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PHOENIX (AP) — The San Antonio Spurs were flailing in the fourth quarter Thursday night, struggling to find their footing after the Phoenix Suns erased a 27-point lead and threatened to finish an epic comeback victory. The 19-year-old rookie scored a season-high 38 points, Zach Collins added 19 and the Spurs held off Phoenix 132-121 on Thursday night. On Thursday, it looked as if San Antonio would win in a blowout. San Antonio pushed its advantage to 27 points midway through the second quarter, taking advantage of sloppy Phoenix play on both ends of the floor. The Spurs led 75-55 at the break after Wembanyama hit back-to-back 3s late in the second quarter.

Persons: Victor Wembanyama, It's, Zach Collins, Keita Bates, Someone's, ” Wembanyama, ”, Wembanyama, Frenchman, “, Gregg Popovich, “ He's, ” Phoenix's Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Keldon Johnson, San Antonio, ” Booker, Bates, Booker, ___ Organizations: PHOENIX, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Spurs, Suns, NBA, ” Spurs, Phoenix, Toronto, Sunday . Suns, Philadelphia Locations: Phoenix, San Antonio, Durant, Antonio

“His enthusiasm for the game — you can tell that through the TV and playing against him,” Durant said. “So yeah, in the NBA it's the same.”Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Wembanyama's strength is that he's unselfish but can also take over a game when needed. And if Thursday night was any indication, Wembanyama is every bit the rising NBA star that many expected. “I don't see anyone else like him in this game,” Durant said. “We're both skinny and I know he watched me growing up, but he's his own player."

Persons: — Victor Wembanyama strolled, Kevin Durant, Frenchman, Durant, Durant's, ” Durant, ”, Wembanyama, “, ” Wembanyama, It's, we've, Gregg Popovich, ” Popovich, “ He’s, Devin Booker, ” Booker, We're, isn't Organizations: PHOENIX, NBA, San Antonio Spurs, ”, Phoenix Suns, Spurs, Suns, FIBA, U.S, ” Spurs Locations: Phoenix, U.S

☆ Victor Wembanyama scores career-high 38 points in San Antonio Spurs win over the Phoenix Suns
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

In the best game of his young NBA career so far, Victor Wembanyama dropped 38 points, to go along with 10 rebounds and two blocks, powering the San Antonio Spurs to a 132-121 victory over the Phoenix Suns. This was the second matchup between the Spurs and the Suns in Arizona this week, with the two sides clashing on Tuesday at the Footprint Center. The Spurs came away with the victory that night too, rallying from 20 points down to win on a last-second shot, although the formula of Thursday’s game was completely different. The Spurs were quick out of the blocks, outscoring the Suns by 19 in the first quarter alone. The Spurs improve to 3-2 while the Suns, who are still without All-Star guard Bradley Beal, drop to 2-3.

Persons: ’, Victor Wembanyama, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Keita Bates, Diop, Wembanyama, — Rob Perez, @WorldWideWob, “, ” Wembanyama, Barry Gossage, Durant, ”, Frenchman, who’s, ” Durant, Booker, Bradley Beal Organizations: CNN, NBA, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Spurs, Suns, Footprint Center, The Spurs Locations: Arizona, Wembanyama

☆ NBA roundup: Spurs complete wild comeback vs. Suns
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Oct 31, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant #35 guards San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama #1 during the second half at Footprint Center. San Antonio did not relent, with a jumper by rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama cutting its deficit to 114-111 with 49 seconds left. Johnson led the Spurs with 27 points while Wembanyama and Devin Vassell each added 18. Zach Collins scored 14 points and Tre Jones had 10 as San Antonio won for the first time on the road. Jalen Brunson also scored 19 points, and RJ Barrett scored 16 points.

