Reporting Articles - Page 215

PHILADELPHIA — For once, unpredictability in the offseason is not a bad thing for the Philadelphia 76ers. Losing in the first round, even to a tough New York Knicks team, is disappointing for a team that consistently pegged the championship as its goal. But the 76ers came out of this year’s playoffs with much less […]

When Donovan Mitchell was asked postgame if “Playoff Spida” was back after the Cleveland Cavaliers won Game 7 over the Orlando Magic, 106-94, he couldn’t help but chuckle. All throughout his career, Mitchell had been known as a big-time player who always steps up whenever the lights were the brightest. But, after years of frustrating […]

Following a thrilling victory in Game 6, the Orlando Magic’s playoff journey concluded with a 106-94 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 on Sunday, with Franz Wagner reflecting on his performance as Paolo Banchero and head coach Jamahl Mosley also offered their insights. Paolo Banchero offers support to Franz Wagner despite Game 7 […]

The wait is over: the Boston Celtics know who they’re facing in the second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The Cleveland Cavaliers will come to Beantown for Game 1 on Tuesday night, as they completed the largest comeback in Game 7 history on Sunday afternoon to beat the Orlando Magic. Boston and Cleveland met […]

Following Friday night’s Game 6 thriller win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Orlando Magic came up short in their playoff run, losing 106-94 in Game 7 on Sunday. The Magic took the court with determination, establishing an early lead in the first half. They surged ahead by as much as 18 points before the Cavaliers […]

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks practiced on Sunday following their series-clinching Game 6 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. Dallas is now preparing to play the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second-round of the NBA playoffs. Taking care of business on the defensive end and finding ways to contain Thunder stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander […]

Let’s be honest for a moment (this shouldn’t be perceived as an overly bold prediction). The New York Knicks should get through the Indiana Pacers with ease compared to what they just went through against the Philadelphia 76ers in their first-round playoff series. The Knicks won 50 games in the regular season and secured the […]

From the outside looking in, it feels like everything is on the line for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Orlando Magic. If the Cavs lose, Donovan Mitchell may ask for a trade. Players other than Mitchell could be moved. Coaching and front office changes could be made. Simply put, there could be a legitimate, wholesale […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves took firm control of their second-round series against the reigning champion Denver Nuggets with a surprise Game 1 victory on the road. Anthony Edwards powered the Timberwolves’ offense in historic fashion with another 40-bomb. Defensively, Minnesota stymied Denver in ways no other team in the Association can. Rudy Gobert disrupted two-time MVP […]

After a convincing series sweep of the Phoenix Suns in the first round, the Minnesota Timberwolves were looking to stay hot in Game 1 of their second round series. However, the Wolves had a tough task ahead of them. The reigning champion Denver Nuggets with homecourt advantage are typically unbeatable. Despite the daunting challenge, Minnesota […]

One of the more interesting parts of the Miami Heat’s season has been the play of star Duncan Robinson, especially towards the final part of the year where a back injury significantly limited him. To provide more context of his issue, he spoke with the media Friday afternoon during the Heat’s exit interviews as he […]

In what has been a frustrating ending to the Miami Heat’s season at the hands of the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, one of the few bright spots of the year was no doubt rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. who bursted onto the scene. He spoke Friday afternoon during the Heat’s […]

The Detroit Pistons seemingly have a new target in their sights for their President of Basketball Operations opening. Apparently, Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst is a candidate for the position, per Eric Nehm from the Athletic. Detroit can now set up an interview with Horst since the Bucks were eliminated from the playoffs by […]

DALLAS, TX — For the second-consecutive season, the LA Clippers are a first-round exit in the NBA Playoffs. Kawhi Leonard was an unfortunate no-show due to injuries for the fourth-consecutive season, and Paul George was a no-show for the second-consecutive season. Last season was due to injuries. This season, however, there are no excuses for […]

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis could miss the entirety of the Eastern Conference Semifinals due to a right soleus strain. However, the injury he suffered on Monday during a Game 4 win over the Miami Heat hasn’t curbed his sense of humor. On Saturday morning, the Latvian big man clarified to the media that he […]

CAMDEN, N.J. — Not many undrafted players have been able to do what Ricky Council IV did with the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2023-24 season. On a team with championship ambitions, the undrafted rookie proved he’s worth keeping around for the future. Council’s rookie season, he said, was “wild.” He started it as a regular […]

Watching Donovan Mitchell drop 50 points in a series-clinching game against the Orlando Magic was exactly why the Cleveland Cavaliers moved heaven and earth to acquire him. Especially when it’s clear that this young Cavs team still isn’t as battle-tested, and when things got tight they failed to meet Mitchell at the summit. All of […]

As the NBA Playoffs roll right along into the conference semifinals, the attention of 22 different organizations has turned towards what their plans will be entering the 2024 offseason, specifically regarding trades. Rumors are already flying off the shelves as NBA fans around the world are vying for their team to make changes. Kevin Durant, […]

When it comes to the 2023-24 Miami Heat season, the thoughts of frustration and disappointment possibly come to the mind of fans especially because of the abundance of injuries the team faced throughout the year. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and star Bam Adebayo addressed the concerns about the team going through the second straight […]

