Badgers

It is a fair question, and at this point in his career, it is one that deserves a serious conversation.
Here are LeBron&rsquo;s accomplishments with the Los Angeles Lakers so far:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">8 seasons in Los Angeles</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">8&times; All-Star</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">7&times; All-NBA</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">2020 NBA Champion</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">2020 Finals MVP</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">10th in franchise history in points</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">8th in franchise history in assists</li>
</ul>
On paper, that is already a Hall of Fame resume in purple and gold alone.
When LeBron signed with the Lakers in 2018, the franchise was in a transitional phase. The organization had missed the playoffs for five straight seasons and was searching for direction after the Kobe Bryant era. There were questions about whether LeBron came to Los Angeles for basketball reasons or lifestyle reasons. There were doubts about whether he could restore the franchise to championship level in the loaded Western Conference.
Two years later, he delivered a title.
The 2020 championship was not just another ring: it tied the franchise with Boston for the most championships in NBA history at the time. LeBron was the driving force behind that run, earning Finals MVP and leading a Lakers team that dominated both ends of the floor inside the Orlando bubble. In a season filled with uncertainty, tragedy, and unprecedented circumstances, he provided stability and leadership.
That alone carries weight. Statues represent eras, symbolize impact, and they honor moments that define a franchise&rsquo;s history.
LeBron&rsquo;s time in Los Angeles has included historic individual milestones as well. He broke the NBA&rsquo;s all-time scoring record while wearing a Lakers uniform, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in front of a home crowd. Even though the record encompasses his entire career, the moment itself is forever tied to Los Angeles. That image is already frozen in NBA history.
Beyond accolades, there is also the broader impact. LeBron helped restore relevance to the Lakers after years of instability. He attracted star talent, most notably Anthony Davis, and immediately shifted the franchise back into championship conversations. The Lakers returned to national prominence. They returned to deep playoff runs. They returned to the standard their fanbase expects.
But, the counterargument is obvious. The Lakers are the Lakers. This is a franchise with statues of Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O&rsquo;Neal, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Kobe Bryant. The bar in Los Angeles is different. It is not just about winning once. It is about sustained dominance and multiple championships.
LeBron has won one title in eight seasons in LA. There have been injuries. There have been early playoff exits. There have been roster changes and inconsistencies. Compared to some of the legends immortalized outside Crypto.com Arena, his Lakers tenure is shorter and less decorated in terms of championships.
But context matters. He arrived in his 16th season, he did not join in his early twenties. He extended his prime into his late thirties while still performing at an All-NBA level. He carried heavy minutes, led deep playoff runs, and continued to produce at a historic level for his age. Longevity at that level is rare. Doing it under the Lakers spotlight is even rarer.
The question then becomes this: Is a statue reserved strictly for multiple-title legends in Los Angeles, or can it represent transformative impact as well?
LeBron delivered a championship. He brought the franchise back to the top of the league. He broke the all-time scoring record in a Lakers jersey. He made eight All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams in LA. He placed himself in the top ten in franchise history in both points and assists despite joining late in his career.
Whether the organization ultimately decides to build a statue may depend on how the rest of his Lakers chapter unfolds. Another championship would likely remove all doubt. But even as it stands, the case is strong.
LeBron James has added to the Lakers' illustrious history, and the only question left is whether that addition deserves to be cast in bronze.

LeBron James has won a championship, and broken the scoring record with the Lakers. Does he deserve a statue in Los Angeles?

Does LeBron James deserve a statue in Los Angeles?

The New York Knicks have won the 3rd annual Emirates NBA Cup after overcoming the Spurs 124-113, Tuesday night in Las Vegas.
The Knicks showcased a dominant 4th quarter, unleashing in a 35-19 quarter to win the in-season tournament crown and their first-ever NBA Cup title.
The Spurs actually led by 10, 81-71, in the third quarter before the Knicks mounted that huge comeback in the final stanza.&nbsp;
Jordan Clarkson and Tyler Kolek were huge sparks off the bench, scoring 15 and 14 points respectively. Clarkson hit two booming triples that were instrumental in a 10-0 Knicks run and eventually gave them the lead back which they never gave back. Kolek played his part as the main backup ball handler and was even inserted by Mike Brown alongside Jalen Brunson to alleviate him of the ball pressure by the Spurs.
Veteran guard OG Anunoby led all scorers with 28 points, including five made triples, while Brunson for his part, added 25 points and eight assists en route to being named NBA Cup MVP for his performance throughout the tournament.
Seven players scored in double digits for the Spurs, led by Dylan Harper&rsquo;s 21 and Victor Wembanyama&rsquo;s 18, as they end a stellar NBA Cup run as finalists following a huge win in the semifinals over defending NBA Champions Thunder.

The New York Knicks have won the 3rd annual Emirates NBA Cup after overcoming the Spurs 124-113, Tuesday night in Las Vegas.

2025 Emirates NBA Cup: Knicks overcome Spurs to win title

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is poised to return to action after missing multiple games with a left quadriceps contusion and muscle strain, the team announced this week. After roughly a five-game absence, Curry has resumed full practices and is expected to suit up Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Chase Center.
Curry&rsquo;s injury &ndash; suffered on Nov. 26 in a game against the Houston Rockets &ndash; forced him out as the Warriors navigated a stretch of games without their franchise centerpiece. Warrior head coach Steve Kerr described Curry&rsquo;s progress as positive after recent workouts, and the 37-year-old sharpshooter participated in live scrimmages during Wednesday&rsquo;s practice, a critical step toward clearing him to play.
During his absence, Golden State went 3-2, highlighting the team&rsquo;s resilience even without its leading scorer. But Curry&rsquo;s return is expected to bring an offensive jolt &ndash; particularly as the Warriors look to climb the Western Conference standings and find consistency with a full roster.
Curry&rsquo;s workload may be cautiously managed in his first game back, as the Warriors integrate him alongside a crowded backcourt featuring De&rsquo;Anthony Melton, Pat Spencer, Brandin Podziemski and others. Kerr has emphasized the need for chemistry, but also sees depth as a strength moving forward.
With his return imminent, Warriors fans are hopeful that Curry &ndash; still averaging nearly 28 points per game prior to the injury &ndash; will help stabilize Golden State&rsquo;s offense and bolster their competitive push in the middle of the season.

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is poised to return to action after missing multiple games with a left quad strain.

