Kawhi Leonard Praised by NBA Twitter Despite Clippers' Loss to Jayson Tatum, Celtics
Dec 30, 2022
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 29: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket during the game against the Boston Celtics on December 29, 2022 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard enjoyed one of his best games of the season Thursday thanks to 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting, but the Boston Celtics held off a late Clips charge to earn a 116-110 home win.
Leonard missed all of last season with a partial tear of his right ACL. He returned for this season's opener and played 21 minutes before taking one game off and suiting up for 21 more minutes in the Clippers' third matchup of the season.
However, Leonard then missed his team's next 12 games due to right knee injury management. He returned to the lineup on Nov. 17 and averaged 23 minutes over the next three matchups but then missed six more games due to a right ankle sprain.
Leonard struggled over his first eight games, averaging 11.6 points on 39.8 percent shooting in 25.0 minutes.
But he's looked far more like his superstar self of late, averaging 22.3 points on 51.5 percent shooting, 7.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 31.8 minutes per game in his last six matchups entering the Celtics game.
He kept the good vibes rolling Thursday with 15 points and six rebounds in the first half to keep L.A. in the game. The Clippers held a one-point lead going into the fourth quarter, but the Celtics were too strong down the stretch en route to the win.
Still, this was an encouraging result for the Clippers as Leonard continued to roll and L.A. went blow-for-blow with the team sporting the NBA's best record.
Twitter recognized Leonard's superb evening.
Kawhi Leonard with another solid performance in a season-high 37 minutes:
The Clippers are certainly happy to see Leonard on the court and thriving. Despite the loss, they are 11-4 with him and 10-12 without him this season.
They'll return to the court Saturday when they visit the Indiana Pacers.
Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown Praised for Dominance as Celtics Beat Clippers
Dec 30, 2022
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 09: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics low-fives Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics as he enters the court during the first quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at TD Garden on November 09, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
Thursday's game between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers featured a battle between two of the best dynamic duos in the NBA, and the young Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown managed to outlast the veteran Clippers pair of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Tatum and Brown scored 29 points apiece to lead the Celtics to a 116-110 victory in front of home fans at TD Garden. Tatum also finished with a team-high 11 rebounds. Leonard had 26 points and George notched 24 for the Clippers in the loss.
Boston's tandem appeared to be amped up for Thursday's clash of superstar wings and answered the bell with strong play on both ends of the floor. Tatum and Brown are players on the ascent, and they continued to prove their prowess with a statement victory over a Clippers team that beat them by 20 earlier this month.
NBA Twitter liked what it saw from Tatum and Brown, praising the duo for another impressive showing:
Tatum and Brown took the last battle of the wings outcome personal and came in on business! Let’s see if they finish the job….
After improving to 25-10, Boston maintains its spot atop the Eastern Conference. With Tatum and Brown leading the way, the Celtics look primed for another run to the NBA Finals.
Boston will look for a fifth straight win when it visits the Denver Nuggets (22-12) on New Year's Day.
Report: Pistons' Killian Hayes, Magic's Moe Wagner, More Suspended for Fight
Dec 30, 2022
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 28: Moritz Wagner #21 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against Killian Hayes #7 of the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena on December 28, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
There was no shortage of discipline in the aftermath of Wednesday's scuffle during the game between the Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons.
The NBA announced Thursday that Killian Hayes and Hamidou Diallo of the Pistons were suspended for three games and one game, respectively, while Moritz Wagner of the Magic was suspended for two games.
Cole Anthony, Mo Bamba, Wendell Carter Jr., R.J. Hampton, Gary Harris, Kevon Harris, Franz Wagner and Admiral Schofield of the Magic were all suspended for one game.
"The incident began when Wagner, who was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected, committed an unsportsmanlike act when he pushed Hayes into the Detroit bench while both players were pursuing a loose ball," the announcement read.
"Diallo, who received a technical foul and was ejected, continued the altercation when he pushed Wagner from behind. Hayes then escalated the altercation when he punched Wagner in the back of the head. Hayes was given a technical foul and ejected."
Diallo will sit out Friday's game against the Chicago Bulls. That is also the game Hayes' three-game suspension will begin.
Wagner's two-game penalty will start with Friday's contest against the Washington Wizards, but the rest of the suspensions will be staggered so the team has enough players to take the court.
