Steve Kerr spoke out against the lack of rebounding ability in the modern NBA following the Golden State Warriors' 126-114 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Warriors were outrebounded 57-34 in the loss.

"This is the modern NBA; guys don't box out. It's just the way it is. Every night on League Pass, I see the same thing. Players let guys come in from the weak side, and they think, 'I'll just get the rebound.' It's a disease that's rampant in the NBA," said Kerr after the game.

Kerr added that the lack of rebounding detail is a result of how "most of these guys didn't have a high school and college coach yelling at them for a combined eight straight year."

Kerr continued, saying that modern players also aren't doing the "little things" on the court. 

"Players have never had more skill than they have today in my mind. I'm amazed by the skill level. But the little things, getting back in transition -- every night on TV, I see teams let a guy run past them in transition for a layup. We do it; every team does it. If you did that 25 years ago, your coach would take you out and he wouldn't play you again. Now everybody does it, and as a coach, you can't take everybody out," said Kerr.

Steph Curry added that there is a difference between drilling the rebounding fundamentals in practice and executing them during games. 

"Everybody has a different upbringing in the game. When I was at Davidson, we literally drilled that before, during and after every practice. It's part of just learning the fundamentals of the game -- at this level, maybe it's taken for granted, I guess that everybody has a certain understanding, angles and physicality and what not, but you have to be able to do it."

A 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection RPA (Rookie Patch Autograph) parallel LeBron James card sold to a private collector for $5.2 million, becoming the most expensive basketball card in history.

The price broke the previous record of $4.6 million for a 2018-19 Panini National Treasures Luka Doncic Logoman RPA.

The $5.2 million price also tied the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card for the most expensive card in history. 

Jesse Craig, PWCC's director of business development, said that there are more expensive James cards out there should collectors decide to sell. 

"There are LeBron cards [still] out there, I would say, worth over $10 million. And let's be clear: There are three Mantle PSA 10s that, whenever they transact, will break every record there is. But as a market, there are so many desirable cards that haven't sold yet publicly."

The Brooklyn Nets became the first team in the Eastern Conference to clinch a playoff birth following their 116-103 win over the Toronto Raptors.

The team currently is the No. 1 seed in the conference, up 1.5 games from the Sixers.

The Nets can go no lower than the sixth seed.

"I think we have our eyes on bigger things, but it's a nice first step to clinch a berth. For this group, facing all we've faced, to be in this position with 10 games left is very positive," said Steve Nash after the game.

Jeff Green echoed Nash's statement that the team is aiming for bigger goals.

"That's something we can be proud of, but we also have to realize that that's not the goal. ... We have to take on the next step, and that's focusing on what we need to accomplish in the playoffs to get to our ultimate goal."

Kevin Durant scored 33 points in 28 minutes in the Brooklyn Nets 128-119 win over the Phoenix Suns.

Durant, who missed the last three games due to a bruised thigh, came off the bench in the win.

"It's like riding a bike. You get your footing right and just get your rhythm going; and I think my teammates did a great job of looking for me all game, and I just wanted to resort back to that work I put in.

"The shots I work on at practice and shootaround, try to get to those as much as possible to gain my rhythm and then start to get a little more creative as the game progressed," said Durant after the game.

Steve Nash, who wanted to keep Durant around the 28 minute mark, had approached Durant about coming off the bench.

"You think big picture. I'd rather fall behind and have Kevin in the back pocket than go up and have to say, 'OK, Kevin, you're done,' in the third quarter. I think that's kind of the give-and-take with it, and he's been on board with it; so props to Kevin to being willing to try something like this that I think gives us a chance to be as flexible as we can be under these circumstances."

Anthony Davis expressed the difficulty of re-establishing a chemistry with his teammates after returning from injury following the Los Angeles Lakers 108-93 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

"It's like you're starting over with the guys and just trying to find a connection with these guys again. They're trying to find a connection with me. So, it's like we're starting from zero, which is tough so late in the season," said Davis.

