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  • Mavericks fire GM Nico Harrison 9 months after widely panned Luka Doncic trade

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    DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks fired general manager Nico Harrison on Tuesday, an admission nine months later that the widely criticized trade of Luka Doncic backfired on the franchise.

    The move came a day after Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont attended a 116-114 loss to the Bucks in which fans again chanted “fire Nico,” a familiar refrain since the blockbuster deal in February that brought Anthony Davis from the Los Angeles Lakers and angered the Dallas fan base.

    The Mavericks appointed Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi as co-interim general managers to oversee basketball operations.

    Dumont’s hope for goodwill with the fans never came even after Dallas landed No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg with just a 1.8% chance to win the draft lottery.

    There have been plenty of empty seats in the upper deck of American Airlines Center this season, something not seen consistently since 2018, when the Mavericks traded up to get Doncic with the third overall pick.

    Doncic was a 25-year-old generational point guard in his prime when Harrison unloaded him for the oft-injured Davis, who has missed 30 of 44 regular-season games since his arrival in February.

    Harrison was in his fourth season and had engineered three trades that helped the Mavs go on a run to the Western Conference finals in 2022 and the NBA Finals two years later.

    The Doncic trade and a slow start to the first full season without the young superstar led to a stunning downfall for Harrison, who declined to comment to The Associated Press. Dallas is 3-8, and Davis has missed six of the 11 games with a calf injury.

    “No one associated with the Mavericks organization is happy with the start of what we all believed would be a promising season,” Dumont wrote in a letter to fans. “You have high expectations for the Mavericks, and I share them with you. When the results don’t meet expectations, it’s my responsibility to act.”

    While Dumont didn’t directly mention the Doncic trade in the letter, he acknowledged the vitriolic reaction of fans, who protested after the shocking deal. The Las Vegas-based Dumont and Adelson families, who bought the Mavericks from Mark Cuban in late 2023, were targets of the criticism as well.

    “I understand the profound impact these difficult last several months have had,” Dumont wrote. “Please know that I’m fully committed to the success of the Mavericks.”

    Dumont approved Harrison’s decision to trade Doncic, which kept the Mavericks from having to commit to a $346 million, five-year supermax extension for the Slovenian star.

    Harrison tried to defend the deal by repeating a “defense wins championships” line. But with Davis sidelined by a calf injury and star guard Kyrie Irving still out after tearing the ACL in his left knee last March, defense hasn’t mattered much because Dallas has one of the worst offenses in the NBA.

    With Davis and Irving playing together for just part of one game last season, the Mavericks missed the playoffs a year after Doncic led them to the NBA Finals.

    The slow, injury-plagued start to this season for the Mavericks coincided with Doncic joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only NBA players to open a season with three consecutive games of at least 40 points.

    Doncic’s historic run was interrupted by a three-game injury absence, but the Lakers won twice without him and are 8-3.

    Harrison had spent 20 years with Nike and had close relationships with several NBA stars, including the late Kobe Bryant, when Cuban hired him in 2021.

    The hiring of Harrison was the first step in trying to restore stability after former general manager Donnie Nelson was fired, then Rick Carlisle resigned as coach a day later. Nelson and Carlisle had been together for 13 years.

    Harrison hired Jason Kidd as coach, and the Mavericks reached the Western Conference finals their first season together after Harrison’s first blockbuster trade.

    He broke up the European pairing of Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis and got Spencer Dinwiddie, who played a key supporting role with Doncic as the Mavericks stunned Phoenix with a Game 7 blowout in the second round before losing to Golden State in five games.

    A year later, Dinwiddie was part of the next blockbuster trade, which brought Irving from Brooklyn. The Mavericks faltered the rest of that season largely because of injuries, but they reached their first NBA Finals in 13 years in 2023-24, led by the pair of star guards. Dallas lost to Boston in five games.

    That deep playoff run came in the first six months after Cuban sold the team. He said then that he would maintain control of basketball operations, but that didn’t happen.

    Dumont quickly put full control of the basketball side in the hands of Harrison, who saw Davis as a championship-caliber player in the mold of Bryant. Davis won a title with LeBron James and the Lakers in 2020.

    Cuban criticized the trade of Doncic, saying he never would have approved it and adding that he didn’t think Dallas got enough in return. Months later, though, Cuban credited Harrison for his salary cap management.

    Finley, who was Harrison’s top assistant and has been in the Dallas front office for a decade, was a two-time All-Star for the Mavericks in the early 2000s when Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki was coming of age.

    Finley had moved on to San Antonio when Nowitzki led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2006. Dallas lost to Miami that year but beat the Heat five years later for the franchise’s only championship.

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    AP NBA: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NBA

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  • Dallas Mavericks fans spent months rebelling against the man who traded Luka Dončić. The team just fired the embattled GM

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    (CNN) — The Dallas Mavericks fired general manager Nico Harrison on Tuesday, dismissing the man who traded away fan-favorite Luka Dončić in one of the most shocking NBA trades in recent memory.

    Mavs fans essentially rebelled against Harrison in the months after the early February trade, chanting, “Fire Nico!” at every opportunity. Harrison became something akin to Public Enemy No. 1 in Dallas, even after lucking into the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and drafting Duke star Cooper Flagg.

    In a letter to fans, owner Patrick Dumont said the current state of the organization is not in line with the expectations fans have set for the Mavs.

    “No one associated with the Mavericks organization is happy with the start of what we all believed would be a promising season,” Dumont wrote. “You have high expectations for the Mavericks, and I share them with you. When the results don’t meet expectations, it’s my responsibility to act. I’ve made the decision to part ways with General Manager Nico Harrison.”

    He added, “I know our players are deeply committed to a winning culture, this decision was critical to moving our franchise forward in a positive direction.”

    The organization announced Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi will serve as co-interim general managers while a permanent replacement is sought.

    The Dončić trade ended up ushering in one of the bleakest stretches for any NBA team in recent memory. On February 1, the Mavericks sent Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round draft pick.

    In the period after the deal, the Mavericks went 14-21, lost Anthony Davis – the main player Dallas received in return for Dončić – for weeks due to injury in his first game with the team, lost talisman Kyrie Irving to a season-ending ACL injury and watched a slew of other players go down hurt. Davis returned as the Mavs tried to win a spot in the NBA playoffs through the play-in round but ultimately fell short.

    During that entire time, the fans demanded Harrison be fired and pundits declared that the Mavericks had just made a potentially franchise killing move. Dončić is just 26 years old, led the team to the NBA Finals in the 2023-24 season, had been named All-NBA each year he had been in the league and was entering his prime. All reporting around the deal indicated that Dončić never planned to leave Dallas, and his emotional return to Texas in April indicated that the pain of the surprise move still pained him.

    The 26-year-old told ESPN that he threw and cracked his phone when he first heard about the trade, adding that he felt “sadness mostly” and that he “felt like my heart was broken, honestly.”

    Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic reacts while watching a tribute video before first game in Dallas after the trade. Credit: Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images / Reuters via CNN Newsource

    In his end-of-season news conference, Harrison said he was surprised by the city’s depth of feeling for Dončić.

    “I did know that Luka was important to the fanbase,” Harrison told reporters during his season-ending news conference. “I didn’t quite know to what level.”

    At the time, Harrison remained staunch in his belief that Dallas has the makings of a winning team despite the trade and fan backlash.

    “We feel that’s a championship-caliber team and we would have been winning at a high level and that would have quieted some of the outrage,” Harrison said, adding that being healthy is the only thing keeping the team from challenging for a title. “And so unfortunately we weren’t able to do that, so it just continued to go on and on.”

    But how the franchise handled the Dončić trade and its immediate aftermath sealed Harrison’s fate in the minds of many Mavs fans.

    Dallas Mavericks fans hold up a sign referring to Mavs general manager Nico Harrison during the game against the Sacramento Kings at American Airlines Center on February 10. Credit: Tim Heitman / Getty Images via CNN Newsource

    One of the things that particularly irked fans was a report after the trade that slammed Dončić’s conditioning, with ESPN citing sources inside the franchise revealing frustration with his diet. The treatment of a player who was widely revered as an icon in Dallas, especially less than a year after an NBA Finals appearance, went over like a ton of bricks.

    “Everyone wants to point at Luka’s flaws, at least for a half-second,” Mavs fan Matthew Slovak told CNN. “The overwhelming narrative is that this is the most ridiculous thing ever, but there was that, ‘Yeah, but.’ There is no ‘yeah, but.’ – this is the most indefensible trade of all time.”

    In his letter, Dumont emphasized that he understood the frustrations of the fans.

    “I understand the profound impact these difficult last several months have had. Please know that I’m fully committed to the success of the Mavericks,” he wrote.

    “Thank you for your support, thank you for holding us accountable, and thank you for your passion and for your patience. You deserve transparency and a team that reflects your spirit. Our goal is to return winning basketball to Dallas and win championships. Our family is committed to that mission and to continuing to invest in Dallas and the Mavericks’ future.”

    CNN’s Ben Morse and Andy Scholes contributed to this report.

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    Kyle Feldscher and CNN

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  • Philadelphia’s Defensive Identity: How the Sixers Stack Up Against Elite NBA Offenses – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    This blog contains links from which we may earn a commission.Credit: LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR-Unsplash

    The Philadelphia 76ers have built their reputation on more than just star power; they thrive on defensive intensity, tactical discipline, and adaptability. 

    As the NBA evolves into an offense-driven league defined by pace, spacing, and three-point volume, the Sixers continue to assert themselves as one of the few teams capable of neutralizing high-octane attacks. 

    Their ability to defend elite offenses like those of Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, and even the upstart Houston Rockets tells a compelling story about where this team stands, and what it will take to make a deep postseason run.

    Let’s take a deep dive into the elite opponents the 76ers could face and what that reveals about Philadelphia.

    Cleveland Cavaliers: Defensive Chess Meets Offensive Grit

    When the Philadelphia 76ers face the Cleveland Cavaliers, the matchup becomes a showcase of defensive intelligence versus calculated offense. 

    Cleveland thrives on tempo control and physical half-court sets driven by Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. Yet, Philadelphia’s defense, anchored by Joel Embiid’s rim protection and reinforced by versatile wings, forces Cleveland’s guards into uncomfortable midrange attempts.

    The Sixers excel in closing driving lanes and switching seamlessly between pick-and-roll coverages, limiting Cleveland’s second-chance opportunities. Tyrese Maxey’s quick rotations and Kelly Oubre Jr.’s length have become essential in stifling perimeter scorers, forcing the Cavs to rely more heavily on interior playmaking.