Persons: Kevin Durant, Victor Wembanyama, Zachary BonDurant, Keldon Johnson, phenom Victor Wembanyama, Johnson, Devin Vassell, Zach Collins, Tre Jones, San Antonio, Eric Gordon, Grayson Allen, Jusuf Nurkic, Julius Randle, Randle, Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Garland, LeVert, Allen, Paul George, George, Russell Westbrook, Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Moritz Wagner Organizations: Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Footprint Center, Suns, Spurs, San, Knicks, Cavaliers, Cleveland, Clippers, Orlando, Thomson Locations: Phoenix , Arizona, USA, Antonio, New York, Los Angeles, Angeles

☆ Spurs stun Suns on last-second dunk
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/64] Oct 31, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen #8 makes a pass agaisnt San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell #24 during the first quarter at Footprint Center. The Suns led by 18 points at halftime and by 13 heading into the fourth quarter. San Antonio did not relent, with a jumper by rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama cutting its deficit to 114-111 with 49 seconds left. Zach Collins scored 14 points and Tre Jones had 10 as San Antonio won for the first time on the road. Johnson's nine points led the Spurs' output in the first half.

Persons: Grayson Allen, Devin Vassell, Zachary BonDurant, Keldon Johnson, Kevin Durant, phenom Victor Wembanyama, Wembanyama, Johnson, Durant, Zach Collins, Tre Jones, San Antonio, Eric Gordon, Jusuf Nurkic, Josh Okogie, Yuta Watanabe, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Phoenix, Watanabe, Gordon, Allen Organizations: Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Footprint Center, The Suns, Suns, Spurs, San, Thomson Locations: Phoenix , Arizona, USA, Phoenix, Antonio, Durant

☆ Clippers roll to easy win over Spurs, Victor Wembanyama
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

October 30 - Kawhi Leonard scored 21 points in 28 minutes as the Los Angeles Clippers rolled to a 123-83 victory over the visiting San Antonio Spurs in the first road game for rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama. Bones Hyland scored 18 points and Ivica Zubac had 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field for Los Angeles. Wembanyama and the Spurs now have a pair of road matchups awaiting against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns this week. Los Angeles made it 56-37 at halftime on 48.9 percent shooting as Leonard and George combined for 25 points. One game after getting outrebounded by nine against the Jazz, the Clippers held a 48-37 rebounding advantage on the Spurs.

Persons: Kawhi Leonard, Victor Wembanyama, Paul George, Russell Westbrook, Bones Hyland, Ivica Zubac, Westbrook, Devin Vassell, Cedi Osman, Kevin Durant, Leonard, George, Norman Powell Organizations: Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, Clippers, Utah Jazz, Zubac, Los Angeles Lakers, Spurs, Wembanyama, Phoenix Suns, The Clippers, Jazz, Thomson Locations: Angeles, Los Angeles

☆ NBA roundup: Despite 51 from Zach LaVine, Pistons top Bulls
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

LaVine scored 51 points as he knocked down 19 of 33 field-goal attempts and 6 of 8 free throws. Jalen Duren supplied 23 points, 15 rebounds and five assists as Detroit snapped its 15-game losing streak against the Bulls. Joel Embiid also scored 34 points to go with nine rebounds, eight assists and two blocked shots. Anthony Edwards added 19 points and seven assists and Gobert contributed 14 points and 14 rebounds. Grayson Allen scored 14 of his 17 points in the third quarter for Phoenix, which has won two of its first three games.

Persons: Cade Cunningham, Rick Osentoski, Zach LaVine, LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, Jalen Duren, Alec Burks, DeRozan, Tyrese Maxey, Nick Nurse's, Joel Embiid, Nurse, Scottie Barnes, Gary Trent Jr, Gradey Dick, Naz Reid, Reid, Anthony Edwards, Gobert, Jimmy Butler, Jimmy, Caleb Martin, Kevin Love, Herro, Bam Adebayo, Aaron Nesmith, Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner, outlasting Donovan Mitchell, Turner, Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Caris, Mobley dunked, Jordan Poole, Corey Kispert, Kyle Kuzma, Kuzma, Daniel Gafford, Desmond Bane, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Josh Hart, Kevin Durant, Phoenix trounce, Eric Gordon, Grayson Allen, Lauri Markkanen Organizations: Detroit Pistons, Jalen, Chicago Bulls, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Bulls, LaVine, Pistons, 76ers, Raptors, Philadelphia, NBA, Timberwolves, Miami, Pacers, Cavaliers, Indiana, Haliburton, Wizards, Grizzlies, Washington, The Grizzlies, Knicks, New Orleans, New York, Atlanta, Pelicans, Suns, Jazz, Phoenix, Utah, Thomson Locations: Detroit , Michigan, USA, Jalen Duren, Toronto, Minnesota, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Cleveland's, Haliburton, Memphis, Washington, New, Utah