Stephen Curry set to rejoin Warriors after quad injury

The NBA is back, and on ring night, as confetti is prepared and banners await their ascension, the visiting Houston Rockets are walking into Paycom Center not merely as&nbsp; spectators watching the Oklahoma City Thunder raise their championship banner &ndash; but as worthy challengers.
This is no longer a young team simply hoping to develop. The Rockets are here with purpose, power, and one of the greatest scorers of all time leading the charge: Kevin Durant.
When Durant landed in Houston after that stunning trade this summer, it shifted the entire balance of the Western Conference. The message was clear: the Rockets are done waiting for their future. They want to win now, and their time is now.
For years, the Rockets have been stockpiling talent, banking on potential, and emphasizing growth. But after back-to-back seasons of competitiveness under Ime Udoka, the organization decided to accelerate. Durant&rsquo;s arrival changes everything &ndash; from the way Houston runs its offense to the expectations that now hang over the franchise.
Even without Fred VanVleet, who is sidelined with an injury, Houston remains loaded. Instead of patching the gap with another veteran guard, Udoka is doubling down on his young core &ndash; placing immense responsibility on Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun.
The Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun leap
Thompson, now entering his second season, will assume full-time point guard duties. It&rsquo;s a massive leap, but one Udoka and the front office have prepared him for. His athleticism, defensive instincts, and improving court vision make him the natural conductor of this evolving Rockets offense.
If Thompson is the engine, Alperen Sengun is the hub.
Fresh off a spectacular EuroBasket run where he dominated as Turkey&rsquo;s focal point, Sengun looks ready to translate that same control to the NBA stage. His ability to read defenses, pass from both the low and high post, and score efficiently makes him the centerpiece of Udoka&rsquo;s halfcourt schemes.
Much like Nikola Jokic in Denver, everything flows through him. The Rockets are embracing a more fluid, motion-based offense that allows Şeng&uuml;n to survey the floor, dictate movement, and create opportunities for Thompson, Durant, and Jabari Smith Jr.
In essence, Sengun has gone from being an intriguing young big to becoming Houston&rsquo;s offensive cornerstone.
And when paired with Durant &ndash; arguably the most adaptable superstar in basketball &ndash; the synergy could be special. Durant can play off-ball, spot up from midrange, or stretch defenses beyond the arc, allowing Sengun to orchestrate from the elbow area. When defenses collapse on Sengun, Durant punishes them. And if they crowd Durant, Sengun goes to work inside. It&rsquo;s a simple offense but one that is highly efficient and sustainable
Durant&rsquo;s impact: leadership and legacy
For Durant, Houston represents one more opportunity to define his legacy on his own terms.
He&rsquo;s joined superteams before, carried heavy expectations before, and heard the narratives that follow him. At 37, Durant is still elite, still driven, and now in a situation where his influence extends beyond scoring.
In Houston&rsquo;s locker room, he&rsquo;s the standard. His work ethic and professionalism have already rubbed off on the young core. Players like Thompson and Smith Jr. speak openly about the lessons they&rsquo;re learning from him &ndash; how to prepare, how to maintain focus, how to pick your spots on the floor. This team is talented, but Durant&rsquo;s presence gives them identity.
One of the biggest lineups ever assembled, and Reed Sheppard&rsquo;s moment
What&rsquo;s also fascinating about this Rockets team is how physically imposing they&rsquo;ve become. Udoka hinted during media day that Houston might deploy &ldquo;one of the biggest lineups in league history.&rdquo;
He wasn&rsquo;t exaggerating.
Houston has eight players with wingspans over seven feet, including Durant, Smith Jr., Sengun, Thompson, Steven Adams, Tari Eason, Tari Eason, and Josh Okogie.
Against the Thunder, the Rockets are expected to start Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, and Steven Adams &ndash; a massive group that blends size, versatility, and rim protection.
This lineup has the potential to suffocate teams defensively while overwhelming them on the boards. Amen can switch across multiple positions, Sengun and Adams anchor the paint, Smith Jr.&rsquo;s improved awareness allows Houston to maintain spacing even with a traditional center on the floor, and Durant is a sneaky good weakside rim protector.
With VanVleet out, rookie guard Reed Sheppard is set to play a more significant role than expected. Known for his high IQ and fearless shooting, Sheppard could provide the spacing and composure Houston needs from the second unit. In a team filled with stars and length, Sheppard&rsquo;s ability to shoot, defend, and make quick reads could make him the quiet X-factor early in the season.
<h3>&ndash; &ndash; &ndash;</h3>
All eyes will be on Oklahoma City on opening night. The Thunder will celebrate their first championship in franchise history. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the squad will receive their championship rings, sending the crowd in euphoria.
But on the other side, the Rockets are coming to send a message.
They&rsquo;re not intimidated by the defending champions &ndash;&nbsp; they&rsquo;re motivated by them. Houston&rsquo;s front office watched OKC&rsquo;s rise closely: a young, homegrown team built around patience, culture, and development. Now, the Rockets believe they can write their own version of that story, except this time, with the added edge of experience and star power.
If there&rsquo;s ever a statement game to open a season, this is it.
Durant, returning to Oklahoma City where his career began, faces his former team in the most poetic of circumstances &ndash; ring night for the franchise he once led, but with him now wearing Rockets red. It&rsquo;s drama, nostalgia, and rivalry all wrapped into one.
For Houston, it&rsquo;s not just about spoiling a ceremony. It&rsquo;s about announcing themselves as legitimate title contenders. They&rsquo;ve gone all-in on the belief that their young core is ready and that Durant can still be the centerpiece of a championship run. For Ime Udoka, the challenge will be blending experience and youth, ego and development, discipline and creativity.
If it all clicks, Houston could find itself right in the thick of the title race. For a franchise that has waited years for relevance, that has rebuilt patiently and endured countless growing pains, this season is the start of something new.
And it begins under the bright lights in Oklahoma City, where the Rockets will take the floor not as dreamers, but as believers.

With Kevin Durant joining the Houston Rockets, their title expectations have never been higher: the Rockets are going all-in.

Rockets come in season with championship expectations with Kevin Durant

The 2025 NBA preseason begins in style as the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers meet in the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025, marking an international tip-off that mirrors the league&rsquo;s global ambitions.&nbsp;
Set for October 2 and 4 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, the two Eastern Conference contenders will renew one of their classic rivalries far from home. The exhibition will be broadcast on NBA TV and showcases the growing footprint of NBA basketball beyond U.S. borders.&nbsp;
Though officially a preseason game, teams often use the Global Games platform to test rotations, build brand exposure, and engage international fans. For the Knicks, it&rsquo;s the first time playing in the UAE, and for Philadelphia, it&rsquo;s a chance to debut new faces in front of a global crowd.&nbsp;
The Knicks claimed a 99-84 victory in the opener in Abu Dhabi as Mitchell Robinson dominated the glass (16 rebounds), and Miles McBride paced the team with 12 points.&nbsp;
Against a depleted Sixers roster &ndash; missing Joel Embiid, Paul George, and rookie Jared McCain (out with thumb surgery) &ndash; New York capitalized but not without a little scare after Josh Hart suffered in what seems to be a back injury and was ejected after throwing the ball following a tumble.
With Embiid and George out and McCain unavailable, the Sixers turned the spotlight on Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe. However, their shooting struggled, as Philadelphia went just 3-for-35 from three.
The Abu Dhabi Games are one of seven international NBA showcases this season, part of the league&rsquo;s effort to expand into new markets. Hosting marquee franchises outdoors brings stars and spectacle to audiences not often served by in-country league games. The trip includes off-court activations, fan events, and local outreach.
Early games like these can give clues to role players, lineups, and health &ndash; especially for Philly&rsquo;s injured core and New York&rsquo;s new coach and system.

The 2025 NBA preseason begins in style as the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers meet in the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025.

Knicks, Sixers open 2025-2026 NBA season with Abu Dhabi preseason showdown

Fresh off a contract buyout with Portland, free-agent center Deandre Ayton has agreed to a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, which includes a player option for the second season, sources reported via Shams Charania and ESPN.
Ayton, the No. 1 overall pick in 2018, averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks over 40 games last season with Portland, shooting 56.6% from the field. Between his remaining Blazers salary and the Lakers' deal, Ayton will earn roughly $34 million for the upcoming season. He provides Los Angeles with a much-needed lob threat and inside presence to support the Luka Doncic-LeBron James tandem.
Lakers president Rob Pelinka and Ayton&rsquo;s representatives, Nima Namakian and Bill Duffy, finalized the contract quickly once Ayton cleared waivers &ndash; the Lakers had been heavily linked to him amid interest from teams like Indiana and Milwaukee. Analysts noted L.A. used their full mid-level exception (~$16.6M total) to secure him, capping the roster near the second luxury-tax apron.
Despite his efficient play over seven NBA seasons &ndash; averaging 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds &ndash; Ayton's tenure in Portland was marred by locker room concerns, including tardiness, missed flights, and occasional outbursts. The Blazers opted to part ways amid a crowded frontcourt and behavioral red flags.
ANALYSIS: Ayton replaces a glaring weakness at center and gives the Lakers an interior boost, enhancing rim protection and pick-and-roll depth. The contract maximizes available cap space, but will limit further moves due to luxury tax constraints. While Ayton adds size, some analysts question his intensity and consistency in LeBron-anchored rotations. But still, Ayton will be relied upon heavily as a starting center in the league.&nbsp;
This move gives the Lakers the center they desperately needed, and may cap off their offseason priorities, but the true impact will hinge on Ayton&rsquo;s fit, effort, and chemistry next to L.A.'s stars.

Fresh off a contract buyout with Portland, free-agent center Deandre Ayton has agreed to a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Lakers land Deandre Ayton in two-year deal after Blazers buyout

Golden State Warriors' superstar Stephen Curry made NBA history by becoming the first player to surpass 4,000 career 3-pointers. He achieved this milestone during a commanding 130-104 victory over the Sacramento Kings.​
Curry reached the 4,000 mark with a 28-foot 3-pointer in the third quarter, a moment that was met with enthusiastic applause from the home crowd. Despite contributing 11 points in the game, Curry played a facilitating role, allowing teammates like Draymond Green, who scored a season-high 23 points, and Jonathan Kuminga, returning from injury to add 18 points off the bench, to shine. ​
This victory extended the Warriors' winning streak to six games, improving their season record to 34-28. Head coach Steve Kerr praised Curry's dedication and longevity, suggesting that reaching 5,000 career 3-pointers is within the realm of possibility if he maintains his current form and health.&nbsp;
Curry's unprecedented achievement not only solidifies his status as the NBA's premier shooter but also sets a benchmark that may stand for years to come. His influence on the game has been transformative, inspiring a generation of players to prioritize long-range shooting and changing the dynamics of modern basketball.​
As the season progresses, the Warriors look poised for a strong playoff run, with Curry's leadership and shooting prowess at the forefront of their success.​

Golden State Warriors' superstar Stephen Curry made NBA history by becoming the first player to surpass 4,000 career 3-pointers.

Stephen Curry becomes first NBA player to reach 4,000 career threes

Super rookie Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever got a rude welcome in her first-ever playoff game.
After a historic rookie season, Clark came into Sunday excited for her first taste of high-stakes basketball. However, Alyssa Thomas and the Connecticut Sun came ready to play.
The third-seeded Sun blew out the sixth-seeded Fever, 93-69, to take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three series. Thomas had a triple-double for Connecticut, dropping 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists while veteran DeWanna Bonner scored 22 points while playing outstanding defense on the aforementioned Clark.
Clark struggled from the field, going only 4-17 including 2-13 from three as she saw the entire Connecticut defense turned on against her. Kelsey Mitchell scored 21 while Aliyah Boston added 17 but it was not enough as the Fever got blown out by 24 points.
In the other games of the day, the New York Liberty began their quest for a back-to-back Finals appearance with a comfortable 83-69 win over the Atlanta Dream. Leonie Fiebich led all scorers with 21 points while former WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart added 20.
The defending champions Las Vegas Aces started their title defense after winning wire-to-wire against the Seattle Storm, 78-67. Recently crowned unanimous WNBA MVP A&rsquo;Ja Wilson had 21 points in the win.
Finally, MVP runner-up Napheesa Collier starred for the Minnesota Lynx in their Game 1 win over the Phoenix Mercury. Collier had the best game of the day with 38 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists as they won by seven, 102-95.

