Denver became the fourth team in the last five years to win an NBA championship, and now we’re into another offseason. Star players angling for trades, free agency and storylines still to be settled, international play and all sorts unfolding before the new season in October. I will continue covering the NBA in depth alongside other sports with analysis, coverage and more. Enjoy my most recent pieces and stay tuned for more!
Playoff basketball
Luka Doncic’s sharpened focus sees Dallas regain series lead in Oklahoma, now 3-2 up
After collecting his third MVP, Jokic does it all as Denver skilfully erase series deficit
Edwards’ 43-point night sees Minnesota draw first blood in frantic Denver series
Knicks 97-92 Sixers: Brunson’s playoff high 47 helps New York take big series lead
Kawhi Leonard’s inflamed knee injury leaves him doubtful for Mavericks series
2023-24 regular season
March, April
Purdue’s Zach Edey ends college a spirited runner-up, focus now on NBA draft in June
De’Andre Hunter’s dagger sinks Boston, capping a remarkable Atlanta turnaround
Lacking identity? Clippers’ teething problems persist at worst possible time
Mosley’s new four-year deal comes with Magic quietly humming on all cylinders
Mature beyond his years, Houston’s Alperen Sengun is already must-watch TV
January, February
Steve Kerr extended to align with Curry in Golden State, the Kuminga issue settled
Nets fire Vaughn, Ollie promoted to interim HC as they build around Bridges
Forgotten fourth-year forward Deni Avdija must keep accelerating in Washington
Doncic gets his long-awaited wish as Dallas do trade deadline day business
Maxey marks maiden All-Star selection with 51-point showing in Utah road win
Pacers’ Pascal Siakam pursuit shows change in strategy, but will it pay off?
Jalen Johnson hails team chemistry, Hawks outlast Embiid-less 76ers in OT
Jimmy Butler happy to close in on injury return, unbothered by awards ineligibility
NBA news: Rubio retires, Payton II injury, Wemby’s minutes restriction plus more
December
Knicks shift RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and more in OG Anunoby trade
Relive the action as Luka Doncic’s 50-point showing caps Christmas Day slate in NBA
Zach LaVine, OG Anunoby continue being heavily linked as 76ers trade targets
Mitchell motivated to keep ship afloat as Cavs duo Garland, Mobley out indefinitely
The duality of Zion Williamson continues to frustrate, but can’t last for much longer
Confident but now crunch time for New York – when have we heard that before?
Memes aside, Miami loss reinforces belief Tyrese Haliburton needs help in Indiana
September-November
Pistons HC Monty Williams bemoans Detroit’s limp fight after 14th straight loss
Tatum shakes off illness in team effort as Celtics lead from start-to-finish vs. Bucks
Bradley Beal injury update: Suns guard sidelined until December with back strain
Denver reward title-winning head coach Michael Malone with contract extension
Unlimited possibilites? James Harden forced his way to another risky bet in LA
Rewind: As the new NBA season tips off, Denver ended last term on top in five-game Finals series
Offseason content, news
Embiid, Green and new head coach Nurse sing Tyrese Maxey’s praises before Year 4
Tari Eason’s ambitious defensive targets a good sign of where Houston want to be
Kelly Oubre Jr’s one-year 76ers deal now made official – a shrewd move for both
Schroder had a summer to savour, but more responsibility awaits him in Toronto
Nets’ Dinwiddie: Harden and Lillard’s unclear futures mean offseason isn’t over
June-August
Sacramento Kings eye JaVale McGee, as Dallas announce they’ve waived center
Giannis’ honesty sheds light on an insatiable goal that star players continue to battle
Anthony Edwards stars as team USA go 5-0 in FIBA World Cup prep – it’s no surprise
Josh Hart’s four-year, $81m extension with Knicks a testament to his work ethic
Jaren Jackson Jr excited before Marcus Smart link-up in Memphis, as he should be
Perhaps they don’t know yet – LaMelo Ball’s extension kicks off clock in Charlotte
Bradley Beal traded to the Suns as Wizards’ rebuild phase finally begins
2022-23 season, playoffs
May, June
Heat 111-108 Nuggets: Adebayo leads by example on both ends, Miami steal Game 2
Nuggets 104-93 Heat: Jokic’s triple-double on Finals debut sees Denver win Game 1
Miami set up Denver showdown in the Finals after Game 7 drubbing of Celtics
Denver down Lakers to complete series sweep, reach the NBA Finals for first time
Vincent vanquishes Celtics as Miami join Denver with commanding 3-0 series lead
Nuggets 108-103 Lakers: Murray’s fourth quarter explosion gives Denver 2-0 lead
Heat 123-116 Celtics: Jimmy Butler burns bright as Mazzulla’s men stumble late on
Spurs win draft lottery, as Wembanyama lauds Texas in celebratory interview
Celtics 112-88 76ers: Tatum has 51 as Sixers sent home, Boston return to ECF
Deandre Ayton played through Game 5 pain, but now Suns must look within
April
Jimmy Butler battles through pain barrier, Heat start East semis with road win
Jayson Tatum hails winning plays, as Celtics eliminate Hawks in cagey Game 6
