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.
James Harden, Joel Embiid Light Up Twitter on Christmas as 76ers Roll Past Knicks
Dec 25, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers walks to the bench during the first quarter of the game against the New York Knicks 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)
The NBA's hottest team resides in Philadelphia.
Joel Embiid had 35 points and James Harden added a 29-point, 13-assist double-double as the 76ers came from behind to earn a 119-112 win over the New York Knicks on Christmas Day at Madison Square Garden.
The Sixers have reeled off eight straight wins, tied with the Brooklyn Nets for the longest streak in the NBA.
FINAL: Sixers 119, Knicks 112.
The first quarter was horrific. The second was up-and-down. The third and fourth were remarkable.
The Sixers win on Christmas Day thanks to utter dominance from both Joel Embiid and James Harden.
I get the Sixers still have a ways to go to prove themselves as true contenders but BY FAR the biggest takeaway from the winning streak has been James Harden and Joel Embiid flourishing on the court together
Sunday's Christmas matinee did not start the way Philly hoped, as the Knicks got off to a red-hot start and led by as many as 14 points in the first half. Embiid sleepwalked through a quiet first quarter before finally turning it on late in the second, scoring seven points in the final two minutes, nine seconds to help the Sixers pull within three at the break.
The margin closed to one by the end of the third quarter, with Harden taking on a starring role thanks to a series of jaw-dropping threes. His 29 points were his most in more than two months, while his five threes tied a season high.
Sixers' defense has been disgusting today but Embiid and Harden have been about as good as they can possibly play on offense for last quarter and a half
Dreadful over the first three quarters, the Philadelphia defense finally locked in during the fourth, limiting the Knicks to just 16 points.
New York has dropped three straight since its own eight-game winning streak. The Knicks are now just 0.5 games from dropping back into the play-in picture.
The Sixers (20-12) would be the East's No. 5 seed if the season ended today.
Jalen Brunson, Knicks Ripped by NBA Twitter for Blowing Late Lead vs. Bulls
Dec 24, 2022
Chicago Bulls' DeMar DeRozan, third from right,, reacts after hitting the winning basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The New York Knicks were tied with or leading the Chicago Bulls for all but four-tenths of a second in the second half Friday.
However, that's all the Bulls needed as DeMar DeRozan knocked down the game-winning jumper in the final second to lead his team to a 118-117 road win over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
It was a devastating loss for the Knicks, who wasted a season-high 44 points from RJ Barrett and a 29-point, 12-rebound outing from Julius Randle. The Knicks have dropped to 18-15 with their second consecutive loss after an eight-game winning streak.
This was a tough offensive night for Jalen Brunson, who shot 5-of-15 en route to 12 points. He dished out nine assists but also missed three of his four free throws, including a pair with 6.1 seconds remaining while the Knicks were up 117-116. DeRozan played some mind games with the 89.1 percent free-throw shooter beforehand.
DeRozan tried getting in Brunson's head to ice the game 🍿
Brunson went to the line with the Knicks up 117-116 and missed both FTs 😬 https://t.co/tkPv7x9lSK
Regardless of whether that had an effect on Brunson, the Knicks didn't make enough stops or shots down the stretch to win.
Quentin Grimes also missed a pair of free throws when the Knicks were up 115-112 a minute earlier. He shot just 3-of-11 from the field and served as the primary defender on DeRozan on the last shot after a switch. Guarding DeRozan in the mid-range is tough for anyone, though, and the longtime NBA veteran got the job done.
Brunson and Grimes have both played pivotal roles in helping the Knicks turn their season around after a sluggish 10-13 start, with the former arguably serving as the team's MVP this year after signing as a free agent from the Dallas Mavericks.
Still, this was a tough loss to stomach. NBA Twitter took notice, with some fans lamenting the loss and Brunson's late-game performance and others looking at the bigger picture.
Jalen Brunson shocked me tonight. He crumbled under pressure. That better be an anomaly
#Knicks fans turning on Brunson already, they turn on any1 that’s not a draft pick of theirs then wonder why no star wants to play for them. If I was a NBA star I’d love to come here sparingly, drop 40-50 +win, just to stick it to the most toxic NBA fan base. #antiknickstwitter
Knicks handed the bulls that game, disgusting late game execution, 11 missed freethrows, 4 consecutive missed freethrows with under a minute to go, a missed defensive rebound with seconds to go that lead to a layup. They lost this game 3 times. 18-15 got to win on Xmas
The Knicks will stay home to host the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas Day at noon ET.
Derrick Rose Talks Knicks Trade Rumors, Bulls Jersey Retirement, NBA Ownership, More
Dec 20, 2022
New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose eyes a rebound during an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose sat down with Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic to discuss a host of topics, including adapting to his new role out of the team's rotation, trade rumors and post-career insights such as the possibility of the Chicago Bulls retiring his jersey and a desire to become an NBA governor.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau made the decision to move Miles "Deuce" McBride into the rotation off the bench in favor of the 34-year-old, whose NBA accolades include three All-Star Game appearances and the 2010-11 NBA MVP award.
