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Tag: leg injury

  • Ange’s title omen as City rocked in Spurs ambush; seven-goal rout starts new Utd era: Wrap

    Ange’s title omen as City rocked in Spurs ambush; seven-goal rout starts new Utd era: Wrap

    Ange Postecoglou “always wins things” in his second season in charge and his big statement remains on track as Tottenham defeated heavyweights Manchester City 2-1 to advance to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

    The Round of 16 clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was a classic display of ‘Angeball’ as Spurs were electric early with two goals in the first 26 minutes of the game.

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    City had more of the ball with 65% possession for the night but they could only get two of their 15 shots on targets, while Tottenham constantly threatened on the counter attack.

    Pep “proud” of Rodri after Ballon D’or | 01:10

    Spurs tested out City’s second choice goalkeeper Stefan Ortega with seven of their 11 shots being on target as their speed and creativity in midfield caused headaches for Pep Guardiola.

    Postecoglou’s side made early in-roads with Dejan Kulusevski picking out much-maligned attacker Timo Werner at the far post to open the scoring in the sixth minute, but it was not all smooth sailing as defender Micky Van de Ven injured his hamstring in a slide tackle in the 11th minute.

    Tottenham’s advantage grew to two in the 26th minute when midfielder Pape Sarr curled a beautiful low strike home from the edge of the box after a short corner, but their Australian boss would have entered the dressing room at half time frustrated.

    Spurs conceded in the fourth and final minute of added time when Savinho – who had to be stretchered off in the second half with a leg injury – crossed the ball to Nunes at the back post.

    The late goal made for a nervy second half for the home fans as City have trailed many times so far this season and on each occasion they have come back and won.

    But this time around it was not to be as Guardiola made a head scratching move.

    Goal scoring machine Erling Haaland remained on the bench for the entire game despite City’s search for an equaliser.

    Postecoglou on other hand brought Brazilian attacker Richarlison on in the 69th minute to try extend their lead, and he had the chance to bury City when he was through on goal in the 83rd minute but hit a tame shot directly to Ortega.

    It did not matter in the end as Tottenham defended soundly in a scoreless second half – which included six minutes of added time – to bounce back from their disappointing Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend.

    Spurs have also kept alive their hopes of claiming their first trophy since 2008 when they won this very competition.

    They will face Manchester United at home in a quarter-final and Postecoglou was refusing to buy into notions that things may get easier after toppling City.

    “Are you suggesting the sides left are easy?” the Australian asked a reporter who wondered if the Cup now felt “wide open”.

    “There’s always an opportunity if you keep winning. But as I say, there’s still some decent teams in there. It’s not really the quarter-final stage. But for us, what’s important is we’re in it. As long as we stay in it, we’ve a chance.”

    FLURRY OF GOALS MARKS LIFE AFTER TEN HAG

    Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy could hardly have asked for a better start to his new gig with the Red Devils piling on the goals against Leicester City as they won 5-2 at Old Trafford.

    Van Nistelrooy said pre-game that his side “can be unstoppable” when “players, staff and supporters pull together” and remarkably there were six goals scored to half time as United lead 4-2 at the break.

    Casemiro – who scored the last goal under Erik ten Hag – started the new era with a stunner from long-range and the highlights continued as the game went on.

    Garnacho thumped a low cross into the roof of the net for their second, Bruno Fernandes then curled home a lovely free kick for United’s third and Casemiro scored his second from a delicate chipped cross by Marcus Rashford.

    In the second half, Fernandes got a brace of his own by coolly going around the keeper and beating a defender on the line to make it two straight Carabao Cup matches at Old Trafford where seven goals have been scored.

    In the previous round, United smashed League 1 side Barnsley 7-0.

    Shortlist revealed for Man Unt top job | 03:50

    LIVERPOOL HANG ON IN SECOND HALF THRILLER

    Liverpool walked into the change rooms locked at 0-0 with Brighton at half time, but a flick was switched after the break as five second half goals lit up the Amex.

    The Reds prevailed 3-2 to keep Arne Slot’s dream start to life at Anfield despite a late Brighton fightback.

    The match looked all but over when, in the 63rd minute, Cody Gapko fired home his second of the night.

    But a blunder at the back gave the Seagulls a sniff with a goal to Simon Adingra in the 81st minute before Luis Diaz added Liverpool’s third four minutes later.

    Matildas take down Euro heavyweights | 02:29

    A stoppage time goal to Tariq Lamptey courtesy of a wicked deflection gave Brighton hope of levelling it up at the death knock but Liverpool held firm to book their place in the quarter-finals against Southampton.

