NBA

Deandre Ayton played through Game 5 pain, but now Suns must look within

Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns during Game Four of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on May 07, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona....

Deandre Ayton has been a predictable scapegoat for the Suns’ shortcomings as they trail Denver 3-2 in their Western Conference semis matchup before Game 6 tips off tonight. Having played through a rib injury Wednesday sidelining him from contention for their first elimination game now, what happens next? Continue reading “Deandre Ayton played through Game 5 pain, but now Suns must look within”

NBA

Clippers 115-110 Suns: Westbrook’s clutch defence proves key as LA snatch Game 1

Russell Westbrook of the LA Clippers blocks the shot by Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, winning Round One Game One of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on...

Russell Westbrook masked a rough 3-of-19 shooting night with an expert defensive display throughout, culminating in a clutch block-and-deflection to thwart Devin Booker down the stretch as the Los Angeles Clippers earned a frantic Game 1 victory away against Phoenix overnight. Kawhi Leonard led all players with 38 points, including 13 in the fourth – they needed every basket. Continue reading “Clippers 115-110 Suns: Westbrook’s clutch defence proves key as LA snatch Game 1”

NBA

Mikal Bridges exceeding expectations in Brooklyn is refreshing, as Nets plot rebuild

Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets arrives to the arena before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 23, 2023 at Barclays Center in...

Absorbing knowledge from Chris Paul and Devin Booker in Phoenix, a stunning trade has offered Mikal Bridges the opportunity to show what he’s learned offensively – accompanying his brilliant defensive skills – and he’s flourished thus far among new teammates in Brooklyn. Given recent uncertainty surrounding the franchise, that bodes well for the Nets’ long-term future. Continue reading “Mikal Bridges exceeding expectations in Brooklyn is refreshing, as Nets plot rebuild”

Archives

Suns 107-110 Kings: Barnes’ dagger three ices game as Sacramento show their maturity

Harrison Barnes of the Sacramento Kings reacts after hitting the game-winning three-point shot over Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA...

Unbeaten in pre-season but overwhelmed by Stephen Curry and Donovan Mitchell recently, the Sacramento Kings overcame adversity by executing big plays late on to emerge victorious and ice a hotly-contested clash against the reigning Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns. Continue reading “Suns 107-110 Kings: Barnes’ dagger three ices game as Sacramento show their maturity”

Archives

Phoenix licked their Finals wounds, but now signals time for more work

Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns pose for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 27 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix,...

All-Star guard Devin Booker had the uneviable task of travelling with two newly-crowned NBA champions en route to the Tokyo Olympics, his head coach Monty Williams was in reflective mood after watching the Bucks blast back from 2-0 down while star PG Chris Paul shunned other offers to agree an expensive extension in the desert. So, what’s next for the Suns? Continue reading “Phoenix licked their Finals wounds, but now signals time for more work”

Archives

Necessary or excessive? Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan join Chicago

Lonzo Ball of the New Orleans Pelicans drives around DeMar DeRozan of the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at HP Field House at ESPN Wide...

A young playmaking point guard continuing to quietly improve his three-point shot, an under-appreciated spark plug from the bench in Los Angeles and a four-time All-Star shooting guard who is routinely disrespected despite his leaguewide pedigree. How much have these three acquisitions raised Chicago’s ceiling in an Eastern Conference with two clear frontrunners? Continue reading “Necessary or excessive? Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan join Chicago”

Archives, Specials

Bucks 106-98 Suns: Giannis’ iconic 50-piece carries Milwaukee to first title since 1971

Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks hug after winning Game Six of the 2021 NBA Finals against the...

Two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks, as the Milwaukee Bucks rallied from a seven-point deficit early after half-time to surge back ahead of a spirited but inefficient Phoenix Suns effort. Clinching their first NBA title for 50 years with a raucous Game 6 home atmosphere to savour, Mike Budenholzer’s men did it the hard way.
Continue reading “Bucks 106-98 Suns: Giannis’ iconic 50-piece carries Milwaukee to first title since 1971”

Archives

Devin Booker unapologetic on criticism of Suns’ injury-impacted NBA Finals run

Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns holds the Western Conference Finals Trophy after the game against the LA Clippers during Game 6 of the Western...

During Monday’s NBA Finals media conference, the Phoenix Suns’ star shooting guard was bullish when asked about what many believe has been a fortunate run to the league’s showpiece event – profiting against three Western Conference teams suffering pivotal injuries.
Continue reading “Devin Booker unapologetic on criticism of Suns’ injury-impacted NBA Finals run”

Archives

Phoenix Suns 120-114 LA Clippers: Booker brilliance helps hosts gladly snatch Game 1

Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns smiles during the game against the LA Clippers during Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals of the 2021 NBA...

Devin Booker had 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists as the All-Star guard seized the initiative and lead by example in Chris Paul’s absence to record his first career triple-double, earning a hard-fought 1-0 series lead over the Los Angeles Clippers – who had big games from Paul George and Reggie Jackson, but eventually ran out of shooting steam down the stretch. Continue reading “Phoenix Suns 120-114 LA Clippers: Booker brilliance helps hosts gladly snatch Game 1”

Archives

Lakers 123-110 Suns: Anthony Davis sparkles as LA ease to important win

Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns on May 9, 2021 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles,...

Helped as they raced to a 22-6 first quarter run, Anthony Davis and the Lakers earned an impressive 123-110 win over the Phoenix Suns – limiting their leading scorer Devin Booker’s efficiency as Mikal Bridges and Cameron Payne were key in keeping things competitive. Continue reading “Lakers 123-110 Suns: Anthony Davis sparkles as LA ease to important win”

Archives

All-Star break over, what now? NBA Q+A: Rookie watch, trade targets and surging Suns

Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns smiles prior to a game against the Golden State Warriors on March 4, 2021 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix,...

Midway through an unprecedented season hampered by COVID-19 protocols, troublesome injuries and more too, I spoke to LA Clippers fan and NBA expert Jack Brown shortly after the All-Star game – discussing multiple topics including: standout rookies, possible moves between now and the March 25 trade deadline while assessing true contenders from the pretenders. Continue reading “All-Star break over, what now? NBA Q+A: Rookie watch, trade targets and surging Suns”

Archives

NBA Previews: OKC Thunder vs Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns host Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers works against Rui Hachimura of the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Moda Center on February...

Read on for two NBA match previews as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (12-18) host a determined Miami Heat (13-17) side, while reigning West Player of the Week Damian Lillard looks to propel an undermanned Portland Trail Blazers (18-11) to a big road win vs. Phoenix Suns (19-10), with both vying for fourth place out West. Who will prevail? Continue reading “NBA Previews: OKC Thunder vs Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns host Trail Blazers”