Warriors Notes: Wiggins, Game 6, Looney, Thompson
Andrew Wiggins shined at the right time for the Warriors in their second-round series against the Grizzlies, Tim Kawakami of The Athletic writes. Wiggins had a strong showing in Game 6, finishing with 18 points and 11 rebounds. He also made some key shots down the stretch.
“I believed in him from the jump,” teammate Klay Thompson said of Wiggins. “When he was with Minnesota, it was tough because to shoulder the load so much. Now with us, he can kind of be himself and play to his strengths and he was huge for us tonight.”
Wiggins was named an All-Star this season for the first time in his career. He averaged 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in the series against Memphis, shooting 47% from the field. Golden State will need his production when it plays Phoenix or Dallas in the Western Conference Finals next round.
Here are some other Warriors-related notes:
- Along with Wiggins, big man Kevon Looney also had an impressive performance in Game 6, Anthony Slater of The Athletic writes. Slater believes Looney had the best game of his career. In 35 minutes, he pulled down 22 rebounds and dished out five assists, controlling the interior. After being out-rebounded 55-37 in Game 5, the Warriors won the rebound battle 70-44 in Game 6 — and Looney is a big reason why. The 26-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
- After rehabbing a torn ACL and torn Achilles tendon, Klay Thompson has mastered the work-life balance, Mark Medina of NBA.com writes. Thompson, a nine-year NBA veteran, missed the entire 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons due to the rehab. “Balance is key, even during this time with the emotional roller coaster of the playoffs,” he explained. “Whether it’s reading or taking a walk with your dog or a boat ride or a bike ride. I try to think of simple things that keep me happy.”
- “Game 6 Klay” also returned for the Warriors on Friday, Marcus Thompson II explores for The Athletic. Thompson poured in 30 points, shooting 11-of-22 from the floor and 8-of-14 from deep. He has had some historic Game 6 performances in the past, including 41 points against the Thunder in 2016, 35 points against the Rockets in 2018 and 30 points against the Raptors in 2019, as noted in the story.
Southeast Notes: Butler, Tucker, Magic, Wizards
Heat star Jimmy Butler led his team to a 4-2 victory over the Sixers in the second round, finishing with 32 points in the final game of the series on Thursday. Butler, who played for the Sixers in 2018/19, acknowledged that leaving Philadelphia to join Miami wound up working out for his career.
“Some things happened, and now I’m where I belong, I guess where I should have been a long time ago,” Butler said after the Game 6 win, per Joe Vardon of The Athletic. “A place where I’m welcome.”
The Sixers spent their money on Tobias Harris after the 2018/19 campaign, inking him to a five-year, $180MM deal while Butler joined the Heat in a four-team sign-and-trade deal. At the time, Harris formed a big three alongside Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, with the team also adding Al Horford in free agency that summer.
“I’ve got a lot of love for this city (Philadelphia), love for guys like (Embiid), so any time we can beat a tough team, it’s special,” Butler said on Thursday.
There are more notes from the Southeast Division today:
- In his latest “Ask Ira” mailbag for the Sun Sentinel, Ira Winderman considers whether P.J. Tucker has surpassed Jae Crowder in Crowder’s former role. The Heat signed Tucker last summer to fill the void left by Crowder, who left in 2020 to join the Suns. Miami attempted to replace Crowder with Trevor Ariza and Kelly Olynyk last season, which ultimately didn’t pan out. Tucker has provided versatile defense and shooting this year.
- Khobi Price of the Orlando Sentinel explores which Magic players will likely be with the team next season. The Magic have a young core consisting of Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr., but the club will also have Jonathan Isaac returning from a two-season absence. In addition, former No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz and former No. 6 pick Mohamed Bamba could also have roles with Orlando.
- Josh Robbins of The Athletic conducts five different version of the lottery for the Wizards, speculating on which prospect the team would draft in each scenario. The NBA’s draft lottery will be held on Tuesday. Washington has a 13.9% chance at securing a top-four pick, but as Robbins notes, the team will likely have the No. 10 or No. 11 selection. The Wizards are coming off a disappointing season, finishing with the fourth-worst record in the East at 35-47.
