Patrick Ewing will ‘bounce back’ after firing

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Tom Thibodeau believes Knicks legend Patrick Ewing will “bounce back” from his firing Thursday at Georgetown.

Thibodeau was an assistant coach on the Knicks during Ewing’s final seasons with the franchise as a player, and they worked closely together as assistants under Jeff Van Gundy in Houston from 2004-07.

“It’s unfortunate, but Patrick is, in my eyes, he’s an all-time great, if not the greatest Knick of all time. And obviously working together with him, not only is he a great coach, he’s an even better person. So it’s disappointing,” Thibodeau said before the Knicks’ 122-117 loss to the Kings. “I thought he had some great moments there. I know it was very meaningful to him.

“But Patrick will be fine. He’s, like I said, I’ve worked with him, so I know he’s a great coach. But he’s a great person. He’s a dear friend. And so he’ll bounce back and good things will be coming in the future for him.”


Tom Thibodeau argues with officials during the Knicks’ 122-117 loss to the Kings.
AP

The 60-year-old Ewing was fired Thursday after the Hoyas posted a combined record of 13-50 over the past two seasons, including 7-25 this year.

In six years at his alma mater, the 11-time NBA All-Star center finished with a record of 75-109.

“The thing about Patrick is as a coach the only thing you can control is what you put into it. I know how much he put into it,” Thibodeau said. “Sometimes there’s things that occur that you have no control over. No matter what happens it doesn’t change his love for that school and what that means to him.

“The initial disappointment of not being there anymore, that’s normal human nature. But he’ll bounce back. I know how strongly he feels about the school, how much appreciation he has for the time that he was there. And he’ll still be involved with Georgetown. It’s a great school. He’ll move forward. He’ll be fine.”

Thibodeau added that “the state of college basketball is in flux right now,” citing the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) compensation as “changing the dynamics of college basketball tremendously.”

“I think you have to look at, OK, obviously when you have success, you don’t do that by yourself either,” Thibodeau added. “You share in that and then when something doesn’t work, it’s not any one particular person, you have to share in that and say there’s a lot of factors that go into this.”

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Immanuel Quickley’s magic runs out, Jalen Brunson sits again

Starting point guard Jalen Brunson missed his second consecutive game Tuesday night for the Knicks with a sore left foot, but Immanuel Quickley couldn’t post another starring performance.

Quickley, who played 55 minutes and scored 38 points in Sunday’s double-overtime win in Boston, managed just 14 on 5-for-16 shooting in Tuesday’s 112-105 streak-busting loss to the Hornets at the Garden.

“Obviously we had a double-overtime game but I’ve gotta play better than that,” Quickley said. “But we’ll learn from it, I know I will. Look at the film, see how we get better and move on to the next game against [Sacramento on Thursday].

“I’m fine. Ain’t no excuse. Just got to find ways to win the game. We did it in Boston. So just gotta do it every night we can.”

Tom Thibodeau said Brunson was “much better today” but “not ready yet” to return to the lineup. He added that Brunson is expected to accompany the Knicks on their four-game western trip.


Immanuel Quickley, who scored just 14 points, drives to the basket during the Knicks’ 112-105 loss to the Hornets.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Asked if the $104 million point guard would be playable if Tuesday’s game was a playoff contest, Thibodeau responded, “I leave that up to the medical staff and the player. To me, I know he’ll play if he can play and if the medical people and he feels that he needs another day, then we give him the day. We love our depth. The next guy, get in there and get it done.”


Obi Toppin hit a key 3-poiner late in the fourth quarter, but he finished 1-for-4 from long distance and is mired in a 7-for-39 shooting slump from beyond the arc over his past 13 appearances.

“Just, if you’re open, shoot it,” Thibodeau said. “I think he had a great drive in the Boston game on a closeout. So just read the game, the game will tell you what to do.

“I think we’re shooting a really good percentage from three the last 10, too. I think everyone shares in that responsibility, it’s not necessarily one guy.”


LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Cody Martin (knee) were out for the Hornets.

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Jacque Vaughn increasing Nets starters’ minutes ahead of playoffs

In a normal year, as the regular season winds down, Jacque Vaughn would want to begin increasing his starters’ minutes for the playoffs.

It appears he started that process a bit early this season.

The 2022-23 campaign has been anything but normal for the Nets.

