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Playoffs were ruined this year with all the injuries. Huge asterisk if Suns win this title and Giannis/Trae are not playing.
 
NBA Finals: Phoenix Suns beat Los Angeles Clippers to win Conference series

The Phoenix Suns reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993 after wrapping up the Western Conference finals title against the Los Angeles Clippers.

They beat the Clippers 130-103 to secure a 4-2 series win.

Chris Paul was the key figure for the Suns with 41 points while Devin Booker added 22.

They will face either the Milwaukee Bucks or Atlanta Hawks in the best-of-seven championship final.

Paul, 36, has been selected for 11 NBA All-Star teams and won two Olympic golds with the USA, but this is the first time the former Clipper has reached the Finals after joining the Suns last year from Oklahoma City.

"This feels good," he said. "It has a been a lot of work, going to a new team, everybody staying the course.

"Sixteen years of this, 16 years of surgeries, of hard work, of losses - bad losses. We're going to enjoy tonight."

Paul, who played for the Clippers between 2011 and 2017, added: "I'm just so happy for all the people around me. To do it here against a team I have the utmost respect for. I'll always be a Clipper. I love these fans."

The Suns, who had failed to even reach the play-offs for 10 consecutive seasons prior to the 2020-2021 campaign. had missed the chance to win the series at home on Monday but they made no mistake at the Staples Center.

They led by 17 points near the end of the third quarter before the Clippers, who had lost both Kawhi Leonard and Serge Ibaka to injuries during the post-season, hit 10 unanswered points.

But Paul took centre stage again with eight points to extend the Suns advantage. His four-point play midway through the fourth quarter then took them into a 111-92 lead, and from then on there was no way back for the Clippers.

The Suns had worked hard to stop Clippers star Paul George, who scored 41 points in game five, and the home side's frustration was compounded late on when Patrick Beverley was ejected from the game after shoving Paul to the ground.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/57676414
 
Chris Paul scored 32 points and made nine assists as he inspired the Phoenix Suns to a 118-105 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in the first NBA finals appearance of his 16-year-career.

The 36-year-old point guard made the crucial difference in game one, shooting 12 of 19 from the floor.

Devin Booker scored 27 points, while DeAndre Ayton added 22 points and 19 rebounds.

It is the Suns' first finals appearance since 1993 as they hunt a first title.

The Bucks welcomed Giannis Antetokounmpo back after he missed two Eastern Conference games with a hyper-extended knee. He scored 20 points and 17 rebounds in 35 minutes.

Paul, who said his team-mates anticipated Antetokounmpo's return, added that the Suns would take nothing for granted in the series.

"One thing we are going to be is prepared for every game," he said.

"We always talk about when preparation meets opportunity. We played against these guys twice.

"We prepared for Giannis or not Giannis. We're sure they're going to make adjustments going into game two, and we'll probably do the same."

Antetokounmpo had feared a lengthy recovery period and so admitted he was relieved to be able to play in the opening game of the series.

"I'm happy. I thought I was going to be out for a year so I'm happy that two games later, I'm back," he said.

"I'm trying my best not to make it about my knee, but my knee felt good. At the end of the day, I'm out there, I feel good. I don't feel pain; I can run, I can jump, I can set screens and I can rebound the ball."
 
Giannis clearly not at his best last night. They went past Hawks somehow but if the Sun's Big 3 i.e., CP3, D Booker and D Ayton remain fit then Bucks cannot win unless Giannis pulls off a memorable final series performance.

Suns in 5 !
 
https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/57774029

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a game-high 42 points but his Milwaukee Bucks trail 2-0 in the NBA Finals after losing 118-108 to the Phoenix Suns.

Antetokounmpo, the NBA's most valuable player of the past two seasons, has overcome a knee injury to play in the finals and added 12 rebounds.

Devin Booker led the Phoenix, scoring 31 points, while Mikal Bridges posted 27 and Chris Paul scored 23.

Milwaukee hosts game three of the best-of-seven series at 01:00 BST on Monday.

Suns coach Monty Williams was quick to praise Booker for his contribution over the opening two games.

"Devin wants to prove to everybody he's one of the best players in the league," Williams said.

"Not just from a stats perspective. He wants to prove it by winning and being competitive.

"He wants to separate himself from everyone else, to show that he can lead a team to win, and he's getting the chance to do it on the big stage."

The Suns are looking to win the title for the first time in their 53-year history and Booker says there is still a long way to go.

"It's a 0-0 mindset for us going into game three," the 24-year-old said. "We're locked in but we understand that's a really good team over there.

"We know it gets rowdy in Milwaukee but I think we're ready for it."
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Khris Middleton scored 40 points as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Phoenix Suns 109-103 to level the best-of-seven NBA Finals series at two games apiece.

Middleton scored 10 consecutive points in the final quarter as the Bucks rallied from a nine-point deficit.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 26 points and made a crucial block on Suns centre Deandre Ayton to keep the Bucks ahead with one minute 15 seconds left.

The teams meet in the fifth game of the series on Sunday.

"Late in the fourth quarter, we just ran sets that enabled me to get to my spots," said Middleton.

"After that I've just got to make reads. Thankfully, I hit some shots."

Suns shooting guard Devin Booker scored 42 points, including 18 in the third quarter, but it was not enough to stop the Bucks from sealing a crucial win.

Antetokounmpo, who played down comparison to Michael Jordan after becoming only the sixth player in NBA Finals history to score 40 points in consecutive games, notched 26 points including 14 rebounds for the Bucks, along with eight assists.

However, it was the 26-year-old forward's sensational block on Ayton that proved the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year's most telling contribution.

"Just a hustle play," said Antetokounmpo. "Going down the stretch - do whatever it takes to win the game.

"I saw the play coming. I was there in time, was able to get a good block and go down and get two points."

The result leaves effectively leaves the series as a best-of-three shootout for the championship.

The Bucks won their only title in 1971, while the Suns have yet to win a title since joining the league in 1968.
 
Great fighting spirit being shown by Milwaukee. It hasn't been a cakewalk for them but they just wouldn't give up.

Giannis is a true leader.

As for The Suns, Chris Paul's fitness and form is a big concern. I do not see them winning this if CP3 cannot play a big role in 2 more wins.

That block by Giannis was sick. Reminded me Lebron's vs Iguadala in 2016.
 
Super hyped for my Pistons to finally pick #1 in the draft! Loving these finals so far as well!
 
Great move by the Bucks to put JH on CP. He has done a brilliant job to keep CP in check last couple of games especially. Maybe injuries and niggles have played a part there as well but that move seems to have paid massive dividends for the Bucks thus far. For mine probably the main reason for their turnaround in fortunes.
 
Seems over for The Suns.

Milwaukee making gangsta come backs during the playoffs.

Either of the team winning would have been great for the NBA but Milwaukee winning would mean even more as Giannis signed the SuperMax despite most people never giving him a chance to win a ring with that squad. Full credit to Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday as well for stepping up when it mattered the most.
 
Giannis and Chris Paul are playing for legacy.

Devin Booker playing to make Kendall Jenner his baby mama :afridi
 
This might be Giannis best chance for a ring for years. No way the Bucks can beat Brooklyn if the big 3 are healthy, not to mention the Lakers with a healthy Lebron/AD.
 
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 50 points as the Milwaukee Bucks claimed their first NBA title for 50 years with a 105-98 victory over the Phoenix Suns.

The Bucks' 4-2 series win was sealed in front of a 20,000 crowd as 65,000 celebrated outside the Fiserv Forum.

They are only the fifth team to win the best-of-seven finals series after losing their first two matches.

"I'm happy I was able to do it with this team for Milwaukee," said Antetokounmpo.

The Suns were seeking a first NBA crown in their 53-year history, having also lost NBA Finals series in 1976 and 1993.

However, they were unable to contain Antetokounmpo, who became only the seventh player to register 50 points in a Finals game.

It was also the third game in the series in which the 26-year-old has managed at least 40 points and 10 rebounds.

Antetokounmpo matches the feat of Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon by collecting the NBA Finals MVP and NBA defensive player of the year awards in the same season.

"I want to thank Milwaukee for believing in me. I want to thank my team-mates for playing hard with me," Antetokounmpo said.

Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer described the Greek forward as "a special human being".

"I've learned so much from him. He's a special leader," he said.

"These players are champions every day. They've embraced getting better every day."

Budenholzer was only four years old when NBA legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson led the Bucks to their only previous NBA tile in 1971, when some of the current players' parents had not been born.
 
An ATG performance by Giannis secures the title for The Bucks.

Take a bow, Giannis!!

He's fought Superteams, injuries and so many doubts to win this. So happy for him.

He's only 26. This could be one of the many to come.
 
Would love to follow NBA properly but I don't know where to start, I have been following the sport here and there and have taken a liking to LA Lakers due to some of their players such as Anthony Davis. Anyone got any tips to catch up on the sport?
 
ExplicitAI said:
Would love to follow NBA properly but I don't know where to start, I have been following the sport here and there and have taken a liking to LA Lakers due to some of their players such as Anthony Davis. Anyone got any tips to catch up on the sport?
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For Indians the biggest challenge is time zone difference. Most of the matches come at late night or very early in the morning so it is almost impossible to watch live unless you are a huge fan. Also none of the channels here were even showing it, i had to buy an NBA online pass.

My second minor challenge was it took me a while to properly understand the league structure and positions as i was not constantly following it but watching for my amusement every now and then. That works with football but doesn't work with NBA. You got to stick to a season properly and must know what to expect from a player playing a c ertin role and posiiton.

Now is a great time to start this because a season has just ended and we are in trade season.

LA Lakers were among the top favorites this season but due to injuries to AD, LBJ they couldn;t make past 1st round in the play-offs. They will be looking to strengthen their roster with a playmaker cum efficient 3 point shooter.
 
freelance_cricketer said:
For Indians the biggest challenge is time zone difference. Most of the matches come at late night or very early in the morning so it is almost impossible to watch live unless you are a huge fan. Also none of the channels here were even showing it, i had to buy an NBA online pass.

My second minor challenge was it took me a while to properly understand the league structure and positions as i was not constantly following it but watching for my amusement every now and then. That works with football but doesn't work with NBA. You got to stick to a season properly and must know what to expect from a player playing a c ertin role and posiiton.

Now is a great time to start this because a season has just ended and we are in trade season.