Super rookie Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever got a rude welcome in her first-ever playoff game.

WNBA Playoffs 2024 Day 1 recap: Caitlin Clark, Fever get reality check from Sun

The USA Men&rsquo;s National Basketball Team did not break a sweat as it dominated Brazil by 35 points, 122-87, to book a semifinals ticket at the 2024 Paris Olympics.&nbsp;
Team USA led from start to finish as they played their first game in Paris at the Bercy Arena after playing their first 3 group stage games 150 miles north of the French capital in Lille at the Pierre de Mauroy stadium. The Americans were welcomed by a sold-out crowd in Paris this time and did not disappoint.&nbsp;
Team USA unleashed a barrage of threes led by Devin Booker, who had 18 points with 5 threes made. Team USA also went up and ran the floor, causing havoc on the open floor with their vaunted defense to get some easy buckets on the other end.&nbsp;
Joel Embiid, a crowd favorite in Paris, played perhaps the best game in a Team USA jersey with 14 points including 3/3 from downtown. He scored on an and-one in the 2nd quarter and had fun time hyping up fans that were booing him, celebrating on a dx chop gesture made famous in the WWE.
LeBron James was his usual captain self as he manned the team with 12 points and a team high 9 assists. James went to the locker room in the 3rd quarter after getting hit inadvertently at the side of the head, and according to head coach Steve Kerr, needed four stitches. James ended up back on the bench in the 4th quarter as he watched his fellow Americans cruise to the victory.&nbsp;
Kevin Durant, Team USA&rsquo;s Captain America, made history by becoming the federation&rsquo;s all-time leading scorer in history both in men&rsquo;s and women&rsquo;s by scoring 11 points. He also had his 26th straight game of scoring 10 or more which is 2 more games off the mark of Pau Gasol, who has the record at 28 games straight.&nbsp;
Birthday boy Anthony Edwards who just turned 23 had himself a fun game, scoring 17 points and getting up the shots he wanted to take off the bench.&nbsp;
Everybody else played their role and this Team USA still looks invincible 4 games in, with possibly 2 more games to go before winning that coveted 5th straight Olympic gold medal.
Bruno Caboclo showed up for Brazil with 30 points on 13/20 shooting, which marked his 2nd straight game scoring 30 or more. Caboclo scored 33 points in their win vs Japan.
Up next for Team USA is a rematch with Serbia in the semifinals. Team USA notably beat the Serbians by 26 in group stage play, and Serbia should have something on their shoulders ahead of that colossal semis matchup for a chance to play for gold.

The USA Men’s National Basketball Team did not break a sweat as it dominated Brazil by 35 points, 122-87, to book a semifinals ticket.

Team USA dominates Brazil to book Olympics semis ticket

Today, the NBA announced the starters for the 2024 All-Star Game in Indianapolis. The players were selected via three voting categories: 50% fan vote, 25% player vote and 25% media vote.
Leading the Eastern Conference All-Stars is Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. Drafted as the No. 15 pick in 2013 out of Greece,&nbsp;Antetokounmpo is averaging 31.3 PPG, 11.7 RPG and 6.2 APG this season, and he will make his eighth All-Star appearance this year.
Joining Antetokounmpo in the East frontcourt are Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid and Boston Celtics wing Jayson Tatum. Embiid, the league&rsquo;s reigning MVP, will make his seventh All-Star appearance while averaging 36.1 PPG, 11.6 RPG and 5.9 APG for the 76ers this season. Tatum, drafted as the No. 3 pick in 2017 out of Duke, is averaging 27.0 PPG, 8.4 RPG and 4.4 APG for the league-best Celtics in his fifth All-Star selection.
In the East backcourt, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton will start in front of his home crowd in just his second All-Star appearance (and first time starting). Drafted as the No. 12 pick in 2020 out of Iowa State, Haliburton is averaging 23.6 PPG, 12.6 APG and 4.1 RPG for the Pacers, who are in the thick of the East&rsquo;s playoff race.&nbsp;
Partnering up with Haliburton in the backcourt is Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard, appearing in his eighth All-Star game and his first as a starter. The Bucks&rsquo; prized acquisition gets his chance to start in the East despite a relatively down year by his standards. Lillard is currently averaging 25.3 PPG, 6.8 APG and 4.3 RPG, making the Bucks the only team in the NBA to have two All-Star starters.&nbsp;
Over in the Western Conference, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is once again at the helm. Set to make his record-breaking 20th All-Star appearance, James has been an starter for all of them &ndash; a streak that began in 2005 in just his sophomore season. He is currently averaging 24.8 PPG, 7.4 APG and 7.2 RPG for the struggling Lakers this season.
Joining James in the West frontcourt are Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns and Nikola Jokic of the defending-champion Denver Nuggets. Durant, who&rsquo;s making his 14th All-Star selection, will now be one of 11 players in league history to be an All-Star 14 or more times. He&rsquo;s currently averaging 29.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG and 5.7 APG for the resurgent Suns this season. Jokic, a two-time NBA MVP, will make his sixth All-Star appearance while averaging 26.2 PPG, 12.0 RPG and 9.1 APG for the Nuggets this season.
In the West backcourt are Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Doncic is set to appear in his fifth All-Star game, and he is averaging 33.6 PPG, 9.3 APG and 8.5 RPG for the Mavericks this season. Gilgeous-Alexander, in just his second All-Star selection and first as a starter, is averaging 31.1 PPG, 6.4 APG and 5.6 RPG. He has been the main cog for a young Thunder team that has exceeded expectations and sit atop the Western Conference standings.&nbsp;
The All-Star reserves are set to be announced on Feb. 1 and they will be chosen by the NBA coaches in their respective conferences. They will vote two guards, three frontcourt players and two wildcards (any position). If a selected player is unable to participate due to injury or another reason, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will do the honors of selecting his replacement (from the same conference).
This year&rsquo;s All-Star Game is also notably changing back to the traditional East-West format, moving away from the captain-draft system. The previous six iterations of the midseason festivities featured the leading vote-getters from each conference serving as captains who got to draft their teams, with a certain "target score" format that featured an untimed fourth quarter in the last four All-Star Games.

Today, the NBA announced the starters for the 2024 All-Star Game in Indianapolis.

NBA announces 2024 All-Star starters: Giannis, LeBron named captains

For a team that has endured losing for almost a decade, the Minnesota Timberwolves sure are savoring the early-season success they&rsquo;re experiencing right now.
After a series of underlying factors such as bad management, poor roster construction and player fallouts, the Wolves' success has been unprecedented (and sweeter than ever).
They are currently 30-12 at the halfway point of the season, which is the best mark in the West. They are the first team in the Western Conference to reach 30 wins, trailing only the Boston Celtics for the best record in the NBA.&nbsp;
Minnesota is on a 60-win pace, and they have the easiest schedule remaining in the entire league.
They are also on pace to surpass the franchise record of 58 wins in a season, which occurred in 2004 when they were led by Kevin Garnett (the best player in franchise history), Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell.
The next goal for this Wolves team? Win their first playoff series since that 2004 season.
After two decades of struggles, what changed for the Wolves? Let's break down their turnaround.
DEFENSE
The Wolves currently have the best defense in the league by a wide margin, allowing 105.8 points per 100 possessions (the runner-up is allowing 108.3 points per 100 possessions). 
They guard opponents unlike any other team in the NBA led by three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert at the rim. Surrounding Gobert are potential All-NBA-caliber defenders at the wings in Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson, Anthony Edwards and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Although their offense is still suspect and a work in progress, the team knows how to lock down the opposition.
ALL-STAR-CALIBER TRIO PLAYING WELL
The Wolves' trio of Gobert, Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns have been terrific.
The team is led by Edwards, a charismatic and burgeoning young superstar who has drawn comparisons to all-time great shooting guards Dwyane Wade (due to their similar build and playing style) and Michael Jordan (due to some eerie resemblances in their aerial capabilities, footwork and bank shots).
Edwards constantly wows the crowd with highlight-reel plays, and he gives the Wolves a true alpha, leader and closer. He's someone they can count on in the clutch, delivering when it matters the most.&nbsp;
Bruce Brown, an adversary of the Wolves during their last playoff run when he was on the top-seeded Denver Nuggets, said that Edwards was the toughest guy he had to guard all postseason. He also added that Minnesota was the toughest team that Denver faced on their way to their championship.
The Wolves followed up this praise by beating the Nuggets in November and climbing to the No. 1 seed in the West.
The 22-year-old credited his stint with Team USA in the FIBA World Cup for being able to play in a system rather than just relying on isos all the time. Edwards was the leading scorer of the USA squad that finished just fourth, but the experience was invaluable for Edwards and prepared him for the season.
Gobert is thriving once again after a down season a year ago. The 31-year-old is turning heads and serving as the anchor of the best defense in the league. He is one of the front runners for the Defensive Player of the Year award, which would be his fourth (and tie him with Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo for most all-time).
It wasn't long ago that fans were dubbing Minnesota's deal for Gobert as one of the worst trades in NBA history, but Gobert has bounced back beautifully as the front office&rsquo;s vision of playing him with Towns came to fruition.&nbsp;
Like Edwards, Towns is building off a strong stint in the World Cup and has been rock solid for the Wolves. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft is taking a backseat to Edwards for the good of the team.&nbsp; After plenty of losing seasons, Towns will do whatever is takes to win. He set his ego aside and committed to being the best second option in the league, which has had a huge impact on the Wolves.
There have been times when Towns is asked to shoulder more of the offensive load (such as when Edwards was struggling or absent) and he's stepped up in those moments. He has also been incredibly efficient, averaging 21.6 points while shooting 51.1% from the field and 43% from three-point range.
HIGH-LEVEL ROLE PLAYERS
The Wolves' trio is surrounded by quality role players, including starters McDaniels and Mike Conley. Both are nice supplementary pieces, with Conley providing stability as a floor general and shooting to space the floor and McDaniels giving them elite perimeter defense as well as spot-up shooting and occasional shot-making.
Minnesota arguably has the best eight-man rotation in the league, likely rivaled by just Boston and Denver.
In the playoffs, where rotations shrink and coaches tend to play their most trusted players, that's usually seven or eight players.
Off the bench, the Wolves have big man Naz Reid, a 6-foot-9 super scorer who&rsquo;s become a Sixth Man of the Year candidate by providing instant offense. There&rsquo;s also Anderson, a reliable Swiss army knife and point forward who is a playmaker on offense. Alexander-Walker does a little bit of everything, serving as a back-up ballhandler to Conley, lockdown wing defender and three-point shooter.
COMPETENT ORGANIZATION
A huge credit for the Wolves' success this season goes to president of basketball operations Tim Connelly, who is the engineer of this roster. His vision and willingness to swing for the fences have paid off in a major way.
Chris Finch, who was hired as the team's head coach in 2021, has done a terrific job and is currently garnering some Coach of the Year buzz for his efforts.
The same goes for new owners Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore, who went all in and weren&rsquo;t afraid to spend for a win-now team that wants to win.&nbsp;
After years of mediocrity, the Timberwolves are finally heading in the right direction. A small-market team that has exceeded all expectations, Minnesota has been one of the feel-good stories of the season &ndash; and they are just getting started.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have the best record in the West. What has changed for the Wolves and led to this turnaround?