Brooklyn has leaned heavily on its starters and sixth man Royce O’Neale the last couple of weeks, and Vaughn has repeated that the approach is “definitely something I’m cognizant of” as he pieces together a lineup with four new starters following the trade deadline.

In Sunday’s win against the Hornets, Mikal Bridges played 40 minutes, 58 seconds, which was still less than what he logged against the Celtics (42:45) two nights prior.

“In the past … we’ve played our guys not as many minutes, and then as the playoffs start to come around, we wanted to ramp those guys up so they can play, quote-unquote, playoff minutes,” Vaughn said. “I’m trying to hedge that a little bit with the short time between regular season and this group being together and playoffs.”


Mikal Bridges drives to the basket against the Hornets on Sunday at Barclays Center.
Robert Sabo for the NY Post

Nets coach Jacque Vaughn is ramping up playing time to prepare his starters for the playoffs.
Noah K. Murray for the NY Post

Outside of O’Neale, Brooklyn has trimmed its rotation, and that has led to limited court time for Seth Curry, Joe Harris, Yuta Watanabe and Cam Thomas, among others, with the exception of blowouts.

Thomas, who compiled three consecutive 40-point outbursts leading up to the trade deadline, has been on the court for only 13:47 the last two games.

Watanabe, with the exception of Sunday when the Nets built a 30-point lead, had disappeared from the rotation altogether.

“I’m cool playing a lot of minutes,” Bridges said Sunday. “If you ask anybody when I was in Phoenix, got nothing wrong with it at all. I just want to go out there and just do the best I can, help the team win.”


It took nearly a month, but Cameron Johnson has finally started to settle into a rhythm for the Nets.

The 27-year-old guard, who will be a restricted free agent after the season, has topped 20 points in three of his past five games, while also recording a double-double against the Hornets — Johnson’s first since his rookie season and third of his career — with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Johnson said he has figured out where his shots in the Nets’ offense will originate from.

“He’s shown a little bit of everything,” Vaughn said. “His ability to handle the basketball, play pick-and-roll. His ability to shoot the ball off the bounce in transition. So some things that I’m growing to understand and learn about him. “I feel comfortable putting the ball in his hands.”


The Nets ruled Ben Simmons out for Tuesday’s game against the Rockets, though Edmond Sumner who had missed three games for the birth of his child, and Nerlens Noel, who signed his 10-day contract Monday, aren’t listed on the team’s injury report, meaning they should be available.

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Picks to target Monday, Mar. 6

While it may be an oxymoron, happy Monday nonetheless.

We went a perfect 4-for-4 in last Monday’s NBA PrizePicks entry and will look to do the same this evening.

There are six games on the schedule and plenty of injuries that could change the available markets.

Keep in mind that the numbers constantly change throughout the day.

After thoroughly scanning the PrizePicks lobby, I have selected my four favorite picks for Monday night’s slate.


Damian Lillard headlines our NBA PrizePicks for Monday.
Getty

NBA PrizePicks predictions and picks Monday

Damian Lillard more than 35.5 points

If you haven’t noticed, Lillard is the hottest player in the NBA right now.

Instead of having ‘Dame Time’ in the fourth quarter of games, it’s been ‘Dame Time’ for weeks.

Over his last eight games, he has averaged 41.4 points per contest.

With Jusuf Nurkic (out), Anfernee Simons (out), and Josh Hart (traded) off the floor this season, Lillard has averaged 43.9 points per 36 minutes.

Given the tight spread of tonight’s game, he should see 36-to-38 minutes against the Pistons, who are 28th in defensive efficiency against point guards this season. 



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Bam Adebayo more than 8.5 rebounds

This selection is more based on matchup than anything else, but even at face value, this one stands out when you compare his prop to his season-long averages.

Adebayo has averaged 9.7 rebounds per game this season, well above the 8.5 mark we are looking for tonight.

Centers have had great success against the Hawks this season, especially on the glass.

Atlanta is a below-average rebounding team (18th) and their two centers (Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu) rarely leave the paint.

In three meetings against the Hawks so far this season, Adebayo has averaged 10.7 rebounds per game. 

Domantas Sabonis less than 7.5 assists 

Let’s keep this one simple – Sabonis has averaged 6.9 assists per game on the season and draws a below-average matchup against the Pelicans, who are ranked 15th in pace and ninth in defensive rating.

Sabonis has recorded fewer than 7.5 assists in 13 of his last 17 games.

There is a chance De’Aaron Fox (questionable) sits tonight, but Sabonis only averages 0.54 more assists per 36 minutes with Fox off the floor.