LA Lakers were among the top favorites this season but due to injuries to AD, LBJ they couldn;t make past 1st round in the play-offs. They will be looking to strengthen their roster with a playmaker cum efficient 3 point shooter.
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That's actually true regarding the time zone difference bro, even in the UK most of the matches usually happen around 11pm, 1am or 3am in the morning so I usually watch highlights the day after.

In terms of league structure I've grasped the basics whilst looking at the tables and how each team is divided. I might think of looking up on google on how NBA is structured throughout the season with how many games played. I'm familiar with the player positions but they look a bit too similar as I feel most players can just go out of position.

Since I was following this season I did see Lebron James and Anthony Davis get injured leaving just Dennis Schreuder in the squad to handle most of the work during matches. Hopefully LA Lakers will be able to play better as soon as this season starts.
 
It's ON !!!!

Mr. Triple Double !!! Russel Westbrook will be joining LA Lakers this season

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Wish it was someone other than KCP though.

Kuzma, Harrell weren't working in this system with AD and James
 
This was always coming.

Brooklyn pulled the rabbit out of the hat last season by signing James Harden.Hands down the most prominent offensive Big 3 ever assembled.

Nobody stood a chance if that team stayed healthy.

Lakers with Westbrook joining them now stands at par with Brooklyn.
 
Cade Cunningham has been selected as the number one pick at the NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons.

The 19-year-old point guard played at Oklahoma State University last season, averaging 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals.

"I'm just so happy to be here and see what I can do on the next level," said Cunningham.

Terrence Clarke, the NBA prospect killed in a car accident in April aged 19, was made an honorary pick.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver brought Clarke's mother, sister and brother on to stage as he paid tribute to him.

"His extraordinary talent, commitment and dedication to the game deserve to be recognised on this stage," said Silver.

The Houston Rockets had the NBA's worst record at 17-55 last season and they chose 19-year-old shooting guard Jalen Green with the draft's second pick.

Green decided against college basketball and instead played in the G League, which is the NBA's top development circuit.

Evan Mobley was the third pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers, forward Scottie Barnes was selected fourth by the Toronto Raptors, point guard Jalen Suggs was picked fifth by the Orlando Magic and Australian point guard Josh Giddey went sixth to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
 
The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony, while Stephen Curry has signed a new deal with the Golden State Warriors worth a reported $215m (£155m).

The Lakers lost in the first round of last season's NBA play-offs and have brought in guard Westbrook, 32, from the Washington Wizards.

They have also signed forward Anthony, 37, from the Portland Trail Blazers.

Curry, 33, has extended his Warriors contract by four years to 2026.

Lakers coach Frank Vogel, who led them to the NBA title in 2020, has also signed a contract extension.

Westbrook, who hails from Long Beach and played college basketball at UCLA, has the NBA's most career triple-doubles (184) and was the 2017 NBA MVP.

"It takes a special mentality of competitiveness to take on the role of point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers," said general manager Rob Pelinka.

"We have seen some of the all-time greats master that role here, and now Russell Westbrook gets to come home and do just that."

Westbrook has career averages of 23.2 points, 8.5 assists, 7.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 943 games for Oklahoma City, Houston and Washington.

He joins a roster which already features four-time MVP LeBron James, 36, and Anthony Davis, 28. The Lakers have also signed Kent Bazemore, 32, Trevor Ariza, 36, Dwight Howard, 35, and Wayne Ellington, 33, via trades and free agency.

In a tweet James later deleted, he wrote: "Keep talking about my squad. Our personnel ages, the way he plays, he stays injured, we're past our time in this league, etc. Do me one favour please! Keep that same narrative energy when it begins! That's all I ask."

Curry has been a three-time NBA champion with the Warriors, and won the league's scoring title for a second time last season with 32 points per game.

A two-time NBA MVP, he now averages 24.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 6.5 assists from 762 games.
 
Los Angeles Lakers team-mates Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard were involved in a sideline row during Friday's 115-105 defeat by Phoenix Suns.

Davis and Howard squared up to each other on the bench during a timeout and had to be separated by team-mates in the first half.

"We squashed it right then and there," said Howard about the altercation.

"We're both passionate about winning and didn't want to lose. But we're grown men, we got it out the way."

He added: "There's no issue between me and him - that's my brother, my team-mate."

The defeat for the Lakers means they have lost both their opening games of the new NBA season.

"Dwight and AD had a miscue on a coverage and they talked it out," said Lakers coach Frank Vogel.

"When you're getting your *** kicked, sometimes those conversations get heated.

"Those guys love each other, they talked it out. And that's going to happen from time to time - I'd rather our guys care than not care."

Latest NBA scores and results
Another incident in the game involved Lakers guard Rajon Rondo having a run-in with a fan during the third quarter.

Rondo pointed at a man after a soft drink was thrown or spilled on the sidelines and, after the fan slapped Rondo's hand away, the supporter was escorted away by security guards.

Chris Paul had starred for the Suns with 23 points and a game-high 14 assists in their victory, becoming the first player in NBA history to register 20,000 points and 10,000 assists.

Elsewhere, Kevin Durant scored a 29-point triple-double for the Brooklyn Nets as they turned around a 10-point deficit late on to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-109.

The Nets came back from 108-98 down with only five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and Durant finished with 15 rebounds and 12 assists along with his 29-points.

BBC
 
LeBron James returned from injury to score 26 points as the Los Angeles Lakers ended the Cleveland Cavaliers' three-game winning streak.

It finished 113-101 as the Lakers recorded their third win in four games.

Top-scorer James, who has missed the last two games because of an ankle injury, also finished with eight assists against his former side.

Fellow star Carmelo Anthony added 24 points - including six three-pointers - to play a key role in the victory.

The Lakers trailed for much of the game before taking the lead late in the third quarter, holding Cleveland to just 16 points in the fourth to seal the win.

Pre-season favourites for the title Brooklyn Nets overcame a slow start to record a 105-98 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

The Nets overturned a 16-point deficit in the second quarter to come from behind and take the points.

James Harden finished the game with 29 points, eight assists and eight rebounds, while Kevin Durant hit 22 points as the Nets bounced back from defeat earlier this week.

Elsewhere, rookie Scott Barnes scored 21 points as the Toronto Raptors edged Orlando Magic 110-109. Magic trailed by 12 points with just two minutes remaining and had a chance to win it in the final seconds but Cole Anthony missed his shot.

Miami Heat's winning streak stretched to three games with a 114-99 victory over Charlotte Hornets, as Tyler Herro came off the bench to score 26 points.

Portland Trail Blazers brushed past Los Angeles Clippers with a 111-92 victory to record consecutive wins for the first time this season, while the New Orleans Pelicans lost out to Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets dominated in Dallas with a convincing win over the Mavericks.

Friday's NBA results

Toronto Raptors 110-109 Orlando Magic

Brooklyn Nets 105-98 Indiana Pacers

Miami Heat 114-99 Charlotte Hornets

New Orleans Pelicans 109-113 Sacramento Kings

Denver Nuggets 106-75 Dallas Mavericks

Portland Trail Blazers 111-92 LA Clippers

LA Lakers 113-101 Cleveland Cavaliers
 
Stephen Curry scored 40 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter, to help the Golden State Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 104-89.

The Warriors started the final quarter 13 points down, but Curry's fine streak saw them outscore Cleveland 36-8 in 12 minutes to secure victory on the road.

Curry's side have the best record in the NBA, with 13 wins and two losses.

"He's one of the greatest players in the history of the game," said Warriors coach Steve Kerr.

"He's always capable of catching fire like that. As amazing as it was, it didn't shock me because this is what he does."

Curry made nine of 16 three-pointers attempted and overtook former team-mate Kevin Durant to lead the league in points per game this season, now averaging 29.5 points across 15 games.

He was also playing with a left hip contusion sustained in Tuesday's win over the Brooklyn Nets and revealed he will now have an "assessment" to see if he can play against the Detroit Pistons on Friday.

Elsewhere, Jimmy Butler scored 32 points to lead the Miami Heat to an impressive 112-97 win over the Washington Wizards.

The Heat have now won four straight games and are top of the Eastern Conference with a 11-5 record.

The Philadelphia 76ers beat the Denver Nuggets 103-89 to end a five-game losing streak.

The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 120-108, the Minnesota Timberwolves secured a 115-90 win over the San Antonio Spurs, while the Utah Jazz beat the Toronto Raptors 119-103.
 
LeBron James has been suspended for one match for the first time in his career after clashing with Isaiah Stewart as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.

The pair clashed as LA came from 17 points down to win 121-116.

James and Stewart were both ejected for their roles in the fracas - only the second time in James' 19-year NBA career he's been ejected from a game.

Stewart will miss two games for his role in the clash.

The incident happened in the third quarter. LA's James appeared to strike Pistons centre Stewart in the face as they battled for a rebound, leaving him with a large cut near his right eye.

Stewart then repeatedly had to be held back by team-mates and coaching staff as he tried to retaliate.

Both were then ejected from the game after an official review.

On Monday the NBA said Stewart was suspended for "escalating" the incident and "repeatedly and aggressively" pursuing James. James was handed his suspension for "recklessly hitting Stewart in the face" and "initiating" the altercation.

James will serve his suspension on Tuesday when the Lakers travel to play the New York Knicks.

"Everyone in the league knows LeBron's not a dirty guy," said James' Lakers team-mate Anthony Davis after the game. "In fact, when he knew he hit him, as soon as he did it, he looked back at him like, 'Oh, my bad. I didn't try to do it'."

"It was a tough play with Isaiah," said Pistons coach Dwane Casey. "His eye got cracked all the way open and he was upset for a reason. I don't think James is a dirty player, but again, it got them going."

Davis top-scored for the Lakers with 30 points and Russell Westbrook added 26 as the Lakers came back from 17 points down in the second half.
 
LeBron James returned from suspension to inspire the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-116 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Western Conference.

The Lakers trailed for most of the game but James scored 39 points, including eight of their 12 points in overtime in Indianapolis.
 
Giannis Antetokounmpo hit 40 points and made the game winner with two seconds left to guide the Milwaukee Bucks to a 127-125 win over the Charlotte Hornets.

The Bucks came from 18 points down to lead by three late on, but Hornets guard LaMelo Ball tied the game.

Antetokounmpo drove and hit a deft lay-up, before Charlotte's Miles Bridges heaved a shot from halfway that rolled around the rim and bounced out.

The reigning NBA champion Bucks have now won six consecutive games at home.

It is the third time that Antetokounmpo, who also had 12 rebounds and nine assists, has scored 40 or more points in a game this season.