The altercation overshadowed the game, but the Pistons earned the 121-101 victory. Of the ejected trio, Diallo had the biggest impact with 11 points and five rebounds off the bench before the incident in the second quarter.
The game was never really in doubt for the home team, which jumped out to a 19-point halftime lead and never looked back. Alec Burks led the way with 32 points, while Saddiq Bey stuffed the stat sheet with 28 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Detroit snapped a six-game losing streak with the win, although it is just 9-28 on the campaign and looks nothing like a contender in the Eastern Conference.
Orlando doesn't either at 13-23, although it has played better of late after an abysmal 5-20 start to the season.
LA Insider: Lakers Should Trade LeBron James After Latest Comments
Dec 30, 2022
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 27: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Orlando Magic during the third quarter at Amway Center on December 27, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Lakers star LeBron James made it clear following Wednesday's loss to the Miami Heat that he doesn't want to continue playing losing basketball.
Those comments have led Lakers columnist Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times to write that the Purple and Gold should trade James instead of meeting his demands to upgrade the roster in a meaningful way, which almost surely would cost the franchise its 2027 and 2029 first-round draft picks.
Plaschke wrote:
It has long been believed the Lakers wouldn't have the brashness to make such a deal. But now he's given them a reason. They're not dumping a legend, they're simply abiding by his request, which changes the scenario completely.
Seriously, how much longer can they believe that James is still capable of leading a young core into the playoffs? When are they finally going to admit that James is a wasted talent without contributions from Davis, and when are they going to realize Davis might never be a consistent star again?
Continuing to build a team around James with the expectation that he is still capable of carrying a team of role players to a title is the definition of insanity.
The Lakers dropped to 14-21 with Wednesday's loss, and they sit 13th in the Western Conference as they continue to plummet in the standings in the absence of star center Anthony Davis.
After the game, James told reporters he doesn't want to finish his career "playing at this level from a team aspect." He added:
I'm a winner, and I want to win. And I want to win and give myself a chance to win and still compete for championships. That has always been my passion. That has always been my goal since I entered the league as an 18-year-old kid out of Akron, Ohio.
And I know it takes steps to get there, but once you get there and know how to get there, playing basketball at this level just to be playing basketball is not in my DNA. It's not in my DNA anymore. So we'll see what happens and see how fresh my mind stays over the next couple years.
This is the second straight season the Lakers have underperformed. During the 2021-22 campaign, the Purple and Gold finished 11th in the Western Conference with a 33-49 record and missed the playoffs.
James, who will turn 38 on Friday, might feel like the Lakers are wasting what little time he has left in the NBA. The four-time MVP is looking to win his fifth NBA title, and that doesn't look like it's going to happen in L.A.
James, in his 20th NBA season, has played well, averaging 27.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 27 games while shooting 49.8 percent from the floor and 29.7 percent from deep.
However, the Lakers couldn't build a contending roster around James and Davis during the offseason because of their contracts and that of Russell Westbrook. So, the Purple and Gold was left with mediocre talent to fill out the remaining spots.
That being said, James isn't solely to blame for L.A.'s struggles. When the team had a solid roster in 2019-20, James delivered, helping lead the Lakers to their first NBA title since 2010.
If the Lakers were going to entertain the idea of trading James, it's unclear what the franchise would expect for him. Typically, a player of James' caliber would fetch a haul, but if he demands a trade, the franchise won't have much leverage.
Additionally, James is under contract through the 2024-25 campaign after agreeing to a two-year, $97.1 million extension with the Lakers in August. That contract would be a lot for many contending teams.
Report: Alex Rodriguez, Marc Lore Exercise Option to Buy Next 20% of T-Wolves, Lynx
Dec 30, 2022
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 12: Owners, Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate winning against the LA Clippers after the 2022 Play-In Tournament on April 12, 2022 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore reportedly have taken another step toward assuming ownership of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx.
According to The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski and Shams Charania, Rodriguez and Lore exercised their option to purchase the next 20 percent of the franchises, which is a continuation of their three-step plan.
Rodriguez and Lore reached an agreement in 2021 to buy the teams in installments. They faced a Saturday deadline to inform majority owner Glen Taylor that they exercised the option, and now they have until March 15 to secure the next 20 percent. They will then have until Dec. 31, 2023, to purchase another 40 percent of the team.