HOUSTON (AP) — Chris Paul came off the bench for the first time in his NBA career Sunday. Paul entered Golden State's game at Houston as a substitute, checking in with 6:58 left in the first quarter. Including playoffs, Paul started the first 1,365 games of his NBA career. “But at the end of the day it's basketball.”Political Cartoons View All 1223 ImagesThe question — would Paul start or not? Paul started the last 25 games of his college career, and then every game of his 19 NBA seasons until Sunday.

Persons: — Chris Paul, Paul, Green —, —, “, ” Paul, Steve Kerr, Paul —, LeBron James, Philadelphia's P.J, Tucker, Golden, Chris, ” Kerr, ‘, ’, ” Green, Stephen Curry, Steph Curry, Chris Paul, Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard —, Irving, James, Phoenix's Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan, Karl Malone didn’t, Shaquille O’Neal, Michael Jordan didn’t, Paul didn’t, Jason Kidd, Kobe Bryant, Temple, ” Organizations: HOUSTON, NBA, Golden, Houston, Warriors, Golden State, Los Angeles Lakers, 833rd, Dallas, of Fame Locations: Golden, .

He still spoiled the home team's opening night as the Phoenix Suns won the first matchup between the Pacific Division powerhouses. Golden State opened the third on a 27-5 burst while the Suns went 2 for 14. Golden State acquired him on draft night from the Wizards — he never played in Washington — for Jordan Poole. Warriors: The Warriors have lost only five of their last 12 openers and are 44-34 playing their first home game of a season. Warriors: At Sacramento on Friday night in a rematch of the first round of the playoffs won by Golden State in Game 7.

Persons: — Kevin Durant, “ It's, ” Durant, “, ” Devin Booker, Stephen Curry, Durant's, Curry, Jusuf Nurkic, Josh Okogie, Eric Gordon, Booker, soreness, Durant, Durant patted, Chris Paul, Washington —, Jordan Poole, Paul, Moses Moody, Bradley Beal, Frank Vogel, ” Vogel, Phoenix, Earl Smith, ___ Organizations: FRANCISCO, Warriors, Golden State, Phoenix Suns, Pacific Division, KD, Suns, NBA, Chase Center, Wizards, INS, Lakers, Golden, Longtime Warriors, 49ers Locations: Brooklyn, Washington, Utah, Sacramento

☆ Nikola Jokić leads Denver Nuggets to victory over LA Lakers as title defense begins on NBA Opening Night
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Nikola Jokić led the Denver Nuggets to a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on opening night of the 2023-24 season as the NBA champions began their campaign to secure a second successive ring. Two-time NBA MVP Jokić finished with a triple-double – 29 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists – as the Nuggets won 119-107 at Ball Arena in Colorado. But it was the defending NBA champion which got its season off to the perfect start, with clear aspirations of repeat success. Who wants another?” Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said during the team’s ring ceremony. On one side, there are the words “WORLD CHAMPIONS” with the Denver Nuggets retro logo and the team’s regular season record.

Persons: Nikola Jokić, Jokić, –, LeBron James, “, Michael Malone, James dribbles, Justin Tafoya, Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell, Pope, ” Jokić, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant –, Booker, Steph Curry Organizations: CNN, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Nuggets, Ball Arena, Ball, Miami Heat, Western, Lakers, Denver, Suns, Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors Locations: Colorado, Los Angeles, Serbia

☆ Devin Booker, Suns slide by Warriors to open season
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/54] Oct 24, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry warms up before taking on the Phoenix Suns at Chase Center. Kevin Durant chipped in with an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double for Phoenix, and Nurkic had a double-double of his own with 14 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. The Suns outscored the Warriors 33-30 on 3-pointers despite taking 10 fewer attempts (43-33). Curry paced six Warriors in double figures with 27 points but misfired on 10 of his 14 3-point tries. Phoenix built a 15-point lead by halftime thanks in large part to 21 points from Booker before the break.