DALLAS — Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic led the Dallas Mavericks to a 114-101 Game 6 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night. The win ultimately clinched a series victory over LA, as the Mavs will battle the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second-round of the NBA playoffs. Kyrie once again had a […]

After a narrow one-point loss in Game 5, the Orlando Magic bounced back on Friday with a 103-96 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6. This win evened the series at 3-3 and set up a decisive Game 7. Despite Donovan Mitchell’s remarkable 50-point performance, including all 18 of Cleveland’s fourth-quarter points, the Magic’s […]

DALLAS — Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber exited the team’s Game 6 clash against the Los Angeles Clippers with a right shoulder sprain. The injury occurred after Kleber fell to the ground following a shooting foul. The Mavs forward is doubtful to return. The Mavs’ offense started strong against the Clippers on Friday. Additionally, head […]

There has been a constant speculation from everybody in the basketball world regarding the Miami Heat and their approach to the regular season. This was amplified after this past season where they had their second straight finish as the eighth seed which prompted Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra to address the claim. Friday afternoon saw […]

The Michigan football team just won the national title a few months ago, and that should help them with recruiting. However, their 2025 class has gotten off to a bit of a slow start. It’s still extremely early in the cycle and there is a lot of time for this to change, but the Wolverines […]

As the Miami Heat’s season has ended by the hands of the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, the topic of conversation now has been about star Jimmy Butler, who declined to speak Friday during exit interviews (which was optional). While the conversation has been about a possible contract extension this […]

DALLAS — Luka Doncic was not listed on the Dallas Mavericks’ injury report for Game 6 after previously being listed as probable for Game 5 due to a right knee sprain. Doncic has also been battling an illness. Mavs head coach Jason Kidd provided a brief, yet encouraging Doncic injury update before Game 6. “Great, […]

The Miami Heat conducted their exit interviews Friday afternoon as head coach Erik Spoelstra and selected players spoke to the media as it was an optional decision to do so. Spoelstra along with Heat stars Bam Adebayo and Caleb Martin spoke about being eliminated from the NBA Playoffs and how it’s jarring to be watching […]

With the second round of the NBA Playoffs set to begin, the Western Conference Semifinals matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves lies at the forefront of title contention. Both teams are eager for something to prove. The Nuggets are looking to be the first team to repeat as NBA champions since the Golden […]

The LA Clippers are still in a heated playoff matchup against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. Even with a Game 6 on Friday night, there are already a lot of rumors flying around Tyronn Lue and the Los Angeles Lakers. Lue is coaching with just one year left on his contract following this season, […]

The New Orleans Pelicans practice facility is practically a ghost town on the weekend after the team was swept from the NBA Playoffs. Most of the players have headed out on vacation and the front office is on the road nailing down the last valuable bits of information on NBA Draft prospects. Everyone else is […]

PHILADELPHIA — De’Anthony Melton was one of the Philadelphia 76ers’ marquee additions in the 2022 offseason. He exemplified their stated commitment to players who could provide consistent value on both ends of the floor, immediately becoming the sixth man and spot starter with his versatile blend of a 3-and-D skillset. But injuries to his back […]

After the first postseason sweep in franchise history, the Minnesota Timberwolves now turn their eyes to the defending champs. Of course, the Denver Nuggets are not an easy task. At times, Nikola Jokic appears to be an unsolvable problem. His passing vision makes doubling him nearly impossible. However, his strength and touch make him a […]

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks are looking to clinch a first-round series victory in Game 6 against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night. On Friday morning, the team held a shoot-around at the American Airlines Center. Emerging defensive star Derrick Jones Jr. took some time for an exclusive interview with ClutchPoints after the shoot-around. […]

The Los Angeles Clippers are in trouble. This seems to be a recurring theme for this franchise when the playoffs begin. In fact, the same pattern of the Clippers entering the playoffs looking very inconsistent, followed by Kawhi Leonard getting hurt, has been the norm for them over the last few years. As a result, […]

The Los Angeles Lakers have parted ways with Darvin Ham after two seasons as head coach, league sources confirmed to ClutchPoints on Friday. This news was first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. 🚨 BREAKING: The Lakers have fired Darvin Ham after two seasons, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/s0Etriv7PK — ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 3, 2024 Ham, 50, signed […]

The 2024 NBA Draft is right around the corner. In less than eight weeks, the lives of many young men will forever be changed when they hear their name called and they are selected into the brotherhood of the NBA. Bobi Klintman is one of the prospects from Australia’s NBL who will hear his name […]

Everyone seems to have an opinion on Victor Wembanyama’s “timeline to win” for the San Antonio Spurs this offseason. While it’s natural chatter given the generational talent’s rapid rookie ascension and the Silver and Black’s 22-60 record, it is all speculation. With that, this piece contains what the NBA phenom has actually said recently on […]

The New York Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals after an emotional win in Game 6 of their first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers And yet, some members of the media, as well as some Knicks’ fans, continue to focus on all the wrong things. Case in point, Stephen A. Smith recently introduced the idea […]

PHILADELPHIA — Injuries once again set the stage for Joel Embiid in a playoff run. The big man fighting through some type of issue and the Philadelphia 76ers bowing out no later than the second round have been the consistent, tragic themes of their playoff berths. 2024 was no different. Unlike previous playoff runs, Embiid […]