Kings Hire Mike Brown As Head Coach
MAY 9: Brown has been officially named Sacramento’s new head coach, the team announced in a press release.
“Mike has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead winning teams throughout his long and successful coaching career,” GM Monte McNair said in a statement. “He has worked with some of the best players in the NBA and is one of the league’s premier defensive minds. I am excited to bring his extensive experience to Sacramento.”
MAY 8: The Kings have agreed to hire Warriors associate head coach Mike Brown as the franchise’s next head coach, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Brown will sign a four-year contract, Wojnarowski reports.
Brown holds head coaching experience with the Cavaliers and Lakers from 2005-14. Prior to joining Cleveland, Brown spent time with Washington, San Antonio and Indiana as an assistant for eight years.
Brown’s record as an NBA head coach is 347-216 (.616), including a 272-167 (.620) mark during his first five years in Cleveland. During that stretch, he led the Cavs to eight playoff series victories, a Finals appearance, and a 42-29 playoff record.
Brown, the NBA’s Coach of the Year in 2008/09, has been with Golden State as an assistant on Steve Kerr‘s staff since 2016, which includes title runs in 2017 and 2018.
The Kings are coming off a season where they finished 30-52, which was the fourth-worst record in the Western Conference. They currently own the longest playoff drought in NBA history at 16 straight seasons.
Sacramento was said to be seeking a defensive-minded coach who has experience turning a lottery team into a playoff club. Brown meets that criteria.
The team chose Brown over former NBA coaches Steve Clifford and Mark Jackson, who were both finalists for the position.
The Hornets and Lakers now have the only vacant head coaching jobs in the league. Brown marks the Kings’ ninth head coach in the last decade.
Western Notes: Paul, Warriors, Grizzlies, Wolves, Ayton
Suns star Chris Paul‘s mother and wife were involved in an altercation during Game 4 in Dallas, Dave McMenamin of ESPN tweets. A source told McMenamin that at least one Mavericks fan put their hands on Paul’s mother, and his wife was pushed. Paul took to social media after the game.
“Wanna fine players for saying stuff to the fans but the fans can put they hands on our families….f— that!!,” he wrote.
The Mavericks also released a statement and removed the fan from the game. “The Dallas Mavericks are aware of an incident between a fan and the family of Chris Paul,” the statement read, as relayed by McMenamin. “It was unacceptable behavior and will not be tolerated. The Mavericks, along with American Airlines Center, swiftly removed the fan from today’s game.”
There’s more from the Western Conference tonight:
- The Warriors–Grizzlies series appears to be losing some steam, Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian writes. Herrington opines that this matchup was supposed to be the fun playoff series, but injuries, suspensions and hard fouls have derailed its momentum. As we outlined earlier, Grizzlies star Ja Morant is likely to miss Monday’s Game 4 due to a knee injury.
- Ethan Fuller of BasketballNews.com previews the Timberwolves‘ offseason. Minnesota is coming off one of its most successful seasons in recent memory, making the playoffs for just the second time in the last 17 years. The team must decide whether to make a major move (such as trading D’Angelo Russell) or make minor adjustments with hopes of improving next season.
- Suns star Deandre Ayton refuses to watch any NBA games that don’t include his team, Sopan Deb writes for the New York Times. “I just can’t watch it because I have principles when it comes to this game,” Ayton said. “And, you know, I’ve just seen too many principles and bad habits that it messes with me. So I don’t watch it at all.”
Eastern Notes: Giannis, Hill, Dedmon, Isaac
Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo declined to criticize the officiating after Game 3 on Saturday, Mike Hart of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes. Instead, Antetokoummpo joked that he’d rather avoid the fine and spend his money on something else.
“How much does it cost if I say a comment about the ref?” he asked, as relayed by The Sporting News (Twitter link). “Is it $20,000? It’s a lot of money. So, I should not do it. I’ll save my money, I’ve got to pay for diapers.”
Antetokoumpo, of course, has a two-year-old son. He put forth an excellent performance in Game 3, finishing with 42 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in the win. The Bucks were called for six more fouls than the Celtics and shot 17 fewer free throws.
