#giannis-antetokounmpo
#giannis-antetokounmpo

Bucks' Lillard OK, Giannis doubtful vs. Raptors

Damian Lillard is available for the Milwaukee Bucks' game after missing three previous games.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is doubtful for the game due to a left hamstring issue. [ more ]

New York Post

4 weeks ago

Nets suffer fifth consecutive loss after late rally falls short vs. Bucks

Damian Lillard led Bucks to victory with 30 points and 12 assists.

Antetokounmpo's return helped Bucks secure win over the Nets. [ more ]

Newsday

4 weeks ago

Nets' rally falls short in loss to Bucks, their fifth straight defeat

The Nets showed resilience in their game despite being on a losing streak.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard played crucial roles in the Bucks' victory. [ more ]

Boston.com

Celtics' Jayson Tatum is the star of stars, with a record 55 points and the MVP of the NBA All-Star Game

Celtics Jaylen Brown also led Team LeBron in scoring, but it wasn't enough to take down Tatum and Team Giannis.SALT LAKE CITY - Jayson Tatum put on a record-setting show, and made Giannis Antetokounmpo look like a genius.Tatum scored an All-Star Game-record 55 points, and Team Giannis ended LeBron James's hold on All-Star captain supremacy by beating Team LeBron, 184-175, in the NBA's annual showcase exhibition on Sunday night.

Posting and Toasting

Jalen Brunson named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for February

This week, the NBA announced the KIA Player of the Month awards for each conference.February's honors went to Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson.Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson have been named the Kia NBA Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in February.

moredamian-lillard

The Ringer

Is the Playoff Race Still Wide-Open? Plus, NBA Dynasties Vs. Competitive Balance.

Discussion on Giannis Antetokounmpo's injury and Luka Doncic's performance

Debate on competitive balance in the NBA and the presence of dynasties [ more ]

ESPN.com

Sources: Giannis avoids serious Achilles injury

Giannis Antetokounmpo's left Achilles tendon is intact, with his return depending on the healing of his left calf strain.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been struggling with a losing streak, impacting their playoff seeding position in the Eastern Conference. [ more ]

ESPN.com

3 weeks ago

'What a pro needs': Bucks poke fun at SGA, Chet after win

The Milwaukee Bucks trolled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren on social media after their victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton had standout performances in the game. [ more ]

ESPN.com

Giannis back after sitting 2 games; Middleton out

Giannis Antetokounmpo returns to Bucks' lineup after hamstring issue

Khris Middleton resting to manage workload in recovery from ankle sprain [ more ]

ESPN.com

NBA betting awards update: Does Giannis still have a shot at MVP?

Giannis Antetokounmpo's strong offensive season boosts his MVP chances.

Bucks' improved defense post All-Star break enhances Giannis' MVP prospects. [ more ]

sportslens.com

2 months ago

moreNational Basketball Association

Where can you watch the 2024 NBA all-star game this Sunday?

LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo received the most votes and will be captains for the NBA all-star game in 2023.

The 2024 all-star game will return to an East vs. West format.

The 2024 NBA all-star game can be watched on TNT, ESPN, ESPN2, NBA TV, Sling, or Max. [ more ]

Boston.com

Celtics fall to Bucks as Giannis Antetokounmpo is injured in bizarre contest: 7 takeaways

The Celtics lost 104-91 to the Bucks in a lackluster game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a calf strain during the game. [ more ]

Boston.com

Bucks withstand Antetokounmpo's injury to beat Celtics 104-91

Milwaukee Bucks defeated Boston Celtics despite Giannis Antetokounmpo's injury and set a record for low free-throw attempts.

Celtics played without key players, while Milwaukee's lineup changes contributed to their victory. [ more ]

sportslens.com

Giannis Antetokounmpo is out on Wednesday vs. the Celtics

Milwaukee Bucks will face the Boston Celtics without Giannis Antetokounmpo due to hamstring injuries.

Bobby Portis is expected to step up in Giannis' absence for the Bucks against the Celtics. [ more ]

Boston.com

Celtics reportedly hire Charles Lee to join coaching staff. Here are 5 things to know about the Celtics' new lead assistant.

Celtics Lee was a coach on the Bucks' staff for the last five seasons, helping them win a title in 2021.The Celtics are adding another name that might be notable to NBA fans to their coaching staff.Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Charles Lee will join Joe Mazzulla's coaching staff with the Celtics, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Sunday.

Boston.com

Celtics-Heat schedule released: Here are dates and times for the Eastern Conference Finals

Celtics The Celtics will begin their playoff round against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night at TD Garden.For the second year in a row, the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat are set to battle in the Eastern Conference Finals.After defeating the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday evening, the Celtics will continue their run toward an 18th NBA title on Wednesday.