Only Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, with four, has done so more often.

Ball scored a career-high 36 points for the Hornets, alongside nine assists and five rebounds.

Elsewhere, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured an away win over the Miami Heat for the first time in almost 12 years, with a 111-85 victory.

Kevin Love hit 22 points for the Cavs, whose previous win in Miami was on January 25 2010 prior to a 20-game losing streak there.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic had 18 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists, but could not prevent the Denver Nuggets from falling to a 108-103 defeat by the Orlando Magic.

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young hit 33 points, his fifth game scoring 30 or more points in a row, to lead his side to a 114-111 win over the Indiana Pacers.

The Washington Wizards beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-107, the Boston Celtics edged past the Philadelphia 76ers 88-87, the Houston Rockets secured a 114-110 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks beat the New Orleans Pelicans 139-107.
 
<b>BBC — NBA: Memphis Grizzlies maul Oklahoma City Thunder in record win.</b>

The Memphis Grizzlies ran up an NBA record for the biggest winning margin as they beat a dispirited Oklahoma City Thunder 152-79.

The rout eclipses the previous mark set in 1991 when the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Miami Heat by 68 points.

Jaren Jackson Jr helped himself to 27 points for the hosts, with another eight Grizzlies players getting into double figures.

The Thunder have lost eight games in a row and 10 of their past 11.

Elsewhere, in-form Western Conference leaders the Phoenix Suns set a new franchise record with an 18th successive victory, beating the Detroit Pistons 114-103.

Cameron Johnson and Cameron Payne had 19 points and six rebounds apiece for the Suns in the absence of star shooting guard Devin Booker, who was injured in Tuesday's win over the Golden State Warriors.

The Milwaukee Bucks missed Giannis Antetokounmpo, absent with a sore calf, as their eight-game winning streak came to an end with a 97-93 defeat by the Toronto Raptors.

The Raptors overturned the form book after coming into the game on the back of five successive home defeats, Fred VanVleet scoring 29 points for the hosts.

DeMar DeRozan was the Bulls' main threat in their win over the Knicks
DeMar DeRozan, who signed from the San Antonio Spurs in August, top-scored with 34 points in the Chicago Bulls' 119-115 win over the New York Knicks. The 32-year-old made 12 of 19 shots from the floor and 10 of 11 from the free-throw line.

The San Antonio Spurs cruised to victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in the night's final game, never trailing in a 114-83 win.
 
<b>NBA: Golden State Warriors end Phoenix Suns' 18-match winning streak. (BBC)</b>

Stephen Curry led the charge as the Golden State Warriors ended the Phoenix Suns' 18-match franchise-record winning streak with a 118-96 victory.

Curry made 23 points, five rebounds and five assists to make up for his below-par performance against the Suns earlier in the week, when he scored 12.

His six three-pointers on Friday leave him needing just 28 more to top the all-time list.

Hall of Famer Ray Allen currently leads on 2,973.

Andrew Wiggins added 19 points as the Warriors extended their winning run at home to 11, while Deandre Ayton top-scored for the Suns with 23 points.

Elsewhere, Luke Kennard hit two late three-pointers as the Los Angeles Clippers defeated city rivals the Los Angeles Lakers 119-115.

The Lakers welcomed back LeBron James from his one-game absence under the NBA's health and safety protocols, after a positive Covid-19 test kept him out of Tuesday's win over the Sacramento Kings.

The Philadelphia 76ers narrowly defeated the Atlanta Hawks 98-96 with Joel Embiid scoring 28 points, including a 13-foot jump shot with 42 seconds remaining that gave the Sixers the lead for the first time.

The Cleveland Cavaliers brushed aside the Washington Wizards 116-101 while Eastern Conference leaders the Brooklyn Nets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-105.

There were wins too for the Utah Jazz and the Miami Heat over the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers respectively, while the New Orleans Pelicans comfortably defeated the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets claimed a two-point win over the Orlando Magic.
 
Stephen Curry scored a game-high 31 points as the Golden State Warriors bounced back from defeat by the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday by thrashing the Orlando Magic 126-95.

Curry, who leads the league in three-pointers, landed seven of 13 attempts from outside the area.

The Warriors lead the Western Conference with 20 wins from 24 games.

Elsewhere, Joel Embiid hit 43 points in the Philadelphia 76ers' overtime win away to the Charlotte Hornets.

The 27-year-old also grabbed 15 rebounds in their 127-124 success, which was only assured when the Hornets' Kelly Oubre Jr, who finished with 35 points, missed a three-point shot with five seconds remaining.

Charlotte were missing LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Mason Plumlee, Jalen McDaniels and Ish Smith because of coronavirus protocols.

Paul George top-scored for the Los Angeles Clippers with 21 points in their 102-90 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Jusuf Nurkic's season-high 31 points were in vain for the Trail Blazers, who were missing Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

Giannis Antetokounmpo celebrated his 27th birthday by scoring 15 points in the final quarter as his Milwaukee Bucks side won their 10th game in 11 by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-104.

Domantas Sabonis was the star with 30 points as the Indiana Pacers broke a four-game losing streak with a 116-110 win over the Washington Wizards.

The Oklahoma Thunder, who were on the wrong end of an NBA record 73-point losing margin against the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday, recovered to beat the Houston Pistons 114-103 as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points.

The Grizzlies racked up a fifth successive win with a 105-90 victory over the Miami Heat, despite the continued absence of injured star guard Ja Morant.

Zach LaVine stepped up in the absence of DeMar DeRozan to hit 32 points in the Chicago Bulls won 109-97 at home against the Denver Nuggets.

Chris Paul scored 21 points, including a crucial three-point play with 17 seconds left, as the Phoenix Suns sneaked a 108-104 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
 
<b>BBC: LeBron James scores 100th triple-double but LA Lakers lose to Memphis Grizzlies.</b>

LeBron James registered the 100th triple double of his career but could not stop his Los Angeles Lakers side losing 108-95 to the Memphis Grizzlies.

James became the fifth player in NBA history to reach the milestone after scoring 20 points with 10 rebounds and 11 assists in the defeat.

"Turnovers killed us," said James.

"We were doing a hell of a job over the last seven games averaging only 12.5 turnovers. Tonight we had 22 for 27 points."

The Grizzlies were without key players Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks but still won, with Jaren Jackson Jr scoring 25 points and Desmond Bane adding 23.

Memphis have won six of their past seven games and have a record of 15 wins and 11 defeats this season, while the LA Lakers have a 13-13 record.

"Our biggest battle, our biggest problem this year is consistency," said Lakers coach Frank Vogel.

"Once we take one step forward we fall back, we have a disappointing performance. We have to find a way to catch ourselves from that."

Elsewhere, Donovan Mitchell scored 22 points and Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 21 rebounds for the Utah Jazz as they beat the Philadelphia 76ers 118-96.

The San Antonio Spurs also earned a win as Derrick White scored 23 points in their 123-111 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
 
The Brooklyn Nets will let Kyrie Irving return to action, despite previously saying he could not do so until he had been vaccinated against Covid-19.

Irving has refused to be vaccinated but the Nets now say he can take part in "games and practices in which he is eligible".

The 29-year-old will not be able play in home games because rules in New York require players to be vaccinated.

Irving will also have to miss away games where you need to be immunised.

Nets general manager Sean Marks said the decision was made "after discussions with our coaches, players and staff".

Irving is a seven-time All-Star who played in 54 regular-season games for the Nets last season but he has not played in the current campaign which began in October.

He will be required to be tested on a daily basis on his return and will be unavailable for home games, those against the New York Knicks and when playing in Toronto.

"We arrived at this decision with the full support of our players and after careful consideration of our current circumstances, including players missing games due to injuries and health and safety protocols," added Marks.

"The addition of Kyrie will not only make us a better team but allow us to balance the physical demand on the entire roster.

"We look forward to Kyrie's return to the line-up, as well as getting our entire roster back together on the court."

Stricter coronavirus protocols will be introduced in the NBA after a surge of positive cases, with Covid-19 outbreaks among the Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings.

Warriors win as Lakers lose
In the action on the court, Stephen Curry scored 30 points to help the Golden State Warriors to a 111-107 win over the Boston Celtics.

The Warriors led by 20 points during one stage of the match but held on against a Celtics side missing Al Horford, Grant Williams, Jabari Parker, Juancho Hernangomez and Sam Hauser because of the NBA's Covid-19 measures.

LeBron James scored 18 points for the Los Angeles Lakers in a 110-92 defeat by the Minnesota Timberwolves, while Lonnie Walker IV scored a dramatic basket with 14.9 seconds left as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Utah Jazz 128-126.

The Milwaukee Bucks were without star player Giannis Antetokounmpo because of health and safety protocols and, despite Jrue Holiday scoring a career-high 40 points, they lost 116-112 to the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Miami Heat beat the Orlando Magic 115-105, the Denver Nuggests were 133-115 victors against the Atlanta Hawks. The Charlotte Hornets lost 125-116 to the Portland Trail Blazers and the Memphis Grizzlies won 124-105 against the Sacramento Kings.

BBC
 
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers beaten by Phoenix Suns in third straight defeat

The Los Angeles Lakers were beaten 108-90 by the visiting Phoenix Suns as their losing streak stretched to three games.

The Suns recorded their 24th victory in 26 games as Devin Booker scored 24 points in his second game back from a hamstring injury.

LeBron James added 34 points for the Lakers but injured his ankle with six minutes remaining.

Suns' Deandre Ayton also claimed 19 points with 11 rebounds during the win.

The Lakers were without head coach Frank Vogel, plus players Kent Bazemore, Malik Monk, Avery Bradley and Austin Reaves, who all remain unavailable under the NBA's Covid-19 health and safety protocols.

Before Tuesday's victory, the Suns had been 1-2 on the road since their 18-match unbeaten run was ended by the the Golden State Warriors on 3 December.

Elsewhere, Tyler Herro returned from a three-game injury absence to lead Miami Heat to a 125-96 win over the Indiana Pacers. Herro tied with Duncan Robinson for a season-high 26 points for the Heat.

Dallas Mavericks denied the Minnesota Timberwolves a fifth-straight victory as they ran out 114-102 winners, while the Detroit Pistons were beaten 105-91 by the New York Knicks and the New Orleans Pelicans defeated Portland Trailblazers 111-97.
'No logic behind pausing right now' - Silver

Meanwhile, NBA commissioner Adam Silver has said there are no plans to postpone the league despite a rise in coronavirus cases.