Houston’s Ime Udoka hire only boosts their standing as a budding contender again
Grizzlies 103-93 Lakers: Tillman’s career-high lifts Memphis without injured Morant
Clippers 115-110 Suns: Westbrook’s clutch defence proves key as LA snatch Game 1
Hawks 116-105 Heat: Young silences trade noise, Snyder’s men stun Miami to secure playoff berth
As playoffs near, multiple dominos waiting to fall in NBA’s head coaching carousel
Bucks lament voter fatigue in MVP race, after another big Giannis showing
January-March
Mikal Bridges exceeding expectations in Brooklyn is refreshing, as Nets plot rebuild
Karl-Anthony Towns relishes big impact on his return as Timberwolves beat Hawks
Stupid or smart? Confusing extension? Atlanta agree four-year, $68m Bogdanovic deal
Mavericks 122-124 Pacers: Missed crunch-time shots prove costly as Haliburton ascends
NBA trade deadline day – a week on: Moves, winners and losers plus new season projections
Lakers 130-133 Thunder: OKC hold firm away as LeBron breaks Kareem’s 38-year scoring record
Worth the gamble? Dallas Mavericks’ trade for unsettled Irving raises big questions for both
Clippers linked with VanVleet, Kings monitor Thybulle, two teams want Olynyk reunion & more
The Wembanyama tank race: What does the Poeltl contract situation say about San Antonio?
NBA news round-up: Anunoby, Bogdanovic, Crowder and more as trade season hots up
November, December
Nets 108-107 Hawks: Irving’s big 4Q sees Brooklyn snatch win, now on 10-game win streak
NBA Q&A – Christmas special: A look at struggling teams, trade targets and stories to watch
Cavs 122-99 Jazz: Garland, Mitchell combine for efficient 40-piece against latter’s former ball club
Cam Reddish’s sour situation in New York just reinforces how quickly things can change
Indiana Pacers’ big man Myles Turner changes agents, as trade speculation intensifies
Given historical trends, Jason Kidd’s concerns about the Luka Doncic usage rate are natural
Stuttering start: How worried should neutrals about the Timberwolves’ growing pains?
Steve Kerr addresses Warriors’ winless road trip as defending champions are 3-7 to start season
September, October
Tip-off!
Mavericks 129-125 Nets: Doncic again decisive, as Dallas slice through Brooklyn in overtime
135-110 road loss to Portland proves this season centres around patience for Jokic and co
Curry, Tatum-Brown tandem reinforce belief all is well during season-opening victories
Timeless archives
2022-23: Team previews, news and pre-season preparations
NBA Q&A: New storylines, burning questions and bold predictions made as 22-23 season tips off
Now or never? Big things expected from Embiid-Harden & Maxey in big upcoming year for 76ers
After falling short in the Finals, Boston Celtics look to go one further as Udoka scandal looms
Ambitious Siakam and reigning Rookie of the Year Barnes poised to charge for tenacious Toronto
Ja Morant headlines hungry Memphis, still bullish and confident after sore West semi-finals loss
Kawhi Leonard’s caution tops Clippers’ agenda as they target injury-free upcoming campaign
Adjusting, maintaining belief and new additions: Lillard-Simons duo headline newlook Portland
No excuses, Miami Heat looking to pick up where they left off as preseason inbound
Round-up: Zion progress, Williams’ knee surgery, Wembanyama’s draft caution and more
Featured game reports
2021-22
Finals coverage
Stephen Curry – who else – the catalyst as Warriors earn gritty Game 4 road win
Draymond Green’s aggressive ‘attitude adjustment’ works wonders in Game 2
—
Relive the action: NBA Playoffs East Semi-finals – Bucks 110-107 Celtics, Game 5
Warriors 96-82 Cavaliers: Thompson scores 17 points in 20 mins on long-awaited return
Nets 109-121 Bucks: Giannis drops 31 in return as Brooklyn’s slow start proves costly
Warriors 113-104 Grizzlies: Curry’s 46-point effort helps overwhelm pesky Memphis
Lakers 106-94 Magic: LeBron levitates as Orlando blasted into submission
Suns 107-110 Kings: Barnes’ dagger three ices game as Sacramento show their maturity
Hornets 129-140 Celtics: Tatum, Brown pivotal as Boston secure road win in overtime
2020-21
Bucks 106-98 Suns: Giannis’ iconic 50-piece carries Milwaukee to first title since 1971
Suns 120-114 Clippers: Booker brilliance helps hosts gladly snatch Game 1
Lakers 123-110 Suns: Anthony Davis sparkles as LA ease to important win
Warriors 117-113 Kings: Tyrese Haliburton shines, but Dubs edge frenetic finish
Wizards 110-107 Warriors: Bradley Beal’s spirited surge saves Wiz blushes
Bucks 127-109 Blazers: Giannis’ 47-point effort exposes Portland’s ever-present issues
Warriors 115-105 Clippers: Curry decisive as GSW erase 22-point deficit
Blazers 108-111 Bulls: White, LaVine key as visitors rally down 20 to win
2019-20
Heat 93-106 Lakers: LeBron key as LA ease to 17th franchise title
Heat 111-108 Lakers: Butler’s special showing forces a Game 6
Nuggets 80-78 Jazz: Jokic pivotal as Denver edge Utah in thrilling Game 7 finish
Q&A pieces, other features
March-May 2022
Conference Finals set after Celtics, Mavericks dominate their respective Game 7 duels
After his 23-point gamewinning display vs. Atlanta, is Victor Oladipo an x-factor in Miami?
