" 𝔹𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕢𝕦𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕓𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕓𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕗𝕖𝕔𝕥 "
[4K] Kobe Bryant Statue at Crypto Arena (Staples Center) Downtown Los Angeles - Walking Tour
Vanessa Bryant unveils Kobe Bryant's statue outside the Lakers arena 💜💛
Kobe Bryant's Statue Unveiling Ceremony | NBA on ESPN 💜💛
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NBA play-in tournament 2024: Schedule, projections, standings
By ESPN.com
The NBA's play-in tournament is set to start at the conclusion of the regular season, adding another layer to this final stretch of games as teams try to position themselves for a potential postseason push.
Initially implemented during the 2020-21 NBA season, the play-in tournament expanded the NBA's postseason to 20 teams (10 from each conference). The top six teams from each conference automatically qualify for the playoffs, while the 7-
through 10-seeds enter the play-in tournament for a chance to extend their seasons.
This season's play-in tournament race is tight, as teams try to avoid the play-in altogether while others are hoping for at least one more shot at a playoff spot.
In the West, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have a one-game lead on Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors and Domantas Sabonis and the Sacramento Kings with one game to play. In the East, the Orlando Magic, Indiana
Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers are tied, with the Miami Heat just a game back, going into the season's final day..
Here's everything you need to know about the 2024 play-in tournament, including how it works, current standings and potential matchups.
MORE: Players/coaches with the most to lose
NBA playoff race: Every seeding scenario entering frantic final day of regular season
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Sunday April 14
FINAL
LAL 124 vs 108 NO
Lakers devour Pelicans, capture eighth seed with blowout victory
LeBron James and Anthony Davis led a dominant performance by the Lakers to beat the New Orleans Pelicans.
LeBron James' triple-double lifts Lakers over Pelicans and into a play-in rematch with New Orleans
LeBron James' 112th career triple-double helps Lakers clinch the 8-seed
LeBron James scores 28 points to go along with 17 assists and 10 rebounds as the Lakers clinch the No. 8 seed with a win vs. the Pelicans.
NEW ORLEANS -- — LeBron James closed out his 21st NBA regular season looking invigorated, formidable on both ends of the court and ready to produce in the postseason.
James had 28 points, 17 assists, 11 rebounds and five steals, and the Los Angeles Lakers claimed the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 124-108 victory over New Orleans on Sunday that dropped the Pelicans out of a coveted top-six
seeding.
LeBron James' REGAL TRIPLE-DOUBLE PERFORMANCE! 👏 | April 14, 2024
AD Flies in for a Putback Dunk
“I just want to win. So, whatever the game presents itself for me to be," said James, who also serves as a primary defender on Pelicans star power forward Zion Williamson. "I am a Swiss army knife. I’ve got to do it all on the floor, but none of it is
predetermined.”
Anthony Davis had 30 points and 11 rebounds against the team that made him the first overall NBA draft choice in 2012 to help set up a rematch on Tuesday night in the same arena in the conference play-in.
Davis, who asked out of the game in the final minutes and walked gingerly back to the locker room holding his lower back, said his back “locked up” when he was shoved from behind while in the air, but added that his ailment was “nothing
concerning.”
LeBron's Dunk at the Buzzer Rims Out
“There’s no doubt that I’m going to play" in Tuesday's play-in game, Davis said. "Get some massages, get some treatment, just keep it loose. Just see how I feel over the next 36 hours and be ready.”
James' triple-double was his fifth this season and his playmaking helped spearhead a dominant performance in the paint, where Los Angeles outscored New Orleans 68-42.
“They got whatever they wanted in the paint,” Williamson said. "They dominated us in the paint.
James said he set out to “read the game and just find my teammates.”
LeBron's No-Look Dime finds AD for a Dunk
LBJ SAYS "SH*T! NOT AGAIN! AFTER SEEING AD SUB OUT! INJURED HIS BACK & BEGS TO BE TAKEN OUT!
“Just try to put the ball on time and on target for either jump shots or guys at the rim,” James added. "Just trying to be very efficient with my play.”
James also helped hold Williamson, who averages a Pelicans-leading 23 points per game, to 12 points.
“He’s a beast. It’s almost impossible to stop him," James said of Williamson. "So, just try to keep a body on him and just try to make it tough on him.”
Williamson, meanwhile, criticized himself for “being too passive.”
“I don't think I was super aggressive the whole game,” he said.
Austin Reaves scored 20 points and D'Angelo Russell scored 19 for the Lakers, who won eight of their final 11 regular-season games.
Zion Leans in for a Pels and-1
CJ McCollum scored 23 for the Pelicans, who were coming off a four-game road winning streak and welcomed high-scoring wing Brandon Ingram back into the lineup, only to fall flat at home while trying to lock up a No. 6 seed and avoid the play-in.
Instead, the matchup was reminiscent of the NBA In-Season Tournament semifinal in Las Vegas in December, when the Lakers embarrassed the Pelicans 133-89.
“They punched us right in the mouth and they kept going,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “We let a really good opportunity slip away.”
Ingram, who had missed the previous 12 games with a left knee contusion, scored 13 points. Herb Jones added 18 points for New Orleans.
After Ingram's 3 pulled the Pelicans to 28-24 at the first-quarter horn, the Lakers went to the foul line because of an apparent officiating error.
AD Exits Game after Apparent Injury in 4th quarter
Official John Goble announced that Los Angeles mistakenly was not granted free throws on the Pelicans' second foul in the last two minutes of the period. Taurean Prince made both.
The Lakers then opened the second quarter with Prince's driving layup to make it 32-24. A reverse layup by James then sparked a 9-0 run to make it 41-26.
While New Orleans was missing 14 of its first 19 from deep, the Lakers were snagging long rebounds and converting in transition.
Reaves' 3-pointer and his breakaway dunk gave the Lakers their first 20-point lead at 53-33. Another Reaves 3 made it 70-53.
The Lakers opened the third period with a 3 by Reaves, two more from deep by Russell and a cutting dunk by Davis that made it 83-57.
Another Russell 3 gave the Lakers their largest lead at 91-59.
“We’ve got to regroup as a team because we’re here now," Williamson said. “We didn't get the result we wanted, but our confidence is still there.”
UP NEXT
It's a higher-stakes rematch in the same arena on Tuesday night, with the winner capturing the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoffs. The loser hosts another play-in game against the winner of a matchup between the ninth-
seeded Sacramento Kings and 10th-seeded Golden State Warriors.
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Friday April 12
FINAL
LAL 123 vs 120 MEM
LeBron James Scores 37, Anthony Davis finishes with 36 as the Lakers Beat Grizzlies 123-120
LeBron seals game for Lakers with showtime slam
LeBron James comes up with a clutch steal that leads to a flashy breakaway jam to put the game away for the Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Game Highlights
CRAZY ENDING 🔥 Lakers vs Grizzlies - FINAL 3 MINUTES 🔥
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- — LeBron James had 37 points — including six in the final minute — and 10 rebounds, and Anthony Davis had 36 points and 14 rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the short-handed Memphis Grizzlies 123-120 on Friday
night.
Davis, returning from a left eye injury that kept him out of the Lakers' loss to Golden State on Tuesday, was 11 of 22 in this game. James shot 13 for 20 to help the Lakers snap a two-game losing streak.
“I felt fine. No issues,” Davis said. "Felt pretty good out there."
GG Jackson scored 31 points to lead the Grizzlies, while Scotty Pippen Jr. had a career-high 28. Jake LaRavia also finished with 28 points, and Jordan Goodwin added 23 points and 16 rebounds.
Pippen added five rebounds, six assists and four steals to his stat line.
Nice Basket from GG Jackson
LBJ TRIGGERED ENTIRE GRIZZLIES TEAM! MADE JA MORANT FIGHT! TRIGGERS HIM! SHOWS SPORTSMANSHIP
LBJ GETS SHOVED BY JA MORANT AFTER TALKING CRAZY SH*T TO HIM! IN FIGHT! AFTER INSANE DUNK!
“He sticks his body in there, lays it on the line,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said of Pippen, adding, “(he) was really impressive. This was one of his best games all season.”
Memphis led 99-98 early in the fourth quarter, and was still close through the quarter. LaRavia's two free throws with 1:06 left gave Memphis a 118-117 lead. But James scored on a drive and then on either side of two free throws as Los Angeles
pulled away.
James played just under 41 minutes and Davis played almost 43. However, Lakers coach Darvin Ham said he wasn't worried about how much his two leading scorers played because ‘We all understand what’s at stake."
“In the moment, you're not worried about that,” Ham said. “You're worried about securing the victory you came to get. ... Everyone knows what time it is. It's that time of the year. Whatever we need, and however long we need to push guys, we've
got to have it, and they understand that.”
Anthony Davis Throws Down Big Dunk vs. Memphis Grizzlis
Anthony Davis Throws Down Big Dunk vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Anthony Davis (36 PTS) & LeBron James (37 PTS) GET BUSY! 😤 April 12, 2024
The Lakers already are assured of making the Western Conference play-in round of the postseason and are just jockeying for position. The Lakers began the day in a three-way tie with Sacramento and Golden State for spots 8-10. The Kings and
Warriors played their games later Friday night.
Los Angeles emerged from the play-in last season before dispatching the second-seeded Grizzlies and Warriors to reach the Western Conference finals, where the Lakers were swept by Denver, the conference's top seed and eventual NBA champion.
“Every game matters. Every seed matters,” James said. “Wherever you fall, you can't play in the past. I can't say I would much rather be where we are today than the 1 seed. That would be a lie. Seeds matter, and wherever you fall, you take that
challenge.”
Anthony Davis with the Massive Block at the Rim
Memphis, meanwhile, is simply limping to the finish line in a season filled with injuries. As they did in previous games, the Grizzlies had more players on the injury list and not dressing (13), than active for the game (eight).
The Grizzlies patchwork rotation made up primarily of two-way players and 10-day contracts, stayed even with Los Angeles throughout the game. Only the push by James in the final minute, including a breakaway dunk with 5.2 seconds left sealed
the Lakers victory.
“The emphasis going into the game was to play hard,” Pippen said. “We knew they were playing for something, and they probably thought we were playing for nothing. But a lot of guys here are playing for opportunities. That's our motivation.”
LeBron Seals Game for Lakers with Showtime Slam
LeBron Seals Game for Lakers with Showtime Slam
UP NEXT
Lakers: At New Orleans on Sunday to finish the regular season.
Grizzlies: Host Denver on Sunday in the season finale.
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Thursday April 11
FINAL
GSW 100 vs 92 POT
Stephen Curry has 22 Points, Warriors Rally to Beat Trail Blazers 100-92
Brandin Podziemski drops in the smooth basket
Golden State Warriors Road Finale Ends with WIN over Portland Trail Blazers | Apr. 11, 2024
Golden State Warriors Beat Portland Trail Blazers in the Clutch | Kia Clutch Plays
PORTLAND, Ore. -- — Stephen Curry had 22 points and the Golden State Warriors rallied down the stretch for a 100-92 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night.
Jonathan Kuminga added 19 points for the Warriors, who had a 16-1 run in the final quarter for their third straight win and ninth in the last 10 games. Golden State has already clinched a play-in spot but can potentially improve its playoff seeding in
the final two games.
Stephen Curry Gets the and-1 to Fall
“You know they’re going to play hard and with a lot of energy and for the most part it worked for about 42 minutes, but we just got really disciplined down the stretch, had great point of attack defense,” Curry said. “We just competed and that last
six minutes was hard-nosed basketball. That’s what it took to win.”
Deandre Ayton led Portland with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Scoot Henderson had 18 points and 12 assists. It was his eighth game this season with at least 10 assists, which leads all rookies.
The Trail Blazers, sitting in second-to-last in the Western Conference, have won just two of their last 15 games.
Neither team was able to lead by more than single digits through the first three quarters. Kris Murray made a 3-pointer that gave the Blazers an 85-79 lead with just more than nine minutes left. Curry's 3 narrowed it for the Warriors.
Stephen Curry makes a Sweet Dish
Stephen Curry makes a Sweet Dish
Curry's pullup jumper tied it at 86. Kevon Looney added a free throw before Curry made another 3 to make it 90-86 with 4:42 to go, and the Warriors led the rest of the way.
“Steph's done that a million times so it never surprises you. Obviously, wasn’t his best shooting night but he made some big ones down the stretch,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “We played him more than we wanted but we got it done.”
With the victory the Warriors (45-35) surpassed their win total from last season, when they went to the conference semifinals.
“It's a loaded conference. Everybody's good,” Kerr said. “It's just tough to make up ground.”
Deandre Ayton Gets the Hoop and the Harm
Golden State was coming off a 134-120 victory over the Lakers on Tuesday night. Klay Thompson scored 27 points and the Warriors made a season-high 26 3-pointers.
Thompson was unavailable against the Blazers because of right knee tendonitis. Draymond Green (right knee contusion) and Gary Payton II (left calf tightness) were also unavailable.
The Blazers (21-59) have been inundated all year by injuries and they sat several players as the season wound down. Among those on the bench were Anfernee Simons (right knee tendonitis) Jerami Grant (right hamstring strain) and Matisse
Thybulle (right ankle).
Portland led 19-12 in the opening quarter, but overall it was close for most of the first half and Golden State took a 49-46 lead into the break.
Duop Reath with the and-1 Bucket
It was back-and-forth throughout the third quarter. Ayton's jumper from out front knotted the game at 54 for the Blazers, but Andrew Wiggins answered with a 3-pointer for Golden State.
The Blazers went up 64-62 on Henderson's floater but the lead was short-lived and the Warriors led 75-74 going into the final period.
“They're all going though the same maturation process,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said about his young players. “They're playing their butts off, they're playing hard as hell, they're giving me everything they've got, which I love. And they're
tired as heck right now.”
Brandin Podziemski Drops in the Smooth Basket
UP NEXT:
Warriors: Host the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, wrapping up Golden State's league-high 17th back-to-back of the the season. The Warriors host Utah on Sunday to wrap up the regular season.
Trail Blazers: Host the Houston Rockets on Friday night before visiting the Kings on Sunday in the final game of the season.
PODZIEMSKI: “Steph (Curry) surpassed what (De’Aaron Fox) did last year” for Clutch POTY; KERR;LOONEY
Brandin Podziemski Recaps Warriors Win Over Portland Trail Blazers | Apr. 11, 2024
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Wednesday April 10
FINAL
MIN 107 vs 116 DEN
Jokic Scores 41 points and Leads Nuggets past Timberwolves 116-107 to take Lead in West
Christian Braun posterizes Gobert, shines with trio of jams
Christian Braun hosts a personal dunk contest with a flurry of high-flying slams in the span of a minute.
TIMBERWOLVES at NUGGETS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | April 10, 2024
THE STARS ARE IN POSTSEASON-FORM! 👀 The Joker, Luka, D-Book SHINE & MORE! April 10, 2024
DENVER -- — Nikola Jokic minimized the matchup between teams tied atop the Western Conference standings, then put on a show for the ages — and for anyone still doubting he's the best player on the planet.
The odds-on favorite to win a third MVP trophy, Jokic registered his 20th career 40-point game in powering the Denver Nuggets past the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-107 on Wednesday night.
Scoring 41 points to go with 11 rebounds and seven assists, Jokic made 16 of 20 shots against the NBA's best defense while being guarded most of the night by the league's top defender, Rudy Gobert, along with Naz Reid. All of it in front of the 41st
RUDY GOBERT COULDNT STOP LAUGHING AFTER NIKOLA JOKIC DID THIS TO HIM! LOL!
Jokic's 41 points push Nuggets Past Wolves in Battle of West's Best
Nikola Jokic Is In PLAYOFF-MODE! Drops 41-PT Double-Double vs Timberwolves! 🔥 April 10, 2024
sellout at Ball Arena and a national television audience on ESPN.
“Nikola always embraces the physicality. He never shies away from it,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “Rudy Gobert is going to be a Hall of Fame player one day. Rudy Gobert is going to be regarded as one of the best defenders of his
generation. And it just speaks to how great Nikola is. I don't think anybody in the NBA can guard Nikola 1-on-1.”
Jamal Murray added 20 points in 27 minutes and Michael Porter Jr. scored 18 for the Nuggets, who pulled away by holding Anthony Edwards without a bucket in the fourth quarter.
MPJ Cashes Fadeaway Jumper vs. Timberwolves
Edwards led Minnesota with 25 points but was a non-factor in the fourth as Denver's reserves put on a show featuring Peyton Watson's six blocks and Christian Braun's rim-rattling dunks.
Jokic was eager to talk about the Nuggets' closers.
“They were great,” he said. “P-Wat, it seemed like he was all over the place. He was just full of energy. And C.B., that sequence of two minutes, it was really amazing. I was happy for those guys. I think they don't get enough credit what they are
doing on the floor, and they're helping us energy-wise, effort-wise. We need them.”
As for his MVP chances, which he certainly enhanced Wednesday night, Jokic demurred, saying, “I think I'm playing good basketball. The team is playing good basketball. I think there is a lot of guys playing really good basketball in the league and a
couple of guys deserve to have that award.”
Jokic Finds Gordon for Thunderous Alley-Oop Dunk
Jokic Finds Gordon for Thunderous Alley-Oop Dunk
Edwards said Jokic kept blocking his way to the basket, so he had no choice but to dish and his teammates' shots just weren't falling: “He’s just there, so there’s nowhere for me to go," Edwards said.
The Nuggets (56-24) took a one-game lead over Minnesota and Oklahoma City, who are both 55-25 in the West. The Thunder walloped San Antonio 127-89 on Wednesday night to stay within striking distance of the conference's top seed.
The defending NBA champion Nuggets are a best-in-the-West 33-8 at home — where they parlayed the No. 1 seed last year into a 10-1 playoff record on their way to winning the franchise's first NBA title.
Jokic downplayed this showdown's significance, suggesting, "I don’t think it’s a really big game.” Edwards, though, insisted this was as big as a regular-season game can get.
“We knew what this game was going to determine,” Edwards said. “If we won it, we knew we were going to possibly be the No. 1 seed, and if we lost it, we knew they’d possibly be the No. 1 seed. I think we cared before but now that we lost we
can’t do nothing about it.”
Jaden McDaniels Go Behind-the-Back for Flashy Assist
Denver trailed much of the night but closed the third quarter on a 9-1 run to take an 83-80 lead into a fourth period they utterly dominated.
Entering the playoffs at optimum health is more important than going into the postseason as the top seed in the West, suggested Malone, who's been saying for weeks that he's confident his team can win anywhere, anytime, regardless of seeding.
The Wolves were at less than full strength in the playoffs a year ago but still gave the Nuggets the hardest time of any opponent on Denver's journey to the title. And regardless of what seed Minnesota ends up with, Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) is set
to return to action as soon as this weekend.
Christian Braun Posterizes Gobert, Shines with Trio of Jams
So, despite this disappointment in Denver, the Timberwolves are swaggering into the playoffs instead of staggering in as they did a year ago.
“It’d be a lot easier because he’s going to get 25 points every night,” Edwards said. “He walks in the gym with 25 points.”
UP NEXT
Timberwolves: Host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.
Nuggets: Visit the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night.
“We want the home court advantage. Simple as that.” - Jamal #MileHighBasketball
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Tuesday April 9
FINAL
GSW 134 vs 120 LAL
Warriors make 26 3-pointers, Roar Past Lakers for a Key 134-120 Win in Anthony Davis' Injury Absence
'What a pass!' Curry pulls off spellbinding assist
Steph Curry takes threading the needle literally with an unreal assist to Klay Thompson that somehow passes through every defender. WARRRIORRSSSSS
LOS ANGELES -- — Klay Thompson scored 27 points, Stephen Curry had 23 and the Golden State Warriors capitalized on Anthony Davis' injury absence for a 134-120 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
Andrew Wiggins had 17 points for the 10th-place Warriors, who hit 26 of their 41 3-point attempts — including an astonishing 16 of 23 from Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green, who went 5 for 5 in the first half by himself.
DRAYMOND GREEN SCUFFLE ENDS UP IN LAKERS HUDDLE & GETS SECURITY INVOLVED!ANGRY!
DRAYMOND GREEN SCUFFLE ENDS UP IN LAKERS HUDDLE & GETS SECURITY INVOLVED!ANGRY!
Golden State's 26 3s were the most ever allowed in a game by the Lakers.
Even after a decade as the coach of a scoring machine, Steve Kerr can still be impressed by his Big Three.
Warriors Drain 26 Triples in Double-Digit Win vs. Lakers
Steph curry Shows off with Flashy No-Look Dime vs lakers
“I didn't feel like we played that well, but we made a million 3s,” Kerr said. “The ball was going in, but I didn't think we were sharp. A lot of possessions where we weren't just quite locked in and we were a little bit disjointed, but the ball kept going in. ... To shoot 63% from 3, that's
crazy.”
The Warriors (44-35) have won eight of nine down the stretch to move within a half-game of ninth-place Los Angeles (45-35). Golden State also won the head-to-head tiebreaker between the rivals, putting home-court advantage for a potential 9-10 play-in game next week in the
Warriors' hands over their final three regular-season games.
Green said the Warriors are “very confident” about their postseason chances after showcasing the height of their capabilities.
Gary Payton II
Gary Payton II Skies for the Emphatic Rejection
Gary Payton II made LeBron quit after insane block on Rui Hachimura in clutch 😱
“We’ve kept that same sentiment all along, just about what we feel this team is capable of,” Green said. “At times this year it hasn’t always come together for us, but we feel like it’s coming together at the right time. We’ve always felt like if we get a chance, we know what it takes.”
LeBron James had 33 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds for the Lakers, who had won eight of nine before taking back-to-back home losses in the past three days. Austin Reaves added 22 points and Rui Hachimura had 20, while D'Angelo Russell struggled to 14 points on 3-of-11
shooting.
“We know we're as good as any team in the league when we're whole — and when we're not, we're not,” James said. “It's hard for us to make up, especially having a guy like AD not playing. It's almost pretty much impossible to make up for what he provides for our ballclub, both
offensively and defensively.”
Curry Shows off with Flashy No-Look Dime vs. Lakers
Davis sat out due to the aftereffects of being hit in the head by Minnesota’s Kyle Anderson in the Lakers’ loss to the Timberwolves last Sunday night. Davis took a similar blow to his left eye last month from Golden State's Trayce Jackson-Davis.
Without its All-Star big man, Los Angeles couldn't defend the Warriors effectively and missed the chance to move into eighth place past struggling Sacramento (45-34), which blew a big second-half lead and lost to Oklahoma City.
“It’s different when it’s AD out there,” Green said. “He can cover up so many mistakes. It’s a totally different look for them when he’s out there.”
Davis showed up to the Lakers' downtown arena Tuesday, but “couldn't overcome the headaches and nausea” caused by that blow, coach Darvin Ham said. Davis isn't in the concussion protocol, Ham added, but he missed a key game after largely avoiding serious injuries all season for
the first time in a half-decade.
Los Angeles fell to 2-4 without Davis this season, not counting two losses in which he played only the first quarter due to head blows.
LeBron Rockets Left-Handed Pass over Multiple Defenders
James didn't arrive until just over an hour before tipoff against the Warriors after missing that loss to the Wolves due to an apparent case of the flu. James didn't do his usual on-court workout, but still suited up.
The Warriors played freely on offense without Davis in the middle, and Green improbably matched his total 3-pointers from his previous nine games combined and tied his career record for most 3s in one half.
The Warriors made 12 of their first 17 3-point attempts, and they went 20 of 32 in the first three quarters overall. Curry returned after taking a game off to rest with six 3-pointers without a miss, along with eight assists and seven rebounds.
“They were blazing hot — blazing, blazing hot,” Ham said. “But we don't have time to feel sorry for ourselves. We've got to get our bootstraps together, get back on the drawing board, look at the film and try to make the best out of these last two games.”
UP NEXT
Warriors: At Portland on Thursday.
Lakers: At Memphis on Friday.
KLAY on Draymond: “honorary Splash Brother”; KERR: “we made a million 3s”; Klay “bouncy & energetic”
PODZIEMSKI tries to fly KLAY’s paper airplane: “that $h_t was a—”; THOMPSON: 25-11 in last 36 games
Steph Curry on Draymond Green & Reaves incident, postgame interview
Draymond Green: "I'm definitely a bigger trash talker for sure"
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Sunday April 7
FINAL
UTH 110 vs 118 GSW
Klay Thompson scores 32 points as Stephen Curry rests, Warriors beat stumbling Jazz 118-110
SAN FRANCISCO -- — Klay Thompson found his offensive groove in a hurry, even on the toughest of shots with a defender in his face.
Thompson scored 32 points and the Golden State Warriors ran away from the undermanned Utah Jazz early on the way to a 118-110 victory Sunday night.
“He was amazing,” coach Steve Kerr said. “Klay’s shot-making really helped us get that lead.”
Klay Thompson Drains 3-pointer Utah Jazz
Klay Thompson Drains 3-pointer Utah Jazz
Klay Thompson Drops 32 POINTS in Warriors' Win vs. Jazz | April 7, 2024
The Warriors clinched at least a spot in the four-team play-in tournament before the game when Houston lost 147-136 in overtime to Dallas.
The Warriors know they just have to “keep trying to win,” Kerr said, and he believes this team still has a great opportunity to make a special playoff run despite what could be a daunting road.
“It's going to be interesting, four games left and lots of possibilities,” he said.
From the opening tip, Thompson came out looking for his shot to handle the bulk of the scoring load on a night Stephen Curry was held out for rest and Chris Paul started in his place as the Warriors won for the seventh time in eight games.
Kerr utilized his 26th starting lineup combination of the season. The break gave Curry several days between games. He has played in 71 already, his most since 2016-17.
“He needed it, this is the most games he’s played in a long time,” Kerr said about the 36-year-old two-time MVP. “It’ll serve him well for next week.”
Jonathan Kuminga with the and-1 Bucket
Reserve Johnny Juzang scored a career-high 27 points with seven 3s to lead the Jazz in their 12th straight defeat and 15th loss in 16. They haven’t won at Golden State since Feb. 9, 2022. Keyonte George added 25 points.
Thompson shot 12 for 23 with six 3-pointers and had 25 points by halftime for his best scoring half of the season and first with 25 or more points in the initial two quarters since going for 33 against the Suns on March 13, 2023.