There’s more from the Eastern Conference today:
- Bucks veteran George Hill returned from an abdominal strain with a minutes restriction in Game 3, notes Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (Twitter link). Hill played 10 minutes off the bench. He last played on April 8.
- Heat center Dewayne Dedmon missed the team’s Game 4 against the Sixers on Sunday, as the team announced on social media. Dedmon was dealing with an illness, though he tested negative for COVID-19, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald tweets. Dedmon, the team’s backup center this season, has seen his production waver in recent months.
- Magic forward Jonathan Isaac is looking forward to returning after missing two straight seasons, Khobi Price of the Orlando Sentinel writes. Isaac has been rehabbing from a torn ACL. Orlando drafted him No. 6 overall in 2017.
Jordan Poole Won’t Face Punishment Following Game 3
Warriors guard Jordan Poole won’t face any discipline from the NBA for a play involving Grizzlies star Ja Morant in Game 3 on Saturday, Anthony Slater of The Athletic tweets.
As we previously relayed, Poole grabbed Morant’s knee as he was swiping for the ball, and the NBA’s Most Improved Player exited the game shortly thereafter with a knee injury.
Morant likely won’t play in Game 4 as a result. Head coach Taylor Jenkins acknowledged the play postgame, but he mentioned he’d have to consult with GM Zach Kleiman before contacting the league.
Aside from the usual playoff trash talk, this isn’t the first questionable play of the series between Golden State and Memphis. Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks served a one-game suspension after he committed a flagrant 2 foul on Gary Payton II last week.
The Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 142-112 in Game 3 and now hold a 2-1 series lead. In the outing, Poole scored 27 points off the bench, shooting an efficient 11-of-17 from the floor (65%). The two teams will meet again on Monday night.
Ja Morant Likely To Miss Game 4
Grizzlies star Ja Morant will likely miss Game 4 against the Warriors on Monday, head coach Taylor Jenkins said, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic (Twitter link). Morant suffered a knee injury in Game 3 and will continue receiving treatment.
Morant finished with a game-high 34 points, seven assists and three steals in the contest, shooting 13-of-21 from the floor in 36 minutes. He appeared to injure himself on a play involving Warriors guard Jordan Poole, who grabbed Morant’s knee as he was swiping for the ball.
“It looks like Jordan Poole grabbed (Morant’s) knee and pulled it,” Jenkins said postgame, per Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian (via Twitter).
It’s unclear if Poole will face any discipline for the play. The Grizzlies played without Dillon Brooks (suspension) in Game 3, as Brooks committed a hard foul on Gary Payton II in the previous game. If the Grizzlies lose on Monday, they’ll go home with a chance to force a Game 6 at Golden State.
Memphis went 20-5 without Morant this season. It has the backcourt depth to remain competitive, and De’Anthony Melton or Tyus Jones will likely start at point guard if Morant can’t play.
And-Ones: Johnson, 2023 Draft, Fan Costs, Herd
Lakers legend Magic Johnson has decided to enter the bidding for the NFL’s Denver Broncos, according to Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams of Sportico. Johnson is joining the group led by Sixers co-owner Josh Harris.
Johnson replaced Jim Buss as Lakers president of basketball operations in 2017, then resigned from his role in 2019. His storied playing career includes five NBA championships and three MVP awards across 13 seasons.
Johnson also owns part of the Dodgers (MLB) and Sparks (WNBA). The Broncos are being sold by the Bowlen family, which has owned the franchise for 38 years. Our friends at Pro Football Rumors have more on Harris’ and Johnson’s bid for the team.
Here are some other odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz of ESPN have released their 2023 mock draft, which features several young talents from around the globe. French big man Victor Wembanyana appears to be the consensus No. 1 pick at this point. The talented 18-year-old is 7’3″ with a 7’9″ wingspan, intriguing NBA scouts. Givony and Schmitz project G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson and Arkansas guard Nick Smith to be the second and third picks, respectively.
- Bill Shea of The Athletic explores the general fan costs of all 30 teams. Shea examines factors such as ticket prices and concessions, concluding that the Knicks, Warriors and Lakers provide the most expensive costs for fans.