The Wolves are reaching new heights, and they're just getting started

The NBA today announced that Los Angeles has been selected to host NBA All-Star 2026. The 75th NBA All-Star Game will take place at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, home of the LA Clippers, on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. This will mark the record seventh NBA All-Star in Los Angeles, and the first time the Intuit Dome will host the annual midseason showcase reaching fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 50 languages.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made the announcement today during a press conference at Intuit Dome, where he was joined by Clippers Chairman Steve Ballmer, Clippers President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr.
&ldquo;The Intuit Dome promises to present a unique and innovative live basketball experience which will be an extraordinary venue for the NBA All-Star Game in 2026,&rdquo; said Silver. &ldquo;Thanks again to Steve Ballmer, Gillian Zucker, and the Clippers organization for their commitment to delivering a world-class showcase of the very best of our sport.&rdquo;
Intuit Dome, which is set to open in August 2024, is a multipurpose venue that will be the new home of the Los Angeles Clippers.
&ldquo;We are building Intuit Dome to house and showcase the best basketball players in the world, and we are honored they will all be under our roof for NBA All-Star,&rdquo; said Ballmer. &ldquo;Along with Inglewood and Los Angeles, we thank the NBA for bringing the league&rsquo;s marquee event to Intuit Dome in 2026.&rdquo;
The Clippers worked in collaboration with the Los Angeles Sports &amp; Entertainment Commission to bring NBA All-Star 2026 to Los Angeles.
NBA All-Star on-court events will tip off on Friday, Feb. 13 at Intuit Dome with NBA Rising Stars, an annual showcase for top rookies and second-year NBA players. On Feb. 14, State Farm All-Star Saturday Night will feature the Kia Skills Challenge, the Starry 3-Point Challenge and AT&amp;T Slam Dunk. NBA All-Star 2026 will culminate with the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 15. The NBA will host several events for fans of all ages at venues throughout Los Angeles and Inglewood, including at Kia Forum and the Los Angeles Convention Center.
These events, including NBA All-Star Practice presented by AT&amp;T, the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and an NBA All-Star fan fest, will feature basketball programming and entertainment for fans as well as up-close access to NBA players, legends and celebrities.
The league will also continue to celebrate its commitment to social responsibility with a full schedule of NBA Cares events during NBA All-Star 2026. Through partnerships with schools, local and national nonprofit organizations, the league will reach thousands of children and families in Los Angeles, Inglewood and the surrounding areas and provide critical resources to community-based programs.
NBA ALL-STAR HISTORY IN LOS ANGELES
This will mark the record seventh NBA All-Star in the Los Angeles area, which hosted the event in 2018, 2011, 2004, 1983, 1972 and 1963, and the first time the midseason showcase has been held at the Intuit Dome. The previous six NBA All-Star events in Los Angeles (including two at The Forum in Inglewood) have showcased extraordinary performances by some of the best players in league history. Each NBA All-Star Game MVP in Los Angeles was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team and selected to at least 11 All-Star Games: LeBron James (MVP in 2018), Kobe Bryant (2011), Shaquille O&rsquo;Neal (2004), Julius Erving (1983), Jerry West (1972) and Bill Russell (1963).
The most recent NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles (2018) featured a dramatic finish as Team LeBron rallied from a 13-point deficit with seven minutes to play to defeat Team Stephen 148-145 in the first All-Star Game without a matchup between the Eastern Conference and Western Conference. As the captain of Team LeBron, James made a game-tying three-pointer with 1:30 remaining and a go-ahead layup with 34.5 seconds left in the game. NBA All-Star 2026 will mark the 15th anniversary of the 2011 midseason celebration in Los Angeles, where the Clippers&rsquo; Blake Griffin played on the winning teams in the All-Star Game and Rising Stars and was crowned Slam Dunk champion as a rookie. That year, the Los Angeles Lakers&rsquo; Bryant earned his record-tying fourth NBA All-Star Game MVP Award after scoring 37 points to lift the Western Conference past the Eastern Conference 148-143.

Los Angeles has been selected to host the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Clippers' new arena, Intuit Dome, in Inglewood.

Los Angeles to host 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend at Clippers' Intuit Dome