Having fired James Borrego, Charlotte can’t afford to waste potential with his successor
Storylines intensify as playoff permutations remain for multiple teams in final week
Jokic again justifies the MVP chants with 35-point winning performance vs. Thunder
NBA Q&A: Big questions answered, predictions made as season into business months
—
Joel Embiid’s masterful Milwaukee night reinforces his MVP credentials, with Harden to come
CJ McCollum to the Pelicans: This exit from Portland felt inevitable, but also long overdue
Haliburton’s surge shows SAC have decision to make — MEM must show star Morant some love
Naive or not, Kevin Durant’s visualisations of Kyrie Irving are echoed by many
Justified or not, Kristaps Porzingis’ afterthought concerns were a long time coming
Play-in tournament awaits: Stephen Curry continues to make the Warriors believe
All-Star break over, what now? NBA Q+A: Rookie watch, trade targets and surging Suns
LaMelo Ball isn’t surprised by his record-breaking numbers – you shouldn’t be either
Russell Westbrook’s trade request and tensions in Houston is no surprise
NBA free agency Q&A: Giannis’ future, potential movers and 2020-21 season
Jacob Blake, NBA protests and ongoing quest for social justice: What’s next?
Five burning questions, storylines to watch as NBA season returns tonight
LA Clippers view Q&A: Kobe’s legacy, Zion watch, Embiid-Simmons future and more
Looking towards the future
September: Cavs acquire Donovan Mitchell in surprising summer trade, what does this mean?
August: Gobert and more: Offseason acquisitions galore as T-Wolves target big season ahead
July: After reduced $68.6m deal, will 76ers and Harden hum along to true title contention?
July 22: Masterful or misguided? Beal and Lillard’s extensions predictably raise questions
October: PHX licked Finals wounds, more work now — ORL’s rebuild begins, with a first-year HC
August: Necessary or excessive? Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan join Chicago
July: Even after everything, 76ers’ high asking price for Ben Simmons isn’t a surprise
May 2021: Jaylen Brown’s season-ending wrist surgery amplifies his Celtics influence
November: Oklahoma City Thunder rightly building around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
May: Carmelo Anthony – What does the future hold for the 10-time All-Star?
Apr. 2020: LaMelo Ball in DC? Assessing possible landing spots for star guard
Oct. 2019: Lonzo and Zion among an exciting core for new-look Pelicans
Time to retool
Chicago Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic deadline day trade a necessary gamble
Time ticking: Stan Van Gundy has work to do, as Pelicans players unhappy
76ers exec Marc Eversley agrees deal, becomes Chicago Bulls GM
Bulls fire GM Gar Forman, ending his 22-year run with franchise
Hard-earned deals
Jaylen Brown: Assessing his Celtics contract situation, what lies ahead
Raptors extend Pascal Siakam’s deal, agreeing $130m four-year max
Draymond Green’s $100m max contract extension a long time coming
2020: COVD-19 news
July 27: NBA commissioner Adam Silver cautiously optimistic about Orlando bubble restart
July 1: Player health concerns rise, positive COVID-19 tests and more ahead of resumption
June 3: NBA will resume 2019-20 season on July 31, 22 teams will feature to decide winner
May 11: 15-time All-Star, 4x NBA champ Shaquille O’Neal says league should ‘scrap the season’
May 8: Officials, staff worried about psychological effects of league return
May 3: NBA unwilling to separate players from families, should season resume
April 24: Celtics’ Brown speaks about COVID, impact on hometown Georgia
April 16: Gobert downplays rift with teammate Donovan Mitchell after Mitchell also tests positive
April 11: NBA teams encouraging league office to delay summer’s draft
April 4: League ‘angling’ to cancel 19-20 season, preparing multiple scenarios
March 26: NBA’s top-league executives to have salaries cut by 20%
March 12, 2020: NBA suspends season indefinitely, as Jazz’ Rudy Gobert contracts COVID
Mo and Sports 