Persons: Stephen Curry, Ross Cameron, Devin Booker, Booker, Josh Okogie, Eric Gordon, Jusuf, Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, Nurkic, Okogie, Gordon, Curry, Klay Thompson, Chris Paul, Jonathan Kuminga Organizations: Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Chase Center, USA, Suns, Golden State, Phoenix, Warriors, Thomson Locations: San Francisco , California, USA, San Francisco, Golden, Phoenix

Rivers asked, "let the season go on, and I’ll find that out. Political Cartoons View All 1218 ImagesAt least one ESPN executive believes Rivers' won't be returning to the coaching ranks anytime soon. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”As for what to expect this season, Rivers has defending champion Denver as the favorite. Rivers still has a desire to be competing for another NBA title. His most significant coaching success came in Boston when he led the Celtics to the NBA title in 2008 during his nine-year tenure.

Persons: Doc Rivers, Rivers, ”, Mike Breen, Doris Burke, “, David Roberts, ESPN’s, “ There’s, Hey, Doc, ’, James Harden's, Joel Embiid, Joel, ” Rivers, Burke, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Jeff, ” Breen, Breen, “ Doc, Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, “ It’s, Damian Lillard, I’ve Organizations: Orlando Magic, Turner Sports, ESPN, NBA, ABC, Orlando, Sixers, Denver, Boston, Boston -, Celtics, Bucks, Eastern Conference, Milwaukee, Los Angeles Clippers Locations: Orlando Magic, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Boston, Milwaukee, Boston - New York, ”, Portland

What the Denver Nuggets really relished, though, was opening defense of the franchise's first NBA title with a 119-107 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. “I think we controlled the game the whole time,” said Jokic, who had 29 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. Murray added 21 points, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 20, Aaron Gordon had 15 and Michael Porter Jr. had 12. Taurean Prince scored 18 points his his debut for the Lakers, his fifth team in nine seasons. The slight upset Charles Barkley, the co-host of TNT's “Inside the NBA,” who apologized to the Nuggets and their fans for the omission.

Persons: ” Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic's, LeBron James, Jokic, ”, Murray, Kentavious Caldwell, Pope, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr, James, ” Murray, ” James, I'm, Taurean Prince, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, D'Angelo Russell, Porter, “, Darvin Ham, Gordon, Michael Malone, “ Jason, Let’s, Malone, Brendan Malone, ” Malone, JOKIC, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum —, Charles Barkley, Barkley, Bruce Brown, ” Barkley, ___ Organizations: DENVER, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Nuggets, Lakers, ” Lakers, Beverly, Detroit Pistons, ”, Western, Miami, NBA, TNT, Suns, Warriors, Celtics, Indiana Pacers Locations: Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Sombor, Serbia, Memphis

☆ NBA 2023-24 season: How to watch and everything you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

So before tip-off, here is everything you need to know ahead of the new NBA season. How to watchThe 78th NBA regular season will begin on Tuesday, October 24, running until Sunday, April 14, 2024. Games will be broadcast across TNT, ESPN, ABC, NBA TV and ESPN Radio in the US over the season, while NBA TV and NBA League Pass will broadcast games internationally. The dominant talking point of the NBA offseason was what color jersey Damian Lillard would be putting on this season. Holiday dribbles during the second half of the Celtics' preseason game against the New York Knicks.

Persons: There’s, Damian Lillard, Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Antetokounmpo, Adam Pantozzi, “ I’ve, I’ve, ’, Giannis, “, Sarah Phipps, ”, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Porziņģis, Joe Mazzulla, Maddie Meyer, –, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Bruce Brown, Jeff Green, Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Durant’s, didn’t, Beal, Frank Vogel, who’s, Larry O’Brien, Ja Morant, – Kawhi Leonard, Paul George –, Zion Williamson, Victor Wembanyama, Frenchman, Wembanyama, Gregg Popovich, LeBron James, Garrett Ellwood, Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren, Holmgren, Scoot Henderson –, Thompson, Ausar Organizations: CNN, National Basketball Association, NBA, TNT, ESPN, ABC, NBA TV, ESPN Radio, Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee, Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics, Lakers, Bucks, Milwaukee’s, Los Angeles Lakers, “, Oklahoma City Thunder, Eastern Conference, Celtics, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Denver, Jokić, Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, Suns, Grizzlies, Clippers, Pelicans, Warriors, Timberwolves, Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Spurs ’, Heat, Oklahoma City, Thunder, Summer League, Spurs, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons Locations: Las Vegas, Oregon, Boston, East, Sacramento Kings, Alamo City