    According to recent trends on FanDuel, the Sixers often hold the Cavaliers below their season scoring average, underscoring their ability to dictate tempo and defensive flow. 

    This matchup reflects what defines Philadelphia’s defensive identity: physical containment, communication, and a refusal to let opponents dictate pace.

    Dallas Mavericks: Neutralizing An Elite Offense

    Few teams present a greater tactical challenge than the Dallas Mavericks. Kyrie Irving’s shot creation creates a near-impossible puzzle for most defenses, but not for the Philadelphia 76ers. Philly’s defensive strategy against Dallas focuses on calculated containment rather than overcommitment.

    By deploying length on the perimeter and funneling drives into Embiid’s area, the Sixers force Dallas to take tough step-backs rather than create open looks for shooters. 

    Philadelphia’s help defense is among the most disciplined in the league; rotations are crisp, and double-teams are timed to disrupt rhythm rather than simply pressure.

    Against Dallas’s spread offense, the Sixers rely heavily on switching versatility. The 76ers’ defensive IQ and Tobias Harris’s mobility allow them to handle mismatches without compromising structure. 

    The result is a system custom-built to frustrate Dallas’s preferred pace and expose the Mavericks’ overreliance on isolation play, a testament to how fundamentally sound the Sixers’ defense remains.

    Denver Nuggets: A True Test of Defensive Structure

    Defending the reigning champions, the Denver Nuggets, is the ultimate measuring stick for any contender. Nikola Jokić is an offensive system unto himself, capable of dissecting defenses with surgical precision. 

    Yet, the Philadelphia 76ers have found ways to challenge his dominance through layered defensive schemes.

    When Embiid anchors the paint, the Sixers can afford to stay home on shooters, forcing Jokić into contested hook shots rather than wide-open kick-outs. Philadelphia alternates between drop coverage and soft doubles, ensuring Jokić sees multiple looks without exposing weak-side vulnerabilities.

    Perimeter containment is equally vital: Maxey will disrupt Jamal Murray’s timing, while Oubre’s wingspan deters entry passes. Against Denver’s movement-heavy offense, the Sixers rely on communication and positional awareness, hallmarks of a mature defensive identity. 

    The result isn’t always perfection, but Philadelphia’s ability to slow the Nuggets’ efficiency demonstrates how preparation and versatility can stand up to elite offensive orchestration.

    Houston Rockets: Young Energy vs. Veteran Discipline

    While the Houston Rockets are still developing into a playoff-caliber team, their youthful energy and uptempo offense provide a valuable test for the Philadelphia 76ers’ defensive endurance. 

    Houston’s attack thrives on pace, quick decision-making, and aggressive penetration, the kind of approach that punishes sluggish defensive rotations.

    Philadelphia inevitably responds with discipline. The Sixers excel in limiting transition points, forcing Houston’s young guards to operate in half-court scenarios where mistakes are magnified. Embiid’s rim presence discourages reckless drives, while defenders use physicality to deny second-chance buckets.

    In these matchups, Philadelphia’s experience becomes its greatest weapon. The Sixers slow down Houston’s rhythm, impose half-court sets, and capitalize on defensive rebounding. 

    Their ability to neutralize high-energy teams showcases how defensive maturity can outlast youthful exuberance, a defining characteristic for a team aiming to contend deep into the postseason.

    Bettor Takeaway

    For bettors, understanding the Philadelphia 76ers’ defensive blueprint offers a clear advantage. While many wagerers focus on offensive trends, defense often dictates the spread and total outcomes. 

    Credit: LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR-Unsplash

    When the Sixers face top-tier offenses, their ability to hold teams below average scoring outputs can make under wagers particularly appealing.

    The Sixers’ consistency in forcing inefficient shots and slowing the pace translates directly into betting value. Games against Cleveland and Denver, for instance, tend to be lower-scoring affairs, while matchups with Dallas and Houston often depend on how well Philadelphia controls the first quarter. 

    Savvy bettors on platforms like FanDuel recognize that the Sixers’ defense doesn’t just win games, it reshapes odds.

    Moreover, Philadelphia’s combination of Embiid’s rim protection and elite team defense often leads to in-game betting opportunities, such as live unders or player prop unders for opposing stars. 

    Understanding these defensive patterns is key for bettors looking to capitalize on value that others overlook.

    The Blueprint for Sustained Success

    The Philadelphia 76ers’ identity rests on defense, intelligence, adaptability, and relentlessness. 

    Against elite offensive teams, from Cleveland’s methodical approach to Denver’s fluid precision, the Sixers continue to prove that defense can still win in a league dominated by offense. 

    Their ability to impose pace, protect the paint, and frustrate superstars isn’t just a byproduct of talent; it’s a philosophy.

    When the postseason looms, the Sixers’ path to contention will hinge not only on scoring power but on maintaining their defensive DNA. In an NBA landscape where points come easy, Philadelphia reminds the league that containment, communication, and discipline still separate the great from the merely good. 

    For fans and bettors alike, the message is clear: the Sixers’ defensive evolution isn’t just about stopping opponents, it’s about redefining what it takes to win in modern basketball.

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  • Jared Dudley has played with and coached countless superstars. His mission in Denver? Protect Nikola Jokic defensively

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    Jared Dudley’s second career had already started before his first one was over. He just needed time to realize it.

    Winning a championship with LeBron James helped him get there. By then, Dudley had been bouncing around the NBA for more than a dozen years. The LeBron- and Anthony Davis-led Lakers were his seventh team. “When you can sit in a room and watch film with LeBron, AD and (Rajon) Rondo and call them out,” he says, “it’s something that very few coaches have the guts to be able to do, the credibility.”

    Dudley felt perfectly comfortable doing that. Enough to begin to recognize a knack for leadership that could serve him beyond his playing years, which were numbered anyway. “It’s like I’d been coaching my last four or five years in the NBA,” he realized.

    In 2021, he was planning to prolong his time on the Lakers’ roster as a veteran bench presence — he and James had developed a close friendship — but a new opportunity beckoned. Former Lakers assistant Jason Kidd took over as head coach of the Mavericks, and he had a staff opening ready for Dudley.

    The beloved longtime role player took the leap directly into coaching. Four years later, he’s ascending the ranks. Nuggets coach David Adelman kicked off his regime this summer by hiring Dudley to oversee Denver’s defense, which ranked 21st in the league last season.

    “Word of mouth,” Adelman said. “A lot of people told me great things about him, and in this league, sometimes it’s not who you know; it’s what you hear from other people you respect and trust.”

    A coaching lifer, Adelman wanted to make sure he built a staff that included former players to introduce a healthy range of perspectives. In the 40-year-old Dudley, he landed someone who brought not just schematic creativity, which has already been on display early this season, but a candid demeanor and clear understanding of NBA locker room dynamics.

    “Just because you were a player doesn’t mean you can relate,” Dudley told The Denver Post in an interview this week. “It takes all those different experiences on my journey as a player to be able to know how to talk to them, when to talk to them, when to come at Jamal (Murray), when to come at (Nikola) Jokic, when to call other players out.

    “… That’s what I’m trying to do (for) a team that struggled on defense but has a historically good offense. Make this team above-average defensively to give us a chance to win a championship.”

    Dudley didn’t always have the “guts” to speak up as audaciously as he did late in his playing career. But that’s how it should be, he thinks. Confidence and privilege come with age in a league where status matters. When Dudley was young, observing and adapting meant survival.

    “My mom always taught me a good player is one that listens. So I never had a problem,” he said. “Steve Nash told me one time, ‘When I pass you the ball, I’m passing you the ball with an advantage. So if you don’t have an advantage, pass me the ball back.’ When he says that, OK, I remember that. I believe in a hierarchy where there’s different levels, and superstars get different treatment and can say different things. I believe in that.”

    Few people in the league today have worked alongside as many superstars as Dudley. He was traded to Phoenix in 2008 as a second-year bench player, teaming up with Steve Nash, Grant Hill and Shaquille O’Neal. He played with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin on the Lob City Clippers, then with a young Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, John Wall in Washington, Devin Booker in Phoenix, LeBron and AD in Los Angeles. He coached Luka Doncic, Jalen Brunson and Kyrie Irving in Dallas.

    He tried to absorb something from each experience. Nash’s instructions on what to do with the ball as a role player were a north star. Dudley also partially attributes the length of his career (14 years) to lessons learned from Nash about taking care of his body — “all the stuff he did pre and postgame: IVs, acupuncture, working on your core.” O’Neal taught him in those early years how to balance seriousness and light-heartedness.

    Jared Dudley (3) and Steve Nash (13) of the Phoenix Suns during Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at US Airways Center on May 5, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

    Dudley built a reputation with his IQ despite his awkward body type. He played a bit of power forward at Boston College, was drafted as a small forward, then he transformed himself into a starting two-guard with the Suns. He monitored league trends, such as the emergence of Draymond Green and downsized lineups. In Milwaukee, he asked to play the four after Jabari Parker tore an ACL. “I saw the defenses weren’t evolving fast enough for the small-ball four,” Dudley recalled. “I got ahead of it. … You have to evolve — 90% of the league is role players.”

    That’s the ethos he’s trying to bring to the Nuggets, a team with a similarly heady identity. Aaron Gordon, in particular, outfitted his game to complement Jokic in 2021 when he was traded to Denver — a reinvention that echoes how Dudley changed his game to function with an all-time great passer in Phoenix.

    When Dudley traveled to Denver for his interview in July, he arrived with a film project, exploring zone options and how the staff could limit Jokic’s defensive workload this season. “Even though it might be word-of-mouth,” he said, “you’ve still gotta impress.” He and Adelman had dinner together for more than four hours, talking scheme for about 35% of it (in Dudley’s estimation) and life for the other 65%. Adelman didn’t need much time to deliberate.

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  • How to watch the Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics NBA Finals game tonight: Game 2 livestream options

    How to watch the Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics NBA Finals game tonight: Game 2 livestream options

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    Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics look on during the second quarter in Game One of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 06, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. 

    Maddie Meyer/Getty Images


    After an exciting Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks are back to face the mighty Boston Celtics. Sunday night plans are as locked in as Kristaps Porzingis on the three-point line. 

    Keep reading to learn how and when to watch the Mavericks vs. Celtics in Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals tonight.