Thompson hit seven of his first 10 attempts with four 3s, and Golden State connected on 8 of 12 3s in the first quarter to take a 41-28 lead — the Warriors' third time scoring 40 or more points in the opening period.
Jonathan Kuminga returned from missing six games with tendonitis in both knees and came off the bench to contribute 21 points and 10 rebounds in his sixth straight 20-point game when playing as a reserve. That matched Sarunas Marciulionis for most such games in Warriors franchise
history since 1977-78 when starters began being recorded.
"I was more concerned with going in there and impacting a win because a win is a win at the end of the day and playing my game," Kuminga said.
Collin Sexton Impresses with nice Basket
Brandin Podziemski had his 17th game with at least 10 points, five rebounds, five assists — second among rookies — finishing with 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
“We’ve just been finding ways to win right now,” Podziemski said. “I think we’re playing really well, offensively especially we’re sharing the ball. We’re just playing together, having fun.”
The Warriors also were missing forward Andrew Wiggins for a second straight game because of left ankle soreness.
Golden State has won all three meetings with the Jazz this season — four in a row overall — and the teams meet one last time next Sunday at Chase Center to conclude the regular season. The Warriors improved to 18-2 when they have 30 or more assists (32 Sunday) and shoot at least
50% (53.3).
Trayce Jackson-Davis gets up for Alley-Oop Dunk Utah Jazz
Draymond Green went to the locker room in the fourth quarter to have his back checked but was fine, Kerr said.
UP NEXT
Jazz: Host Denver on Tuesday night.
Warriors: At Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night having won the last two matchups.
KERR: “want to keep starting Trayce (Jackson-Davis),” Kuminga will be off bench; Steph Curry day off
KERR: “game comes naturally” for… PODZIEMSKI: “only like to think of the pros”, about relationships
KLAY: “grateful…a time where Warriors made postseason once in 18 yrs”; KUMINGA: “just play my game”
Jonathan Kuminga Recaps Return From Injury vs. Jazz | April 7, 2024
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Saturday April 6
FINAL
CLE 97 vs 116 LAL
Russell, James help Lakers Win 4th Straight, move into 8th place with 116-97 Victory over Cavaliers
LeBron pulls out vintage chase-down block
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Game Highlights
Lebron Still Catching Lobs in year 21
LOS ANGELES -- — D’Angelo Russell scored 28 points, LeBron James added 24 and the Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to four with a 116-97 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, moving into eighth place in the Western Conference.
Anthony Davis added 22 points and 13 rebounds in the Lakers' (45-33) ninth win in 10 games.
Darius Garland scored 26 points for Cleveland and Caris LeVert had 21 off the bench. The Cavaliers (46-32) remained in third place in the East but have dropped two straight and three of their last four.
Russell had six 3-pointers, including five in the first half, when his 23 points helped the Lakers take a nine-point lead.
Jaxson Hayes Elevates for Alley-Oop Dunk
James improved to 18-4 against his former team, where he played for 11 seasons in two different stints. He had a pair of alley-oop dunks against the team he led to its lone NBA title in 2016.
Davis scored 11 points in the third quarter, including nine during a 19-0 run. Cleveland led 71-67 before the Lakers regained control during a four-minute span.
LeBron
LeBron throws Down a Lob from AD
Los Angeles jumped out to a 16-point lead early in the second quarter with a 24-4 run before Cleveland got it down to 65-56 at halftime.
Garland, who tied a career high with five steals, had a pair of 3-pointers as the Cavaliers began the second half with an 11-2 spurt to tie it at 67-all.
LeBron Elevates from an Alley-Oop Jam
LBJ CRASHES INTO CAMER MAN & APOLOGIZES TO HIM AFTER HURTING HIS BACK!
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Remain in Los Angeles to face the Clippers on Sunday afternoon.
Lakers: Host the Minnesota Timberwolves Sunday night.
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
GSW 133 vs 110 HOU
Curry and Thompson Score 29 each as Warriors Stretch Win Streak to 6 with 133-110 Win over Rockets
Brandin Podziemski puts his man in the spin cycle for a bucket
Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets: Game Highlights
HOUSTON -- — Steph Curry and Klay Thompson scored 29 points each and the Golden State Warriors stretched their winning streak to a season-high six games with a 133-110 win over the Houston Rockets on Thursday night.
“We know we can score against most teams but defense has been our calling card,” Curry said.
Klay Thompson Nails a Three over Dillon Brooks 😳😳
Trayce Jackson-Davis' Career-High 20PTS Lead Golden State to Victory over Rockets | April 4, 2024
The Warriors, who are in 10th place in the Western Conference, never trailed and built a 15-point lead by halftime behind 21 points by Thompson. He made seven 3-pointers with five of them coming in the first half.
“Man, he was smoking and that was fun to watch,” coach Steve Kerr said. “He was feeling it right from the beginning.”
Kerr said he's not focused on the standings, but rather how they can build on this momentum.
Stephen Curry
Check out this Sweet pass from Stephen Curry
Steph Curry Hilariously Trolls Tari Eason for "Warriors come out to Play" 😂
STEPH MOCKS TARI EASON & ROCKETS FROM BENCH! WAIVES 3 BOTTLES AT HIM LOL! HAHA! TROLLING!
Steph Curry Celebrating that the Refs called a Foul 😂
“We’re not thinking about any of that, we’re just trying to win,” he said. “We’re on a nice run right now and we’re playing good basketball. So we’re going to do that for the next six games and see where we land.”
They improved to 3-0 against Houston this season and have won the last 13 regular-season games against the Rockets.
“We know what’s at stake and we know how important these last games are,” Thompson said. “So I thought we played with the sense of urgency we needed to get it done.”
Gary Payton II
Gary Payton II Drains Basket vs. Houston Rockets
Jabari Smith Jr. had 24 points to lead the Rockets, who dropped their third game in a row after winning their previous 11 games. Rookie Cam Whitmore added 17 points off the bench.
“You have to up your level against higher quality, high IQ teams,” coach Ime Udoka said. “Lack of communication has been one thing, but when you see that many slips to the basket and two men on one ball, it's a lack of communication or a lack of recognition of who you're guarding.”
The Warriors moved to 42-34 with the win to give them a winning season for the 38th time in franchise history and the fourth in a row.
Klay Thompson points and calls Dillon Brooks a Bum after Hitting a 3 on Him 😂
Golden State was up by 16 after three and had pushed the lead to 20 when Kerr cleared the bench with about four minutes remaining.
Andrew Wiggins makes a Sweet Dish
Rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis scored a career-high 20 points for the Warriors with five rebounds and four assists in his 10th start this season.
“Trayce, for a rookie, it’s amazing what he’s doing,” Kerr said. “He’s gaining a lot more confidence with the extra playing time here in the second half of the season.”
The Warriors were without Jonathan Kuminga for a fifth straight game because of a knee injury. But Kerr said he was doing better and should return Friday night.
Brandin Podziemski puts his Man in the Spin Cycle for a Bucket
Andrew Wiggins injured his ankle in the fourth quarter and didn't return, but Kerr said the injury wasn't serious.
Houston’s Alperen Sengun, who has been out since severely spraining his right ankle March 10, spoke to reporters for the first time since his injury Thursday. He said he’s doing much better, but that he’s only at about 60%, making it unlikely that he’ll return this season.
Steph & Klay Combined for 58 PTS in Houston 🔥 FULL Highlights
Love to Dub Nation in Houston 💛💙
UP NEXT
Warriors: Visit Dallas Friday night.
Rockets: Host Miami Friday night.
KLAY on Tari Eason Warriors come out to play chant: “That’s pretty lame”; KERR: Wiggins tweaks ankle
STEPH CURRY on Tari Eason Warriors come out to play:we’re a proud group of guys;TRAYCE JACKSON-DAVIS
Klay Thompson Recaps Warriors Win vs. Rockets | April 4, 2024
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Wednesday April 3
FINAL
LAL 125 vs 120 WSH
Davis leads Lakers to their 8th Win in 9 Games, Scores 35 points in 125-120 Victory over Wizards
LeBron credits 'star power' for growth of women's hoops
Lakers star LeBron James points to "icons" such as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese as a reason for the growing popularity of women's college basketball.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Washington Wizards: Game Highlights
WASHINGTON -- — Anthony Davis scored 19 of his 35 points in the first quarter and had 18 rebounds, helping the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Washington Wizards 125-120 on Wednesday night for their eighth victory in nine games.
LeBron James had 25 points and nine assists, and Rui Hachimura scored 19 points for the Lakers against his former team. Davis was 10 of 17 from the field and made 15 free throws without a miss.
Jordan Poole led Washington with 29 points.
Jordan Poole just cooked Anthony Davis 😳🤝
Anthony Davis stars in Lakers' Win with 35 points, 18 rebounds
The Lakers are ninth in the Western Conference, meaning they'd have to win twice in the play-in tournament to make the main playoff bracket. But they're making a push to move up. Los Angeles trailed Phoenix and Sacramento by 1 1/2 games entering Wednesday.
“We want to continue to play good basketball,” James said. “The postseason's still kind of a ways away. ... Postseason prep, all that other stuff is totally different from the regular season, so wherever we fall is where we fall.”
The Wizards are a loss shy of matching the franchise record of 63.
LeBron James, Anthony Davis staying laser focused amid playoff race after Lakers’ 5-1 road trip
Washington was coming off a nice win over Milwaukee on Tuesday night, and the Wizards made their first five 3-point attempts against the Lakers. Washington led 19-8 early on, and the problems mounted for Los Angeles when Davis took a stray elbow to the nose from Wizards 7-
footer Tristan Vukcevic and stayed down on the floor for a bit.
But Davis was able to play on, which was bad news for Washington. The Wizards didn't have the size necessary to deal with him, and Davis dominated the rest of the quarter. By the time it was over, he'd already made 11 free throws, and the Lakers led 39-29.
LeBron Beats the First-Half Buzzer
LeBron Beats the First-Half Buzzer with Acrobatic Lay-In
Los Angeles led by seven at the half, then went on a 9-2 run to start the third quarter to take a 76-62 advantage. D'Angelo Russell scored 18 points for the Lakers, who went 5-1 on a six-game trip.
Washington pulled back within two in the fourth and was having some success with its zone defense before James spun around Jared Butler and dunked to make it 109-105. That started a 12-0 run.
“When we're scoring at will, teams are going to try to get into a zone and try to slow us down," Davis said. "We've got to be able to get to our zone offense to combat that.”
LeBron Blows by the Wizards'
LeBron Blows by the Wizards' Defense and Hits the and-1 Bucket
The Lakers had removed James and Davis, the game seemingly in hand, when the Wizards scored eight straight points to make it 125-120. After a Los Angeles turnover with 17.4 seconds remaining, James and Davis came back in.
Davis blocked a 3-point attempt by Butler and the Lakers held on.
“I hate the term garbage time,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “You're playing in the NBA. There's only so many spots, and you get a chance to play, even if it's the last 50 seconds, go hard. Go hard or you stay home, pretty much."
James was called for a flagrant foul when he made a spin move while driving to the basket and caught Deni Avdija with an elbow in the second quarter.
Anthony Davis Fights off Defender for and-1
LeBron James got a Flagrant Foul for this 👀
UP NEXT
Lakers: Host Cleveland on Saturday.
Wizards: Host Portland on Friday night.
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Tuesday April 2
FINAL
LAL 128 vs 111 TOR
LeBron James Scores 23 points as Lakers Win for 7th time in 8 games, Beat Slumping Raptors 128-111
Jaxson Hayes throws down spectacular between-the-legs dunk
Jaxson Hayes gets the ball on the fast break and throws down a between-the-legs dunk for the Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Toronto Raptors: Game Highlights
LAKERS at RAPTORS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | April 2, 2024
TORONTO -- — LeBron James scored 23 points, Anthony Davis had 21 points and 12 rebounds and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Toronto Raptors 128-111 on Tuesday night for their seventh win in eight games.
D’Angelo Russell shot 7 for 14 from 3-point range and scored 25 points, Rui Hachimura had 14 and Max Christie 12 as the Lakers handed slumping Toronto a 14th straight loss.
The NBA’s career scoring leader, James shot 10 for 12 and had nine assists.
LeBron James fights off Defender for and-1
LeBron James just made his no name Defender touch Earth 😳😳
James came in having matched his career high with nine 3-pointers in Sunday’s win at Brooklyn. The 20-time All-Star took just one shot from distance against the Raptors, connecting with 5:22 left in the third quarter.
Davis sat the entire fourth quarter, while James checked out with 9:22 remaining in the final period after Los Angeles extended its lead to 27, 109-82. The Lakers visit the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
James said he appreciated the chance to get an early start on his postgame routine.
“It absolutely helps,” he said. “Every minute counts. I was able to get back here and get going on the treatment and my prep, and start preparing my body, hopefully, for tomorrow night.”
D’Angelo Russell Waves Goodbye to the Raptors Fans 😅😅
Lakers coach Darvin Ham said he expected to have both James and Davis available against the Wizards, who beat Milwaukee on Tuesday night.
“We’ll see how they feel when they wake up in the morning but, in all likelihood, I’m sure they’ll play,” Ham said.
RJ Barrett Throws Down a Mean One-Handed Jam for Raptors
James has scored 20 or more points in five of his past six meetings with Toronto.
“He’s just so elite,” Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic said. “It’s amazing to see a player at this age, after 20 years in the NBA, to play at this high a level. We never saw anything like it.”
RJ Barrett scored 28 points and Immanuel Quickley added 20 for the Raptors. Toronto lost a franchise-worst 17 consecutive games in 1997-98.
Toronto’s Gary Trent Jr. sat to rest, while Barrett and Quickley returned after missing time because of personal reasons and reconditioning. The pair combined for 17 points in the first, but the Lakers closed the quarter with an 18-4 spurt to lead 34-25 after one.
Mouhamadou Gueye Denies Los Angeles Lakers with Swat
Los Angeles held a 64-58 edge at the intermission. James and Davis each scored nine points in the third as the Lakers stretched their lead to 100-79 after three.
“We challenged the guys,” Ham said of his halftime message. “They responded with a big defensive third quarter.”
The Raptors remained without five injured players, including starters Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl. Toronto two-way player Jontay Porter missed his fifth straight game as he remains under investigation for gambling allegations.
Raptors guard Bruce Brown left in the fourth because of a sore right knee.
Lakers forward Cam Reddish was not available for personal reasons, while guard Gabe Vincent sat on the opening night of the back-to-back games as he returns from left knee surgery.
UP NEXT
Lakers: Visit the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
Raptors: Visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
LeBron James PostGame Interview | Los Angeles Lakers vs Toronto Raptors
Anthony Davis PostGame Interview | Los Angeles Lakers vs Toronto Raptors
Jaxson Hayes Post Game Interview | Los Angeles Lakers vs Toronto Raptors
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Sunday March 31
FINAL
LAL 116 vs 104 BKN
LeBron James Ties Career High with 9 3-pointers, Scores 40 points as Lakers Beat Nets 116-104
Fan in a goat costume is loving this LeBron 3-pointer
LeBron James knocks down a fadeaway for his eighth 3-pointer of the game and a fan in a goat costume can't get enough.
LAKERS at NETS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 31, 2024
NEW YORK -- — LeBron James would only hint at how long he expects to keep playing NBA basketball.
“Not very long, I’m not going to play another 21 years, that’s for damn sure,” James said after he had one of the best shooting nights of his illustrious career, going 9 for 10 behind the arc to tie his career high for 3-pointers. “I don’t know when that door will close, but I don’t have much
time left.”
LeBron makes Career-High 9 3-pointers as Lakers Topple Nets
LeBron Crowns Himself after Dropping 40 on Brooklyn 👑
LBJ SHOCKS NETS! ON FIRE FROM 3! CROWNS HIMSELF! AFTER TAKING OVER GAME! ON FIRE! FULL!
James once again looked like an ageless wonder as he played is 1,485th career game and matched a season high with 40 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 116-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night.
James had the sellout crowd at Barclays Center standing on its feet as he put the finishing touches on his 3-point shooting display in the fourth quarter. He reached 40 points for the third time this season, most recently on March 16 in a home loss to Golden State.
The Lakers have won five of six since then, and this victory moved them a season-high nine games over .500 with seven games remaining in the regular season. Los Angeles remained ninth in the Western Conference, but the Lakers could catch the Sacramento Kings for eighth or
the Phoenix Suns for seventh in the West, taking them out of the single-elimination No. 9 vs. No. 10 play-in game.
LeBron finds AD with Pinpoint Outlet Pass as Lakers Jump out to 15-0 Lead
If James has another game like this in the postseason, just about anything is possible for the NBA’s career scoring leader who continues to amaze at age 39.
The 20-time All Star finished 13 for 17 overall as the Lakers played the fourth game of a six-game road trip and rebounded from a loss Friday night at Indiana that snapped their five-game winning streak.
“I put in a lot of time working on my craft,” James said.
Anthony Davis added 24 points and 14 rebounds, and Rui Hachimura had 20 points and 10 rebounds in a game the Lakers led by 20 in the first quarter and controlled throughout. Brooklyn got its deficit inside double digits just once in the second half.
Cam Thomas led the Nets with 30 points, trying to rally them after their dismal start.
LeBron Splashes Career-High 9th 3 for his 40th point of the Night
“But can’t do nothing when somebody hits 9 for 10 from 3,” Thomas said. “Made every 3 he put up so it's tough, but I feel like we played really well second through the fourth. It was just the first quarter was pretty tough on us, starting off that slow,”
The Lakers got 114 of their 116 points from their starters.
James also made nine 3-pointers Jan. 24, 2023, against the Clippers, shooting 9 for 14. His 90% accuracy was the second-best of his career in games in which he made at least five 3-pointers, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He was 5 for 5 against Oklahoma City on Dec. 23 of this
season.
Austin Reaves makes a Great Defensive Play for the Steal
Brooklyn was 0 for 8 from the field when interim coach Kevin Ollie called his first timeout just over 4 minutes into the first quarter after James grabbed a defensive rebound and hit Davis in stride with a long pass for a breakaway dunk, and the futility continued until Nic Claxton broke the
ice after an 0-for-11 start by banking in a 10-footer.
Still, the lead rapidly grew to 24-4 with 4 ½ minutes left in the opening quarter, and the Barclays Center crowd was silenced as the Nets were laying this particular Easter egg. The Lakers’ lead was 31-10 after one quarter as Brooklyn shot 4-for-21 and was outrebounded 21-11.
James kept single-handedly holding off the Nets in the third and fourth quarters with 3s, the eighth of which came as he was falling to his left from the corner to give the Lakers a 108-91 lead.
James then was isolated against Claxton on the perimeter on the next possession and dribbled between his legs several times before making his ninth 3 to make it 111-93.
LeBron James' INCREDIBLE Performance On Easter! | March 31, 2024
UP NEXT
Lakers: At Toronto on Tuesday.
Nets: At Indiana on Monday.
LeBron James on how much longer he'll play in the NBA: 'I don't have much time left' | NBA on ESPN
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Saturday March 30
FINAL
BOS 104 vs 92 NO
Tatum Scores 23 as Celtics Rebound from Back-to-Back Losses with 104-92 Win over Pelicans
Tatum's 23 points lead the Celtics past the Pelicans
Jayson Tatum tallies 23 points and three 3-pointers to get the Celtics off of their two game losing streak.
Nice Basket from Jayson Tatum
CELTICS at PELICANS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 30, 2024
NEW ORLEANS -- — Jayson Tatum scored 23 points and the Boston Celtics rebounded from back-to-back losses to Atlanta, pulling away in the third quarter for a 104-92 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.
Kristaps Porzingis added 19 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots and Jaylen Brown scored 17 as the Celtics, who at 58-16 have the NBA’s best record, avoided what would have been their first three-game skid of the year.
Derrick White had 15 points and Jrue Holiday had 13 points, seven assists and eight rebounds.
Zion Williamson scored 25 for New Orleans and CJ McCollum added 24.
Derrick White Shows off the Range on 3-point Shot
This DWhite buzzer beater put us up at the half and started our game winning run making this tonight's @JetBlue Play of the Game
Porzingis said stopping the two-game skid — only the Celtics’ third losing streak of the season — was less important than simply playing well.
“Last year Denver lost four in a row at one point, and I think the team that won before that lost five in a row,” he said. “But winning is a nice habit for sure.”
Ahead 59-57 at halftime, Boston took control in the third quarter, limiting New Orleans to 11 points while Porzingis had two of his blocks. The Celtics went ahead 79-68 on Tatum’s 3-pointer with 4:12 left in the quarter and led by double digits the rest of the way, going up by 22 in the
fourth quarter.
The Celtics took away open 3-point shots and funneled the Pelicans to the basket, where Porzingis was waiting.
“That has to be our identity defensively,” Porzingis said. “The guys (on the perimeter ) do everything up until that point, and when the opponent gets to the rim, they meet me. We played at a very high level.”
The Pelicans shot 4 of 23 in the third quarter and Williamson missed all five of his attempts, guarded primarily by the 6-foot-6 Brown. New Orleans did not score after Trey Murphy’s 3-pointer with 4:37 left, going 0 of 6 with three turnovers.
“Jaylen did a nice job of making it very difficult for him (Williamson),” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said. “He still got his average on free throws, but we kept him out of transition, kept him out of the paint and the guys on the perimeter did a great job of showing help on Zion and making
him give up the ball early.”
Zion Williamson gets the Hoop and the Harm
Williamson and Herb Jones each had 14 points in the first half, when New Orleans led by 11 points after Williamson’s steal and dunk sparked a 9-0 run.
“They definitely hit us first,” Mazzulla said. “Our guys did a great job keeping their poise and responding the way we know how to with our defense and our offensive execution.”
McCollum’s driving layup made it 34-23 late in the first quarter, but Boston chipped away in the second quarter, tying it at 44 on White’s tip-in of Brown’s miss.
White gave the Celtics their first lead when he hit a deep 3 as time expired in the first half, and they continued their run at the start of the third quarter.
“They upped their intensity and we didn’t match it,” Williamson said. “When we decided to match it, the game was kind of out of hand at that point.”
Brandon Ingram missed his fifth consecutive game for the Pelicans with a bone bruise in his left knee. New Orleans was trying to get 18 games above .500 for the first time since being 49-31 on April 12, 2009.
Dyson Daniels makes a Sweet Dish
UP NEXT
Celtics: Visit Charlotte on Monday night to wrap up a six-game road swing.
Pelicans: Host Phoenix on Monday night in the fourth of six straight at home.
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Friday March 29
FINAL
GSW 115 vs 97 CHA
Stephen Curry returns home, scores 23 points to lead Warriors past Hornets 115-97
Warriors keep pace in play-in race with road win over Hornets
Golden State Warriors Drop DIMES vs. Hornets | March 29, 2024
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- — Stephen Curry scored 23 points with four 3-pointers in his annual homecoming game and the Golden State Warriors beat the Charlotte Hornets 115-97 on Friday night for their third straight win.
Curry, who grew up here and starred at nearby Davidson College before entering the NBA draft as a first-round pick in 2009, had 12 points in the pivotal third quarter as the Warriors blew open a close game.
Curry has always relished returning to play in Charlotte and seeing family and old friends, but the previous four games here have resulted in losses.
Steph Curry ENDS the Half with a BUZZER-BEATER 🚨
From downtown, Stephen Curry Hits the Long 3
“At this stage (of my career) I can probably count on one hand how many times I get to come back here," Curry said. “It was nice seeing a lot of familiar faces in the crowd. And, it was nice to actually get a win.”
Andrew Wiggins had a big role in that, turning in another strong game with 20 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
Trayce Jackson-Davis added 18 points for the Warriors, who are in 10th place in the Western Conference standings and battling the Houston Rockets for a spot in the play-in tournament. The Rockets won their 11th straight, 101-100 over the Utah Jazz on Friday night and are a game
behind the Warriors.
Fred VanVleet had 22 points, Amen Thompson added 18 points and 14 rebounds while Jabari Smith, Jr. scored 14 points for the Rocke
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said that is a reflection of just how tough the West is this season.
“We had a similar record last year and we were the sixth seed,” Kerr said.
Moses Moody Hits the 3 plus the Foul
Golden State limited Charlotte to 41% shooting and held its third straight opponent to fewer than 100 points.
“I feel like we are starting out the game engaged on the floor and talking, and that has carried over,” Jackson-Davis said.
Miles Bridges had 22 points and nine rebounds to lead Charlotte, which failed in its bid to win back-to-back games for the first time since the All-Star break.
Miles Bridges Fights off Defender for and-1
Curry always packs the Spectrum Center and Friday night was no exception.
With his brother Seth and father Dell looking on, Curry finished the game 9 of 18 from the field. Seth plays for Charlotte but is out with an ankle injury, while Dell is a broadcaster for the Hornets.
Curry admitted there has always been a "curiosity" about playing for the Hornets, where his father was a star but said his intentions are to remain in the Bay Area.
Draymond nearly Kicked Grant Williams in the... 👀
Charlotte rookie Brandon Miller briefly left the game with 8 1/2 minutes left after his leg got tangled up with Draymond Green while going for a rebound. He had just 12 points after making a career-high seven 3s and scoring 31 points on Monday night.
Green, who was ejected from the Warriors last game against Orlando, was later whistled for a foul when he appeared to push Charlotte’s Grant Williams to the ground. Coach Steve Kerr challenged the call, but the play was upheld.
“Trayce (Jackson-Davis) did a great job on the boards today, gave them second opportunities, and with the Warriors, you can’t do that with everybody on their team who can shoot,” Bridges said. “They were making shots, they were cutting hard and they were getting second-chance
points.”
Nick Richards with the and-1 Bucket
The Warriors played without Klay Thompson, who sat out with tendinitis in his right knee.
Chris Paul got the start in his place and had 11 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, including a lob over three players to Jackson-Davis for a dunk.
Jackson-Davis said Paul thought he threw the ball over his head.
“I had some sneaky bunnies and I went up and got it,” Jackson-Davis said.
UP NEXT
Warriors: Visit Spurs on Sunday night.
Hornets: Host Clippers on Sunday night.
"It's always fun to kind of relive your childhood a little bit." Stephen got a win in his hometown.