Seven games have been postponed since last week, with the league's website saying 84 players from 20 teams had entered health and safety protocols as of Tuesday.

"We have of course looked at all the options but, frankly, we are having trouble coming up with what the logic would be behind pausing right now," Silver said.

"As we look through these cases literally ripping through the country, I think we're finding ourselves where we knew we were going to get to over the past several months, and that is this virus will not be eradicated, and we're going to have to learn to live with it."

Media outlets in the United States have reported the 10 NBA teams playing on Christmas Day have been told the times of their games could change at late notice, potentially the day before the fixtures.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/59753045
 
Stephen Curry scored 46 points as the Golden State Warriors earned a hard-fought 113-104 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA.

It is the third time this season he has scored more than 45 points in a game.

Curry, the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 2015 and 2016, scored eight three-pointers, with Gary Payton Jr adding four as part of his 22 points for the Warriors.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr described it as a "vintage Steph" performance.

The win keeps the Warriors just behind the Phoenix Suns for the best record in the NBA.

Ja Morant scored 21 points for Memphis, who tied the score at 102-102 in the final quarter to set up a tense finish. But baskets from Juan Tosco-Anderson, Payton Jr and Curry saw the Warriors pull away and secure the win.

Elsewhere, Devin Booker scored 30 points for the Phoenix Suns as they beat Oklahoma City Thunder 113-101 in Phoenix.

The Suns trailed by three at half-time, but took control in the third and fourth quarter to get the victory.

BBC
 
Otto Porter Jr shone on a rare start, to help the Golden State Warriors take top spot in the Western Conference with a 116-107 win over the Phoenix Suns.

With several players missing because of injury and Covid-19, Porter's late flurry helped the Warriors pull away in the final two minutes.

In Los Angeles, James Harden returned to inspire the Brooklyn Nets, who held off a Lakers comeback to win 122-115.

After missing four games, Harden recorded his 63rd career triple-double.

He scored 36 points and had 10 assists and 10 rebounds, while in New York Kemba Walker posted his first triple-double since 2014.

The resurgent point guard had 10 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists as the Knicks beat the Atlanta Hawks 101-87.

Returning from Covid-19 protocols, Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 36 points as the Milwaukee Bucks came from 19 points down to beat the Boston Celtics 117-113, while the Utah Jazz claimed a 120-116 win against the Dallas Mavericks.

bbc
 
Nikola Jokic's 26 points helped the Denver Nuggets edge to a 103-100 win at the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA.

Will Barton, Davon Reed, Austin Rivers and Monte Morris also all scored double figures for the visitors.

The Cleveland Cavaliers claimed a comfortable 144-99 win against a depleted Toronto Raptors as injuries and Covid-19 protocols continued to affect teams throughout the NBA.

On his first start of the season, Cavaliers' Kevin Love scored 22 points.

Cleveland have now won seven of their past eight games, while the Memphis Grizzlies broke a three-game losing streak with a 127-102 win at the Sacramento Kings, as the hosts equalled their largest margin of defeat at home this season.

The Detroit Pistons only had nine players - missing 11 and coach Dwane Casey because of injury and Covid-19 protocols - as they lost 144-109 to the San Antonio Spurs.

In Chicago, Zach LaVine returned from a two-game absence because of health and safety protocols and scored 32 points in the Bulls' 113-105 win against the Indiana Pacers.

Joel Embiid's 36 points helped the Philadelphia 76ers to a 117-96 away win at the Washington Wizards, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 117-112 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Returning from an eight-game injury absence, Jimmy Butler had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the Miami Heat's 93-83 win against the Orlando Magic.

BBC
 
Ja Morant scored 41 points as the Memphis Grizzlies came from behind to beat the Los Angeles Lakers and record a third straight win.

Morant made a career-high six three-pointers in a 104-99 victory.

LeBron James scored 37 points for the Lakers, while Russell Westbrook added a triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.

But the Grizzlies - inspired by 22-year-old Morant - fought back from a 14-point deficit in the third-quarter.

Lakers coach David Fizdale, standing in for head coach Frank Vogel at the FedExForum in Memphis, described Morant, who scored 40 points against the Lakers in October, as a "true superstar".

It was a sixth defeat in seven games for the Lakers after they ended a five-game losing run against Houston Rockets last time out.

Elsewhere, the Phoenix Suns beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 115-97 to move level with the Golden State Warriors at the top of the Western Conference.

Devin Booker scored 38 points as the Suns matched the Warriors' record of 27-7, becoming the seventh-youngest player to reach 10,000 career points.

The Chicago Bulls earned a 131-117 victory against an Atlanta Hawks team missing 15 players because of Covid-19 and injuries.

Zach LaVine scored 25 points for the Bulls, who extended their winning streak to five matches.

The Los Angeles Clippers beat the Boston Celtics 91-82 as Eric Bledsoe scored 10 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter to seal victory.

Chimezie Metu's buzzer-beating three-pointer gave the Sacramento Kings a thrilling 95-94 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, while Alec Burks scored 34 points to help the New York Knicks to a 94-85 victory over the depleted Detroit Pistons.

The Miami Heat's game against the San Antonio Spurs was postponed because Miami could not field the eight players required because of Covid and injuries.

BBC
 
Joel Embiid scored 34 points as the Philadelphia 76ers recorded a third successive win with a 110-102 victory against the Brooklyn Nets in New York.

Tyrese Maxey added 25 points and Seth Curry made 17 for the 76ers, led by assistant Dan Burke in the absence of head coach Doc Rivers because of Covid.

Kevin Durant responded with 33 points for the Nets as he made his return after missing three games.

It was a second defeat in eight games for the Eastern Conference leaders.

Nets' James Harden produced his second triple-double in three games since returning from the NBA's health and safety protocol as he ran up 33 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists.

Elsewhere, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 points and 12 rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Orlando Magic 136-118.

Jrue Holiday contributed 25 points and Khris Middleton added 22 to extend the Bucks' winning streak to five games and Orlando's losing run to five.

Bradley Beal made 29 points on his return to action as the Washington Wizards recorded a 110-93 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope also returned and added 12 points while Anthony Gill scored eight and in reply Kevin Love notched 24 points and 11 rebounds for Cleveland.

Thursday's game between Western Conference leaders Golden State Warriors and the Denver Nuggets was postponed because the Nuggets could not field the eight players required because of Covid cases and injuries.

Despite an 11th postponement of the campaign, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he saw no reason to pause the season.

BBC
 
DeMar DeRozan scored a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give the Chicago Bulls a 108-106 win at the Indiana Pacers.

DeRozan top-scored for the Bulls with 28 points, while Coby White added 24 and Nikola Vucevic made his fourth straight double-double in a game in which the lead changed hands 12 times.

Victory extended the Eastern Conference leaders' winning run to six games.

The Pacers, who had six players missing through Covid-19 protocols, have now lost three in a row.

LeBron James scored 43 points and added 14 rebounds the day after his 37th birthday to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 139-106 demolition of the Portland Trail Blazers.

James reached double figures in points with less than six minutes played, and recorded a double-double inside the first half.

Team-mate Russell Westbrook posted a triple-double - 15 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists - while Ben McLemore led the Trail Blazers with 28 points off the bench.

The Boston Celtics beat the Phoenix Suns 123-108, while Trae Young made 35 points and 11 assists as the Atlanta Hawks overcame a 16-point deficit to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-118.

Six Miami Heat players reached double figures as they held off the Houston Rockets 120-110 for a fifth consecutive win, and the Memphis Grizzlies made it four in a row with a 118-105 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Donovan Mitchell returned from a two-game absence through injury to score a season-high 39 points as the Utah Jazz beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 120-108.

The Dallas Mavericks beat the Sacramento Kings 112-96, the Toronto Raptors overcame the LA Clippers 116-108 and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the New York Knicks 95-80.

BBC
 
Stephen Curry broke his own NBA record for consecutive three-pointers as he led the Golden State Warriors to a 123-116 win over the Utah Jazz.

Curry scored a three-pointer for the 158th successive game, breaking his previous record of 157 which had stood since November 2016.

He made 28 points as his side overcame an eight-point deficit to win, having earlier thrown away a 16-point lead.

Rudy Gobert top-scored for the Jazz with 20 points and 19 rebounds.

Elsewhere, DeMar DeRozan scored a game-winning buzzer-beater for the second successive night - making him the first player in NBA history to do so - as his Chicago Bulls edged out the Washington Wizards 120-119.

After receiving the ball with 3.3 seconds left on the clock, DeRozan landed his three-point effort to cap his 28 points - one of four Bulls to reach 20 points with Zach LaVine leading on 35.

Giannis Antetokounmpo made his second triple-double of the season as the Milwaukee Bucks extended their winning streak to six games with a 136-113 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

The five-time All-Star finished with 35 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists, while James Harden notched his third triple-double in four games in the Brooklyn Nets' 120-116 defeat by the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Denver Nuggets cruised to a 124-111 win over the Houston Rockets, but the Detroit Pistons needed overtime to beat the San Antonio Spurs - a Saddiq Bey three-pointer with 1.9 seconds remaining sealing a 117-116 win to end the Pistons' four-game losing run.

BBC
 
NBA: Wins for Bulls & Warriors as Bucks and Nets lose


The Chicago Bulls secured an eighth NBA win in a row by defeating the Orlando Magic 102-98 but Stephen Curry had an off night as his Golden State Warriors side beat the Miami Heat 115-108.

Trae Young scored a career-high 56 points in the Atlanta Hawks' 136-131 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Ja Morant scored 36 points as the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Brooklyn Nets 118-104.

And the Detroit Pistons stunned champions the Milwaukee Bucks 115-106.

Jordan Poole came off the bench to score 32 points for the Warriors, recording five assists with two rebounds in just 26 minutes.

But it was a less successful night for Curry - the NBA's reigning scoring champion - who had to settle for a season-low tally of nine points.

A Covid-ravaged Heat side, missing 10 players, looked to the scoring of Jimmy Butler - but after he grabbed 22 points, he was forced off with an ankle injury as his team suffered a second successive defeat.

Elsewhere, point guard Young was in excellent form for the Hawks. The 23-year-old hit seven three pointers and found the basket with all 15 of his attempts from the free throw line but it wasn't enough against a Portland side for whom Anfernee Simons took 43 points.

Norman Powell, Jusuf Nurkic and Nassir Little all added more than 20 points to earn victory for the Trail Blazers, who now have 14 wins and 22 defeats for the season.