    How and when to watch Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Game 2

    Game 2 of the Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics NBA Finals series will be played on Sunday, June 9, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT). The game will air on ABC and stream on Sling TV and the platforms featured below.

    How to watch Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Game 2 without cable

    If your cable subscription doesn’t carry ABC or you’ve cut the cord with your cable company, you can still watch today’s game. Below are the platforms on which you can watch today’s game live. 

    Save 50% on Sling TV: The most cost-effective way to stream the Mavericks vs. Celtics game

    If you don’t have cable TV that includes ABC, one of the most cost-effective ways to stream today’s game is through a subscription to Sling TV. To watch today’s game, you’ll need a subscription to the Blue tier, which includes access to your local network affiliate’s live feed (excluding CBS). To level up your coverage and get access to sports and content broadcast on ESPN and TNT, subscribe to the Orange + Blue tier plan.

    The Blue tier is $45 per month. The Sling’s Orange + Blue tier costs $60 per month, but the platform currently offers 50% off the first month of any pricing tier, making the Orange + Blue tier $30 for the first month.

    Note: Because Sling TV doesn’t carry CBS, you won’t be able to watch CBS-aired programming like next year’s NFL games on CBS. To watch these games, plus PGA golf, UEFA Champions League and more live sports, we recommend you also subscribe to Paramount+ with Showtime. Paramount+ with Showtime costs $12 per month after a one-week free trial.

    Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue tier:

    • Sling TV is also our top choice to stream the NHL Finals.
    • There are 46 channels to watch in total, including ABC, NBC and Fox (where available).
    • You get access to NBA games airing on TNT.
    • All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.

    Watch the NBA Finals for free with Fubo

    You can also catch today’s game on Fubo. Fubo is a sports-centric streaming service that offers access to ABC and ESPN, in addition to almost every NFL game next season.

    To watch the NBA Finals without cable, start a seven-day free trial of Fubo. You can begin watching immediately on your TV, phone, tablet or computer. In addition to NBA basketball, you’ll have access to NFL football, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and international soccer games. Fubo’s Pro Tier is priced at $80 per month after your free seven-day trial.

    Sports fans will want to consider adding on the $7.99 per month Fubo Extra package, which includes MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, Tennis Channel, SEC Network and more channels with live games. Or upgrade to the Fubo Elite tier and get all the Fubo Extra channels, plus the ability to stream in 4K, starting at $90 per month ($70 for the first month).

    Top features of FuboTV Pro Tier:

    • There are no contracts with Fubo, you can cancel anytime.
    • The Pro tier includes over 180 channels, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 
    • Fubo includes most channels you’ll need to watch live sports, including CBS (not available through Sling TV).
    • All tiers come with 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR recording.
    • Stream on your TV, phone, tablet and other devices.

    Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle: Watch the NBA Finals live

    You can watch today’s game with the Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle. The bundle features 95 channels, including ABC, TNT, local network affiliates and ESPN. It also includes the ESPN+ streaming service. Unlimited DVR storage is also included. Watch today’s game, the 2024 NBA playoffs, MLB this season and network-aired NFL games next season with Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle.

    Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+. It’s priced at $77 per month after a three-day free trial.

    Watch today’s game live with a digital HDTV antenna

    hidb-hdtv-antenna.jpg

    Amazon


    You can also watch today’s game on TV with an affordable indoor antenna, which pulls in local over-the-air HDTV channels such as CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, PBS, Univision and more. Here’s the kicker: There’s no monthly charge.

    For anyone living in a partially blocked-off area (those near mountains or first-floor apartments), a digital TV antenna may not pick up a good signal — or any signal at all. But for many homes, a digital TV antenna provides a seriously inexpensive way to watch NBA basketball without paying a cable company. Indoor TV antennas can also provide some much-needed TV backup if a storm knocks out your cable.

    This amplified digital antenna with a 50-mile range can receive hundreds of HDTV channels, including ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Fox and Univision and can filter out cellular and FM signals. It delivers a high-quality picture in 1080p HDTV and top-tier sound.

    The best place to get NBA Finals fan gear: Fanatics

    Rooting from home is more fun while repping your team with the latest NBA fan gear. Fanatics is our first stop for the newest NBA fan gear, our go-to for the latest drop of NBA Finals merch like jerseys, commemorative T-shirts, hats and more. Fanatics also has just-released NFL Draft jerseys, like No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams‘ new Chicago Bears jersey. Fanatics is offering free shipping on orders over $24 through June 8, 2024 (exclusions apply, use code FS24).

    2024 NBA Playoffs: Full playoff schedule and results

    gettyimages-2156417519-1.jpg
    Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game One of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 06, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. 

    Maddie Meyer/Getty Images


    2024 NBA Finals schedule

    The 2024 NBA Finals is a best-of-seven series beginning on June 6, 2024 airing on ABC. All times Eastern.

    • Game 1: Celtics 107, Mavericks 89 
    • Game 2: Mavericks vs. Celtics, Sunday, June 9 (8 p.m.)
    • Game 3: Celtics vs. Mavericks, Wednesday, June 12 (8:30 p.m.)
    • Game 4: Celtics vs. Mavericks, Friday, June 14 (8:30 p.m.)
    • Game 5: Mavericks vs. Celtics, Monday, June 17 (8:30 p.m.)*
    • Game 6: Celtics vs. Mavericks, Thursday, June 20 (8:30 p.m.)*
    • Game 7: Mavericks vs. Celtics, Sunday, June 23 (8 p.m.)*

    * = if necessary

    Boston leads series 1-0

    Conference finals results

    Below are the results of the 2024 NBA conference finals

    Eastern Conference

    (1) Boston vs. (6) Indiana

    • Game 1: Celtics 133, Pacers 128 (OT)
    • Game 2: Celtics 126, Pacers 110
    • Game 3: Celtics 114, Pacers 111
    • Game 4: Celtics 105, Pacers 102

    Boston wins series 4-0

    Western Conference

    3) Minnesota vs. (5) Dallas

    • Game 1: Mavericks 108, Timberwolves 105
    • Game 2: Mavericks 109, Timberwolves 108
    • Game 3: Mavericks 116, Timberwolves 107
    • Game 4: Timberwolves 105, Mavericks 100
    • Game 5: Mavericks 124, Timberwolves 103

    Dallas wins series 4-1

    Conference semifinals 

    The second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs Presented by Google Pixel is complete. Here are the results:

    Eastern Conference

    All times Eastern

    (1) Boston vs. (4) Cleveland

    • Game 1: Celtics 120, Cavaliers 95
    • Game 2: Cavaliers 118, Celtics 94
    • Game 3: Celtics 106, Cavaliers 93
    • Game 4: Celtics 109, Cavaliers 102
    • Game 5: Celtics 113, Cavaliers 98
    Boston wins series 4-1

    (2) New York vs. (6) Indiana

    • Game 1: Knicks 121, Pacers 117
    • Game 2: Knicks 130, Pacers 121
    • Game 3: Pacers 111, Knicks 106
    • Game 4: Pacers 121, Knicks 89
    • Game 5: Knicks 121, Pacers 91
    • Game 6: Pacers 116, Knicks 103
    • Game 7: Pacers 130, Knicks 109
    Indiana wins series 4-3

    Western Conference

    All times Eastern 

    (1) Oklahoma City vs. (5) Dallas

    • Game 1: Thunder 117, Mavericks 95
    • Game 2: Mavericks 119, Thunder 110
    • Game 3: Mavericks 105, Thunder 101
    • Game 4: Thunder 100, Mavericks 96
    • Game 5: Mavericks 104, Thunder 92
    • Game 6: Mavericks 117, Thunder 116
    Dallas wins series 4-2

    (2) Denver vs. (3) Minnesota

    • Game 1: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 99
    • Game 2: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 80
    • Game 3: Nuggets 117, Timberwolves 90
    • Game 4: Nuggets 115, Timberwolves 107
    • Game 5: Nuggets 112, Timberwolves 97
    • Game 6: Timberwolves 115, Nuggets 70
    • Game 7: Timberwolves 98, Nuggets 90
    Minnesota wins series 4-3

    First round

    The first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs Presented by Google Pixel is complete. Here are the results:

    Eastern Conference

    All times Eastern Standard Time

    (1) Boston vs. (8) Miami

    • Game 1: Celtics 114, Heat 94
    • Game 2: Heat 111, Celtics 101
    • Game 3: Celtics 104, Heat 84
    • Game 4: Celtics 102, Heat 88
    • Game 5: Celtics 118, Heat 84
    Boston wins series 4-1

    (2) New York vs. (7) Philadelphia

    • Game 1: Knicks 111, 76ers 104
    • Game 2: Knicks 104, 76ers 101
    • Game 3: 76ers 125, Knicks 114
    • Game 4: Knicks 97, 76ers 92
    • Game 5: 76ers 112, Knicks 106 (OT)
    • Game 6: Knicks 118, 76ers 115
    New York wins series 4-2

    (3) Milwaukee vs. (6) Indiana

    • Game 1: Bucks 109, Pacers 94
    • Game 2: Pacers 125, Bucks 108
    • Game 3: Pacers 121, Bucks 118 (OT)
    • Game 4: Pacers 126, Bucks 113
    • Game 5: Bucks 115, Pacers 92
    • Game 6: Pacers 120, Bucks 98
    Indiana wins series 4-2

    (4) Cleveland vs. (5) Orlando

    • Game 1: Cavaliers 97, Magic 83
    • Game 2: Cavaliers 96, Magic 86
    • Game 3: Magic 121, Cavaliers 83
    • Game 4: Magic 112, Cavaliers 89
    • Game 5: Cavaliers 104, Magic 103
    • Game 6: Magic 103, Cavaliers 96
    • Game 7: Cavaliers 106, Magic 94
    Cleveland wins series 4-3

    Western Conference

    All times Eastern Standard Time

    (1) Oklahoma City vs. (8) New Orleans

    • Game 1: Thunder 94, Pelicans 92
    • Game 2: Thunder 124, Pelicans 92
    • Game 3: Thunder 106, Pelicans 85
    • Game 4: Thunder 97, Pelicans 89
    Oklahoma City wins series 4-0

    (2) Denver vs. (7) L.A. Lakers

    • Game 1: Nuggets 114, Lakers 103
    • Game 2: Nuggets 101, Lakers 99
    • Game 3: Nuggets 112, Lakers 105
    • Game 4: Lakers 119, Nuggets 108
    • Game 5: Nuggets 108, Lakers 106
    Denver wins series 4-1

    (3) Minnesota vs. (6) Phoenix

    • Game 1: Timberwolves 120, Suns 95
    • Game 2: Timberwolves 105, Suns 93
    • Game 3: Timberwolves 126, Suns 109
    • Game 4: Timberwolves 122, Suns 116
    Minnesota wins series 4-0

    (4) LA Clippers vs. (5) Dallas

    • Game 1: Clippers 109, Mavericks 97
    • Game 2: Mavericks 96, Clippers 93
    • Game 3: Mavericks 101, Clippers 90
    • Game 4: Clippers 116, Mavericks 111
    • Game 5: Mavericks 123, Clippers 93
    • Game 6: Mavericks 114, Clippers 101
    Dallas wins series 4-2

    Play-In Tournament

    The 2024 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament took place April 16-19. Here are the results:

    Eastern Conference

    Western Conference

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  • Doncic’s leads Mavs to NBA Finals with 124-103 rout of Wolves in Game 5

    Doncic’s leads Mavs to NBA Finals with 124-103 rout of Wolves in Game 5

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    MINNEAPOLIS — Luka Doncic had a 20-point first quarter on his way to 36 points for his high this postseason, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-103 on Thursday night to breeze through the Western Conference finals in five games.

