NBA

Maxey marks maiden All-Star selection with 51-point showing in Utah road win

Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates a three-point shot during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on February 01, 2024...

Just hours after being announced as one of the Eastern Conference’s seven All-Star reserve players, Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard Tyrese Maxey shook off an ankle complaint and produced a new career-high 51 points to help lead an injury-hit Sixers team through to a gritty road victory in Utah as serious concern lurks in the background surrounding the status of reigning MVP Joel Embiid. Continue reading “Maxey marks maiden All-Star selection with 51-point showing in Utah road win”

NBA

Pacers’ Pascal Siakam pursuit shows change in strategy, but will it pay off?

Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball while being guarded by Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers in the third quarter at Gainbridge...

Multiple ball clubs were interested in Toronto’s All-Star forward Pascal Siakam, yet it was the Indiana Pacers who put up the requisite assets needed to complete what has turned into a three-team trade for him. Considering they’ve already got key big man Myles Turner and a burgeoning star in Tyrese Haliburton to complement him, will it work out in the long-run? Continue reading “Pacers’ Pascal Siakam pursuit shows change in strategy, but will it pay off?”

NBA

Jalen Johnson hails team chemistry, Hawks outlast Embiid-less 76ers in OT

Jalen Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks drives to the basket during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at State Farm Arena on January 10,...

Trae Young hit some clutch free-throws, Dejounte Murray added 25 and the Atlanta Hawks held their poise to outlast a short-handed Philadelphia 76ers team at home. Yet Wednesday night’s overtime win belonged to small forward Jalen Johnson (25 pts, 16 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks), who shone when called upon in ways many hadn’t come to expect from the third-year man. Continue reading “Jalen Johnson hails team chemistry, Hawks outlast Embiid-less 76ers in OT”

NBA

Jimmy Butler happy to close in on injury return, unbothered by awards ineligibility

Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat looks on during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on December 30, 2023 in Salt Lake...

A strained calf and toe sprain have sidelined Jimmy Butler for eight games and counting, but the Miami Heat star remains optimistic about the immediate future and is encouraged he’s feeling less pain now than has been the case across two issues in a month. Just don’t ask him about his unavailability through injury deeming him ineligible to win end-of-season awards, mind. Continue reading “Jimmy Butler happy to close in on injury return, unbothered by awards ineligibility”

NBA

NBA news: Rubio retires, Payton II injury, Wemby’s minutes restriction plus more

Ricky Rubio of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during practice on April 13, 2023 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER:...

12-year veteran guard Ricky Rubio has today retired from NBA basketball after announcing a break last August for mental health reasons. Golden State were dealt another untimely blow as a key rotational piece is sidelined for a few weeks, while top draft pick Victor Wembanyama is unhappy with his minutes restriction in San Antonio as the struggling Spurs chug along. Read more below. Continue reading “NBA news: Rubio retires, Payton II injury, Wemby’s minutes restriction plus more”

NBA

Knicks shift RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and more in OG Anunoby trade

Julius Randle of the New York Knicks drives against OG Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors during their game at Madison Square Garden on November 01, 2021...

Having held a long-standing interest in the 26-year-old, New York have today completed a multi-player trade package to acquire highly-rated Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby – sending RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round draft pick the other way in a surprise move for a highly coveted asset many anticipate will kickstart trade movements leaguewide. Continue reading “Knicks shift RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and more in OG Anunoby trade”

NBA

Relive the action as Luka Doncic’s 50-point showing caps Christmas Day slate in NBA

Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks shoots during the fourth quarter of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden on December...

Jalen Brunson led the way with 38 points as the New York Knicks earned a 129-122 win over Milwaukee, while Denver were victorious behind their Jamal Murray-Nikola Jokic tandem once more against the unpredictable Golden State Warriors. Now then, follow the rest of the Christmas Day schedule with me live! Continue reading “Relive the action as Luka Doncic’s 50-point showing caps Christmas Day slate in NBA”

NBA

Zach LaVine, OG Anunoby continue being heavily linked as 76ers trade targets

Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls is defended by O.G. Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors during the first half at the United Center on October 17, 2023 in...

Tyrese Maxey’s Year 4 leap has been a marvel to watch unfold for Philadelphia, though the Sixers cannot afford to rest on their laurels given historical postseason disappointment. That’s exactly why they are being heavily linked with some trade movement before the deadline to bolster the core around reigning MVP Joel Embiid and the affable guard proving many people wrong. Continue reading “Zach LaVine, OG Anunoby continue being heavily linked as 76ers trade targets”

NBA

Mitchell motivated to keep ship afloat as Cavs duo Garland, Mobley out indefinitely

Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers walks back up court after his team was called on a foul against the Boston Celtics during the second half...

Cleveland find themselves without two of their key starters in Darius Garland (jaw) and Evan Mobley (knee) likely until February and naturally, the microscope will focus on four-time All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell – whose long-term future with the franchise isn’t certain. How will they fare? Continue reading “Mitchell motivated to keep ship afloat as Cavs duo Garland, Mobley out indefinitely”

NBA

Confident but now crunch time for New York – when have we heard that before?

Julius Randle of the New York Knicks reacts with Jalen Brunson after grabbing a rebound and drawing a foul in the final seconds of the fourth quarter...

After standout victories for Indiana and New Orleans to punch their ticket into the Las Vegas semifinals of this inaugural In-Season Tournament earlier today, the New York Knicks hope to follow them – earning a scalp in the process – away against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks overnight. Over this coming month, can they show their early season form and buy-in is no fluke?
Continue reading “Confident but now crunch time for New York – when have we heard that before?”

NBA

Memes aside, Miami loss reinforces belief Tyrese Haliburton needs help in Indiana

Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers drives against Haywood Highsmith of the Miami Heat during the third quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on...

All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton has begun Year 4 like a man on a mission, averaging career-highs in points, FG%, 3P% and assists per game to lead the Indiana Pacers by example. He notched a new career-high 44 against Miami on Thursday night, yet Rick Carlisle’s men conceded 142 points – including 45 in the final quarter – to lose the first of a back-to-back slate. Tyrese clearly needs help. Continue reading “Memes aside, Miami loss reinforces belief Tyrese Haliburton needs help in Indiana”

NBA

Pistons HC Monty Williams bemoans Detroit’s limp fight after 14th straight loss

Head coach Monty Williams of the Detroit Pistons reacts during the fourth quarter of an NBA In-Season Tournament game against the Cleveland Cavaliers...

Although their core group are young and learning – headlined by rising star guard Cade Cunningham – big things were expected of Detroit under new management this season and beyond, but they’ve got off to an unsettling start. That much was emphasised by their head coach’s comments after a 14th straight regular season defeat: against a struggling Washington Wizards team. Continue reading “Pistons HC Monty Williams bemoans Detroit’s limp fight after 14th straight loss”