INSIDER
Trail Blazers spoil Lillard's return to Portland with a 119-116 victory over Bucks
Read full article: Trail Blazers spoil Lillard's return to Portland with a 119-116 victory over BucksAnfernee Simons scored 24 points, including a key floater with 17.1 seconds left, and the Trail Blazers spoiled former teammate Damian Lillard’s return to Portland with a 119-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Wembanyama scores 30 points, Spurs snap 5-game skid with a 118-105 win over Trail Blazers
Read full article: Wembanyama scores 30 points, Spurs snap 5-game skid with a 118-105 win over Trail BlazersVictor Wembanyama had 30 points, six rebounds, six assists and seven blocks and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers 118-105 on Thursday night to snapped a five-game losing streak.
Celtics look to pull off the impossible, as Heat stand on brink of making NBA Finals
Read full article: Celtics look to pull off the impossible, as Heat stand on brink of making NBA FinalsBlown out in Game 3, facing elimination in Game 4, tasked with engineering the sort of comeback that no team in their league has ever pulled off before.
Butler scores 35, Heat rally to beat Celtics 123-116 in East finals opener
Read full article: Butler scores 35, Heat rally to beat Celtics 123-116 in East finals openerJimmy Butler scored 35 points, including 20 after halftime, and the Miami Heat rallied in the second half to beat the Boston Celtics 123-116 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Tatum, Brown spark Celtics past 76ers 114-102 in Game 3
Read full article: Tatum, Brown spark Celtics past 76ers 114-102 in Game 3Jayson Tatum scored 27 points, Jaylen Brown had 23 and the Boston Celtics spoiled Joel Embiid’s MVP coronation, beating the Philadelphia 76ers 114-102 Friday night to take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Harden scores 45, hits late 3 as 76ers down Celtics 119-115
Read full article: Harden scores 45, hits late 3 as 76ers down Celtics 119-115James Harden matched his playoff career high with 45 points and hit a go-ahead, step-back 3-pointer over Al Horford with 8.7 seconds left as the Philadelphia 76ers rallied without Joel Embiid to beat the Boston Celtics 119-115 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal.
Brown scores season-high 41 points, Celtics beat Pelicans
Read full article: Brown scores season-high 41 points, Celtics beat PelicansJaylen Brown scored a season-high 41 points and had 12 rebounds and the Boston Celtics won their fourth straight game, holding off the New Orleans Pelicans 125-114 on Wednesday night.
Haliburton scores 33 points, Pacers beat slumping Celtics
Read full article: Haliburton scores 33 points, Pacers beat slumping CelticsTyrese Haliburton scored 33 points and the Indiana Pacers opened a 30-point lead in the first half before holding off the slumping Boston Celtics 117-112 on Wednesday night.
Tatum, Brown lead Celtics to easy 125-98 win over Suns
Read full article: Tatum, Brown lead Celtics to easy 125-98 win over SunsJayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 25 points, Malcolm Brogdon added 16 off the bench and the Boston Celtics embarrassed the sloppy Phoenix Suns 125-98 on Wednesday night.
Nike says Kyrie Irving is no longer one of its athletes
Read full article: Nike says Kyrie Irving is no longer one of its athletesKyrie Irving’s relationship with Nike is officially over, the shoe and athletic apparel maker said Monday, a move that came a month after the company suspended the Brooklyn guard as part of the fallout over his tweeting a link to a film containing antisemitic material.
Celtics claim 8th straight win, beat Hawks 126-101
Read full article: Celtics claim 8th straight win, beat Hawks 126-101Jaylen Brown scored 22 points to lead a balanced Boston attack and the East-leading Celtics stretched their winning streak to eight with a 126-101 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.
Giannis pours in 50 to lead Bucks past Pacers 128-119
Read full article: Giannis pours in 50 to lead Bucks past Pacers 128-119Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a season-high 50 points, two off his career best, and pulled down 14 rebounds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks past the skidding Indiana Pacers 128-119.
Cavaliers rally from 20-point deficit, beat Pacers 98-85
Read full article: Cavaliers rally from 20-point deficit, beat Pacers 98-85Cedi Osman scored 22 points and Kevin Love had 19 as the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied from 20 down to beat Indiana 98-85, shortly after agreeing to acquire shooting guard Caris LeVert from the Pacers.
Hornets break franchise record with 158-126 win over Pacers
Read full article: Hornets break franchise record with 158-126 win over PacersThe Charlotte Hornets broke the franchise’s single-game scoring record on Wednesday night and notched the highest point total in the NBA this season in their 158-126 rout of the Indiana Pacers.
Irving helps Nets charge past Pacers in his season debut
Read full article: Irving helps Nets charge past Pacers in his season debutKyrie Irving scored 22 points and sparked Brooklyn to a big rally in the second half of his season debut, Kevin Durant had 39 and the Nets beat the Indiana Pacers 129-121.