After a terrific regular season, the 2023 WNBA Playoffs <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/2023-wnba-playoffs-guide-how-to-watch-schedule-more" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tip off tonight</a>. This was a huge year for the WNBA, as the league just had its most-watched regular season in 21 years.
Viewership across its national television partners &ndash; ABC, CBS, ESPN and ESPN2 &ndash; was up 21% over the 2022 season. The league also set new highs in terms of its digital platforms, social-media engagement and sports betting. Here are some highlights from the 2023 campaign:
&bull; Across ABC, ESPN and CBS, viewership was up 8% over last season and averaged 505,000 viewers. The WNBA on ABC averaged 627,000 viewers, making it the most-viewed regular season on ABC in 11 years.
&bull; The 2023 regular season reached over 36 million total unique viewers across all national networks, the highest since 2008 and up 27% from 2022.
&bull; Across all WNBA social-media handles, the league generated a record 373 million video views this season, up 96%&nbsp;from the 2022 season. The 20 million total actions/engagements and 1.1 million hours watched increased by 65% and 42%, respectively, from last season.
&bull; The 2023 WNBA All-Star Game on ABC was the most-watched WNBA All-Star Game in 16 years, averaging 850,000 viewers with a peak of 955,000 viewers.
&bull; The 2023 WNBA Draft averaged 572,000 viewers on ESPN, up 42% over last year; it was the most-watched WNBA Draft since 2004.
&bull; The league introduced WNBA Friday Night Spotlight with new broadcast partner ION, where regular-season games were consumed for a total of 14 million hours.
&bull; The WNBA's attendance was up 16% compared to last year. The average attendance of 6,615 fans per game was the highest since 2018. The WNBA had its highest total attendance in 13 years (1,587,488).
&bull; The 2022 WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces saw the highest increase in average attendance (more than 66% year-over-year), averaging a league-high 9,551 fans per game. The Aces also hosted the highest-attended game this season, drawing a crowd of 17,406 against the Phoenix Mercury on September 10 on the final day of the regular season.&nbsp;
&bull; Mercury All-Star Brittney Griner&rsquo;s first home game in her return to the WNBA, against the Chicago Sky on May 21, drew 14,040 fans, third-highest for a WNBA game this season.
&bull; The first WNBA Canada Game, which saw the Sky defeat the Minnesota Lynx 82-74 in a preseason contest, was played before a sold-out crowd of approximately 20,000 fans at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on May 13.
&bull; The WNBA's relaunched app with exclusive series, behind-the-scenes content and in-depth coverage saw downloads up nearly 400%. The league&rsquo;s out-of-market live game package experienced 10% growth in subscribers this season.
&bull; The season-opening game featuring the New York Liberty at the Washington Mystics on May 13 had the highest viewership in WNBA League Pass history, up 107% from the previous record-setting game on the platform. Content consumption was up across digital channels with League Pass total views for the season up 257%, and the WNBA website had a 21% increase in average time spent per visit during the regular season.
&bull; On FanDuel Sportsbook, the number of bets on the WNBA more than doubled from last season. Individual bets on the marketplace increased by more than 163% year-over-year, and the WNBA handle was up more than 100%.
&bull; The WNBA launched the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wnba.com/wnbabet" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wnba.com/wnbabet&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694711805864000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0izkcuac1XQ66ItGtl_fXv">WNBABet</a>&nbsp;tab, featuring content from many of the league&rsquo;s partners, including FanDuel, ESPN, The Action Network, Rotowire and the American Gaming Association.
&bull; The 2023 WNBA Commissioner&rsquo;s Cup Championship Game attracted the largest audience for a WNBA game ever for Prime Video, nearly doubling the viewership of last year&rsquo;s Commissioner&rsquo;s Cup Championship Game. The in-season competition saw the teams competing for a prize pool of more than $500,000. As part of the total prize pool, Coinbase provided a cryptocurrency bonus of $120,000 for players in the Championship Game.
&bull; The 2023 WNBA season was dedicated to women&rsquo;s health advocacy, with a focus on Black, Brown and LGBTQ+ communities. Throughout the season, teams, players and the league highlighted four key pillars of women&rsquo;s health: maternal health, mental health, reproductive health and cancer awareness and education. Through the 2023 WNBA Commissioner&rsquo;s Cup, each WNBA team chose a local women&rsquo;s health organization to play for, with $200,000 donated to both local and national non-profit organizations committed to raising awareness about these important women&rsquo;s health equity issues.
Why were fans so engaged this season? On the court, there were quite a few unprecedented things that happened this season:
&bull; The Seattle Storm&rsquo;s Jewell Loyd set a WNBA single-season record with 939 points.
&bull; The New York Liberty&rsquo;s Breanna Stewart had a WNBA-record six games of at least 40 points. In total, WNBA players produced a record 13 40-point games, 10 more than the prior record of three.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&bull; The Connecticut Sun&rsquo;s Alyssa Thomas posted a record six triple-doubles and broke the single-season record for total assists (316).
&bull; WNBA players recorded a record 13 triple-doubles, six more than in 2022 (seven) and four more than in the league&rsquo;s first 25 regular seasons combined (nine).
&bull; The Phoenix Mercury&rsquo;s Diana Taurasi became the first player in WNBA history to score 10,000 career points.
&bull; The Las Vegas Aces&rsquo; A&rsquo;ja Wilson became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 3,500 points, 1,500 rebounds and 300 blocks.
&bull; New York&rsquo;s Sabrina Ionescu set records for three-pointers made in the regular season (128) and points scored in a single round of the WNBA Three-Point Contest (37).
It's a great time to be a fan of the WNBA, and this postseason seems to be one of the most highly anticipated WNBA Playoffs of all-time.

The WNBA just had its most-watched regular season in 21 years, and viewership was up 21% over the 2022 season.

WNBA has most-watched regular season in 21 years, up 21% over 2022

Luka Doncic has been the best player during the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, and he's been doing it on one leg.
Doncic has been battling a leg injury since the second half of the 2022-23 NBA season and when asked about the injury, Doncic said it's "not okay," per <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/news/dallas-mavs-luka-doncic-reveals-no-sleep-heavy-legs-slovenia-fiba-world-cup-injury" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sports Illustrated</a>.
"I do not know what to say," Doncic said. "It's not okay. At the same time, I have to prepare for one more game, and then for a whole season in the NBA."
Doncic has been incredible throughout the World Cup, becoming the first player with 200+ points, 50+ rebounds and 40+ assists in a single World Cup over the last 30 years. Through eight games, he averaged 27 points, 7.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 2.5 steals per game.
Even though Slovenia had no chance of winning a medal, he decided to continue playing and led the team to a seventh-place finish.&nbsp;
"There was no question at all [I would continue playing]," Doncic <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/news/dallas-mavs-luka-doncic-reveals-no-sleep-heavy-legs-slovenia-fiba-world-cup-injury" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. "As I have said many times, whenever I can, I will play for the national team. There is no question for me. The crowd here is cheering for us, so the atmosphere is really great."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Luka Doncic came two dimes short of the World Cup's first-ever triple double to power Slovenia's win over Italy and earn TCL Player of the Game honors 👏 📊 29 PTS | 10 REB | 8 AST | 3 STL | 32 EFF<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAWC</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinForSlovenia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinForSlovenia</a> 🇸🇮 | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InspireGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#InspireGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/8ScQNdTdsl">pic.twitter.com/8ScQNdTdsl</a>
&mdash; FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBAWC/status/1700467670507024593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2023</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

When asked about staying motivated even though Slovenia couldn't win a medal, Doncic replied: "It shouldn't be difficult. It's the World Cup after all. We made it to the top-eight. I don't see why that would be difficult. Playing basketball is already a great motivation for me, especially for the national team."
Doncic could have pulled out of the World Cup to recover, but representing his country on a big stage is clearly important to him.&nbsp;
It remains to be seen if Doncic's leg will continue to bother him as he suits up with the Dallas Mavericks throughout the 2023-24 NBA season.
Doncic is coming off a monster season with Dallas in which he averaged 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 2.8 threes and 1.4 steals, while shooting 49.6% from the field, 34.2% from three-point range and 74.2% from the free-throw line.
However, the Mavericks struggled as a team, finishing the year with a 38-44 record (11th-best in the Western Conference), causing Dallas to miss the play-in tournament. Now, with a full season of the Doncic and Kyrie Irving one-two punch, a return to the postseason is expected.
Doncic will have about three weeks to rest before the Mavs' training camp gets underway.

Luka Doncic has been the best player during the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, and he's been doing it on one leg.

Luka Doncic says leg injury is 'not okay,' but he played through it

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) &mdash; There was plenty of debate in the weeks leading up&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-draft-2023-wembanyama-updates-00f52206057df4b872898010243d3bd8">to the NBA draft</a>&nbsp;over whether the Charlotte Hornets preferred Alabama&rsquo;s Brandon Miller or the G League Ignite&rsquo;s Scoot Henderson with the No 2 pick.
In general manager Mitch Kupchak&rsquo;s mind there was never a debate.
&ldquo;Brandon was our favorite all along,&rdquo; Kupchak said. &ldquo;There was a lot of spirited discussion in the last three days, which I welcome. ... But I think he&rsquo;s the player that is the best player.&rdquo;
Miller gives the Hornets&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F7obl-vfp4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">an athletic 6-foot-9 wing</a>&nbsp;with a smooth shooting stroke who can knock down shots from the perimeter. He averaged 18.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game last season for the Crimson Tide, who entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed before making an early exit.
But the Southeastern Conference&rsquo;s player of the year as a freshman comes with some baggage.
Miller is tied to a case that led to former Tide player Darius Miles and another man&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-darius-miles-fatal-shooting-indictment-jamea-harris-887b6419c4b576da778b710a58b8acf7">being indicted</a>&nbsp;on capital murder charges.&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/Nate-Oats-Brandon-Miller-Alabama-Basketball-4efc92362b106b01ab0d0a2ee9a4ea6c">A police investigator testified in February</a>&nbsp;that Miles texted Miller to bring him his gun that night. Miller hasn&rsquo;t been charged with wrongdoing, though&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-darius-miles-murder-charge-533386c46d0822a56878b3d3d07717c9">the ongoing case</a>&nbsp;brought&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-alabama-crimson-tide-top-25-college-basketball-today-darius-miles-a32a922ed4e9a483dde15bd24445ce83">intense scrutiny</a>&nbsp;during the second half of the season for&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/brandon-miller-alabama-ncaa-tournament-security-guard-7104ab515dfaf81ae09abf94f0bd3165">Miller and the Alabama program</a>.
Kupchak said the Hornets conducted an extensive background check on Miller, including a trip to Alabama about two weeks ago.
&ldquo;We are comfortable with Brandon on and off the court,&rdquo; Kupchak said.
Miller has said he can&rsquo;t discuss the case.
On much a lighter note, Miller made news last week when he said he considered Paul George his personal GOAT, or the greatest of all-time.
He didn&rsquo;t back off that Thursday night even after being drafted by&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/charlotte-hornets-sale-michael-jordan-527087d134136ef38cae1da8d1c95b01">outgoing Hornets majority owner and six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan</a>, considered by many the best player ever.
&ldquo;I think I made it clear that Paul George is still my GOAT, but Mike is definitely up there when in his prime,&rdquo; Miller said with a laugh. &ldquo;Mike does everything. We wear his shoes and he jumps from the free throw line. But Paul George is my GOAT.&rdquo;
Miller appears to be a better positional fit for the Hornets than Henderson, who would have joined a crowded backcourt that includes LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier, last year&rsquo;s leading scorer.
As a wing, Miller has a good chance to see significant playing time.
Gordon Hayward, who has struggled with injury issues, is in the final year of his contract and it&rsquo;s unclear if the team will try to re-sign restricted free agent Miles Bridges, who missed all last season while dealing with a domestic violence case. Bridges will&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/miles-bridges-suspension-charlotte-hornets-ca37e404209b6298ced4c1a46d5d59d6">serve a 10-game suspension to start the season</a>&nbsp;after&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/charlotte-hornets-nba-sports-los-angeles-miles-bridges-cfb86b443b52ad43038886363feeedc4">pleading no contest last November</a>&nbsp;and being sentenced to serve three years of probation.
Miller feels he should benefit from playing with Ball, who is an above-average ball distributor.
&ldquo;Melo is my guy,&rdquo; Miller said. &ldquo;I think with Melo, as good of a point guard as he is, I just kind of fill in the place (on the court). And I know he is going to be the big brother for me away from home.&rdquo;
The 20-year-old Miller is also considered a much better shooter than Henderson, addressing an area of concern for Charlotte.
The Hornets finished 29th in the league last season on 3-pointers at 33%. Miller shot 38.4% from beyond the arc at Alabama. Henderson shot just 27.5% from deep last season for the Ignite, although the 3-point line is deeper in the G League.
At the Spectrum Center in downtown Charlotte, the Hornets&rsquo; decision to take Miller over Henderson was greeted with a mixed reaction by about 5,000 fans gathered for a draft party.
Before the pick, fans cheered loudly when Henderson was shown on the big screen.
Miller joins a Hornets team that hasn&rsquo;t reached the postseason in an NBA-worst seven straight seasons and finished with the fourth-worst record in the league last season at 27-55. Charlotte managed to move up two spots in the lottery, barely missing out on the No. 1 pick and Victor Wembanyama.
Kupchak said a handful of teams showed significant interest in trading up to the No. 2 spot, but added &ldquo;we never got to the point where we seriously considered moving the pick.&rdquo;
The Hornets selected 19-year-old guard Nick Smith Jr. from Arkansas with the 27th overall pick. Smith had been projected as a potential top-five pick before a knee injury caused him to miss 19 games last season.
Charlotte also added James Nnaji, a 6-foot-11 center from FC Barcelona, and UCLA guard Amari Bailey in the second round.

