Jaylen Brown with some interesting insight into Raptors star Scottie Barnes’ strength:
Rookie Derik Queen posts 33 PTS, 10 AST, 10 REB on 11-15 FG — becomes the fifth rookie in 20 years to record a 30 PT triple-double, joining Steph, Luka, Austin, and Blake
[Highlight] Rudy Gobert elbows Mark Williams around the hip area leads to a Flagrant 2 and ejection for Gobert. Williams hits Rudy in the head moments before
Despite the loss Russell Westbrook with a 24 point, 12 rebound, 14 assist triple double
Russell Westbrook to a kid who called him “Westbrick”: “What you say? What you say? Don’t play around with me. Don’t play on me.”
Yesterday, Deandre Ayton became the first starter in Lakers history to record a double-double with 0 misses and 0 turnovers. Ayton had 14pts/12reb on 7-7 FG.
[Highlight] Walking paint touch Dylan Harper puts the Spurs up on a clutch runner
[Highlight] Rookies Derik Queen (33/10/10) and Dylan Harper (22/6/3 + the game winner) swap jerseys after a pair of career performances
Draymond Green on the Dunk contest: “I worked this hard to be an All-Star and you can be in dunk contests without an NBA contract. We might as well get those guys that do those crazy ass dunks.”
[Highlight] Rudy Gobert with a wild save that ends up in the hands of Anthony Edwards which leads to a deep 3 by Ant
LeBron jokes with guy in the crowd that said “You still ain’t got no hair though”, “It happens… I know what I do got though! And I got plenty of it!”
[Post Game Thread] The Phoenix Suns (14-10) defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-9), 108-105 Collin “Steve Nash” Gillespie and Mark “Stoudemire” Williams lead to victory
Jaylen Brown on what it takes to be a great player: “If you wanna be a great player, you gotta sell your soul. You gotta be a flopper. If you wanna be an MVP, you wanna be top of the top, you gotta sell your soul and just be a flopper.“
[Charania] Orlando Magic star Franz Wagner has sustained a high left ankle sprain, sources tell ESPN. Typically an injury like this has a timeframe of 2 to 4 weeks. Overall, tremendous results after MRI today showed no structural damage on his left leg.
[Pat Spencer] “Like, you start to see all these teams are just taking chances on length and athleticism[…]It’s kind of embarrassing where some of these organizations are at[…]these guys have egos in in front offices and think they’re going to just drastically change a player’s IQ.”
[Spears] The Sacramento Kings continue to have interest in acquiring Jonathan Kuminga. However… while Malik Monk might still be available in a package, the previously included first-round pick is no longer expected to be part of Sacramento’s offer.
[Highlight] Luka stops a 1-v-4 fast break with his defensive prowess
[Highlight] Derik Queen goes at Kornet for a 33 point triple double on the night and a Pels lead
OKC currently has a DRTG that is 6.6 points better than 2nd place. The next-biggest gap since the 1996-97 season is 2.6 points (2015-16 Spurs).
Derik “Nikola Jokic” Queen, despite the loss vs the Spurs: 33 PTS | 10 REB | 10 AST | 4 BLK | 11⁄15 FG | 0/1 3FG | 11⁄13 FT | 80% TS | +14
Mark Williams in the Win vs the Timberwolves: 22 PTS | 7 REB | 3 AST | 2 STL | 0 TO | 7⁄9 FG | 1⁄1 3FG | 7⁄9 FT | 85% TS
[Post Game Thread] The San Antonio Spurs (16-7) defeat the New Orleans Pelicans (3-22), 135-132 as the Pelicans’ 25 point comeback attempt falls just short.
[Jimmy Butler] on misconceptions about him: “I’m about winning at all cost. So when it doesn’t stay about winning and it becomes about many other things, I’m not here for it. If it’s about winning I’m all for it… If it’s not, and there’s any other agendas, yall won’t like it cause I don’t care”
[Highlight] Dylan Harper finishing at the rim in the 4th quarter
What’s your take on Zach Lowe’s dilemma of good teams like the Rockets and the Spurs making a big move (Giannis) to try to beat OKC now or trying to beat them later when the salary cap catches up to the Thunder and the young guys on your team are ready?