CHRIS PAUL: Moody “stays ready...one of my favorite teammates in my whole career”; KERR on Klay knee
STEPH CURRY: “wanna stay in the Bay…ask Seth a lot of questions what it’s like to be (in Charlotte)”
Chris Paul Recaps Warriors Win Over Hornets | March 29, 2024
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Wednesday March 27
FINAL
Warriors overcome Draymond Green’s early ejection to beat the Magic, 101-93
Steph kicks chair after clutch 3
Steph Curry is fired up during a timeout after hitting a clutch 3-pointer and kicks over a chair.
STEPH BEGS DRAYMOND GREEN "PLEASE STOP! UR NOT HELPING!" AFTER EJECTION!
Draymond Green instantly ejected vs. Magic, and Stephen Curry looked devastated
WARRIORS at MAGIC | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 27, 2024
ORLANDO, Fla. -- — Andrew Wiggins scored 13 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, Stephen Curry made the final two baskets of the game on an off shooting night and Golden State Warriors overcame Draymond Green's early ejection to beat the Orlando Magic 101-93 on Wednesday.
Curry made a driving hook shot with 1:09 to go and added a 3-pointer with 34 seconds left for the final points. He had 17 points — going 6 of 18 from the field — and 10 assists.
A night after holding Miami to 92 points in a win, the Warriors held Orlando to 93. Playing mostly without Green and entirely without the injured Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State had a 52-39 rebounding edge to overcome poor shooting with the exception of Wiggins.
Warriors Hold off Magic for Road Win
“We found a way to fight it to the end and get a win," Curry said. “It did start with the defensive effort of being detail-focused, talking, rebounding, and then we were locked in for a good stretch of the game.”
They had some help from the Magic, starting with 10 missed free throws.
Steph puts the Magic to Sleep with 'Night-Night' Celebration
“Shots were not falling, free throws were not falling,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “We were getting open and good looks. We missed some easy ones at the rim.”
Cole Anthony led Orlando with 26 points and eight rebounds. Paolo Banchero had 15 points and eight rebounds.
Andrew Wiggins Drains Basket vs. Orlando Magic
“Sometimes it just goes down like that where you come out and miss a couple in a row and then it just trickles down,” said Banchero, who shot 5 for 17. “We just had some tough, tough misses.”
The Warriors, holding the 10th spot in the Western Conference, won for the 20th time in 35 road games. They are 18-19 at home, and could become only the second team in NBA history to finish with a winning record overall, and a losing record at home. The Brooklyn Nets did it in 2021-22.
Golden State Warriors Beat Orlando Magic in the Clutch | Kia Clutch Plays
Green, who missed 16 games after being suspended by the NBA in December, was ejected 3:36 in for disputing a foul call on Wiggins. It was Green’s fourth ejection of the season.
“It was unfortunate," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "He deserved it, and he’ll bounce back.”
Banchero scored on the play but it was Orlando's final field goal of the period. The Magic shot 3 for 22 in the first quarter and fell behind 27-11.
The Warriors had a 17-point lead midway through the third quarter before Anthony shot the Magic back in it with a couple of 3-pointers, a backcourt steal and a layup.
“We’ve played so many tight games,” Kerr said. “We’re, obviously, a team that can compete with anybody and lose to anybody. That’s kind of where the league is these days, other than a handful of teams like Boston."
Kuminga missed his first game since Oct. 30 with a sore left knee.
Banchero became only the eighth player in the last 60 years to have 3,000 points, 900 rebounds and 600 assists in his first two NBA seasons, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Sidney Wicks, Larry Bird, Larry Johnson, Luka Doncic, Grant Hill and LeBron James.
Steph Shakes his Head after Draymond gets Ejected in under 4 minutes
Draymond Green acting like he didn’t just get ejected 😅😅
UP NEXT
Warriors: At Charlotte on Friday night.
Magic: Host Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.
KERR: Curry “emotional bc our team needed the win”, Wiggins “fantastic”; TJD: Steph “at 36 is crazy”
CURRY: “don’t wanna have self-inflicted wounds”; Wiggins “took over”; MOODY: “fear of Steph’s shot”
Stephen Curry Reflects on Warriors Win vs Magic | March, 27, 2024
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Tuesday March 26
FINAL/2 OT
Reaves' Triple-Double, Tiebreaking 3 helps Rally Lakers past Bucks in 2OTs without LeBron James
Austin Reaves nails dagger 3-pointer in 2OT
Austin Reaves hits a wide-open 3-pointer to give the Lakers the lead over the Bucks late in double overtime.
LAKERS at BUCKS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 26, 2024
Austin Reaves Nails Dagger 3-pointer in 2OT
MUST-SEE 2OT ENDING Lakers vs Bucks 🚨 March 26, 2024
Austin Reaves Nails Dagger 3-pointer in 2OT
MILWAUKEE -- — Staring at a double-digit deficit midway through the fourth quarter without LeBron James available, Austin Reaves and the Los Angeles Lakers faced a clear choice.
“It was one of those moments that you could either flip the page to tomorrow, get ready for that game or you could go out and compete 110% and give yourself an opportunity or at least try to give yourself an opportunity to get back in the game,” Reaves said.
The Lakers chose the latter option and delivered a comeback for the ages.
Lakers Rally from 19-point Deficit to Defeat Bucks in 2OT
Reaves had his second career triple-double and made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 38.6 seconds left in the second overtime as the Lakers overcame James' absence and rallied to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 128-124 on Tuesday night.
Reaves had 29 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in 47 minutes as the Lakers opened a six-game trip by winning their fourth straight despite trailing by 19 points in the fourth quarter and never leading in regulation. Anthony Davis provided 34 points and 23 rebounds while playing 52
minutes despite dealing with a knee problem late in the game.
AUSTIN REEVES REMINDS BUCKS "IM STILL HIM!" AFTER SHOCKING DAGGER 3S IN 19-POINT COMEBACK!
Austin Reaves' 2ND CAREER Triple-Double In 2OT Thriller! March 26, 2024
“A 20-point lead in this league now, it’s nothing because of the way the offense is right now in the league, so high-powered that you can wipe away a lead pretty fast,” Davis said.
The Lakers won't have much time to celebrate their stunning comeback. They're playing again Wednesday at Memphis.
Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo had 29 points, a season-high 21 rebounds and 11 assists for his ninth triple-double of the season. Damian Lillard scored 27 but shot 9 of 29. Malik Beasley added 21.
LBJ LAUGHING TO TEARS AFTER ANNOUNCER BASHES LAKERS GETTING BEAT BAD!
LeBron watching Giannis missing two important free throws 👀
LBJ LAUGHING TO TEARS AFTER ANNOUNCER BASHES LAKERS GETTING BEAT BAD!
LBJ DISTRACTED GIANNIS ON FREE THROW & MOCKS HIM WITH COUNT DOWN! LOL! HAHA!
James had an issue with his left ankle that prevented him from being available as the Lakers opened a six-game trip. James also had missed the Lakers’ 123-122 victory over the Bucks on March 8.
The Lakers still found a way to beat Milwaukee again.
“We've got to watch this game, learn from this game,” Antetokounmpo said. “Watch why we weren't able to get a stop. Watch why the ball wasn't moving down the stretch. Watch why we lost the game. Watch why there was a lot of 50-50 balls and we weren't able to get them.”
D'Angelo Russell had 29 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds for the Lakers. Rui Hachimura added 16 points and 14 rebounds.
AD Blocks Dame's Game-Winning Layup Attempt Forcing 2OT
LeBron upset Giannis isn't Called for a Travel
The exhaustion of both teams was apparent as nobody scored in the first three minutes of the second overtime. The Lakers briefly trailed by two in the second OT, but pulled ahead for good on Reaves’ last-minute 3-pointer.
After Antetokounmpo missed two free throws with 24.2 seconds left, Russell hit two free throws to make it 126-121 with 14.7 seconds remaining, Beasley made a 3-pointer to cut the lead to two, but Davis hit two free throws with 1.7 seconds left to seal the victory.
The Lakers never led until Spencer Dinwiddie sank a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 2:19 left in the first overtime.
Dinwiddie's 3-pointer in OT gives Lakers First Lead
From there, the game went back and forth.
Lillard's corner 3-pointer put Milwaukee ahead with 13.6 seconds left in the first overtime, but Russell drew a foul and hit both free throws to tie with 3.1 seconds remaining.
Davis blocked Lillard on a driving layup attempt to force a second overtime.
Milwaukee seemed firmly in control for most of the night.
Davis (34 PTS), Reaves (29 PTS) & Russell (27 PTS) Lead Lakers In 2OT Thriller! 🔥 March 26, 2024
After a Lillard jumper with 8:25 left gave the Bucks a 94-75 advantage — matching their largest lead of the game — the Lakers outscored the Bucks 26-7 the rest of the fourth quarter to force overtime.
“Sometimes the ball just bounces different, and if you don't stay disciplined and do the things that go into how we built that lead, those leads can go away quick in this league with the shooting that's in the league, like they did tonight," Lillard said. "That's what happened.”
Taurean Prince drew a foul with 43.9 seconds remaining and made both free throws to tie the game. Both teams had a chance to win it at the end of the fourth quarter but couldn’t convert.
DOUBLE-DOUBLES FOR EVERYONE 🔥 AD, Reaves AND D-Lo ALL DROP 25-PT DOUBLE-DOUBLES in 2OT | NBA on ESPN
UP NEXT
Lakers: At Memphis on Wednesday.
Bucks: At New Orleans on Thursday.
"It is a missed opportunity, but if we had won, that doesn't change anything," Doc said. "We're trying to go and get better. I thought we had the game in our hands, and we let it go. That happens, and it'll happen again, and we'll win some the other way, too."
"There's two things you can do: you can fold and go to Memphis tomorrow, or you can man up and face the challenge head-on." Austin Reaves (29 pts, 14 reb, 10 ast) with @LakersReporter on the #Lakers' fourth-quarter comeback.
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Monday March 25
FINAL
Hawks Rally from 30 points Down to Stun NBA-Leading Celtics 120-118
Hawks rally from 30-point deficit to defeat Celtics
Down by 30 points in the second quarter, the Hawks orchestrate the biggest comeback of the season and defeat the Celtics 120-118.
Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks: Game Highlights
CELTICS at HAWKS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 25, 2024
UNREAL ENDING Final 5:33 Celtics vs Hawks 🚨 March 25, 2024
ATLANTA -- — De’Andre Hunter could’ve held the ball and forced the Celtics to foul.
Deandre Hunter makes head scratching decision to shoot this three, DAGGER ‼️😅
Instead, he let it fly.
Considering what the Atlanta Hawks had done, rallying from a 30-point deficit against NBA-leading Boston, it was only appropriate the shot hit nothing but net.
Hunter scored 24 points, including a clinching 3-pointer with 9.2 seconds remaining, and the patched-together Hawks pulled off one of the most improbable wins in franchise history with a 120-118 stunner over the Celtics on Monday night.
The Celtics had won 20 of 22 and brought a nine-game winning streak into State Farm Arena — a run that certainly appeared in no jeopardy when Al Horford’s 3-pointer put Boston up 68-38 with just under 4 1/2 minutes left in the first half.
But the Hawks, clinging to the final play-in spot in the East and one of the league’s most disappointing teams, launched a comeback out of nowhere with All-Star guard Trae Young and three other key players sidelined by injuries.
De'Andre Hunter Drains Dagger 3 for Hawks to put Celtics Away
It was the biggest comeback win for Atlanta since at least the 1997-98 season, when the NBA began keeping detailed play-by-play.
Dejounte Murray put the Hawks ahead to stay at 117-116 on a reverse layup with a minute left. Jaylen Brown missed a desperation 3 with the shot clock expiring, and Hunter sealed things at the other end with a huge assist from Clint Capela.
After Murray missed a jumper, Capela grabbed the offensive rebound and spotted Hunter all alone at the top of the key. Even though the shot clock was off and Hunter could’ve forced the Celtics to foul, he let go an open look from 26 feet.
Hunter had run through the scenario before he got the ball.
“If he passes it to me, I’m shooting,” Hunter told himself. "He got the rebound, he passed it to me, so I shot it.”
Hawks coach Quin Snyder had no problem with the seemingly ill-advised decision.
“He didn’t hesitate,” Snyder said. “He shot the ball with confidence, and I had confidence in him.”
Bogdan Bogdanovic Knocks Down the 3
It was a shocking loss for the Celtics in a season filled with wins, to a team that came into the night trailing them by 25 1/2 games in the Eastern Conference standings..
“We let our foot off the gas in the second half, and they got in a great rhythm," said Jayson Tatum, who led the Celtics with 37 points. “It's a tough pill to swallow.”
Atlanta's comeback began with a 9-0 run to end the first half, which cut the deficit to 74-56 as the teams headed to the locker room.
The momentum carried over to the third quarter, which began with Atlanta ripping off 19 of the next 23 points to slice the margin to 78-75.
After the Celtics flirted several times with pulling away again, the Hawks finally claimed their first lead of the night when little-used Wesley Matthews knocked down a 3 to make it 97-96 with 9:42 remaining.
Wesley Matthews Nails the 3-point Shot Boston Celtics
Wesley Matthews Nails the 3-point Shot Boston Celtics
Bogdan Bogdanovic had 22 points and Murray chipped in with 19, but it was several players who are normally buried deep on the bench who really carried the Hawks.
Vit Krejci had 16 points, including a 3-pointer that left him shrugging his shoulders toward his teammates as if he couldn't really believe what was happening. Bruno Fernando scored 13 and Matthews knocked down a pair of crucial 3s.
“It felt like everything we were doing was going (right) for us,” Krejci said. “It was a really good moment. We’ve got to find a way to feel that way the whole game.”
Hawks Rally from 30-point Deficit to Defeat Celtics
With plenty of fans in green cheering them on in Atlanta, the Celtics doubled up the home team in the first quarter by racing to a 44-22 lead.
Boston made 16 of 24 shots in the opening period, including 5 of 7 beyond the 3-point arc, in addition to going 7 of 7 at the foul line.
Tatum finished the half with 23 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals and a blocked shot. But he was stymied a bit in the second half by Krejci, who began to pick up the Boston star from one end of the court to the other.
Brown added 24 points for the Celtics.
UP NEXT
Celtics: With a strange quirk of scheduling, Boston will get an extended stay in Atlanta before the same teams meet again on Thursday.
Hawks: Atlanta has another home game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, sandwiched between its two contests against the Celtics.
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Sunday March 24
FINAL
Anthony Davis Scores 36 points while the Lakers hold off another Pacers comeback in a 150-145 Win
Indiana Pacers vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Game Highlights
PACERS at LAKERS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 24, 2024
LeBron James “What The F***” after the refs called him for this foul ⁉️⁉️
LOS ANGELES -- — Anthony Davis had 36 points and 16 rebounds, LeBron James added 26 points and 10 assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers produced their franchise's highest-scoring performance in 37 years in a 150-145 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night.
Spencer Dinwiddie scored 26 points in his biggest offensive game since joining the Lakers, who have won three straight and five of seven. Los Angeles led 116-99 entering the fourth quarter, but Indiana closed the gap to three points down the stretch while putting up a 46-point final
period.
Anthony Davis' MONSTER Performance vs Pacers! 🔥 March 24, 2024
Los Angeles held on by scoring 10 points in the final minute — including six free throws by Austin Reaves, who finished with 25 points in the highest-scoring performance by this 17-time NBA champion team since Jan. 2, 1987.
“We played them in the (In-Season Tournament) championship, and we know how high-powered an offense they are," James said. "They’re never going to stop playing no matter how far they get down or how far they’re up, so it’s a good win for us.”
Austin Reaves Shows off Vision with Nice Dime Indiana Pacers
All-Star Tyrese Haliburton awoke from a quiet 12-point performance to hit two 3-pointers in the final seconds, trimming the Lakers’ lead to three points with 20 seconds to play. LA survived when Dinwiddie made one free throw and Haliburton missed a 3 before Cam Reddish stole Doug
McDermott’s pass with three seconds left.
Tyrese Haliburton Drains 3-point Shot Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James turns into Steph Curry with three ‼️😳
“We allowed them to score 145, so ... it was terrible defensively,” Davis said. “They hit some shots toward the end, but we can do what we want offensively, as you could see tonight. But we’ve got to defend, especially when we’ve got a team (in trouble) like that. We don’t need to give
them life, but at this point in the season, a win is a win. We’ll take it, but we’ve got to learn from it as well.”
Indiana coach Rick Carlisle was annoyed after the Lakers shot 43 free throws to the Pacers' 16, while Indiana was called for 31 fouls to Los Angeles' 14.
“I thought our guys really battled in this game," Carlisle said. "There were just certain things that were impossible to overcome. A 27 free throw differential is one, and a 17-foul differential is the other.”
Austin Reaves Denies Indiana Pacers with Swat
Pascal Siakam scored 19 of his 36 points in the third quarter for the Pacers, who dropped to 2-1 on their five-game road trip after playing dismal defense in the second and third quarters, allowing 86 points by Los Angeles. Myles Turner added 20 points and TJ McConnell had 17 for the
Pacers, who had eight double-digit scorers.
“Sometimes when you have difficult challenges, it's easy to drop your head and just say, ‘Hey, it’s not our night,' but our guys don't do that,” Carlisle said. “Our second unit battled in the second half. That last five-minute stretch, the first unit came back in there, and they were defiant
about hanging in the game. At a certain point, you've got to play absolutely perfectly, and that was going to be very, very difficult.”
Pascal Siakam Storms in for a Big Pacers Flush
Dinwiddie stepped up while the Lakers won for the first time in six games this season without sharpshooting guard D’Angelo Russell, who was out with a non-COVID illness.
Offensive fireworks were no surprise in this matchup. In the Pacers' last visit to face the Lakers in November 2022, they rallied from a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter before Andrew Nembhard hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer for a stunning 116-115 victory.
The teams met for the first time since the Lakers beat the Pacers 123-109 in Las Vegas to win the inaugural In-Season Tournament last December. The Lakers, who will play at Indiana on Friday, went into a 3-10 slump immediately after raising that trophy, and they haven't been able to
rise higher than ninth in the Western Conference despite going 22-13 since that skid.
Russell's absence and the Pacers' speedy play caused problems for the Lakers early on, but Davis had 15 points and nine rebounds in the first half to keep it close. The Lakers scored a season-high 116 points through three quarters, but Siakam kept Indiana in it by himself.
Most of Argentina's national soccer team attended the game ahead of La Albiceleste's exhibition match at the Coliseum on Tuesday.
UP NEXT
Pacers: At Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.
Lakers: At Milwaukee on Tuesday night.
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Saturday March 23
FINAL
Booker Scores 32 points and Suns never Trail in Steamrolling Spurs 131-106
Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs: Game Highlights
SUNS at SPURS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 23, 2024
Isaiah Thomas reacts to the Suns up 30 but still a DNP 💔😔
SAN ANTONIO -- — Devin Booker scored 32 points before sitting out the fourth quarter and the Phoenix Suns never trailed in steamrolling the San Antonio Spurs 131-106 on Saturday night to help their playoff positioning.
“He was first-class Devin Booker tonight,” Phoenix coach Frank Vogel said. “He was scoring, he was passing. In complete control of the game. Really strong performance by Book.”
Devin Booker Hits a Nice Fadeaway for the Suns
Kevin Durant added 25 points for Phoenix, which never trailed and led by as many as 32. Bradley Beal had 13 points and a season-high 12 assists.
Kevin Durant takes Flight for Alley-Oop Slam
Kevin Durant takes Flight for Alley-Oop Slam
Victor Wembanyama had 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and a blocked shot in 21 minutes as San Antonio lost its third straight and eighth in 10 games. Keldon Johnson had 14 points.
Phoenix shot 59.6% in winning their eighth straight in San Antonio.
Victor Wembanyama uses a Nice Spin move for a Bucket
“I thought we had a little more contact and physicality in the second half, but you’re not going to stop Book and K.D. from doing what they’re doing and Bradley’s healthy now,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “That’s a pretty tough trio. Our guys did everything they could, and you
move on.”
The Suns have won three straight to improve to 13 games above .500 for the first time this season. The surge comes at an opportune time as Phoenix (42-29) is a half-game ahead of Dallas (41-29) for the sixth and final automatic playoff berth in the Western Conference.
“This is what we have been working for and toward all season,” Booker said. “I think the timing is right. It’s the meat of the season and it’s time to lock in and get prepared for postseason.”
Phoenix has a rematch with San Antonio on Monday as the Spurs conclude a season-high eight-game homestand. San Antonio has won just once during that stretch.
The Spurs (15-56) must win five of their last 11 games to avoid finishing with the worst record in franchise history – 20-62 in 1997. Of San Antonio’s remaining opponents, only Utah, Memphis and Detroit are currently not in the playoffs or play-in tournament.
Any chance the Spurs had of ending their skid diminished quickly.
Drew Eubanks gets the Pass in the Lane and Dunks
Bol Bol says the refs are d*ckriding Victor Wembanyama after foul call 😂
Beal screening again, & it's their process even with the smalls evolving in angle flips All creates a short-roll opportunity & Beal processes it quickly after pulling Wemby in, to free Durant
I liked everything about this possession From Eubanks-Beal empty corner action. To Beal dragging out the late-switch. Then Bol understanding spacing around the second Beal paint touch Bol really has feel both for the array of soft touch shots, but also the spacing off drives
“That’s what you want them all to look like when you get an early lead,” Vogel said. “To keep your foot on the gas and play the third quarter the way we did and go for a knockout punch, which we did.”
San Antonio opened the game shooting 4 for 17 from the field and had four turnovers.
To make matters worse, Booker had 12 points while shooting 5 for 9 from the field in the opening quarter.
Booker then opened the second half with consecutive 3-pointers as Phoenix took its biggest lead at the time at 70-47.
“I think it’s just everybody,” Booker said. “I think team defense, we found a rhythm and that directly translates to the offensive side of the ball. You don’t want to get complacent. We have a lot to work on, but we are taking steps in the right direction.”
The Suns, which came in averaging 117 points per game, had six players score in double figures. Bradley Beal and Bol Bol had 13 points each.
Victor Wembanyama uses a Nice Spin move for a Bucket
Spurs, Victor Wembanyama have incredibly bright future
Wembanyama is only going to get better. Although he’s so fluid on the court, the Spurs have yet to fully unlock his potential. Once that happens, San Antonio will have arguably the best player in basketball on its roster. Of course, there’s a long ways to go before that happens. But this is
the reality this franchise is facing right now.
Look for the Spurs to continue building around its star center as the team aims to get back to title contention. Things could get interesting due to Greg Popovich’s age. However, he doesn’t seem ready to call it a career just yet.
“What we’re about to see in the next 2 or 3 years, we’re about to see the MVP and the Defensive Player of the Year all rolled into one.” @SamMitchellNBA on Wemby
“It’s just simply switching up who initiates the ball sometimes,” Durant said. “Switching up who we want to be the scorer one play, who is setting the screen one play. We are all versatile players that can do everything on the offensive side of the floor. We utilized that and we played off
one another. … It was a good flow tonight.”
After besting Bol in a jump ball, Wembanyama smoothly drained a 25-foot, step-back 3-pointer that trimmed the Suns’ lead to 36-24 with nine minutes remaining in the first half. Wembanyama had 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and a block, but the Spurs trailed 65-47 at the half.
Wembanyama finished 5 for 7 from the field.
“It’s a team effort with him,” Durant said. “You can’t guard him one on one. He’s a load. He’s tough."
Booker and Durant, who received a bottle of wine from Popovich after the game, both sat out the final quarter. Booker and Durant played for Popovich and won a gold medal with Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics.
San Antonio is 5-19 in back-to-backs, including 2-10 in the second game.
New set from Phoenix to get this one going All smalls in Horns & flows into more Chin action. This time, with Nurkić in the deep corner, gets a ram screen into PnR Backside shake to move the tags — good process as the playbook expands
Up next: Monday vs. Suns
The Spurs will conclude their miniseries with the Suns (and their eight-game homestand) on Monday. Tip-off will be at 7:00 PM CT on Bally Sports.
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Thomas also released a post on his X account.
ISIAAH THOMAS CHECKS IN FOR DEBUT & THEN BRICKS LAYUP! THEN CHEERED BY CROWD!
“It’s been an amazing last few days for me. … I’m just gonna continue to take advantage of this situation and do it with a smile on my face.” @IsaiahThomas on his return to the NBA
Thomas Ready to Contribute to Suns
Thomas’ comments were shared by the Suns’ official Twitter account recently. The former Celtics star and former Charlotte Hornet said that he is looking forward to contributing to the team in any way possible, including in a leadership capacity. Whether Thomas will play often or not
remains to be seen, but he seems ready to provide veteran leadership and support even on a ten-day contract with the team.
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Thursday March 21
FINAL
Devin Booker Scores 30 points, Suns get Hot from 3-point range to Beat Hawks 128-115
PHOENIX -- — Devin Booker scored 30 points, Eric Gordon added 21 off the bench and the Phoenix Suns beat the Atlanta Hawks 128-115 on Thursday night.
Phoenix won largely thanks to superior long-range shooting, making 22 of 41 3-pointers. Booker hit six 3s while Gordon and Royce O'Neale both added four. Kevin Durant had 19 points and Grayson Allen added 13.
KD Gets Crafty
The Suns are 12 games above .500 for the first time this season at 41-29. They've won six of their past nine. Booker had another efficient performance, making 10 of 15 shots and hitting three 3s late in the fourth quarter to finish off the Hawks.
“This is more of what we expect out of our group, with the talent we have top to bottom,” Booker said.
Atlanta has lost five of six. Dejounte Murray scored 29 points while De'Andre Hunter added 22.
Dejounte Murray Impresses with Nice Basket
The Suns led by five at halftime and took a 96-93 lead into the fourth.
Phoenix had a big push midway through the final quarter when O'Neale, Gordon and Bol Bol connected for 3-pointers on three straight offensive possessions for a 112-98 lead. The Suns got 47 points from the bench on 17 of 24 shooting.
“Probably the best bench performance of the season,” Suns coach Frank Vogel said.
The Hawks responded by cutting the margin to 115-110 with 5:24 left but Durant hit a jumper to turn back the threat.
“I think we competed the whole game, which is the most important thing,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said. “They shot over 50% from three as a team, which is tough to handle, especially against a team that's also so good from mid-range."
The Suns prevailed despite ample adversity in the second half.
KD
Clint Capela gets the Basket plus the Foul
Booker picked up his fifth foul midway through the third quarter, forcing Vogel to sit the four-time All-Star until midway through the fourth. Starting center Jusuf Nurkic also missed a big chunk of the second half after getting hit in the side of the face, which sent him back to the locker
room for several minutes.
