BREAKING NEWS
Coach Malone reminds the Nuggets they're the defending champs and asks them to play like it
Read full article: Coach Malone reminds the Nuggets they're the defending champs and asks them to play like itDenver Nuggets coach Michael Malone says he reminded his team they are the defending champions and issued a challenge to both act like it and play like it.
Edwards, Towns lead Wolves' 106-80 blitz of Murray, Jokic for 2-0 series lead over champion Nuggets
Read full article: Edwards, Towns lead Wolves' 106-80 blitz of Murray, Jokic for 2-0 series lead over champion NuggetsAnother dominant performance by the Minnesota Timberwolves has the reigning but reeling NBA champion Denver Nuggets on the cusp of a stunning early exit from the playoffs.
Anthony Edwards scores 36 points, Timberwolves beat Suns 126-109 for 3-0 series lead
Read full article: Anthony Edwards scores 36 points, Timberwolves beat Suns 126-109 for 3-0 series leadAnthony Edwards scored 36 points, Rudy Gobert added 19 points and 14 rebounds and the Minnesota Timberwolves used a hot-shooting third quarter to beat the Phoenix Suns 126-109 on Friday night and take a 3-0 lead in the first-round series.
Timberwolves take down Suns 120-95 in Game 1 behind 33 points from Anthony Edwards
Read full article: Timberwolves take down Suns 120-95 in Game 1 behind 33 points from Anthony EdwardsAnthony Edwards scored 18 of his 33 points in the third quarter and had nine rebounds to carry the Minnesota Timberwolves in a tone-setting 120-95 victory over the Phoenix Suns to start the first round of the playoffs.
AP source: Lakers trading Westbrook to Utah in 3-team swap
Read full article: AP source: Lakers trading Westbrook to Utah in 3-team swapThe Los Angeles Lakers are trading Russell Westbrook to Utah and reacquiring guard D’Angelo Russell from Minnesota in a three-team, eight-player deal, a person with knowledge of the trade told The Associated Press.
Jazz shut down Warriors 111-85 to stop 9-game win streak
Read full article: Jazz shut down Warriors 111-85 to stop 9-game win streakBojan Bogdanovic scored 23 points and Donovan Mitchell had 14 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists as the Utah Jazz shut down Golden State in a 111-85 victory that snapped the Warriors’ nine-game winning streak.
DeMar DeRozan scores 32 points, Spurs beat Pelicans 110-108
Read full article: DeMar DeRozan scores 32 points, Spurs beat Pelicans 110-108DeMar DeRozan scored 11 of his team-high 32 points in the final 7:40 and made all 12 of his free throws in the San Antonio Spurs’ 110-108 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.
Ingram, Williamson pace Pelicans in 128-111 win over Lakers
Read full article: Ingram, Williamson pace Pelicans in 128-111 win over LakersNew Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) goes to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Tuesday, March 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)NEW ORLEANS – Brandon Ingram scored a season-high 36 points, Zion Williamson had 27 points and nine rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 128-111 on Tuesday night. Ingram helped keep the Pelicans comfortably in front with 17 points in the third quarter, showcasing his mid-range repertoire of pull-ups, fades and turnaround jumpers. Pelicans guard Josh Hart — like Ingram an ex-Laker who was part of the trade that sent Anthony Davis to Los Angeles — grabbed 15 rebounds to go with five steals. ... Steven Adams had 12 points and seven rebounds.
Mitchell scores 28, Jazz beat Pelicans 118-102
Read full article: Mitchell scores 28, Jazz beat Pelicans 118-102Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, left, goes to the basket as New Orleans Pelicans guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)SALT LAKE CITY – Donovan Mitchell had 28 points and seven rebounds, and the Utah Jazz beat the New Orleans Pelicans 118-102 on Tuesday night for their sixth straight victory. Ball finished with seven points, four assists, and three steals. … New Orleans scored 22 points off 14 Jazz turnovers. … Derrick Favors had nine points and seven rebounds in his first game against the Pelicans after spending last season in New Orleans.
Pelicans' Van Gundy talks teaching, commitment to defense
Read full article: Pelicans' Van Gundy talks teaching, commitment to defenseVan Gundy agreed to a four-year contract, according to one of the people who spoke Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020, to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the hiring has not been announced. Van Gundy has a track record of bridging that gap between knowledge and talent with younger players in his previous coaching stops. “There is a lot of teaching to do to bring these guys along,” Van Gundy said Tuesday during a formal introduction via video conference because of the coronavirus pandemic. In the Pelicans, Van Gundy said, he saw ownership that had won a championship in a major professional sport, even if it was the NFL. Van Gundy called Williamson and Ingram “two of the most unique young guys in the entire league.”“There's just a lot to build around there,” he added.
Stan Van Gundy agrees to become New Orleans Pelicans' coach
Read full article: Stan Van Gundy agrees to become New Orleans Pelicans' coachTwo people with knowledge of the situation say Stan Van Gundy has agreed to become the next coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, where hell get the chance to work with No. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)Stan Van Gundy announced Wednesday that he is headed to the New Orleans Pelicans, where he'll take over a promising team that includes No. Van Gundy said on his Twitter account that he was “excited" and thanked Pelicans owner Gayle Benson and others for the opportunity. “I’m excited to join a talented New Orleans Pelicans team," Van Gundy wrote. In New Orleans, Van Gundy will replace Alvin Gentry, who was let go after the Pelicans missed this season’s playoffs.
Spurs help playoff chances, top Pelicans, Zion 122-113
Read full article: Spurs help playoff chances, top Pelicans, Zion 122-113A win by the Trail Blazers over Philadelphia would eliminate New Orleans from postseason consideration. Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry called it a Game 7-type game beforehand but stayed with the plan of playing Williamson in short bursts. In the fourth, Gentry took Williamson out with 6:53 left, putting him back in for the last-ditch try about two minutes later. Williamson scored the next eight points by himself, kick-starting what became a 28-12 run by the Pelicans to end the quarter. DeRozan scored inside on the next San Antonio possession, and a late 8-0 spurt by the Spurs sealed the deal.
George, Clippers rain 3s on Pelicans in 126-103 blowout
Read full article: George, Clippers rain 3s on Pelicans in 126-103 blowoutKawhi Leonard and Beverly kept the barrage going for six straight 3s before Leonard had the Clippers first miss. With the Clippers well on their way to a blowout win, it was an opportunity for the Pelicans to get Williamson out of the game. We had a rough start, Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said. The Clippers have already clinched a playoff spot in their first season with Leonard and George playing together. Clippers: L.A. led 103-63 late in the third quarter when George and Leonard were taken out.