- Wisconsin Herd president Steve Brandes has been recognized as the 2021/22 NBA G League Team Executive of the Year, the club announced in a press release. The Herd were also recognized with the inaugural 2021/22 NBA G League President’s Choice Award, which is given to the team that demonstrates what each G League club should strive to be.
Northwest Notes: Wolves, Russell, Jazz, Hernangomez
The Timberwolves are coming off a thrilling season — one that featured their second playoff appearance in the last 17 years — but the road ahead will only be harder for the team, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic writes.
Minnesota finished the regular season with a 46-36 record. The team showed flashes of potential in its first-round series against the No. 2 Grizzlies, but ultimately lost in six games.
“We’ve got to take two steps forward while other teams take one step forward,” executive vice president of basketball operations Sachin Gupta said.
In addition to the Grizzlies, the West also has several other competitive teams. The Suns, Warriors, Nuggets and Mavericks will all likely be competing for a championship again next season. Minnesota fans may have enjoyed this season, but more work must be done before advancing in the playoffs.
Here are some other notes from the Northwest Division:
- Trading D’Angelo Russell may be best for the Timberwolves, Michael Rand of the Star Tribune opines. Rand believes that Russell, who’s set to make $31.4MM next season, can’t be part of a championship core on his current salary. Russell is set to enter unrestricted free agency in 2023, so Minnesota could try to get something in return for him before then or risk losing him on the open market. The team still doesn’t have an established presence at point guard behind Russell. In 65 starts this season, he averaged 18.1 points and 7.1 assists per game, shooting 41%.
- Sarah Todd of the Deseret News examines whether the Jazz will stay competitive in the West beyond this season. Utah lost its first-round series against Dallas in six games, raising questions about whether the team will keep Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert together. The Jazz have made the playoffs six straight seasons, but didn’t reach the conference finals once during that time.
- In a separate story for the Deseret News, Todd explores what the future may hold for Jazz forward Juancho Hernangomez. The 26-year-old was productive in his 17 regular-season games with Utah, averaging 6.2 points on 51% shooting from the floor and 44% shooting from deep. His minutes were limited in the playoffs, however. He scored a total of 14 points in 56 minutes against Dallas, shooting 5-of-18 (28%) from the floor.
Eastern Notes: Robinson, Knicks, Hawks, Harris, Beal
The Knicks are among the teams monitoring what the Jazz will do this offseason, Ian Begley of SNY.tv reports. Begley suggests the team would express interest in Donovan Mitchell if he’s made available. The Jazz, in turn, could have interest in unrestricted free agent Mitchell Robinson if they choose to trade Rudy Gobert.
Robinson and the Knicks have until June 30 to reach a contract extension, but Begley says Robinson will likely enter unrestricted free agency, as two sides appeared far apart in negotiations before the trade deadline this season. Robinson, 24, is about two years younger than Mitchell, whereas Gobert turns 30 next month.
Here are some other notes from around the Eastern Conference:
- The Hawks should be seeking a player this offseason that resembles Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith, a source told The Athletic’s David Aldridge. Atlanta was one of the worst defensive teams in the league this season. Acquiring a defensive-minded forward would help when playing Eastern Conference contenders such as Milwaukee, Miami, Boston and Philadelphia.
- Magic guard Gary Harris found his rhythm as the season came to a close, something that could help him in free agency, Khobi Price of the Orlando Sentinel writes. Harris is set to become an unrestricted free agent. He averaged 11.1 points per game with Orlando this season, shooting 43% from the floor and 38% from deep. The 27-year-old has played eight NBA seasons.
- Josh Robbins of The Athletic examines several Wizards-related notes in his latest mailbag, including whether the team should re-sign Bradley Beal and whether having Kristaps Porzingis makes Beal more expendable. Washington will be eligible to sign Beal to a five-year, $248MM deal. The 28-year-old’s scoring production regressed this season, as he averaged 23.2 points per game on 45% shooting, down from a career-high 31.3 points per contest on 48.5% shooting in 2020/21.