If either of the next two payments are missed, Taylor will have the right to "nullify the succession plan" while retaining Lore and Rodriguez as limited partners, per Krawczynski and Charania. The duo reportedly has been in regular contact with Taylor, who acts as a mentor to them as he prepares to relinquish control of the Timberwolves, a team he's been the majority owner of since 1994.
For their part, Lore and Rodriguez have "privately expressed confidence to people within the organization, Taylor included, that everything is on track to be completed."
Krawczynski and Charania noted that Lore and Rodriguez have already undertaken more influence than limited partners usually do since they joined the ownership group last year, pointing to their roles in recruiting Tim Connelly away from the Denver Nuggets to become Minnesota's president of basketball operations. They also reportedly were consulted on the contract extension for Lynx head coach and president Cheryl Reeve.
The Timberwolves are in 11th place in the Western Conference with a 16-19 record. Minnesota will return to action on Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks (22-12). The Lynx finished the 2022 season with a 14-22 record and fell short of the playoffs.
Victor Wembanyama: Tanking by NBA Teams 'Unreasonable' and 'Weird Strategy'
Dec 30, 2022
"All Star France" French Victor Wembanyama slam dunks during a match between "All Star France" and "All Star World" as part of the All Star Game LNB basketball event at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris on December 29, 2022. - The All Star Game of the French National Basketball League (Ligue Nationale de Basket - LNB) is an exhibition match between a team of the best French players and a team of the best international players of France's Elite basketball league. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP) (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images)
Victor Wembanyama hasn't even hit an NBA court yet, but he's already being labeled a generational talent.
Because of the Frenchman's insane talent that has drawn rave reviews from the likes of LeBron James and Stephen Curry, the idea of teams tanking to improve their chances of selecting him with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA draft has been a hot topic this year.
Wembanyama, however, expressed confusion about the tanking approach in an interview with Le Parisien.
"Tanking? It's a weird strategy," Wembanyama said. "I find it unreasonable, and I try not to think about it. I also heard that the NBA considered changing a few rules for me, but that doesn't concern me."
Wembanyama is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, topping the likes of Scoot Henderson and Amen Thompson.
The 19-year-old is 7-foot-2, has a wingspan of nearly eight feet and can play any position on the court. His combination of size, shooting and skill makes him one of the most desirable prospects the league has seen in a long time.
Wembanyama's talents were on full display in the United States for the first time in October when Metropolitans 92 met the G League Ignite in the Las Vegas showcase. He finished the first matchup with 37 points, four rebounds, one steal and five blocks, and the second game with 36 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, one steal and four blocks.
In an interview with Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press in October, Wembanyama stated that while he has drawn inspiration from some of the NBA's best players, such as Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, he's excited to carve out his own path at the next level:
I'm gonna tell you something that's been going on in my life, like for my whole life, since I've been a kid, even before I played basketball. I've always tried to do [something] different. I'm not even talking about sports, whatever. Any field, I'm always trying to be original, something original, something one of one, something that's never been done before. And this is really how it worked in my life. I don't know where it comes from. I think I was born with it. I've always been trying to be original. Unique, that's the word.
Entering Thursday's slate, the Detroit Pistons (9-28), Charlotte Hornets (9-26), Houston Rockets (11-23), and San Antonio Spurs (10-24) had the best odds of winning the NBA draft lottery.
There's still plenty of season left, and the odds for those teams could obviously change. But if the NBA finds out teams are deliberately losing games in an attempt to secure the No. 1 overall pick and a shot at Wembanyama, there's a chance it can hand down some significant punishment.
sleepers—rostered in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues, per FantasyPros—
Stein: NBA GM Says 'Nothing Will Ever Change' with Current Tampering Penalties
Dec 26, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks is guarded by De'Anthony Melton #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter of the game at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NBA executives don't expect tampering to ever be a legitimate concern among teams given the relatively minor penalties for the infraction.
"If second-round picks are the only punishment, nothing will ever change," a general manager told NBA writer Marc Stein in the wake of the New York Knicks being docked a 2025 second-rounder by the league for holding free-agent talks with Jalen Brunson before they were permitted this summer.
It's unlikely that the Knicks will shed too many tears over losing a second-round pick in exchange for getting the jump on signing Brunson, who has been excellent for them (20.2 PPG, 6.6 APG) this season.