    Kyrie Irving also scored 36 points for the Mavericks, who built a 29-point halftime lead on 61% shooting to deflate the once-energized crowd before most fans got up for their first snack break. The Mavs went up by as much as 36 in the third quarter, all the while keeping the Timberwolves offense all out of whack.

    The Mavs, who had the fifth seed in the West, have a full week to rest before the NBA Finals begin in Boston on June 6 for the franchise’s first appearance since winning the championship in 2011. The Celtics will have had 10 days between games after sweeping Indiana in the Eastern Conference finals.

    Dallas Mavericks v Minnesota Timberwolves - Game Five
    Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket against Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals at Target Center on May 30, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

    David Berding / Getty Images


    Anthony Edwards scored 28 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points and 12 rebounds for the third-seeded Wolves, who met their match with the defense-smashing duo of Doncic and Irving after stifling Phoenix in a first-round sweep and then dethroning defending champion Denver in a seven-game series.

    Irving improved to 15-1 in his career in closeout games in the playoffs.

    Doncic set a defiant tone by starting 4 for 4, hitting rainbows from 28 and 31 feet as he turned to talk trash to the courtside fans with each swish, often with a sly smile. He drained a 32-footer later in a first quarter as the Mavs closed on a 17-1 spurt, a run they pushed to 28-5 over a nine-minute stretch.

    It was Doncic’s second 20-point quarter in his postseason career, following a 21-point fourth quarter in the Western Conference finals loss to Golden State in 2022.

    Doncic, who shot 14 for 22 and grabbed 10 rebounds, and his savvy sidekick Irving, who has a championship ring from 2016 with Cleveland, were the superior stars in this series as this Wolves team found its first taste of a sustained postseason run to be a bitter — but perhaps ultimately beneficial — one.

    Though he familiarly and persistently waved his arms at the officials almost every time a whistle didn’t go his way, the 25-year-old Doncic played with an unshakeable confidence and unflappable joy from start to finish. As he was taunted by the fans with a “Flopper!” chant when he shot free throws in the third quarter, Doncic smiled and mockingly mouthed the words along with them.

    Edwards, though he hit the 25-point mark for the 15th time in 27 career playoff games, had trouble finding his rhythm amid all the double-teams. The Wolves, for all their progress this season, were reminded they don’t yet have a championship offense despite his dynamic skills and clutch mentality.

    They had several wince-inducing possessions in the decisive first half, with the coaches struggling to find a group that could play in sync together.

    As the final seconds of the second quarter ticked away, Edwards drove to the lane and kicked the ball to the corner to Kyle Anderson, who swung it back to Towns on the wing and failed to find a look he liked. He passed back to Anderson, who tried to move closer and had the shot clock expire on him.

    P.J. Washington, who had 12 points, flexed his arms in celebration of yet another stifling defensive sequence by the Mavs.

    The Mavs got 7-foot-1 rookie Dereck Lively II back from the sprained neck that kept him out of the previous game, restoring the complete rim protection duo with Daniel Gafford that helped them disrupt Rudy Gobert in the post and just about everyone else who tried to attack the basket.

    Gafford had 11 points and nine rebounds, and Lively added nine points and eight rebounds.

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  • Kevin Durant returns to Brooklyn and leaves with a victory as Suns top Nets

    Kevin Durant returns to Brooklyn and leaves with a victory as Suns top Nets

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    Kevin Durant, now in his first full season with the Phoenix Suns, explicitly stated that he did not want a tribute video in his return to Brooklyn. He did not think he deserved one. And in the days leading into Wednesday’s Nets-Suns matchup, many on social media debated whether the 14-time All-Star, who played just 129 games with Brooklyn, was with the franchise long enough to justify honoring him in that way.

    Former fan favorites such as Bruce Brown and Joe Harris got tribute videos in their returns to Barclays Center. James Harden did not. And it remains to be seen whether Kyrie Irving will get one when the Dallas Mavericks visit Brooklyn on Feb. 6.

    When the lights dimmed inside Barclays Center as Suns starters were announced, a tribute video is ultimately what Durant got despite his honest plea, about 24 seconds in length. The forward was greeted with cheers from Nets fans which quickly turned to boos each time he touched the ball on Wednesday night.

    Durant, in superstar form, played like he still owned the place, too, pouring in a game-high 33 points with five rebounds and eight assists in Phoenix’s 136-120 win. Their victory snapped a two-game winning streak for the Nets (19-28), who have now lost 12 of their last 16 games.

    Size mattered on Wednesday night. Ben Simmons was ruled out hours ahead of the game because of a left knee contusion suffered late in the fourth quarter of Monday’s win over the Utah Jazz, which was his first appearance in an NBA game since Nov. 6. The Nets were already without two rotation bigs in Day’Ron Sharpe (left knee hyperextension) and Dorian Finney-Smith (left ankle sprain), which left them thin in the frontcourt entering Monday’s matchup.

    Phoenix’s Jusuf Nurkić took advantage, scoring virtually all 28 of his points at the rim. The Suns outscored Brooklyn 56-50 in the paint and dominated the glass 42-27. They shot 68.6% on two-point field goals and went 14-of-28 from deep.

    Sparingly used forward Harry Giles III, 6-foot-10, did not get off the bench until the 1:26 mark in the third quarter. At that point the Nets trailed by 15 points. Unable to slow down a surprisingly lethal two-man game of Durant and Nurkić, Brooklyn was outscored 42-26 in the third quarter after trailing by just three points at halftime. The game was tied at 75 with 7:31 left in the third quarter.

    And the Nets, who had 11 turnovers which led to 17 points for Phoenix, failed to make up much ground down the stretch, though they did cut their deficit to 10 points with 2:25 left in regulation.  Allowing an opposing team to shoot 62% for the game is already difficult to overcome. It becomes even tougher when you foul 24 times, which led to 24 points at the free throw line for the Suns.

    Six Nets players finished in double figures, led by Cam Thomas who had 25 points in his third consecutive start. Mikal Bridges added 21 points and six 3-pointers, the third time he has made at least six in his last five appearances.

    The Nets will return to action on Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. It is unknown at this time whether Simmons or Finney-Smith will be available to play. Wednesday marked 24 days since Sharpe first suffered his knee injury against the Portland Trail Blazers.

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    C.J. Holmes

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  • Nets Notebook: Kevin Durant says Nets ‘refused to get rid of me’

    Nets Notebook: Kevin Durant says Nets ‘refused to get rid of me’

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    If it were up to Kevin Durant, he would’ve left the Nets sooner.

    The superstar said as much Saturday, telling reporters that Brooklyn “refused to get rid of me” months before they traded him to the Suns in February.

    “I tried, but time ran out,” Durant, who is back in New York to face the Knicks with Phoenix, said at Suns practice. “I wasn’t going to miss no games because of this whole thing, so once the season rolled around, I was just like whatever happens, it happens.”

    Durant originally requested a trade out of Brooklyn in 2022, with Yahoo’s Chris Haynes reporting that September the Suns were his preferred landing spot.

    The Nets ultimately sent Durant to Phoenix in a midseason deal that brought back current starters Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson.

    “It worked out, perfect timing, the way it’s supposed to,” Durant said Saturday. “Regardless of anything, it’s been fun playing with [Devin Booker], living in Phoenix, and learning the system.”

    The Durant trade came days after the Nets sent fellow superstar Kyrie Irving to Dallas, ending a tumultuous era of Brooklyn basketball in which the big-name duo only won one playoff series in three-and-a-half seasons.

    Durant averaged 29.0 points over 129 games with the Nets. He’s averaging 31.4 points this season with Phoenix, which enters Sunday’s game at Madison Square Garden with a 10-6 record.

    The Nets won’t see Durant for the first time since the trade until Dec. 13 in Phoenix. Durant’s first game back in Brooklyn is set to take place Jan. 31.

    Brooklyn faced Irving for the first time since his trade last month in Dallas, with the Mavericks winning, 125-120.

    “It was the best decision of my career just to be able to ask for a trade,” Irving said before the game. “I knew I needed peace of mind.”

    SHORT-HANDED HEAT

    The Heat were far less than full strength for Saturday’s game in Brooklyn, with Jimmy Butler (ankle), Bam Adebayo (hip contusion), Tyler Herro (ankle) and Duncan Robinson (thumb) each ruled out on what was their second night of a back-to-back.

    Butler scored 36 points — including 18 in the third quarter — in Miami’s Nov. 16 win over Brooklyn, while Robinson added 26 and Adebayo had 20.

    Herro, who missed that game, led the Heat with 30 points in a Nov. 1 loss to the Nets.

    NETS UNDERMANNED

    The Nets remained undermanned, too, with guards Ben Simmons, Cam Thomas and Dennis Smith Jr. also ruled out with injuries Saturday.

    Smith, who is considered day-to-day, has now missed three games in a row with a lower back sprain.

    Thomas, who has missed seven straight games with an ankle sprain, was cleared for increased on-court activity, the Nets said Wednesday. Brooklyn’s leading scorer is expected to return to team activities within the week.

    And Simmons, who has missed the last eight games, is dealing with a nerve impingement in the left side of his lower back. He recently began light individual court work.