    In other matches, Arsenal were far too strong for Championship side Preston North End as the Gunners won 3-0 away from home to advance to the next round against Crystal Palace.

    Newcastle knocked out Chelsea 2-0 to gain revenge for their Premier League loss at Stamford Bridge last weekend, and they will take on Brentford in a quarter-final.

    Crystal Palace upset Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park, while yesterday Southampton defeated Stoke City 3-2 and Brentford overcame Championship club Sheffield Wednesday on penalties.

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  • ‘Makes no sense’: Germany rocked in extra time thriller as ‘astonishing’ call stuns Euros

    ‘Makes no sense’: Germany rocked in extra time thriller as ‘astonishing’ call stuns Euros

    Mikel Merino goal in the final minute of extra time took Spain to a 2-1 win over Germany and into the Euro 2024 semis.

    After a fiery yet goalless first half, Spain’s Dani Olmo latched onto an inch-perfect pass from Spanish wunderkind Lamine Yamal to give La Roja the lead on 51 minutes.

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    Germany left in disbelief after handball | 00:40

    Niclas Fuellkrug struck the post with 14 minutes remaining but with the hosts staring at an early exit, Florian Wirtz slammed in a Joshua Kimmich knock-down in the 89th minute to take the game to extra time.

    With a minute remaining in extra time and the game looking set for penalties, Olmo lofted a cross for Merino, who headed Spain into the semi-finals and on course for a record-breaking fourth Euros crown.

    STUTTGART, GERMANY – JULY 05: Marc Cucurella of Spain celebrates victory with teammates after the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany at Stuttgart Arena on July 05, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    Germany’s exit brings to an end the hosts’ hope of a summer fairytale Euros victory after a decade of poor performances at major tournaments, while also lowering the curtain on Toni Kroos’ stellar career.

    The battle between the two most successful Euros nations, with three titles apiece, was billed as a final come early, with the in-form Spaniards against Nagelsmann’s reborn hosts.

    Spain nominated Kroos as Germany’s most dangerous pre-match but the midfielder had a huge, even if unintended impact early, colliding with Pedri, who was then subbed off with a leg injury for Olmo.

    Germany, with the oldest squad at Euro 2024, struggled with Spain’s speed during the first half, frequently coming into duels a fraction too late, but the two best chances of the opening half fell to the hosts — and both to Kai Havertz.

    The Arsenal forward leapt highest to head a cross directly at Unai Simon early and then scuffed a tame shot at the goalie later in the half with just the ‘keeper to beat.

    After a goalless first half, Nagelsmann took off surprise starter Emre Can for the pink-haired Robert Andrich, while the ineffective Leroy Sane was hooked in place of Wirtz.

    The substitution who would make his mark however was Olmo, who gave Spain the lead six minutes into the second half, slicing through the sleepy Germany defence to perfectly place a Yamal pass past Manuel Neuer in the bottom left corner.

    The goal kicked Germany into gear with Wirtz particularly dangerous. The Bayer Leverkusen starlet linked with Fuellkrug on the counter with a quarter of an hour remaining but the striker, under heavy attention from the Spanish defence, could only hit the post.

    With 10 minutes remaining Nagelsmann made his final substitution, bringing veteran Thomas Mueller from the bench.

    STUTTGART, GERMANY – JULY 05: Toni Kroos of Germany applauds the fans after the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany at Stuttgart Arena on July 05, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    But it was Wirtz — 13 years his junior – who made the difference, skimming a Joshua Kimmich header across the grass and in at the far post in the final minute, sending the game to extra time.

    Mikel Oyarzabal, on for Williams, curled a 104th-minute shot just wide of the post and Wirtz did the same a minute later with the goal beckoning.

    Germany appealed strongly for a penalty in the second period of extra time, after a goal-bound Jamal Musiala shot clearly connected with Marc Cucurella’s outstretched hand.

    After the penalty drama, Olmo curled in a cross for Merino, who leapt high to head the ball past Neuer and put Spain into the Euros semi-finals.

    “We threw everything in, to lose when we were so close, is bitter,” Kroos told ARD.

    “The elimination is the main focus right now (rather than his retirement), because the goal that we had we were unable to achieve and the dream we had is over.

    “We played a good tournament but when you’re so close, to be eliminated like that, it’s bitter.” The 34-year-old insisted the future was bright for German football and said the side had brought optimism back to the fans and supporters.

    “We can all be proud because of what we did. I was happy to help out, I think we gave German football hope again and we got better as we went along.

    “I think the team will do it in future, but today we’re extremely sad because we would have liked to stay a little longer.”