Curry falls short of record, but leads Warriors past Pacers
Read full article: Curry falls short of record, but leads Warriors past PacersStephen Curry finished one 3-pointer shy of the NBA career record on Monday night, making five 3-pointers and scoring 26 points to help the Golden State Warriors rally late for a 102-100 win over the Indiana Pacers.
James rallies Lakers past Pacers 124-116 after suspension
Read full article: James rallies Lakers past Pacers 124-116 after suspensionLeBron James made the tiebreaking 3-pointer in overtime and followed with a back-breaking 3 in his return from the first suspension of his career to help the Los Angeles Lakers beat Indiana 124-116 on Wednesday night.
Beal, Westbrook lead Wiz past Pacers 142-115 for East 8 seed
Read full article: Beal, Westbrook lead Wiz past Pacers 142-115 for East 8 seedRussell Westbrook nearly had a triple-double and Bradley Beal scored 25 points in just 29 minutes to help the Washington Wizards reach the NBA playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s No. 8 seed by overwhelming the Indiana Pacers 142-115 in the play-in round.
Sabonis leads Pacers past Hornets 144-117 in play-in round
Read full article: Sabonis leads Pacers past Hornets 144-117 in play-in roundDomantas Sabonis had 14 points, 21 rebounds and nine assists, and the short-handed Indiana Pacers routed the Charlotte Hornets 144-117 in the Eastern Conference’s first play-in game.
10 things to know, with the NBA regular season in the books
Read full article: 10 things to know, with the NBA regular season in the booksRussell Westbrook had more triple-doubles than almost any trio of NBA players, free-throw shooting was better than ever and 3-point shooting was more prolific than ever once again.
James returns as he and Davis send Lakers by Pacers 122-115
Read full article: James returns as he and Davis send Lakers by Pacers 122-115Anthony Davis scored 28 points and LeBron James returned after a six-game absence to score 24 Saturday to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 122-115 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Pacers rally late for 103-94 win to snap 76ers streak,
Read full article: Pacers rally late for 103-94 win to snap 76ers streak,Domantas Sabonis had his ninth triple-double of the season and Caris LeVert added 24 points to help Indiana rally past Philadelphia 103-94, ending the 76ers eight-game winning streak.
Westbrook has 21 boards, 24 assists; Wizards blast Pacers
Read full article: Westbrook has 21 boards, 24 assists; Wizards blast PacersRussell Westbrook had the third game in NBA history with 20-plus rebounds and 20-plus assists, and the surging Washington Wizards moved closer to Indiana in the Eastern Conference playoff standings.
Durant scores 42, Nets torch depleted Pacers 130-113
Read full article: Durant scores 42, Nets torch depleted Pacers 130-113Kevin Durant scored a season-high 42 points, including 22 in the third quarter, and the Eastern Conference-leading Brooklyn Nets glided to a 130-113 victory over the struggling Indiana Pacers.
Clippers beat Pacers 129-96 for 1st 4-game winning streak
Read full article: Clippers beat Pacers 129-96 for 1st 4-game winning streakIndiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon (7) shoots against Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)LOS ANGELES – Marcus Morris scored a season-high 20 points to lead seven players in double figures, and the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Indiana Pacers 129-96 on Sunday night for their first four-game winning streak of the season. “Guys are buying in and enjoying playing the game.”Doug McDermott led the Pacers with 23 points, making five 3-pointers. It was their fourth straight game with at least 15 3-pointers made, tying the longest such streak in franchise history. ... Williams missed his second straight game with a left hip injury.
Irving leads rout of Celtics in return to Boston Garden
Read full article: Irving leads rout of Celtics in return to Boston GardenBrooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) drives against Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Boston. Irving scored 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting and had seven rebounds, five assists and two steals helping the Nets rout the Celtics 113-89 Friday night in the final preseason game for both teams. There were no fans in the new Boston Garden on Friday night, and his introduction was greeted with a faint, fake cheer. Precious Achiuwa scored 13 points and grabbed 15 rebounds for the Heat, while Bam Adebayo scored 13 points and Tyler Herro scored 10. McCollum led the Blazers with 26 points on 8-of-20 shooting and Gary Trent Jr. added 18 points in the loss.
Butler, Dragic help Heat pull away to beat Pacers in Game 1
Read full article: Butler, Dragic help Heat pull away to beat Pacers in Game 1The Heat pulled away in the closing minutes, long after the Pacers had lost star guard Victor Oladipo to an eye injury. 4 and 5 seeds, who were separated by a game in the standings in this pandemic-shortened season. Indiana went 6-2 in the seeding games and Miami was 3-5, with the teams splitting a pair of meetings. Warren and Malcolm Brogdon scored 22 points apiece for the Pacers, who will try to even the series on Thursday. Pacers: Oladipo's loss came after coach Nate McMillan said the guard was no longer playing with a minutes restriction.