Davis has shot 7-of-29 in two games since returning from a nine-week injury layoff.

The Lakers are on a three-game losing streak and hold a 1.5 game lead over the Mavs for the No. 5 seed in the playoffs.

Dennis Schroder admitted that the team will need to talk about its on-court chemistry once LeBron James returns.

"We're going to talk about it. I think when Bron comes back, we're going to have a conversation as a team. Because our chemistry, like AD said, off the court is great. But on the court, we just got to turn it up some more."

Mike James scored eight points in his Brooklyn Nets debut on Friday night, a 109-104 win over the Boston Celtics.

James, who played 21 minutes, last was in the NBA back in 2018. He recently signed a 10-day deal with the Nets.

James admitted afterwards that he enjoyed not having to be the focal point of an offense as he grew older. 

“I liked playing a lot and having a star role. Just as you get older, I just don’t want to have that much responsibility on my shoulders every night.

“Playing 21 minutes a night is better for me and just not being as much of a focal point and just trying to help out. I feel like I can shine in that if I got the opportunity," said James.

Steve Nash added that he was impressed by James' ability to push the pace. 

“He’s been in the league before, and obviously, he’s had a terrific season in Europe. We know he’s a talented player. He obviously can score the ball, but I was really impressed with his pace, his ability to draw and kick and make the offense run faster and create openings for his teammates.”

Draymond Green tied a career-high with 19 assists as the Golden State Warriors beat the Denver Nuggets 118-97 on Friday night.

"When he gets in a groove like that where he's getting everybody involved, and having a Draymond-type night where scoring's not really the difference-maker, it's the way that he does the intangibles.

"And then makes everybody better by getting the ball on time, can finish off plays. He's the smartest basketball player I've played with, and it shows in moments and games like tonight where he just finds a way to impact winning in his own way," said Steph Curry of Green after the game.

Curry added 32 points, with Green also getting 12 rebounds.

The game also featured 2,000 fans at Chase Center, the first time all year the Warriors played in front of home fans.

Green said that passers can get into grooves similar to shooters.

"You definitely can find that zone and feel like you can make any pass. Some of those crazy-ass passes you see me make, it's like a heat check. You see a guy coming down from 35 feet and heat-checking that thing -- I feel like that with my passes sometimes."

Steph Curry finished with 18 points in the Golden State Warriors 118-114 loss to the Washington Wizards, ending his 11-game streak of scoring over 30 points in a game.

"It was a great run. It was something that hadn't been done before. It was going to end at some point. Now you got to start another one. So it's just a matter of the next-play mentality. Just try to get rejuvenated when we go home -- to do it home, road, some big games, put a streak together, it was a special ride for sure," said Curry after the game.

Curry shot a season-worst 2-of-14 from three in the game.

Curry became the first player since Kobe Bryant to score at least 30 points in 10 straight games.

He is currently shooting 54.9% from the field and averaging 40.8 points per game in April. 

"Peaking at the right time. Usually the trend of our seasons, or my seasons, getting better as each game goes so I'm glad this season's no different. Just trying to continue to get better and build that confidence of playing my best basketball towards the end of the season," added Curry about his performance in April. 

Dwyane Wade's role with Turner Sports' NBA coverage is not expected to change due to his stake in the Utah Jazz ownership group, sources told Marc Stein of The New York Times.

Wade will be subject to the same rules as other Turner analysts including Shaquille O'Neal and Grant Hill, precluding him from participating in the team's basketball operations if he stays on television.

Wade has stated that he plans to take an active role with the Jazz. 

The NBA has instructed its teams to prepare for the impact of the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial, sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Due to potential protests, civil unrest, and team reactions in response to the verdict, the league also raised the possibility of postponing games this week.

Final arguments in the case are expected on Monday.

The Timberwolves are currently on a four-game, seven-day road trip that begins Sunday against the Lakers.