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  • ‘He is nowhere close yet’: Analyst shreds Luka Doncic in brutal NBA Finals wake-up call

    ‘He is nowhere close yet’: Analyst shreds Luka Doncic in brutal NBA Finals wake-up call

    NBA analyst and insider Brian Windhorst has taken aim at Luka Doncic, declaring the Mavericks superstar is “costing his team” with his behaviour towards officials.

    Doncic was visibly frustrated throughout points of Thursday’s game before eventually fouling out as Boston defeated Dallas 106-99 to go up 3-0 in the series.

    Doncic’s consistent complaining to officials proved particularly costly when it gifted the Celtics easy buckets as he failed to get back in defence.

    Speaking after the Game 3 defeat, Doncic clearly had plenty to say about the whistles that went against him — especially in the fourth quarter — but tried to hold back.

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    Jerry ‘The Logo’ West dies at age 86 | 00:43

    “We couldn’t play physical,” he said.

    “I don’t know. I don’t want to say nothing. You know, six fouls in the NBA Finals, basically I’m like this (motions with palms out). C’mon, man. Better than that.”

    Doncic did add earlier in the piece that he was “trying to be better” and had to “get better” after being hunted by Boston.

    But for Windhorst, Doncic’s attitude during the game — and some of his comments after it — were proof he is “nowhere close” to putting Dallas in a position to win an NBA title.

    In a brutal takedown of the Slovenian superstar on ESPN, Windhorst described Doncic’s defensive performance as “unacceptable”.

    “I thought it was perfect Luka fell onto the ground there in an unacceptable position to put himself in with four minutes left with five fouls and then immediately looks at the bench and says you better bleeping challenge it, as if it’s the bench’s fault that he just made a terrible play,” Windhorst started.

    “I’m standing here in the Mavericks tunnel, over there is the Celtics tunnel. That’s where the winners are. If Luka’s ever going to be a winner coming out of this tunnel here, he’s going to have to use what happened in these Finals as a learning experience.

    “His defensive performance is unacceptable. He’s a hole on the court, the Celtics are attacking him and they are ahead in this series because they have attacked him defensively.

    “And you got a situation here where Luka is complaining about the officiating, they have begged him, they have talked with him, they have pleaded with him, he is costing his team because of how he’s treating the officials.

    “He is a brilliant player, he does so many things well, they are here because of how he did. His performance in this game is unacceptable and the reason the Mavericks are not going to win. He has got to get over this.

    Porzingis injury sees doubt for Game 3 | 00:48

    “The fact he came out after the game and blamed the officials shows me he is nowhere close yet. Maybe over the summer someone will get to him because nobody with the Mavericks or anybody else in his life has and that’s why the Mavericks are where they’re at. They’re never going to get to this tunnel with the trophy if he doesn’t improve those aspects of his game.”

    Mavericks coach Jason Kidd admitted after Game 3 that Doncic has a “bullseye on his chest” but implored his star player to let his teammates ease the pressure on that end of the floor.

    “He’s got to be able to guard and understand that we’re there to protect him and help him if he does get beat,” Kidd said.

    “Again, he’s carrying a load offensively. They are putting him in every pick-and-roll and iso. He’s got to be able to play the game where he can rest on offense and let others carry the load.”

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  • Aussie stuns with ‘nasty’ play… but daunting reality has Mavericks’ NBA Finals dream on lifeline

    Aussie stuns with ‘nasty’ play… but daunting reality has Mavericks’ NBA Finals dream on lifeline

    The Boston Celtics have held off a fast-finishing Dallas Mavericks 106-99 to claim Game 3 of the NBA Finals and take a 3-0 series lead.

    The Celtics led 91-70 early in the fourth quarter before the Mavericks stormed home, getting it as close as 93-92 but were dealt a crushing setback when Luka Doncic fouled out with four minutes left in the game.

    Boston was able to withstand the Dallas avalanche from that point and now is one game away from sealing the series despite being without Kristaps Porzingis for Game 3.

    Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combined for 61 points while Derrick White had 16 points and Jrue Holiday continued to build his case for potential Finals MVP honours.

    Dallas, meanwhile, got 62 points from its superstar duo but didn’t get much more help — at least early in the game — as Kyrie Irving and Doncic did the heavy lifting.

    History is now against the Mavericks and Australian duo Josh Green and Dante Exum, with no team coming back from a 3-0 series deficit in NBA playoffs history.

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    Jerry ‘The Logo’ West dies at age 86 | 00:43

    Dallas needed to make a fast start after dropping the first two games of the series and did just that, jumping out to an early 9-2 lead, prompting Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla into a quick timeout.

    Doncic, who received a pain-killing injection before Game 2 as he deals with a thoracic contusion, was heavily involved once more in Game 3 as he scored or assisted on seven of Dallas’ first nine points.