The Suns — playing on the second night of back-to-back games — looked sluggish early, falling into a 25-11 hole. They fought back fairly quickly and Bradley Beal's two-handed jam tied the game at 37 early in the second quarter.
Bradley Beal Rocks the Rim with Jam
REAL. DEAL. BEAL.
Phoenix won another game as they fight to stay out of the play-in tournament in the Western Conference. The top six teams automatically advance to the first round. The Suns are currently tied for sixth with Dallas, but the Mavs hold the tiebreaker.
“We want to finish in the top six,” Vogel said. “But the competition is fierce.”
Phoenix took a 65-60 lead into halftime. Booker led the Suns with 13 before the break while Murray had 18 for the Hawks.
Atlanta's All-Star guard Trae Young missed his 13th straight game with a torn finger ligament. Atlanta has a 6-7 record in his absence.
Durant, who became the No. 8 scorer in NBA history on Wednesday night, hit another mark Thursday with his 2,000th 3-pointer. He's the 16th player in the league to accomplish that feat.
Drew Eubanks with the Massive Stuff at the Rim
UP NEXT
Hawks: Host Charlotte on Saturday night.
Suns: At San Antonio on Saturday night.
"Just grateful to be in a category with some of the greatest. We all know what Shaq meant to the game of basketball...I just want to be in that same breath as those guys."
KD on what it means to pass @SHAQ on the @NBA's all-time scoring list and be mentioned with the greats
The 2,000th 3-pointer of KD's career... only the 16th player to reach the mark
Frank Vogel said this was the team's best bench performance as they scored 47 points. He said Jusuf Nurkic got hit in head, but didn't undergo concussion protocols. #Suns
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Wednesday March 20
FINAL
Stephen Curry Reaches 300 3-pointers for Record Fifth Time, Warriors Beat Grizzlies 137-116
Kuminga shines as Warriors down Grizzlies
The Warriors get 26 from Jonathan Kuminga and contributions up and down the roster as they bounce back and take down the Grizzlies.
GRIZZLIES at WARRIORS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 20, 2024
3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣
On Wednesday evening, the Golden State Warriors are playing the Memphis Grizzlies (at home).
During the game, two-time MVP Steph Curry made his 300th three-pointer of the season.
"There's no stopping 30 ⚡️
Stephen Curry has reached 300 threes in a season for the fifth time in his career."
The only other players to make 300 three-pointers in a season are Klay Thompson (2023) and James Harden (2019).
Curry is the only player in NBA history to have achieved this milestone multiple times (5).
"Steph knocks down his 300th 3-pointer of the season 📊
This mark has only been reached 7 times in NBA history... 5 of them are from Curry."
Curry turned 36 earlier this month, but has shown no signs of slowing down, and entered the matchup with averages of 27.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists per contest while shooting 45.0% from the field and 40.4% from the three-point range in 61 games.
SAN FRANCISCO -- — The Golden State Warriors received a halftime message about taking control of the third quarter and making regular defensive stops, and they wasted no time stealing the momentum once back on the floor.
They shared the ball and they took care of it.
Stephen Curry reached 300 3-pointers for an NBA-record fifth season and scored 14 points with four 3s, one of seven players in double figures as the Warriors beat the Memphis Grizzlies 137-116 on Wednesday night.
“He gonna do it again next year. I’m not surprised,” teammate Chris Paul said. “It’s easy for him, he shoots the life out of the ball, takes care of his body.”
Jonathan Kuminga scored 26 points, Andrew Wiggins added 22 and 10 rebounds and Klay Thompson 23 points off the bench. Paul dished out a season-best 14 assists — matching the second-most by a reserve this season — in the team's 30th game with at least 30 assists.
Kuminga Shines as Warriors Down Grizzlies
Kuminga gets way up on Dunk
“It was a fun game to watch,” coach Steve Kerr said, calling Paul's passing “a clinic” as the team finished with a season-high 43 assists to just six turnovers.
Paul said he has been lucky to play basketball since age 4 and have some great coaches. He has a knack for finding the hot hand or the right look.
“I've been playing a few games, but seriously I watch this game all day every day,” Paul said. "I know this game like the back of my hand."
GG Jackson II scored 35 points and Jaren Jackson Jr. had 28 for a Memphis team that lost 121-111 in overtime on Monday at Sacramento and now has dropped four straight and six of seven. Santi Aldama scored 15 of his 27 points in the second quarter and had 21 by halftime for the
Grizzlies.
Pat Spencer Dunks his First NBA Bucket
His second straight 3-pointer 2:30 before halftime pulled Memphis within 58-56. A pair of free throws by Jaren Jackson Jr. tied it at the 2:07 mark before Golden State scored 10 unanswered points to end the half for a 68-58 lead. The Warriors opened the third with a 12-0 burst.
The last time the Warriors had a run of 22-0 or greater was a 24-0 spurt in the third quarter at Houston on May 1, 2021, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
Things got testy between two teams with a heated history dating to the 2022 playoffs. After Moses Moody's 3-pointer with 6:39 left in the second quarter put Golden State ahead 49-47, Memphis called timeout and Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins approached an official to talk. Draymond
Green, who had tangled with Aldama beneath the Grizzlies basket on the previous play, tried to get in on it and Desmond Bane reached out to restrain him. They each received a technical then shook hands once things calmed down.
BENCHES CLEAR AFTER DRAYMOND AND SANTI ALDAMA GET INTO IT
A growing rivalry
The following year, the Warriors exacted revenge by defeating the Grizzlies in the playoffs, though the series was marred by controversy and hard-fought battles on the court.
This rivalry had simmered down in recent times, with both teams facing challenges in the current season. The Grizzlies have been hampered by injuries, while the Warriors have struggled to maintain their competitive edge in the Western Conference.
Warriors vs. Grizzlies rivalry, explained
The beef between the two franchises began in 2021, when the Warriors and Grizzlies faced off in the final game of the regular season to determine who would earn the No. 8 seed in the postseason — and therefore a more favorable spot in the Play-In Tournament.
Golden State won, but Steph Curry's squad had to face the Grizzlies again in the play-in competition. And that time around, the Grizzlies won and sent the Warriors home.
The Grizzlies also felt some animosity toward Golden State great Andre Iguodala, who was traded from the Warriors to the Grizzlies in 2019. He didn't suit up for a single game in Memphis and eventually was traded to the Heat before finally rejoining the Warriors after the 2020-21 season.
When the Grizzlies defeated the Warriors during the 2021-22 regular season, Jaren Jackson Jr. mocked the Warriors "Strength in Numbers" slogan.
Jenkins fell down during the fracas but Kerr said they spoke afterward and he was OK.
“We have a history with this team and it’s always been very competitive,” Kerr said. “They're tough. When we play them there’s usually some kind of dustup.”
Wiggins somehow Finishes Layup on Full-Court Pass from Draymond
Kuminga made five of his initial six shots to score 11 first-quarter points and was 12 of 17 from the floor overall, while Curry hit his first three shots and was 5 for 9.
Green, questionable coming into the game with low back tightness, started and had 10 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.
The Warriors evened their home record to 18-18 after a 119-112 loss to the Knicks at Chase Center on Monday night. They have won four in a row and 10 of 12 at home against Memphis, which shot 7 for 17 on 3s in the opening quarter and finished 18 of 49 from deep.
Kuminga scored in double digits for the eighth straight game and 46th in the past 48. It was his ninth 20-point performance in the last 12 games and 22nd overall.
Warriors rookie Brandin Podziemski drew his NBA-leading 35th charge.
UP NEXT
Grizzlies: At San Antonio on Friday night.
Warriors: Host Pacers on Friday night having lost the last four in the series at home.
KERR on Kuminga: “best game I’ve ever seen him play at both ends…intensity defensively…he’s electric
Chris Paul Recaps Golden State Warriors Win vs Memphis | March 20, 2024
Warriors Post Game Win Recap With Draymond Green | March 20, 2024
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Tuesday March 19
FINAL
Jokic's 35 points pace Nuggets in 115-112 Win over Short-Handed Timberwolves after Tight Finish
Anthony Edwards is definitely going to be drug tested… 🤷♂️😅
NUGGETS at TIMBERWOLVES | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 19, 2024
MINNEAPOLIS -- — Nikola Jokic had 35 points and 16 rebounds and Michael Porter Jr. scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter as the Denver Nuggets fended off the undermanned and undersized Minnesota Timberwolves 115-112 on Tuesday night.
Jamal Murray added 18 points and 11 assists and Aaron Gordon had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets, who blew an 18-point lead in less than 12 minutes before finishing a four-game road trip strong.
“You have to put teams away," coach Michael Malone said. “That’s something we really have to get better at.”
Nikola Jokic laughs and trash talks Anthony Edwards for leaving him open for 3 😂
ELITE DUEL! Nikola Jokic & Anthony Edwards GO AT IT! | March 19, 2024
Peyton Watson Drills Basket vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Nuggets (48-21) moved within percentage points of idle Oklahoma City (47-20) for the Western Conference lead. The Timberwolves (47-22) dropped one game back into third place.
Anthony Edwards had 30 points — his fourth straight 30-point game — and eight rebounds and eight assists. The clean look from the wing he created with a crossover dribble for the tie at the buzzer hit the front of the rim, leaving him scoreless in the fourth quarter after the Nuggets
cranked up the double teams. The shot was similar, Jokic noted, to the one Edwards missed for the tie at the end of Game 5 in their first-round playoff series last year.
Anthony Edwards Misses Game-Tying 3 at the Buzzer
Anthony Edwards Shows off the Intense footwork for the Bucket ‼️‼️
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope got knocked down trying to defend Edwards on the final play and was relieved to watch the ball fall short while lying flat on his back.
“He ran through me, for sure,” Caldwell-Pope said. “I’m glad he missed it.”
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope gets the Hoop and the Harm
Anthony Edwards Hilarious Reaction to his Insane Poster Dunk on John Collins 😂
Edwards followed a nifty Euro-step layup with a 3-pointer that put the Wolves up 84-82 late in the third quarter and sent the crowd in a frenzy. Neither team had more than a two-possession lead until Jokic drained a 3-pointer to make it 107-99 with 1:45 to go.
Mike Conley, who had all of his 13 points in the fourth quarter, swished an off-balance heave from deep with 11.5 seconds left that pulled the Wolves within two points. Jaden McDaniels — who tied his career high with 26 points — made his fourth 3-pointer of the game to cut the lead to
one with 4.2 seconds left.
Anthony Edwards Shows off Vision with Nice Pass Denver Nuggets
'HELL YEAH, Anthony Edwards is the most MUST-WATCH NBA player' - Kendrick Perkins
But the Nuggets hit all the free throws they needed to down the stretch to seal it.
The Timberwolves played at home for the first time in 15 days and without their top three big men, a case of bad timing against the defending champions and Jokic.
With Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) out indefinitely and Rudy Gobert (ribs) sidelined for a third straight game, Naz Reid (head) joined them on the inactive list after getting hurt the night before in a win at Utah. Jokic had 40 pounds and three inches on Kyle Anderson, who with Luka
Garza drew the bulk of the work defending the two-time NBA MVP.
“It’s really hard to play against a team that they’re missing a lot of guys,” Jokic said. “Of course the other guys are playing hard."
The Nuggets had a 15-point halftime lead by shooting 60% from the floor against the league's top-ranked defense, which was a vastly different in the paint without the long arms of Gobert.
“For us to have a showing like we did tonight going against one of the better teams out there, it shows a lot of grit, shows what we’re made of,” Conley said.
UP NEXT
Nuggets: Host New York on Thursday.
Timberwolves: Host Cleveland on Friday.
Anthony Edwards Hilarious Reaction to his Insane Poster Dunk on John Collins 😂
Coach on Gaining Momentum in Key Moments
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Monday March 18
FINAL
LeBron Scores 25, D'Angelo Russell Ties Lakers 3-pointers Record in LA's 136-105 Win over Hawks
HAWKS at LAKERS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 18, 2024
LeBron James buries basket against Atlanta Hawks
LOS ANGELES -- — LeBron James had 25 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, and D'Angelo Russell scored 27 points while tying the Lakers' single-season record for 3-pointers in a 136-105 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night.
Russell's six 3-pointers against the Hawks gave him 183 this season, passing Kobe Bryant's 180 in the 2005-06 season and tying Nick Van Exel's franchise record set in 1994-95. Russell's latest standout shooting display was highlighted by a beautiful 3-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer
followed by two more early in the fourth to tie the record before the Lakers emptied their bench.
“That's really cool, honestly,” Russell said. “Just to get credit for your game and what you work to do and showcase it every night, and then to get credit for something like this, it's just really cool.”
Russell also had 10 assists, while Anthony Davis had 22 points and 15 rebounds as the Lakers snapped a two-game skid with their 13th win in 20 games since losing in Atlanta in late January.
AD Catches Lob for a Huge One-Handed Dunk
Davis left Saturday’s loss to Golden State early with a scratched cornea in his left eye, but the All-Star big man recovered quickly enough from the resulting blurry vision to play a full game against the Hawks. Davis said he chose not to wear goggles.
“I've been through that phase in high school," said a grinning Davis, who wore prescription glasses and goggles at times while growing up in Chicago before he got corrective eye surgery several years ago. “I'm out of that phase. Obviously (I would have) if the doctors had told me I
needed it, but I didn't need it.”
D-Lo Sinks a Running 3-pointer at the 3rd-quarter Buzzer
Los Angeles, which hasn’t lost three straight games since early January, also moved back up to ninth place in the Western Conference standings with this win and Golden State’s loss to New York. While Russell had another prolific game and Davis looked sharp down low, James produced
another outstanding effort, giving him 65 points on 25-of-37 shooting in the past two games.
“Bron is Bron, and it's that time of the year,” Davis said. "He's shooting the ball extremely well. He's been in attack mode, finding guys. He's been locking in defensively."
Jalen Johnson scored 25 points and Bogdan Bogdanovic had 17 for the Hawks, who have lost four of five overall and three of four on their West Coast road trip.
“I thought we were ready to play, (but) there’s two Hall of Fame players that were unselfish, and I thought they played really well,” Atlanta coach Quin Snyder said. “It’s hard to sustain a defensive effort against a team that’s playing the way they are offensively. When the ball isn’t going
in, it’s even harder. They made us pay for any mistake we made.”
Johnson went down in obvious pain after rolling his ankle while landing with 6:47 to play. Johnson, who only returned two games ago from a sprained ankle, was able to leave the court moments later under his own power. Snyder wasn't sure about the severity of the new injury.
Atlanta's Onyeka Okongwu had 11 points and four rebounds while playing 19 minutes in his return from a 13-game injury absence due to a sprained left toe. Okongwu, a Los Angeles-area native who starred at USC, hadn't played since Feb. 12, shortly before the All-Star break.
Trae Young missed his 12th straight game following hand surgery. He scored 26 points with six 3-pointers while the Hawks racked up 138 points in their victory over the Lakers in January.
Los Angeles gradually pulled away from the Hawks all night, hitting 60% of its shots in the first half while moving the ball smoothly. Russell beat the buzzer with his fourth 3-pointer to boost the Lakers' lead to 111-86 heading to the fourth.
UP NEXT
Hawks: At Phoenix on Thursday.
Lakers: Host Philadelphia on Friday.
Reporter: "What happened on that first play?" Austin Reaves: "Everybody seen what happened." "Nobody had your view." "You don’t want my view."
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
"Bronny Watch"
How Bronny James looked in USC basketball’s win over Washington in the Pac-12 tournament
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Sunday March 17
FINAL
Kyrie Irving's Running Left-Hander at the Buzzer Lifts Mavs over Nuggets 107-105
Kyrie wins it with ridiculous lefty shot over Jokic at the buzzer
Kyrie Irving drains a left-handed runner over Nikola Jokic from the elbow to win it for the Mavericks.
Kyrie wins it with ridiculous lefty shot over Jokic at the buzzer
NUGGETS at MAVERICKS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 17, 2024
DALLAS -- — A floater, a runner, a hook shot, call it whatever.
Maybe Kyrie Irving would settle for crucial game-winner.
The Dallas star hit a running left-handed shot at the buzzer, capping a wild final 26 seconds and giving the Mavericks a 107-105 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.
Luka Doncic scored 37 points and Irving had 24 as the up-and-down Mavericks (39-29) beat the defending champs for their fifth win in six games, answering a 1-5 stretch that followed a seven-game winning streak, Dallas' longest of the season.
Luka Drains a Deep 3 to Tie the Game
The Mavs pulled even with Phoenix as part of a virtual three-way tie with Sacramento for the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot in the Western Conference.
“In Kyrie we trust,” said rookie center Dereck Lively II, who had 14 points. “Whenever we see him get the ball, sit back and watch it happen.”
The Nuggets rallied from 13 points down midway through the fourth quarter and went ahead on Jamal Murray's tiebreaking 3-pointer with 26 seconds remaining.
Doncic answered almost immediately on the inbounds pass after a timeout, hitting from several feet behind the arc for a 105-105 tie.
🚨 WE LOVE A BUZZER BEATER ON MARCH 17 @TISSOT 🚨
After Murray missed an elbow jumper, Dallas called timeout with 2.8 seconds to go. The right-handed Irving took the inbounds pass, dribbled with his left hand as Nikola Jokic pursued and had to throw up the shot from 21 feet to beat the buzzer.
“Sometimes I spend just an hour straight just working on straight left-hand stuff,” the 6-foot-2 Irving said. “Just being a small guard, you've just got to have a multitude of finishes. And that's something I've been working on since I was a kid.”
After the shot went in, Irving ran toward his teammates coming off the bench and was mobbed near midcourt as Jokic and company walked by quietly on the way to the Denver locker room.
“I wasn’t going to jump into the pile,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said. “Thought about it. But knowing my luck, I would have missed and hit the floor. I thought I’d just stand there and celebrate with those guys. A lot of fun. It should be fun.”
Daniel Gafford Drains Basket vs. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets had a five-game road winning streak stopped. They had won all five by double digits, a first in franchise history. Denver is the only team this season with two road streaks of at least five victories.
Denver (47-21) dropped a half-game behind Oklahoma City for the West's best record while falling to 11-2 since the All-Star break. The other loss came in overtime after Phoenix's Kevin Durant hit a tying 3 with 26 seconds to go in regulation.
“I saw Kyrie Irving make a running, left-handed hook from the elbow,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said when asked what he saw on the final sequence. “We’ve been on both sides of it.”
Jamal Murray Silences the Dallas Crowd with a Late 3
Murray scored 23 points, while the Mavs frustrated Jokic into a 6-of-16 shooting day. Jokic had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and he was agitated over no-calls while the Mavs made plenty of contact in the first half.
So was Malone, who eventually called timeout and walked across the court to complain and was given a technical. He almost got a second just before guard Reggie Jackson was called for one as well.
Irving and Doncic tag-teamed for consecutive 3s to give Dallas a nine-point lead with eight minutes remaining, and the margin reached 13 before the Nuggets started clawing back.
Michael Porter Jr., who had 12 of his 20 points in the first quarter, started the rally with a 3-pointer. Jokic pulled the Nuggets even at 102-102 with a bucket inside with 1:05 to go.
P.J. Washington Jr. had 11 rebounds, his most for Dallas since coming over in a trade with Charlotte last month. The Mavs outrebounded Denver 59-37. Dallas had a season-high 21 offensive boards and a 23-6 edge in second-chance points.
“I can’t remember the last time we got outrebounded by 22,” Malone said.
King of the Fourth. @KyrieIrving #MFFL Keef Morris and Luka Doncic
Kai was lost for words @KyrieIrving // #MFFL
@PatrickMahomes & Brittany Mahomes pulled up to Mavs-Nuggets
The Champ is Always Welcome in our Locker Room @luka7doncic x @PatrickMahomes
UP NEXT
Nuggets: At Minnesota on Tuesday.
Mavericks: At San Antonio on Tuesday.
"He's probably going to go down as one of the best finishers ever." - Jason Kidd on Kyrie Irving's finishing ability and electric game-winner in Dallas
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Friday March 15
FINAL
Curry Scores 31 in Return as Warriors Defeat Lakers 128-121 Despite 40 points from James
Jaxson Hayes trucks past the defense for a hard jam
Jaxson Hayes attacks the basket and absolutely hammers this dunk home for the Lakers.
WARRIORS at LAKERS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 16, 2024
Splash Brothers💦 Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson Combine For 57 Points ☔️ March 16, 2024
LOS ANGELES -- — Stephen Curry belatedly celebrated his birthday by returning to the Golden State lineup and leading the Warriors to a much-needed victory.
Curry, who turned 36 on Thursday, scored 31 points after missing the last three games with a sprained right ankle as the Warriors beat the Los Angeles Lakers 128-121 on Saturday night in a pivotal Western Conference matchup.
“Steph is Steph. He’s just amazing,” coach Steve Kerr said. “He got off to a slow start, but he never worries and we never worry. What he does is open the floor for everyone else.”
The Warriors inched ahead of the Lakers by a percentage point into ninth place in the West after winning a game that dragged to the finish because of a pair of replay reviews — one that overturned an apparent 3-pointer by LeBron James — then a malfunctioning clock.
James had 40 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. D’Angelo Russell added 23 points and 13 assists for the Lakers, who have dropped their last two.
If the season ended Saturday, the Warriors would be hosting the Lakers in the play-in tournament, with the loser eliminated. Both teams are 3 1/2 games behind Phoenix for sixth place and escaping the play-in games, but time is running out.
“I was excited just to be back. You understand the ramifications down the stretch. Every game, especially against teams jumbled right there in the play-in, matters,” said Curry, who was 12 of 24 from the field along with six rebounds and five assists in 31 minutes.
Klay Thompson added 26 off the bench and Jonathan Kuminga 23 as the Warriors dominated play inside and regularly drove to the rim after Lakers All-Star center Anthony Davis did not play the final three periods after he was poked in the eye late in the first quarter.
Golden State took advantage of Davis’ injury as it dominated inside. The Warriors outrebounded the Lakers by six and had a 62-54 advantage in points in the paint.
Draymond Green was held to six points, but had 13 assists and 12 rebounds after he missed the last game due to back soreness.
Curry had six points during a 10-2 third-quarter run that gave the Warriors a 91-79 lead. Neither team had more than a seven-point lead until that point.
“They made some adjustments at halftime. In the third quarter we came out and missed some really good shots after getting some good looks. They played better than we did in the third,” James said.
Thompson had 21 points in the first half as the Warriors held a 67-66 lead at halftime. It was the second time this season Thompson has scored at least 20 in the first half.
James, who was 6 of 16 from the field in Wednesday night's loss at Sacramento, was 15 of 23 against the Warriors. He hit his first six shots, including three 3-pointers.
Anthony Davis Exits the Game after a Hit to the Eye
A 3-pointer by Thompson with 7:41 remaining in the fourth quarter gave the Warriors a 113-101 advantage, before the Lakers started to slowly work their way back.
James appeared to hit a 3-pointer with 2:07 remaining to get the Lakers within four, but during a stoppage in play 17 seconds later, the replay center determined James' foot was out of bounds and took the basket away.
The reversal ended any momentum for the Lakers. The Warriors put away the game when Curry stole the ball from James and passed it to Kuminga for a breakaway dunk to make it 126-117.
“We dig back into it, and make a big shot. Guys are scrambling, competing and then boom, everything just stops. So it just took the rhythm out of the game,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said.
UP NEXT
Warriors: Host the New York Knicks on Monday.
Lakers: Host the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Friday March 15
FINAL
Booker Scores 21, Suns use Balanced Scoring and hold off 4th Quarter Rally to Beat Hornets 107-96
SUNS at HORNETS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 15, 2024
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- — Devin Booker led a balanced Phoenix attack with 21 points and 11 assists as the Suns beat the Charlotte Hornets 107-96 on Friday night for their fourth win in six games.
Grayson Allen and Bradley Beal each scored 15 points, and Jusuf Nurkic chipped in with 13 points and 21 rebounds for the Suns (39-28), who bounced back from a lopsided 127-112 loss to the NBA-best Boston Celtics on Thursday night.
Just like we Drew it up
“That's the name of the game for us,” said Kevin Durant, had 13 points and was one of six Suns in double figures. “There are going to be nights where everybody has to contribute scoring the ball and tonight was one of those nights.”
Vasa Micic followed up a career-high 25-point effort on Wednesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies with 21 points to lead Charlotte. Miles Bridges added 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Hornets.
Jusuf Nurkic Gets the Hoop and the Harm
The Suns entered the game in seventh place in the crowded Western Conference standings and battling to avoid having to play their way into the playoffs via the play-in tournament.
Only two games separated fifth-place New Orleans and ninth-place Dallas entering the Friday night's games.
Phoenix led by 25 points entering the fourth quarter, but the Hornets quickly cut the lead to 10 when Brandon Miller nudged Durant out of the way with his shoulder, sending the 2014 league MVP stumbling backward, and knocked down a 3-pointer with six minutes remaining.
Brandon Miller Nails the Triple Phoenix Suns
But Durant responded with a pull-up baseline jumper and Nurkic grabbed an offensive rebound and threw down a two-handed dunk to push the lead to 16 points with two minutes left to start sending fans to the exits.
Miller surpassed 1,000 career points in his 60th career game, the third-fastest Hornets rookie to reach that mark behind Alonzo Mourning (53 games) and Larry Johnson (55 games).
Durant said he has been impressed with what he has seen from Miller, the No. 2 overall pick, and how he's adjusting to the pro game.
“Usually this is around the time of year that rookies start to understand the game a little bit more,” Durant said. “Their coach is putting him in best position to just learn and get better. That is always the best way — throw guys out in the fire and let them play games and get better.”
Brandon Miller with the Massive Block at the Rim
The Suns overcame a 13-0 Hornets run in the first quarter to take a 54-45 lead into the break, holding the Hornets to 2-of-22 shooting from beyond the arc.
“When you miss three or four in a row like that, sometimes you’ve just got to play with more force, drive the ball harder and try to get something going more to the basket,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford said. "Even in the second half, we just shot the ball really poorly.”
Suns coach Frank Vogel again touted Durant's defense, saying he will be disappointed if he's not selected to the NBA All-Defensive team.
🔄 Spin cycle @efirstbank #ComingInHot Devin Booker
It is one honor that has eluded Durant since coming into the league in 2007.