The Charlotte Hornets preferred Alabama’s Brandon Miller over the G League Ignite’s Scoot Henderson with the No 2 pick.

Hornets select Brandon Miller with the No. 2 pick in NBA Draft

PARIS (AP) &mdash; Adieu France, hello America.
They were hugs of goodbye &mdash; not of joy &mdash; for Victor Wembanyama as he bid farewell to his teammates and the French league, before jetting off for what&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-draft-2023-wembanyama-396be2a8eeb0be8e3323bb509405695c">many predict</a>&nbsp;will be a glittering NBA career.
Wembanyama&rsquo;s performance &mdash; 22 points, seven rebounds and four blocks &mdash; couldn&rsquo;t prevent his Boulogne-Levallois team losing 92-85 to Monaco in a must-win Game 3 in the best-of-five French league championship series on Thursday.
To accommodate escalating interest in seeing the 19-year-old&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-sports-basketball-las-vegas-6f4ac3d44f624ef36ddb00e314cf0401">French prodigy</a>, Game 3 &mdash; and 4 if they had won &mdash; were switched from a 4,000-seat venue to Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros, home of the French Open tennis championship which seats&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://twitter.com/LNBofficiel/status/1669390713434275842" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">more than 14,000</a>.
Fans sang &ldquo;Merci, Wemby&rdquo; as&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/wembanyama-nba-lottery-draft-french-finale-e8d2b9e7cf97ab22df549a03d1124456">the hugely popular Wembanyama</a>&nbsp;waved and clapped at them.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sorry for the fans who love to see a show,&rdquo; Wembanyama said on beIN Sports television after the game. &ldquo;Of course I&rsquo;m proud of what I&rsquo;ve managed to do along with my coach (Vincent Collet), in bringing the team to the finals. But I&rsquo;m not satisfied.&rdquo;
Next week, the San Antonio Spurs are expected to make the 7-foot-3 Wembanyama&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-draft-lottery-2023-victor-wembanyama-7ac2a47737c20c0df4543e1626407e47">the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft</a>, where he&rsquo;ll follow in the footsteps of France great Tony Parker and Hall of Famers David Robinson and Tim Duncan.
With Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadiv&eacute; among the crowd &mdash; likely with an eye on&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-mock-draft-wembanyama-c9dfd3d19592e1de44f5957ea2aa8b48">Wembanyama teammate Bilal Coulibaly</a>&nbsp;ahead of the draft &mdash; the Mets opened up big leads but with 50 seconds left the score was tied at 85-85. Jordan Loyd, a former NBA player with the Toronto Raptors, sank two 3-pointers to end Wembanyama&rsquo;s hopes of signing off with a French crown.
Ranadiv&eacute; told beIN Sport that Wembanyama is &ldquo;amazing&rdquo; but that &ldquo;I&rsquo;m also excited about Bilal. Young guy, lot of skills, so French basketball is in great shape.&rdquo;
Wembanyama, who opened the scoring with&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://twitter.com/LNBofficiel/status/1669413577068019712" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a reverse alley-oop dunk</a>, looked sad as he hugged his teammates while Monaco celebrated.
&ldquo;Wemby had a great game, but this team&rsquo;s unbelievable,&rdquo; said Loyd, who finished with 22 points.
Everything had pointed to a special night for Wembanyama and then a Game 4 on Saturday. Wembanyama clenched his fist when his pass inside for Devante Jones made it 24-10, then drew roars when he used his giant frame to block a shot early in the second quarter.
The &ldquo;Wemby, Wemby&rdquo; chants became louder when&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://twitter.com/LNBofficiel/status/1669432798598381573" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">he hit a 3-pointer</a>&nbsp;to make it 47-37, louder still when&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://twitter.com/LNBofficiel/status/1669431516190101504" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">he dished to Coulibaly</a>&nbsp;for a dunk early in the third quarter.
It was not enough, though, and it was &ldquo;Wemby&rdquo; who put Elie Okobo on the foul line to give Monaco its first lead, 82-81, with just over three minutes left.
Loyd &mdash; not Wembanyama &mdash; ended up with&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://twitter.com/LNBofficiel/status/1669449924562305028" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the MVP award</a>&nbsp;and the winners&rsquo; medal on the court where Novak Djokovic made men&rsquo;s Grand Slam history last Sunday with&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/novak-djokovic-grand-slam-titles-french-open-6f822dca855478163696538f37ff534b">his 23rd men&rsquo;s major title</a>.
<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-bulls-nba-sports-detroit-pistons-paris-ba85137c70a09ac5efcea7f5e8e472a1">Wembanyama&rsquo;s journey to greatness</a>&nbsp;in his sport, however, might only just be starting.

With today's loss to Monaco, Victor Wembanyama will leave his teammates and the French league to prepare for his NBA career.