The NBA said the Knicks cooperated with its investigation into the team's pursuit of Brunson and the eventual four-year, $104 million contract the two sides agreed upon over the summer.
Per Zach Braziller of the New York Post, there were a "myriad of connections" between the Knicks and Brunson, including the fact that his "father, Rick, was hired to join Thibodeau's staff in June, he has known Thibodeau since he was a kid and his agent, Sam Rose, is the son of Knicks president Leon Rose. Leon Rose once represented Brunson before taking over the Knicks, and also repped his father when he was a player."
The NBA's investigation reportedly looked into the hiring of Brunson's father to Thibodeau's staff and also the team's signing of Isaiah Hartenstein to a two-year, $16 million deal, though the team was cleared of any potential wrongdoing in those inquiries.
The Knicks weren't alone. The NBA took away second-round picks from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2023 and 2024 after finding that they committed tampering infractions by holding early free-agent discussions with P.J. Tucker and Danuel House Jr., who both signed with the team.
Last season, the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls lost second-round picks for tampering violations.
While tampering rules prohibit teams from speaking to prospective free agents before a set date each offseason, complex free agent deals seem to quickly and mysteriously be reported on as finalized within minutes of free agency officially beginning each and every summer.
"There's not a team in this league that follows the tampering rules to a T," a front-office executive told Sarah Todd of the Deseret News in August. "But there are 30 teams in this league that find ways around the rules every day."
Even tougher punishments might not change the culture of tampering, however.
"The threat of harsher penalties and random audits doesn't even make teams flinch," a league office source told Todd. "And at this point, if we investigated every possible instance of tampering, the whole league would come to a screeching halt and nothing would ever get done."
Heat's Bam Adebayo Out vs. Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves with Non-COVID Illness
Dec 26, 2022
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 05: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on December 05, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo will miss Monday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a non-COVID-19 illness.
Adebayo is averaging a career-high 20.8 points along with 9.8 rebounds and 0.6 blocks.
His value to the team is evident in how much the offense falls off when he's on the bench. Miami has a 112.2 offensive rating with the 2019-20 All-Star on the court and a 102.1 offensive rating when he's out, per NBA.com.
Compounding matters, the Heat confirmed their backup center, Dewayne Dedmon, is dealing with a foot injury that will keep him out of the lineup against Minnesota.
Karl-Anthony Towns is out for the Timberwolves with a right calf strain, but they'll still have Rudy Gobert at their disposal inside. It will presumably be Orlando Robinson's duty to neutralize the 7'1" Frenchman.
Gobert had four points and didn't attempt a field goal when Minnesota earned a 105-101 win over Miami on Nov. 21. He might find life a lot easier in the return game.
The Heat have dropped two straight games, putting them ninth in the Eastern Conference at 16-17. Avoiding a third successive defeat might be difficult without Adebayo.
NBA Scout: Don't Pass on Victor Wembanyama at No. 1 in 2023 Draft over Injury Concern
Dec 26, 2022
LEVALLOIS - PERRET, FRANCE - DECEMBER 11: Victor Wembanyama (1) in action during the French National Basketball League (LNB) game between the Metropolitans 92 and the AS Monaco at Palais des sports Marcel-Cerdan on December 11, 2022 in Levallois - Perret, France. (Photo by Glenn Gervot/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Though fans might worry about Victor Wembanyama's injury risk because of his slender 7'2" frame, NBA scouts aren't concerned about the clear top prospect in the 2023 NBA draft.
"Some people compared his physique with Chet Holmgren, but Victor's shoulders and frame are better," a scout told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. "You don't pass on him [at] No. 1 because you're worried about an injury at his size."
Wembanyama has caught the attention of nearly everyone in NBA circles, with even current stars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo praising the top prospect. The versatile player has an impressive handle for his size and can score in different ways while remaining an elite shot-blocker.
The upside is enough to overlook nearly any risk, making him a near-lock to go No. 1 overall in the June draft.
At just 229 pounds, durability could still be an issue in his career. Chet Holmgren (7'0", 195 lbs) will miss the entire 2022-23 season because of a foot injury after being taken No. 2 overall in the last draft. Kristaps Porziņģis (7'3", 240 lbs) has also been limited by injuries throughout his career, playing fewer than 60 games in six straight years.
Wembanyama will hope for better injury luck once he reaches the NBA.