The less-than on this specific prop has been hitting at a very high clip, so there’s no need to rock the boat with this one. 


CJ McCollum #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors
NBAE via Getty Images

Betting on the NBA?

CJ McCollum more than 26.5 points + rebounds

On the season, McCollum has averaged 21.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.

That’s slightly less than the total we are looking for tonight, but it doesn’t tell the entire story.

The Pelicans are currently without Zion Williamson, Josh Richardson, Jose Alvarado, and Larry Nance.

There’s also a decent chance Jonas Valanciunas (questionable) will be forced to miss another game.

With all of the injuries, McCollum has been playing big minutes and soaking up a ton of usage.

He may have to help out a bit more on the glass tonight.

The icing on the cake is a matchup against the Kings, ranked ninth in pace and 25th in defensive rating this season.

You can follow Justin Carlucci on Twitter @ThejCarlucci



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Knicks’ Immanuel Quickley mirroring idol Lou Williams

BOSTON — When Immanuel Quickley entered the NBA, one of his favorite players was Lou Williams.

Quickley could be following in Williams’ footsteps if his current surge continues. 

Quickley is becoming a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year candidate — the award Williams won three times with the Raptors and the Clippers — as he plays an integral role in the Knicks’ run up the Eastern Conference standings. 

“Any time you get mentioned with any great players like Lou Williams, anybody that’s won Sixth Man of the Year, it’s definitely something that’s pretty cool,” Quickley said. 

At the very least, the third-year player is in the conversation with Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon, 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, Clippers guard Norman Powell and Kings guard Malik Monk, among others.

Only players who come off the bench in more games than they start are eligible for the award. 


Immanuel Quickley is enjoying a career-best season.
AP

Lou Williams won the Sixth Man of the Year award three times.
Getty Images

Quickley is averaging career-highs in points (13.0), rebounds (4.0), minutes (27.6) and field-goal percentage (44.7).

His 7.2 net rating as a reserve (points differential per 100 possessions with him on the floor) is significantly higher than the aforementioned candidates. He is also one of only three reserves with at least 650 points, 200 rebounds and 150 assists, along with Brogdon and Westbrook. 

The super sub was again a dynamic two-way force Friday in the dramatic win over the Heat, scoring 21 points and going 5-for-9 on 3-point attempts as the Knicks (38-27) ran their winning streak to eight games. While the recent trade for Josh Hart, the star turn of Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle’s bounce-back season have dominated the storylines surrounding the Knicks, Quickley’s ascension can’t be diminished. 

The 6-foot-3 guard has been a revelation since coach Tom Thibodeau cut his rotation down to nine on Dec. 4, and expanded Quickley’s role. From that point, he is averaging 14.8 points and shooting 38.7 percent from 3-point range. The Knicks are outscoring the opposition by 5.2 points per game in that stretch when he’s on the floor. He has scored in double figures in 10 straight games and 31 of a possible 34 contests. 

“I feel like I’m in a groove,” Quickley said. “Defensively, I think is where it starts for me. And just feeling the rhythm defensively, I know I can get in rhythm on offense through that.” 


Immanuel Quickley is in the running to win Sixth Man of the Year.
AP

His defense has been the biggest change for Quickley. He has a stellar 107.3 defensive rating, the best among the Knicks currently in the rotation, other than Hart. He has played incredibly hard all year fighting through screens and has diligently worked on improving his defense. Quickley has been so effective that he has been closing a majority of games of late. 

“He can guard multiple positions. He’s gotten a lot stronger,” Thibodeau said. “But I also think his understanding of the league, knowing what teams are trying to get to, his ability to think ahead, [is important]. He’s very good at thinking on his feet.” 

After a strong rookie year, Quickley took a step back last season and didn’t start out well this year. He struggled with his shot, shooting just 30 percent from deep in November while averaging south of double figures. But he has been essential to the 180-degree turn the Knicks have made over the last three months, to the point at which a contract extension this summer feels likely. Early this season, the Knicks were looking into trading Quickley for draft capital. That changed by the turn of the new year. 


Immanuel Quickley celebrates during the Knicks’ win over the Heat on March 3.
AP

A Sixth Man of the Year Award would help his side in negotiations, not that Quickley would admit to thinking about the potential honor. 