Hardwood Houdini

Boston Celtics Game Tonight: Celtics vs Bucks Injury Report, Starting Lineup, Predictions, TV Channel for March 30

The Boston Celtics battle the team with the top record in the NBA, the Bucks, on March 30 in what could be their final chance to make a run for the Eastern Conference's postseason No. 1 seed following a win streak-snapping disappointment against the Wizards this past Tuesday.The Celtics were fully healthy - minus offseason addition Danilo Gallinari, who has sat out the entire 2022-23 season and isn't likely to make a return at any point - for the first time since March 6 but was unable to take out a Washington squad operating without two of its top three scorers, Bradley Beal and Kyle Kuzma.

moreBoston Celtics

sportslens.com

NBA: Warriors Reportedly Interested In Giannis As Well As LeBron

The Warriors are eyeing Giannis Antetokounmpo as a dream signing.

Rumors suggest the Warriors sought LeBron James and may target other superstars. [ more ]

The Ringer

Draymond Is Back, and Should We Be Worried About the Bucks?

Draymond's return to the Warriors after his suspension

Concerns about the Milwaukee Bucks in light of Giannis's comments and the team's struggles [ more ]

The Ringer

4 months ago

Warriors' Silver Linings, the Clippers Are Back, and NBA Trade Season Is Here

Draymond Green's indefinite suspension raises questions about his ability to control his emotions on the court.

The behavior of the Pacers after Giannis Antetokounmpo's record-breaking game could lead to a legitimate rivalry. [ more ]

www.mercurynews.com

Giannis to the Warriors? Viral video starts a frenzy, but pairing with Steph Curry isn't likely

When the Golden State Warriors were at a crossroads once before, they went out and brought in one of the best players in the NBA.Now, as their dynasty hits another fork in the road, could they do it again?Warriors fans yearning to get back to the top of the NBA seemingly got some fodder on Thursday, thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo.

www.mercurynews.com

moreGolden State Warriors

Steph Curry takes over to help Warriors beat Bucks in overtime

SAN FRANCISCO The Warriors were down eight points and on the verge of dropping their fourth straight game with about two minutes left in regulation Saturday night.But Stephen Curry did everything in his power to ensure that wouldn't happen.Curry scored 13 of his game-high 36 points in the fourth, blocked a Bucks shot to force overtime, where he scored another nine points to lead the Warriors to a 125-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

ESPN.com

All-Star leaders hold as voting enters final days

Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James are leading the All-Star voting in their respective conferences.

Voting wraps up on Saturday and the starters will be announced on Jan. 25. [ more ]

ESPN.com

Giannis sitting out vs. Cavs with bruised shoulder

Giannis Antetokounmpo is sitting out a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a bruised right shoulder.

Antetokounmpo's absence was not reported until two hours before tipoff against the Cavs.

Jae Crowder is expected to return for the Bucks after being out with a torn adductor muscle. [ more ]

Posting and Toasting

News briefs on Mitchell Robinson, Josh Hart, and Giannis?

On Thursday afternoon, the NBA announced that Celtics guard Marcus Smart had won the 2022-23 NBA Hustle Award, making it the third time in five seasons that he has won the award.That may not be of any important to any Knicks fans but they can rejoice a bit knowing that their very own Mitchell Robinson was a top five finisher and the only center to be named on the list.

sportslens.com

NBA Odds: Knicks Favored Over Heat In East Semis

Very few people thought that either of these teams would be in the position that they are, but both the New York Knicks and Miami Heat pulled off upsets in the first round and will meet in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.NBA Odds: Knicks Are Favored In Series Against Heat "[Jimmy Butler] will go down in this series.

ESPN.com

Knicks' Randle to be reevaluated in two weeks

New York Knicks All-Star forward Julius Randle will be re-evaluated in two weeks for a sprained ankle suffered in Wednesday night's win over the Miami Heat, effectively ruling him out for the remainder of the regular season.The NBA playoffs will begin two weeks from Saturday.Randle, 28, suffered the injury late in the second quarter of Wednesday's 101-92 win over Miami -- a pivotal victory in New York's quest to clinch a second playoff berth in three seasons.

Bullets Forever

SBN Reacts: National fans' NBA awards

Thank you for your responses to our SB Nation Reacts survey!Here are our national results!The Washington Wizards survey results are here.Joel Embiid is the fans' MVP
This week's national SB Nation NBA Reacts survey focused on the awards.Out of fie choices, 40 percent voted for Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, who is averaging 33.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season.

Hot Hot Hoops

Miami Heat: Biggest storylines for the final 23 games of the regular season

The Miami Heat return from the All-Star break Friday for the final 23-game sprint before the postseason.What are a few of the biggest storylines heading into the homestretch - let's find out below!
1. Can Miami get off to a strong start?Miami is projected to have T-8th-hardest schedule the rest of the way - per Tankathon - with six of their first 10 games against current playoff teams, including two apiece against the red-hot Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers.

