[Highlight] Luke Kornet with a huge clutch block to end the game
[Injury] Giannis Antetokounmpo appears to suffer a non-contact leg injury early in the game against the Pistons. He walked to the locker room on his own power.
[Charania] Just in: Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent Alex Saratsis have started conversations with the Milwaukee Bucks about the two-time NBA MVP’s future – and discussing whether his best fit is staying or elsewhere, sources tell ESPN. A resolution is expected in the coming weeks.
[The Athletic] The Clippers staff and players grew tired and were at their “wit’s end” with Paul’s constant “locker room lawyering”: “Paul’s critiques came off like grating criticisms that were unwelcome while the team was trying to find itself while playing through injury, league sources said.”
[Turner] Paul called out fellow Clippers players, coaches and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank during his current stint with the team, a league source told The Times. The person added that Paul apologized, but “everyone was fed up.” It is unlikely Paul will sign with another team
[Charania] Chris Paul and his leadership style clashed with the Clippers, sources tell ESPN. Paul has been vocal in holding management, coaches and players accountable, which the team felt became disruptive. Specifically: Ty Lue was not on speaking terms with Paul for several weeks.
[Highlight] Luke Kornet comes up with the game-saving block for the Spurs as they beat the Magic, 114-112 in Orlando.
[Windhorst] The Milwaukee Bucks are NOT expected to open up a Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes to the entire league. Antetokounmpo will get to pick a team and Milwaukee will try their best to get a trade done with his preferred team.
[Highlight] The Atlanta Hawks ‘404 Crew’ fan section are chanting “Where’s Chris Paul?” as the Clippers are at the free throw line
Michael Jordan: “I’m sure I’m part of the reason why everybody tries to get a logo… But the thing is, that brand was established based on what I did on the basketball court. I didn’t put the brand before I put the work.”
Jamal Murray in a Denver win: 52/6/4 on 76⁄90.9⁄80 splits. Went 10⁄11 from 3.
[Run It Back] Lou Williams on why Chris Paul was sent home by the LA Clippers: “CP3 was holding players and coaches accountable… he was critical of the front office… that was the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
[Highlight] Referee gets Herro right in the balls
Jamal Murray drops a 50-piece vs Pacers: 52 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 36 MIN
[Haynes] Sources: Weeks ago Chris Paul requested to have a meeting with Tyronn Lue to discuss allegations of being a negative presence on team. Lue refused to meet with him. Lawrence Frank traveled to Atlanta to deliver news of parting ways. Paul desired final season to be with Clippers.
[Highlight] Myles Turner posterizes Isaiah Stewart
[Doc Rivers] on Giannis trade reports: “Giannis has never asked to be traded. Ever. I can’t make that more clear.”
Since the Mavs fired Nico, Klay Thompson is averaging 14.7 PPG on 40.7% from 3.
Kendrick Perkins: “Kawhi Leonard is one of the worst FA signings in NBA history. He has set the Clippers back 10-15 years.”
Ryan Nembhard in his last two games as a starter: 21.5/4/11.5 on 75.0/87.5⁄100.0* splits to only 0.5 turnovers
[Injury] Giannis Antetokounmpo seems to suffer a non-contact leg injury, and he went to the locker room on his own (with replays). Including shots on worried Bucks fans and Thanasis, his brother
Bill Simmons has Tim Duncan ranked over Kobe Bryant all-time and says it’s ‘outrageous’ when people say Kobe is better
[Haynes] BREAKING: Los Angeles Clippers are sending home future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul in a bizarre severing ties move, league sources tell me.
[Post Game Thread] The Milwaukee Bucks (10-13) defeat the Detroit Pistons (17-5), 113-109 despite Giannis only playing 3 minutes
[Vardon] “I woke up and saw it on social media… I’m just as confused and shocked as you,” Harden said. “I read a little bit about it in the morning,” added Leonard. “I didn’t even know what Chris was talking about (on social media). I had to re-read the message and see what was going on.”
Ty Lue: “I don’t like it for CP, you know, but just wasn’t a good fit.”
We showed an 11 year NBA veteran (Tom McMillen) is his name in the Epstein files. Things got awkward | PTFO
Ryan “Chris Paul” Nembhard in the win vs the Heat: 15 PTS | 5 REB | 13 AST | 1 STL | 1 TO | 6⁄10 FG | 3⁄3 3FG | 75% TS
Jericho Sims becomes the unsung hero for the Giannis-less Milwaukee Bucks getting an upset win vs. the Pistons in light of recent rumors: 15 points | 14 rebounds | 1 assist
[ESPN] An NBA executive says Ja Morant is a “pain in the ass, injury-prone, and not good anymore,” and people around the league compare him to John Wall and Derrick Rose
[Charania] “The New York Knicks emerged as the one team that Giannis was open to being traded to — there was a two-week exclusive negotiating window — but no deal occurred. If this does go down that path, where a trade is explored in-season, it’s going to go well beyond just the Knicks.”
[Post Game Thread] The San Antonio Spurs (15-6) defeat the Orlando Magic (13-9), 114-112, led by 31 from De’Aaron Fox.
[Post Game Thread] The Dallas Mavericks (7-15) defeat the Miami Heat (14-7), 118-108 behind an overall team effort.
Jamal Murray this season: 24.7 PPG (career-high), 6.6 APG (career-high), 4.6 RPG (career-high), 3.3 3PG (career-high), 50.3% FG (career-high), 45.2% 3PT (career-high)
Anthony Davis continues to lead the Mavericks resurgence, putting up 17 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks in a big win against Miami
A Warriors fan told Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to stop flopping for free throws, and SGA politely signing and smiling to his fans
Cooper Flagg’s night is done: 22 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, +3 30 MIN
Chris Paul posts a cryptic message on his IG story: “Just Found Out I’m Being Sent Home ✌🏾”
[Windhorst] Giannis Antetokounmpo requested to be traded from the Milwaukee Bucks this past Summer.
The East went 0-5 against the West tonight despite being favored in 4 of the games.
[Highlight] Karl-Anthony Towns passes to himself over Moussa Diabaté, drives and dunks it (with replays). Knicks and Hornets commentaries
[Highlight] Jamal Murray (52 PTS, (10⁄11 3PM) 6 REB, 4 AST) totals his 3rd career 50+ point game, giving him the 2nd most in franchise history to help Denver defeat Indiana, 135-120.
[Charania] Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker has sustained a right groin strain and will be re-evaluated in one week, sources tell ESPN. Best case for Booker and the Suns, who are a surprise 13-9 and in the West playoff picture so far this season.
[Murray / The Athletic] The decision was not Paul’s, and not one that was initiated by Paul… Before the team’s road trip, Paul posted a screenshot on Instagram of the Oxford English Dictionary definition of the word “leeway,” suggesting that a lack of accountability was an issue with the Clippers.
[Highlight] Cade throws up an airball with a chance to tie
[Post Game Thread] The Denver Nuggets (15-6) defeat the Indiana Pacers (4-18), 135-120 behind a monster 52 from Jamal Murray shooting 10⁄11 from three!
LA Clippers social media posted FOUR days ago: “CP3 will end his Hall of Fame career at home ❤️”
[Highlight] Spurs announcer Jacob Tobey does smelling salts before the game. The Spurs would later end up winning