Basketball

When the horn sounded Monday night in Barclays Center, the Celtics completed their series sweep over the Nets. With an average margin of victory of +4.5, the third smallest margin of victory in a four-game series sweep in League history, the Celtics showed a much-improved ability to close out games….

Some players are built for the playoffs. This is the case for Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, who is averaging at least 30 points per game in the postseason for the third consecutive year.  During the 2021-22 regular season, Mitchell finished top 10 in scoring with 25.9 points per game….

Ja Morant put the League on notice when he won Rookie of the Year in 2019-20. His ascension has only continued this season, from being named a 2022 NBA All-Star to now the NBA’s Most Improved Player. Ja, who is averaging a career-high 27.4 points per game, is the first…

Being this year’s Defensive Player of the Year, when Marcus Smart talks about defense, you listen. Smart chipped in on how Boston’s choking defense on Kevin Durant has affected Durant’s thinking. When asked about Durant’s comment stating he’s ‘thinking too much,’ Smart figuratively pounded Boston’s chest. “I would like to…

Nets Coach Steve Nash was quick to defend Kevin Durant when asked if his star player was no longer at the ‘pinnacle’ of the NBA. “If Kevin doesn’t score a bucket tonight, I think it would be perilous to say Kevin Durant’s apex is behind him. He’s been unbelievable this…

As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Sunday, Nets star Ben Simmons will not play tonight due to re-aggravating his back soreness that has kept him out since being traded to Brooklyn. The Nets officially listed Simmons as ‘out’ for Game 4 tonight. “Of course we’re all disappointed, we’d love to…

The first-round series between the Suns and Pelicans have been tied up 2-2 after the Pelicans beat the Suns on Sunday, 118-103. The winning effort from the Pels was encapsulated by Jose Alvarado, who scored five points, two rebounds, one assist, and two steals in 18 minutes. There were two…

While many believe Joel Embiid is the odds on favorite to take the MVP award this year, Nikola Jokic continues to make his case. In Game 4, Jokic dominated in so many ways to keep Denver in the series, despite 30-plus point games from Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. The…

Photo: Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press Some key members of the Jazz are reportedly ‘surprised and upset’ on New York Knicks executive William Wesley’s courtside presence in the 2022 Playoff Round 1 series between Dallas and Utah (via SNY’s Ian Begley).  The Knicks have been one of the talks in the league…

Joel Embiid has reportedly suffered an injury that has caused him to experience some pain and discomfort in his right thumb, according to Ramona Shelburne. Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is experiencing pain and discomfort in his right thumb but practiced today and and expects to play in game 4,…