ESPN.com

Upper West Side

NBA All-Star Game 2024: Weekend schedule, location, rosters, format and news

LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo are leading in All-Star fan voting.

The NBA All-Star Weekend schedule includes celebrity and Rising Stars games, All-Star competitions, and the All-Star Game. [ more ]

ESPN.com

Upper West Side

NBA All-Star Game 2024: Weekend schedule, location, rosters, format and news

LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo are leading in All-Star fan voting.

The NBA All-Star Weekend schedule includes celebrity and Rising Stars games, All-Star competitions, and the All-Star Game. [ more ]

ESPN.com

Giannis: Bucks have four months to fix issues

Alperen Sengun scored 21 points to help the Houston Rockets defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 112-108.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had a standout performance with 48 points and 17 rebounds, but the Bucks lost their third game in four outings. [ more ]

ESPN.com

LeBron, Giannis lead way in first All-Star returns

LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo are leading in All-Star voting

Tyrese Haliburton is on pace to start in the All-Star Game [ more ]

ESPN.com

Game balls, Dame Time taunts and the budding Bucks-Pacers beef

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a career-high 64 points in a game against the Indiana Pacers.

Antetokounmpo was upset with the Pacers for taking the game ball and for not shaking hands after the game. [ more ]

ESPN.com

RJ Barrett, Steph Curry among top NBA Christmas Day pregame looks

ESPN staffDec 25, 2023, 12:58 PM ET

...

The NBA's Christmas Day slate is here.

...

RJ Barrett, Steph Curry among top NBA Christmas Day pregame looks

ESPN staffDec 25, 2023, 12:58 PM ET

...

The NBA's Christmas Day slate is here.

...

Windhorst: Teams Are Monitoring Giannis Antetokounmpo Situation

The Milwaukee Bucks suffered a difficult first round playoff exit after an impressive regular season, and there are changes being made to the franchise that could eventually cause Giannis Antetokounmpo to be on the move.The Bucks finished the regular season with the best record in the NBA and were the odds-on favorites to take home the title for the second time in three years.

Posting and Toasting

NBA on ESPN Preview: Two first-rate matchups are slated for Friday Night

Friday's ESPN doubleheader is tonight, folks!Time is running out to get your snack tray in order.There are two superb games on the docket, first with the Miami Heat (30-27) facing the Milwaukee Bucks(41-17), and then the Oklahoma City Thunder (28-29) taking on the Phoenix Suns (32-28).These are four professional basketball teams and both games should be competitive late into their fourth quarters.

ESPN.com

4 months ago

Giannis passes Kareem on Bucks' rebound list

Giannis Antetokounmpo surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most rebounds in Milwaukee Bucks history.

Antetokounmpo now owns multiple franchise records for the Bucks. [ more ]

Wiz of Awes

Washington Wizards: Is a Bradley Beal trade with the Milwaukee Bucks feasible?

As the news broke about the Washington Wizards and Bradley Beal working together to sort out a trade that works for both sides, so did reports about potential suitors.One interested party that surprised some NBA watchers is the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Shams Charania of the Athletic.This report was l ater corroborated by Brian Windhorst of ESPN, confirming the veracity of the rumors.

Wiz of Awes

It's time the Wizards go for a high-upside lottery pick like Bilal Coulibaly

One of the main reasons the Washington Wizards have been stuck in mediocrity in recent years is their failure in the NBA draft.It is hard to argue that the Wizards have nailed a draft pick since they selected Bradley Beal with the 3rd overall pick in 2012.Despite selecting in the top half of the draft each of the last five years, the Wizards weren't able to land any franchise cornerstones.

Bullets Forever

2023 NBA All-Star Weekend schedule of events

The Washington Wizards won't be featured on NBA All-Star Weekend despite getting hot lately.But we know that at least some of you will watch the events.So here is the schedule for the main events this weekend in Salt Lake City.Friday, Feb. 17
All-Star Celebrity Game (ESPN) at 7 p.m. ET
This game features celebrities in acting, music, former NBA players and WNBA players.

Bullets Forever

Could the NBA's single game scoring record be broken?

Here are this week's national NBA survey results from SB Nation Reacts.Our Washington Wizards team survey results were released yesterday.A decisive majority think the NBA's single game record COULD be broken again

Forty-two percent of our national respondents believe that Wilt Chamberlin's single game scoring record will never be broken again.

Washington Post

NBA-best Bucks keep the Wizards at bay thanks to 22 three-pointers

The Wizards' Bradley Beal fouls the Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo in the first half Sunday at Capital One Arena.(Patrick Smith/Getty Images) The Wizards did nearly everything right against the NBA-leading Bucks on Sunday night.But the difference between championship-caliber teams such as Milwaukee and the league's hoi polloi is knowing how to turn an inch into a mile.

