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☆ Denver Nuggets take home 1st NBA title in rugged 94-89 win over Miami Heat
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets rebounds the ball in Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena on June 12, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. Nikola Jokic guided Denver to its first NBA title in team history Monday night, as the Nuggets overcame dreadful shooting and a late flurry from Miami's Jimmy Butler to squeeze past the Heat for a frantic 94-89 victory in Game 5. He made two more free throws with 1:58 remaining to help Miami regain a one-point lead. Then, Bruce Brown got an offensive rebound and tip-in to give the Nuggets the lead for good. Brown made two free throws to put the game out of reach and clinch the title for Denver.

Persons: Nikola Jokic, Jimmy Butler, Jokic, —, Butler, Bruce Brown, Butler jacked, Brown Organizations: Denver Nuggets, Ball Arena, NBA, Nuggets, Denver, Miami Locations: Denver , Colorado, Denver

☆ Job done, says Jokic, as Nuggets beat Heat to win first NBA title
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

June 12 (Reuters) - The Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat 94-89 on Monday to bring a first NBA title to Mile High City, with Serbian big man Nikola Jokic scoring 28 points and being named the Most Valuable Player of the Finals. With a raucous capacity crowd packed into Ball Arena ready to celebrate, the Nuggets ended a 47-year championship wait by taking the best-of-seven series 4-1. "The job is done, we can go home now," said Jokic, whose trophy case also includes two NBA MVP Awards. [1/7] Jun 12, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; The Denver Nuggets celebrate after winning the 2023 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena. But after a timeout the refocused Heat went on a 11-2 run of their own to retake lead as a wild opening quarter ended with Miami up 24-22.

Persons: Nikola Jokic, Jokic, I'm, Michael Porter Jr, Jamal Murray, Jimmy Butler, Larry O’Brien, Kyle Terada, Tyler Herro, Butler, Bruce Brown, Michael Malone, I've, ” Malone, Steve Keating, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, NBA, Ball, Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Bucks , New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, The Denver Nuggets, Miami, Denver, Thomson Locations: High City, Serbian, Denver, Miami, Milwaukee Bucks ,, Denver , Colorado, USA, Toronto

☆ Finals MVP Jokic gives Serbia another sports hero to celebrate
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Jun 12, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; The Denver Nuggets celebrate after center Nikola Jokic (15) was awarded the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award after winning the 2023 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY SportsJune 13 (Reuters) - A day after Novak Djokovic won his 23rd Grand Slam title at the French Open, Serbia had another sporting hero to celebrate on Monday when Nikola Jokic was named Most Valuable Player of the NBA Finals after leading the Denver Nuggets to a first championship. "It's got to be," smiled Jokic, when asked if this was the golden era for Serbian athletes. Jokic was the clear choice to win the Bill Russell Trophy as the NBA Finals MVP after the Serbian big man averaged 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds and 7.2 assists. The 41st pick in the 2014 NBA draft, Jokic becomes the lowest-drafted player in NBA history to be named Finals MVP and the first player drafted outside of the top 15 to win the award.

Persons: Nikola Jokic, Russell, Kyle Terada, Novak Djokovic, Jokic, It's, Djokovic, Roland Garros, Casper Ruud, Bill Russell, Stan Kroenke, Larry O'Brien, I've, Steve Keating, Peter Rutherford Organizations: The Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, Ball, NBA, Denver Nuggets, Nuggets, Serbian, Thomson Locations: Denver , Colorado, USA, Serbia, Serbian, Toronto

☆ NBA Finals: Can the Denver Nuggets seal a first ever Championship?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The Denver Nuggets are on the verge of making history and winning their first ever NBA Championship but with the defiant Miami Heat standing in their way, anything is possible. Game 5 gets underway Monday at Ball Arena, Denver, and the Nuggets will be looking to seal the series in front of a home crowd. ‘We are ready’With the Nuggets just one win away from a first NBA Championship, it would be easy to start the celebrations too early, but this Denver team aren’t getting ahead of themselves just yet. The brilliant one-two punch of Jamal Murray and Jokić has been key for the Nuggets throughout the NBA postseason. The Heat have had to battle their way through the NBA Play-In tournament and then the playoffs as a No.

