[ESPN] Rivers called for a team meeting in March after a blowout loss to try and rally the team. Doc started the meeting by imploring players to look up his résumé, six people in the room told ESPN. The session was among a number of instances that rubbed large parts of the locker room the wrong way
[Charania] The Bucks’ decision to sit Antetokounmpo cost him a significant bonus in his Nike endorsement contract that would have been triggered if he played at least 41 games.
[Nickel] Giannis:“I’m not American. I’m very sorry that I am saying this with you. But I didn’t grow up with [the mantra of]: ‘I expect … I expect this to come, I expect this. I demand this.’ Never in my life.“So, everything they’ve told me, I always said yes. They gave me a contract, I said, yes”
[Charania] The Bucks will be open to trade talks regarding Antetokounmpo and a deal is likely coming to fruition this offseason: “This is as toxic of a team situation as any in the league … They waited until the very end on Giannis, and now everyone knows.”
The Spurs have hit 60 wins for the first time since 2017
The Indiana Pacers have 60 losses in a season for the 3rd time in franchise history (first time since 1984-85). The Washington Wizards have already clinched 3 straight 60-loss seasons.
[Highlight] Jokic dances with Robert Williams and then makes the hook shot
Nikola Jokic tonight: 35 PTS | 14 REB | 13 AST | 5 STL | 2 BLK
[Charania] The Milwaukee Bucks refused to include Ryan Rollins in their trade discussions for Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant.
Grizzles just tied the NBA single game 3 point record with 29 3PM
[Panerio] Cowherd: “Lakers are a sports car, and their answer for everything is more power. Handling—don’t worry about it. Aerodynamics—somebody else’s problem. Braking, tires—eh, somebody else can worry about it. Let’s give us more horsepower… And that’s been Rob Pelinka’s answer to everything.”
Nikola Jokic’s stats this season: 1st in APG (10.9), 1st in RPG (12.9), highest TS% of any 20 PPG scorer (66.9%), 7th in PPG (28.0), 6th in plus-minus (+525)
Luka arrives in Spain for specialised treatment on his hamstring in hopes of expediting his return
Jokic is 13 triple doubles behind Westbrook
[Charania] Team sources said the Bucks seriously considered the Heat’s offer, which centered on Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, other players and multiple draft picks and pick swaps. Milwaukee contemplated moving forward with Miami on Feb. 4.
After winning their 9th straight game, Denver are now the 3rd seed in the West at 51-28
LeBron James on the Lakers injury news in the last 48 hours: “It was a shot to the heart and the chest and the mainframe with Luka … I woke up from my nap and saw that [Reaves] news and was like, ‘Shit.’”
Quin Snyder sounds off against the Magic and Goga Bitazde: “It was a dirty play… I wish it would have been taken more seriously than it was. To get to a point where there’s no penalty, there’s no suspension, there’s nothing?”
LeBron James defends Jason Kidd’s decision to move Cooper Flagg from forward to point guard this season, even though the learning curve for an NBA point guard is incredibly difficult for a 19-year-old to master. James credits this move for Cooper’s rapid development as an NBA player.
[Highlight] CJ McCollum from mid-court to tie but he doesnt get the shot off on time!
De’Aaron Fox has 4-year, $229M maximum contract guaranteed until 2030.
Victor Wembanyama leaves the game early with an injury vs the 76ers. 17 PTS | 5 REB | 3 BLK | 16 MIN
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo said in a late July meeting that the Knicks were the only other team he’d play for outside of the Bucks, per ESPN’s Charania
Kon Knueppel is on track to hit 275 3 pointers made this season, which would put him top 25 all time. He already holds the rookie record ahead of 2nd place (206)
[Charania] BREAKING: The Chicago Bulls have dismissed executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley, sources tell ESPN.
Stephon Castle steps up with another triple double in the win against the Sixers: 19 PTS, 11 REB, 13 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, +9
[Thamel] Sources: North Carolina intends to hire longtime NBA coach Michael Malone as the school’s next basketball coach. He’s an NBA Championship coach with the Denver Nuggets in 2023 and won 510 games as an NBA head coach.
In his first season with Atlanta, Nickeil Alexander-Walker has secured the franchise record for most made threes in a season for the Hawks. Only Kon, Lamelo, and Luka have made more threes than NAW this season in the entire NBA.
Cameron Johnson tonight: 17 PTS | 6 REB | 7 AST | 6-9 FG | +25 in a 5 point win
[Highlight] Jokic’s brother comes to his defense after a fan is caught trash talking in the bleachers.
Giannis on Joe Mazzulla : “Everything about my decision is based on winning— look at Joe Mazzulla. He had so many opportunities this season to make excuses but never did. He realized what he had in his players.”
Paolo Banchero last 5 games: 14.4/9/5 on 36/15/66 shooting splits
[Injury] Stephon Castle crosses Joel Embiid, continues with the behind the back dribble and scores the jumper.
Embiid gets injured during the play and heads to the bench.
Least aesthetically pleasing game in the league for a player?
[Highlight] Nikola Jokić (35 PTS, 14 REB, 13 AST, 5 STL, 2 BLK) totals his 2nd career game of 35+ PTS, 10+ REB, 10+ AST, and 5+ STL, the most by any player since 1973-74 when steals and blocks were first recorded. His 33rd triple-double of the season leads Denver over Portland 137-132 in OT.
Jokic today in the win vs the Trailblazers: 35 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists, 5 steals, 2 blocks on 15-31 shooting, 1-5 from 3, 4-4 from the line in 43 minutes
Statigami: Nikola Jokic is the first player in NBA history to put up 35/12/13/5/2
[Highlight] Jalen Brunson takes over late in the 4th quarter for the Knicks, scoring 12 straight points to lead a 16-8 run and cap a 30-point night. New York defeats Atlanta 108-105.
[Post Game Thread] The New York Knicks (51-28) defeat the Atlanta Hawks (45-34), 108-105 after McCollum’s shot is waived off!
[Post Game Thread] The Denver Nuggets (51-28) defeat the Portland Trail Blazers (40-39), 137-132 in overtime
Denver trailed by 14 after 3 quarters vs the Trailblazers. The last Nuggets win when trailing by 14+ entering the 4th quarter was 11/8/19 when Denver trailed the 76ers by 19. That was Joel Embiid’s last game played in Denver.
[Highlight] Nikola Jokic with another 35 point triple-double because he is Nikola Jokic and continues to be Nikola Jokic.
Denver just outscored San Antonio and Portland 45-18 in the last 2 games during the clutch minutes.
Paolo Banchero in the WIN against the Detroit Pistons: 31 points (10⁄16 shooting, 10⁄10 FT), five rebounds, three assists, three steals.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker drops 20 points in the first half vs. the Knicks shooting 7⁄8 and 3⁄4 from three
[Highlight] Joel Embiid sinks the stepback 3-pointer for the 76ers. He has a game-high 20 points. San Antonio leads 62-55 at halftime.
[Highlight] Nikola Jokic with the absurd no look cross pass to Christian Braun for the longer jumper
[Highlight] Nikola Jokic with the cutting dunk in the 4th quarter. Blazers timeout.