Reporting Articles - Page 323

The Philadelphia 76ers (51-27) returned to the site of one of their best wins in recent memory as they faced the Milwaukee Bucks on the road (56-22). In this one, the Sixers had the shot to secure another huge win but couldn’t keep their feet on the gas, losing 117-104. Let’s break down the Sixers’ loss […]

Will the Philadelphia 76ers deliver on their championship expectations? They have made the playoffs in each of the last six seasons but without any long run to show for it. The pattern of second-round exits (interrupted only by a first-round defeat) dwells heavily on the minds of Joel Embiid and the Sixers as the 2022-23 […]

Steph Curry isn’t directly motivated by comparing his lengthy list of accomplishments to those of other all-time greats. His utmost priority is reaching his personal peak while bringing the Golden State Warriors along with him, not outdoing longtime NBA Finals rivals and legendary predecessors. Asked if he ever thinks about surpassing LeBron James and equaling […]

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Clippers big man Ivica Zubac and New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram have come a long way from their years with the Los Angeles Lakers. Ingram has developed into an all-around All-Star for the Pelicans, while Zubac has turned into one of the best defensive big men who can score […]

It took Gary Payton II a full six seasons before finally finding his niche in the NBA. Would he have developed into a premier role player for any team besides the Golden State Warriors? Payton’s brief tenure with the Portland Trail Blazers earlier this season, while marred by injury, still lends credence to the notion […]

The Brooklyn Nets faced one major criticism after sending Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns: They traded an all-time great and didn’t receive a star in return. Just 22 games into his Nets tenure, Mikal Bridges has already silenced that narrative. The 26-year-old continued his breakout stretch in a win over the Atlanta Hawks on […]

PHILADELPHIA — Although Tyrese Maxey didn’t stuff the stat sheet in the Philadelphia 76ers’ win over the Toronto Raptors, he made a sizable impact on both ends of the floor. He continued showing his two-way prowess as the Sixers crossed the 50-win threshold for the 2022-23 season. Maxey’s 13 points and six assists on 5-8 shooting […]

Anthony Davis‘ impressive domination of Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ gigantic 123-11 road win over the Minnesota Timberwolves can be encapsulated by one sequence late in the fourth quarter. AD, who brushed off an ankle injury scare early in the third, was still hobbling up and down the court as […]

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers took care of business against the Toronto Raptors on Friday night, leaning on a second-quarter explosion to garner a lead big enough to hold onto the rest of the way out. Joel Embiid didn’t have a great game. but he was good enough to help get the Sixers a win. […]

The Golden State Warriors averted disaster on Friday at Chase Center, finally pulling away from the tanking San Antonio Spurs midway through the fourth quarter for a 130-115 victory. Here are three key reactions from the defending champions’ fifth win in six games, one that ties them with the LA Clippers at 41-37 for the […]

Anthony Davis brushed off an injury to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a massive 123-111 road victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night at the Target Center. AD, who rolled his ankle early in the third quarter, posted 38 points (15-of-26 shooting) and 17 rebounds against the Wolves frontcourt of Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony […]

The Nets turned in one of their best all-around performances of the new-look era Friday during a 124-107 win over the Atlanta Hawks. The win comes with Brooklyn battling to avoid falling into the play-in for the second consecutive season. 3 key takeaways from Nets’ blowout win over Hawks 3. Dorian Finney-Smith turns in best […]

The Philadelphia 76ers (51-26) closed out the final full month of the regular season with a home matchup against the Toronto Raptors (38-39). The Sixers went up by as much as 24, lost the plot for a bit and pulled out a 117-110 win. Let’s break down the Sixers’ win over the Raptors. Sixers player […]

Steph Curry is fully aware the Golden State Warriors are still at risk of falling to the play-in tournament by regular season’s end. As the playoffs fast approach, though, Curry can’t help but believe the defending champs will hit their “peak” when it matters most—sustained struggles throughout 2022-23 notwithstanding. Asked on Friday if the Dubs […]

Steve Kerr knows what it feels like when a dynasty’s time is finished. And as the Golden State Warriors’ postseason title defense looms, the three-time champion with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls is pushing back on the notion the reign of Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson will soon come to a close. […]

A fight nearly broke out between Boston Celtics veteran Blake Griffin and Milwaukee Bucks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo, however, a beatdown had already occurred during the game. The Celtics annihilated the Bucks in a 140-99 blowout, so when Griffin and Antetokounmpo went head-to-head in the fourth quarter the competition was in garbage time. Antetokounmpo took exception […]

CAMDEN, NJ — Prior to joining the Philadelphia 76ers, De’Anthony Melton earned the nickname “Mr. Do Something” for his tremendous versatility on the court. All season long, the Sixers have leaned on him to excel in as many areas as he can to help the team. In a change of pace, he tapped into one […]

The Los Angeles Lakers — back to .500 with six games to play — trotted out their 37th different starting lineup for their short-awaited rematch with the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Wednesday. But unlike on Sunday, when the Bulls spoiled LeBron James’ return, the Lakers deployed their long-awaited ideal starting five: LeBron, […]

PHILADELPHIA — James Harden returned to the court after a four-game absence caused by Achilles soreness. The Philadelphia 76ers picked up a win over the Dallas Mavericks but the Sixers’ floor general didn’t have a very smooth return overall. Fortunately, he played well enough to help Philly snap a three-game skid. Harden said he felt […]

