s dreams […]

Phoenix Suns coach Frank Vogel said Isaiah Thomas, who signed a 10-day deal Wednesday with the Suns, will not be a part of the team’s rotation. Thomas had a four-game stint with the NBA G-League’s affiliate for the Utah Jazz, the Salt Lake City Stars, in which he averaged 32.5 points and 6.3 makes from […]

Kyrie Irving has never been shy about expressing his opinions. Following the Dallas Mavericks’ 113-107 victory in the Alamo City on Tuesday, the eight-time NBA All-Star had plenty to say about San Antonio Spurs super rookie Victor Wembanyama. And a lot of it was glowing. “If you can finish on him, I feel like you […]

Morgan Moses dropped a truth bomb that’s more explosive than how happy he is to be back with the New York Jets. Speaking with reporters Wednesday after being traded back to the Jets by the Baltimore Ravens, Moses explained that he played nearly all of the 2023 season with a significant injury. “I actually tore […]

The Los Angeles Lakers expect Cam Reddish (right ankle sprain) to be available for Friday’s matchup vs. the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena, head coach Darvin Ham said after practice on Wednesday. “Cam was able to participate today and we foresee him playing on Friday,” said Ham. “We do anticipate him being available.” Reddish has […]

With 13 games left in the NBA regular season for the Charlotte Hornets, it does not seem like there is too much to play for at this point. The team hasn’t hit the 20-win mark yet, LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams have missed more than half the season and a playoff spot isn’t within reach. […]

The matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves had serious playoff-seeding implications. As it stands, the Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Oklahoma City Thunder are all gunning for the top position in the Western Conference as we near the end of the season. The race is incredibly tight, and the Nuggets knew how important this game […]

Prior to Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka fully inserting Alperen Sengun as a major focal point in the offense, Sengun was relegated to a serviceable center spot with less usage than during the final season of the Stephen Silas era. Through the majority of the Rockets season, Udoka converted the 21-year-old to become the […]

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla is all about his players. He’ll coach hard in garbage time for the sake of his bench guys and take the floor himself to defend opponents after the whistle. Unfortunately, not everyone in the NBA seems to be a fan of his approach. On Wednesday, Mazzulla revealed that he’s […]

From growing up as a kid who loved sports to now being one of the most iconic sportscasters out there, Ernie Johnson has had the privilege of covering the biggest sporting events around the world. Most notably known for being the host of Turner Sports’ coverage of the NBA on TNT, Johnson is also one […]

Experience is crucial in the NBA playoffs. It is the primary reason why the Dallas Mavericks would benefit from facing a younger team in the 2024 postseason such as the Oklahoma City Thunder. It’s also why veteran teams that have underperformed are still intimidating heading into the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The Mavericks defeated the San […]

The Orlando Magic went up 3-0 in the season series against the Charlotte Hornets after beating them 112-92 on Tuesday. In this loss though, Davis Bertans was ejected after getting tangled up with Jalen Suggs while trying to get loose to get to the ball. In those efforts, Bertans’ elbow swung up towards Suggs’ face. […]

PHILADELPHIA — Previously, as the Philadelphia 76ers tried to figure out how to win without Joel Embiid, Nick Nurse said that the team is aiming to “pick off” wins. The value in doing so goes beyond the obvious need to keep pushing for a playoff bid. Tyrese Maxey, promoted to the first option in the […]

Luka Doncic recorded his eighth triple-double in the last ten games. But his shooting woes and a point total that was about half of what he normally produces proved a headline in Tuesday’s 113-107 Dallas Mavericks victory at the San Antonio Spurs. The Mavs superstar went only six of 27 from the field, including 2 […]

Phoenix Suns will sign Isaiah Thomas to a 10-day contract Wednesday, coach Frank Vogel announced Tuesday. Thomas is expected to add to the Suns’ depth at point guard, where they have no player true to the spot. Suns coach Frank Vogel and guard Bradley Beal each added their perspective about Thomas, who they came across […]

The San Antonio Spurs played well enough to beat the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night. But a problem that’s plagued them for the entire season didn’t excuse itself in the 113-107 Mavs victory. Two questions into the post-game press conference, head coach Gregg Popovich junped right into the constant issue. “Look, you guys got stat […]

As the 2024 NBA playoffs approach, the Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves in a much better situation compared to a year ago. Leading into last season’s playoffs, the Wolves were clawing, crawling and even punching to get into the playoffs. Battling their way in through the play-in, Minnesota was destined for failure in a first -ound […]

Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Thomas will be with the team for its Wednesday night game against the Philadelphia 76ers, coach Frank Vogel said following Tuesday’s practice. Thomas, who is 35, was reported by Shams Charania to have inked a 10-day deal with the Suns prior to their final three games of a road trip last […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves faced an uphill climb on Tuesday night. Hosting the reigning champion Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic is a test by itself, but doing so on the second night of a back-to-back with travel is even more challenging. Add in the fact that Minnesota was once again without Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert and […]

On Tuesday night, the Orlando Magic not only extended their winning streak to four games, but also secured their place in the NBA play-in tournament with a comprehensive 112-92 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. The win marked their return to the postseason for the first time since 2020, showcasing a resurgent team led by an […]

The New York Jets struck again in NFL free agency Tuesday, agreeing with wide receiver Mike Williams on a one-year contract that could max out at $15 million. And that loud scream you heard coming from California is from Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who must be thrilled with this move. A new team and a […]

There has been little reason for excitement surrounding the Brooklyn Nets of late. There would be virtually none if not for Cam Thomas. After returning from an ankle injury, the third-year guard has been the Nets’ lone bright spot during a 1-4 stretch over their last five games. Thomas has scored 20-plus points in each […]

The Orlando Magic’s Jalen Suggs has made an undeniable case for First Team All-Defense this season, showcasing a level of defensive skill that has caught the attention of fans, analysts and colleagues alike. Magic coach Jamahl Mosley has strongly advocated for Suggs’ consideration for the prestigious accolade, emphasizing the guard’s impressive performance on both ends […]

Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone has established himself as one of the most highly respected coaches in the NBA. Malone has also helped build the Nuggets, who won the title last season and are favorites to repeat in 2023-24, into a yearly championship contender. During his time in the NBA, he’s earned a large […]

New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson has proven his doubters wrong, some of whom are in the media. He accomplished much of that last season. But if there was any remaining doubt, he’s double downed this season. And after Brunson led the OG Anuonoby-less Knicks to a victory over the Golden State Warriors on Monday, […]