Persons: Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, ” Jokić, “, It’s, Jokić, AAron Ontiveroz, Michael Malone, what’s, ” Malone, we’ll, ”, Murray, Aaron Gordon, Bruce Brown Jr, Christian Braun, Matthew Stockman, won’t, Jimmy Butler’s, it’s, Butler, we’ve, ” Jimmy Butler, Wilfredo Lee, Erik Spoelstra, We’re Organizations: CNN, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, Ball Arena, Nuggets, NBA, ABC, Denver, aren’t, Denver Post, Los Angeles Lakers, Western, Getty, USA, Reuters Locations: Denver, Miami

☆ Heat running out of time to find answer to Jokic
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Jun 7, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles the ball against Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the third quarter in game three of the 2023 NBA Finals at Kaseya Center. Jokic had 32 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists in the Nuggets' 109-94 victory on Wednesday that put them 2-1 up in the best-of-seven series. Denver bullied Miami on their home floor, out-rebounding the Heat 58-33 and outscoring them 60-34 in the paint. "Biggest thing is just read and react," Adebayo told reporters on Thursday. Jokic said he looks at the variety of defenses the Heat throw at him as a puzzle.

Persons: Nikola Jokic, Bam Adebayo, Sam Navarro, Jokic, Adebayo, Jamal Murray, Murray, they've, Rory Carroll, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, Kaseya Center, USA, NBA, Nuggets, Denver, Miami, Bucks, Knicks, Celtics, Thomson Locations: Miami , Florida, USA, Denver, Miami, Los Angeles

The 2023 NBA Finals are well underway, with Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat backing down Nikola Jokic's Denver Nuggets for an NBA championship. How to watch the NBA Finals in the USABC exclusively broadcasts the NBA Finals this year, but you can also catch all the games on partner station ESPN3. If your local TV provider isn't simulcasting the game, you can still watch Nuggets vs Heat game 3 using the live TV streaming services we recommend above. ET ABC, ESPN3 Game 5, Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets (if necessary) June 12, 8:30 p.m. ET ABC, ESPN3 Game 7, Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets (if necessary) June 18, 8 p.m.

Persons: Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jokic's, Nikola Jokic, Lebron James, you'll, that's, you've, We've, ExpressVPN Organizations: Miami Heat, Nikola Jokic's Denver Nuggets, NBA, ABC, ESPN3, Sling, Denver Nuggets, Lakers, Heat, New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, ESPN, Hulu, Nuggets, ExpressVPN, Denver Nuggets Denver, Miami, Denver Nuggets Miami, Denver Locations: United States

[1/3] Jun 4, 2023; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball against Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) in the second quarter in game two of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY SportsJune 6 (Reuters) - Underdog Miami's chances of overcoming the odds and beating the favored Nuggets will hinge on big man Bam Adebayo's success in containing dynamic Denver center Nikola Jokic, his teammates said on Tuesday. "Bam has been playing incredibly well this entire playoffs, for sure this series, and this one he got the toughest matchup by far on the defensive side of the ball," Heat forward Jimmy Butler told reporters on Tuesday. "Like I said, he's going to be the reason why we win a championship." "Everybody thinks basketball is always supposed to be pretty, it's supposed to be fluid," he said.

Persons: Nikola Jokic, Bam Adebayo, Isaiah J, Downing, Bam, Jimmy Butler, he's, Adebayo, Jokic, Rory Carroll, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, Ball, USA, Heat, Eastern, Knicks, Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Thomson Locations: Denver, USA, Miami, Los Angeles

☆ NBA Finals: Miami Heat come alive in fourth quarter to edge past Denver Nuggets and tie series
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The Miami Heat leveled the NBA Finals with a crucial road win against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. 8 seed in NBA postseason history. Mark J. Terrill/APDespite the Heat’s comeback victory in Game 2, Nuggets star Nikola Jokić delivered another vintage performance – something to be expected nowadays. This is NBA Finals, we are talking about effort; that’s a huge concern of mine,” he said. This is the NBA Finals.