“He's one of the best in the league in iso defense and on-ball defense,” Vogel said. “He's really long and physical. He doesn't get enough credit for that side of the ball. ... He guards the other team's best perimeter player pretty much every night. He's guarded 5s and point guards and
pretty much done it all.”
Grant Williams Impresses with Nice Basket
UP NEXT
Suns: At Milwaukee on Sunday.
Hornets: Open four-game trip at Philadelphia on Saturday.
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Thursday March 14
FINAL
Brown, Tatum combine for 63 points as Celtics overwhelm Suns for 2nd time in a week, 127-112
Jaylen Brown Gets the Steal and Slam
BOSTON -- — Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla has a team rule that everybody contests shots, even after the whistle. Players, coaches -- everybody.
So when Mazzulla sprinted to prevent Phoenix's Royce O'Neale from dropping in a practice basket heading into a timeout, it didn't shock Jayson Tatum.
“Just Joe being Joe,” the All-Star said.
Jaylen Brown Gets BUCKETS vs Suns! 🍀 March 14, 2024
It's a mentality that continues to permeate throughout the Celtics as NBA's top team keeps racking up wins — and now a playoff spot.
Jaylen Brown scored 37 points, Tatum added 26 and Boston powered past the Phoenix Suns 127-112 on Thursday night, becoming the first team to clinch a spot in the postseason.
Derrick White Connects on the Open 3
Al Horford finished with 24 points, including six of Boston’s season high-tying 25 3-pointers to help the Celtics down the Suns for the second time in a week. Boston improved to an NBA-best 52-14 on the season and 10-2 in the second game of back--to-backs.
Brown said his performance was a microcosm of how he's tried to attack everything this season — with an eye on not repeating the same mistakes that have contributed to his team coming up short of their championship goal.
That has included a season-long focus on improving his ability as a playmaker.
Horford Hits Hauser for a Corner Trey
"Just attacked my weaknesses," Brown said. “I feel like some of the things you said about me last year you can't say about me this year.”
In their two wins over the Suns, the Celtics combined for 40 3-pointers.
Tatum Rises over Durant for a Triple
“They're the best in the league at it,” Suns coach Frank Vogel said. “It's tough to guard. You talk about all the ways you try to limit it. We did the best we can with it. But we didn't do enough tonight.”
Devin Booker led the Suns with 23 points. Bradley Beal finished with 22 points and seven assists. Kevin Durant and Grayson Allen both added 20 points.
Boston won despite playing without Kristaps Porzingis, who missed his fourth straight game with a strained right hamstring. He remains day to day.
Last week, the Celtics overpowered a Suns team playing without Booker (ankle) during a double-digit win in Phoenix, despite a 45-point night by Durant.
Tatum Fires up the Crowd after 3-Pointer
Durant came out hot again in Thursday’s rematch. But Booker started slowly before finishing 9 of 20 from the field. Meanwhile, the All-Star duo of Tatum and Brown combined for 43 of the Celtics’ 65 first-half points.
Tatum was in attack mode for most of the opening 24 minutes, leading a Celtics flurry just before halftime by scoring seven of his team’s final 10 points. That included back-to-back 3s over Durant that sent roars throughout the home crowd. He also was one of the primary defenders on
Durant, limiting him to only five points over the final three quarters.
Tatum and Durant dueled early, trading baskets in the opening period, with each showing off multiple ways to break down the opposing defense. Durant had 15 first-quarter points, connecting on 7 of 8 shots. Tatum poured in 13 points, going 6 for 9 from the field.
It all helped offset Phoenix’s 27-13 rebounding edge in the first half.
UP NEXT
Suns: At Hornets on Friday.
Celtics: At Wizards on Sunday.
Got the Signatures too ✍🏾
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Wednesday March 13
FINAL
Sabonis has Triple-Double as Kings Beat Lakers 120-107 for 4-Game Season Sweep
Sabonis improves to 10-0 vs. AD; Kings beat Lakers
Domantas Sabonis notches a triple-double with 17 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Kings past the Lakers.
LAKERS at KINGS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 13, 2024
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- — Domantas Sabonis had 17 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Sacramento Kings beat the Los Angeles Lakers 120-107 on Wednesday night.
The Kings have won seven of their last eight games against the Lakers, including a four-game sweep this season. Harrison Barnes made seven 3-pointers and scored 23 points, De’Aaron Fox added 21 and Keegan Murray had 19 as all five starters for the Kings scored in double figures.
Sabonis' triple-double was his league-leading 23rd, with his last one coming in the Kings’ victory at the Lakers last week. Kings coach Mike Brown called the feat “the norm” for his center, who went toe-to-toe with the Lakers' Anthony Davis.
“Heck of a game by him versus a very, very physical team,” Brown said. “He was getting hit, bump and all that stuff and he just stayed in there.”
Sabonis Drops in Bucket over AD
Domantas Sabonis
Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 28 points. Davis added 22 points and 10 rebounds, and LeBron James had 18 points and 13 boards.
Both teams are fighting for playoff position, with the Kings pulling even with Phoenix for sixth place in the Western Conference, three games ahead of the ninth-place Lakers.
Sacramento pulled away in the third quarter after a close first half, starting the quarter on a 10-2 run to open a double-digit lead and holding Los Angeles to four field goals in the frame. Fox’s consecutive baskets to end the third gave the Kings a 15-point lead.
LeBron Tries to will the Lakers back with 2 Straight Dunks
LeBron Tries to will the Lakers back with 2 Straight Dunks
“Especially in this league, being a team that can come out of halftime and be a great third quarter team is huge for anybody,” Fox said. “Because you can be up or down and you can extend the lead or bring the lead back coming out of the half.”
The Lakers cut the deficit to single digits early in the fourth, but Barnes and Malik Monk answered with consecutive 3-pointers to give the Kings a comfortable cushion again.
AD Banks in and-1 for the Lakers
AD Banks in and-1 for the Lakers
Lakers coach Darvin Ham said that his players didn't do the little things.
“Can’t skip details,” Ham said. “We had some guys who didn’t shoot the ball well, got great looks they usually make. But just in the sense of team basketball, just continuing to have a next play mentality.”
Sacramento led 60-56 at halftime, paced by 14 points and four 3-pointers from Murray. Brown credited the Kings' defense getting eight consecutive stops at the end of the first half and beginning of the second half that allowed them to build the lead.
“When we’re getting eight stops in a row throughout the course of the ballgame versus any team, there's a chance we can blow that thing open,” Brown said.
Keon Ellis' 3 gives Kings a Double-Digit Lead
The Kings, who were without Kevin Huerter (right leg contusion) and Trey Lyles (left knee sprain), still won their second straight game in convincing fashion over another playoff team after blowing out Milwaukee at home on Tuesday. Barnes hopes the effort will carry over against other teams.
“I don’t think we have a problem as a team getting up for big games,” Barnes said. “I don’t think that’s been our Achilles heel at all … We’re able to respond and get up for those games. Now, can we just maintain that consistency and that same focus throughout the rest of the league?”
Lakers: Darvin Ham’s sage advice for LeBron James, LA after brutal Kings loss
UP NEXT
Lakers: Host Golden State on Saturday.
Kings: Host New York on Saturday.
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Sunday March 10
FINAL
Kuminga, Thompson Help Warriors Rebound to Upend Spurs 112-102 Despite Wembanyama's Strong Return
Chris Paul makes a Sweet Dime
SAN ANTONIO -- — Jonathan Kuminga scored 21 points, Klay Thompson added 20 and the Golden State Warriors overcame a sluggish San Antonio Spurs 112-102 on Monday night.
San Antonio rookie Victor Wembanyama had 27 points and 14 rebounds in his return fromggish start to beat the a one-game absence after spraining his right ankle in the first half of Tuesday’s loss in Houston.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said he is unsure if Wembanyama will play against Houston on Tuesday.
Trayce Jackson-Davis Posterizes Wemby to Delight of Warriors' Bench
Trayce Jackson-Davis Posterizes Wemby to Delight of Warriors' Bench
Golden State held San Antonio to one point in the final 2:43, immediately after Draymond Green fouled out.
“We weren’t doing anything differently, just the effort and the connection,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “If one guy is out of place and everybody’s giving great effort, it still results in two points. I just felt we were better connected in the second half and as that went, we picked up
some momentum.”
Golden State rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis added 13 points and 10 rebounds, including a one-handed dunk over Wembanyama in the final minute that dropped San Antonio’s 7-foot-4 rookie to the court.
Victor Wembanyama makes Beautiful Dime for a Basket
With Stephen Curry still out with a sprained right ankle, Thompson returned to the starting lineup. Thompson was 8 for 21 from the field, including 4 for 10 on 3-pointers.
Golden State (34-30) has won nine of its past 10 road games and prevented San Antonio from completing a road-and-home sweep.
After beating the Warriors 126-113 on Saturday without Wembanyama and Devin Vassell, the Spurs could not sustain a balanced effort with their top two scorers back.
Vassell had 17 points and Keldon Johnson added 16 for San Antonio.
“They made 51% of their 3s last game,” Golden State guard Brandin Podziemski said. “Tonight, holding them to 38% was definitely a big key for us, but also just showing what we’re about and not letting anybody punk us.”
San Antonio had 27 assists after collecting 34 on Saturday.
Brandin Podziemski Fights off Defender for and-1
Frame it
Brandin Podziemski Fights off Defender for and-1
The Warriors limited the Spurs’ scoring opportunities in the second half with a greater intensity defensively.
“So, obviously, consistency is always (important), but today I think it’s also responding to the physicality that they put,” Wembanyama said. “We didn’t have a strong enough response.”
The punctuation came on the offensive end with Jackson-Davis’ dunk.
“I saw that he overplayed it, and he overplayed it to my right. Obviously, I’m left-handed,” Jackson-Davis said. “So, I think I spun or got to my left hand and then I had to step on him. I just tried him. I told (Kevon Looney) before the game that if I got the chance to try him, I would. At
the end of the day, sometimes you dunk on people, sometimes you get dunked on. It’s just a basketball play.”
Victor Wembanyama Gets Up for the Beautiful Slam Dunk
Golden State outscored San Antonio 32-18 in the third quarter, fueled by a 19-0 run that began four minutes into the second half. The Spurs missed eight shots and committed four turnovers during the 4 1/2-minute run in falling behind 86-72.
“They came out and hit us hard in the (start of the) third quarter,” Warriors guard Chris Paul said. “We couldn’t really get stops. We were turning the ball over a little bit. Then we called a timeout and we just settled in. Think we just started defending and getting out in transition and tried
to get a little bit more aggressive.”
San Antonio had built a 36-25 lead on a 3-pointer by Johnson with 37 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Paul scored eight points in the final 2:40 to keep the deficit manageable.
Paul finished with 19 points.
UP NEXT
Warriors: At Dallas on Wednesday night.
Spurs: Host Houston on Tuesday night.
TRAYCE JACKSON-DAVIS told Looney “if got chance to try (Wemby), I would”; KERR: Steph Curry DNP DAL
Trayce Jackson-Davis Recaps Warriors Win Against San Antonio Spurs
CP3, POPOVICH: “if you’ve got any questions that make sense” (😂), PODZIEMSKI, WEMBANYAMA #ChrisPaul
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Sunday March 10
FINAL
Anthony Davis Bullies Timberwolves with 27 points, 25 rebounds in Lakers' 120-109 Victory
AD stuffs stat sheet with 27 points, 25 boards as Lakers top Wolves
Anthony Davis does it all for the Lakers with 27 points, 25 rebounds, 7 steals, 5 assists and 3 blocks in a win over the Timberwolves.
TIMBERWOLVES at LAKERS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 10, 2024
LOS ANGELES -- — Anthony Davis had 27 points, a season-high 25 rebounds and a career-high seven steals while leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 120-109 victory over the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night.
AD Amped up after Tough Lakers and-1
Davis added five assists and three blocked shots in one of the most prolific games of his decorated career. The nine-time All-Star feasted on a Minnesota lineup missing its top two big men and four regulars due to injuries, grabbing 21 rebounds in the second half alone and leading a 21-4
rally to begin the fourth quarter while the Lakers pulled away to their 12th win in 17 games.
“When we're out there having fun, everybody's confidence is high,” Davis said. “When we're talking trash to the other team, we're holding each other accountable, and we're just playing the right way. We know what it takes. It's just about having the consistency of playing that way each
and every night.”
AD Stuffs Stat Sheet with 27 points, 25 boards as Lakers top Wolves
Davis is only the eighth player since the 1982-83 season with at least 25 points, 25 rebounds and five assists in a game, according to Sportradar. Nikola Jokic did it last season, joining a short list that includes Charles Barkley and Kevin Garnett.
“Ten offensive rebounds is crazy,” said Austin Reaves, who scored 19 points for Los Angeles. “I did feel any time we shot and missed, he was there to give us a second-chance opportunity with offensive rebounds, get himself to the line. The steals, I don’t know. The steals are crazy.
Seven steals is very, very impressive.”
LeBron James had 29 points, nine assists and eight rebounds as the Lakers knocked off another top team following wins over Oklahoma City and Milwaukee on their six-game homestand. Los Angeles (36-30) is six games above .500 for the first time since the final day of the 2021-22
regular season.
LeBron Drives around a Screen for a Tough Layup
LeBron Drives around a Screen for a Tough Layup
Naz Reid scored 25 points and hit five 3-pointers in his first start of the season for Minnesota, which hit 16 of its season-high 46 3-point attempts. Reid delivered his second straight outstanding performance after scoring a career-high 34 against Cleveland last Friday, but the Wolves'
depleted interior defense couldn't stop Davis without Rudy Gobert or Karl-Anthony Towns.
“This team is No. 2 in the West, and still a good team,” Davis said. “Obviously, they’re missing key parts of their team, but they still have guys who can make plays, and they still find a way to win ballgames. We just wanted to come out as a team effort and knowing that wherever we are
in the standings and how important this game was, trying to close the gap in the standings.”
Anthony Edwards also scored 25 points for the Wolves, who have lost four of six. Minnesota missed nine consecutive shots to start the fourth quarter while Los Angeles pulled away.
“Ball movement dried up a little bit, but really it was the offensive rebounds at the other end of the floor that hurt us more in the fourth,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said. “I felt confident we were able to come back, but so many second shots, and it's difficult at that point. ... (Davis)
should have dominated us. He had size. He had length. He had all that stuff. He was in the paint for seven, eight seconds every time they shot the ball. It's easy to go get it. But we've got to do a better job rooting him out.”
James returned after sitting out due to injury for the ninth time this season when the Lakers stunned Milwaukee 123-122 on Friday night behind D'Angelo Russell's 44-point performance. Davis injured his left shoulder during that game in a collision with Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it
didn't visibly slow him.
Reaves Breaks Away for a Lakers Layup
Edwards played through an ankle injury, but Gobert sat out with right hamstring tightness. Gobert, who missed his third game of the season, was fined $100,000 by the NBA earlier Sunday for a series of transgressions questioning the integrity of the NBA's officiating Friday.
Towns missed his third straight game for Minnesota since being diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his left knee. The big man is likely to be sidelined until the postseason following surgery.
Kyle Anderson also sat out with right shoulder pain, and Monte Morris missed his second straight game with a strained left hamstring.
Lakers swingman Cam Reddish was ruled out with a sprained right ankle. It was the second additional game he has missed since he returned from a monthlong injury absence in late February.
Replay of Ant Man almost putting AD on a Poster
AD's Parents Surprised him with a Birthday Cake after his Huge Game
UP NEXT
Timberwolves: At Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night.
Lakers: At Sacramento on Wednesday night.
LeBron James (29/8/9; 38 mins), got to see just how much game “Naiz” had as the focal point of an offense gameplan. Right from the start of the game, Reid got straight to work, showcasing his bucket-getting abilities for the national audience. Not only was he splashing in triples, he
was going at the Lakers superstars.
“Did you see the game last night? Lakers look scary!”
“Wow, it looks like the Wolves are having another tough season, huh?”
“I don’t know, the Lakers looked like they’d easily beat the Wolves in the playoffs.”
“That Rudy Gobert trade doesn’t look so good anymore now, huh?”
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Saturday March 9
FINAL
Johnson, Sochan Lead Spurs past Warriors Team without Curry, 126-113
Spurs blast Warriors without Wembanyama
SPURS at WARRIORS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 9, 2024
SAN FRANCISCO -- — Jonathan Kuminga attacked the rim and tried to will the Golden State Warriors back into the game. They just couldn't get enough timely stops.
Keldon Johnson and the San Antonio Spurs delivered in some big moments.
Johnson had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and San Antonio beat a Golden State team playing without Stephen Curry 126-113 on Saturday night.
Jeremy Sochan and Malaki Branham each scored 20 points for San Antonio, which had dropped seven of nine. Julian Champagnie had 17 points and seven rebounds.
“It was very important to bring the energy from the start, especially against a team and a crowd and environment like Golden State and San Francisco,” Sochan said.
Klay Thompson came off the bench to score 27 points for Golden State, which dropped consecutive games for the first time since Jan. 25 and 27 to the Kings and Lakers — also at home in Chase Center.
Klay Thompson Denies San Antonio Spurs with Stuff
Klay Thompson Denies San Antonio Spurs with Stuff
Both Curry and Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama sat out with right ankle injuries.
Kuminga scored the first nine Warriors points of the fourth and 11 of 13 — all attacking the basket — to finish with 26 for his fifth 20-point game in the last seven. But he didn't have enough help as the Warriors dearly missed Curry's 26.9 points per game.
Each time Golden State made a push late in the third, the Spurs seemed to have an answer on the offensive end — and they kept that going over the final 12 minutes. Trayce Jackson-Davis had a driving layup with 37 seconds left in the quarter only for Champagnie to knock down a
baseline 3-pointer moments later.
Trayce Jackson-Davis Elevates for the Big-Time Block
“The second half we tried to do our best to get back in the game,” Kuminga said. “It was a little bit late.”
Champagnie made five 3s and Johnson hit four as the Spurs shot 17 for 33 from deep. They came into the game ranked 29th in the NBA in 3-point shooting at 34.8%.
San Antonio led by 18 midway through the second quarter while shooting 55.9% then went into halftime up 62-43.
“It was tough. We just never had any traction in the game,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “I didn’t feel like we had confidence or energy. I thought their pace and their movement bothered us and we had some breakdowns. It just felt like we were never really in the game.”
Chris Paul started in place of Curry and had 10 points and nine assists. It was his 12th start and first since Jan. 5 against Detroit as the Warriors used their 20th different starting lineup.
An MRI exam on Curry’s ankle revealed no structural damage. He is scheduled to be re-evaluated Tuesday.
“I would say it’s a good result. The MRI was clear, he’s feeling better today,” Kerr said. “So all in all I would call it positive.”
Klay Thompson with the and-1 Bucket
The two-time MVP, who turns 36 on Thursday, was hurt late in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s 125-122 loss to the Chicago Bulls.
The Warriors had their five-game winning streak against San Antonio snapped and they had also won three in a row in the series at home.
Retired tennis star Roger Federer sat courtside with Warriors owner Joe Lacob a day after announcing the Laver Cup tennis event coming to Chase Center in September 2025.
It marked the first Golden State game without Curry or Thompson starting since Jan. 20, 2023, against the Clippers, according to Elias.
UP NEXT
The teams play again Monday in San Antonio.
Warriors’ Stephen Curry gets critical injury timeline amid concerning ankle injury
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Friday March 8
FINAL
D'Angelo Russell Scores 44 points in LeBron-less Lakers' Stunning 123-122 Win over Bucks
LeBron-less Lakers come up clutch to prevail vs. Bucks
Spencer Dinwiddie and D'Angelo Russell come up with clutch plays down the stretch as the Lakers prevail vs. the Bucks.
BUCKS at LAKERS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 8, 2024
Final 5:36 INSANE ENDING Bucks vs Lakers 🚨 March 8, 2024
D-Lo hits Floater to give Lakers Lead with 59 seconds Left
LOS ANGELES -- — D'Angelo Russell scored 21 of his season-high 44 points in the fourth quarter and hit a go-ahead jumper with 5.9 seconds to play, and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame LeBron James' injury absence for a 123-122 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night.
Spencer Dinwiddie blocked Damian Lillard's step-back jumper right before the buzzer to preserve a stirring win for the Lakers while James sat out to rest his sore left ankle, missing his ninth game of the season overall due to the persistent injury.
Dinwiddie Seals Lakers' Win with a Huge Block on Lillard
D'Angelo Russell SHINES In SEASON-HIGH Performance! 👀 March 8, 2024
DLo. Dagger. #LakersWin
Los Angeles was carried by Russell, who tied his career high with nine 3-pointers while also handing out nine assists in a spectacular performance. He scored eight points in the final 1:13 while the Lakers rallied from a late deficit and improved to 5-4 without James.
“D-Lo just stepped up and won us the game, and obviously with Spence with the defense on that last possession,” said Austin Reaves, who scored 18 points for the Lakers. “Just seeing D-Lo take over the game, I constantly kept telling him in timeouts, ‘Take us home.’”
Russell again raised his offensive output when forced to play without James or Davis, shooting confidently while also distributing the ball effectively on offense. Russell was nearly as nonchalant afterward about his biggest game of the season, but he acknowledged that an NBA career
including four trades and annual trade rumors swirling around him has honed his focus for tough situations.
“On the floor, I've always felt like I was capable of doing things, (and) getting hot makes it a little more exciting,” Russell said. “Off the floor, obviously you all know what I've been through. Public humiliation has done nothing but mold me into the killer that you all see today. I never lack
confidence. I never fear confrontation. I want all the smoke. ... I just feel confident in what I bring to the basketball game, so whatever room I walk in, I'm confident.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists for Milwaukee. Lillard scored eight of his 28 points in the fourth quarter, but the Bucks couldn't hang on in their second consecutive loss.
Giannis Blocks Rui Hachimura's Dunk attempt with Force
Giannis Antetokounmpo Drops TRIPLE-DOUBLE vs Lakers! March 8, 2024
“It is a missed opportunity, but if we had won, that doesn’t change anything,” Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers said. “We’re trying to go and get better. I thought we had the game in our hands, and we let it go. That happens, and it’ll happen again, and we’ll win some the other way, too.”
Milwaukee took its first lead since early in the second quarter on Antetokounmpo’s jumper with 2:53 to play. Lillard converted a four-point play two possessions later, but Russell trimmed the Bucks' lead to one point on a three-point play with 39 seconds left.
Lillard missed a tough layup to give the Lakers a chance, and Russell hit a leaning 13-footer with 5.9 seconds to play. Dinwiddie, who was making his first start for his hometown Lakers, then smothered Lillard's final shot.
Rivers cited the Bucks' fourth-quarter performance as reason for optimism, even if his team didn't finish.
Dame Sinks the and-1 Triple in Clutch time
Dame Sinks the and-1 Triple in Clutch time
“You want to win all these games, but that’s the stuff that we’re going to keep doing more and more until it becomes us,” Rivers said. “There was a stretch where Damian and Giannis were playing a two-man game, and it was unstoppable. We want to encourage that more and more.”
Antetokounmpo had his 43rd career triple-double, his eighth of the season and his first since Jan. 24. Pat Connaughton scored a season-high 17 points and hit a key 3-pointer down the stretch.
Anthony Davis had 22 points — just two in the fourth quarter while playing with a left shoulder injury — and 13 rebounds for the Lakers, who have won 11 of 15 as they fight to gain any ground in the competitive Western Conference.
Davis said he couldn't move his shoulder after attempting to take a charge from Antetokounmpo. He will be evaluated Saturday.
James hobbled off the court with four minutes left in the Lakers’ loss to Sacramento on Wednesday night with the latest flare-up of an ankle injury that has bothered the leading scorer in NBA history throughout his 21st season.
Before the game, Rivers said Khris Middleton is “close” to returning from the sprained left ankle that has sidelined him for 13 games since Feb. 6.
UP NEXT
Bucks: At Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
Lakers: Host Minnesota on Sunday night.
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
"BRO"S NIGHT OUT!
Thursday March 7
FINAL
DeRozan Delivers in Final Minute, Curry Goes Down as Bulls Beat Warriors 125-122
Steph limps to the locker room after rolling ankle
Steph Curry leaves the game and does not return after rolling ankle late in the fourth quarter.
SAN FRANCISCO -- — Stephen Curry's troublesome right ankle buckled again, and that hurt as much as anything for the Golden State Warriors in yet another late-game defeat.
Coach Steve Kerr didn't have an immediate postgame update on the two-time MVP's status other than his foot was being treated in a bucket of ice.
DeMar DeRozan converted a three-point play with 26 seconds left after hitting a key jumper at the 43-second mark on his way to 33 points, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Warriors 125-122 on Thursday night after Curry limped off and went to the locker room in the closing minutes.
“DeMar made the and-one, I thought that was the key shot in the closing few minutes,” Kerr said. “... DeMar is one of the great closers in the game and he has been for 10 years."
DeRozan's and-1 Outdoes Klay's 3 to Win Game for Bulls
Klay Thompson put the Warriors ahead on a 3-pointer with 40 seconds left before DeRozan delivered again in Chicago's third straight victory.
Curry exited with 3:51 to play having scored 15 points, while Thompson finished with 25 points.
Nikola Vucevic had 33 points, 11 rebounds and five assists for Chicago, hitting a tying 3-pointer with 2:49 remaining. The Bulls won for the fourth time in five games and snapped an eight-game losing streak on Golden State's home floor with their first win in the Bay Area since a 113-
111 overtime victory on Jan. 27, 2015.
Trayce Jackson-Davis makes a Sweet Pass
DeMar DeRozan Gets the and-1 to Fall
Jonathan Kuminga scored 19 points for Golden State his 40th double-digit performance in the last 42 games, while Draymond Green fouled out with 58 seconds left having recorded a triple-double of 11 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds as both teams played the second night of back-to-backs.
Chris Paul's jumper with 9:09 to play pulled the Warriors to 100-97 and Thompson hit a jumper to get Golden State to 105-104 with 6:47 left. Following a Bulls' timeout, DeRozan answered.
The Warriors looked a bit spent a night after outscoring the Bucks 32-9 in the fourth quarter and dishing out 37 assists.
Curry began 1 for 7, missing four of his initial five 3-point tries, to score just five points by halftime as Golden State trailed 63-59 at the break. He connected from deep with 9:35 left in the third.