    The timeout did little to stop the Mavericks from getting whatever they wanted in the paint, outscoring the Celtics 18-4 on the way to a 22-9 lead.

    Boston was able to cut the deficit to 25-23 in the closing stages of the quarter and Tatum put an exclamation mark on the Celtics comeback with an emphatic dunk on the final play of the period.

    But Exum rivalled Tatum for the dunk of the quarter after attacking the basket aggressively off a Doncic screen, with J.J. Redick declaring “that is just nasty” in commentary.

    The Mavericks opened the second quarter missing eight of their first nine shots as the Celtics took their first lead of the game, going ahead 35-33.

    That was until Irving confidently drained a 3-pointer, which Tatum immediately responded to with a dribble, pull-up triple of his own.

    That, it turned out, was just the start of both teams trading buckets as Irving started to catch fire while Tatum, having struggled with his shooting in Game 2, was perfectly picking his moments to drive towards the basket and pull up from deep.

    It wasn’t just Tatum, with Sam Hauser perfect on his first three 3-point attempts of the game off the bench while Al Horford was 2-for-4 from downtown early.

    Tatum finished the first half on 20 points while it was all Doncic and Irving for the Mavericks, combining for 37 of their 51 points.

    The Celtics were perfect to open the third quarter, making their first six shots to take a 64-59 lead as Boston continued to find ways to combat the Dallas defence with its elite ball movement.

    Just when the Mavericks looked to have an answer, the Celtics were consistently able to make the extra pass while Holiday backed up his standout Game 3 with more impressive plays on both ends.

    Jrue Holiday has been enormous on both ends. Stacy Revere/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP

    Whether it was moving off the ball, being a menace on defence or sinking shots, like he did early in the third quarter with a layup and 3-pointer, the championship-winning guard was everywhere.

    And as much as it was expected that one of Tatum or Brown would be crowned MVP if Boston won the NBA Finals, Holiday is making a strong case for the honour with his consistency across the series.

    Elsewhere, after scoring just six points in the first half, Brown put up 15 in the third quarter alone while even Xavier Tillman made his first 3-point attempt of the playoffs, extending Boston’s lead.

    Brown capped off Boston’s dominant third quarter with an emphatic dunk that put the Celtics ahead 85-70 after outscoring the Mavericks 35-19 in the period.

    The Celtics quickly pushed that lead out to 91-70 after opening the fourth with a pair of 3-pointers which seemingly put the Mavericks away, until Dallas went on a quick 10-0 run.

    A Green 3-pointer reduced the Boston lead to 91-80 with over eight minutes still left on the clock.

    Holiday stars as Boston down Mavs | 02:17

    The Mavericks were able to get it as close as 93-92 off the back of a 22-2 run but were dealt a devastating blow when Doncic fouled out with just over four minutes left in the game.

    While Doncic had been targeted defensively throughout the series, obviously Dallas was far better off with its main scoring threat on the court.

    Without him, it meant all the pressure was on Irving to complete the unlikely Mavericks comeback and he scored Dallas’ next five points of the quarter.

    But a few clutch shots, including a White 3-pointer off a tough Holiday pass, saw the Celtics home and just one game away from the championship.

    Earlier, Porzingis was ruled out for Boston after he suffered a “rare” injury to his left leg in Game 2 that left him “day-to-day” heading into Game 3.

    Boston said Wednesday Porzingis had been diagnosed with a “torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg” in Game 2.

    Although Porzingis was seen walking normally at practice on Wednesday, the Celtics said no risks would be taken and eventually ruled him out on Thursday.

    “The medical team and the staff just decided that it wasn’t what was best for him (to play) today,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said.

    ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski later reported on ‘NBA Countdown’ that there is “real doubt” over Porzingis’ availability for the rest of the series too.

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  • ‘Like an older brother’: MJ’s heartbreaking tribute as legend behind NBA logo dies

    ‘Like an older brother’: MJ’s heartbreaking tribute as legend behind NBA logo dies

    The NBA is mourning the death of Hall of Famer Jerry West, who died Wednesday at the age of 86.

    A number of prominent figures in the NBA community reminisced about West’s legacy, including current Lakers superstar LeBron James and the legendary Michael Jordan, the NY Post reports.

    “Will truly miss our convos my dear friend! My thoughts and prayers goes out to your wonderful family! Forever love Jerry! Rest in Paradise my guy!” James posted on X.

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    Jordan, a six-time NBA champion with the Bulls, sent a message to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith to deliver on “First Take.”

    “I am so deeply saddened at the news of Jerry’s passing. He was truly a friend and a mentor,” Smith said on behalf of Jordan, whose company later released said statement.