It's an unusual role for Rose, who has always carved out a niche wherever he's gone despite dealing with significant injuries that curbed his sky-high ceiling when the Bulls selected him No. 1 overall in the 2008 NBA draft out of Memphis.
Still, Rose is taking the decision in stride, even though he made clear that he still wants to play.
"I've learned a simple lesson: Still being here," Rose said in part.
"For one, I'm very appreciative to understand my role. I'm not here for entitlement, I'm not here feeling like I need minutes or anything like that. I'm just here to win and try to help the young guys out. I never thought I'd be in this position. I never thought I'd be playing this many years."
Rose has been out of the rotation for seven games. He played three minutes and 31 seconds at the end of the Knicks' 114-91 road win over the Bulls on Dec. 16 and received thunderous applause from his old home fans when he entered the game and hit a three-pointer.
Born and raised in Chicago, Rose led the Bulls to their best season (2010-11) since the end of the Michael Jordan era. Chicago finished first in the Eastern Conference behind Rose's MVP season but lost to LeBron James and the Miami Heat in the conference finals.
He's still a legend in Chicago, however, and Charania brought up the possibility of his No. 1 being retired. Rose, who noted that he shies away from the fame, said in part:
"It's kind of awkward, where I feel it will be cool for my family to come to a jersey retirement ceremony like that. But I think about what would I have to say while I'm on the court. It's kind of weird. I'm there, but I think about, 'Damn, I'm going to have to speak to everybody at the celebration.' That's what I think about because I don't always like that moment."
For now, Rose still plays for a Knicks team that has won seven straight to move to 17-13 on the year. He holds a mentorship role for the young guards on the team (McBride, Jalen Brunson, Immanuel Quickley) despite being out of the rotation but noted that he's still prepared to return if his number is called.
"No, I want to play," Rose said. "But at the same time, there's still a lot of basketball left. Thibs (and I) always talk about it—he always says this is the bottom of the mountain, we got a whole mountain to climb. I just got to make sure that I'm always prepared."
Rose's name has popped up in traderumors and speculation, though, but he noted that the team has kept the lines of communication clear with him.
"The team is keeping communications open with me: When they told me I don't think that they want to move me like that, they know that I have a lot left, and they love my connection and relationship that I have with all of the players on the team," Rose said.
We'll find out if the Knicks decide to move Rose with the Feb. 9 trade deadline approaching, but as far as any post-career moves go, Rose appears interested in joining an ownership team.
"I'm into ownership," Rose said. "I feel like I saved up enough. It's not like I need a loan—I'm good. So I'm waiting. I'm waiting for my time."
For now, the Knicks will look for their eighth straight win when they host the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday evening.
Celtics' Al Horford Fined $25K for 'Excessive Contact' on Magic's Mo Wagner
Dec 18, 2022
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 27: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the Washington Wizards on November 27, 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)
The NBA announced Sunday it fined Boston Celtics star Al Horford $25,000 for "unnecessary and excessive contact" to the lower body of Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner.
Horford was ejected in the third quarter of Boston's 117-109 loss to the Magic on Friday after being assessed with a Flagrant-2 foul. He was jostling for position with Wagner on an inbounds play when he swung his right elbow toward Wagner's groin.
Celtics star Jayson Tatum criticized the decision to eject Horford and called it "unbelievable," especially since Wagner was whistled for a foul as he was engaged with Horford:
I couldn't believe Al got thrown out of the game. I didn't think that was warranted, especially once they went to go review and they saw that Mo fouled him first. That's why I got to shoot free throws. So I mean, sometimes guy get tired of people grabbing on him and the ref not seeing it, so (expletive) as a grown man, you take it into his own hands and get somebody up off of you, and that's all he did, just got him up off him because he was getting fouled.
Boston and Horford are fortunate to a degree the NBA decided against suspending him and only issued a fine. His ejection already carried a cost to the team, though.
The Celtics trailed by 10 points, 66-56, when the five-time All-Star was sent to the locker room. Wagner sank two free throws for the flagrant foul to make it a 12-point game, leaving Joe Mazzulla's squad with a hefty deficit to overcome without its starting center.
Horford will at least be able to suit up for Sunday's rematch with the Magic at home inside TD Garden.
Nets' Kevin Durant Told Jacque Vaughn to Let Kyrie Irving Take Game-Winner vs Raptors
Dec 17, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 12: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates with Kevin Durant #7 after scoring against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on December 12, 2022 in Washington, DC. 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 Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving made his first career game-winning buzzer-beater in Friday's thrilling 119-116 victory over the Toronto Raptors, but the original plan wasn't for him to take the shot.