Brandin Podziemski Misses Wide-Open Game-Tying Layup
Chicago coach Billy Donovan said before the game that Bulls assistant Chris Fleming won’t face discipline from the league after he made contact with John Collins in the final seconds of a 119-117 win at Utah on Wednesday night. The Bulls were in communication with the league office,
and Donovan said there was no indication Fleming would face a fine or suspension.
The altercation involving Fleming nearly cost Chicago the game. DeRozan was double-teamed and fouled with 9.3 seconds remaining when things became heated. Fleming appeared to try to hold Collins back and pushed him away, and Collins came at the coach.
UP NEXT
Bulls: At Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night.
Warriors: Host San Antonio on Saturday night.
Steve Kerr Recaps Warriors Loss to Bulls March 7, 2024
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Tuesday March 5
FINAL/OT
Durant Erupts in OT, Leads Suns to 117-107 Win over Nuggets after Blowing 22-point Lead
KD powers Suns to OT win over Jokic, Nuggets
Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal shine in overtime, leading the Suns to a big road win over the Nuggets.
SUNS at NUGGETS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 5, 2024
DENVER -- — Kevin Durant was off the mark with his jumper — until it mattered most.
Durant scored 35 points, including eight in overtime, and the short-handed Phoenix Suns rebounded after blowing a 22-point lead in the second half to beat the Denver Nuggets 117-107 on Tuesday night.
After scoring just 12 points in the fourth quarter, the Suns erupted for 15 in OT, led by Durant and Bradley Beal, who had five of his 16 in the extra period.
Kevin Durant Ties the Game with Nasty Three
Kevin Durants' CLUTCH 35-PT Performance In The Mile High City! 🔥 March 5, 2024
KD Powers Suns to OT Win over Jokic, Nuggets
Durant's biggest shot of the night was a game-tying, step-back 3-pointer with 26.6 seconds remaining. He was 3 of his previous 17 from the floor leading into that shot. But there was no doubt he was taking it.
“I knew coming across half-court, ‘This is do-or-die right here, I've got make this shot or it might be game,’” said Durant, who was 14 of 34 from the floor. "My fundamentals were right on that one.
"It felt good leaving my hands. ... I just love hearing the crowd go silent. That’s always a good feeling on the road.”
Grayson Allen hit eight 3-pointers and scored 28 points to help the Suns snap a two-game slide.
Trailing 77-55 early in the third, Denver went on a furious comeback to turn what was looking like a rout into a thriller. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:30 remaining, followed by a Jamal Murray basket to make it 102-99.
Durant tied it and set the stage for Nikola Jokic, whose last-second floater missed to send the game into overtime.
“I’ve seen (Jokic) make that 95 out of 100 times,” Murray said. “We all thought it was going in.”
KD's 3, Jokic's Miss Send Game to OT
Suns’ wild stat proves Kevin Durant and company have a massive 4th quarter problem
Murray finished with 28 points while Jokic added 25 points, 16 rebounds and five assists as the Nuggets had their six-game winning streak halted.
“Such a winnable game. That may be one of the worst losses we’ve had,” Murray said. “It’s tough. It’s just tough.”
Jamal Murray Soars in for the Dunk
Allen hit eight straight 3-pointers, but missed his final four once the Nuggets put Caldwell-Pope on him as a primary defender.
“They all felt good leaving my hands," Allen said. "Saw a few go in early and got more aggressive with the ones I was taking and they kept going in.”
Jusuf Nurkic fouled out with 2:28 remaining as he tried to contain Jokic. Nurkic had 12 rebounds a game after grabbing a franchise-record 31 boards against Oklahoma City.
The Suns were missing Devin Booker (sprained ankle), Nassir Little (knee), Damion Lee (meniscus surgery) and Josh Okogie (abdominal strain).
It was a big win for the Suns, who are in the sixth spot and teetering close to being in the play-in tournament.
Peyton Watson Denies Grayson Allen at the Rim
“You look at the totality of the season, obviously the end result is always important, playing in the playoffs, trying to win a championship, those are important,” Durant said. "But you celebrate little moments.”
Trailing 43-36 in the second quarter, the Suns went on a 29-5 run to open a comfortable cushion before halftime. The lead ballooned to 22 points early in the third before Denver's surge.
"That was the message at halftime — we’re not playing hard enough,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said, whose team was outscored 37-18 in the second quarter. “I think we had a couple of guys that kind of showed up tonight in chill mode.”
Jokic added to his resume of making buzzer-beating heaves when he swished a turnaround, 26-footer to end the first quarter. His shot — nicknamed the “Sombor Shuffle” — energized the crowd and capped a quarter where the teams were a combined 11 of 17 from 3-point range.
This was the second matchup between the Nuggets and Suns this season, but nothing like Denver's 119-111 win on Dec. 1 in Phoenix. In that contest, the Suns were without Booker, Damion Lee and Beal, while the Nuggets were missing Murray.
“This is one of those where tomorrow we all feel better. Tomorrow we have better clarity and a lot more positive energy," said Murray, whose team shot 42.7% from the field. “But today it’s tough. It wasn’t just one person who didn’t shoot well, it was damn near everybody.”
Saben Lee Skies for Posterizing jam
UP NEXT
Suns: Host Toronto on Thursday night.
Nugget: Host Boston on Thursday night.
"Did everything right tonight. Nurk is the star of the game. He was spectacular on both sides of the ball. Took 4 shots and was our best offensive player."
Frank Vogel on Jusuf Nurkic, who posted 7 points, 12 boards, 6 assists; defended Nikola Jokic in #Suns OT win at #Nuggets.
"Not fouling, playing with pace and not turning the ball over." Frank Vogel on keys to 23-1 run in second quarter to take 59-44 lead with two minutes left in 1st half.
Phoenix Suns led by as many as 22 in OT win at Denver Nuggets.
KD showing out for the @TexasMBB faithful
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Monday March 4
FINAL
D'Angelo Russell Scores 26 Points, Leads Surging Lakers past West-Leading Thunder 116-104
Lakers fans erupt after LeBron's and-1
LeBron James gets to the basket for an and-1 that gets Lakers fans amped up.
THUNDER at LAKERS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 4, 2024
D'Angelo Russell Hits 3 Straight unreal 3's and gets Swarmed by Lakers vs OKC 🔥
Lakers Bench was in disbelief after D’Angelo Russell did this 😳😂
Lakers Fans Erupt after LeBron's and-1
Lakers Fam
LOS ANGELES -- — D’Angelo Russell hit five 3-pointers while scoring 26 points, and Anthony Davis added 24 points and 12 rebounds in the Los Angeles Lakers' 116-104 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night.
LeBron James had 19 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in the Lakers' 10th victory in 14 games. Austin Reaves added 16 points while hitting four 3s for the Lakers, who won their third straight meeting with the Western Conference-leading Thunder to take the season series.
“They’re so well-coached that you can’t relax,” Russell said. “That team has got everything you need to win and to be efficient at this level. You’ve got to be ready to play against those guys. It’s no fluke (to beat them).”
LeBron James
LeBron James makes Beautiful Dime for a Basket
Check out this Sweet Dish from Austin Reaves
Austin Reaves
In his first game since scoring his record 40,000th career point in a loss to Denver, James nearly got a triple-double before the Lakers’ big lead allowed him to sit out the final six minutes. Davis was able to sit out the entire fourth quarter when the Lakers hit six 3-pointers in quick
succession during his absence, boosting their lead to 25 points.
Russell punctuated the Lakers' decisive rally by hitting 3-pointers on three consecutive possessions with increasing theatrics.
“My teammates find me when I’m hot,” Russell said. “It makes it easier when I can stretch the floor like that. That’s what shooting does. It’s a pleasure.”
D-Lo Hits 3 Straight Treys for the Lakers
Lu Dort Smacked LeBron James in the Head 🤨😅
Lu Dort Smacked LeBron James in the Head
Russell passed to James before his third 3-pointer with 9:06 to play, but James whipped the ball right back to him for a shot that left Russell sprawled on his back from uncalled defensive contact, putting the Lakers up 103-79 and earning a standing ovation.
“I didn’t know I made the shot,” Russell said. “I just kind of threw it up there. Lucky shot.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 points — ending his streak of eight consecutive 30-point games — for the Thunder, who lost for only the second time in nine games. Lu Dort and Chet Holmgren added 15 points apiece.
“Our start was good offensively, but our overall sharpness just wasn’t there,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “Defensively, we turned them over a bunch of times, and that kept us in it. But certainly not our fastball tonight. ... I just didn’t think we were as sharp offensively as we
needed to be. A team like that that’s got size and physicality, that’s a requirement to hit shots against them, but we just didn’t do that enough.”
Oklahoma City hit a season-low 30.6% of its shots in the first half while playing on possibly weary legs during the third stop of a four-game road trip that included a draining win at Phoenix on Sunday.
Anthony Davis Rocks the Rim with Slam
Anthony Davis Rocks the Rim with Slam
LeBron Gets Called for an Offensive Foul 💀💀
“Obviously, they’re coming off a tough back-to-back,” Reaves said. “But any time you can beat a team confidently going into the fourth of that caliber, it speaks to what you did offensively and defensively. … Anytime you beat a team like that that’s been playing really good basketball, it
feels good and it gives you some momentum going forward.”
Both teams weren't in top form in the first half. The Thunder jumped to a quick 12-point lead, but then fell into a 2-for-21 shooting slump that allowed the Lakers to take a double-digit lead despite committing 12 turnovers.
Oklahoma City big man Jaylin Williams missed his second straight game with a sprained left knee. Mike Muscala made his first appearance since rejoining the Thunder from Detroit, scoring five points in 11 minutes.
Harry Giles III made his Lakers debut in the final minutes.
Team Chemistry +10
UP NEXT
Thunder: At Portland on Wednesday.
Lakers: Host Sacramento on Wednesday.
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Sunday March 2
FINAL
Brown, Tatum Lead Celtics to 3rd-Biggest Win in Franchise History, 140-88 over Weary Warriors
Celtics rout Warriors for 11th straight win
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown lead the Celtics to the third-biggest win in franchise history with a 140-88 victory over the Warriors.
WARRIORS at CELTICS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS March 3, 2024
The Boston Celtics DROP 82 PTS In The 1st Half! SET FRANCHISE RECORD! March 3, 2024
BOSTON -- — Jaylen Brown scored 29 points, Jayson Tatum had 27 on his 26th birthday, and the NBA-best Boston Celtics posted their third-largest winning margin in franchise history, drubbing the weary Golden State Warriors 140-88 on Sunday.
Payton Pritchard added 19 points for the Celtics, who set a league record with their third win this season by 50 points or more and extended their season-best winning streak to 11 games. Boston led by a franchise-record 44 points at halftime and pushed it to 51 early in the third quarter
before coach Joe Mazzulla went to his reserves the rest of the way.
Boston Celtics' DOMINANT 23-1 Run UNCUT March 3, 2024
Draymond Green Stops Jaylen Brown from Cutting
Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown SHOW OUT IN Celtics 11th STRAIGHT WIN! 🔥 March 3, 2024
Jaylen Brown hits Jayson Tatum with 360 Jump Pass for 3
“It feels great, but, at the same time, it's always within humility,” Brown said. “We don't take the game for granted. We didn't come and mess around and that's just how we show our respect to the game; we handle business and take care of it. ... It's a lot of respect for the Golden State
Warriors, but we feel like it's our time now.”
Stephen Curry didn't play the second half and finished with a season-low four points for Golden State, his fewest since he had three points in 16 minutes on March 16, 2022 at Boston — a game he departed with a foot injury. Curry was 2 of 13 from the field Sunday and missed all nine of
his 3-point attempts, including consecutive airballs in the opening quarter.
Jayson Tatum's 20-Point Quarter propels C's to 82-Point Half
Jayson tatums 20-Point Quarter Propels cs to 82-Point Half
“The way that they've been playing, they seem very sure of themselves in their identity and who they are,” Curry said. “Give them credit. They came out and whooped us tonight from the jump, and it was one of those perfect storms of a rough (day) on our end and them taking it to us.”
It was the fourth-worst loss in franchise history for the Warriors. They had won 11 of 13, including the first three of their East Coast trip that included three games in four days and a difficult journey to Toronto in which they sat on a tarmac for hours overnight.
Lester Quinones led Golden State with 17 points in a team-high 33 minutes. None of the Warriors' starters played more than 20 minutes, and Moses Moody (11 points) was the only one to score in double figures.
“We lost,” Draymond Green said. “Just flush it and move on.”
Steph Curry & Derrick White Collided & Both are Hurt 🤷♂️🤷♂️
Boston's only bigger blowout wins were 133-77 at Chicago on Dec. 8, 2018, and 128-75 over visiting Sacramento on Jan. 25, 2022.
Celtics Send Garden into a Frenzy with a 23-1 Run
Celtics forward Kristaps Porzingis missed the game with a bruised left quad.
The game was tied at 21-all in the opening quarter before the Celtics scored the next 14 points to begin a 58-13 spree that put them ahead by 35 late in the second quarter.
Brown sparked the run by hitting three straight 3s in a 40-second span, with Green playing some interesting defense by leaving him all alone and dropping off by at least five feet several times in the opening quarter.
“We told Jaylen, ‘If they’re going to keep doing that, you should shoot 20, 30 3s,’” Pritchard said.
Jaylen Brown hits Jayson Tatum with 360 Jump Pass for 3
Brown scored 19 points in the period, connecting on 5 of 8 3s, to push Boston to a 44-22 lead.
“First time it's ever happened to me,” Brown said of the lax defense. “Honestly, I was a bit surprised. It took a little bit of adjusting and I think we just took advantage of whatever that attempt was and made the best of it.
“If you wanna dare me to shoot, we can do that, too,” he added. “I thought it was a little disrespectful, but we took advantage of it and we didn't look back.”
Curry, listed as questionable with right knee bursitis, went through warmups and decided to play. He front-rimmed his first 3 before airballing the next two.
“Boston was amazing. We weren't beating them today,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said. “This was not a day off for Steph, though he probably could have used one. He's played so well and for so long this year, hopefully the next few days he'll get it recharged.”
In the opening quarter, Boston shot 62.5% on 3s (10 of 16) and 57.1% overall (16 of 28).
Chris Paul Hits Huge Layup to Cut the Lead to 46 vs Celtics
Tatum’s 3 from the left wing pushed it to 74-34 in the second.
The Warriors missed 15 of 18 3-point attempts in the first half, and Boston had as many 3s (15 of 24) in the half as Golden State had baskets.
Boston left the floor to a standing ovation at halftime, holding an 82-38 lead.
In the second half, the crowd was somewhat subdued during the nationally televised matchup between teams that met in the NBA Finals two years ago. Golden State won that series in six games, wrapping it up at Boston.
The fans did give Tatum a standing ovation when his birthday wishes were posted in the final quarter. He waved to the crowd with a big smile.
Dario Saric somehow gets the and-1 to Fall
UP NEXT
Warriors: Host Milwaukee on Wednesday.
Celtics: At Cleveland on Tuesday.
STEPH CURRY: “that’s what we used to do to teams…demoralizing…you look up & you’re down freaking 40”
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
"Bronny Watch"
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Saturday March 2
FINAL
Nuggets spoil LeBron's milestone night with win over Lakers
Why can’t these Lakers beat the Nuggets?
The Lakers fought valiantly once again against Denver, but the result was the same, another close loss to the Nuggets.
"We're gonna stop you, you're going 8." —Jokic telling Bron he won't hit 40K tonight
LeBron James “Scoring King” Career Mixtape
The Moment LeBron Became 1st Player in NBA History to Reach 40K Career Points 🔥
The Moment LeBron became KING
Final 5:15 PLAYOFF REMATCH Nuggets at Lakers UNCUT | March 2, 2024
NUGGETS at LAKERS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 2, 2024
By
LOS ANGELES - It’s no secret the Lakers have struggled against the Denver Nuggets. Heading into Saturday’s matchup, the Nuggets had a seven-game winning streak against the Lakers and while Saturday’s showdown was competitive, the result was the same.
Denver beat Los Angeles 124-114, proving yet again that they are the team to beat in the West and the standard every team hopes to achieve.
There’s no shame in losing to the best, but there is frustration when you lose to said team again and again in a similar fashion.
“I think even if you go back to last year in the playoffs, other than Game One maybe... it gets down to the last 3, 4, 5 minutes and it’s a team that really executes and you know that going into the game,” Austin Reaves said postgame.
“So you got to be really sharp with what you do on both ends of the court. Yeah, ever since the playoffs last year, they for the most part, beat us in the last four or five minutes and we have to figure out what we have to do to flip that.”
This game wasn’t a new episode of Lakers vs. Nuggets but a re-run we’ve seen too many times to be interested in. It was a close game heading into the fourth, the Lakers had a shot in the closing minutes and, in the end, the combo of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić were too much to
handle.
LEBRON JAMES BECOMES THE 1ST PLAYER IN NBA HISTORY TO REACH 40K PTS
Austin Reaves Weaves a Pass to D-Lo for 2
Like Sisyphus being forced to roll a boulder endlessly up a hill as punishment by Hades, Joker and the Nuggets seem to toy with the Lakers.
Michael Porter Jr. goes a perfect 10-10 from the field, Murray hits clutch basket after clutch basket and Joker hits a circus shot off the glass to beat the buzzer, reminding you that he is inevitable.
Nikola Jokic Hits the Tough Fadeaway Jumper
Nikola Jokic Could Not Be Stopped In LA | March 2, 2024
When asked if there was an answer for Joker, LeBron James was short and quick with his response.
“No, there is none,” James said postgame.
There you have it. Beating the Nuggets is an exercise in futility. It’s just theoretical. Sure, the Nuggets have 19 losses, so it has happened, but not while the purple and gold were on the floor and last year, ultimately, when it mattered, no one beat them in a series, and they raised their
first banner in franchise history because of it.
Jamal Murray gets the Breakaway Dunk for the Nuggets
So what now? The season series is done and the Nuggets have now swept the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals and the 2023/24 season series. What can this team takeaway and build on from this experience?
“To beat them, you have to be really, really good in the fourth quarter and obviously, Jamal and Jokic are mainly what they run through in the fourth quarter,” Reaves said after the loss. “Obviously tonight MPJ (Michael Porter Jr.) went 10-10 from the field with 25 points, they have a
beautiful system around those two guys. So yeah, it’s tough to beat them, but at the end of the day nobody’s going to feel sorry for us. We got to figure out what we got to do.”
We’ll see if the Lakers will get a chance at revenge during postseason play, but for now, they’ll have to take these losses and turn them into lessons that can eventually become victories against other opponents in March.
Peyton Watson Blocks LeBron's Layup Attempt
That may not seem too reassuring after a frustrating defeat, but the fact is the Lakers played the defending champs well and have good wins against the Clippers, Celtics and Knicks as proof that when they put it all together, they are a force to be reckoned with.
Things may seem grim, but the night is darkest just before dawn. The Lakers have won six of their last 10 and are sitting comfortably as the tenth seed in the West, just two games back of the eighth spot.
There are still plenty of critical games coming up that will define their destiny and potential far more than this defeat will. Sure, it’s frustrating to lose to the Nuggets consistently, but it’s hard to beat a Joker, even when you have a King on your side.
👑The #ScoringKing makes History 👑
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
LeBron James & Lakers Speak On His HISTORIC 40,000-PT Milestone | March 2, 2024
LeBron James highlights how much it meant to make history with his daughter in attendance
Lakers: NBA players react to LeBron James’ remarkable 40K points record
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Friday March 1
FINAL
GSW 120 vs 105 TOR
Curry Leads Warriors past Raptors for 8th Straight Road Win. Toronto Star Barnes Breaks Finger
Trayce Jackson-Davis beats shot clock on this wacky play
"No excuses. Nobody wanted to hear an excuse if we lost, so I think we did a good job making sure we took care of what we needed to take care of and got the job done." Draymond on the Warriors securing a win after difficult travel delays on the way to Toronto
Draymond Green's pass goes off a Raptors player to Trayce Jackson-Davis, who hoists up a shot before the shot clock expires for the Warriors.
WARRIORS at RAPTORS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 1, 2024
Warriors Win 8th Straight Road Game as they take down the Raptors
Steve Kerr, Warriors get 100% real on ‘worst travel circumstances’ in Toronto trip
TORONTO -- — Stephen Curry scored 25 points, Jonathan Kuminga had 24 and the Golden State Warriors overcame a short night of rest and extended their road winning streak to eight games by beating the Toronto Raptors 120-105 on Friday.
Toronto All-Star Scottie Barnes exited after he broke his left middle finger late in the first half. Barnes had 10 points and six rebounds in 16 minutes, ending a career-best streak of five consecutive double-doubles.
The Raptors said Barnes will be out indefinitely.
Jonathan Kuminga DUNK FEST in Toronto | March 1, 2024
“Obviously when you lose an All-Star player in the game, that definitely changes a lot of things,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “We tried with different lineups, different players tonight, gave multiple players opportunities there.”
Barnes was subbed out with just under two minutes to play in the second quarter and went to the locker room for treatment. Kelly Olynyk started the third period in Barnes’ place.
After beating the Knicks 110-99 in New York on Thursday night, Golden State had to switch planes before enduring a long wait on the tarmac, finally arriving at its Toronto hotel shortly after 7 a.m. Friday morning.
“Fantastic win,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of beating Toronto. “I mean, last night was brutal. That’s the worst travel circumstances I’ve ever been involved with in the NBA."
STEVE KERR TO STEPH "GIVE ME THAT BALL!" THEN SHOOTS DURIN GAME! LOL! "
Steph Passes it to Kerr for Shot after Coach Calls Timeout
STEVE KERR TO STEPH "GIVE ME THAT BALL!" THEN SHOOTS DURIN GAME! LOL! "
Team DUB.
Golden State started slowly against the Raptors, falling behind by nine in the first quarter, but took control in the third.
“It was obviously a roller coaster of a night, but we wanted to maintain the momentum we’ve been building,” Curry said.
Moses Moody scored 17 points, Klay Thompson added 14 and Draymond Green grabbed 13 rebounds for the Warriors, who have won three in a row and 13 of 15.
Thompson moved back into the starting lineup, as Golden State guard Brandin Podziemski sat out because of a sore right knee.
“We’ve got a good bit of momentum going and we’re just going to try and keep it going,” Kerr said.
Trayce Jackson-Davis Beats Shot Clock
Trayce Jackson-Davis Beats Shot Clock on this Wacky Play
Curry played north of the border for the first time since Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals. The two-time NBA MVP shot 9 for 22, including 7 of 15 from 3-point range. He had six rebounds and six assists.
Curry lived in Toronto as a child when his father, Dell, spent three seasons with the Raptors.
“It’s always great to have a pseudo homecoming,” Curry said. “Toronto is a special place for my family and my journey. I always love coming back.”
RJ Barrett scored 23 points for Toronto. Olynyk had 16 points and 10 rebounds, but the Raptors lost their second straight after winning the previous three.
Toronto guard Immanuel Quickley shot 4 for 16 and finished with 12 points, matching his season high with 11 assists. Jakob Poeltl equaled his season best with 14 rebounds.
Lester Quinones Drops in the Smooth Basket
Curry and Moody each went 3 of 5 from the field in the first but the rest of the Warriors shot 4 for 18. All three of Curry’s baskets came from long distance, but Toronto led 31-28 after one.
“Our guys were asleep still, which was understandable,” Kerr said.
Kuminga didn’t score in the first quarter but had 13 points in the second.
Golden State trailed 64-61 at halftime but turned that around by outscoring Toronto 32-19 in the third, when the Raptors missed six of their first seven attempts and shot 5 for 19. Curry had nine points in the period.
Former Raptors and Knicks star Charles Oakley watched from a baseline seat, while Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews sat courtside.
Before the game, the Raptors converted guard Javon Freeman-Liberty from a two-way contract to a standard NBA contract.
Gradey Dick Goes up for Reverse Alley-Oop Dunk
Gradey Dick Goes up for Reverse Alley-Oop Dunk
UP NEXT
Warriors: Visit the Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon.
Raptors: Host the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night.
KERR: Kuminga “has changed our team”, Draymond “incredible job at walking the line”; “hate yelling”
STEPH CURRY on 4th baby: “might as well” 🤷🏽♂️”great defensive team” identity; MOODY: grown/mature
DRAYMOND: “s/o to Canadians…the Steph Curry effect”; “Old Media lie a lot…flip-flop with the wind”
Warriors Women's Empowerment Month Definition Series | Girl Dad
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Thursday Feb. 28
FINAL
Wembanyama, Spurs Beat Thunder 132-118 to Snap 5-Game Skid
Wemby, Spurs top Chet, Thunder in battle of ROY favorites
Victor Wembanyama leads the way for the Spurs with 28 points and 13 rebounds in a win over the Thunder.
THUNDER at SPURS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | February 29, 2024
Victor Wembanyama (28 PTS) & Chet Holmgren (23 PTS) Trade Buckets In San Antonio | February 29, 2024
Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama torches Thunder to complete wild feat not seen before in NBA history
SAN ANTONIO -- — San Antonio rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama punctuated snapping a five-game skid by shouting an explicative into a live house microphone to let Spurs fans know how much he missed playing in front of them.
“I think just let him be him,” San Antonio point guard Tre Jones said, laughing. “We don’t want to change that. Look where it’s gotten him to this point.”
Victor Wembanyama Hyping up the Crowd after Win vs Thunder 👀👀
Wemby Outduels Holmgren as Spurs Top Thunder
Victor Wembanyama Stares Down OKC Bench after Clutch 3 then Blocks Chet Holmgren 🔥
Sound strategy given the historic start for the 20-year-old.
Wembanyama had 28 points and 12 rebounds, Devin Vassell also scored 28 points and the Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 132-118 on Thursday night.
Wembanyama added seven assists, five blocks and two assists while shooting 9 for 17 from the field and 5 for 7 on 3-pointers while playing the entire fourth quarter.
He is the first player in NBA history with 10 rebounds, five assists, five blocks, and five 3-pointers in a game.
“It’s a lot of mental,” Wembanyama said “You know Kobe (Bryant, the late Los Angeles Lakers star) said to win a game, it mostly takes shots, big shots, because they don’t call like any fouls. It’s not as much the physical battle. Even though in defense it’s 90 percent effort, but offensively
it’s a lot of mental.”