Bullets Forever

Wizards vs. Bucks final score: Washington comeback falls short, 117-111

The Washington Wizards couldn't keep up with the East's top seed on Sunday, falling to the Milwaukee Bucks in a 117-111 contest.With Kyle Kuzma missing due to a knee injury, the Wiz had to lean far too heavily on Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis, with the pair putting up an eye-popping 61 shots between them.

All U Can Heat

Will 'Playoff Jimmy' Butler make an appearance in the NBA Finals?

Jimmy Butler has long pushed back on the notion of "Playoff Jimmy," and he reemphasized that on Tuesday when asked about his modest scoring output during these NBA Finals."This Playoff Jimmy narrative is not a thing," Butler said."I'm not a scorer.I don't press to score.I only press to win."
Butler is averaging 17 points on 39.4% shooting through the first two games of the Miami Heat's Finals matchup against the Denver Nuggets and hasn't scored 30 points since Game 1 of the East finals.

Raptors Rapture

Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin named Bucks head coach

The Toronto Raptors were staring down the prospect of either Nick Nurse or Adrian Griffin, chief architects of the last few seasons of basketball north of the border, leaving to become the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.Mike Budenholzer's playoff failures warranted a change in leadership.Conventional wisdom would suggest that Nurse is the man for the job.

Raptors Rapture

Bucks may hire Raptors' Adrian Griffin instead of Nick Nurse

The Toronto Raptors may be on the verge of losing both their former head coach in Nick Nurse and their top assistant from the last few years.If the Raptors hire from outside the system, Adrian Griffin might need to move on and find another team where he can ply his trade.While Griffin is considered one of the favorites to replace Nurse and has interviewed for the position.

Raptors Rapture

Pros and cons of Raptors pursuing Mike Budenholzer as coach

The Toronto Raptors are still looking for someone who can come in and replace Nick Nurse as the team's next head coach.The Milwaukee Bucks have followed Masai Ujiri's lead, as their poor postseason performance precipitated the firing of longtime head coach Mike Budenholzer.Budenholzer was fired by the Bucks after the No. 1 seed fell in embarrassing fashion to the No. 8 seed Miami Heat.

Raptors Rapture

Raptors schedule lookahead: Ranking this week's games by level of importance

The Toronto Raptors are swiftly realizing that not even Jakob Poeltl is good enough to save them from the issue they have created with their poor roster construction.A once-promising team has now been relegated to joke status after falling to the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference after 68 games.Losing to the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers on the road is not necessarily something to panic over, especially when you consider that officiating robbed them of what could have been two extra victories.

www.mercurynews.com

Donte DiVincenzo takes pride in win over former team Milwaukee Bucks

SAN FRANCISCO Steph Curry was exhausted.Draymond Green a little hobbled.The Warriors walked off the Chase Center court exhilarated, if not out of breath after an overtime win against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.At center court was Donte DiVincenzo with a post-win grin catching up with some old Buck teammates he won a championship with, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday.

All U Can Heat

What's the Heat plan for Nikola Jokic?

To win the NBA Finals, the Miami Heat will have to do something every other team that has faced the Denver Nuggets has tried to do and failed: Slow down Nikola Jokic.Dating back to Jan. 27, 2021, Jokic has won his last six meetings against the Heat.He's averaged 22.2 points on 63.5% shooting, 12.5 rebounds and 8.5 assists in those games.

All U Can Heat

Miami Heat need aggressive Bam Adebayo to beat Celtics

Bam Adebayo has averaged 18.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 11 games in the 2023 playoffs.For being Miami's No. 2 option, Adebayo has had a good playoff run.Now, Miami is in the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics for the second consecutive year.Adebayo since entering the league has routinely played well against Boston.

All U Can Heat

15 thoughts on the Heat's stunning win to eliminate the Bucks

The Miami Heat beat the Milwaukee Bucks in overtime to eliminate the No. 1 seed in the East and advance to the second round.Here are 15 thoughts from a stunning Heat win:
1. Amazing.
2. The Heat came back from 16 points down in the fourth quarter and Jimmy Butler uncorked another classic performance to beat the No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks in overtime, 128-126.

All U Can Heat

Donovan Mitchell 'concerned' about fit with Jimmy Butler on Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are coming off a good win against the Utah Jazz on Monday night.A high-scoring affair, it would come down to the very end, as both teams made the plays that needed to be made to win the game.However, the Miami Heat came out victorious and on the back of a team effort, with a few of their key guys making big plays such as, of course, Jimmy Butler, all the way to the returning Kyle Lowry, who is now playing off the bench.