Nets star forward Kevin Durant revealed to reporters after the game that head coach Jacque Vaughn had drawn up a play for him during the team's final timeout, but he suggested that the ball should go to Irving.
"He was already cooking, so I didn't want to get in his way," Durant said. "We kept finding him late in the game. He made some big shots, and I was just like, 'Jacque, I think Ky should take this one."
The suggestion from Durant paid off, as Irving drilled a step-back three-pointer over Raptors guard Fred VanVleet to propel Brooklyn to its fifth straight win and ninth in the last 10 games. Durant explained that he knew Irving would get a good look at the basket "especially" because he was being guarded by VanVleet.
"I'm not saying he's a bad defender, but they're the same size," he said of the 6'2" Irving and the 6'0" VanVleet. "He didn't have a 6'9" [Scottie] Barnes or a 6'5" guy on him that had size, so I felt he could get whatever he want there, and I also felt like they wasn't going to run and double him either at the top of the key because he obviously could just beat that. So they let him play one-on-one, and it was a special, special shot."
Irving finished with a team-high 32 points on 13-of-22 shooting, his third 30-point performance in his last four games. The 30-year-old is now averaging 25.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists this season.
"It just comes with the trust that we're building here," Irving said of his game-winner. "Jacque had a play call that we were about to go execute, and me and K had some dialogue and we decided to run the play for me. A good matchup versus Fred. We just got the better of him that one time."
After some early-season tumult—most notably during Irving's suspension for promoting an antisemitic film and initially refusing to apologize—the Nets appear to have found the form necessary to be a contender in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn will go for its sixth straight win Sunday against the Detroit Pistons (8-23).
Joel Embiid's Brilliance Loved by NBA Twitter as 76ers Beat Steph Curry-Less Warriors
Dec 17, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 16: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors on December 16, 2022 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers won their fourth straight game with a 118-106 victory over the Stephen Curry-less Golden State Warriors on Friday at Wells Fargo Center.
Jordan Poole's 29-point night wasn't enough for the Warriors as the duo of Joel Embiid and James Harden took over down the stretch.
Embiid finished with 34 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks in 36 minutes. He made 11-of-23 shots from the floor and 2-of-3 shots from deep. It was his sixth straight game with 30-plus points.
Harden, meanwhile, finished with 27 points, nine assists and five rebounds in 37 minutes, making 8-of-15 shots from the floor and 4-of-8 shots from behind the arc.
NBA Twitter was quick to praise the veteran big man for his performance against the reigning champions:
Really nice dynamic between Embiid and Harden tonight. Kuminga took Harden to try to contain the ball, and Harden quickly tossed ball-handling duties to Embiid, who has taken the rock down the floor himself the last few trips and gotten the Sixers good looks.
When Embiid plays this well, the Sixers can compete with any team in the NBA. Come the end of the season, the big man might very well be MVP for the first time after finishing second to Nikola Jokić in 2021-22.
The Sixers moved to 16-12 with the win. They'll be back in action at home Monday against the Toronto Raptors.
Knicks Rumors: Some NBA Free Agents Scared of Responsibility to 'Save' NY
Dec 16, 2022
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 14: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles up the court against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center on December 14, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The New York Knicks have made the playoffs just once since the 2012-13 campaign when they reached the Eastern Conference semifinals, and they've been stuck in mediocrity since despite immense pressure to turn things around.
That type of pressure appears to be deterring some free agents from wanting to sign with the Knicks.
"It's almost become a thing around the league; is there a sense of urgency or is it just like every other year? Guys like [playing] there, but at least when it comes to free agents, there's a lot of, is someone gonna come save the Knicks? That scares some guys off."
The Knicks are desperate to make a deep playoff run, which is something they haven't done since they reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2000. They reached the NBA Finals in 1999 but fell to the San Antonio Spurs and haven't won a title since 1973.
While some free agents are reportedly hesitant to sign with the Knicks, the team did manage to land point guard Jalen Brunson in free agency ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. Of course, Brunson's father is an assistant on Tom Thibodeau's staff, but the former Dallas Maverick has spoken openly about not feeling overwhelmed.
"For one, it's not really pressure to me," Brunson told reporters in September of playing in New York. "I'm just going out there and playing basketball the way I've played for a long time. And two, I'm just going to be myself. I'm ready to go. Whatever it takes."
Additionally, if free agents are going to sign in New York, the Knicks are going to explore every available option on the trade market. In fact, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday that the Knicks "have been described by league personnel as one of the more active teams in early trade conversations" this year.
As the franchise searches for upgrades to a roster that has underperformed this season, the Knicks have reportedly made Evan Fournier, Derrick Rose, Cam Reddish and Immanuel Quickley available.
It's unclear what type of return the team could get with those players. However, it has a surplus of draft capital over the next few drafts with nine total first-round picks in the next five drafts, which it could use to land top-tier talent.