[Will Hardy] chews out his Jazz players during a timeout: “I’m tired of fucking doing this every game. Fucking play harder.”
Dylan Harper with a new career-high of 22 PTS along with the go-ahead bucket.
SGA, Chet and JDub have only played 64 minutes together this season. OKC’s starting lineup of SGA, Dort, JDub, Chet and Hartenstein is yet to play a single minute together.
Luka jokes with reporter about watching the games he missed.
[Highlight] 40-year-old LeBron James hits again for 30 points on the night and pops the crown celly
[Afseth] Washington has emphasized establishing firm practice habits and a consistent approach across its young roster, and Whitmore has not consistently met those expectations. “If you’re trying to establish yourself in the NBA, you need to show up to practice,” one source told RG.
[NBA.com] Jamal Murray, Jaylen Brown named NBA Players of the Week
Last night, Cody Williams went 2⁄4 from the field in a 30-point loss to the Thunder. This marked his first time shooting 50% or better since October 31st.
Anthony Edwards despite the loss versus Suns: 40 PTS, 9 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, +4, 38 MIN
[Anthony Edwards] on Bones Hyland, who had 14 points and closed the game: “That’s my boy. I’ve been a fan of him for the last 3 years… Sometimes you can just see, some people are just meant to be a star… I may not know the criteria to being a star. But if I think I do, I think he’s one of em.”
[Winderman] In the void of clarity from the NBA, the Miami Heat are moving forward under the presumption that they can negotiate potential trades involving Terry Rozier’s expiring contract.
[Bickerstaff] reveals what Beef Stew said to him after his altercation with Bobby Portis: “Yeah, you’re wrong. He was talking about cooking, and you need to like, mash the meat when you’re making those smash burgers. That’s what he was saying — He just needed to pound that meat.”
Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid against the Phoenix Suns go a combined 10 points 15 rebounds 3 assists on 3-19 FG 2-15 3PT 2-3 FT in a 3 point loss
The future of the Spurs backcourt shines in a tough win against the Pelicans: Harper with 22 PTS (10⁄16 FG), 3 REB, 6 AST | Castle’s first return from the injury with 18 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST
Andrew Nembhard versus Kings: 28 PTS, 4 REB, 12 AST, 2 STL, +13, 33 MIN
Trey Murphy III against the Spurs put up 32 points 3 rebounds 4 assists 2 steals and 1 block on 13-21 FG 2-6 3PT 4-5 FT
Ryan Nembhard as a starter (6 Games) is averaging 14.8 Pts, 6.8 Assists, 1.3 TO in 26.8 minutes. On 63.8 FG%, 68.2 3pt% and 0 Free throws. (Mavs are 4-2 in that stretch)
[Sanfoka] JB Bickerstaff on Isaiah Stewart: “He’s the best defensive center in the league and it’s not close. And I think it’s time that everybody who watches basketball recognizes it.
[Highlight] Behind a 12-point 4th quarter from Collin Gillespie, the Phoenix Suns hold off the Minnesota Timberwolves for a 108-105 victory.
[Highlight] LeBron flies in to steal PG’s inbound pass and ice a Lakers win
[Highlight] Yang gets clotheslined in the face with no call. Refs let play continue while he’s still on the ground and then T up Tiago after the Grizzlies get an open dunk.
Deandre Ayton on his defensive effort: “I’mma be real: I don’t know what (JJ) talking about. I don’t know. I just do what I have to do. I thank him but I ain’t know what I did out there”
VJ Edgecombe on LeBron: “My favorite player growing up, the only reason I started playing basketball. To get his jersey means a lot to me, but I wanted to win. It would feel better if we won and I got his jersey.”