NBA

Denver down Lakers to complete series sweep, reach the NBA Finals for first time

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”

NBA

Spurs win draft lottery, as Wembanyama lauds Texas in celebratory interview

May16 Victor Wembanyama and fans of Metropolitan92 during the LNB Pro A Betclic Elite basketball match between Boulogne-Levallois v Paris Basket at...

Often in recent years, there has been a sense of intrigue surrounding the no. 1 draft pick and who will be selected, with conceivably as many as four teenagers touted to go #1. Not this year: French teenage phenom Victor Wembanyama appears San Antonio-bound after the Spurs won the draft lottery overnight.
Continue reading “Spurs win draft lottery, as Wembanyama lauds Texas in celebratory interview”

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

Houston’s Ime Udoka hire only boosts their standing as a budding contender again

The Houston Rockets introduce Ime Udoka as the next head coach during a press conference on April 26, 2023 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas....

Houston have longed for a leader with championship credentials and after the news broke they were hiring Ime Udoka earlier tonight, it’s a timely update for fans to get excited about – someone to build around for multiple years to come. Continue reading “Houston’s Ime Udoka hire only boosts their standing as a budding contender again”

NBA

Grizzlies 103-93 Lakers: Tillman’s career-high lifts Memphis without injured Morant

Xavier Tillman of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during Round One Game Two of the 2023 NBA...

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”

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

As playoffs near, multiple dominos waiting to fall in NBA’s head coaching carousel

Head coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors listens to assistant coaches Rex Kalamian and Nick Nurse against the Portland Trail Blazers during NBA...

As is often the case come playoff time, there are many storylines and prospective scenarios that can play out a variety of ways over the postseason – with subsequent front office decisions often riding on the success or failure of a franchise or specific players in certain areas. This year is no different. Continue reading “As playoffs near, multiple dominos waiting to fall in NBA’s head coaching carousel”

NBA

Bucks lament voter fatigue in MVP race, after another big Giannis showing

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks stands on the sideline during the second half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Fiserv Forum...

Two-time regular season MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo produced 33 points on 13-of-17 shooting, alongside 14 rebounds and six assists in a dominant display against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, taking them closer to securing the East’s #1 seed. Yet the franchise feel voter fatigue is stopping their star from getting the MVP recognition he deserves, yet again. Continue reading “Bucks lament voter fatigue in MVP race, after another big Giannis showing”

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”

NBA

Karl-Anthony Towns relishes big impact on his return as Timberwolves beat Hawks

Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 22, 2023 at Target Center in...

After a 52-game absence through injury, Minnesota Timberwolves star big man Karl-Anthony Towns marked his return with a storybook ending: scoring 22 points, including the go-ahead free throws in the final seconds, helping them overwhelm the Atlanta Hawks with a 125-124 victory last night. Continue reading “Karl-Anthony Towns relishes big impact on his return as Timberwolves beat Hawks”

NBA

Stupid or smart? Confusing extension? Atlanta agree four-year, $68m Bogdanovic deal

Bogdan Bogdanovic of the Atlanta Hawks moves the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 10, 2023 at Capital One Arena in...

Fans and critics alike were surprised upon hearing the news of Atlanta’s latest move overnight, tying up sharpshooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic to a long-term $68m extension – ignoring injury concerns and much more, including their Kevin Huerter trade decision that hasn’t exactly aged well, eight months on. Continue reading “Stupid or smart? Confusing extension? Atlanta agree four-year, $68m Bogdanovic deal”

NBA

Nuggets 118-113 Raptors: Jokic jolt, Murray momentum see Denver earn comeback win

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is defended by O.G. Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors in a game at Ball Arena on March 6, 2023 in Denver, Colorado....

They were down eight against an imposing Raptors side for large stretches of an exciting fourth quarter, but Denver refused to decelerate in their attempts to secure a morale-boosting comeback win and did just that. When you have a two-time MVP in full flow, games are rarely over until the final buzzer sounds. Continue reading “Nuggets 118-113 Raptors: Jokic jolt, Murray momentum see Denver earn comeback win”