All U Can Heat

Heat vs Bucks Pick and Prediction (Trust Miami Over Giannis-less Bucks)

The Heat hold the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference ahead of a battle with the No. 2 Bucks tonight.Miami knows it needs a strong showing against Milwaukee, who entered the All-Star break on a 12-game winning streak.Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't expected to play after sustaining a wrist injury, which cracks the door open for the Heat to pick up an upset on the road.

Hot Hot Hoops

Game Preview: Miami Heat face rival Bucks on the road in Kevin Love's debut

The Miami Heat went into the All-Star break sporting a 32-27 record, good for 7th seed in the East.They are just .5 games out of 6th and 2.5 out of 5th, but the last couple match ups before the break were pretty disappointing.It was clear this Heat team needed some sort of spark, some sort of new dynamic.

Raptors Rapture

Fred VanVleet shouts out Adrian Griffin after Bucks hire Raptors coach

The Toronto Raptors are flipping their coaching staff upside down this offseason.Not only is Nick Nurse looking for his next gig after getting fired, but the Raptors will also lose top assistant Adrian Griffin.After being with Toronto since 2018, Griffin was named head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.While this hire could throw a wrench into Toronto's own coaching search, as Griffin was considered a legitimate contender to replace Nurse, the fact that Giannis Antetokounmpo was so adamant about hiring Griffin shows how locked in Milwaukee was on the idea of hiring Griffin.

Raptors Rapture

Could the Raptors hire top Bucks assistant Charles Lee?

The Toronto Raptors have put some puzzling choices on their initial list of head coaching candidates, as names like Darko Rajakovic and Jordi Fernandez did not show up on many other team's shortlists.One name on their list that is an unusually hot name in the coaching circle is Milwaukee Bucks assistant Charles Lee.
Lee, who has been one of Mike Budenholzer's top assistants for the last nine seasons, was promoted to associate head coach after Darvin Ham took the Lakers job. Lee may have his pick of three available jobs, showing what a terrific job he has done of building a coaching resume.

Raptors Rapture

Raptors news: Scottie Barnes suffers wrist injury, OG Anunoby trying to break record

Scottie Barnes figures to be one of the main reasons that the Toronto Raptors have any shot at making some noise in the postseason.Even though his box score numbers may not be more impressive than what he put up last year, those who have been observing him with a very keen eye can see he has been balling lately.

Raptors Rapture

Raptors vs Bucks injury report for March 19: Is Giannis Antetokounmpo playing?

Fred VanVleet and the Toronto Raptors have bounced back nicely after a subpar West Coast road trip, winning three straight games at home in impressive fashion.The degree of difficulty will be kicked up a notch against the Milwaukee Bucks.Giannis Antetokounmpo has this team operating at peak efficiency, making them as viable of a championship contender as any other team in the league.

Bullets Forever

Wizards vs. Bucks odds and more

The Washington Wizards play the Milwaukee Bucks at 7:30 p.m. ET.Here are some final loose odds and ends.According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Wizards are +4.5 point underdogs with a total 229 over/under.This should not be a surprise to anyone considering that the Bucks are championship contenders.

Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Rams

Lakers' LeBron James earns All-NBA third team honors

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward LeBron James earned a spot on the league's All-NBA third team, becoming the third-oldest player to earn All-NBA honors in league history.It's the 19th straight year James has been all-league.James averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists in 55 games this season, his 20th in the NBA.

Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Rams

Short-handed Lakers give Bucks a fight but fall short

There were smiles - lots of smiles - in the back hallways of the Crypto.Com Arena on Thursday evening, the Lakers purging roster problems in the previous two days, restocking the roster with younger players more suited to complement the team's stars.Following trades that sent out Russell Westbrook, Thomas Bryant and Patrick Beverley and popular reserves Damian Jones and Juan Toscano-Anderson - the team's locker room seemed vacant.

Boston.com

New England Patriots

Scott Pioli explained what he thinks the Patriots will do in the 2023 NFL Draft

Morning Sports Update "The whole idea of 'turning heads,' honestly, Bill doesn't care about that."The Bruins lost in overtime to the Panthers 4-3 in Game 5 of the first-round playoff series on Wednesday night.Boston still leads the series 3-2 ahead of Friday's Game 6 in Florida (puck drops at 7:30 p.m.)
The Red Sox dropped the series finale against the Orioles 6-2.

Boston.com

The Celtics are probably headed for the No. 2 seed: 5 takeaways after loss to Wizards

Celtics They could enter Thursday's showdown with the Bucks trailing by three games.The Celtics dropped a bad loss to the Wizards on Tuesday, falling 130-111 to a Wizards team that was without Bradley Beal, Kyle Kuzma and Daniel Gafford.Here are the takeaways.1.There are games throughout the course of a season that get forgotten but affect the standings disproportionately, and Tuesday's loss - which joins a surprisingly lengthy list of losses that could reasonably be described as "embarrassing" - has the potential to be one of those games.

