Basketball Wiretap

Joel Embiid Treated For Bell's Palsy Since Play-In Game

Apr 25, 2024 10:59 PM

Joel Embiid has been treated for a mild case of Bell's palsy over the past week. Bell's palsy is an unexplained episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis. 

The condition began during the Philadelphia 76ers' Play-In win last week against the Miami Heat. Embiid has been spotted wearing sunglasses inside, which is related to the condition. Embiid had wanted to keep the situation private to avoid distractions for the Sixers.

Embiid had 50 points in Philadelphia's Game 3 win over the New York Knicks.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia Sixers, NBA, NBA Injury

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Stephen Curry Wins 23-24 NBA Clutch Player Of The Year

Apr 25, 2024 9:24 PM

Stephen Curry has won the Jerry West Trophy as the 2023-24 NBA Clutch Player of the Year. 

The award, which was introduced last season, honors the NBA player who best comes through for his teammates in the clutch.  

In the 2023-24 regular season, Curry scored an NBA-high 189 points in clutch situations, which are defined as possessions in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within five points.  He also led the league in clutch field goals made (59) and clutch three-pointers made (32). 

Curry shot 49.6% from the field, 45.7% from three-point range and 95.1% from the free throw line in clutch time. 

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Tags: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA Award

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Ja Morant Hires Mike Miller As Agent

Apr 25, 2024 12:55 PM

Ja Morant has hired Mike Miller of Lift Sports Management as his new representation. Miller also represents Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr.

Morant was previously represented by Jim Tanner.

Morant signed a five-year, $193 million extension with the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2022 offseason and cannot become a free agent until 2028.

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Tags: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Doc Rivers: Giannis Antetokounmpo Getting Close, But I Don't Know What That Even Means

Apr 25, 2024 3:46 PM

The Milwaukee Bucks held practice on Thursday before flying to play at the Indiana Pacers in Game 3. The Bucks and Pacers are tied at 1-1 in the series.

Giannis Antetokounmpo remained out of full participation as he continues to deal with a calf injury.

Doc Rivers said Antetokounmpo "did a lot of floor stuff today, probably the most I've seen."

Antetokounmpo did no live practicing, but advanced beyond just walking through drills by "shooting and moving."

"He's getting close," Rivers said. "But, I don't know what that even means. I'm being honest. I saw him moving around and in my mind I said he's getting close. Does that mean a day, four days? I'm not sure."

Jim Owczarski/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Tags: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Injury

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2024 NBA Playoff Snapshots (April 24): Heat/Celtics, Thunder/Pelicans

Apr 25, 2024 10:48 AM

What happened in two snapshots in the NBA Playoffs on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

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Tags: NBA, NBA Playoffs, Infographic

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Tidjane Salaun Declares For 2024 NBA Draft

Apr 25, 2024 10:52 AM

Tidjane Saluan of Cholet Basket in France has declared as an Early Entry Candidate for the 2024 NBA Draft. Salaun won't turn 19 until mid-August, making him one of the younger prospects in this year's draft class.

In 48 games for Cholet Basket this season, the 6-foot-9 forward has averaged 9.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 23.3 minutes per game. Salaun has shot 40.4% from the field, including 33% on three-pointers. The expectation is that Salaun's offensive game will round to complement his already good defense.

Salaun is projected to be lottery pick by most draft experts.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Tidjane Salaun, Cholet Basket, Espoirs Cholet, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, International, NBA Draft Declarations, International Teams, International Misc Rumor

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Thierry Darlan Declares For 2024 NBA Draft

Apr 25, 2024 9:42 AM

Thierry Darlan, who spent most of the season with G League Ignite, has declared as an Early Entry Candidate for the 2024 NBA Draft. The 20-year-old wing is currently playing for Bangui Sporting Club out of the Central African Republic in Basketball Africa League qualifiers.

With the Ignite, Darlan averaged 5.4 points and 3.7 rebounds in 19.1 minutes per game off the bench. The 6-foot-8 wing has shown better in BAL qualifiers. Darlan has averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 blocks for Bangui Sporting Club.