“For me, honestly, it really all comes down to winning,” he said. “You don’t win, no one gets awards. So, honestly, I really don’t even focus on it too much. I focus on it day to day, trying to get better, and if I win Sixth Man of the Year, then I win Sixth Man of the Year.” 

He’s certainly in the conversation. As Thibodeau likes to say when positively evaluating a player, Quickley has impacted winning.

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Hornets’ LaMelo Ball suffers devastating ankle injury

The injury struggles for LaMelo Ball have continued in his third season.

Ball fractured his right ankle during Charlotte’s game against the Pistons on Monday night, the team announced. He tried a crossover dribble against Detroit guard Killian Hayes in the third quarter, but when Ball stepped back behind the 3-point arc, he appeared to land awkwardly on his right foot.

According to a video posted on Twitter, Ball appeared to tell a Hornets staffer, “It popped. I heard it pop.” In its release, the Hornets revealed that Ball will be out Wednesday against the Suns and “updates regarding his status will be provided as appropriate.”

It’s the latest injury setback for Ball, the star guard who Charlotte drafted No. 3 overall in 2020. He sustained a Grade 2 sprain in his left ankle that made him unavailable for the opening 13 games of the regular season, when the Wizards’ Anthony Gill stepped on that area. But just three games after he returned, Ball tried to save a ball from going out of bounds and stepped on a fan’s foot — aggravating that same left ankle.

The Hornets were seconds away from a 125-113 defeat that night, with Ball scoring 26 points in his first home game of the season, but that kept him out of the lineup for another month.

Similar to that second injury, Ball’s fractured ankle Monday night occurred during a productive game for the 21-year-old. He had connected on six 3-pointers and compiled 18 points on 6-for-9 shooting, adding five assists and another six rebounds. Hornets forward Gordon Hayward called the injury disappointing because “he’s a major part of our team and we felt like we were rounding the corner,” according to the Associated Press.


LaMelo Ball appeared to fracture his ankle while attempting a crossover dribble in the third quarter.
Screengrab via Twitter

LaMelo Ball suffered another devastating ankle injury Monday night.
Getty Images

“It’s just a basketball ankle and there is nothing that you can do about that,” Hornets head coach Steve Clifford said following the game.

The Hornets still managed to defeat the Pistons, 117-106, but they’re 23 games under .500 and 14th place in the Eastern Conference — nowhere near the seeding required for a spot in the play-in tournament. Ball has averaged a career-high 23.4 points per game this year, one season after he made his first All-Star Game and started 75 games.



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Knicks’ RJ Barrett has big night: ‘playmaking was terrific’

It won’t solve the problem of his late-game absences, but RJ Barrett found a way to at least redirect attention Saturday night.

Barrett dished out a season-high seven assists and scored 25 points (his most points since he scored 30 on Feb. 2) as the Knicks defeated the Pelicans, 128-106, at the Garden. It marked the sixth time in Barrett’s four-year NBA career he has had seven or more assists. He attributed his facilitation to being aggressive on offense. He also noted that the made shots, a key component, followed from other Knicks after his passes.

“The playmaking was terrific, all-around play, just read the game really well,” Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said of Barrett. “Aggressive to start, good rhythm, and then when there was traffic around him, he sprayed it out and created easy shots for us. And when we get our team doing that we’re gonna score a lot of points.”

Barrett’s big game came one night after Thibodeau kept him off the court for the final 7:56 of a tight contest against the Wizards. Before the game Saturday, Thibodeau attributed his decision Friday to “sometimes, another guy’s got it going and that’s the way it is.” But it wasn’t the first time this season the coach has subbed out Barrett, his 22-year-old, $107 million star, in pivotal moments of the fourth quarter.


RJ Barrett, who scored 25 points, drives on Josh Richardson
Noah K. Murray-NY Post

“It’s going to be what goes well, but RJ’s obviously a very important part of the team,” Thibodeau said.

Two of Barrett’s assists came early in the first quarter. Barrett lobbed a pass to Mitchell Robinson, who scored to give the Knicks a double-digit lead. Later, he executed a drive-and-kick to Randle, who hit a 3-pointer from the left wing.

Barrett also found a scoring rhythm early, challenging Brandon Ingram one-on-one and beating him with a crossover and step-back jumper to open the scoring. He added 10 points in the third quarter, including eight points in the first 3:13.

“[Barrett] was great,” Randle said. “Just how he was reading the floor, getting guys open looks early with how they were playing and keeping his feet when he got in the lane.”