    “Like an older brother to me. I valued his friendship and knowledge. I always wished I could’ve played against him as a competitor. But the more I came to know him, I wish I had been his teammate.”

    Jerry West died at 86. (Photo by Stacy Revere / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)Source: AFP

    The Los Angeles Clippers announced West’s death. His wife, Karen, was by his side.

    “Jerry West was a basketball genius and a defining figure in our league for more than 60 years,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

    “He distinguished himself not only as an NBA champion and an All-Star in all 14 of his playing seasons, but also as a consummate competitor who embraced the biggest moments … I valued my friendship with Jerry and the knowledge he shared with me over many years about basketball and life.”

    A star player in his own right, West was the second overall pick in the 1960 NBA Draft after playing at the collegiate level in his native West Virginia.

    He was named an All-Star throughout every season of his 14-year career and helped lead the Lakers to the 1972 NBA title.

    West was named the Lakers’ head coach in 1976, a position he held for three years, before transitioning to become the team’s general manager in 1982, sparking a five-title run.

    Nicknamed “Mr. Clutch,” West’s silhouette is also used as the NBA’s emblem.

    West’s statue outside of the Lakers arena in Los Angeles. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)Source: AFP

    ESPN’s Jay Bilas posted on X that West “was far more than ‘The Logo.’”

    “Admired him growing up in LA, revered him as a basketball man, and loved talking about players and the game with him. He was far more than ‘The Logo’. Jerry West is embedded into the very fabric of the game. He literally did it all. RIP Jerry West,” Bilas penned.

    Miami Heat owner Micky Arison, who competed against West’s teams since taking over as team owner in 1995, also praised him.

    “Jerry West is one of my favourite people that I had the honour to get to know in the NBA. He welcomed me to the league, offered advice from the first day, and asked nothing in return. He will be missed. Rest in peace,” Arison wrote on X.

    ESPN’s NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski also praised the legend, tweeting that “Jerry West lived a profound basketball and American life — iconic as a player, executive and looming figure in the history of the game,” while Mike Greenberg said on “Get Up” that West was “one of the greatest figures in the history of American sports.”

    During his time with the Lakers in the late 1990s and 2000s, West hired Phil Jackson as the coach, traded for the rights to Kobe Bryant and signed Shaquille O’Neal.

    Most recently, West was working with the Los Angeles Clippers, whose executive board he joined in June 2017.

    He was named NBA Executive of the Year twice, once with the Lakers in 1995 and in 2004 while general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies.

    This article originally appeared on the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.

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  • Simmons suffers another injury setback; Paolo’s emotional post-match interview: NBA Wrap

    Simmons suffers another injury setback; Paolo’s emotional post-match interview: NBA Wrap

    The Nets came into Saturday (all times US) wondering how to get Ben Simmons playing well alongside another non-shooter.

    Now they’re just wondering how to keep him playing at all.

    The oft-injured Simmons, the only All-Star on Brooklyn’s roster, went down again. This time he got forced out of their 101-86 loss to Minnesota before a sellout crowd of 18,024 at the Target Center with a leg injury.

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    Simmons has played just 55 games for the Nets since being acquired at the 2022 Trade Deadline at the cost of former MVP James Harden. Most of that missed time is due to a herniated disc, and leg injuries brought on by those aforementioned back woes.

    Now Brooklyn’s starting point guard has another issue, forced out of the game with left leg soreness with 8:04 left in the third quarter.

    He was ruled out for the rest of the evening.

    When Simmons left, Brooklyn was trailing 53-51, and promptly knotted the score on a Nic Claxton alley oop from his replacement, Dennis Schroder.

    The Nets — who bounced back nicely from a dismal loss Thursday at Toronto in interim Kevin Ollie’s debut — led 72-70 on a short Cam Thomas jumper with 9:28 to play.

    But that’s when Minnesota finally pulled away.

    Brooklyn coughed up a 19-6 run, and never challenged after that.

    New Jersey native Kyle Anderson put the Timberwolves ahead 89-78, and the game was essentially over.

    There was some added spice with Schroder fouling Mike Conley on a 3-point attempt in the waning garbage time seconds, and getting pushed by Nickeil Alexander-Walker to prompt an altercation review.

    BasketBRAWL: Butler ejected in NOLA | 01:10

    Four technical fouls got handed out. And none mattered.

    Brioklyn fell to 21-35.

    Karl Anthony-Towns, another New Jerseyan, had a game-high 28 points and nine rebounds for Minnesota.

    Anthony Edwards added 26 points and eight boards for the Timberwolves, who played without centre Rudy Gobert.

    Turns out they didn’t need their defensive shot-blocker.