Wembanyama bids adieu to France with a defeat as NBA Draft nears

DENVER (AP) &mdash; Nikola Jokic rode atop a firetruck with people who mean&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://twitter.com/lionelbienvenu/status/1669395480961495040" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the world to him</a>&nbsp;&mdash; his teammate Jamal Murray, his family &mdash; and the NBA trophy.
Jokic and the Denver Nuggets soaked in the moment and were soaked, too, by champagne spray on Thursday during a parade through downtown Denver to celebrate their first NBA title.
His young daughter, Ognjena, stole the show as she sat in front of him on the firetruck, at times wearing Jokic&rsquo;s championship hat. Jokic turned in some big assists, too, shielding her from champagne showers.
This celebration has been a long time in the making and swarms of fans showed up. It took 47 seasons&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-finals-aba-nuggets-9294860355b4db51adfb86ec3bce674e">in the NBA</a>&nbsp;for the franchise&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://twitter.com/DenverChannel/status/1669401885998997506" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">to finally make</a>&nbsp;Denver the home of the Larry O&rsquo;Brien Trophy.
And to think, Jokic was more concerned about when he could return home to Sombor, Serbia, than attending the parade. The player known as &ldquo;Joker&rdquo; changed his tune following the festivities.
&ldquo;This is amazing,&rdquo; Jokic said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re all going to remember this our whole lives.&rdquo;
Near the end of the parade route, an officer was struck by a firetruck and suffered a serious leg injury,&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://twitter.com/DenverPolice/status/1669443565330595845" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Denver Chief of Police Ron Thomas said</a>&nbsp;at a news conference. The officer was in serious and stable condition. Later in the day and after the parade, a shooting took place in the downtown area that injured two people. Thomas said the police didn&rsquo;t believe the incident was associated with the celebration. It follows&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/denver-shooting-nuggets-suspect-ee4869abf1afee855565f1c517bfae1f">a mass shooting in downtown</a>&nbsp;Denver after the Nuggets clinched the title Monday night. The shooting was likely sparked by a drug deal gone wrong, according to police.
The Nuggets capped off an impressive postseason by beating the Miami Heat in the Finals in Game 5. The Nuggets finished 16-4 in the playoffs, which was tied for the second-best mark by an NBA champion since the first round was expanded to best-of-seven in 2003. San Antonio also was 16-4 in 2007, and Golden State went 16-1 in 2017.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s hitting me right now,&rdquo; said coach Michael Malone, who was choking up as he was interviewed shortly after climbing off his firetruck for the parade. &ldquo;This is an amazing experience.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got a crazy idea,&rdquo; added Malone, who was wearing a shirt that read &ldquo;Put this in your pipe and smoke it&rdquo; with a picture of the NBA trophy under it. &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s do this again. I want to be on another float. I want to be at another parade and do this thing again.&rdquo;
This title and this parade is a tip of the cap to the team&rsquo;s ABA roots. It&rsquo;s also a tribute to all the players who ever wore the Nuggets&rsquo; iconic rainbow uniforms or any other version of the jersey.
There were so many scenes to absorb. There was rookie Christian Braun tossing his shirt into the crowd. Veteran DeAndre Jordan mingling with the fans, giving them high-fives. Murray signing a painting of himself. And Kentavious Caldwell-Pope playing the role of TV broadcaster when he interviewed teammate Aaron Gordon.
&ldquo;KCP, reporting live,&rdquo; he said, turning to Gordon on the Denver 7 broadcast. &ldquo;How does it feel to be a champion?&rdquo;
&ldquo;You would know, champ,&rdquo; Gordon responded to Caldwell-Pope.
Caldwell-Pope was the lone Nuggets player to have earned a championship, courtesy of his title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
That is, until now.
&ldquo;We really did this,&rdquo; said Murray, who returned to elite form this season after missing all of 2021-22 as he recovered from a torn ACL. &ldquo;We champs for life &mdash; champions for life.&rdquo;
Twenty miles away from the party downtown, the Broncos wrapped up their offseason program Thursday in relative isolation. Veteran safety Kareem Jackson said the Nuggets&rsquo; championship inspires them.
&ldquo;Yeah, definitely seeing another team in the same city win it all, and those guys had a great year. It&rsquo;s definitely encouraging for us. We definitely want to do the same thing,&rdquo; Jackson said.
Jokic is coming off an historic playoff performance, where he became the first player to lead the league in total points (600), rebounds (269) and assists (190) in a single postseason. The two-time NBA MVP added more hardware to his resume, too, capturing the Finals MVP.
He had that trophy next to him, too. Jokic momentarily&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1669171648136724482" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">misplaced it Monday night in the chaos of winning</a>&nbsp;a title.
Jokic was called up to the microphone to speak and serenaded with thunderous chants of &ldquo;MVP,&rdquo; &ldquo;MVP&rdquo; from the crowd.
&ldquo;Ok, ok, ok, ok,&rdquo; he said to quiet them down. &ldquo;Thank you. Thank you, though.&rdquo;
With the season now officially closed, Jokic will soon head home to spend time with his family and return to his other passion &mdash; horse racing. He&rsquo;s hoping to make it back in time to attend a harness race on Sunday.
This is the second straight June the city has held a parade. The Colorado Avalanche were the guests of honor last year after hoisting the Stanley Cup.

The Nuggets celebrated their first NBA championship on Thursday with a parade through downtown Denver.

Nuggets celebrate NBA title with parade through downtown Denver

PHILADELPHIA (AP) &mdash; Joel Embiid and the 76ers battled in yet another playoff game with the Raptors, this time in 2022, when the All-Star center barked at Toronto coach Nick Nurse &mdash;&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcmeFUhbDSY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">in a quite PG-13 fashion</a>&nbsp;&mdash; to stop whining about foul calls.
Embiid&rsquo;s beef with Nurse didn&rsquo;t end in the playoffs. After the two-time NBA scoring champion was held &mdash; held, in quotes &mdash; to 28 points in a 2022 regular-season game, Embiid charged the Raptors &ldquo;don&rsquo;t care about winning&rdquo; as long as a player of his stature was held below his scoring average.
Hey, what could go wrong this season? The 76ers didn&rsquo;t even play the Raptors in the playoffs.
Yet, when Brooklyn frustrated Embiid in a first-round series, the league MVP complained the Nets &ldquo;kind of took the Nick Nurse route of begging for free throws and calling out the referees.&rdquo;
OK, the introductions might be awkward. Or at least good for a laugh. But the 76ers are now counting on Embiid and Nurse to work together in a productive relationship as the new pair chases the franchise&rsquo;s first championship since 1983.
With the fate of 10-time All-Star James Harden in the balance, the 76ers remained all-in with their championship pursuit on Monday, selecting Nurse as their new coach to try and end more than two decades of playoff failure.
The 76ers hired the 55-year-old Nurse following his&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/raptors-nick-nurse-fired-c2b7dc404915ee3ae12fe1a52e589830">exit last month from Toronto Raptors,</a>&nbsp;a person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the move.
Nurse led the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship after they beat Embiid and the 76ers in Game 7 of the the Eastern Conference semifinals. The 76ers not only haven&rsquo;t a title in 40 years, they haven&rsquo;t advanced past the second round since 2001.
Nurse will replace&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/76ers-nba-doc-rivers-fired-09368e77a8f741576222c975c3affe55">Doc Rivers, who was fired</a>&nbsp;after he led the 76ers to their second straight 50-win season behind&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-mvp-joel-embiid-76ers-jokic-giannis-a216b687de694125309fb9eed1ad5031">NBA MVP Embiid</a>&nbsp;but again failed to lead them to the Eastern Conference finals.
The 76ers held a 3-2 semifinals series lead against Boston before dropping Game 6 at home and were crushed in Game 7 on the road.
The 76ers still have to decide if they will try to bring back Harden &mdash; who is expected to decline the $35.6 million option on his contract and become a free agent &mdash; but making a move for a championship-winning coach like Nurse shows the franchise is still all in as it goes in for a championship with Embiid still in his prime.
Nurse went 227-163 in his five seasons as coach in Toronto, where his .582 winning percentage ranks as the best of any coach in Raptors history. He also spent five years as an assistant to former Raptors coach Dwane Casey before taking over the top job.
Nurse seemingly made his first play for the 76ers&rsquo; job in March when the Raptors were in town for a&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/raptors-nurse-3e49f4c04182360739105a582e988b91">regular-season visit</a>. Nurse said his relationship with president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri and general manager Bobby Webster was at a crossroads and time would be needed to decide on his future.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s been 10 years for me now, which is a pretty good run,&rdquo; Nurse said. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know, over those 10 years, we&rsquo;ve got to be up there with number of wins for anybody in the league. I don&rsquo;t know what it is, but we&rsquo;ve had a lot of good seasons.&rdquo;
Nurse was right: Only Golden State (.661) had a better winning percentage than Toronto (.613) in that span.
Nurse played at Northern Iowa, then started his coaching career there as an assistant. He wound up becoming a head coach at Grand View University when he was just 23. He coached in Belgium and Britain &mdash; winning a pair of British Basketball League titles as a coach in Birmingham in 1996 and London in 2000 &mdash; then got a couple of titles in what is now called the G League.
The second G League crown with Houston&rsquo;s team got Nurse noticed, with the Raptors calling because they wanted to talk to him about offense. They ended up hiring him as an assistant, and he&rsquo;d been with Toronto ever since.
The Raptors finished 41-41 this season before losing at home to the Chicago Bulls in the play-in round of the postseason.
Sixers president Daryl Morey continues to build the team around his old Houston Rockets connections. Besides Harden &mdash; and PJ Tucker and Danuel House, among others &mdash; Nurse coached Houston&rsquo;s G League-affiliate Rio Grande Valley Vipers for two seasons while Morey was in charge. Nurse won the G-League title in 2013 before moving on to a successful NBA career.
Nurse led the Raptors to the title in his debut season. And despite Kawhi Leonard&rsquo;s departure, the Raptors were playing well before the COVID-19 pandemic halted the season in March 2020. Toronto wasn&rsquo;t the same in the bubble and lost to Boston in seven games in the second round of the playoffs, though Nurse did win the NBA Coach of the Year.

The Philadelphia 76ers are hiring Nick Nurse as their next head coach.