Persons: Erik Spoelstra’s, ”, Spoelstra, Gabe Vincent, “, he’s, He’s, ” Spoelstra, Vincent, we’re, ” Gabe Vincent, Mark J, Terrill, Nikola Jokić, Jokić, Michael Malone, Nikola, ” Malone, Matthew Stockman, Malone Organizations: CNN, Miami Heat, NBA, Denver Nuggets, Nuggets, Ball Arena, Denver, Heat Locations: Miami, Denver, Serbian

☆ Watch this natural gas stock for more than 50% upside as key pipeline gains steam, Morgan Stanley says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Morgan Stanley thinks one natural gas company could add more than 50% to its stock value thanks to progress on a key pipeline. Equitrans stock closed at $9.08 on Friday and has gained nearly 42% since the start of the year. ETRN YTD mountain Equitrans stock has added more than 41% from the start of the year. "In short, the language offers a clear and comprehensive directive that should prove effective in ensuring completion of the project," Kad said. And despite the stock jumping nearly 50% after news broke of the debt ceiling bill, Kad says there is still lots more upside in Equitrans stock.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Robert Kad, Kad, ETRN, CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Corporation Locations: West Virginia, Virginia

☆ Here are Monday's biggest analyst calls: Apple, Tesla, Meta, Micron, Bowlero, Nike, Disney and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Oppenheimer reiterates Meta as outperform Oppenheimer raised its price target on the stock to $350 per share from $285 and said it's well-positioned. Deutsche Bank upgrades Rio Tinto to buy from hold Deutsche Bank said shares of the metals and mining company are very attractive. Morgan Stanley reiterates Disney as overweight Morgan Stanley lowered its price target on the stock to $110 from $120 but said it's standing by the shares. " Morgan Stanley downgrades Dollar General to equal weight from overweight Morgan Stanley said in its downgrade of Dollar General that it sees too many risks right now. Morgan Stanley upgrades Equitrans Midstream to overweight from underweight Morgan Stanley said the energy company is better positioned after the debt ceiling raise.

Persons: Tesla, Canaccord, Oppenheimer, it's, TD Cowen, Cowen, Bernstein, it's bullish, Needham, Coinbase, Morgan Stanley, Disney, KeyBanc, Jefferies, Wolfe, Wells, Wells Fargo, Estee Lauder, Morgan Stanley downgrades, Equitrans, Stifel, Brett Parker, JPMorgan Chase Organizations: U.S, Formula, Deutsche Bank, Rio Tinto, Disney, Media, Target, Costco, Jefferies, Oracle, Palo Alto Networks, Alpha, Citi, Micron, Wells Fargo, Nike, Bank of America, Apple, of America, Pipeline, Barclays, Meta, JPMorgan Chase, JPMorgan Locations: China, Rio, Lido, Binance, Palo, SKX

☆ Tom Brady shuts down speculation of potential NFL return
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Tom Brady has shut down speculation and rumors of a potential return to football. While speaking to Sports Illustrated, the 45-year-old Brady said on Thursday he’s “certain” he will not play football again. Instead, Brady said he was looking forward to starting his role as a broadcaster for Fox Sports and the “opportunity ahead” with the Las Vegas Raiders. In May, Brady agreed to buy a minority ownership stake in the team. Brady also owns an ownership stake in the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces.

Persons: Tom Brady, Brady, “, I’ve, ” Brady, Patrick Smith Organizations: CNN, Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Aces, Kansas City Chiefs, Super, Getty, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NFL

How to watch the NBA Finals in the USYou can watch the NBA Finals on ABC via broadcast TV, cable, satellite, or any live TV streaming service that carries the network. 2023 NBA Finals scheduleGame Date and time Channel Game 1, Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets June 1, 8:30 p.m. ET ABC, ESPN3 Game 5, Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets (if necessary) June 12, 8:30 p.m. ET ABC, ESPN3 Game 6, Denver Nuggets at Miami Heat (if necessary) June 15, 8:30 p.m. ET ABC, ESPN3 Game 7, Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets (if necessary) June 18, 8 p.m.

