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Team USA were dangerously close to a shock defeat by South Sudan in an pre-Olympics exhibition game, but this time there was a much different tone to their competitive contest in Paris on Wednesday clinching a quarter-final berth after a 103-86 victory over spirited underdogs with plenty of hidden gems. Continue reading “Olympics: Adebayo awesome as USA adjust, ease past South Sudan in rematch”
Two-time league MVP Nikola Jokic broke more records with a 30-point triple-double, as the Denver Nuggets erased a 15-point half-time deficit and crucially made some big defensive plays late to fend off a persistent Lakers display in Los Angeles, en route to securing their first NBA Finals berth in franchise history.
Continue reading “Denver down Lakers to complete series sweep, reach the NBA Finals for first time”
Despite struggling with his shot and some scrambled decision-making early on, Jamal Murray had 23 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter. It proved decisive as Denver executed better down the stretch to increase their West Finals series lead to 2-0 as they’re Los Angeles-bound for Game 3 on Saturday night.
Continue reading “Nuggets 108-103 Lakers: Murray’s fourth quarter explosion gives Denver 2-0 lead”
Third-year power forward Xavier Tillman registered a new career-high 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting, alongside a game-high 13 rebounds in 32 minutes as Memphis utilised a fast start to outscore the Lakers and tie their first-round series at a game apiece before venturing to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Saturday.
Continue reading “Grizzlies 103-93 Lakers: Tillman’s career-high lifts Memphis without injured Morant”
Lakers star forward LeBron James made history in the early hours on Wednesday, breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 38-year record as the league’s highest points scorer of all-time. A recurring foot issue saw him sidelined late on but didn’t dampen the mood on a celebratory night, despite what proved a narrow 133-130 home defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Continue reading “Lakers 130-133 Thunder: OKC hold firm away as LeBron breaks Kareem’s 38-year scoring record”
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both scored 35 points as the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics got off to a winning start at home to the Philadelphia 76ers, before reigning Finals MVP Stephen Curry crowned ring night for the Golden State Warriors with a 33-point outing – alongside seven assists, six rebounds and four steals – to beat the troubling LA Lakers.
Continue reading “Curry, Tatum-Brown tandem reinforce belief all is well during season-opening victories”
Disaster has already struck for OKC after news today confirmed their no. 2 draft pick, Chet Holmgren, will miss his entire rookie season with a Linsfranc injury to his right foot suffered in last week’s CrawsOver Pro-Am event. OKC’s GM Sam Presti told reporters this unwelcome blow will not impact the team’s competitiveness this coming season. But how does he know?
Continue reading “Chet Holmgren injury: OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti stresses team won’t tank after Lisfranc diagnosis”
Mere moments after the Lakers’ season-ending overtime win vs. the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night, news leaked surrounding Frank Vogel’s impending sacking – just 18 months after leading LA to a title following another injury-hit campaign. Alvin Gentry won’t remain Sacramento’s head coach, while there are updates on Luka Doncic (calf) and Gregg Popovich among others. Continue reading “NBA news digest: Head coach movement, injury updates and more as playoffs inbound”
After sustaining a foot sprain that has sidelined him since February 16, Lakers’ All-Star big man Anthony Davis is progressing in his rehab and will be re-evaluated this coming week. The franchise are optimistic the eight-time All-Star, who turned 29 on Friday, is back to 100% before the playoffs begin – where they’re expected to be involved in the play-in tournament again. Continue reading “Lakers’ big man Anthony Davis recovering, hopeful of playoff return after foot issue”
LeBron James scored 14 of his 30 points during a whirlwind third quarter, while also recording 11 rebounds and 10 assists to complete a productive triple-double, as the Los Angeles Lakers ultimately eased into a comfortable victory over the youthful yet struggling Orlando Magic. Continue reading “Lakers 106-94 Magic: LeBron levitates as Orlando blasted into submission”
With NBA practices starting next week ahead of the new season on October 3, there has been brief news updates aplenty across the league’s 30 teams. Players, coaching staff and front offices are making moves hoping to get incrementally better in a field of fine margins…
Continue reading “NBA news round-up: Shock Timberwolves sacking, Bulls contract extensions and more”
He capped another historic season with 46 points against the Memphis Grizzlies in a must-win matchup overnight, thus securing his status as the NBA’s oldest scoring champion since Michael Jordan (age 35 in 1998). Now, MVP frontrunner Stephen Curry has sealed the Golden State Warriors’ play-in fate vs. LeBron James and the defending champion Lakers later this week. Continue reading “Play-in awaits: Stephen Curry continues to make the Warriors believe”
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