Hardwood Houdini

Jaylen Brown would be 'ideal fit' next to 2x MVP if he leaves Boston Celtics

Should Jaylen Brown leave the Boston Celtics during 2024 free agency - or if he asks for a trade out sometime before then, something that is now seemingly on the table given his recent interview with The Ringer -, Heavy's Sean Deveney sees him as an ideal fit next to 2x MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee.

Raptors Republic

Toronto shows positive signs in their loss to Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Bucks are the top team in the eastern conference and to some, the top team in the NBA, and if there was ever a litmus test that Toronto wanted to use in order to measure exactly how they fare in the NBA, this was it.The night ended in defeat but this should be classified as a good loss rather than one that keeps everyone's heads down.

Hardwood Houdini

The Celtics and Bucks Are on a Collision Course for an Eastern Conference Finals Matchup

The NBA has two true title contenders this season, and both lie in the Eastern Conference: the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks.Both teams have been the best this season, and their peak play is the best of any other team.The two teams have split the two regular-season meetings, with the Celtics winning the matchup where both teams were relatively healthy.

www.postingandtoasting.com

Julius Randle has taken his game to another level since the All-Star break

For the second time in three seasons, New York Knicks forward Julius Randle was selected as an NBA All-Star.Incredibly well deserved, Randle has come out sizzling from the layoff and has his Knicks looking primed as a competitor in the Eastern Conference.New York is riding a six-game win streak heading into tonight's cross-town rivalry against the Brooklyn Nets.

Hardwood Houdini

Analyst: Boston Celtics wouldn't have beaten Bucks with healthy 3x All-Star in 2022 playoffs

According to CBS Sports' Brad Botkin, the Boston Celtics wouldn't have been Eastern Conference champions in 2022 had it not been for the absence of the Bucks' 3x All-Star forward Khris Middleton."A potential Boston-Milwaukee conference finals would be a war, and though I've favored Boston in most of my analysis throughout the season, I am leaning Milwaukee now," Botkin prefaced before saying, "They've just been so great over the last six weeks, and I can't ignore that Milwaukee likely wins last season with a healthy Middleton."

Silver Screen and Roll

Lakers vs. Bucks Preview: Can LA's latest trade move save their season?

Now that LeBron James has solidified himself as the greatest scorer in NBA history (at least statistics-wise), one of the most anticipated events in line for this season is over.James is going to wake up today feeling like a more accomplished man and rightfully so, but the rest of the purple and gold meanwhile, should wake up feeling more concerned about their team's current state.

Silver Screen and Roll

LeBron James continues his masterful tampering during the 2023 NBA All-Star draft

There are few traditions better than LeBron James spending the entire NBA All-Star draft tampering.While Sunday wasn't his greatest performance, it was still a prime LeBron display.For the first time ever, the draft was held live, in-person just ahead of the game itself.Because the NBA thinks players' feelings would be hurt by being picked last WHEN THEY'RE ALREADY AN ALL-STAR, the reserves were selected first.

www.silverscreenandroll.com

Team Giannis beats Team LeBron as both leave early in 2023 NBA All-Star Game

In the latest edition of the annual NBA All-Star game, Team LeBron lost to Team Giannis 184-175, in Salt Lake City.The laid-back exhibition was mostly an exchange of buckets until the third quarter where Jayson Tatum broke the game open and sealed the win.Tatum ended the night with the All-Star MVP award and 55 points, the most ever for an All-Star game.

Silver Screen and Roll

Darvin Ham has a new hilariously corny nickname for Anthony Davis

The Lakers picked up another big victory on an emotional night on Tuesday.Hosting the No. 2 seed Grizzlies and with Pau Gasol's jersey being retired at halftime, the Lakers rode the back of another dominant Anthony Davis performance to earn a victory.With LeBron James out, AD is once again putting on a superhero cape for the Lakers and powering the team to victories.

Bleacher Report

Report: Mike Muscala Traded to Celtics from Thunder; OKC Gets Justin Jackson, 2 Picks

Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images The Boston Celtics reportedly bolstered their frontcourt Thursday.Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported they traded for big man Mike Muscala in a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.Boston gave OKC a return package of Justin Jackson and two second-round picks.

Boston.com

5 things to know about new Celtics center Mike Muscala

Celtics Boston trades two second-round picks and Justin Jackson to Oklahoma City.While rumors circled about the Celtics trading for Jakob Poeltl or reuniting with Kelly Olynyk, in the end the center they nabbed at the NBA trade deadline was Mike Muscala.Boston sent Oklahoma City two second-round picks and Justin Jackson in exchange for the 31-year-old big man.