In their match against Orlando, the Bulls were inspired by DeMar DeRozan, with 29 points, and Zach LaVine, who scored 27, but struggled to shake off opponents who consistently hit back to cut their lead.

Morant becomes the first player in franchise history to score 30 points or more in four straight matches as he inspired the Grizzlies to victory over the Nets, their fifth in a row.

Meanwhile, Saddiq Bey scored a career high 34 as the Pistons beat the Bucks for their first successive wins of the season.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/59865447
 
Saturday night's NBA results

Miami Heat 123-100 Phoenix Suns
Memphis Grizzlies 123-108 LA Clippers
Utah Jazz 113-125 Indiana Pacers
New York Knicks 75-99 Boston Celtics
Milwaukee Bucks 106-114 Charlotte Hornets
Orlando Magic 92-97 Detroit Pistons
 
Klay Thompson returned from a 31-month injury absence to help the Golden State Warriors secure a 96-82 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Thompson, 31, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in 2019, before tearing his right Achilles tendon during his recovery.

The three-time NBA champion hit 17 points in front of a lively Chase Center crowd in San Francisco.

"I'm never going to forget this night," Thompson told NBA TV.

Thompson scored the Warriors' first basket of the game and hit seven of his 18 shot attempts, including making three three-pointers.

It took him past 12,000 points and 1,800 three-pointers in his career.

Warriors star Stephen Curry hit 28 points as his side hit back from two consecutive defeats.

They are now tied with Western Conference rivals the Phoenix Suns for the best record in the NBA on 30 wins and nine defeats.

Thompson last played in game six of the NBA Finals in June 2019, when he tore his ACL against eventual champions the Toronto Raptors.

He then tore his Achilles in training in November 2020 and missed the whole of last season and most of the first half of the current campaign.

Thompson's team-mates all warmed up in various versions of his number 11 jersey to celebrate his return, before his arrival on court was greeted by a huge roar from the home fans.

"I got a lot of old feelings again about game days - it was surreal," he said.

"The ovation to start the game, I just am so grateful for these fans. It was special."

Elsewhere, the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Los Angeles Lakers 127-119, despite LeBron James hitting 35 points.

Desmond Bane hit 23 points and Ja Morant added 16 for the Grizzlies, who secured a club-record ninth consecutive victory and ended the Lakers' four-game winning streak.

The Brooklyn Nets beat the San Antonio Spurs 121-119 in overtime, with rookie Cam Thomas hitting the game-winner with 1.7 seconds remaining in the first overtime period.

Kevin Durant led the Nets with 28 points, while James Harden scored 26.

Kyle Kuzma hit 27 points and made a career- high 22 rebounds in the Washington Wizards' 102-100 win over the Orlanado Magic.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic made 22 points, 18 rebounds and six assists to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 99-95 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Karl-Anthony Towns hit 40 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves recorded their fourth consecutive win with a comfortable 141-123 victory over the Houston Rockets.

Sunday's other NBA results

Los Angeles Clippers 106-93 Atlanta Hawks

Toronto Raptors 105-101 New Orleans Pelicans

Dallas Mavericks 113-99 Chicago Bulls

Portland Trail Blazers 103-88 Sacramento Kings

BBC
 
Giannis Antetokounmpo hit his third triple-double of the season as the Milwaukee Bucks secured a 118-99 win over the Golden State Warriors.

The 27-year-old notched 30 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists to help the champions end a two-game losing streak and secure their second win in six.

Khris Middleton hit five three-pointers in a 23-point haul while Bobby Portis scored 20 points.

The victory helps the Bucks keep pace with the Eastern Conference leaders.

Mike Budenholzer's side lie fourth in the standings, behind the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat and the Brooklyn Nets.

Stephen Curry made 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists for the Warriors, with Andrew Wiggins top-scoring for the visitors with 16 points.

"We know we're the defending champs, everybody's going to come hard at us," Antetokounmpo said.

"But at the end of the day, it's about us."

Elsewhere, the Memphis Grizzlies pulled away late to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-108 and extend their winning streak to 11 games.

The Grizzlies trailed by seven points at half-time but battled back to lead 90-84 going into the final quarter, with Ja Morant contributing 16 points with nine assists and eight rebounds in an another impressive display.

Anthony Edwards led Minnesota's charge with 30 points while D'Angelo Russell scored 29.

Having outclassed the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, the short-handed Brooklyn Nets fell to a disappointing 130-109 home defeat by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to help the Thunder end a five-game losing run.

The Nets were without two of their 'Big Three' as Kevin Durant was rested while the unvaccinated Kyrie Irving remains ineligible for home games because of New York's vaccine mandate.

James Harden starred again with 26 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for the Nets, who fell to a sixth defeat in nine games.

Thursday's NBA results
Denver Nuggets 140-108 Portland Trail Blazers

Brooklyn Nets 109-130 Oklahoma City Thunder

New Orleans Pelicans 113-89 Los Angeles Clippers

Memphis Grizzlies 116-108 Minnesota Timberwolves

Memphis Bucks 118-99 Golden State Warriors
 
A depleted Golden State Warriors side suffered a 119-99 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.

The Warriors were without star players Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Gary Payton II, who all missed the game through injury.

Karl-Anthony Towns starred for the Timberwolves, scoring 16 points in the first half and finishing with 26 points and 11 rebounds.

It was a fifth win in seven games for the Timberwolves.

Three-time NBA All-Star Green missed out for the Warriors because of a disc injury in his lower back, while former MVP Curry was sidelined with a hand injury.

The Warriors had little answer for Towns while Jaylen Nowell and Malik Beasley combined for 33 points - including eight three-pointers - off the Minnesota bench to help seal victory for the Timberwolves.

Jordan Poole scored a Warriors-high 20 points, but managed just three assists and committed four turnovers.

The defeat came at the end of a four-game road trip for the Warriors.

Elsewhere, Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points as the Utah Jazz beat the Denver Nuggets 125-102 for a first win in five games.

Bojan Bogdanovic also scored 21 points for the Jazz, while Rudy Gobert, who returned to action having missed five games, provided 18 points and 19 rebounds.

Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant has been diagnosed with a sprained medical collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee.

Durant suffered the injury after a collision during the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.

He had 12 points in 12 minutes.

A Nets statement said the 11-time All-Star, who is currently averaging a league-leading 29.7 points, will be out "indefinitely".

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/60000308
 
Kyrie Irving will not change his mind and get vaccinated against Covid-19 despite an injury to fellow Brooklyn Nets player Kevin Durant.

Irving, 29, cannot play in Nets home games because of New York's ban on unvaccinated people in indoor venues.

A knee ligament injury has sidelined Durant for a month or more, weakening the Nets' star-studded squad.

"I stay rooted in my decision. It's not going to be swayed just because of one thing in this NBA life," said Irving.

"I live my life, the majority of the time, when I'm away from this.

"So when I say I'm not getting vaccinated and I'm making a choice with my life, somehow it gets mixed into, 'well, what about the basketball?' When it's like, 'no, bro - we live in a real world'.

"I love playing on the Nets, but I've been away enough time to think about this, to process it, to be able to make this decision, stand strong, understand that people are gonna agree and some people are gonna disagree."

Irving, a seven-time All Star, also cannot play in the Nets' away matches against local rivals the New York Knicks or the Toronto Raptors.

He admits to being a "big conspiracy theorist" and apologised in 2018 for suggesting the earth may be flat.

His arrival alongside Durant in 2019, since supplemented by the signing of star shooting guard James Harden in 2021, was intended to propel the Nets to be championship contenders.

However, last year's Conference semi-final loss to eventual champions the Milwaukee Bucks is the furthest they have gone in the end-of-season finale during Irving's time at the franchise.
 
NBA: Klay Thompson stars as Golden State Warriors beat Detroit Pistons

Klay Thompson had his best game since returning from a 31-month injury absence as the Golden State Warriors saw off the Detroit Pistons 102-86.

Thompson hit a game-high 21 points in just his fifth appearance since returning from anterior cruciate ligament and Achilles tendon injuries.

Andrew Wiggins scored 19 points and Steph Curry, back after a one-game absence, added 18.

Rodney McGruder scored a season-high 19 points off the bench for the Pistons.

"I had a great time tonight, wish I made a couple more shots, but I just had a great time, it was fun," said Thompson.

"I don't care if I miss 100 shots in a row, I'm never going to stop shooting the ball. I love it too much and I work too hard not to."

Elsewhere, Karl-Anthony Towns converted a go-ahead three-point play with 29 seconds left as the Minnesota Timberwolves edged out the New York Knicks 112-110.

Anthony Edwards scored 21 points and Towns added 20 for the Wolves, who won for the sixth time in eight games.

Alec Burks missed a three-pointer that would have won it for the Knicks with just one second remaining.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/60050561
 
Brooklyn Nets assistant coach David Vanterpool has been fined for deflecting a pass in Wednesday's 119-118 win over the Washington Wizards.

Vanterpool has been fined $10,000 - around £7,350 - by the NBA and the Nets have been handed a further $25,000 penalty, which is around £18,400.

The infringement came with the Nets up 109-103 with six minutes remaining.

Vanterpool reached out and tipped a pass, causing Washington to lose the ball and officials missed the incident.

The Wizards had used their only coach's challenge during the game and so could only play on.

Their coach Joseph Blair said: "My reaction is utter disbelief. I've never seen in my very long time in basketball something happen like that that the referees didn't see."

Brooklyn's win was one of 13 fixtures on Wednesday and the NBA followed with three more on Thursday.

The Phoenix Suns beat the Dallas Mavericks 109-101 to make it five wins in a row and stay top of the Western Conference.

The Suns outscored their rivals 35-19 in the fourth quarter and ended the Mavs' four-game winning run.

The Golden State Warriors - second in the Western Conference - went down 121-117 after overtime to the Indiana Pacers, who sit 13th in the east.

A 35-15 third quarter proved key as the New Orleans Pelicans built an unassailable lead to beat the New York Knicks 102-91.

BBC
 
Stephen Curry hit the first buzzer-beating game-winner of his NBA career to help the Golden State Warriors to a dramatic win over the Houston Rockets.

The sides were tied at 103-apiece as the 33-year-old drove into the lane, created space and made the winning shot to seal a 105-103 victory.

"About time!" he told an on-court TV interviewer. "That's my first one!"

Curry, who finished with 22 points, had earlier missed two three-pointers as the game reached its climax.