    Cam Thomas led the Nets with a modest 18 points and six rebounds, while Mikal Bridges added 15 points, eight assists and six rebounds.

    Brooklyn shot just 34.0 per cent, and a staggeringly-bad 6-of-35 from 3-point range.

    Coming in, putting Simmons on the floor with another non-shooter had been their concern. Now they have bigger problems.

    The fired Jacque Vaughn never quite found the perfect way to compensate for Simmons’ lack of a jumper.

    “Yeah, that’s what we’re trying to push him, and I think he is able to do it,” said Ollie. “And when we get in halfcourt situations, having him play with pace and having us have the right spacing around him is gonna be crucial. But when he sees that gap, he’s got to take it to the rim. I think he’ll do that.”

    “Yeah, that’s what we’re trying to push him, and I think he is able to do it,” said Ollie. “And when we get in halfcourt situations, having him play with pace and having us have the right spacing around him is gonna be crucial. But when he sees that gap, he’s got to take it to the rim. I think he’ll do that.”

    -This story was originally published in The New York Post and reproduced with permission.

    BANCHERO LIFTS MAGIC, TEARS UP POST MATCH

    Paolo Banchero’s three-point play with 0.1 of a second remaining gave the Orlando Magic a 112-109 victory at Detroit. Banchero sank the game-winning jumper while being fouled and added the free throw for the dramatic triumph.

    “It was important,” said a tearful Banchero of his final shot. “It was a hard game and I’ve been sick. I’ve been feeling terrible. I just give credit to my teammates. They lifted me up the whole game.

    “I don’t know why I’m crying. It was a hard game. I’m proud of my team.” Banchero’s 15 points led eight double-figure scorers for

    Orlando, which improved to 32-25, level with Indiana for sixth in the East.

    The Pistons, led by Cade Cunningham’s 26 points, fell to an NBA-worst 8-48 with a fifth consecutive loss.

    Franz Wagner’s free throw gave Orlando a 109-105 lead with 96 seconds remaining. Cunningham answered with a jumper and a layup for

    Detroit, the latter pulling the Pistons level at 109-109 with 12 seconds remaining, setting the stage for Banchero’s heroics.

    CELTICS DOWN KNICKS, EXTEND WINNING STREAK TO EIGHT

    Jaylen Brown scored 30 points and Kristaps Porzingis added 22 as the Boston Celtics stretched their NBA win streak to eight games on Saturday by defeating New York 116-102.

    The Celtics improved to NBA’s best record to 45-12 and boosted their win streak to a season high while stretching their Eastern Conference lead over second-place Cleveland to eight games.

    Jayson Tatum added 19 points, six rebounds and six assists as Boston had six scorers in double figures.

    “We’ve got so many good players on our team,” Tatum said. “We always talk about respecting each other’s space. It’s about understanding it’s a rhythm game. It’s going to come back to you eventually.”

    Tatum says the players adopt a long-term approach, keeping in mind the overall goal is an NBA title in June.

    NBA Wrap: Warriors sink Lakers | 01:27

    “We have a really good team and we understand the important goal, what we’re really trying to accomplish, so every single night we’re trying to share the love, play the right way and make sure we win more often than not,” Tatum said.

    Jalen Brunson had game highs of 34 points and nine assists to lead the Knicks, who fell to 34-23.

    Porzingis, who began his NBA career with the Knicks in 2015, sank two 3-pointers and Brown scored five points in a 17-5 third-quarter Boston run that gave the Celtics their biggest lead to that point at 84-71 on the way to a 97-84 lead after three quarters – the Celtics hitting 68% of their shots from the floor entering the fourth quarter.

    Boston kept the Knicks scoreless for five minutes in the heart of the fourth quarter to help seal New York’s fate, the Celtics stretching the lead as high as 20 points.

    ALL RESULTS

    MAGIC 112 PISTONS 109

    CELTICS 116 KNICKS 102

    NETS 86 TIMBERWOLVES 101

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  • ‘Out of this world’: Wemby’s latest rare, bonkers feat leaves NBA world breathless — Wrap

    ‘Out of this world’: Wemby’s latest rare, bonkers feat leaves NBA world breathless — Wrap

    Rookie Victor Wembanyama delivered a historic triple-double while Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee’s rout of reigning NBA champion Denver and Philadelphia snapped Cleveland’s nine-game win streak.

    Wembanyama produced an amazing — and rare — feat: the NBA’s first triple-double to include blocked shots since Clint Capela did it in 2021.

    The 20-year-old Frenchman, who had his first NBA triple-double last month against Detroit, hit 10-of-14 shots from the floor, with 2-of-4 3-point attempts and 5-of-6 free throws while adding five assists and two steals over 29 minutes in his most dominant all-round NBA performance to date.