Boston.com

Jaylen Brown's poster dunk makes an appearance in Google Super Bowl ad

Celtics "Giannis, what about that dunk in the third quarter?"Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of many NBA players who have been posterized by Jaylen Brown over the years.But the Bucks star is changing his fortunes in Google Pixel's new Super Bowl commercial.With the focus of the Super Bowl spot revolving around the phone's ability to scrub people and objects out of photos, Antetokounmpo opted to delete himself from a photo of Brown dunking on him.

Boston.com

Bucks edge Celtics 131-125 in overtime

Celtics MILWAUKEE (AP) - Jrue Holiday scored a season-high 40 points and made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 25.2 seconds left in overtime as the Milwaukee Bucks edged the short-handed Boston Celtics 131-125 on Tuesday for their 11th consecutive victory.Giannis Antetokounmpo added 36 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists as the Bucks (40-17) moved within a half-game of the Celtics (41-17) in the Eastern Conference standings.

Boston.com

Celtics show grit, depth in short-handed loss to Bucks: 5 takeaways

Celtics The Bucks closed the gap in the standings, but they didn't inspire confidence.The Celtics narrowly lost to the Bucks 131-125 in overtime on Tuesday, allowing Milwaukee to draw within a half-game in the standings.Here are the takeaways.1. We'll start where we should: with the absences.The Celtics were without Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Al Horford on Tuesday.

Pippen Ain't Easy

Chicago Bulls

Dalen Terry proves he deserves bigger role in Bulls loss to Bucks

Marking their sixth loss in a row, the Chicago Bulls continued their drunken stumble into the All-Star Break by dropping a 100-112 contest to the Milwaukee Bucks last night.This brought the Bulls' win streak of 20 straight home games on TNT to an unfortunate end, a streak that had persisted dating all the way back to 2013.

ESPN.com

NBA All-Star grades: Breaking down Tatum, LeBron, Lillard and every player in Utah

Feb 20, 2023

Kevin PeltonESPN Senior Writer

Close
Co-author, Pro Basketball Prospectus series
Formerly a consultant with the Indiana Pacers
Developed WARP rating and SCHOENE system

It's NBA All-Star Weekend, but not all the stars will shine equally.To highlight the best and worst performances all weekend long in Salt Lake City, we're grading the participants in every event from the Rising Stars on Friday through Sunday's All-Star Game.

Raptors Republic

Best Raptors & Canadian moments from All-Star Weekend

Very few words here, moreso a collage of videos in a "Morning Coffee" format.Friday
Kicking things off with a question that got Scottie Barnes thinking.Jose Alvarado ended up being the Rising Stars MVP, but Barnes got him in the half court contest during practice.Andrew Nembhard may have had the best pass of the entire weekend.

Adweek

Marketing

WhatsApp Plays a Culturally Relevant Game of Horse in New Ad

Language is a significant part of a person's identity, individuality and connection with their background-especially when it shapes our unique names.So, running into people who don't take the time to pronounce or spell our names correctly can be a frustrating, often dehumanizing experience.To celebrate the wonderful complexities of linguistic and cultural diversity, WhatsApp launched "Horse with Hasan," a comedic short film featuring NBA player and WhatsApp brand partner Giannis Antetokounmpo and comedian Hasan Minhaj.

New York Daily News

Nets starters well rested for Friday's back to back in Minnesota

It was a night off for the starters.Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn rested starting point guard Spencer Dinwiddie and sat Nic Claxton (right thumb sprain/left Achilles tendinopathy), Cam Johnson (right knee soreness) and Royce O'Neale (left knee soreness) all due to injury in Brooklyn's 118-113 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.

New York Daily News

Nets lose 129-127 to Hawks after Trae Young buries buzzer-beating floater

It was almost poetic.Here were the Nets, who trailed by as many as 18 in Sunday's loss to the Hawks in Atlanta, figuring out how to close games now that their superstars are gone - only for a superstar on the other end to put the nail in the coffin.After Cam Johnson nailed a three to tie the game at 127 apiece, Hawks star Trae Young drove the lane, pump faked and threw up a floater that left his hands just in time and swished through the net at the buzzer to lift the Hawks to a 129-127 victory in Atlanta.

Bleacher Report

Giannis Delights NBA Twitter With Dominance in Bucks' Win vs. Nets

Giannis Antetokounmpo looks healthy again, and the rest of the NBA is on notice.The seven-time All-Star returned to the lineup after missing Sunday's win over the Phoenix Suns with a quadriceps injury and led the Milwaukee Bucks to a 118-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday at Barclays Center.

New York Daily News

Jacque Vaughn: Nets players 'concerned about winning' amid blowout losing streak

After yet another blowout loss in the aftermath of the mega trades that sent Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving out West - including the second lopsided loss to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden during this stretch - Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn suggested team morale has taken a hit."We have some competitive guys, and so they are concerned about winning.