Wemby, Spurs top Chet, Thunder in Battle of ROY Favorites
San Antonio returned to the Frost Bank Center after finishing 1-8 on their annual Rodeo Road Trip.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points for Oklahoma City. Jalen Williams added 23, and Chet Holmgren had 23.
Oklahoma City (41-18) dropped a game behind Minnesota (42-17) atop the Western Conference. The Spurs (12-48) are last in the West, but have beaten the Timberwolves and Thunder in the past month.
Jalen Williams Hits the Basket vs. San Antonio Spurs
“It’s just another reminder that this is the NBA,” Holmgren said. “No team is in the NBA for no reason. No player is in the NBA for no reason. Any team can beat another on any given night regardless of record or anything. They came out confident. Part of that was them, part of that was
us. We should be better the next one.”
San Antonio goes Bananas for Wemby's Stuff of Chet
Wemby's Stuff of Chet
Jeremy Sochan added 21 points after failing to score in the Spurs’ previous game.
Wembanyama punctuated back-to-back 3-pointers in the final 3 1/2 minutes with a blocked shot he captured in his hand on Chet Holmgren’s two-point attempt at the top of the key.
“He obviously is not afraid to put himself out there,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. “He will take shots and he is not afraid. He is not worried if he misses it or what the consequences are or anything like that. He likes those moments.”
Holmgren had a head start in the battle between Rookie of the Year candidates. Holmgren made a 3-pointer in the opening minutes as Wembanyama charged at him with his right arm fully extended. Wembanyama was limited to one rebound and missed his first two attempts as
Holmgren defended.
Chet Holmgren
Chet Holmgren Makes Beautiful Dish for a Basket
The centers traded plays after that, including a series of possessions in the opening minutes of the second quarter.
“They came out with a lot of confidence,” Holmgren said. “A lot of guys stepped up and hit big shots. Credit to them for coming ready to play.”
Wembanyama lowered his shoulder to push past Holmgren and score on a short hook shot. Holmgren followed by rolling off a pick to lose Wembanyama for an uncontested dunk. Wembanyama then made a 3-pointer over Holmgren.
As for his postgame slip, Wembanyama laughed and said he is still adjusting.
All Knotted up after 1 END Q1 | SAS 37, OKC 37
UP NEXT
Thunder: At Phoenix on Sunday night.
Spurs: Host Indiana on Sunday night.
Inside the NBA reacts to Wemby vs Chet DUEL 🔥 Thunder vs Spurs Highlights
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
The Bronny Watch
Thursday Feb. 29
FINAL
USC 72 vs. 75 Washington State
USC TROJANS VS. WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS: GAME HIGHLIGHTS USC Trojans vs. Washington State Cougars: Game Highlights
After a convincing win over UCLA, the USC basketball squad has yet again lost. This time it was against Washington State who have a hot-handed scorer in Andrej Jakimovski who plans to torch the Trojans as they chase down Arizona to get the top spot on the Pac-12. Coach Andy Enfield
and his squad with Bronny James and Isaiah Collier had a mission to get their second-straight win but they failed.
Everything started off great for the USC basketball program. They ended the first half with a 39 to 35 lead over Washington State and looked to build on that entering the second half. But, this is where things started to implode for the Trojans. Bronny James already had two fouls in the
first half after just three minutes of action.
Jaylen Wells nails the triple vs. USC Trojans
Things did not get better for James in the second half at all. He got two more fouls which meant that Coach Andy Enfield had to bench him to avoid further giving the Washington State squad more free throws. James had to end the night with only two points and a rebound to contribute
to the USC basketball squad as they faced their 12th loss in the Pac-12 conference and 18th loss throughout their 2023-24 campaign.
The output from James prompted some fan reactions that were not too savory. Observations like, “Bronny James gets called for a block and the crowd lets him hear it. Chants of “Bryce is better.” Bryce is Lebron’s younger son,” and, “Bronny James is the reason the stands are full tonight?
Give me a break PAC 12 network!” were thrown around during the broadcast.
There is still a lot of work to do before this USC basketball squad becomes ready for a national title run or even just a shot at the Pac-12 championship.
USC puts up a fight against Washington State
This did not mean that the Trojans did not put up a fight. The USC basketball defense stole the ball 11 times from the 19th-ranked squad in all of college basketball. Their schemes also forced the opponents to make 14 turnovers. Whenever the Cougars tried to get a shot off, the Trojans
always made sure that it was well-contested. It even netted them four blocks to stay within striking distance.
However, the scoring prowess of Andrej Jakimovski and Isaiah Watts was just too much. Andrej Jakimovski stayed on the floor for 36 minutes and gave the USC basketball defense a huge headache. He notched 18 points and five rebounds. Watts also wreaked havoc by putting up 18
points, two rebounds, and an assist. They also got help from Myles Rice who recorded an all-around performance with 16 points and four rebounds. Not to mention, Rice also did great on floor general duties and dropped eight dimes.
USC still had a heavy hitter in Isaiah Collier who got 24 points but he did not get much help. With James sidelined for most of the game. the best the Trojans could give was 11 points each from Kobe Johnson and Vincent Iwuchukwu. No one else managed to get close to double-digit
scoring outputs for the Trojans. Had anyone else stepped up to fill James’ production, USC would have had their 13th win of the season.
As LeBron James prepares to become the first NBA player in history to surpass 40,000 career points, a much larger discussion is currently taking place around the parts of his life he’s long championed as his most meaningful: family and fatherhood.
James’ vocal support of his eldest son has come under scrutiny 👉🏻 https://andscape.com/features/lebron-bronny-james-mock-nba-draft/
Wednesday Feb. 28
FINAL
LAL 116 vs 112 LAC
LeBron Scores 34 Points, Leads Lakers' Rally from 21-Point Deficit in 116-112 Win over Clippers
Ty Lue credits LeBron for Clippers giving up 21-point lead to Lakers
Ty Lue cites turnovers and LeBron James' fourth-quarter performance as reasons the Clippers fell to the Lakers.
LAKERS at CLIPPERS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | February 28, 2024
LeBron James Goes ‘Sicko Mode’, Leads Lakers to Comeback Win over Clippers
LOS ANGELES -- — LeBron James scored 19 of his 34 points during a brilliant fourth quarter, leading the Los Angeles Lakers back from a 21-point deficit for a dramatic 116-112 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.
Kawhi Leonard missed a 12-footer with five seconds to play, and James threw a long pass to Cam Reddish for a dunk that punctuated a stunning victory for the Lakers in the rivals’ final regular-season game as co-tenants of their downtown arena.
LeBron James TAKES OVER In The Clutch - Biggest 4th Q Comeback Of His Career! 😤 February 28, 2024
LeBron James does a somersault after tough and-1 on Westbrook and PJ Tucker 😂
LBJ SHOCKS CLIPPERS! TOOKOVER ENTIRE 4TH! BOILING HOT FROM 3! HUGE COMEBACK! FULL TAKEOVER!
LeBron James' CLUTCH 34-PT Performance In The Battle Of LA! 🔥 February 28, 2024
Final 6:23 MUST-SEE ENDING Lakers vs Clippers 🚨👀 | February 28, 2024
The 39-year-old James was the center of it all, hitting five of his season-high seven 3-pointers while outscoring the Clippers by himself in the fourth quarter (19-16). He either scored or assisted on 11 of the Lakers' 13 baskets in the final period.
“It’s just a feeling when you feel like everything you put up is going in,” James said. “I just kept it consistent. I wasn’t taking ill-advised shots. I stayed in the course of the offense. My teammates did a great job of continuing to find me, and I just tried to dictate the tempo, dictate the
game. ... It’s just a zone. Can’t really describe it. Wish you could stay in it forever.”
Leonard scored 26 points and James Harden had 23 points and nine assists for the Clippers, who lost back-to-back games for the first time since Dec. 23 after committing seven turnovers and allowing 39 points in that calamitous fourth quarter. The Clippers played without All-Star Paul
George, who missed his second straight game with a sore left knee, and starting center Ivica Zubac, who was ill.
LBJ CANT STOP TALKIN SH*T TO FANS AFTER CATCHNG FIRE FROM 3! IN 4TH! LEADS HUGE COMEBACK VS CLIPPER
“It's one game,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “Played well for three quarters. Didn't finish the game. I never let one loss or a bad loss take away from what we've been doing and what we've built. It's a tough loss because we were up 21 points, but this is a good team, and when you
don't take care of the basketball and you don't do what you're supposed to do, you lose.”
The Clippers led 98-77 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter, but James led a 29-8 run in just 7:34. Anthony Davis' free throws tied it at 106- with four minutes to play, and James found Rui Hachimura for a go-ahead 3-pointer moments later.
D'Angelo Russell's 3-pointer put the Lakers up 114-108 with 1:12 to play before Harden and Leonard scored on drives to the hoop while James missed a pair of shots for the Lakers. But Leonard's last shot was off target, and James found Reddish for the capper to the delight of the
thousands of Lakers fans in attendance at a “road” game.
Lakers Triumph over Clippers after 21-point Comeback in 4th
LeBron Stays Hot
'Bottom!' LeBron Stays Hot with his Seventh 3
"How can you be surprised with some of the things he does?" Russell asked about James. “A lot of guys locked in defensively and gave us what we needed, but he’s a huge reason we won this game, just from him being him. As a group, we fought.”
The Lakers won three of four over the Clippers this season, winning the season series for the first time since 2011-12.
Davis had 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, while Russell had 18 and Hachimura added 17.
Russell Westbrook Destroys the Rim with this Jam
Terrence Mann nasty poster on Anthony Davis 👀👀
The Clippers and Lakers moved into the building long known as Staples Center — along with the NHL's Los Angeles Kings — when it opened in 1999. The NBA franchises shared their home for the next 25 years, usually facing each other four times annually in a rivalry known as the
Hallway Series because their locker rooms are about 100 feet apart in the same corridor.
Lakers Hang on for Comeback Win after Kawhi's Tying Attempt Rims Out
Lakers Hang on for Comeback Win
The era ends this fall when the Clippers move into Intuit Dome, owner Steve Ballmer's lavish new arena in Inglewood. Ballmer decided the Clippers needed their own home to complete their move out of the shadows of the Lakers' 17 NBA championships and the accompanying banners on
the walls of the shared arena, and the billionaire quickly got it done.
The balance of power in Los Angeles still tilts completely in the Lakers' direction, but the Clippers have made progress: They've finished with a better record than the Lakers in 10 of the last 11 seasons, failing only in 2020 when the Lakers won their 17th title.
The teams could always meet in a playoff series this spring, but that’s never happened.
Reddish returned from a 14-game absence due to a sprained right ankle,
Norman Powell Ends the 3rd Quarter with a Buzzer-Beater
UP NEXT
Lakers: Host Washington on Thursday night
Clippers: Host Washington on Friday night.
Bow Wow linked up with Jay Z after his halftime performance 🔥
LeBron James talks 4th Qtr Comeback Win vs Clippers, Postgame Interview 🎤
LeBron James talks HUGE WIN vs Clippers, Postgame Interview 🎤
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Tuesday Feb. 27
FINAL
DAL 119 vs 121 CLE
INSANE ENDING 🔥 Maxed out: Strus Sinks 59-Footer at the Final Horn, Sending Cavaliers to 121-119 Win over Mavericks 👀
Max Strus hits CRAZY HALF-COURT GAME-WINNER at the BUZZER vs Mavs 🔥
Max Strus' Miracle Half-Court Heave Wins it for Cavs at Buzzer
Max Strus' Miracle Half-Court Heave
Max Strus' miracle half-court heave wins it for Cavs at buzzer
After the Mavericks take the lead in the final seconds, Max Strus lets it fly from beyond half court to win it for the Cavaliers.
Max Strus hits CRAZY HALF-COURT GAME-WINNER at the BUZZER vs Mavs 🔥
Max Strus Hits UNREAL Buzzer-Beater Beyond Halfcourt for the Win 🚨
MAVERICKS at CAVALIERS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | February 27, 2024
ALL ANGLES of Max Strus's INSANE Game-Winner! 🔥 February 27, 2024
Yes, There Is A Santa Claus, And His Name Is Max Strus
Super Max to the rescue. #LetEmKnow
Max Strus brings Cavs’ offense back to life in buzzer-beating win over Mavericks
CLEVELAND -- — Max Strus caught the pass, and with barely any time to think never mind shoot, one thing crossed his mind.
“Get it up,” he said.
Down it went.
Strus drilled a 59-footer as time expired, his fifth 3-pointer in the final four minutes, to give the Cleveland Cavaliers a wild 121-119 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.
After the Mavericks took the lead on P.J. Washington's dunk with 2.9 seconds left, the Cavs, out of timeouts, inbounded the ball to Evan Mobley, who passed it back to Strus — whose barrage of four 3s in a span of 67 seconds down the stretch brought Cleveland back from a 10-point
deficit.
Max Strus Block Leads to a Donovan Mitchell 3
Strus then took a dribble before launching his shot from well beyond mid-court. As it swished through the net, Strus was tackled to the floor by his celebrating teammates as the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse crowd erupted.
Strus said he knew it was good from the moment it left his hand.
“The last five felt pretty good,” he said. “I felt a rhythm and it’s fun when you do that. Every time I shot it, I felt like it was going in, and it was. Same with the last one.”
Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points, Strus added 21 and Jarrett Allen 19 for the Cavs, who improved to 12-3 since Jan 26 following a win many of them will long remember.
“Man, just to see it go through, especially what he did for us in the fourth, it had to be him, too,” Mitchell said. “You dream of a shot like that. So for him to get that after what he did for us, the whole fourth quarter, man."
Strus said the play wasn't designed but just unfolded.
“Don (Mitchell) wasn’t in the game so somebody else had to do it,” he joked.
Evan Mobley Gets Up for Alley-Oop Dunk
According to Basketball Reference, Strus' sensational shot is the second-longest game-winner in the 3-point era (1979-80). Devonte Graham made a 61-footer for New Orleans to beat Oklahoma City on Dec. 15, 2021.
Truth be told, Strus wasn't all that impressed by his heave. He made an even longer game-winning shot in college.
"Yeah, at my Division II school I made a three-quarter court shot to win the game,” he said.
Luka Doncic had 45 points and 14 assists a day before turning 25 for the Mavericks. Kyrie Irving added 30 for Dallas, which lost for just the second time in 10 games.
“Incredible shot. That was just an incredible shot,” Doncic said. "It was my fault, I should have pressed forward (on Strus). I thought we played a good game, but that was rough, obviously.”
Doncic added nine rebounds, finishing one shy of his 11th triple-double.
With Doncic making a 3-pointer, Dallas reeled off 10 straight points to take a 108-98 lead with 4:38 left.
The Mavericks were still up by double digits when Strus got hot, making four 3-pointers in just over a minute to pull the Cavs within 113-112.
P.J. Washington with the and-1 Bucket
“That two-minute span was intense for us," said Irving, who made the biggest shot in Cleveland history in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals. "This is the first time I’ve lost on a half-court shot. You don’t flush it out of your system, you feel it. This one has got to sting a little bit.”
The Cavs have been thrilled with what they've gotten from Strus, who signed with them in the offseason after a nice run with Miami. He gives Cleveland toughness, outside shooting and another leader — on and off the court.
“What he did tonight was absolutely ridiculous to come back in that fourth quarter for us to be down the way we were,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "But that’s who Max is. And it’s as simple sometimes as chasing down a loose ball or making an extra rotation. Max never quits and we were
down and he had the same mentality.
“He wasn’t going to quit and he just kept making play after play after play on both ends.”
Doncic's appearance in Cleveland always brings out dozens of fans from the city's Slovenian community. Following his early pregame warmup, Doncic went into the stands to sign autographs and pose for photos.
After a sluggish start offensively, the Cavaliers made 7 of 9 3-pointers to begin the second quarter while opening a 56-41 lead.
Donovan Mitchell Banks a 3 to Give the Cavaliers a Lead in the 4th
But following a Dallas timeout, Doncic took over. The All-Star made three 3s in a span of 1:26, dropped two free throws and then hit another step-back 3 to score 14 points in the final 2:57 to pull the Mavs within 60-56 at halftime.
This was Irving's first visit since being traded to Dallas from Brooklyn, and he got a warmer-than-expected ovation in player introductions and again when the Cavs played a video tribute for him during a first-quarter timeout.
Irving waved to the crowd and formed the shape of heart with his hands to show thanks.
The mercurial guard has a complicated relationship with Cleveland fans. Some remain faithful and will never forget his contributions to the Cavs' title run in 2016 while others feel bitterness toward Irving after he demanded to be traded — his departure effectively ending any chance for
more championships.
This return seemed to bring healing for Irving, who said he'll always be grateful to the city where he got his start.
'“Cleveland loved me through my mistakes and I love them for it,” he said.
UP NEXT
Mavericks: At Toronto on Wednesday.
Cavaliers: At Chicago on Wednesday.
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Klay Thompson Scores 25, Stephen Curry Blanked in first half as Warriors Beat Wizards 123-112
Moses Moody drops defender, splashes 3
Moses Moody sends Landry Shamet to the floor, then knocks down the 3-pointer.
WARRIORS at WIZARDS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | February 27, 2024
Golden State Warriors Highlight Buckets at Washington Wizards | Feb. 27, 2024
Klay Thompson vocal on benefits of bench role amid Warriors success
WASHINGTON -- — Klay Thompson was asked, again, how it feels to be coming off the bench after the Golden State Warriors improved to 6-1 over the past month in games he's entered as a reserve.
“Tell ’em it don’t matter, Klay! Starter or not! It don't matter!” teammate Gary Payton II shouted across the Warriors' locker room.
Thompson scored 25 points on a forgettable evening for Stephen Curry, fellow reserve Chris Paul demonstrated his value to the Warriors in his first game in seven weeks, and Golden State beat the Washington Wizards 123-112 on Tuesday night.
“You’ve got two Hall of Famers in the backcourt coming off the bench,” Thompson said. “That’s such a rare feat, so we take pride in that.”
Curry was held scoreless in the first half for the first time in the regular season since Nov. 23, 2012, against Denver. He missed his first seven shots, six from 3-point range — and three of them airballs, including a 32-foot heave at the halftime buzzer.
Curry got on the board with a 3-pointer 53 seconds into the third quarter and the Warriors went on to outscore the overmatched Wizards 38-17 in the period. He finished with 18 points and shot 4 of 16 on 3-pointers while the rest of the Warriors went 17 for 30 from beyond the arc.
Check Out this Sweet Dish from Chris Paul
Golden State Warriors: Klay Thompson says he wants to be a 'Warrior for life'
Jonathan Kuminga added 21 points for Golden State, which has won 11 of 14 and moved into ninth place in the Western Conference, percentage points ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Thompson finished 6 of 11 on 3-pointers and had 13 points in the third quarter — including two 3s assisted by Paul.
“Makes my life much easier. Much easier,” Thompson said. “Just his ability to read the game, hit me in stride, on time, on target. Probably one of the best in history at doing that.”
Warriors Take Down Wizards in Chris Paul's Return
Tyus Jones had a career-high 17 assists while scoring 14 points for the Wizards, whose season-long skid reached 12 games. Kyle Kuzma had 27 points and 12 rebounds, and Corey Kispert and Marvin Bagley III each scored 20 for Washington, which was missing two starters in Deni
Avdija (left heel contusion) and rookie Bilal Coulibaly (right pelvic contusion).
Curry has failed to score before halftime 16 times in his career, including once in the playoffs — May 10, 2019, against Houston, when he scored 33 points in the second half and led the Warriors to a 118-113 victory. His other scoreless first halves all came during his first four seasons.
“You know he's going to make shots at some point,” Wizards interim coach Brian Keefe said. “You know that's going to happen. ... He was 0 of 6 on 3-pointers in the first. That's not something you're going to count on that's going to sustain.”
Jonathan Kuminga Gets Up for the Beautiful Slam
Paul, who missed 21 games with a fractured left hand that required surgery, played with the fresh legs of a rested 38-year-old. He was the catalyst for a 19-4 run in the second quarter that flipped a nine-point Warriors deficit into a six-point lead, with a 3-pointer, a steal, two assists and
two rebounds. The 3 moved him past Steve Nash for 32nd in NBA history. He finished with nine points and six assists in 22 minutes.
While the pro-Warriors crowd turned out for Curry, it ended up cheering for Paul, who joined the Warriors in an offseason trade with Washington for Jordan Poole. Midway through the third quarter, Paul stood for a few seconds outside the arc, and when no one came out to guard him,
swished a 3 that put Golden State ahead 85-71, walking to the bench with a bemused smile.
Landry Shamet Fights off Defender for and-1
Late in the quarter, he calmly pointed his teammates to their spots on the floor while being guarded by Kispert, then lofted a perfect lob to Kuminga for a dunk and a 98-75 Warriors lead.
“As a team, as a unit, we have so much depth, so many different ways that we can play, it’s going to take us a little while to figure it out,” Paul said. “But obviously you want to figure it out and win at the same time.”
Before the game, the Warriors announced a contract extension for coach Steve Kerr, which he confirmed was for two years. The AP previously reported it was for $35 million.
Steph Curry going through a bad slump right now 👀👀
UP NEXT
Warriors: At New York on Thursday night for the second of their four-game East Coast swing.
Wizards: At the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night to begin a three-game trip out West.
"I loved what Moses did. Didn't surprise me at all. He's such a pro, such a great young guy. Just so high character. To put him in the starting lineup and to have him and play the way he did, it didn't surprise me. It's kind of what he does." - Steve Kerr
KERR extension lines up with Steph Curry: “keep it rolling”; wants Poole to reach potential; Spencer
CHRIS PAUL on KERR: “he’ll try to figure it out. He said sometimes he might mess up”; KLAY; GP2
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Nikola Jokic has Third Straight Triple-Double to help Nuggets Beat Warriors, 119-103
Nikola Jokic goes off for 32 points, 16 rebounds, 16 assists in win
Nikola Jokic attains the triple-double in the third quarter and doesn't look back, scoring a whopping 32 points, 16 rebounds and 16 assists vs. the Warriors.
Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors - Full Game Highlights | February 25, 2024 NBA Season
SAN FRANCISCO -- — Nikola Jokic insists he's not changing anything during his latest run of triple-double dominance, just finding the flow of the game as it comes.
Doing it all for Denver on both ends yet again, Jokic has the defending champions off to a 3-0 start after the All-Star break following a three-game skid right before it.
Nikola Jokic Goes off for 32 points, 16 rebounds, 16 assists in Win
Jokic Heaves it to KCP for Open 3 on the Fast Break
Jokic had 32 points, 16 rebounds and 16 assists for his third straight triple-double and 18th of the season after his long buzzer-beater against Golden State sealed the last meeting, leading the Nuggets past the Warriors again in a 119-103 victory Sunday night.
“We had three losses before All-Star break now we have three wins. It's how the game is, a game of runs. In season you have a good period, bad period, you want to have a longer good period than bad and a short bad period," Jokic said. “I think we are just going in the right direction.
That is the most important thing.”
Zeke Nnaji comes up with Ridiculous Block at the Rim
Steph Curry, Warriors fall in 119-103 rollercoaster loss to Nikola Jokić, Nuggets
Jokic hit a Stephen Curry-like 40-footer as Denver rallied for a 130-127 win at Chase Center on Jan. 4, then topped Curry and Co. to sweep the four-game season series. On Sunday, Jokic shot 13 for 24 on the way to his 122nd career regular-season triple-double.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone is thrilled with his team's focus as the regular season winds down — and sweeping the Warriors in four games this season certainly makes a statement. This marked the 10th time a Golden State opponent won after trailing by double digits.
“I felt for the first quarter and a half they were the aggressor, they had us on our heels and we were reacting to everything they did,” Malone said. “For us to close out 14-0 and then to start the third 14-4, I think we kind of flipped the switch and we became the aggressor on both ends
and stopped thinking and started playing with an attack mindset and an aggressive mindset, and I think that’s when we’re at our best.”
Steph Curry Drains Corner 3
Steph Curry Drains Corner 3 to Cap off Scoring 12 Straight Points
Warriors’ Stephen Curry refutes Steve Kerr’s ‘tired’ statement amid shooting woes
Klay Thompson scored 23 points all in the first half and Curry overcame a slow start missing his first seven 3-point tries before finishing with 20 points — all but four scored in the second half. He hit his only 3 with 3:26 left in the third in a 1-for-10 performance from deep. The two-time
MVP passed both Dwyane Wade (23,165) for 32nd place and Adrian Dantley (23,177) for 31st on the NBA’s scoring list.
Jamal Murray scored 27 points and Aaron Gordon 17 in the Nuggets' seventh consecutive victory against the Warriors and 10th in 11 and also their fifth in a row on Golden State’s home floor since a 113-102 defeat on March 10, 2022.
The last opponent to beat the Warriors seven or more times in a row was the Grizzlies' 11 straight from November 2010 to November 2013.
Klay Hits Saric with No-Look Pass for 2
Surging Warriors' most glaring flaw on display in loss to Nuggets, but the answer could be on the way
Down 65-61 after Curry’s driving layup at the 10:30 mark of the third, the Nuggets answered with another 14-0 burst to go up 75-65. Jokic scored consecutive layups before Murray scored five straight. They also ended the first half on a 14-0 run over the final 2:47 to tie the game at 61
heading into intermission.
“I thought we had two or three offensive possessions where we didn't get organized and we got stagnant,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “And that hurt our flow. We were in a good rhythm until then and the pace slowed down. So we needed to get better organized offensively. And then
they hit some tough shots.”
Thompson hit 5 of his initial 7 shots and 4 of 6 3-pointers and had 23 points by halftime on 7-for-12 shooting. He received a warm standing ovation when he sat down for a breather with 4:51 to go in the second quarter.
Jonathan Kuminga scored 19 points and Andrew Wiggins made his first four shots on the way to 14 for Golden State, which had won three straight and 10 of 12.
“To win here after how good they’re playing lately, it's a good win for us," Jokic said.
Nikola Jokic just Pulled a Ben Simmons 😳😳
Draymond Green had seven points, five rebounds and four assists in his first matchup with Denver this season after missing the previous three — two of those while serving separate suspensions and the first on Nov. 8 for personal reasons.
Kevon Looney played his 284th consecutive game in both regular season and playoffs, matching Neil Johnston for fifth-longest such streak in franchise history.