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    The Spurs snapped a seven-game losing streak behind 2023 top NBA Draft pick “Wemby,” who became the first player since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1996 with at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 blocks and five assists in a game.

    Greek star Antetokounmpo scored 36 points and grabbed 18 rebounds while Damian Lillard added 18 points to lead the Bucks in a 112-95 home triumph over the injury-hit Nuggets.

    The blowout came on a night when Philadelphia took a dramatic 123-121 victory at Cleveland to stun the NBA’s hottest team while French 7-foot-4 (2.24m) superstar Wembanyama had 27 points, 14 rebounds and an NBA season-best 10 blocked shots in a 122-99 San Antonio victory at Toronto.

    He is only the fourth rookie in league history to notch a triple-double that included blocked shots.

    Meanwhile, Serbian big man Nikola Jokic, like Antetokounmpo a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, had 29 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Nuggets, who trailed 60-44 at halftime and lost two starters.

    Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs. Picture: Cole Burston/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

    Denver’s Jamal Murray played only 18 minutes due to a leg injury and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope played only nine with a tight right hamstring.

    The Bucks improved to 35-19, 3-5 under new coach Doc Rivers while Denver fell to 36-18, losing ground in a four-team fight for the Western Conference.

    Minnesota (36-16) will visit the Los Angeles Clippers (35-16) later with the winner taking the conference lead.

    At Cleveland, Kelly Oubre and Buddy Hield each scored 24 points and Oubre blocked Donovan Mitchell’s tying layup attempt with one second to play in the 76ers’ victory.

    The Cavs (35-17) had won 17 of their prior 18 games but were denied their first 10-game win streak since 2017.

    An Oubre 3-pointer gave the Sixers a 120-110 lead with 1:25 to go but a Darius Garland 3-pointer, a Mitchell 3-point play and Mitchell’s 3-pointer with 14 seconds remaining lifted the Cavs within 120-119.

    Simmons impresses in Brooklyn’s big win | 00:53

    Ricky Council sank two free throws, Mitchell answered with two and Tyrese Maxey made 1-of-2 free throws with 6.2 seconds remaining, setting the stage for Oubre’s block to foil Mitchell, who scored a game-high 36 points for Cleveland.

    Elsewhere, a foul whistled on New York’s Jalen Brunson with 0.3 seconds remaining led to a nightmare 105-103 loss for the New York Knicks at Houston.

    With the game tied, Brunson was called for a foul on Aaron Holiday’s 3-point shot. Holiday, who scored 18 off the Rockets’ bench, hit two game-winning free throws and missed the third to kill the final split second, condemning the Knicks to their third consecutive defeat.

    Charlotte’s Miles Bridges had 20 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists to spark the Hornets over visiting Indiana 111-102.

    DeMar DeRozan and Ayo Dosunmu each scored 29 points to lead Chicago’s 136-126 victory at Atlanta while Herbert Jones had 17 points to lead a balanced New Orleans attack in a 96-87 triumph at Memphis.

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  • Sixers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. hospitalised, set to miss ‘significant’ time after being hit by a car

    Sixers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. hospitalised, set to miss ‘significant’ time after being hit by a car

    Philadelphia 76ers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. was hospitalised after he was struck by a car but discharged a few hours later, the NBA team said.

    As first reported by ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Oubre, 28, was struck near his residence and was taken to a Philadelphia hospital and was in stable condition before being released.

    Wojnarowski reported that Oubre is expected to miss “significant” time due to the injuries, though the injuries he sustained are not believed to be something that will end his season.

    Local authorities are now investigating, per Wojnarowski.

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    Dameris explodes on ‘the problem’ Harden | 01:50

    “Kelly Oubre Jr. was a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle tonight in Center City, Philadelphia,” the 76ers said in a statement.

    “He is currently in stable condition and being treated at a local hospital.”

    A team spokesman told US media he was later discharged.

    The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Oubre was struck while walking near his home and that while his injuries are not serious, he would be out of action for a while.

    Oubre, who signed a one-year deal with Philadelphia before the season, has averaged 16.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in his first season with the club.

    Oubre, now in his ninth season and his fifth team in the league, has averaged 12.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game across his NBA career.

    “I’m just trying to take it day by day, man,” Oubre said last week, per NBC Sports Philadelphia.

    “I know that I’m very hungry to prove myself in this league. Obviously this summer was very stressful for me, so I had a lot of pent-up energy for this season really built up.

    “But I think that transitioning to a new situation couldn’t have been more seamless because of [head coach Nick Nurse], because of the supporting cast members, and also just my work ethic.”