Earlier this season, the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player broke the league's all-time record for three-pointers.

Curry beats Allen's NBA record
After losing in overtime to the Indiana Pacers last time out, the Warriors made a slow start with Curry himself missing nine of his 10 attempts from the field in the first half and he let his frustration show when he kicked a courtside chair.

The Warriors trailed 54-43 at halftime, but scored 33 points in the third quarter to go into the final quarter with the score level at 76-76.

With 11.5 seconds remaining after Houston's Garrison Matthews missed a three-pointer, Golden State got the rebound and on the inbounds after a timeout got the ball to Curry who worked his magic.

"This whole game was crazy," he added. "Back to back, we were kind of stuck in the mud and trying to find our way through it."

Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Lakers bounced back from their embarrassing loss to the Indiana Pacers with a 116-105 victory at the Orlando Magic.

LeBron James scored 29 points while Carmelo Anthony added 23 points off the bench, 19 of them in the second half and Russell Westbrook had 18 points with 11 rebounds and seven assists.

The Brooklyn Nets regained the lead in the Eastern Conference with a 117-102 victory over the Spurs in San Antonio as the Chicago Bulls lost top spot following a 94-90 loss at the Milwaukee Bucks.

BBC
 
The Golden State Warriors overcame the Utah Jazz 94-92 while Jayson Tatum scored 51 points as the Boston Celtics beat the Washington Wizards 116-87.

Jazz turned a 13-point deficit from the third quarter into an 86-83 lead at the end of a 20-4 scoring run.

Warriors rallied, a late Kevin Looney three-pointer putting them five points ahead, and they held on for the win.

LeBron James scored 33 points for the Los Angeles Lakers but they were beaten 113-107 by the Miami Heat.

It was a 17th consecutive game with at least 26 points for James but the Lakers still came up short against a Heat side that benefitted from Jimmy Butler's 10th triple double.

Butler finished with 20 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in his side's win.

For the Celtics, Tatum was in impressive form as he drained nine out of 14 three-pointers, having missed his previous 20 this season from beyond the arc.

He also had 10 rebounds and seven assists in the fifth 50-point game of his career.
 
Devin Booker set a franchise record with the 16th 40-point game of his career to help the Phoenix Suns beat the Utah Jazz 105-97.

Booker scored 43 points for the Western Conference leaders to extend their wining streak to eight games.

"It's a good feeling now, but it came with a learning curve," Booker said.

In the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers moved up to third after beating champions the Milwaukee Bucks 115-99.

Kevin Love scored 25 points as the Cavs won for the eighth time in nine games.

"It was huge. We beat a very, very good team tonight," said Love.

"And if we stay true to our principles and true to who we are as a team, I think the sky's the limit for us."

Miami Heat held on to top spot in the east with a 110-96 victory over the New York Knicks. Duncan Robinson top-scored with 25 points and Jimmy Butler added 22 as the Heat led from start to finish.

Chicago Bulls stayed a half-game behind the Heat in second after beating the Toronto Raptors 111-105. DeMar DeRozan racked up 29 points, seven rebounds and seven assists against his former side as the Bulls won back-to-back games.

BBC
 
Joel Embiid scored 26 points as the Philadelphia 76ers eased to a 105-87 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, who were without the injured LeBron James.

Embiid also added nine rebounds and seven assists, though it meant his four-game run of scoring at least 35 points and 10 rebounds ended.

"I was not very good, so I was happy my team-mates were able to pick me up," said Embiid.

Anthony Davis top-scored with 31 points for the Lakers.

Davis was playing his second game following a lengthy absence with a knee injury but with James now nursing a knee problem of his own, coach Frank Vogel admitted it is frustrating to be unable to get both players on the court at the same time.

"This is what every team in the league goes through," Vogel said. "We have to play better."

Two 76ers fans were escorted from the arena late in the game after comments directed at Lakers reserve Carmelo Anthony, who was then involved in a heated exchange with a third courtside fan.

"Some things were said. Unacceptable," Anthony said after the game.

Elsewhere, Stephen Curry top-scored with 29 points in the Golden State Warriors' 124-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Curry scored just eight points in the first half but finished with six three-pointers from 10 attempts, while Klay Thompson added 23 points.

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 31 points and 12 rebounds in reply for the Timberwolves, who have lost 11 straight games on the road against the Warriors.

All Star team named
Lakers superstar James has been voted Western Conference captain for next month's NBA All-Star Game, for the fifth successive season.

James has now made 18 All-Star teams to move to second on the all-time list alongside Kobe Bryant and just one behind the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Warriors duo Curry and Andrew Wiggins are also in the West line-up, along with the NBA's Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic and Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant.

Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Durant has been named captain of the East despite having a knee injury and being a doubt for the game in Cleveland on 20 February.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, 76ers centre Embiid, Chicago Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan and Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young will start for the East.

The All-Star reserves will be selected by the coaches in both conferences on Thursday, 3 February.
 
The Phoenix Suns made it nine wins in a row with a 134-124 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Devin Booker top-scored with 29 points for the Western Conference leaders, adding nine assists.

It comes after Booker set a franchise record with the 16th 40-point game of his career in the Suns' victory over the Utah Jazz on Thursday.

Chris Paul also recorded an 18th career triple-double, scoring 21 points, adding 14 assists and 10 rebounds.

A depleted Los Angeles Lakers suffered a second successive defeat, losing 117-114 to the Charlotte Hornets.

Russell Westbrook scored 35 points but missed a game-clinching three-pointer for the Lakers, who were without stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his 16th 30-point double-double of the season in the Milwaukee Bucks' 123-108 win over the New York Knicks.

Antetokounmpo also picked up 13 rebounds and five assists to help the Bucks to their fourth win in five games.

Elsewhere, the Orlando Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons 119-103, with Terrence Ross coming off the bench to score 21 points. The Atlanta Hawks beat the Boston Celtics 108-92 to record their sixth consecutive win and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Utah Jazz 119-109.
 
Stephen Curry scored 40 points as the Golden State Warriors beat the Houston Rockets 122-108 to win their sixth game in a row.

Curry hit 21 points in the final quarter alone, also recording nine assists and five rebounds overall.

The former Most Valuable Player has now scored 40 points or more in six games this season.

Christian Wood hit 24 points for the Rockets, who lost their fourth consecutive game.

Andrew Wiggins added 23 points for the Warriors, while Kevon Looney recorded 14 rebounds.

Curry has now scored 20 points or more in a quarter 37 times in his career.

Tyrese Maxey scored a driving lay-up in overtime as the Philadelphia 76ers edged the Memphis Grizzlies 122-119.

Maxey, who finished the game with 33 points, drove to the basket with 26.4 seconds left on the clock to seal a fifth win in a row for the 76ers.

Despite All-Star guard Ja Morant scoring 37 points for the Grizzlies, they saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.

The Miami Heat suffered a second straight defeat to lose their place at the top of the Eastern Conference to the Chicago Bulls, falling 122-92 to the Boston Celtics.

Jaylen Brown led Boston with 29 points, as the Celtics picked up their fourth successive win and moved to 27-25 for the season.

Oklahoma City Thunder overturned an 18-point second-quarter deficit to break a seven-game losing streak, beating the Portland Trail Blazers 98-81.

Luguentz Dort recorded a team-high 18 points for the Thunder in their first win at home since 31 December.

CJ McCollum top-scored with 21 points for Portland, who fell to a fourth defeat in five games.

Gary Trent Jr scored 31 points, including a career-best nine three-pointers, as the Toronto Raptors beat the Atlanta Hawks 106-100 to end the Hawks' seven-game winning streak.

Elsewhere, rookie Isaiah Jackson recorded a season-high 26 points and 10 rebounds to help the Indiana Pacers to a 122-116 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, the Sacramento Kings lost a seventh game in a row as they fell 116-96 to the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers scored 27 points in the final nine minutes to edge the New Orleans Pelicans 93-90.
 
Trae Young scored 43 points as the Atlanta Hawks ended the Phoenix Suns' 11-game winning run with a 124-111 win.

The 23-year-old made 16 of his 25 shots on the night to push his side to an eighth win in nine outings.

The Suns lead the Western Conference but the Golden State Warriors are just a win off the top after beating the Sacramento Kings 126-114.

Klay Thompson top scored for the Warriors in San Francisco with 23 points, including seven three pointers.

His haul helped the Warriors to an eighth win in a row and the 31-year-old moved 19th on the NBA's all-time three-point list, reaching 1,829 to surpass Kobe Bryant.

After his stellar display he said: "The 2011 draft, 10th pick the Kings don't select me, so people don't forget."

Elsewhere Anthony Davis saw a shot strike the rim with the final play of the night as the Los Angeles Lakers were beaten by the Los Angeles Clippers in a thrilling encounter.

Marcus Morris Sr scored 29 for the Clippers but Reggie Jackson - who scored 25 on the night - crucially put them ahead with four seconds on the clock.

Davis, who notched 30 points for the Lakers, powered into the paint but was left disconsolate when his effort missed, sparking Clippers celebration.

"The ball's touched every part of the rim," said Davis. "A tough play and a tough miss. The ball is in, it rolls out. Tough. This is definitely going to weigh on me. I'm glad we have an off day."

There was more late drama as the Toronto Raptors' Scottie Barnes was on target in the final second to force overtime against the Chicago Bulls.

The Raptors capitalised to push on to a 127-120 win - their fourth in a row - though the Bulls still sit top of the Eastern Conference.

Elsewhere the Miami Heat ended a three-game losing streak by beating the San Antonio Spurs 112-95 and the Minnesota Timberwolves earned a third win in a row, overcoming the Detroit Pistons in a 128-117 win.

BBC
 
LeBron James returned from injury to score 29 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the New York Knicks 122-115 in overtime in the NBA.

The Lakers overturned a 21-point first-half deficit to pull off their biggest comeback win of the season.

James, who missed the previous five games with a knee injury, added 13 rebounds and 10 assists to record his 103rd career triple-double.

Malik Monk weighed in with 29 points and Anthony Davis 28 for the Lakers.

Monk scored 18 in the third quarter as the Lakers came from 71-56 down at half-time in LA.

RJ Barrett scored a career-high 36 points for the Knicks but could not prevent a fifth loss in six games.

The Lakers sit ninth in the Western Conference and the Knicks 12th in the Eastern Conference.

The Milwaukee Bucks recorded a sixth win in eight games with a resounding 137-108 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Bobby Portis scored a season-high 30 points and matched his career best with six three-pointers, while Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 29 points and made nine rebounds and six assists to condemn the Trail Blazers to a fifth straight defeat.