Patrick Beverley punctuated the Chicago Bulls win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday by converting a hook shot over LeBron James and then, predictably, hitting his former, taller teammate with a “too small” celebration. Pat Bev going with the "too-small" on LeBron: pic.twitter.com/kTL1zV21N5 https://t.co/mN5HsZ1sYb — Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvo_) March 26, 2023 In the rematch […]

“It’s a make-or-miss league.” The phrase so commonly used by Kevin Durant this season has routinely doomed the Brooklyn Nets late in games since trading the all-time great scorer. The new-look Nets held the NBA’s 23rd-ranked 4th-quarter offense over 20 games heading into Wednesday’s matchup vs. the Houston Rockets. However, in a game where Brooklyn […]

PHILADELPHIA — Even as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Dallas Mavericks to snap their losing streak, a lot of the discussion surrounding Joel Embiid was about his decision to sit out against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Monday. The Sixers superstar’s calf injury caught up to him after three games in four days […]

Bill Belichick surprised many people when he said that New England Patriots fans should be optimistic for the 2023 season because of “the last 25 years” on Monday. Belichick clarified his statement to The Boston Globe’s Jim McBride on Wednesday, saying that he was speaking from a fan’s perspective, which was the matter that the […]

The Philadelphia 76ers (50-26) returned home after their road trip and faced the Dallas Mavericks (37-40) in a nationally televised game. The Sixers snapped their three-game losing streak and won 116-108. Let’s break down the Sixers’ win over the Mavs. Sixers player notes: Joel Embiid: 25 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 8-17 FG shooting Embiid […]

The Nets’ lack of depth behind breakout center Nic Claxton has been a frequent talking point this season. Brooklyn ranks 29th in rebounding, allowing 11.4 offensive boards per game. The glaring roster hole had largely been viewed as an indictment of second-year big man Day’Ron Sharpe’s lack of development. The 29th pick in the 2021 […]

The Boston Celtics likely squandered their chances at the top spot in the Eastern Conference after an ugly 130-111 loss to the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night. However, star forward Jayson Tatum doesn’t seem too concerned about Boston’s current rank. After being asked about how worried he was that the Milwaukee Bucks essentially locked up […]

The Philadelphia 76ers have clinched a spot in the 2023 NBA playoffs, marking their sixth consecutive postseason berth. It’s a feat that the franchise hasn’t seen since the days of Dr. J and Moses Malone. The mighty efforts of Joel Embiid, James Harden, and company could finally get the Sixers deep into the postseason. Recent […]

The Golden State Warriors stormed back to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 120-109 at Chase Center on Tuesday night, overcoming a 20-point first-half deficit. Here are three key reactions—with related film and analysis, as always—from the Warriors’ pivotal victory over the Pelicans. Golden State flips the second-half switch The Warriors trailed 63-43 when Brandon Ingram […]

When the New England Patriots let Jakobi Meyers walk in free agency but signed JuJu Smith-Schuster to a similar contract, many people perceived the move as a trade-off between the two players. Bill Belichick didn’t see it that way though. Speaking to reporters at the NFL owners meeting in Arizona, Belichick was stern in saying […]

Pau Gasol, a two-time NBA champion whose No. 16 was retired by the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this month, will be elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Per Woj, Gasol — elected on his first ballot — will join a star-studded 2023 class that includes Becky Hammon, […]

The Golden State Warriors still don’t know when Andrew Wiggins may make his long-awaited return to the team. Just because he’s missing his 20th straight game on Tuesday night due to personal reasons, though, hardly means Wiggins has left basketball completely behind during his absence. Before his team’s pivotal matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans […]

Things are looking up for the Los Angeles Lakers. They’re 11-6 since the All-Star break and briefly reached .500. They’re ninth in Net Rating since the trade deadline. LeBron James is back from injury, and D’Angelo Russell could rejoin the team on Wednesday. Their remaining schedule is relatively favorable. And yet, the 37-38 Lakers — […]

Gary Payton II just can’t catch a break. After making his long-awaited post-trade deadline debut with the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, the veteran guard was a late addition to his team’s injury report for Tuesday’s crucial battle with the New Orleans Pelicans. Payton is currently listed as questionable to play against New Orleans due […]

D’Angelo Russell is listed as probable for the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of their matchup with the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Wednesday — the first game of a critical five-game road trip. DLo has missed the last two contests with right hip soreness. He’s been considered day-to-day. Russell came out for a […]

The Los Angeles Lakers are listing LeBron James (right foot soreness) as questionable for their rematch with the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday at the United Center. LeBron made his surprising return to action in Sunday’s loss to the Bulls. LeBron was upgraded to questionable a few hours before tip-off then decided to give it a […]

The Philadelphia 76ers’ last westbound trip of the regular season was not kind to them. James Harden didn’t play and Joel Embiid was absent in the final game, a loss to Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. The Sixers have lost three straight games for the first time since early December. But it’s not all […]

LOS ANGELES – With seven games left in the regular season, the Los Angeles Clippers are expected to make a lineup change they hope will help get them on the right track heading into the postseason. According to sources with knowledge of the situation, Nicolas Batum is expected to replace Marcus Morris in the Clippers’ […]

The buzz around one of the most anticipated games of the season died down quickly. The MVP showdown between Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic was canceled when the Philadelphia 76ers (49-26) decided to sit Embiid in their road-trip finalé against the Denver Nuggets (51-24). With James Harden also sidelined, the Sixers made things interesting but […]

Instead of season-ending surgery, LeBron James traveled far and wide for a third opinion on his foot injury and dedicated three sessions per day to returning to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup. According to LeBron, his ramped up ramp-up was motivated by the Lakers’ realistic chance at grabbing the No. 6 seed in the Western […]