Not when he was so ineffective in his return from back surgery that Simmons couldn't even protest much when he was bounced first from his normal position, then eventually from Nets coach Jacque Vaughn's rotation entirely. “It’s hard for a coach to really trust and believe in you when he’s not seeing it, right?” Simmons said. It gives the Nets hope that, no longer with Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving, at least they now have the old Ben Simmons. “Ben Simmons going downhill is a problem,” said Doc Rivers, who coached Simmons in Philadelphia and is now an ESPN analyst. Simmons, used to his game being scrutinized in both his NBA homes, won't say much beyond that he is finally healthy again.

Persons: Ben Simmons, “, ” Simmons, Simmons, Jacque Vaughn's, he’s, I’m, you’re, Vaughn, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, they’ve, Nick Nurse, LeBron James, “ Ben Simmons, ”, Doc Rivers, ” Rivers, Steve Nash, Durant, Irving, Simmons wasn't, Simmons couldn't, ” Vaughn, Ben, Rivers, Magic Johnson, “ I’m, it’s Organizations: Star, Nets, ” 76ers, Lakers, NBA, ESPN, The Nets Locations: Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Las Vegas, Miami

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — James Harden vowed he would never play for a franchise run by 76ers team president Daryl Morey. Coach Nick Nurse, in his first season after five years with Toronto, is preparing for games without Harden. Harden even declined in June 2022 his $47.4 million option, saying he wanted to give the 76ers flexibility to improve their roster and compete for a championship. He signed a deal worth slightly over $68 million, paying him about $33 million last season with a $35 million player option for this season. The player known as The Beard instead picked up his $35.6 million option with the 76ers for this season, with the desire to force a trade.

Persons: — James Harden, Daryl Morey, Harden, Harden —, Nick Nurse, “, ” Nurse, We’ve, Morey, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Joel Embiid, Tucker, Beard, —, “ Daryl Morey, ” Harden, ”, “ It’s Organizations: PHILADELPHIA, 76ers, Sixers, Wells, Center, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Toronto, Portland, Los Angeles Clippers, Morey, NBA, Clippers Locations: Toronto, Houston, Brooklyn, yup, Philly, China, New Jersey, Embiid

☆ NBA can shift the balance of power in media with its next rights deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Every media rights renewal for the NBA is an important event because it only happens about once a decade. But with the National Football League's media rights locked up until 2033, the NBA has a unique opportunity to play media kingmaker. CNBC first reported NBCUniversal's interest in again airing NBA games earlier this year. Carving up the piewatch nowThe NBA will have to balance demand against restricting supply to maximize the price for rights. Discovery's TNT, NBA TV, NBA League Pass or a regional sports network.

Persons: Jimmy Butler, Jamal Murray, Justin Edmonds, clamor, John Skipper, Ted Sarandos, Netflix hasn't, We've, Sarandos, that's, Netflix's Ted Sarandos, Jeff Kravitz, That's, Serbian Nikola Jokić, Victor Wembanyama, It's, Peacock, Michael Jordan, Discovery's Max, Aurelien Meunier, Kevin Durant Organizations: Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, Ball Arena, Getty, Basketball, Comcast, Google, Apple, Netflix, YouTube, NBA, Disney, Warner Bros, Discovery, National Football, ESPN, Global, Slovenian Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, NBCUniversal, NBC, CNBC, U.S, Metropolitans, Nielsen, Major League Soccer, Major League Baseball, ABC, TNT, NBA TV, Twitter Locations: Denver , Colorado, NBCUniversal, Hollywood , California, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Slovenian, Serbian, Levallois, Perret, U.S

Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers has told USA Basketball that he intends to play for them at the Paris Olympics, a person with knowledge of the matter said Thursday. Embiid became a U.S. citizen last year and could have also chosen to play for France — or even Cameroon, his homeland, if it qualified for the Paris Games. The U.S. will try for a fifth consecutive gold medal at Paris next summer. Embiid is expected to address his decision later Thursday at 76ers' training camp in Fort Collins, Colorado. ___AP coverage of the Paris Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Persons: Joel Embiid, Embiid, Grant Hill, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker Organizations: NBA, Philadelphia 76ers, USA Basketball, Paris Olympics, ESPN, France, Paris Games, Paris, 76ers, U.S Locations: U.S, Cameroon, Embiid, Fort Collins , Colorado, paris

“I will play in the Olympics next year,” Durant adamantly said at Phoenix’s media day. Hopefully this will help remind him.”Durant could join six women, all of them Americans, with four Olympic basketball golds. It’s been reasonable to think that USA Basketball will have plenty of experienced options to choose from next year. That pushes the list of realistic candidates for USA Basketball to choose from to about 40 names, at minimum. “I think anytime you’re asked to play for USA Basketball, it’s really hard to say no,” Miami forward and Olympic gold medalist Kevin Love said.

Persons: Kevin Durant, Durant —, —, Durant, ” Durant, Bam Adebayo, he’s, DeMar DeRozan, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell, Khris Middleton, Julius Randle, Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon, Fred VanVleet, Brook Lopez, Irving, Draymond Green, ”, LeBron James, he's, Joel Embiid, ” Embiid, “, I’m, that’s, Zion Williamson, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Kuzma, Jimmy Butler, Anthony Davis, ” Brown, Grant Hill, Sean Ford, Steve Kerr, I’ve, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Teresa Edwards, Lisa Leslie, Tamika Catchings, Sylvia Fowles, Stephen Curry, Atlanta’s Trae Young, you’re, ” Young, It’s, — Durant, Chris Paul, Green, James, it’s, Kevin Love, Brian Mahoney, Dan Gelston, Greg Beacham, Andrew Seligman, Kristie Rieken, Teresa M, Walker, Noah Trister, Brett Martel, Steve Megargee, Kyle Hightower, Beth Harris, Tom Withers, Charles Odum, David Brandt, Pat Graham, ___ Organizations: Olympics, U.S, Dallas, Los Angeles Lakers, Paris Games, USA Basketball, FIBA, World, Team, USA, Paris, men’s, Golden State, Olympic, NBA, AP Sports Locations: France, Cameroon, Paris, Milwaukee, Miami

☆ Kevin Durant's Boardroom launches entertainment and sports advisory firm
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Drew Richardson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

National Basketball Association superstar Kevin Durant and business partner Rich Kleiman on Tuesday announced the launch of a new advisory firm under the duo's Boardroom media company. The firm, Boardroom Advisory, will operate on a yearly fee structure and work with athletes as well as executives and brands on creating business and sports ownership opportunities, content and more, the company said in a press release. "Boardroom Advisory is a natural extension of the brand, and is a way for us to bring our resources to other athletes." The firm doesn't intend to compete with agencies and will work in tandem with athletes' preexisting representatives, a spokesperson for Boardroom said. Durant is among a slew of superstar athletes to branch out in the sports media and entertainment world.

Persons: Kevin Durant, Rich Kleiman, Durant, Lebron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kleiman, Lorenzo McCloud, James Harden Organizations: Mobile, National Basketball Association, Tuesday, NBA, SpringHill, Soccer, Nike, ESPN, Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers, CNBC Locations: Puerto Rico, U.S, Las Vegas, Durant

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA took steps Wednesday to try to ensure that its star players appear in more games, particularly nationally televised matchups and the in-season tournament that is being added this year. The new rules focus primarily on star players — someone who has been an All-Star or on the All-NBA team in any of the prior three seasons. Teams will have to manage their rosters to ensure that multiple available star players aren't sitting out the same game to rest. The league will allow teams to submit written requests in advance for older players for back-to-back games. Teams will be able to make other requests to have players miss games that include personal reasons, player's prior injury history and end-of-season flexibility.

