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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”
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”
The February 9 trade deadline is just a week away, and Rui Hachimura’s surprise trade move to the LA Lakers last month – January 23 – hasn’t exactly caught fire as far as opening the floodgates for moves across the league. That much should change though before long, so here’s a round-up of the latest news and chatter, including the Clippers’ search for a guard. Continue reading “NBA: Clippers linked with VanVleet, Kings monitoring Thybulle, two teams want Olynyk reunion and more”
More than a third of the way through the NBA regular season, title contenders and tanking teams have largely been identified. As for the cluster of teams flickering in the middle, the race to February’s All-Star break will decide where their future lies. I spoke to NBA expert Jack Brown for another Q&A, featuring Chicago’s issues, best Victor Wembanyama landing spots and more.
Continue reading “NBA Q&A – Christmas special: A look at struggling teams, trade targets and stories to watch”
Donovan Mitchell led the Cleveland Cavaliers in scoring for the fifth consecutive game, while his backcourt partner Darius Garland supplemented the charge with 17 points and eight assists en route to a comfortable double-digit victory against the unpredictable Utah Jazz – where Mitchell played 384 games over five seasons after being drafted #13 by the franchise in 2017. Continue reading “Cavaliers 122-99 Jazz: Garland, Mitchell combine for efficient 40-piece against latter’s former ball club”
Three-time All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell was honest in his introductory press conference as a Cleveland Cavalier, on the allure of being closer to family at home as a possible New York Knicks trade loomed large over the summer. Instead he’ll play for one of their cross-conference rivals out East and talked up what the future holds for them as part of an excellent young core. Continue reading “Mitchell wanted Knicks trade, discusses true excitement to be part of Cavs core in first presser”
Donovan Mitchell’s trade situation is now finalised, after news broke last night confirming the Cleveland Cavaliers – not the New York Knicks – have acquired the three-time All-Star guard, sending three players, a trio of first-round picks and two swaps to Utah in return. All things considered, how will this deal impact both sides and more besides? Continue reading “Cavs acquire Donovan Mitchell in surprising summer trade, what does this mean?”
As the dust has settled since the blockbuster Rudy Gobert trade to Minnesota, the Timberwolves have added a familar face for the three-time Defensive Player of the Year to feature alongside next season as their offseason moves continue after a preventable R1 playoff exit in late April. Continue reading “Gobert, Paschall and more: Offseason acquisitions galore as Timberwolves target big season ahead”
Two Eastern Conference playoff contenders are among the teams targeting a noticeable upgrade at center this coming offseason and so Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert returns to the rumour mill once again as uncertainty shrouds the franchise after Quin Snyder’s resignation. Continue reading “Atlanta, Chicago among reported suitors for Jazz’s Rudy Gobert as speculation returns”
Having raced to a 2-0 series lead, Utah Jazz’s All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell was heartbroken after falling to the LA Clippers in Game 6 on Friday night – another preventable second-round playoff exit, compounded by Kawhi Leonard’s absence through a knee injury.
Continue reading “Donovan Mitchell: Game 6 loss to Clippers will eat at me for a long time”
After finding themselves down 0-2 earlier in the series against a determined Dallas Mavericks display, the LA Clippers have an opportunity to atone for last season’s Game 7 woes this weekend. They have Kawhi Leonard to thank, but the job isn’t over yet.
Continue reading “Kawhi Leonard delivers in the clutch again, as LA Clippers handed Game 7 lifeline”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”
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