Most draft experts have Darlan as being picked late in the second round or going undrafted.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Thierry Darlan, NBA G League Ignite, Bangui Sporting Club, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, International, NBA Draft Declarations, D-League Teams, International Teams, International Misc Rumor

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Kentucky Adds Alvin Brooks III As Assistant Coach

Apr 25, 2024 2:10 AM

Kentucky announced Alvin Brooks III as an assistant coach to Mark Pope's staff on Wednesday.

Brooks was Scott Drew's top assistant at Baylor.

Brooks has played a key role in recruiting, helping Baylor land two top-five recruiting classes during his time at Baylor.

Brooks will join Cody Fueger, Jason Hart, and Mark Fox on Mark Pope's staff.

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

Tags: NCAA

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Naz Reid Narrowly Beats Out Malik Monk To Win 23-24 NBA Sixth Man Of The Year

Apr 24, 2024 7:03 PM

Naz Reid has been named the 2023-24 NBA Sixth Man of the Year.

Reid finished with 352 points, ahead of Malik Monk with 342 points. Reid received 45 first place votes, while Monk had 43. Reid and Monk each had 39 second place votes and 10 third place votes.

Bobby Portis Jr., Norman Powell and Bogdan Bogdanovic round out the top-5.

In his fifth NBA season, Reid established himself as the top reserve man in the league, appearing in a career-high 81 games, averaging career-highs across the board, including 13.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. He finished the 2023-24 campaign shooting 47.7% (406-of-851) from the field, including a career-high 41.4% (169-of-408) from three.

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Tags: Naz Reid, Malik Monk, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Award

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ESPN, TNT Have Matching Provisions For Next NBA Media Rights Deals

Apr 24, 2024 9:40 PM

While ESPN and TNT didn't extend their media rights deals with the NBA before their exclusive negotiating window closed, sources tell Front Office Sports that both networks have matching provisions that allow each an opportunity to respond to outside bids before contracts are finalized. The provision applies to both streaming and linear rights packages.

The NBA currently gets nearly $2.7 billion annually from its nine-year $24 billion deals with ESPN and TNT expiring at the end of next season and a doubling of that annual average is possible. 

The NBA has been tied to WBD in various ways since 1984, while ESPN has been a partner for more than 20 years. ESPN also provides significant programming beyond live sports that help promote the league.

Eric Fischer/Front OFfice Sports

Tags: NBA, NBA CBA

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Dean Wade Ruled Out For Remainder Of First Round

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2024 NBA Playoff Snapshots (April 23): Wolves/Suns, Pacers/Bucks, Mavericks/Clippers

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Coleman Hawkins Declares For 2024 NBA Draft

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Izan Almansa Declares For 2024 NBA Draft

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Lakers-Nuggets Game 2 Averages 4.25M Viewers

Jon Lewis/Sports Media Watch

Labaron Philon To Decommit From Kansas

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

Grayson Allen Day-To-Day With Ankle Injury, X-Rays Negative

ESPN

Tyrese Maxey Named 23-24 NBA Most Improved Player

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2024 NBA Playoff Snapshots (April 22): Knicks/Sixers, Cavs/Magic, Nuggets/Lakers

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Zion Williamson Says 'Realistic' Chance He Returns From Hamstring Injury During Playoffs

Andrew Lopez/ESPN

NBA, Denver Police Investigating Incident With One Of Nikola Jokic's Brothers

ESPN

Zach Edey Declares For 2024 NBA Draft

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Joel Embiid: We're Going To Win This Series, We Are The Better Team

Tim Bontemps/ESPN

Malik Monk Would Like To Stay With Kings

Sean Cunningham/Fox40

Spurs Don't See Trae Young As Fit Next To Victor Wembanyama

Kurt Helin/NBC Sports

Kawhi Leonard Questionable For Game 2 On Tuesday

Ohm Youngmisuk/ESPN

Jarred Vanderbilt Targets Game 3 Return

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Kings-Pelicans Play-In Game Averages 2.57M Viewers

Jon Lewis/Sports Media Watch

Sixers Plan To File Grievance With NBA Over Officiating In First Two Games At Knicks

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2024 NBA Draft Tiebreakers: Hornets Win Over Blazers For 3rd Best Lottery Odds

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