    Simmons underwent surgery to treat a herniated disk in his lower back in May 2022. A nerve impingement in the right side of his back ended his 2022-23 season after 42 games.

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    Peter Sblendorio

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  • How the NBA’s new player participation policy affects the Knicks and Nets

    How the NBA’s new player participation policy affects the Knicks and Nets

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    Julius Randle and Ben Simmons are “star” players under the criteria set by the NBA’s new Player Participation Policy.

    Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges are not — though that could change the instance either earn their first All-Star or All-NBA nod.

    This is how the league is tackling its widespread load management issue, with new rules that penalize teams for sitting star-level players without just cause.

    Teams with two such star players — that is: a player who has been named an All-Star or made an All-NBA team in any of the previous three seasons — are not allowed to rest both players in the same game.

    Randle is a two-time NBA All-Star (2021 and 2023) and a two-time All-NBA honoree (2021 Second Team, 2023 Third Team). Simmons is a three-time All-Star, though his last All-Star appearance was in 2021. If he does not make an All-Star team this season, he will not qualify as a star for the Nets next season.

    As a practical example, the Los Angeles Lakers deciding to sit both superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the same game without prior approval from the league would trigger a league investigation this season.

    Under the NBA’s new player participation policy, star-level players must appear in all nationally-televised games – and they must appear in all of the league’s upcoming In-Season Tournament games, as well.

    The Knicks play 25 nationally-televised games in the 2023-24 season, 20 if you exclude games broadcast on NBA TV. And now that Durant and Irving have orchestrated trades out of Brooklyn, the Nets have seen their national exposure nosedive: just five games this season set to air on either ESPN or TNT and six more on NBA TV.

    This new set of rules, however, also triggers the moment a player earns star status.

    So if Brunson were to become an All-Star this season, the NBA would fine the Knicks for resting both Brunson and Randle in the same game unless both were justifiably hurt or excused by the league for a pre-approved absence.

    These exceptions to the rule include multigame absences for bona fide injury, personal reasons, rare and unusual circumstances, roster management of unavailable star players, and end-of-season flexibility

    The Nets would need to seek similar approval should Bridges earn his first All-Star nod this season, a likely outcome given his exceptional play representing Team USA in the FIBA World Cup.

    Mikal Bridges’ standout World Cup game marred by late miss

    The Player Participation Policy features five key rules teams must comply with to avoid the stiff financial penalties for sitting star players: No more than one star player can be unavailable for the same game; star players must be available for nationally-televised and In-Season Tournament games; if a player is going to miss games, the league prefers the games be missed at home; teams can no longer shut down players for long stretches of games without league approval; and healthy players who are resting a game must be on the bench and visible to fans.

    Failure to comply with any of these rules will now trigger a league investigation, with a team’s first PPP infraction set to trigger a $100,000 fine — not to the player but levied upon the team.

    The second infraction of the player participation policy prompts a $250,000 fine, and the third activates a $1.25 million penalty. Every subsequent violation triggers a fine worth $1 million more than its previous penalty.

    This fine structure would have crippled the Nets during the Durant, Irving and James Harden era, where the Big 3 only appeared in 16 games as a trio. It would have also hurt the Nets last season, when Simmons appeared in just 42 of a possible 82 regular-season games.

    Nets rule Ben Simmons out for season with goal of rehabbing back

    WHAT ABOUT BACK-TO-BACKS

    Teams must now seek pre-approval to rest stars in either night of back-to-back games, and if one of those games is a nationally-televised, the rest must occur for the other game.

    For example, the Knicks travel to Boston on April 11 for a matchup against the Celtics set to air on TNT. The following night, they host the Nets at Madison Square Garden in a game that will air locally on MSG Networks.

    Under the new rules, barring verifiable injury or excused absence from the league, Julius Randle must play against the Celtics. If the Knicks wanted to rest him for any game of that back-to-back, they would need pre-approval from the league to sit their star forward against the Nets.

    This would become complicated, however, if Brunson were to also receive his first All-Star nod this season as teams cannot rest both star players in any single game. Both would be required to play against the Celtics, then only one would be eligible to rest the ensuing night.

    The Knicks have three other instances of nationally-televised games occurring on one leg of back-to-back: Oct. 27 at Atlanta and 28 at New Orleans (NBA TV); Oct. 31 at Cleveland (TNT), then Nov. 1 at home against the Cavaliers; and Nov. 12 hosting the Charlotte Hornets before Nov. 13 at Boston (NBA TV).

    In each of these instances, the Knicks would need pre-approval to rest Randle in the non-nationally-televised leg of the back-to-back, though Brunson wouldn’t apply to this rule because he is not yet an All-Star.

    The Nets host the reigning champion Denver Nuggets in a nationally-televised (NBA TV) game on Dec. 22, then host the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 23. Under new league rules, Brooklyn would need to seek pre-approval to rest Simmons against the Pistons – though given his injury history, they should have no problem securing such approval; nor should they have any issues with the fashionable Simmons appearing on the bench in games he is resting.

    Embed from Getty Images

    The Nets, however, have a nationally-televised back-to-back: Feb. 5 against the Golden State Warriors in a game that airs on NBA TV, then Feb. 6 against the Dallas Mavericks in Kyrie Irving’s return to Brooklyn – a game that will air on TNT.

    According to the new rules, the Nets would need to seek prior approval for a player to rest one leg of a back-to-back if both games are nationally televised or In-Season Tournament games.

    The Nets have two more back-to-backs that feature a game aired on national television: March 9 at Charlotte and March 10 at Cleveland (ESPN); then March 16 at Indiana before March 17 against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, a game set to air on NBA TV and, surprisingly, be played at a neutral location.

    These games will be played after the All-Star break, meaning if Bridges earns his first career All-Star nod, both he and Simmons will be ineligible to rest one leg of each back-to-back.

    Nets’ Ben Simmons ‘as healthy as he’s ever been’ since last season in Philly’: report

    EXCLUSIONS TO THE RULES

    According to the release issued by the league, the exclusions to the player participation policy include injuries, personal reasons and pre-approved back-to-back restrictions based on a player’s age, career workload or serious injury.

    Under these rules, the Nets should have no issues seeking rest time for both Simmons and Bridges, as Simmons has a verifiable back injury history that must be monitored to prevent aggravation.

    Bridges, due for an All-Star nod, played in 83 combined regular-season games for both the Suns and Nets last season, then played more minutes than any player not named Anthony Edwards for Team USA during the FIBA World Cup. Should he qualify for star status, the Nets could easily point to his workload over the past calendar year as just cause to rest him in the second half of the season.

    Despite Bridges’ miracle, Canada eliminates Team USA in bronze-medal game

    That will be difficult to pull off, however, if they are actively load-managing Simmons’ back.

    For the Knicks, both Brunson and Josh Hart played into the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs then played regular Team USA minutes in the FIBA World Cup. Hart does not qualify as a star under the new rules, but a case can be made for workload management for both.

    Cam Johnson also represented the Nets for Team USA but should have fresh regular-season legs after spending most of the World Cup watching from the sidelines.

    WHAT ABOUT THE AGE AND WORKLOAD EXCEPTION?

    The NBA has created an exception to the rule for appearances in back-to-back games for players who are 35 years old on opening night or have career workloads of 34,000 regular-season minutes or 1,000 combined regular-season and playoff games, according to ESPN.

    Neither the Knicks nor Nets rosters feature a player who qualifies for this exception. Bridges has appeared in 392 regular-season games and 39 additional playoff games. Randle has appeared in 595 regular-season games and an additional 15 playoff games. Brunson has only appeared in 345 regular-season games plus 36 more playoff games. And after missing an entire season, then half of last season, while also missing his entire rookie season due to injury, Simmons has only tallied 317 regular-season games since 2017, plus 34 more playoff games.

    Chris Paul, Mike Conley, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, DeMar DeRozan and James Harden are the only NBA players covered by this exception.

    Under these new rules, the Nets would have only been able to rest Durant, who met the 34,000 minutes criteria, in last season’s Dec. 10 matchup against the Indiana Pacers, where they won despite sitting Durant, Irving and Simmons.

    PLAYER PARTICIPATION POLICY

    NBA end-of-the-season honors now have updated criteria based on availability.

    In order to be eligible for Most Valuable Player, Most Improved Player or Defensive Player of the Year, as well as any All-NBA or All-Defensive Teams, a player must appear in at least 65 regular-season games. They may appear in 62 games and still qualify for an end-of-the-season award if they suffer a season-ending injury and appeared in at least 85% of his team’s regular-season games prior to suffering the injury.

    Under this new rule, Memphis Grizzlies center Jaren Jackson Jr. would not have been eligible to win Defensive Player of the Year because he only appeared in 63 games.

    Julius Randle, who earned Third Team All-NBA honors last season, appeared in 77 games for the Knicks last season and would have remained unaffected had these new rules been implemented last season.

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    Kristian Winfield

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  • Irving trade official as Mavs essentially start season over

    Irving trade official as Mavs essentially start season over

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    DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic has his co-star, and the Dallas Mavericks are set for their season essentially to start over after trading for Kyrie Irving.

    The blockbuster deal with Brooklyn sending the mercurial Irving to the Mavericks became official Monday, two days before what figures to be his Dallas debut at the Los Angeles Clippers.

    Dallas also gets Markieff Morris in a trade that sent Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick and two second-round choices to the Nets.

    It’s unknown if Doncic will be available against the Clippers. He wasn’t with the Mavs at the start of a five-game trip out West after bruising his right heel in the final home game before the trip. He was ruled out of the second game on the trip at Utah on Monday night.

    Whenever the All-Stars do get on the court together, Doncic and Irving instantly become one of the NBA’s top duos in a tightly packed Western Conference. Mavs coach Jason Kidd said that made the opportunity too good to pass up, despite the distractions Irving has caused off the court.

    “To have the ability to have two starters that are going to start in the All-Star Game, for the Mavs, is probably a first,” Kidd said. “We have to be excited about this opportunity. It’s easy to look at all the talk of the negative, but let’s look at the positive of what he’s done on and off the court. That’s the way we approach it.”

    The Nets hardly even said goodbye, perhaps fed up from all the drama Irving caused in just 3½ seasons.

    Brooklyn’s news release on the trade barely mentioned Irving, whereas the announcement last year that they had dealt James Harden to Philadelphia included a quote from general manager Sean Marks thanking the star guard for his contributions and wishing him well in the future.