Persons: Larry O'Brien, we've, Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Lisa Salters, Nikola Jokic, there's, ExpressVPN Organizations: Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, NBA, ABC, ESPN3, ESPN, Sling, Western Conference, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Hulu, YouTube

☆ 2023 NBA Finals: How to watch the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat compete for the Larry O’Brien trophy
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

There’s Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets – the hulking Serbian center who has battled underappreciation and misinterpretation to become one of the league’s greats and a two-time Most Valuable Player. It’s the performances of Jokić and Butler which help to explain why the NBA Finals are being contested by Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat as the 2022/23 NBA season concludes. Jokić shoots the ball during Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. Jokić admitted that the celebrations were short-lived after the Western Conference Finals sweep of the Lakers as Denver’s goal is lifting the title. Jokić leaves the floor after the Nuggets beat the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

Persons: There’s Nikola Jokić, underappreciation, Jimmy Butler –, Jokić, Butler, Erik Spoelstra, Denver’s Michael Malone, Larry O’Brien, Butler –, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Adam Pantozzi, Jamal Murray’s, Aaron Gordon, Kentavious Caldwell, Pope –, “ I’m, ” Jokić, AAron Ontiveroz, – Miami, Al Horford, David Butler II, – Butler, ”, “, Pat, Riley, Spoelstra, Nathaniel S, you’ve, I’ve Organizations: CNN, Denver Nuggets, NBA, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Western, Nuggets, Boston Celtics, Ball Arena, Games, ABC, Western Conference, Denver, Lakers, Denver Post, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Bucks, New York Knicks, Celtics, Eastern, USA, Sports, Reuters, Heat Locations: Serbian, Denver , Colorado, Miami, Denver, Milwaukee Bucks . Miami

☆ Yogi Berra: ‘It Ain’t Over’ documentary reassesses baseball great’s remarkable career and life
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Don Riddell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —Yogi Berra famously said “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over,” but one of the greatest careers in baseball history might have been over before it had even begun. He was injured during the attack, he pulled bodies out of the water, and he learned that in comparison to war, baseball would be easy. In a file photo -- September 28, 1955 -- Jackie Robinson (R) is safe under an attempted out by Yankee catcher Yogi Berra, on a steal home from third. I don’t think anything that anyone said or wrote took any of that joy away from him. I don’t think Grandpa meant to be a civil rights activist,” explained Lindsay, “He just did the right thing.

Persons: Yogi Berra, Berra, ”, Lindsay, “, Bob Costas, Granny Hamner, Don Larsen, Billy Crystal, Yogi, ” Berra, Joe Di Maggio, Mickey Mantle –, Jackie Robinson, Frank Kellert, Larry Berra, Barack Obama, Alex Wong, ” Lindsay, ’, ‘ we’re, ’ ”, “ There’s, grandpa, ESPN’s, he’d, Grandpa, you’ve, Jon Matlack, Robinson, “ Grandpa, Jackie, Kathy Willens Organizations: CNN, Yankee, Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, AP, Life Magazine, Bettmann, American, Observers, Dodgers, Getty, White, Mets, ” New York Yankees Hall of Fame, Toronto Blue Jays, Steinbrenner, “ Locations: Normandy, American, New York, Washington , DC, Europe, ”, Tampa , Fla, Maryland

☆ Wrexham embrace surprise American fan base on the road
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Instead, the club has become a source of intense fascination for an American fanbase often blithely ignorant of the English Football drama that unfolds each year across the Atlantic. "People are looking for reasons to be excited and feel good. And Wrexham is certainly a feel good story," said Brian Berklich, chief marketing officer at Sports Endeavors, whose Soccer.com is the retail and content partner for the tournament. "There's been a lot of heartbreak and mystery around the club for a good long time now. And what the owners have done is they galvanized the whole town and they've really brought more of a community feel," said Howard.