Western Conference leaders the Phoenix Suns beat the Washington Wizards 95-80 for their 12th win in 13 games thanks to Deandre Ayton's 20 points and 16 rebounds in only 24 minutes.

Ja Morant scored 33 points as the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Orlando Magic 135-115, while the Sacramento Kings saw off the Oklahoma City Thunder 113-103.

The Miami Heat came from behind to defeat the Charlotte Hornets 104-86, with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo combining for 47 points.

BBC
 
James Harden joins Joel Embiid at Philadelphia 76ers in blockbuster trade which sends Ben Simmons to Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to a blockbuster trade centred around former NBA MVP James Harden and former All-Star guard Ben Simmons.

The move, reported by ESPN and The Athletic, comes just five days after coach Steve Nash said the Nets would not trade Harden and only 13 months after they acquired the 2018 NBA MVP to play with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

But Harden could have left this summer as a free agent and the Nets decided it was not worth the risk to wait, ending their 'Big Three' experiment after the trio played only 16 games together.

Simmons did not play this season for the Sixers in the wake of a trade demand centred largely around hurt feelings coming off last season's playoff loss. Simmons averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists over four seasons with Philadelphia, who drafted him out of LSU, where he played only one season.

Brooklyn receives:
Ben Simmons
Seth Curry
Andre Drummond
2022 first-round pick (unprotected)
2027 first-round pick (protected)

Philadelphia receives:
James Harden
Paul Millsap

https://www.skysports.com/nba/news/...rade-which-sends-ben-simmons-to-brooklyn-nets
 
LeBron James scored 15 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter as the Los Angeles Lakers won 106-101 against the visiting Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

The Lakers also had to cope with an injury to Anthony Davis, who rolled his ankle towards the end of the second quarter and did not return.

The Jazz led 79-71 heading into the fourth before James, 37, led the Lakers fightback in a dramatic end.

"What we saw LeBron do, it's just remarkable," coach Frank Vogel said.

"What he continues to do at this point of his career, to take over a game in the fourth quarter the way that he did with his energy, will and determination, it was really something special."

Elsewhere, Gregg Popovich, coach for the San Antonio Spurs, recorded the 1,333 win of his head-coaching career - moving him second in the all-time NBA list - when his team beat the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Only Don Nelson, who oversaw 1,335 wins during spells with the Milwaukee Bucks, the Golden State Warriors, the York Knicks and the Dallas Mavericks, remains ahead of 73-year-old Popovich.

Keldon Johnson scored 22 points to lead the Spurs to a 114-106 win at the Thunder.

The New York Knicks blew a 28-point lead to lose 111-106 against neighbours the Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden.

It was the third time in 11 days the Knicks have relinquished a lead of 20 points or more.

Nets rookie Cam Thomas scored 16 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter.

"You get a big lead, you got to play tough with a lead," said Knicks veteran coach Tom Thibodeau.

"You have to understand how to play with a lead, so we haven't done that. We haven't done that well."

Stephen Curry scored 25 points for the Golden State Warriors but it was not enough to prevent a 117-116 defeat against the Denver Nuggets.

Curry finished a three-point play to give the Warriors a 116-114 lead with 5.9 seconds remaining.

The Nuggets won it in the final play when Nikola Jokic - who scored 35 points - set up Monte Morris for a game-winning three-pointer.

Devin Booker recorded 24 points and eight assists as the Phoenix Suns rallied for a 124-121 victory over the visiting Houston Rockets.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, there were also victories for the Atlanta Hawks, the Detroit Pistons, the Indiana Pacers, the Chicago Bulls, the Portland Trail Blazers and the Toronto Raptors.
 
NBA: James Harden scores 27 points on Philadelphia 76ers debut against Minnesota Timberwolves

James Harden scored 27 points on his Philadelphia 76ers debut in a 133-102 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

A hamstring injury had delayed the three-time NBA scoring champion's debut following his move from the Brooklyn Nets earlier this month.

Harden 32, added 12 assists and eight rebounds, while 76ers team-mate Joel Embiid scored 34 points.

Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Clippers earned a narrow 105-102 win over their local rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers.

Marcus Morris scored with 39.4 seconds remaining to put the Clippers 103-102 ahead, before Russell Westbrook missed for the Lakers, who have now won only three of their last 10 games.

Reggie Jackson then gave the Clippers a three-point lead with two free throws with 2.2 seconds left, before the Lakers' LeBron James missed a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer as he finished with 21 points.

Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans ended the Phoenix Suns' eight-game winning streak as CJ McCollum scored 32 points in a 117-102 win, and Tyler Herro managed a team-high 25 points for the Miami Heat in their 115-100 win over the the New York Knicks.

The Utah Jazz overcame the Dallas Mavericks 144-109 as Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points and hit seven three-pointers.

Keldon Johnson hit 32 points for the San Antonio Spurs in their 157-153 win over the Washington Wizards in double overtime, while the Spurs' Jakob Poeltl had a career-high scoring game with 28 points, and team-mate Dejounte Murray produced his 12th triple-double.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/60536647
 
LeBron James says this NBA season is "definitely different" after the Los Angeles Lakers lost for the sixth time in eight games.

James scored 32 points but could not prevent the Lakers being beaten 123-95 by the New Orleans Pelicans.

CJ McCollum scored 22 points to lead six Pelicans scorers in double figures.

Asked how the Lakers can recover, James said: "It all starts with a win. You learn from that win, the things you did well and what you didn't do well."

On Friday, 37-year-old James - a four-time NBA champion and 18-time All-Star - dismissed reports he wanted to leave the underperforming Lakers.

James Harden continued the fine start to his Philadelphia 76ers career by posting a triple-double in his second game as his new team won 125-109 against the New York Knicks.

Harden, who moved from the Brooklyn Nets earlier this month, scored 29 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds as the visiting 76ers pulled away late in the fourth quarter.

Five steals also meant he became the first player in 76ers history to finish with at least 25 points, 15 assists, five rebounds and five steals in a game.

Luka Doncic scored a game-high 34 points as the Dallas Mavericks wiped out a 19-point deficit in the fourth-quarter to clinch a shock 107-101 win over the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco.

Kelly Olynyk landed a 14-foot jumper at the buzzer to give the Detroit Pistons an overtime 127-126 victory at the Charlotte Hornets.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/60552459
 
Luka Doncic starred for the Dallas Mavericks as they sent the Los Angeles Lakers to a third straight defeat.

Doncic scored 25 points and won eight rebounds as the Mavericks turned a six-point deficit with seven minutes remaining into a five-point victory.

The result means the Lakers have lost 10 of their past 13 matches.

The Lakers - ninth in the Eastern Conference - are at risk of not making the post-season play-in tournament which precedes the play-offs.

"We still have games to play," said Lakers star LeBron James who scored 26 points and collected 12 rebounds. "As long as we've got ballgames to play, we've got a chance."

Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said defeat owed much to a spell Doncic enjoyed in the match, adding: "Not good enough. It hurts. All these guys are hurting in there."
 
Rising star Tyrese Maxey scored 33 points to help the Philadelphia 76ers to a 125-119 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Sixers, who trailed by 21 points at one stage, moved to second in the Eastern Conference ahead of Saturday's trip to leaders Miami.

Coach Doc Rivers praised the contribution of 21-year-old Maxey.

"He's a fearless kid, he's playing great, and he's getting great shots. He's been great for us," he said.

New recruit James Harden scored 25 points and Joel Embiid added 22.

Western conference leaders the Phoenix Suns completed a late comeback to beat the New York Knicks 115-114.

Cameron Johnson scored a career-high 38 points for Phoenix and it was his three-pointer in the final seconds that gave his side the win.

Elsewhere, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 34 points and recorded his sixth double-double in a row to see the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Chicago Bulls 118-112.

The Orlando Magic ended a nine-game losing streak with a 103-97 win against the Toronto Raptors, while the Houston Rockets continued their own losing streak - it now stands at 12 games - after going down 116-101 against the Denver Nuggets. DeMarcus Cousins' 31 points for the Nuggets was his best return of the season.

The Detroit Pistons overcame the Indiana Pacers 111-106, the New Orleans Pelicans breezed past the Utah Jazz by 124 points to 90, for a fourth consecutive victory, the Atlanta Hawks beat the Washington Wizards 117-114 and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 138-101.

BBC
 
Kyrie Irving racked up a season-high 50 points as his Brooklyn Nets side ended a four-game losing run with a 132-121 win away to the Charlotte Hornets.

The 29-year-old, whose gametime has been limited by his decision not to take a Covid vaccine, landed nine of his 12 three-point attempts.

Elsewhere Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 39 points as the Milwaukee Bucks won 142-115 at the Oklahoma City Thunder.

A fifth successive win makes the Bucks the Eastern Conference's in-form team.


Antetokounmpo was supported by Khris Middleton, who added 25 points and nine assists for the 2021 champions.

Actor Will Ferrell appeared on court during the Golden State Warriors' warm-up for their 112-97 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

The star was dressed as Jackie Moon, his character from the 2008 film Semi-Pro. The film is a favourite of Warriors star Klay Thompson, who watched it regularly during lengthy injury lay-offs.

"He came into the locker room and made the guys laugh," said Warriors coach Steve Kerr.

Will Ferrell and Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson (right) is a big fan of the film Semi Pro and Will Ferrell's character Jackie Moon in particular
"Everybody loved seeing him and hearing from him. He's hilarious. It was just something different."

Elsewhere Deandre Ayton posted 21 points and 19 rebounds as the Phoenix Suns edged out the Orlando Magic 102-99, while the Memphis Grizzlies dominated the New Orleans Pelicans 132-111.

Ja Morant scored 24 points for the Grizzlies with team-mates Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr collecting 22 points each.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/basketball/60673890
 
Kevin Durant scores 53 points and nails late three-pointer as Brooklyn Nets edge New York Knicks

Kevin Durant highlighted a season-high 53-point performance by hitting the tiebreaking three-pointer with 56.3 seconds remaining as the Brooklyn Nets edged the New York Knicks 110-107.

Durant made 19 of 37 shots and his biggest hoop snapped a 103-103 tie. After Goran Dragic's defense forced New York's Julius Randle into a turnover, Durant spotted up from the left wing opposite the Knicks' bench and cleanly hit a three-pointer over RJ Barrett.