    Irving’s departure was a far cry from the fanfare that followed his arrival along with Kevin Durant in 2019, when the player who was a Nets fan in New Jersey came home in hopes of leading the franchise to its first title.

    But they never got close, and when Irving asked to be traded, just like he once did in Cleveland, the Nets quickly accommodated him.

    Irving is set to become a free agent after the season. But negotiations will involve Dallas general manager Nico Harrison, who was a Nike executive before taking over the Mavericks in 2021.

    Irving had a relationship with Nike for the entirety of his NBA career until earlier this season, when the sneaker giant dropped him and canceled the planned release of his next signature shoe just before it dropped. It was part of the massive fallout from Irving posting a link to an antisemitic film on his Twitter account.

    That was one of many drama-filled sagas that marked Irving’s time with the Nets. He wouldn’t get vaccinated against COVID-19 and, because of New York City workplace rules, had to miss most of Brooklyn’s home games last season. He also took two leaves of absence during the 2020-21 season.

    He has expressed no shortage of controversial opinions during his career — including repeated questioning whether the Earth was round before eventually apologizing to science teachers.

    Doncic is in a dead heat for the scoring lead with fellow MVP candidate Joel Embiid of Philadelphia, and is the only one of the seven current 30-point scorers also averaging at least eight rebounds and eight assists per game. Irving is averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds.

    The West has several title-contending teams beyond defending champion Golden State, which eliminated the Mavs in the conference finals last season.

    Jalen Brunson was crucial to Dallas’ playoff run alongside Doncic last season, but decided he wanted his own starting role as a point guard and left for the New York Knicks in free agency.

    While the Mavericks traded for a solid No. 2 scorer in Christian Wood in the offseason, they haven’t been able to win without Doncic this season.

    Dallas was 0-7 without Doncic going into the game against the Jazz, when Wood was expected to return after missing eight games with a fractured left thumb.

    A year ago, the Mavericks were right around .500 when their surge started just as the calendar turned to 2022. The arrival of 2023 hasn’t had the same effect — the high point so far is six games over .500 — but the Mavs hope the arrival of Irving will.

    Dallas beat Utah twice in the first three games of a first-round series last season when Doncic was out with a calf injury, and Brunson was the biggest reason. Now Doncic has higher-profile help.

    “Just being able to give Luka an opportunity to come down the court without having to dribble or run every play,” Kidd said. “We look back when we had (Brunson) and being able to have a playmaker like that. When you look at Ky, nothing against (Brunson), but Ky is at a different level.”

    ___

    AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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  • Nike ends shoe deal with NBA player Kyrie Irving

    Nike ends shoe deal with NBA player Kyrie Irving

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    Nike has ended its eight-year commercial relationship with professional basketball star Kyrie Irving, the Brooklyn Nets player recently ensnared in controversy after he posted a link to an antisemitic film on social media. 

    Nike’s move comes one month after the athletic apparel giant suspended its relationship with Irving over a tweet he shared in October. In a one-line statement to CBS News on Monday, Nike said “Kyrie Irving is no longer a Nike athlete.”

    Irving’s agent, Shetellia Riley Irving, told CBS MoneyWatch that “both Nike and Kyrie mutually decided to part ways.”

    Irving’s shoe deal with Nike was one of the NBA’s most lucrative deals, generating about $11 million in earnings for him every year, Sportico reported. Irving signed his first Nike shoe deal in 2014 and was scheduled to release a new model, the Kyrie 8s, last month. 

    “We wish Nike nothing but the best in their future endeavors,” Riley Irving said in a statement Monday.

    Nike made its split from Irving official on Monday, but there were earlier signs the relationship was fraying.

    “Kyrie stepped over the line. It’s kind of that simple,” Nike founder Phil Knight told CNBC last month. “He made some statements that we just can’t abide by, and that’s why we ended the relationship. And I was fine with that.”

    Nike slashed the price of Irving’s signature shoes one day after announcing the separation, offering discounts of up to 50% on some models.

    Irving posted a tweet Monday that suggested he’s relieved to be free from the Nike deal, which was scheduled to end October 2023.

    “Anyone who has even spent their hard earned money on anything I have ever released, I consider you family and we are forever connected,” he posted. “It’s time to show how powerful we are as a community.”

    The controversy began October 27 when Irving posted a link on Twitter to the film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.” The synopsis on Amazon said the 2018 film “uncovers the true identity of the Children of Israel.” But the film mentions conspiracy theories about Jewish people, including false claims that Jews dominated the slave trade.

    The following day, Nets owner Joe Tsai wrote on Twitter that he was “disappointed” that Irving appeared to support a film “based on a book full of antisemitic disinformation.” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also condemned Irving’s tweet.

    The team suspended Irving for five games following the post. It marked the second straight season that the Nets have sent Irving away from the team. Last year, the Nets banished Irving when he refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19, making him ineligible to play home games. 

    In a post on his Instagram account after his latest suspension, Irving apologized for tweeting about the documentary.

    “To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize,” he wrote. “I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled Anti-Semitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the Documentary.”

    Celebrities and Jewish organizations have called for Amazon and Barnes & Noble to remove the film from its platforms, but Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said last week the e-commerce company has no plans to withdraw it. 

    Despite cutting ties with Irving, Nike continues to have numerous contracts with NBA players. The company has shoe deals with some of the league’s biggest names, including Paul George, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

    Khristopher J. Brooks

    Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering business, consumer and financial stories that range from economic inequality and housing issues to bankruptcies and the business of sports.

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  • Nike ends shoe deal with NBA player Kyrie Irving

    Nike ends shoe deal with NBA player Kyrie Irving

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    Nike has ended its eight-year commercial relationship with professional basketball star Kyrie Irving, the Brooklyn Nets player recently ensnared in controversy after he posted a link to an antisemitic film on social media. 

    Nike’s move comes one month after the athletic apparel giant suspended its relationship with Irving over a tweet he shared in October. In a one-line statement to CBS News on Monday, Nike said “Kyrie Irving is no longer a Nike athlete.”

    Irving’s agent, Shetellia Riley Irving, told CBS MoneyWatch that “both Nike and Kyrie mutually decided to part ways.”

    Irving’s shoe deal with Nike was one of the NBA’s most lucrative deals, generating about $11 million in earnings for him every year, Sportico reported. Irving signed his first Nike shoe deal in 2014 and was scheduled to release a new model, the Kyrie 8s, last month. 

    “We wish Nike nothing but the best in their future endeavors,” Riley Irving said in a statement Monday.

    Nike made its split from Irving official on Monday, but there were earlier signs the relationship was fraying.

    “Kyrie stepped over the line. It’s kind of that simple,” Nike founder Phil Knight told CNBC last month. “He made some statements that we just can’t abide by, and that’s why we ended the relationship. And I was fine with that.”

    Irving posted a tweet Monday that suggested he’s relieved to be free from the Nike deal, which was scheduled to end October 2023.

    “Anyone who has even spent their hard earned money on anything I have ever released, I consider you family and we are forever connected,” he posted. “It’s time to show how powerful we are as a community.”

    The controversy began October 27 when Irving posted a link on Twitter to the film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.” The synopsis on Amazon said the 2018 film “uncovers the true identity of the Children of Israel.” But the film mentions conspiracy theories about Jewish people, including false claims that Jews dominated the slave trade.

    The following day, Nets owner Joe Tsai wrote on Twitter that he was “disappointed” that Irving appeared to support a film “based on a book full of antisemitic disinformation.” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also condemned Irving’s tweet.

    The team suspended Irving for five games following the post. It marked the second straight season that the Nets have sent Irving away from the team. Last year, the Nets banished Irving when he refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19, making him ineligible to play home games. 

    In a post on his Instagram account after his latest suspension, Irving apologized for tweeting about the documentary.

    “To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize,” he wrote. “I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled Anti-Semitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the Documentary.”

    Celebrities and Jewish organizations have called for Amazon and Barnes & Noble to remove the film from its platforms, but Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said last week the e-commerce company has no plans to withdraw it. 

    Despite cutting ties with Irving, Nike continues to have numerous contracts with NBA players. The company has shoe deals with some of the league’s biggest names, including Paul George, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

    Khristopher J. Brooks

    Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering business, consumer and financial stories that range from economic inequality and housing issues to bankruptcies and the business of sports.

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  • Nike parts ways with Kyrie Irving following antisemitism controversy

    Nike parts ways with Kyrie Irving following antisemitism controversy

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    BROOKLYN, NY – DECEMBER 2: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Toronto Raptors on December 2, 2022 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

    Nathaniel S. Butler | National Basketball Association | Getty Images

    Nike has officially cut ties with Kyrie Irving, the company said Monday.

    The Brooklyn Nets star is no longer under contract with the footwear giant after Irving shared antisemitic content on social media and then refused for a time to say he was against antisemitism.

    A Nike spokesperson didn’t immediately make any additional comment about the decision. Representatives for Irving didn’t immediately comment.

    The decision to sever ties to Irving comes just a month after Nike suspended its agreement with the longtime guard and announced it wouldn’t be releasing the latest version of his sneakers, the Kyrie 8.

    “At Nike, we believe there is no place for hate speech and we condemn any form of antisemitism,” the company said in a statement at the time.

    Nike founder Phil Knight told CNBC in an interview last month that he believed Irving stepped over the line.

    The Kyrie 8 was slated to be released in late November. Irving has been under contract with Nike since 2014.

    The Brooklyn Nets, where Irving has played since 2019, suspended Irving for at least five games without pay after he tweeted the antisemitic video and then failed to “unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs.”

    NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had sought an apology from Irving and when one didn’t come, he said the athlete is “currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets.”

    The two later met and Irving issued an apology on his Instagram page. He later told reporters he doesn’t “stand for anything close to hate speech or antisemitism or anything that is going against the human race.”

    “I feel like we all should have an opportunity to speak for ourselves when things are assumed about us and I feel it was necessary for me to stand in this place and take accountability for my actions, because there was a way I should have handled all this and as I look back and reflect when I had the opportunity to offer my deep regrets to anyone that felt threatened or felt hurt by what I posted, that wasn’t my intent at all,” Irving said in late November.

    Irving returned to the Nets on Nov. 20 after he missed eight games. The Nets are in eighth place in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, at 13-12.

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  • Amazon CEO says retailer will continue to sell antisemitic film

    Amazon CEO says retailer will continue to sell antisemitic film

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    Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said Wednesday the company does not have plans to stop selling an antisemitic film that gained notoriety recently after Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving tweeted out an Amazon link to it.