Persons: Boreham, Rob McElhenney, Ryan Reynolds, Jon Mugar, Mugar, Brian Berklich, Steve Nash, Cesc Fabregas, Mark Howard, Andy Morrell, Lee Trundle, We've, Howard, There's, they've, They've, Amy Tennery, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, National League, Wrexham, League, English Football League, English Football, Dallas Cowboys, Sports, Spain, Reuters, Chelsea, LA, Manchester United, Thomson Locations: Wrexham, Britain, U.S, American, Cary , North Carolina, TST, Como, Chapel Hill , North Carolina, Los Angeles, New York

☆ Nuggets stand between Heat, history in NBA Finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] May 27, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) looks to the score board in the second quarter during game six of the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY SportsMay 31 (Reuters) - The Miami Heat have the chance to make history when the NBA Finals kick off on Thursday, facing a well-rested Denver Nuggets squad that is uninterested in letting the Heat's Cinderella story go any further. "We don't play just to win the Eastern Conference, we play to win the whole thing." "You get to the NBA Finals, it's not about seeding anymore. The NBA Finals kick off on Thursday at 8:30 p.m.

Persons: Jimmy Butler, Rich Storry, Larry O'Brien, Tyler Herro, Mark Jackson, Nikola Jokic's, oddsmakers, Michael Malone, Malone, it's, Amy Tennery, Chris Reese Organizations: Miami Heat, Eastern, Kaseya Center, NBA, Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Eastern Conference, ABC NBA, Nikola Jokic's Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Nuggets, Milwaukee, Ball, Thomson Locations: Miami , Florida, USA, Miami, New York

☆ Joe Manchin is set to get a big win out of the debt ceiling deal on a gas pipeline that Virginia Democrats and environmentalists hate
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, has long pushed for a controversial gas pipeline. The debt ceiling deal will likely force federal agencies to approve the project's remaining permits. The Democrat and his fellow West Virginia lawmakers have for years pushed for the completion of a controversial 303-mile pipeline that would carry Appalachian shale gas from northwestern West Virginia to southern Virginia. Virginia's Democratic lawmakers are staunchly opposed to the pipeline provision. He plans to file an amendment to remove this harmful Mountain Valley Pipeline provision."

Persons: Sen, Joe Manchin, —, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Manchin, McCarthy, Manchin didn't, Virginia Sens, Tim Kaine, Mark Warner, Kaine, Jennifer McClellan, Kaine doesn't, John Podesta, Tim Kaine's Organizations: West, West Virginia Democrat, Service, Democrat, Republicans, Democratic, Appeals, Circuit, Democratic House, Washington Post Locations: West Virginia, Virginia, America

☆ These companies are winners in the debt ceiling deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —The debt ceiling deal in Washington did not set off a celebration in the stock market. The Sierra Club called on Congress to reject the deal and pass a clean bill to raise the debt ceiling. Wall Street is also betting lending company SoFi will cash in from the debt ceiling deal because it calls for borrowers to start paying back federal student loans at the end of the summer. IRS funding cuts, defense spending intactMeanwhile, the debt ceiling deal would shift a total of $20 billion in IRS funding from fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2025 to be used in non-defense areas. The defense industry is also emerging largely unscathed from the debt ceiling battle, unlike in 2011 when Washington agreed to significant defense spending cuts.