Draymond Green… what in the world are you doing 💀💀
UP NEXT
Nuggets: Host Kings on Wednesday night having lost the three previous meetings this season, including by 29 points at Sacramento on Feb. 9 before a 102-98 defeat in Denver on Feb. 14.
Warriors: At Washington on Tuesday night to begin a four-game East Coast trip.
Nikola Jokic says his teammates didn’t get him any gifts for his birthday 😬💀
Steve Kerr postgame interview after loss vs Nuggets 😬😬
Klay Thompson postgame interview after loss vs Nuggets 🤷♂️🤷♂️
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Friday Night Fights in The NBA
Victor Wembanyama Drops UNREAL NUMBERS Against The Lakers! 😮| February 23, 2024
LeBron Welcomes Wemby in LA 😱 FULL DUEL Highlights
Heat’s Jimmy Butler takes savage shot at Pelicans after heated showdown
4 EJECTED after Naji Marshall chokes Jimmy Butler and starts HUGE FIGHT 😳
Lakers: Draymond Green fires back at LeBron James Dunk Contest hate from Stephen A. Smith
GRANT WILLIAMS FIGHTS ENTIRE GSW TEAM & DRAYMOND MOCKS HIM! "U SOFT AS HELL"
Jokic's 17th Triple-Double of the Season helps Nuggets Top Trail Blazers 127-112
Jokic locks up triple-double with dime to Braun
Nikola Jokic finds Christian Braun for a Nuggets bucket to secure another triple-double.
NUGGETS at TRAIL BLAZERS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | February 23, 2024
Let's keep it rollin' #MileHighBasketball
PORTLAND, Ore. -- — Nikola Jokic had 29 points, 15 rebounds and 14 assists for his 17th triple-double of the season, Michael Porter scored 34 points and had 12 rebounds and the Denver Nuggets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 127-112 on Friday night.
Collin Gillespie made all four of his 3-point attempts off the bench for the Nuggets and finished with 18 points.
Jokic Locks up Triple-Double with Dime to Braun
This Jabari Smith Jr. and Jalen Green Play 😂 Rockets HILARIOUS Turnover
Portland Trail Blazers bold predictions after 2024 NBA All-Star break
“In this league, you have to win the games you’re supposed to win on paper,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “And I think overall, we’ve done an outstanding job of beating the teams that are below .500. ... We have to start our playoff push now. Not that we’re going to go 25-0 the
rest of the way, but we have to have that mindset.”
Jokic Hits a Cutting Gillespie for a Basket
Jerami Grant scored 25 points for the Trail Blazers. Deandre Ayton added 22 points and Anfernee Simons had 21.
Aaron Gordon
Aaron Gordon Barrels Over Defender before Jamming
Portland led by 5 points in the opening minutes, but Denver controlled it most of the way thanks to a sizable shooting disparity. The Nuggets shot 57.3% from the field to the Blazers’ 44.3% and outrebounded Portland 43-31.
“For the most part, I thought we played pretty good,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. “That team is better than we are. They’re the world champions.”
Zeke Nnaji Gets up for a Nuggets Dunk
Jerami Grant Drills Trey
Why Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic won’t be face of NBA, per Paul Pierce
UP NEXT
Nuggets: Travel to Golden State to face the Warriors on Sunday.
Trail Blazers: Home against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.
Game ball drama?? Coach shares a funny postgame interaction
Handled business
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Stephen Curry Scores 32 Points as Warriors Beat Lakers team missing LeBron James, 128-110
Curry leads Warriors past AD, Lakers
Steph Curry drops 32 points to go with eight assists in the Warriors' 128-110 win over the Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors: Game Highlights
Luka Doncic, Steph Curry & Nikola Jokic Deliver in NBA’s First Night Back [HIGHLIGHTS] | SC with SVP
SAN FRANCISCO -- — Stephen Curry started hitting big shots from the start and the Golden State Warriors dominated the Lakers without LeBron James, helping take at least some of the sting out of a double-overtime collapse when the California rivals met last month.
Curry scored 32 points, hitting six 3-pointers, and had eight assists, leading the Warriors past the Lakers 128-110 on Thursday night as both teams returned for from the All-Star break.
With the makeup of this Golden State roster, Curry has taken it upon himself to be more aggressive looking for his shot from the opening tip.
Steph Shines for 32 Points in Warriors' Win over Lakers
Steph Curry makes it Look Easy with 32 Pts vs Lakers 🔥 FULL Highlights
1Password Lockdown Defender | Draymond Green
“Just him and getting the crowd engaged, bringing a lot of energy, I think it fuels us and sets the tone for the rest of the game,” said rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis, who scored 17 points off the bench on his 24th birthday. “Having someone with that caliber shooting the ball like that, you
just want to give him as many shots as possible because you know that when he’s in that zone it's hard to stop.”
LeBron James was impressed by Jaxon Hayes Poster Dunk 🔥
With his 6,000th career assist, Curry became the eighth player in NBA history with at least 23,000 points and 6,000 assists — joining James, Russell Westbrook, Kobe Bryant, James Harden, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West and John Havlicek.
RAZZLE DAZZLE 😮 Steph Curry’s Dime Sets up Andrew Wiggins for Bucket | NBA on ESPN
Curry made nine of his initial 12 shots with five 3s for 25 points by halftime after scoring 16 in the opening period. He had five straight shortly before halftime as the Warriors led 67-56 at the break — his 16th time this season with at least 20 in one half.
“I think he feels like it’s OK for him to get going right away,” coach Steve Kerr said, “this team can use that.”
Kuminga Beats 3rd-Quarter Buzzer with a Floater
The two-time MVP hit six or more 3-pointers for the fifth time in six games and wound up shooting 12 for 24 on the way to his fourth 30-point performance in the last six games.
Anthony Davis had 27 points and 15 rebounds, and D'Angelo Russell contributed 18 points, nine assists and five rebounds to lead the Lakers, who were without James because of a left ankle injury that also sidelined the 39-year-old forward Feb. 14 at Utah before the break.
Back-to-Back Dunks from Kuminga and Jackson-Davis force an L.A. timeout
Los Angeles had its three-game winning streak snapped with just a second defeat in eight games — and this one was a drastic difference from the last meeting when the Lakers rallied from 15 points down to beat the Warriors 145-144 in double overtime at Chase Center on Jan. 27.
Andrew Wiggins added 20 points for Golden State, while Jonathan Kuminga reached double figures for a career-best 34th straight game with 12 points as the Warriors won for the ninth time in 11 games since that loss to the Lakers.
James had a triple-double in that game with 36 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists.
Steph Shine for 32 Points in Warriors' Win over Lakers
Los Angeles coach Darvin Ham called James' injury a “day-to-day thing.”
“When we wake up in the morning we’ll figure it out,” Ham said.
James has left ankle peroneal tendinopathy, inflammation of the tendons on the outside of his foot.
Klay Thompson missed his first six shots and two 3s before connecting from deep with 45 seconds remaining in the third and finished with just three points on 1-for-9 shooting but had five assists and four rebounds.
Kerr expects veteran guard Chris Paul to return on the upcoming trip after recovering from surgery for a fractured left hand.
UP NEXT
Lakers: Host San Antonio on Friday night.
Warriors: Host Charlotte on Friday night.
KERR: Steph Curry “most skilled player I’ve ever seen”; TRAYCE: Klay said “come get me”; WIGGINS
STEPH CURRY: “you’d be an idiot not to think CP can help us”; Kuminga “help somebody help yourself”
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Larry Bird Speaks before the NBA 73rd All Star game | UNCUT FOOTAGE
Western 186 vs 211 Eastern
NBA All-Star Weekend: Highlights from the East's win
Dame, East top West in highest-scoring NBA All-Star Game of all time
WEST vs. EAST | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | 2024 #NBAAllStar
"To the Eastern Conference All-Stars, you scored the most points," Silver said. "Well, congratulations."
The 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend is in the rearview mirror after multiple record-breaking events in Indianapolis.
The Eastern Conference All-Stars defeated the Western Conference All-Stars 211-186 on Sunday. The East's total is the most points scored by a team in an All-Star Game, and the two teams' 397 combined points also set a new mark.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard scored 39 points, including 11 3-pointers, and was named MVP. After successfully defending his 3-point contest title Saturday, Lillard joins Michael Jordan as the only players to win an All-Star Saturday night event and All-Star Game MVP in the same
year, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Charlotte Cardin Performs The Canadian National Anthem | 2024 #NBAAllStar
Babyface Performs The National Anthem | 2024 #NBAAllStar
Although the East took the win, the West also had a record-setting performance.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns posted a game-high 50 points on 23-for-35 shooting, joining Jayson Tatum, Stephen Curry and Anthony Davis as the only players to score 50 points in an All-Star Game.
Towns broke Tatum's record for most points scored in a half by scoring 40 after halftime.
The East also made 42 3-pointers, passing the record set by Team LeBron in 2019, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
King James Goes Coast to Coast for the Dunk
Dame: It's an honor to share All-Star company with Michael Jordan
Damian Lillard reflects on joining Michael Jordan in elite All-Star Weekend company after winning the All-Star Game MVP and 3-point contest.
Damian Lillard Wins The 2024 #KiaAllStarMVP! | 2024 #NBAAllStar
Jokic fakes the dunk off the breakaway
"The Joker!"
Steph Curry shows off handles before draining floater
The best thing to come out of Sunday’s 2024 NBA All-Star Game is the knowledge that now we can get back to the real games. The league returned to the old East vs. West format this year, and ditched the unique attempts at changing the scoring configuration as well. It was just a good
old fashioned basketball game.
Well, maybe not a game so much as a display, or an exhibition. Even compared to its own standards, this year’s All-Star Game was sorely lacking in effort, defense, and competitiveness. The Eastern Conference, captained by Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, hit the
50-point mark in all four quarters, beating the Western Conference, captained by LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, by an appalling 211-186 final score.
The Golden State Warriors were represented by Steph Curry, who was selected to his 10th All-Star Game, but was coming off the bench for the first time. Curry, the 2022 All-Star Game MVP, struggled a bit with his shooting, going 4-for-13 from distance and 6-for-17 overall en route to
16 points. He also added five rebounds, eight assists, a blocked shot, and plenty of highlights.
Jayson Tatum Talks 5th All-Star Appearance, Sons Growth & More During 2024 #NBAAllStar Game!
Kevin Durant gets revenge on Damian Lillard and calls him tiny 😂
Charles Barkley told @Bickley_Marotta that he is all for the Suns bringing Bradley Beal off the bench. What say you, Phoenix Suns fans? FULL EPISODE: BELOW
Charles Barkley says Bradley Beal needs to come off Suns bench
While Curry outshined Bucks star Damian Lillard during Saturday night’s festivities, it was Lillard who shined brightest on Sunday. Representing the East for the first time in his career, Lillard poured in 39 points on 14-for-26 shooting, dished out six assists, and, to the dismay of the
Indiana Pacers crowd, beat out Tyrese Haliburton for MVP honors.
Everyone will now get a few days off before starting the unofficial second half of the season. The Dubs are back in action on Thursday, when they host the Los Angeles Lakers.
Tyrese Haliburton PUTS ON A SHOW In Indy!🔥| 2024 #NBAAllStar
Tyrese Haliburton Hits 5 Straight 3s in First Quarter
Bucks: Shaquille O’Neal’s strong advice to Damian Lillard amid struggles with Doc Rivers
Warriors’ Stephen Curry gets 100% real on Sabrina Ionescu pressure, 10th All-Star Game see it Below
NBA Rookie Power Rankings: Is Chet Holmgren or Victor Wembanyama on top?
HALIBURTON REFLECTS ON PATH TO NBA STARDOM
As Indianapolis hosts All-Star weekend, Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton looks back at his path to the 73rd NBA All-Star Game.
Larry Bird, Oscar Robertson headline all-time starting 5 of Indiana-raised players
In a state rich with basketball history, these 5 players stand out as the best Indiana-raised players to star in the NBA.
by Michael C. Wright
NBA All-Star 2024 tips off Feb. 16 with the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and Panini Rising Stars, culminating in the 73rd All-Star Game on Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (8 ET, TNT).
With the league’s annual star-studded event taking place in Indiana, we’d be remiss to not pay homage to some of the greatest players raised in a state that produced six Hall of Famers. So, we decided to put together an all-time starting five of players born or raised in
Indiana, without regard for position.
As you can see, our starting five fits in the mold of today’s era of position-less basketball:
G: Oscar Robertson
F: Larry Bird
F: Glenn Robinson
F: George McGinnis
F/C: Shawn Kemp
Born in Tennessee, Robertson moved to Indianapolis at 18 months old. He eventually became the first player to average a triple-double for an entire season. Robertson accomplished that feat in just his second season and remained the only player to do it for more than 50
years (until Russell Westbrook matched it in 2016-17).
Nicknamed the “Big O,” Robertson was considered the NBA’s first big guard at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds. A Hall of Famer and member of the NBA’s 35th, 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams, Robertson was named Rookie of the Year in 1960-61, played in 12 consecutive All-
Star Games and was named NBA MVP (1963-64). He also helped the Milwaukee Bucks win their first NBA championship in 1971.
Bird grew up in French Lick, Ind., and became Springs Valley High School’s all-time leading scorer before reviving the NBA in the 1980s alongside his rival, Magic Johnson. The Celtics legend is the only player in NBA history to win MVP, Coach of the Year and Executive of the
Year in a career.
The 12-time NBA All-Star won three championships (1981, ’84, ’86) and either held or shared 27 Celtics records when he retired in 1992. The 1980 Rookie of the Year and Hall of Famer also won three NBA MVP awards and two NBA Finals MVPs.
The six-time All-Star forward played two seasons as a center later in his career. But “Reign Man” is mostly known for his high-flying days with the Seattle SuperSonics, leading his squad alongside Gary Payton to the NBA Finals in 1996. The Elkhart, Ind. native declared for
the 1989 NBA Draft at 19 and was taken 17th overall despite not playing college ball.
One of the most athletic and dominant power forwards of his era, Kemp debuted in the NBA three weeks before his 20th birthday, making him the league’s youngest player. Kemp played most of his career in Seattle but also spent time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland
Trail Blazers and Orlando Magic.
3 STATS TO KNOW FOR EACH 2024 NBA ALL-STAR
Exploring the standout numbers of the 26 players selected for the 2024 All-Star Game in Indianapolis.
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NBA names judges for 2024 AT&T Slam Dunk
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NBA's social impact footprint in Indianapolis
'Stephen vs. Sabrina' challenge set for All-Star Weekend
Panini Rising Stars tonight on TNT (9 ET)
Ruffles Celebrity Game rosters and coaches announced
MORE https://www.nba.com/news/all-time-starting-5-indiana-raised-players
The Best Mic'd up Moments from the 2024 NBA All-Star Game
NBA All-Star grades: Breaking down certain player on All-Star Saturday night
It's NBA All-Star Weekend, but not all the stars will shine equally. To highlight the best and worst performances all weekend long in Indianapolis, we're grading the participants in every event from the Rising Stars on Friday through Sunday's All-Star Game.
Skills took center stage on Saturday night during NBA All-Star Weekend, including a one-of-a-kind showdown between WNBA 3-point contest record holder Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty and NBA all-time 3-point leader Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors,
a two-time NBA 3-point contest winner who shares the single-round NBA record. Curry won with the best round by any player all night long.
Saturday's events began with the skills challenge. The current format has teams of three compete in an obstacle course, a passing competition and a shooting competition. The hometown Indiana Pacers squad of All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, Rising Stars MVP Bennedict
Mathurin and Myles Turner delighted the crowd by becoming the third host team in as many years to win.
In the 3-point contest, defending champion Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks beat 2022 winner Karl-Anthony Towns and Trae Young in the finals, becoming the first player to repeat since Jason Kapono in 2007 and 2008 and joining Curry as one of just eight players
ever to win multiple times.
The action wrapped up with the dunk contest, where Mac McClung won his second straight title over a field featuring All-Star Jaylen Brown of the NBA-best Boston Celtics and rookies Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Jacob Toppin.
Which stars impressed in Indy? Let's grade every All-Star Saturday night participant.
Jump to grades: Rising Stars | Skills | 3-point | Dunks | Steph vs. Sabrina
Bulls legend Michael Jordan turns 61 years old today Happy birthday, MJ
Kevin Hart vs. Draymond Green during NBA All-Star Weekend 😅 | Remember This?
ALL-STAR SATURDAY NIGHT
Mac McClung jumps over someone while tossing himself an alley-oop in midair for his first dunk.
Dunk contest
Mac McClung, Osceola Magic
Grade: A-
Result: Champion
Analysis
Although McClung was a deserving winner, the thrill of last year's unexpected victory wasn't there this time around. McClung set the bar high in 2023, when three of his four dunks scored a perfect 50. This time around, McClung did go out on a strong note with the night's
only 50 for his reverse finish over Shaq -- who didn't duck nearly as much as he did when the taller Jaime Jaquez Jr. dunked over him earlier in the competition.
McClung also dunked over a pair of people (one on the other's shoulders) in the final, but I most enjoyed his last dunk of the first round. That one saw McClung go up with two hands, then windmill into a reverse finish. McClung's lowest score came for a dunk that was likely
more difficult than it looked, when he let go of the ball midair, then grabbed it again and performed a reverse finish on his second attempt. The crowd booed a score of 48.0.
Here's a look at the only players under 6-4 to become a Dunk Contest champion:
Player | Height | Year(s) |
Spud Webb | 5-6 | 1986 |
Nate Robinson | 5-9 | 2006, 2009, 2010 |
Dee Brown | 6-0 | 1991 |
Fred Jones | 6-2 | 2004 |
Mac McClung | 6-2 | 2023 |
John Wall | 6-3 | 2014 |
Donovan Mitchell | 6-3 | 2018 |
Anfernee Simons | 6-3 | 2021 |
Jaylen Brown jumps over Kai Cenat on Second Dunk
Jaylen Brown catches a lob from Jayson Tatum while jumping over social media star Kai Cenat for a one-handed dunk.
Grade: B-
Result: Runner-up
Analysis
The judging panel seemed more enamored of Brown's dunks than outside observers were. He reached the finals with a dunk which saw him take a lob from teammate Jayson Tatum and jump over a sitting Kai Cenat (filming for his popular YouTube channel) in what was
intended as a tribute to Dee Brown, who won the 1991 dunk contest for the Boston Celtics. Alas, Brown's effort to cover his eyes as Dee Brown famously did on his final dunk came only after the ball had gone through the net.
A couple of Brown's dunks, including a pump followed by a windmill that scored a 48.8 and a 360 windmill that scored a 48.6, were the kind occasionally seen during game action. Brown did stir emotions with the latter dunk by paying tribute to the late Terrence Clarke, a
Kentucky star who died in a car accident while preparing for the 2021 draft. Brown has called Clarke, who was from the Boston area, "my little brother."
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Steph vs. Sabrina
FULL Stephen Curry vs Sabrina Ionescu 3 Point Contest
Steph Curry defeats Sabrina Ionescu in the 3-point challenge on Saturday night.
Stephen Curry
Grade: A
Result: 29 points
It didn't take long for Curry to remind everybody who's the best shooter in the building. Although Curry last participated in the 3-point contest in 2021, winning his second title, he'd be favored to beat anyone, anywhere, any time. After making just three of five shots on the
opening rack, Curry shot at least 4-of-5 on his remaining four, including perfect marks from both the left and right wings. Needing to make three of five attempts on his final moneyball rack to win, Curry instead hit four to finish two points shy of tying his record for a single
round under the current format.
"The respect that I've been able to receive from the NBA guys... it's going to show a lot of people that haven't watched women's sports that we're able to go out there and put on a show."
Sabrina Ionescu on how this competition will help the game of basketball as a whole
Sabrina Ionescu
Grade: A
Result: 26 points
Despite losing the GOAT shooter belt to Steph, Ionescu acquitted herself well, shooting from the longer NBA 3-point line (using standard WNBA basketballs). Like Curry and Lillard, Ionescu is a threat well beyond the arc, as she showed by starting with 13 makes in her first
15 attempts. Ionescu may have tired a bit from there, making just half of her final 10 shots, but still matched any round from the 3-point contest. The ultimate takeaway: No matter the league, shooters shoot.
Damian Lillard 🏆
Dame Time wins back-to-back 3-point contests
Damian Lillard defeats Trae Young and Karl-Anthony Towns in the final round of the 3-point contest.
Damien Lillard's FULL #Starry3PT Championship Press Conference | 2024 #NBAAllStar
FULL 2024 NBA All Star 3 Point Contest
Damian Lillard, Bucks guard
Skills Contest
Tyrese Haliburton's half-court shot helps Team Pacers take home the victory in the skills challenge.
Team Pacers (Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Myles Turner)
Grade: A
Result: Champion
Analysis
Feeding off their fans, the Pacers started out taking things seriously, with Turner and Haliburton posting the two fastest individual times in the relay, while Mathurin's time also ranked in the top five. They worked overtime to win the tiebreaker and claim the passing
competition, assuring a tie on points at worst. After finishing last in shooting, Indiana rallied to win the half-court shooting tiebreaker with All-Star Haliburton fittingly delivering the winning bucket.
Tyrese Haliburton seals Team Pacers' first-round win with a self alley-oop in the skills challenge.
Team All-Stars (Scottie Barnes,Tyrese Maxey, Trae Young)
Grade: A-
Result: Runner-up
Analysis
After a poor start in the relay, when Maxey misunderstood where he was supposed to dribble and Barnes lost the ball out of bounds, the trio of All-Stars redeemed themselves in the next two competitions. They could have easily won the passing competition after
strategizing where to target -- they lost the tiebreaker by just two points -- and run away from the field in terms of shooting with Barnes posting the best score of any player. Alas, the All-Stars couldn't find the range from midcourt, needing more than a minute to finally
make a shot and giving the Pacers too much time.
Team No. 1 picks (Paolo Banchero, Anthony Edwards, Victor Wembanyama)
Grade: D
Result: Third place
Analysis
From the start, the team of the past three No. 1 picks did not seem to take the challenge particularly seriously. Banchero went the wrong direction on the obstacle course shortly after Maxey made the same mistake. Then Edwards missed all three jumpers badly while
shooting with his non-dominant left hand -- forfeiting any chance at winning that round. The No. 1 picks finished a distant third in the passing competition before rallying somewhat to finish second in shooting.
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BEST OF THE CELEBRITY ALL-STAR GAME
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2024 NBA All-Star Weekend: Live Updates and Highlights
Team Detlef 41 vs. 36 Team Pau
Team Detlaf & Team Pau - 2024 #PaniniRisingStars Player Introductions!
Shannon Sharpe
The FULL 2024 #PaniniRisingStars Tournament | #NBAAllStar
Mac McClung’s Best Moments At The 2024 #PaniniRisingStars 🔥
WILD ENDING Team Detlef vs Team Pau 👀🔥 | 2024 #PaniniRisingStars
Bennedict Mathurin Wins MVP Of 2024 #PaniniRisingStars 🏆
Ben Mathurin mocks Shaq in interview 🤣🤣
The 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend is underway with a jam-packed slate in Indianapolis.
On Saturday, Team Top Picks, Team Pacers and Team All-Stars will start the day's action in the skills challenge. Reigning 3-point contest winner Damian Lillard is back to defend his title against a field that includes 2022 champion Karl-Anthony Towns. McClung, the 2023
slam dunk contest winner, will also look to repeat against Jaylen Brown, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Jacob Toppin.
Following the traditional 3-point contest, Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu will go head to head in a special edition of the long-range competition.
The weekend will conclude with the marquee event Sunday: the 73rd NBA All-Star Game. Unlike last year, which used a playground draft format that included team captains making their selections before the game, a traditional East vs. West matchup will be played for the
first time since 2017.
Last year, Jayson Tatum was named MVP after dropping 55 points, the most ever in an All-Star Game. He's back again as a starter and hopes to lead the Eastern Conference to a win alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tyrese Haliburton. The Western Conference starting
lineup is headlined by LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Nikola Jokic.
Here are the top moments from the NBA's midseason showcase:
INDY'S OWN. Bennedict Mathurin takes home the #PaniniRisingStars MVP in his home arena
JDUB GAME-WINNER Team Jalen are the #PaniniRisingStars champions
Oscar Tshiebwe my GOODNESS Team Detlef vs. Team Jalen #PaniniRisingStars Final on TNT
Just throw it up to Wemby... Team Detlef vs. Team Pau #PaniniRisingStars on TNT
Rookie connection! Wemby lobs it up to Jaime Jaquez Jr. Team Detlef vs. Team Pau #PaniniRisingStars on TNT
CJ Stroud had to hit a quick little squabble in his Celebrity Game intro #NBAAllStar
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What if LeBron and Kobe Played Together?
"A little something I been woeking on!"
NIKOLA JOKIC GAME WINNER!! (ANIMATION)
Michael Jordan ANIMATION: Favorite Overall NBA Player!
Shaq FULL speech from Orlando Magic Jersey Retirement Ceremony
Chuck trolls Shaq while Congratulating him for Magic Jersey Retirement 😂
Adrian Wojnarowski On The Lakers Drafting Bronny James: "They Are Not A Development Program, They Are A Win-Now Program"
Bronny James STEAL & SLAM vs. Stanford 😤 | ESPN College Basketball
LeBron James supporting Bronny at the USC vs. Cal game 🫶 | ESPN College Basketball
USC Basketball: Watch Bronny James Record Career High In This Stat Vs Ducks
Story by Ricardo Sandoval
Your USC Trojans have dropped their last six games and remain in last place in the Pac-12 standings. Things look bleak for the Trojans, and it wasn't any different in their latest contest against the Oregon Ducks at the Galen Center.
It was another disappointing outing, but the lone bright spot in the loss was freshman star guard Bronny James. James was out there looking like his father as he dished out a career-high seven assists in the loss.
James's seven assists were not only a career-high but a game-high.
Outside of the seven assists, James also chimed in with six points, four rebounds, and shot 2-for-5 from the field in 22 minutes. The 22 minutes was an increase from the 15 minutes he played in their 65-50 home loss against UCLA.
For the season, James has averaged 2.4 assists per game, along with 5.6 points and 2.8 rebounds. He's shown flashes of his potential. Hopefully, the game against the Ducks could help propel him into an integral part of the team and, more importantly, lead the team to victory.
Here are all the seven assists.
Bronny James Posted a Career-High 7 Assists Last Night
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