    Pressure has been mounting on Amazon to discontinue sale of the film, called “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” since Irving shared the link to the documentary with his millions of Twitter followers in October. The synopsis on Amazon says the film “uncovers the true identity of the Children of Israel.”


    Kyrie Irving back with Brooklyn Nets: CBS News Flash Nov. 21, 2022

    01:00

    At The New York Times’ DealBook Summit in New York City, Jassy said it is difficult for the company to determine what content crosses the line to where Amazon doesn’t make it available to customers.

    “As a retailer of content to hundreds of millions of customers with a lot of different viewpoints, we have to allow access to those viewpoints, even if they are objectionable — objectionable and they differ from our particular viewpoints,” the Times quoted Jassy as saying.

    Some cases are “more straight forward”

    He said making decisions about what content to take down is “more straight forward” in some cases, such as when it “actively incites or promotes violence, or teaches people to do things like pedophilia.”

    Dozens of celebrities, public figures as well as Jewish organizations and the Nets have called on the company to take down the film or add a disclaimer offering an explanation as to why the documentary and related book are problematic.

    Amazon told the newspaper earlier this month that it would look into adding a disclaimer on the documentary’s main page. But that hasn’t happened.

    The Seattle-based company did not reply to request for comment sent by The Associated Press earlier this month on whether it would add a disclaimer or not. Jassy, who is Jewish, said Wednesday that Amazon has employees that flag content, but scaling that more broadly could be challenging.

    “The reality is that we have very expansive customer reviews,” he said. “For books with a lot of attention — especially public attention — customers do a good job monitoring other people.”

    Irving was suspended by the Nets on November 3 after he refused to issue the apology that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver sought for posting the link the the film. He returned after issuing an apology more than two weeks later. He missed eight games.

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  • Kyrie Irving returns to the Brooklyn Nets after serving 8-game suspension | CNN

    Kyrie Irving returns to the Brooklyn Nets after serving 8-game suspension | CNN

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    CNN
     — 

    Kyrie Irving’s eight-game suspension ended Sunday as the star point guard suited up for the Brooklyn Nets game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

    Irving hadn’t played for the Nets since November 1. The Nets suspended Irving November 3 after he tweeted a link to a documentary containing antisemitic messages, followed by an initial refusal to issue an apology.

    Irving has since issued multiple apologies, including during his pregame media availability Sunday.

    “I just want to offer my deep apologies to all those who were impacted over these last few weeks, specifically my Jewish relatives, my Black relatives, all races and cultures,” Irving said Sunday. “Feel like we all felt an impact and I don’t stand for anything close to hate speech or antisemitism or anything that is ‘anti,’ going against the human race.”

    “I feel it was necessary for me to stand in this place and take accountability for my actions,” Irving said.

    Irving received a warm welcome from the Brooklyn crowd during player introductions before tip-off. He finished the night with 14 points and five rebounds in the Nets’ 127-115 victory over the Grizzlies.

    Irving said after the game that it “felt good” to be back on the court.

    “Missed my teammates,” Irving told reporters. “Missed the coaching staff. Just getting prepared with them in the morning and carrying over to the game, it felt good.”

    When asked if he would file a grievance over his suspension, Irving said he’d leave that decision to his legal team.

    “I have some strong people, men and women, around me that are going to do everything possible to make sure that I’m protected and my family’s protected and we protect one another, so I’m sure some things will be done in the future,” Irving said. “There’s no timetable on that right now.”

    Speaking before Sunday’s game, Nets coach Jacque Vaughn showed no hesitation about his decision to put Irving on the floor to start the game.

    “He’ll start, and we’ll see where his conditioning is, the pace of the game which we want to play at. Excited to have him back on the floor with our group, and he’ll fit right in,” Vaughn said.

    During an interview Saturday with SNY’s Ian Begley, Irving said he reacted emotionally to being called “antisemitic.”

    “I felt like I was protecting my character and I reacted out of just pure defense and just hurt that I could be labeled, or I thought that I was being labeled as antisemitic or anti-Jewish, and I’ve felt like that was just so disrespectful to ask me whether or not I was antisemitic or not,” Irving said.

    The Nets’ next scheduled game is Tuesday at the Philadelphia 76ers.

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  • West Michigan author aims to educate on Holocaust, addresses anti-semitic comments

    West Michigan author aims to educate on Holocaust, addresses anti-semitic comments

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    GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Prominent figures are under heat after comments of anti-semitism.

    It has been particularly apparent through American rapper Kanye West and basketball player Kyrie Irving.

    Both celebrities have faced consequences for the comments.

    Businesses have cut ties with the rapper, including Adidas. West was even escorted out of Sketchers headquarters after showing up unannounced.

    Kyrie Irving, a point guard for the Brooklyn Nets was issued a five day suspension last week for his past anti-semitic comments.

    Nike has severed ties, and many people believe other business partnerships of his could now be in jeopardy.

    These types of comments can be dangerous, and according to the anti-defamation league, 2,717 incidents of anti-semitic behavior were reported in 2021. That was a record.

    Experts said it’s important to teach your children about what these actions can lead to.

    This week marks the 84th anniversary of Kristallnacht known as the “night of broken glass”, where more than 7,000 jewish businesses were damaged by attackers.

    This was one of the events that led to the Holocaust.

    A local West Michigan author, Danica Davidson, recently released a book “I Will Protect You”. It is a story of twins who survived the Holocaust.

    The book aims to reach the younger generation and educate those who know little about the historic event.

    You can purchase it at local bookstores and online.

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  • Kyrie Irving will begin suspension of at least 5 games Friday over antisemitism controversy. The NBA star has since apologized | CNN

    Kyrie Irving will begin suspension of at least 5 games Friday over antisemitism controversy. The NBA star has since apologized | CNN

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    CNN
     — 

    Kyrie Irving will miss the first of several Brooklyn Nets games Friday after he was suspended for comments regarding his tweet linking to an antisemitic documentary.

    The Nets suspended Irving Thursday after he initially doubled down on his decision to share the content on his Twitter account. The star point guard issued an apology hours later on his verified Instagram account, in which he said he takes full accountability for his action.

    “To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize,” Irving wrote. “I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled Anti-Semitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the Documentary.

    “I had no intentions to disrespect any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuate any hate. I am learning from this unfortunate event and hope we can find understanding between us all,” Irving continued.

    On Friday, criticism of Irving continued to mount with Nike suspending its relationship with the NBA star.

    “At Nike, we believe there is no place for hate speech and we condemn any form of antisemitism,” Nike said in a statement to CNN. “To that end, we’ve made the decision to suspend our relationship with Kyrie Irving effective immediately and will no longer launch the Kyrie 8. We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the situation and its impact on everyone.”

    The company’s move comes after Irving defended his decision to share a link to the 2018 film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” last week. The movie, based on Ronald Dalton’s book of the same name, has been blasted by civil rights groups for its antisemitism.

    Reporters asked Irving earlier Thursday – before he posted his apology – if he holds antisemitic beliefs or if he was sorry. At the time, he replied saying he respects “all walks of life” and that he didn’t mean to cause any harm.

    The Nets later said they were “dismayed” when the player “refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film,” during a media session.

    “Such failure to disavow antisemitism when given a clear opportunity to do so is deeply disturbing, is against the values of our organization, and constitutes conduct detrimental to the team,” the Nets said in their statement before Irving apologized.

    The team also said they made repeated attempts to help Irving “understand the harm and danger of his words and actions.”

    Irving’s suspension without pay means he will not play in Friday’s game against the Washington Wizards. The suspension will last for at least four additional games, and Irving is also required to satisfy “a series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct,” the Nets said.

    When asked Friday if there was any consideration of releasing Irving, Nets general manager Sean Marks replied, “No. Not at this particular time.”

    “There is going to be some remedial steps and measures that have been put in place for him to obviously seek some counseling … from dealing with some anti-hate and some Jewish leaders within our community,” Marks said while speaking to reporters before the Nets-Wizards game.

    “He’s going to have to sit down with them, he’s going to have to sit down with the organization after this, and we’ll evaluate and see if this is the right opportunity to bring him back,” Marks added.

    Irving’s Nets teammate Kevin Durant described this week’s matters as “unnecessary” and expressed his belief that the team could have “kept quiet” about Irving’s comments.

    “I ain’t here to judge nobody or talk down on nobody … I just didn’t like anything that went on. I feel like it was all unnecessary,” Durant said about Irving’s team-issued suspension during the Nets’ pre-game availability on Friday. “I feel like we could have just kept playing basketball and kept quiet as an organization. I just don’t like none of it.”

    Asked whether he thought the suspension was unfair, Durant said, “I believe and trust in the organization to do what’s right.”

    Shortly after his media availability, Durant tweeted, “Just wanna clarify the statements I made at shootaround, I see some people are confused..I don’t condone hate speech or anti-semitism, I’m about spreading love always.”

    “Our game Unites people and I wanna make sure that’s at the forefront,” he added.

    Irving’s remarks during the media session with reporters Thursday have escalated the controversy.

    When asked if he was apologizing, he said, “I didn’t mean to cause any harm. I’m not the one that made the documentary.”

    Asked if he was surprised by the reaction, Irving said, “I take my full responsibility, again I’ll repeat it, for posting something on my Instagram or Twitter that may have had some unfortunate falsehoods in it,” Irving replied.

    Asked if he had any antisemitic beliefs, Irving responded: “I respect all walks of life. I embrace all walks of life. That’s where I sit.”

    Pressed further to answer yes or no to a question on whether Irving had any antisemitic beliefs, he replied: “I cannot be antisemitic if I know where I come from.”

    When Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, learned of how the NBA star answered that question, he pointed out that Irving has “a lot of work to do.”

    “The answer to the question ‘Do you have any antisemitic beliefs’ is always ‘NO’ without equivocation. We took @KyrieIrving at his word when he said he took responsibility, but today he did not make good on that promise,” Greenblatt wrote.

    After Irving was suspended Thursday, the ADL refused to accept a $500,000 donation that Irving and the Nets had previously announced. The ADL’s decision to decline the donation was before Irving apologized late Thursday.

    The star’s comments also garnered reproach from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who said he was “disappointed” in Irving.

    “Kyrie Irving made a reckless decision to post a link to a film containing deeply offensive antisemitic material,” Silver said in a statement before Irving apologized.