If the Knicks are going to part with any of those picks, it must be for a player they believe can help change the trajectory of the franchise, otherwise it would be best to hold onto those picks to land some of the top players in the next several drafts and build for the future.
New York enters Friday's game against the Chicago Bulls sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 15-13 record. Things are trending upward for Thibodeau's squad, which has won five straight games.
76ers' James Harden Says Nets Had 'No Structure' During His Time in Brooklyn
Dec 16, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 13: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 13, 2022 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star guard James Harden gave some insight into why things didn't work out between him and the Brooklyn Nets.
Speaking to Yaron Weitzman of Fox Sports, Harden suggested that he struggled to adapt to a lack of structure within the team: "I don't mean to, like, just down talk to anybody or whatever. It was just, there was no structure and even superstars, they need structure. That's what allows us to be the best players and leaders for our respective organizations."
Harden was traded from the Houston Rockets to the Nets early in the 2020-21 season, with Brooklyn hoping he would be able to form a superteam with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Instead, injuries and inconsistency led to a second-round playoff exit for the Nets that year, and Harden was then traded to the Sixers just prior to the deadline last season for a package headlined by guard Ben Simmons.
Following the trade, the Nets continued to struggle and were swept out of the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics, while Harden and the Sixers lost to the Miami Heat in the second round.
The Nets were on the brink of collapse during the offseason when Durant requested a trade and Irving had the right to opt out of the final year of his contract, but both decided to return for the 2022-23 campaign, and it has worked out well for Brooklyn to the tune of a 17-12 record.
Harden referenced Durant's trade request in the interview with Weitzman, perhaps suggesting that issues within the organization prompted KD to want to leave as well:
"I just feel like, internally, things weren't what I expected when I was trying to get traded there. I think everybody knows that. And I knew people were going to talk and say, 'You quit' and all that stuff, but then the following summer, the other superstar there [Durant] wanted to leave. So it's like: Am I still the quitter?"
A perceived lack of structure may have fallen on the shoulders of head coach Steve Nash, who was given the job in 2020 despite having no previous coaching experience.
The hope was that the two-time NBA MVP would be able to communicate well with star players like Durant, Irving and eventually Harden, but the experiment didn't work out, and Nash was fired in November and replaced by Jacque Vaughn.
While the Nets seem to be finding their stride, there are still major question marks surrounding the Sixers.
Despite being viewed as a top contender in the Eastern Conference entering the season, the 76ers are just 15-12, placing them fifth in the East.
Games missed by key players like Harden, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid have undoubtedly played a role in Philly not playing to its potential, but it is also fair to wonder if Doc Rivers is the right answer at head coach.
Although Rivers is an NBA champion head coach who has rarely been accused of lacking structure, Harden may be running into some similar issues to those he experienced with the Nets under Nash.
76ers' James Harden Says Past 2 Years of NBA Career Were 'Low Point'
Dec 16, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 13: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Wells Fargo Center on December 13, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
James Harden is in a good place right now, but the former NBA MVP was emotionally and physically drained from the previous two seasons.
Speaking to Yaron Weitzman of Fox Sports, Harden called the past two years "a low point" in his career.
"I've never really had to deal with something like that," he added. "My body, mentally, physically … It was a lot going on. I mean, basketball is everything to me."
One of Harden's friends told Yeitzman the 10-time All-Star was "broken" after the Philadelphia 76ers' playoff loss to the Miami Heat.
Harden was acquired by the Sixers in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets prior to the trade deadline. There was hope that pairing him with Joel Embiid would give Philadelphia a spark to advance past the second round of the postseason for the first time since reaching the NBA Finals during the 2000-01 season.
Instead, the loss to Miami became the latest in a long line of playoff disappointments for Harden. He only scored 11 points and took nine shots in a 99-90 loss in Game 6 that clinched the series for the Heat.
The previous two seasons were certainly a whirlwind for Harden. He began the 2020-21 campaign asking for a trade from the Houston Rockets, but it took them until three weeks into the regular season to deal him to the Nets in a four-team deal.
Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were expected to be one of the most dynamic trios in the NBA. They were only able to play in 16 games together because of injuries and health and safety protocols.
A hamstring injury kept Harden out for three games in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks. He attempted to play through the issue, but he only averaged 14.3 points on 30.6 percent shooting in the final three games of the series for the Nets.
Things took a turn for the Nets last season, with Harden and Irving not seeing eye to eye on things. The 33-year-old ultimately wound up in Philadelphia, reuniting with Daryl Morey after their time together with the Rockets.
Harden is still rounding into form after missing 14 games with a tendon strain in his right foot. He is averaging 22.1 points, 10.8 assists and 6.7 rebounds per game in 13 starts. The star point guard has posted double-doubles in each of his past three games.