Near the start of the second quarter, Barrett curled around a screen from Isaiah Hartenstein and drained a 3-pointer. He sank another 3 later in the quarter, after Jalen Brunson flung a crosscourt pass near the right corner, where Barrett was stationed.

In between those two baskets, he added another pair of assists — facilitating a Robinson dunk and a Josh Hart jumper — that helped him to his most this season since Dec. 11, when he compiled six in a win against the Kings.

“We clicked really well as a team today,” Barrett said.

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Celtics nip 76ers after Joel Embiid 70-footer comes too late

PHILADELPHIA — Jayson Tatum buried the 3-pointer that put Boston ahead with 1.3 seconds left and casually backpedaled on defense before he turned to greet his teammates and — woosh! — a 70-foot shot sailed over his head and into the basket.

Joel Embiid shook his head no. The 76ers’ All-Star center knew his tying, desperation heave was just a tick too late.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla needed a second look to know the Celtics were in the clear and he wasn’t positive until “they showed it on the Jumbotron.”

Time to celebrate.

Tatum hit the winning 3 that capped Boston’s comeback from 15 points down in the third quarter and he finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds and six assists to help the Celtics hold on for a 110-107 win against Philadelphia on Saturday night.

“I dream about taking those shots,” Tatum said. “The worst thing that can happen is you miss.”

He didn’t miss.

Jaylen Brown scored 26 points, Derrick White added 18 and Al Horford hit five game-changing 3s for 15 points.

“Our guys have been there,” Mazzulla said. “They’ve been through it all.”

Embiid finished with 41 points and 12 rebounds. He also made 17 of 18 free throws. James Harden scored 21 points and Tobias Harris had 19.

The late-game thriller proved worthy of a showdown between two of the top teams in the East.

Boston, though, proved it’s still the team to beat.


Jayson Tatum celebrates after hitting the game-winning 3-pointer with 1.3 seconds left in the Celtics’ 110-107 win over the 76ers, who nearly tied the game when Joel Embiid followed with a 70-foot make that was just after the buzzer.
Getty Images

The Sixers dug deep trailing by five with 3 minutes left. With booming “MVP! MVP!” chants filling the arena, Embiid hit two free throws and followed with a jumper that pulled the Sixers within one. Embiid then blocked Brown’s layup and Tyrese Maxey went the other way for a go-ahead driving layup that sent another packed house into a frenzy.

Horford, once considered a key cog in the 76ers’ chase for a championship, instead hit the clutch 3-pointer inside Wells Fargo Center that the city craved from him in 2019-20. He put the Celtics ahead by two points and a bucket by Tatum made it 107-103.

Harden and Embiid made four straight free throws that tied the game and put every fan — there was a smattering of green in the stands — on edge.

Tatum, though, calmly hit a 3 to put Boston ahead. Embiid then heaved one from inside the opposing 3-point line and it fell through the basket — just after the horn.


A dejected Joel Embiid walks off the court after his 70-foot make came after the buzzer in the 76ers’ loss.
Getty Images

“I kind of had a feeling it wasn’t going to count,” Tatum said. “But it’s the NBA, right? Anything can happen.”

Just not on this night for the Sixers.

“Unfortunately, story of my life,” Embiid said.

Tatum celebrated by giving his game-worn jersey to Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver — and noted Celtics fan — DeVonta Smith.

The 76ers had another packed house and fans were hyped from pregame warmups for a game with a definitive playoff feel. Both teams came out firing — they each hit four 3s and shot at least 50% in the first quarter. The scoring swings were so one-sided for a stretch that the Celtics went on a 20-4 run and only led 39-32.

The Sixers entered this one with something to prove after a miserable effort in a 106-99 loss earlier this month in Boston. The reigning Eastern Conference champion Celtics remain the class of the conference. The Sixers are still out to show under coach Doc Rivers they’re more than a 50-win, second-round exit team. They’re going to need Embiid to lead the way. After a difficult shooting night against Memphis on Thursday, Embiid had a game worthy of the “MVP! MVP!” chants that serenaded him with each trip to the free-throw line.

He bullied his way down the lane for big buckets. Embiid’s three-point play late in the fourth stretched the lead to 11 and he had an assist on De’Anthony Melton’s 3-pointer on the next possession.

Horford made three straight 3s to bring Boston back into the game. Horford’s fourth 3 of the quarter keyed an 18-3 run and helped the Celtics lead 80-78 through three.