    The controversy comes as antisemitism has been on the rise in the US over the past few years. At least 2,717 antisemitic incidents were reported in the US in 2021, an increase from 942 such incidents in 2015, according to the ADL.

    Irving has run into controversy in recent years that has affected his playing time. Last season, Irving did not play in many of Brooklyn’s home games because he was not vaccinated against Covid-19, which was a hindrance to playing in indoor arenas due to a New York City workplace vaccine mandate. The rule was later lifted and he returned to Barclays Center in March.

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  • ‘Free Kyrie’ And ‘BoycottTheNBA’ Trend After Nets Star Suspended For Promoting Antisemitism

    ‘Free Kyrie’ And ‘BoycottTheNBA’ Trend After Nets Star Suspended For Promoting Antisemitism

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    Topline

    Terms like “#IStandWithKyrie,” “Free Kyrie” and “#BoycottTheNBA” trended on Twitter’s sports section Friday afternoon as users flooded the platform to defend Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving a day after he was suspended at least five games for promoting an antisemitic film, which he apologized for Thursday night after going days without admitting wrongdoing.

    Key Facts

    More than 14,000 tweets mentioning #IStandWithKyrie had emerged by Friday evening, along with more than 7,600 saying “Free Kyrie.”

    Former NFL wide receiver Cole Beasley was also a trending sports topic, as many users criticized him for his own tweet defending Irving: “Won’t miss this part of professional sports. ‘Be you’ they say. Yea alright…”

    The Nets announced Thursday night Irving would be suspended without pay for no less than five games after promoting an antisemitic film in a tweet last week, stating his days-long failure to apologize constituted “conduct detrimental to the team.”

    Irving issued an apology on Instagram shortly after his suspension, but Nets general manager Sean Marks said Friday Irving will also have to meet with Jewish leaders and counselors before he can be reinstated.

    Surprising Fact

    The terms trended under Twitter’s “sports” tab and appeared in the “for you” section for many users but they did not appear on Twitter’s list of the top 30 trends in the U.S., despite involving more tweets than many top terms on the trending list. Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment as to why.

    Key Background

    Bizarre, antisemitic social media posts recently from Irving and rapper Kanye West have worried Jewish leaders and civil rights groups who feel it might encourage others to make similar remarks, or even resort to violence. Threats have been reported in recent days against synagogues in New Jersey and Alabama, while New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) said Friday the city will ramp up police protection at synagogues this weekend. West’s antisemitic comments and conspiracy theories have essentially destroyed his business empire, after several major brands, including Adidas, cut ties with him in recent weeks. The rapper has largely doubled down on his views, though. Twitter quickly removed a profane, antisemitic post from West on Friday afternoon.

    Further Reading

    Twitter Removes Kanye’s Tweet After He Drops N-Word—And Musk Claims Platform Rules Unchanged (Forbes)

    Nets Suspend Kyrie Irving For Pushing Antisemitic Film (Forbes)

    New York City Ups Synagogue Security After N.J. Threat On Heels Of Kanye West, Kyrie Irving Antisemitic Rhetoric (Forbes)

    Kyrie Irving Antisemitism Controversy: Everything Irving Did That Landed Him A Suspension (Forbes)

    Billionaire No More: Kanye West’s Antisemitism Obliterates His Net Worth As Adidas Cuts Ties (Forbes)

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    Nicholas Reimann, Forbes Staff

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  • Brooklyn Nets suspend Kyrie Irving without pay for at least 5 games

    Brooklyn Nets suspend Kyrie Irving without pay for at least 5 games

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    The Brooklyn Nets have suspended star guard Kyrie Irving without pay, the team announced Thursday, following a controversial tweet last week in which Irving appeared to support a documentary film that contains antisemitic ideas and several press conferences during which Irving refused to condemn antisemitism. The Nets said the suspension will last “no less” than five games.

    In a statement, the organization said that it came to the decision after “repeated attempts to work with Kyrie Irving to help him understand the harm and danger of his words and actions, which began with him publicizing a film containing deeply disturbing antisemitic hate.”

    The team added that it was “dismayed” by a media session Thursday during which the 30-year-old Irving was asked by reporters directly if he held any antisemitic beliefs.

    “Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film,” the Nets said. “This was not the first time he had the opportunity — but failed — to clarify.”

    “Accordingly, we are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets,” the team wrote. “We have decided that Kyrie will serve a suspension without pay until he satisfies a series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct and the suspension period served is no less than five games.”

    The move comes after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver earlier Thursday said in his own statement that he was “disappointed” that Irving didn’t offer an “unqualified apology and more specifically denounced the vile and harmful content contained in the film he chose to publicize,” adding that he planned to meet with Irving next week to “discuss this situation.”

    Irving did finally apologize later in an Instagram post for not explaining the specific beliefs he agreed and disagreed with when he posted the documentary.

    “To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize,” Irving wrote. “I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled Anti-Semitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the Documentary.”

    His reluctance to do so earlier Thursday came hours before the FBI said it had received credible information about a “broad” threat to synagogues in New Jersey, Irving’s home state.

    The team had announced Wednesday in a joint statement with Irving and the Anti-Defamation League that Irving and the Nets would each donate $500,000 to anti-hate groups. 

    In that statement, Irving wrote: “I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalized and impacted every day.”

    He also said he was “aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community and I take responsibility. I do not believe everything said in the documentary was true or reflects my morals and principles.”

    Following the announced suspension, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted that the organization would not be accepting any donations from Irving.

    “Kyrie Irving has been given ample opportunity to do the right thing, apologize and condemn #antisemitism,” Greenblatt tweeted. “He has failed at almost every step along the way. This suspension is well-deserved.”

    “We were optimistic but after watching the debacle of a press conference, it’s clear that Kyrie feels no accountability for his actions,” Greenblatt added. “@ADL cannot in good conscience accept his donation.”

    The controversy began when Irving on Oct. 27 posted a link on Twitter to the film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.” The synopsis on Amazon said the 2018 film “uncovers the true identity of the Children of Israel.”

    The film is filled with conspiracy theories about Jewish people, including false claims that Jews dominated the slave trade. 

    The following day, Nets owner Joe Tsai wrote on Twitter that he was “disappointed” that Irving appeared to support a film “based on a book full of antisemitic disinformation.”

    “I want to sit down and make sure he understands this is hurtful to all of us, and as a man of faith, it is wrong to promote hate based on race, ethnicity or religion,” Tsai wrote.

    The tweet drew criticism from across the NBA community. Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley said Tuesday on TNT, before the suspension had been announced, that he felt the NBA “dropped the ball” by allowing Irving to continue playing.

    “I think he should have been suspended. I think Adam [Silver, NBA commissioner] should have suspended him,” Barkley said.

    — The Associated Press contributed reporting.

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  • Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets each to donate $500,000 to anti-hate organizations; NBA star takes ‘responsibility’ for negative impact of tweets | CNN

    Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets each to donate $500,000 to anti-hate organizations; NBA star takes ‘responsibility’ for negative impact of tweets | CNN

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    CNN
     — 

    Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets announced on Wednesday that they will both donate $500,000 towards anti-hate organizations after the point guard tweeted a documentary deemed to be antisemitic last week.

    In a joint statement between Irving, Nets and the Anti-Defamation League – a “nonprofit organization devoted to fighting antisemitism and all types of hate that undermine justice and fair treatment for every individual” – the 30-year-old said he took “responsibility” for the “negative impact” his post had towards the Jewish community.

    “I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalized and impacted every day,” Irving said.

    “I am aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community and I take responsibility. I do not believe everything said in the documentary was true or reflects my morals and principles.

    “I am a human being learning from all walks of life and I intend to do so with an open mind and a willingness to listen. So from my family and I, we meant no harm to any one group, race or religion of people, and wish to only be a beacon of truth and light.”

    Irving was condemned last week by, among others, Nets owner Joe Tsai and the NBA for tweeting a link to the 2018 movie “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.”

    The movie is based on Ronald Dalton’s book of the same name, which has been blasted as being antisemitic by civil rights groups.

    Earlier this week, NBA analyst and Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley said he thought the league “dropped the ball” on Irving and that he believed Irving should have been suspended.

    On Tuesday, when asked why Irving had not been disciplined for his actions, Nets general manager Sean Marks told reporters: “I think we are having these discussions behind the scenes.

    “I honestly don’t want to really get into those right now. … Really just trying to weigh out exactly what the best course of action is here.”

    NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says he is “disappointed” with Irving after the guard did not offer an apology nor denounce the “harmful content contained in the film he chose to publicize.” Silver will meet with Irving in the next week, the commissioner said in a statement Thursday.

    “Kyrie Irving made a reckless decision to post a link to a film containing deeply offensive antisemitic material,” Silver said. “While we appreciate the fact that he agreed to work with the Brooklyn Nets and the Anti-Defamation League to combat antisemitism and other forms of discrimination, I am disappointed that he has not offered an unqualified apology and more specifically denounced the vile and harmful content contained in the film he chose to publicize.”

    Irving was not made available to the media on Monday or Tuesday following Nets games on those days.

    The joint statement said the donations were made to “eradicate hate and intolerance in our communities.”

    “This is an effort to develop educational programming that is inclusive and will comprehensively combat all forms of antisemitism and bigotry,” the statement read.

    Jonathan Greenblatt, the Anti-Defamation League CEO, said: “At a time when antisemitism has reached historic levels, we know the best way to fight the oldest hatred is to both confront it head-on and also to change hearts and minds.

    “With this partnership, ADL will work with the Nets and Kyrie to open dialogue and increase understanding.

    Irving talks with now-former head coach Steve Nash during a game against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, January 21, 2022.

    “At the same time, we will maintain our vigilance and call out the use of anti-Jewish stereotypes and tropes – whatever, whoever, or wherever the source – as we work toward a world without hate.”

    Kanye West, who has been criticized following antisemitic remarks on social media and in interviews, showed his support for Irving, tweeting a picture of the guard on Thursday.

    Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, has previously said Jewish people have too much control over the business world.

    He threatened in a Twitter post to “Go death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE.” He also ranted in an Instagram post about Ari Emanuel, CEO of the talent agency Endeavor, referencing “business” people when he clearly meant Jews.

    Last Friday, he told paparazzi that his mental health issues had been misdiagnosed by a Jewish doctor, made reference to Jewish ownership of media and compared Planned Parenthood to the Holocaust.

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