☆ Miami win Game 7 to thwart Celtics' comeback bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/11] May 29, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent (2) shoots against Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the third quarter of game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY SportsMay 29 (Reuters) - The Miami Heat avoided becoming the first team to squander a 3-0 NBA playoff series lead after beating the Boston Celtics 103-84 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Monday. Miami's Jimmy Butler, named the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, struggled in Game 6 but was back to his best on Monday with a game-high 28 points. Miami became just the second eighth-seeded team to reach the NBA Finals after the New York Knicks in 1999. Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

“It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of my husband, Jim Brown,” Monique Brown wrote on Instagram. Our hearts are broken…”The sole team Brown played for, the Cleveland Browns, tweeted, “Jim Brown Forever. Jim Brown, led the league in rushing in eight of his nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns and set the all-time record for rushing yards. Brown also made his mark as a civil rights activist, working with inner-city gang members and prison inmates. Jim Brown’s legacy will live on forever,” the NFL tweeted.

☆ Lakers vs Nuggets Game 2: LeBron James proves he is human after missing an easy dunk in LA loss to Denver
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —LeBron James proved he is human after all as the Los Angeles Lakers fell to a 108-103 Game 2 playoff loss against the Denver Nuggets. With the Lakers up by eight points early in the second, James had a clear run to the basket after being found by Rui Hachimura in transition. Jack Dempsey/APLeBron blowing the easy dunk was just one of the many uncharacteristic errors made by the 19-time All-Star in the Game 2 loss. After the game, James reflected on the 0-2 hole the Lakers find themselves in and said that it wasn’t the end of the world. To go with four steals, five assists and 10 rebounds, Murray scored an incredible 37 points in the huge win.

☆ Griner, 'superteams' in focus as WNBA season kicks off
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NEW YORK, May 17 (Reuters) - Brittney Griner is back in action for the Phoenix Mercury while the New York Liberty and defending champions Las Vegas Aces are expected to usher in the WNBA's "superteam" era when a new season tips off on Friday. "It was cool, and then at the same time, I was sitting there looking around, zoned out a little bit," said Griner, who will open her season on the road against the Sparks on Friday. I mean, these are some of the best players in the league," head coach Sandy Brondello told reporters this week. She will join reigning MVP A'ja Wilson and All-Star Kelsey Plum, along with two-time champion Alysha Clark, who also signed as a free agent. Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Aces coach Hammon denies mistreating pregnant player
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The WNBA suspended Hammon for two games on Tuesday, saying she had violated "Respect in the Workplace" policies. The violation "was related to comments made by Hammon to Hamby in connection with Hamby’s recent pregnancy", the league said in a statement. The league also docked the Aces their 2025 first-round pick for offering "impermissible benefits" related to Hamby's contract extension negotiations. Hammon told reporters that while she did ask about Hamby's pregnancy, she never made derogatory remarks and that their relationship was amicable until she informed the former first-round draft pick that she would be traded. She took the reins in early 2022 after eight years as an assistant coach with the NBA's San Antonio Spurs.

☆ Victor Wembanyama: How ‘Wembymania’ gripped France due to the most exciting draft prospect since LeBron James
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

There have been few players whose journey to the pinnacle of basketball have been as highly followed; in figures released by the NBA, Wembanyama is No. And I keep having to explain to them that having a sold-out, 15,000-people crowd for a regular French professional basketball game is not normal at all,” she said. His father was a high jumper, his mother was a former basketball player who is now a coach and his two siblings – older sister Eve and younger brother Oscar – are basketball players. And the French basketball system where he has been nurtured has helped develop his unique talent, says Krasnoff. “And it certainly has driven US interest in French basketball, at least as far as Wembanyama is concerned.

☆ Nikola Jokić makes history with triple-double to lead Denver Nuggets to big Game 5 win leaving Phoenix Suns on the ropes
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Nikola Jokić made history with a triple-double on Tuesday night to lead the Denver Nuggets to a comfortable 118-102 Game 5 win in their Western Conference playoff series against the Phoenix Suns. The Nuggets were spearheaded as usual by Jokić, who created yet more history with his excellent all-around performance. Brown provided a key thrust for Denver throughout, scoring 25 points off the bench, something Jokić was keen to praise. Devin Booker led the way for the Suns with 28 points while Durant added 26 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. The home team has now won every game in the series so far, with Game 6 taking place in Phoenix on Thursday.

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