76ers hire former Raptors head coach Nick Nurse

BOSTON (AP) &mdash; Moments after Boston&rsquo;s dramatic win at Miami on Saturday night, Jaylen Brown began thinking about the future. He raised his hands, put up seven fingers and began yelling, &ldquo;Game 7! Game 7!&rdquo;
Game 7, indeed.
Brown and Boston are on the brink of history after Derrick White&rsquo;s buzzer-beating putback lifted the Celtics to a&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/celtics-heat-2023-nba-playoffs-eastern-conference-finals-331d3b65b1a9040805f21757f90f783d">104-103 victory</a>&nbsp;over the Heat in Game 6. One of the league&rsquo;s most storied franchises is trying to become the first team in NBA playoffs history to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven series.
Next up is one more game in the Eastern Conference finals on Monday night in Boston. And it looks as if the back-and-forth series could be on its way to an epic conclusion.
The Celtics are the fourth NBA team to erase a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series and force a deciding game. The previous three teams &mdash; the 1951 New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, the 1994 Denver Nuggets in the second round and the 2003 Portland Trail Blazers in the first round &mdash; lost Game 7, all on the road.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got another chance, another opportunity,&rdquo; said Jayson Tatum, who had 31 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in Game 6 to join Larry Bird as the only other Celtic with double-digit playoff games with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s far from over. Still an uphill battle. But it always feels good to give yourself another chance, another opportunity.&rdquo;
Boston is looking to extend a wild postseason ride that already includes five wins when facing elimination &mdash; twice in the East semifinals after falling behind 3-2 to the 76ers, and now three straight times against the Heat.
The Celtics are 27-9 in Game 7s and have won their last four &mdash; including a 112-88 win against Philadelphia in the previous round that featured Tatum breaking out for 51 points, the most in a Game 7 in NBA history. Boston also beat the Heat in Game 7 in Miami in&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/celtics-76ers-tatum-nba-playoffs-record-game-7-767dffb9877cfc54d55c9f58c8fa8866">last year&rsquo;s East finals</a>&nbsp;when Jimmy Butler missed what would have been a go-ahead 3-pointer with about 17 seconds left.
The Heat are 6-5 all-time in Game 7s, losing their last two. Miami is 0-2 when facing such a game on the road.
The winner of Sunday&rsquo;s matchup will advance to face the Western Conference champion Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals.
Despite being denied a finals berth in three straight games, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said his message to the team after Saturday&rsquo;s loss was just to focus on the next game. Let the past be the past.
&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s just rally around each other,&rdquo; Spoelstra said. &ldquo;These are emotional games and things can swing in that Game 7. The pressure can go back and forth in Game 7s quite a bit. We&rsquo;re not going anywhere.&rdquo;
But what may be most concerning for the Heat heading into Monday is the Celtics &mdash; typically reliant on their ability to make 3-point shots &mdash; were able to pull out Saturday&rsquo;s win despite making a playoff-low 7 of 35 attempts from deep.
In addition, until Butler&rsquo;s incredible flurry of 10 points in just over two minutes to put the Heat in front, he was mostly a non-factor on a night in which he went just 5 of 21 from the field. Over the past three games Butler has shot a combined 19 of 55.
He said it hasn&rsquo;t shaken his resolve to do what he can to prevent what would be a disappointing finish for Miami.
&ldquo;You&rsquo;re going to get the same test until you pass it, I swear,&rdquo; Butler said. &ldquo;We were in this same position last year. We can do it. I know that we will do it. We&rsquo;ve got to go on the road and win in a very, very, very tough environment.&rdquo;
That environment just happens to be the city that is home to the first &mdash; and still only &mdash; team in Major League Baseball history to pull off a 3-0 series comeback.
That squad, the 2004 World Series champion Red Sox, rallied from that hole in the American League Championship Series against the rival New York Yankees.
David Ortiz, the 2004 ALCS MVP, said it makes sense that the Celtics are in position to pull off what has previously been unthinkable.
&ldquo;Yeah, and there&rsquo;d be no better time than this one for that happen,&rdquo; Ortiz said in an&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/ortiz-celtics-heat-4d39d05c57bb229ba13424f3a3e1c4ff">interview with The Associated Press</a>. &ldquo;If you do it in basketball, it&rsquo;s got to be the same city.&rdquo;
The Celtics are just 5-5 at home during these playoffs, but there is no place there would rather be with their season on the line.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s going to be huge. The best two words in sports is &lsquo;Game 7,&rsquo;&rdquo; Brown said. &ldquo;And our home crowd, I know they&rsquo;re going to bring the energy. So, I&rsquo;m excited.&rdquo;
There was no word on the status of Boston guard Malcolm Brogdon for Game 7. The NBA Sixth Man of the Year missed Saturday night&rsquo;s win with a right forearm strain.
Boston&rsquo;s reserves were outscored 22-11 in Brogdon&rsquo;s absence. Robert Williams III went to the locker room late in the second quarter with a left wrist injury, but he returned in the second half and finished with 10 points and seven rebounds in 17 minutes on the night.

On Monday night, the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics will battle it out in Game 7 with an NBA Finals berth on the line.

Heat, Celtics prepare for Game 7 with NBA Finals berth at stake

MIAMI (AP) &mdash; Maybe Kevin Garnett was right. Maybe,&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZYPzhBf0mc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">as he screamed in celebration</a>&nbsp;of Boston&rsquo;s 2008 NBA championship, anything truly is possible.
Even the impossible.
The Celtics are halfway to history, and that alone has gotten them entry into a very small club. Of the first 150 teams that trailed a best-of-seven series 3-0 in NBA history, just 14 &mdash; 9.3% &mdash; found a way to extend the matchup to Game 6. None of them have won the series, and most are usually eliminated by now.
Not the Celtics. They have cut the deficit in the Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat to 3-2, simultaneously trailing the series yet seeming to have all the momentum going into Game 6 in Miami on Saturday night.
&ldquo;Obviously, we didn&rsquo;t imagine being in this position, being down 3-0, but when adversity hits, you get to see like what a team is really made of,&rdquo; Celtics forward Jaylen Brown said. &ldquo;I mean, it couldn&rsquo;t get no worse than being down 3-0, but we didn&rsquo;t look around, we didn&rsquo;t go in separate directions. We stayed together. We doubled down on what we&rsquo;re good at on defense, and now I think it&rsquo;s a series.&rdquo;
Only three teams have gone from down 3-0 to tied 3-3; the Celtics could be the fourth with a win on Saturday. No NBA team has ever fully escaped the 3-0 hole, but a win on Saturday would give Boston a chance to change that in Game 7 &mdash; which would be Monday on its home floor.
&ldquo;One of our assistants put it in great perspective: The seasons are like nine months long, and we just had a bad week,&rdquo; Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. &ldquo;Sometimes you have a bad week at work. We obviously didn&rsquo;t pick the best time to have a bad week, but we did, and we&rsquo;re sticking together and fighting like hell to keep it alive.&rdquo;
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets are waiting for an opponent. If Boston wins the series, the Nuggets will visit the Celtics for Game 1 of the NBA Finals. If Miami wins the East, the Heat are headed to Denver for Game 1. Either way, the title series starts June 1, somewhere.
&ldquo;We have to shore up who we are and address the areas that we have not been maybe good enough or areas that we can clean up,&rdquo; Nuggets coach Michael Malone said Friday, after the team&rsquo;s first real practice since sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers for the Western Conference title. &ldquo;But it&rsquo;s really hard to keep your rhythm when you&rsquo;re not playing NBA games.&rdquo;
The Heat had a nine-point lead in the third quarter of Game 4, in position to perhaps win in a sweep. The lead was gone 2-1/2 minutes later and the Celtics haven&rsquo;t trailed since.&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/celtics-heat-eastern-conference-2023-nba-playoffs-5e85ae90fa8d41cb67bdde88dd142082">An 18-0 run in Game 4</a>&nbsp;put Boston on top of that game for good, a 12-0 run by the Celtics later in that game ended all doubt, and&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/heat-celtics-nba-playoffs-2023-6a8a1e06d6defdd571e45f76654418ba">then they started Game 5</a>&nbsp;with a 20-5 burst.
Add that all up, and from the start of the third-quarter run in Game 4 to the end of the start-of-game spurt in Game 5, the Celtics outscored the Heat 84-43 in a span of 27 minutes.
&ldquo;The last two games are not who we are. It just happened to be that way,&rdquo; Heat forward Jimmy Butler said. &ldquo;We stopped playing defense halfway because we didn&rsquo;t make shots that we want to make. But that&rsquo;s easily correctable. You just have to come out and play harder from the jump. Like I always say, it&rsquo;s going to be all smiles and we are going to keep it very, very, very consistent, knowing that we are going to win next game.&rdquo;
At least the confidence isn&rsquo;t ailing. Everything else is.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra flatly shot down the notion that Miami has an excuse for the way it played in Game 5 &mdash; &ldquo;there&rsquo;s no excuses. Not at all,&rdquo; he insisted &mdash; even though the training room is as crowded as a scrum for a loose ball under a basket right now. The Heat have been shorthanded in the backcourt for the entirety of the playoffs after injuries to shooting guards Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo, plus they didn&rsquo;t have starting guard Gabe Vincent for Game 5 and watched Kyle Lowry play through some sort of hand issue.
Miami&rsquo;s starters were outscored 95-44 in Game 5, and since the start of Boston&rsquo;s comeback-sparking burst in Game 4 the Heat have been outscored 75-33 from 3-point range, allowed the Celtics to shoot 54% from the field, 44% from 3-point range while committing 26 turnovers to Boston&rsquo;s 12.
Pick a number. They&rsquo;re all bad for the Heat, except the one that matters most &mdash; 3-2, the series score that means Miami is still only one win from capping its own improbable run of being a No. 8 seed that found its way into the NBA Finals.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a competitive series,&rdquo; Spoelstra said. &ldquo;You always expect things to be challenging in the conference finals. One game doesn&rsquo;t lead to the next game. &hellip; We beat them by whatever in Game 3. It just doesn&rsquo;t matter. It&rsquo;s about collectively preparing and putting together a great game. We&rsquo;ll play much better on Saturday. That&rsquo;s all we just have to focus on right now.&rdquo;

Of the first 150 teams that trailed a best-of-seven series 3-0 in NBA history, just 14 found a way to extend the matchup to Game 6.