Following a timeout, Randle converted a dunk to make it 106-105 with 48.4 seconds left and Durant missed a three-pointer on the next possession. Jericho Sims secured the defensive rebound, giving the Knicks a chance at regaining the lead.

After New York called a timeout, Evan Fournier's pass was intercepted by Bruce Brown with 9.2 seconds left. Durant hit two free throws with 6.6 seconds left after landing on the first row while being fouled by Alec Burks.

Two free throws by Barrett brought the Knicks within 108-107 with 2.6 seconds left. Durant hit two more at the line with 1.8 ticks left and the game ended when Randle fumbled a pass by Barrett at the buzzer.

Durant finished one shy of his career high and also added nine assists. He also broke the franchise record held by John Williamson (1978) for points in a game against the Knicks.

Andre Drummond added 18 points and 10 rebounds as the Nets won their third straight game while unvaccinated Kyrie Irving watched from courtside seats opposite the Brooklyn bench. Brown contributed 15 points and the Nets shot 49.4 per cent.

Randle scored 26 points to lead the Knicks, who lost their sixth straight to Brooklyn and fell to 4-13 in their past 17 contests. Fournier added 25 and Barrett finished with 24 as New York shot 47 per cent.

Having scored the game's first 11 points, Brooklyn took an 88-83 lead into the fourth and Durant hit a pair of jumpers and a lay-up to push their lead to 101-94 with 4:54 remaining.

New York scored the next nine points and grabbed a 103-101 lead on Barrett's lay-up, but a basket by Drummond tied the game with 2:12 left until Durant landed the decisive blow.

https://www.skysports.com/nba/news/...pointer-as-brooklyn-nets-edge-new-york-knicks
 
LeBron James and Anthony Davis returned from injury for the Los Angeles Lakers but could not stop their team losing 114-111 to the New Orleans Pelicans.

The defeat put the Lakers 11th in the Western Conference, which is one place below the play-in tournament spots.

Two teams from both conferences can progress via the play-in places to make it to the end of season play-offs.

James scored 38 points for the Lakers, who lost for a fifth consecutive game.

Davis produced 23 points but the New Orleans Pelicans edged out the win to move to ninth in the Western Conference.

Elsewhere, the Phoenix Suns, who have already secured top place in the Western Conference, suffered a 122-114 defeat by the Memphis Grizzlies, who are in second place.

The Los Angeles Clippers thrashed the Milwaukee Bucks 153-119, with Robert Covington scoring a career-high 43 points for the victors.

Covington hit 11 three-pointers as he helped the Clippers to a franchise-record total during the regular season.

Meanwhile, Stephen Curry is set to miss the rest of the regular season for the Golden State Warriors as he recovers from a foot injury that has seen him sit out of his side's last seven games.

"He will gradually begin individual on-court activities next week, and his eventual return to practice will be based on his continued progress," said the Warriors.

"Our next update on his status will be provided on 11 April."

The Warriors play their final game of the regular season on 10 April against the New Orleans Pelicans.

bbc
 
NBA play-offs: Stephen Curry returns as Golden State Warriors beat Denver Nuggets in game one

Stephen Curry returned from injury to help the Golden State Warriors to an easy 123-107 victory over the Denver Nuggets in their opening game of the NBA play-offs.

Curry had missed the past 12 games with a sprained ankle ligament but added 16 points in 22 minutes off the bench.

Jordan Poole, who started ahead of Curry, led the Warriors with 30 points as he impressed on his play-off debut.

"He's demonstrated he's ready for pretty much any moment," said Curry.

Warriors team-mate Klay Thompson added: "He's just incredible. What a star in the making."

Poole's total tied him with Hall of Famer Mitch Richmond for the second-highest scoring play-off debut in Warriors' history, with Wilt Chamberlain holding the record of 35, set in 1960.

Nikola Jokic registered 25 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for the Nuggets.

Game two of the best-of-seven first round series is on Monday.

Elsewhere in the Western Conference post-season, the Utah Jazz took advantage of Luka Doncic's absence to defeat the Dallas Mavericks 99-93.

Donovan Mitchell scored 32 points while Bojan Bogdanovic added 26 as the Jazz took an early series lead back to Salt Lake City.

Doncic was ruled out of the game with a calf strain, and it is as yet unknown if he will be fit to return for Monday's game two.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, who qualified through the play-ins, stunned the Memphis Grizzlies 130-117 in their series opener, while in the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers recorded their first win over the Toronto Raptors this season with a 131-111 play-off opening victory.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/61132505
 
NBA play-offs: Jayson Tatum gives Boston Celtics win as Kyrie Irving gesture sparks controversy

Jayson Tatum scored on the buzzer to give the Boston Celtics a 115-114 victory over the Brooklyn Nets in their opening NBA play-off game.

Tatum scored 31 points as the Eastern Conference second seeds held off a fourth-quarter comeback by the Nets.

The Celtics lead 1-0 in the best-of-seven first-round series.

Kyrie Irving, who hit 39 points for the Nets against his former team, raised his middle finger to the Boston crowd during the third quarter.

Following his acrimonious departure from the Celtics in 2019, Irving has had a tense relationship with their fans, who booed him throughout the game.

Irving, 30, defended his response to the Celtic fans, adding: "I'm used to all these antics.

"It's nothing new when I come into this building [in terms of] what it's going to be like - but it's the same energy they have for me, I'm going to have the same energy for them.

"It's not about the fans - the fans aren't playing."

There were opening wins too for defending champions the Milwaukee Bucks, the Miami Heat and the Phoenix Suns.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of three nominees for this season's NBA Most Valuable Player award, led the Bucks as they beat the Chicago Bulls 93-86.

The Heat, who are Eastern Conference top seeds, dominated the Atlanta Hawks 115-91 and the Suns, the Western Conference top seeds, defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 110-99.

In Boston, the hosts trailed the Nets 114-111 with 45.9secs left thanks to a three-pointer by Irving.

But a Jaylen Brown layup cut the lead and after Kevin Durant missed a three-pointer, Tatum took a Marcus Smart pass to get the match-winning score.

"When he took that dribble, we just kind of made eye contact and he made a great pass and I just had to make a layup," Tatum said.

In Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo had 27 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Bucks to victory, although foul trouble kept him on the bench for much of the fourth quarter.

Centre Nikola Vucevic led the Bulls with 24 points and 17 rebounds.

Miami Heat reserve Duncan Robinson scored a career play-off high of 27 points as his side put in a strong defensive display.

Robinson hit eight out of nine three-pointers while Jimmy Butler added 21 points and PJ Tucker notched 16 as the Hawks and star guard Trae Young struggled.

And veteran point guard Chris Paul scored 19 of his 30 points in the second half as the Suns, who finished the regular season with the best record in the league, led from start to finish against the Pelicans.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/61138366
 
Jalen Brunson scored a career-high 41 points to help the Dallas Mavericks beat Utah Jazz and level their NBA play-off series at 1-1.

In the absence of injured star Luka Doncic, German Maxi Kleber added 25 points off the bench for a 110-104 win in the best-of-seven series.

In Monday's other play-off games, the Philadelphia 76ers went 2-0 up on Toronto after a 112-97 victory.

And Golden State beat Denver 126-106 to lead their series by the same score.

Brunson kick-started a 10-0 Dallas run to put the Mavs 96-93 ahead with five minutes and 40 seconds remaining in Texas.

Although Utah scored the next five points, Kleber made back-to-back three-pointers for a 102-98 Dallas lead and the Jazz never matched them again.

The Mavericks made a team-record 22 three-pointers but committed only three turnovers, tying an NBA play-off record.

"We needed this win," Brunson said. "I just tried to go out there and have fun. I'm just being aggressive, trying to make plays, trying to engage multiple people, trying to create problems. Just playing my game.

"We've just got to keep playing together, no matter what. We're just taking one game at a time. This was great, but we've got to look forward."

In San Francisco, Golden State finished the second quarter on a 26-8 run over the last seven minutes for a 57-51 half-time lead.

They took control in the third quarter, leading 101-81 entering the fourth, and cruised to victory.

All-Star guard Stephen Curry, coming off the bench in his second game back from a foot injury, scored 34 points while Jordan Poole had 29 points and Klay Thompson 21.

Serbian centre Nikola Jokic, last season's NBA MVP, led Denver with 26 points but was ejected after a second technical foul with seven minutes remaining.

Philadelphia's win in their home game gave coach Doc Rivers his 100th career NBA play-off triumph.

Cameroonian centre Joel Embiid finished with game highs of 31 points and 11 rebounds while Tyrese Maxey contributed 23 points, nine rebounds and a game-high eight assists.

"We've got it all. We've just got to put it all together on the floor," Embiid said. "We have to keep playing the way we've been playing. We know what we've got to do. We've just got to execute."

The 2022 NBA MVP finalist suffered a right elbow injury late in the third quarter but played to the finish.

"It was pretty sore," he said. "But it's the play-offs. Got to fight through it."

BBC
 
NBA: Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving fined for obscene gestures and bad language

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving has been fined $50,000 (£38,000) by the NBA for "making obscene gestures on court and directing profane language to the stands" in their opening play-off game.

The incidents occurred during the Nets' 115-114 defeat at the Boston Celtics on Sunday.

The Boston crowd constantly booed Irving, 30, and he responded by swearing and raising his middle finger.

Irving spent two years in Boston before an acrimonious departure in 2019.

Irving, who scored 39 points at TD Garden, defended his actions after the game, saying: "It's nothing new when I come into this building [in terms of] what it's going to be like - but it's the same energy they have for me, I'm going to have the same energy for them.

"It's not about the fans - the fans aren't playing."

The Nets will hope to even their best-of-seven series when they play game two in Boston on Wednesday.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/61152952
 
Los Angeles Lakers' NBA season was worst in the team's history - Magic Johnson

Earvin 'Magic' Johnson has described this season's performance by the Los Angeles Lakers as "disappointing" and "the worst we've probably ever had in Laker history".

Led by LeBron James, the current squad were expected to win their division and challenge for the 2022 NBA title, having won the championship in 2020.

However, they lost 49 of their 82 games and failed to make the play-offs.

Johnson told BBC Sport the Lakers' final league position was unacceptable.

"We're very disappointed here in Los Angeles. All Laker fans around the world are disappointed," said Johnson, who won five NBA titles at the Lakers in the 1980s.

"This is the worst season we probably ever had in Laker history.

"When you have four Hall of Famers, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook [there] is no way you should miss the play-offs. So it's a disappointing season."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/61162608
 
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