“It’s not extra motivation,” Horford said of his return. “It’s just fun. Those are the games you want to be a part of.”

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Kings beat Clippers in 2nd-highest scoring game in NBA history

LOS ANGELES — Malik Monk scored a career-high 45 points, De’Aaron Fox had the go-ahead basket and finished with 42 and the Sacramento Kings beat the Los Angeles Clippers 176-175 in double overtime in the second-highest scoring game in NBA history.

Detroit beat Denver 186-184 in triple overtime on Dec. 13, 1983, in the highest-scoring NBA game. The Kings are third on the scoring list with the 176 points and the Clippers fourth.


De’Aaron Fox, who scored 42 points, including the game-winning bucket, drives to the basket during the Kings’ 176-175 double OT win over the Clippers.
NBAE via Getty Images

Malik Monk, who scored 45 points, celebrates during the Kings’ double OT win.
USA TODAY Sports

The Clippers had a 175-169 advantage with 1:57 remaining before the Kings scored the final seven points, including Fox’s jumper with 36.5 seconds remaining. The Clippers had the final shot, but missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Kawhi Leonard scored a season-high 44 points for Los Angeles and Paul George added 34.

Russell Westbrook started and made his Clippers debut after he cleared waivers Wednesday. He had 17 points, 14 assists and five rebounds in 39 minutes before fouling out with 1:49 remaining in the second overtime.

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Charles Barkley, Draymond Green in All-Star argument over Warriors

There is nothing not awkward about this exchange between Charles Barkley and Draymond Green.

The Warriors star got a tad defensive when the basketball Hall of Famer said that Golden State is “cooked” this season during the NBA All-Star broadcast. Green was serving as a sideline reporter and Barkley and the “Inside the NBA” crew were commentating on the festivities, which aired on TBS and TNT.

“I hate to say it, but the Golden State Warriors are cooked,” Barkley said.

“That’s crazy,” Green replied. “You said that last year, but we all know you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

When Barkley denied Green’s claim, the Warriors forward fired back: “You said it every year. You said it every year since I’ve been in the league.”


Warriors star Draymond Green interviews Jayson Tatum of Team Giannis during the 2023 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 19, at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.
NBAE via Getty Images

Barkley continued to disagree, saying, “That’s not true, but y’all are cooked now… y’all are done… I’m telling you, y’all are done.”

Green hit back with a jab about Barkley never winning a championship in his career.

“This is crazy… Are we?… That’s four ahead of you, boss,” Green said, referring to his number of championship rings.

Barkley apparently went on to say that Golden State’s younger core has yet to step up in a big way this season while the team’s stars are getting older — adding that All-Star point guard, Stephen Curry, is “starting to break down.” Curry has missed 20 of the Warriors’ 58 games this season and is currently out with a leg injury.


Mascot Jazz Bear of the Utah Jazz delivers donuts to celebrate Charles Barkley’s birthday during the 2023 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 19 at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.
NBAE via Getty Images

Charles Barkley celebrates his birthday during the 2023 NBA All-Star game at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, Feb. 19, 2023.
AFP via Getty Images

Green didn’t like that comment.

“He’s starting to break down? He got hit in the knee and hurt his knee!” Green said. “He didn’t just get hurt. He also got his arm snatched back, they’re contact injuries. Thank God he don’t look like you in Houston.”

The tense exchange occurred when Barkley rehashed a comment made by Grizzlies star Ja Morant during a sideline interview with Green.

At one point in the All-Star game, Green asked Morant if he was still not worried about any teams in the Western Conference following the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 9. The Nets traded Kevin Durant to the Suns on the night before the 3 p.m. deadline.


Reggie Miller and Draymond Green smile during the broadcast of NBA All-Star Saturday Night as part of 2023 NBA All Star Weekend on Feb. 18 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
NBAE via Getty Images

“Definitely you got to look at Phoenix now with adding KD,” Morant said. “Obviously, we can’t shy away from y’all [the Warriors]. Everybody knows y’all are always in contention… still Boston, man.

“But yeah, I’m still fine in the west.”

The defending champion Warriors are sitting in the ninth spot in the Western Conference with a 29-29 record.

Golden State defeated the Celtics in six games in the 2022 NBA Finals, which secured their fourth championship in eight seasons.

Green signed a multi-year contract with Turner in January 2022 and is expected to join the “Inside the NBA” team whenever his playing career concludes.

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