    This article first appeared on The New York Postand was reproduced with permission.

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  • Draymond ejected after fiery clash with Mitchell; coach’s huge praise for ‘invaluable’ Aussie — NBA Wrap

    Draymond ejected after fiery clash with Mitchell; coach’s huge praise for ‘invaluable’ Aussie — NBA Wrap

    The Cleveland Cavaliers held off Golden State 118-110 in a fiery NBA clash that saw Warriors forward Draymond Green ejected in the third quarter after a skirmish with Donovan Mitchell.

    Six Cavs players scored in double figures as Cleveland beat the Warriors for the second time in a week.

    They had seized control with a 38-point second quarter, and were up by 10 after Caris LeVert’s layup over Klay Thompson midway through the third.

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    Green knocked Mitchell out of bounds on that play and soon after Mitchell ran straight into Green, prompting Green to drop the ball and step toward him.

    The two were held back from each other, but Green was handed his second technical foul of the game after video showed him elbowing Mitchell “a couple of plays before,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.

    Kerr said he didn’t know such a retroactive technical could be called.

    “It was bizarre,” he said.

    Green’s departure briefly galvanised the Warriors, who took a one-point lead on Chris Paul’s basket with 10 seconds left in the third. However, Cleveland pulled away again in the fourth.

    Mitchell finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.

    All five Cleveland starters scored in double figures, and LeVert topped them with 22 points off the bench as the Cavs followed up their home win over the Warriors last Sunday.

    “We competed our tails off and we played the game selflessly,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.

    Stephen Curry Led the Warriors with 30 points, 17 of them in the first half. In the third quarter Curry became the 36th NBA player to reach 22,000 career points.

    But Kerr said that overall Golden State’s defence was “sluggish.”

    Thompson scored 14 points and Andrew Wiggins added 13, but Cleveland dominated in the paint and scored 32 points off the Warriors 20 turnovers.

    Boston blowout Toronto at home | 00:58

    CELTICS CHARGE TO BIG WIN

    In Boston, Jaylen Brown scored 29 points and Jayson Tatum added 27 as the Celtics romped to a 117-94 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

    Kristaps Porzingis added 21 points and seven rebounds for the Celtics, who made it look easy again, one night after a 14-point win over Brooklyn.

    Brown scored 14 points in the third quarter, when Boston pushed their advantage to as many as 24 points. They were up by 17 going into the final period.

    “We got whatever we wanted, inside and out,” Porzingis said.

    Pascal Siakam scored 17 points to lead the Raptors, but Toronto connected on just 38.5 percent of their shots from the field, including 10 of 37 from three-point range.

    Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat beat the Atlanta Hawks 117-109 as Bam Adebayo continued his hot start to the season with 26 points and 17 rebounds.

    It was a particularly impressive win given it came without Jimmy Butler, who sat out Sunday’s game due to an undisclosed personal family issue.

    Dameris explodes on ‘the problem’ Harden | 01:50

    BIG PRAISE FOR INGLES AS MAGIC STUN BUCKS

    The Orlando Magic, led by Paolo Banchero’s double-double of 26 points and 12 rebounds, handed Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks a second straight defeat, 112-97.

    The Magic pulled down 15 offensive rebounds as the Bucks struggled to contain an Orlando team that came in averaging 109.9 points per game but scored 65 in the first half.

    “We just have to do a better job defensively, collectively — helping each other, plugging those holes and limiting them to one shot,” Bucks coach Adrian Griffin said.

    “We just have to be a little stronger on both ends of the basket.”

    Two days after Antetokounmpo scored 54 points in a loss to the Indiana Pacers, the Bucks squandered another strong performance from their two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, who led all scorers with 35 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

    It wasn’t enough to stop the Magic ending their 14-game losing streak against Milwaukee, who trailed by 16 at halftime and couldn’t cut the deficit to less than 11 in the second half.

    Franz Wagner added 24 points for Orlando, Jalen Suggs scored 20 and Mo Wagner chipped in 19 off the bench.

    Australian Joe Ingles, meanwhile, had five points, five assists and three rebounds off the bench against his former team and earned big praise from Magic coach Jamahl Mosley.

    “It’s invaluable,” Mosley said on Ingles’ mentorship to the young group.

    “Because he lives it and that’s the difference. You know, you have a lot of guys that may not live what they’re talking about. He’s lived it. He’s lived through winning.

    “He’s been part of big winning and he’s been part [of] where he may have played or not played. But he’s willing to tell these guys everything — the truth about this league and what they need to do to be able to have a measure of success.

    “And that’s invaluable for a team of guys that are continuing to grow and get better and need to understand what it takes to win this league.”

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