New York Daily News

Nets beat Rockets for third straight win, tie No. 5 Knicks in loss column

This is how you're supposed to handle the worst team in all of basketball.The Nets entered Houston with one job: Don't fall victim in a trap game against a Rockets team with only a handful of victories on the season.It started slow, but once Brooklyn found some rhythm, the Nets pulled away for a 118-96 victory, good for their third straight victory after a rocky start in the aftermath of the blockbuster Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving trades.

Hot Hot Hoops

Bucks demolish Heat, 128-99, in first game after All-Star break

The much-maligned Miami Heat 3-point shooting didn't look any better tonight, as they got blasted in their first game back from the All-Star break by the Milwaukee Bucks, 128-99.Even without Giannis Antetokounmpo for all but 6:28, the Bucks played with pace, cohesion and knocked down every conceivable attempt from the floor - open or otherwise.

Hardwood Houdini

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is the NBA MVP and it's not particularly close

The Boston Celtics have the best record in the NBA, and star forward Jayson Tatum is having the best statistical season of his career.You'd think that this would translate to Tatum being the clear MVP favorite in the eyes of the media.However, that is not the case, as Tatum has fallen behind Nikola Jokić and Joel Embiid in the MVP race.

Hot Hot Hoops

The Heat have lost four straight. It's not a surprise.

No Miami Heat fan who paid attention this season thought this team could compete for a title.But fresh off signing Kevin Love and Cody Zeller, an optimistic Heat fan could've thought Miami would make a push and grab the fifth seed.The Heat could've then defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.

Boston.com

What the Celtics are saying about Grant Williams's benching against Cavs

Celtics "He's gonna be alright.He's a professional, so we just gotta keep moving forward."Grant Williams did not show up on the injury report for Wednesday night's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.He also didn't play a single minute during the win.It was a surprising absence for the fourth-year forward who is averaging a career-high 27.3 minutes per game this season.

Hardwood Houdini

B/R projects Atlantic Division shift via trades around Boston Celtics this summer

Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley sees the Atlantic Division shifting in major ways around the Boston Celtics this summer in a piece breaking down the most realistic potential trades of the NBA offseason.While thankfully no absurd Jaylen Brown proposal was included, three of the other four teams in the Atlantic Division were listed as trade partners in the piece.

Hardwood Houdini

Why a former MVP is the reason Boston Celtics may retain key free agent

If/when the Boston Celtics retain impending restricted free agent Grant Williams, it will be because of the presence of former 2x MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo - this at least according to MassLive's Brian Robb.During his latest Celtics Mailbag, Robb answered a reader's question of whether or not Boston needs to retain Williams with the presence of Sam Hauser on the roster and given No. 12's recent disappearing act.

Boston.com

7 takeaways as Celtics fall to Cavaliers in OT after Grant Williams' missed free throws

Celtics The Celtics once again blew a double-digit lead.The short-handed Celtics nearly pulled out a hard-fought (and unlikely) win over the Cavaliers on Monday but found perhaps the most painful possible way to fall 118-114 in overtime.Here are the takeaways.1.Clearly, we have to start with Grant Williams, who had a chance to essentially put a Celtics victory on ice with a pair of free throws, a tie game and just 0.8 seconds remaining on the clock, but first, a note about how the free throws came together.

All U Can Heat

Miami Heat vs Milwaukee Bucks: Keys, predictions, and players to watch

The Miami Heat are looking to avoid a three-game losing streak coming off the NBA All-Star Break, as they hit the road to take on the Milwaukee Buck in Milwaukee at 7:30 pm Eastern in a nationally televised ESPN game Friday night.The Heat are coming off a, 116-105, defeat to the Brooklyn Nets in their last game, one in which they allowed the Brooklyn Nets' newly acquired wing, Mikal Bridges, to go for a career-high 45 points.

Hardwood Houdini

Boston Celtics: 2/14 Bucks matchup means more than most may realize

The Boston Celtics are coming off of a big win against the Memphis Grizzlies.On February 14, they have an even tougher opponent in the Milwaukee Bucks.As of right now, the Cs lead the Bucks in the Eastern Conference standings by a whopping game and a half.In their last five meetings, the Celtics are 4-1 against Milwaukee (including playoffs).

Clips Nation

LA Clippers

No Boardman, no pay: Three takeaways from Clippers-Bucks

The Kawhi Leonard-less Los Angeles Clippers fell to the Khris Middleton-less Milwaukee Bucks 119-106.Tyronn Lue insisted that Leonard's absence was purely precautionary as they continue to manage his recovery from an ACL injury, while Middleton was on the second night of a back-to-back having helped his team beat the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.

www.independent.co.uk