Persons: —, Adam Silver, aren't, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry Organizations: NBA

☆ Major League Pickleball merger with PPA is back on after a falling out threatened the deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Jessica Golden | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Lacy Schneemann of the Florida Smash returns a shot during a group play Major League Pickleball match against BLQK at Pickle & Chill on October 15, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. After weeks of drama in professional pickleball, the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball have again agreed to merge, the leagues said Wednesday. "As professional pickleball continues to rapidly grow, we could not be more excited to provide both players and fans with the clarity and consistency of a unified professional pickleball organization," Major League Pickleball founder Steve Kuhn said in a statement. On the professional level, Major League Pickleball teams values have skyrocketed, with some teams going for $10 million. Major League Pickleball owners include many high profile athletes from LeBron James and Kevin Durant to Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes.

Persons: Lacy Schneemann, League Pickleball, Tom Dundon, pickleball, Steve Kuhn, Kuhn, Dundon, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes Organizations: Florida, League Pickleball, BLQK, PPA, League, SC Holdings, MLP, pickleball, Major League Pickleball Locations: Columbus , Ohio

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — There was a long flight awaiting USA Basketball on Monday. And now, every bit of USA Basketball’s focus shifts to the Paris Olympics — where the challenge will be even tougher than the World Cup, which again reminded the Americans how much the FIBA game has changed. “The narrative about USA Basketball and FIBA, and do we need reminders, we’re past that,” U.S. coach Steve Kerr said. We do a great job as an organization at (USA Basketball) as far as respecting the game. Those are the colors of the uniforms USA Basketball will be wearing.

Persons: Steve Kerr, ” Kerr, — Erik Spoelstra, Tyronn Lue, Mark Few, Grant Hill, Sean Ford, “, ”, Carmelo Anthony, Austin Reaves, Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, “ I’ll, Bridges, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, Draymond Green, we’ve, “ We’ve, Joel Embiid, he’s, Tim Reynolds, ap.org ___ Organizations: USA, Paris, NBA, Paris Olympics —, FIBA, USA Basketball, Olympics, Paris Games, Basketball, Tyrese, United, Paris Olympics, Associated Press, AP Locations: MANILA, Philippines, Manila, Los Angeles, U.S, Paris, men’s, America, Tyrese Haliburton, USA, Canada, Tokyo, United States, France, Cameroon, treynolds

☆ You Know Her Past. Mo’ne Davis Is Working on Her Future.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Wayne Coffey | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It was August 2014 when Davis’s Taney Dragons Little League team, out of Center City Philadelphia, won the Pennsylvania state championship and advanced to the Mid-Atlantic regional championship. Mo’ne Mania took off from there and didn’t stop even when Taney came up one game short of playing for the U.S. championship. The Sports Illustrated cover, with the words “Mo’ne Remember Her Name,” followed. Jimmy Fallon bet her a Philly cheesesteak she couldn’t strike him out in a Wiffle ball at-bat; Fallon whiffed and had to pay up. Davis, who is believed to be the only African American girl to compete in the Little League World Series, couldn’t go anywhere in Williamsport, Pa., without getting mobbed for photos and autographs.

Persons: Davis’s, Davis, Mania, Taney, Mike Trout, Kevin Durant, ”, Jimmy Fallon, Fallon whiffed, couldn’t, it’s, “ It’s, Scott Bandura Organizations: Davis’s Taney Dragons Little League, Center City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Atlantic, Little League, South Nashville, U.S, Philly Locations: Tenn, Williamsport, Pa

☆ US suffers surprise defeat to Lithuania at FIBA Basketball World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Aimee Lewis | Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The US suffered a surprise 110-104 loss to Lithuania at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in the Philippines on Sunday. Both countries, however, progress to Tuesday’s quarterfinals with Lithuania, as Group J top seeds, next facing Serbia and the US taking on Italy. Jonas Valančiūnas finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks, while Anthony Edwards scored a game-high 35 points for the US, tying Carmelo Anthony for the second-most points scored in a US Basketball FIBA game. “Congratulations to my players, but we need to have short memory to prepare for the second game,” he said, per FIBA. We needed to respond the way we did and next game we have to start the way we did in the second half.

Persons: Jonas Valančiūnas, Anthony Edwards, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Donatas, Yong Teck Lim, Kazys Maksvytis, ”, Steve Kerr, Lithuania “, “, ” Kerr, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, FIBA Basketball, Sunday, Lithuania, US Basketball FIBA, Asia Arena, Getty, FIBA, USA Locations: Lithuania, Philippines, Serbia, Italy, Asia, Manila

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