Turner helps Indiana hold off Harden rally to beat Rockets
Read full article: Turner helps Indiana hold off Harden rally to beat RocketsThat's when Harden got Houston going, cutting it to 106-104 on with a driving basket with 27 seconds to go. But after Victor Olidipo missed a 3-pointer, Turner tipped out the rebound to Justin Holliday with six seconds left. ... Malcolm Brogdon, who had 12 points in Monday's loss to Miami, sat out against Houston with a sore neck. Rockets: Russell Westbrook was diagnosed with a strained quadriceps muscle in his right leg and will miss Friday's regular-season finale. Rockets: Play Philadelphia on Friday.
Warren scores 39, Pacers surge past Lakers late, 116-111
Read full article: Warren scores 39, Pacers surge past Lakers late, 116-111Warren scored 18 in the first quarter, one off the franchise record he tied in a bubble-opening win over Philadelphia a week ago, before getting held without a shot in the second quarter. TIP-INSLakers: After Justin Holliday opened the second quarter with a 3 that pushed the Pacers' lead to 13, the Lakers went on a 22-5 run for a 46-42 lead. James scored six straight points on layups to start the run and later hit a 3. Pacers: Indiana's JaKarr Sampson had back-to-back putback dunks in the first quarter to finish a run to a 32-17 lead. ... Aaron Holiday had seven points and matched James with a game-high seven assists.
Warren scores career-high 53 as Pacers beat 76ers 127-121
Read full article: Warren scores career-high 53 as Pacers beat 76ers 127-121I just wanted to be aggressive, do what I do best, Warren said. Tobias Harris scored 30 points for Philadelphia, and Ben Simmons had 19 points and 13 rebounds. But the leading trio for the Sixers wasn't enough to overcome Warren, who matched a franchise record with 19 points in the first quarter. He punished us tonight from the beginning of the game on.The Pacers got the restart-opening win without two starters. The Sixers were down 35-29 after the first and had eight turnovers, including two each from Embiid and Milton.
Oladipo backtracks on sitting out rest of season with Pacers
Read full article: Oladipo backtracks on sitting out rest of season with PacersOladipo's presence could give the Pacers a big boost when the season resumes, especially with starting guard Malcolm Brogdon also expected to be healthy. Kevin Pritchard, the Pacers president of basketball operations, and coach Nate McMillan both said they supported Oladipo, whose minutes were being closely monitored when the season was suspended in mid-March. When he returned in late January, Oladipo wasn't the same. But this is a different situation.Brogdon tore a muscle in his thigh March 4 and was listed as week to week. If Oladipo does play, McMillan may finally get to see just how good these Pacers could be.
AP source: Heat's Derrick Jones Jr. tests positive for virus
Read full article: AP source: Heat's Derrick Jones Jr. tests positive for virusMiami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. dunks the ball against Charlotte Hornets forward Jalen McDaniels (6) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)MIAMI A person with knowledge of the situation says Miami forward Derrick Jones Jr. has tested positive for the coronavirus, a result that came in shortly after the Heat and other NBA teams began mandatory testing in preparation for next month's resumption of the season. A small number of NBA players publicly revealed Wednesday that they had tested positive, including Sacramento teammates Jabari Parker and Alex Len and Indiana's Malcolm Brogdon. All-Star Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets has also tested positive, a person with knowledge of that situation told AP on Tuesday. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Pacers' Brogdon in quarantine after positive test for virus
Read full article: Pacers' Brogdon in quarantine after positive test for virusIndiana Pacers' Malcolm Brogdon drives past Milwaukee Bucks' Eric Bledsoe during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)INDIANAPOLIS Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon said Tuesday he has been quarantined after testing positive for the coronavirus. I recently tested positive for the COVID virus and am currently in quarantine," the statement read. But with other NBA players voicing concerns about resuming the season amid the continuing protests, Brogdon had decided he would play. If Oladipo does play, the Pacers intend to be cautious with their star.
AP Interview: Floyd's death opens old wounds for Sefolosha
Read full article: AP Interview: Floyd's death opens old wounds for SefoloshaThabo Sefolosha knows what its like to be a black man, on the ground, surrounded by police officers. People talk about a few rotten apples, Sefolosha said in an interview with The Associated Press. It changed me a lot, toward the way I see law enforcement in this country, Sefolosha said. Ill be happy to be with my teammates and reunited with basketball in general, Sefolosha said. I think its definitely time for change and that should be a priority for all of us.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Brogdon scores 26, Pacers forced to rally late to beat Spurs
Read full article: Brogdon scores 26, Pacers forced to rally late to beat SpursSAN ANTONIO, Texas – Indiana found its bearing in the paint after losing its composure late against San Antonio. Malcolm Brogdon scored 26 points, T.J. Warren added 23 and the Pacers rallied to beat the Spurs 116-111 on Monday night after blowing a 15-point lead. Patty Mills scored 24 points to lead San Antonio and Trey Lyles added 20. “It’s all about being competitive and executing and you’ve got to do it for more of the 48 minutes than your opponent,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. “We didn’t do anything in the second quarter to help ourselves.