Thunder roll past Trail Blazers 139-77, tie fifth-biggest victory margin in NBA history
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points, Josh Giddey had a triple-double and Oklahoma City rolled past the Portland Trail Blazers 139-77 on Thursday night, a 62-point victory that matched the fifth-largest rout in NBA history.
Devin Booker scores 35 points, Suns beat Blazers 127-121
(AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)Devin Booker returned from the knee injury that kept him out of the All-Star Game to score 35 points and the Phoenix Suns beat the Portland Trail Blazers 127-121 on Thursday night for their fifth straight victory. Chris Paul added 19 points for Phoenix, and Mikal Bridges scored 16 of his 18 points in the first half. Second in the NBA behind the Utah Jazz, the Suns have won 14 of their last 16 games. Damian Lillard had 30 points for Portland, and Enes Kanter added 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Blazers won 127-117.
Lillard's late 3 gives Blazers 108-106 win over Warriors
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard shoots a 3-point basket over Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, March 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)PORTLAND, Ore. โ Played tough by the Warriors all game, Damian Lillard needed to make something happen. Lillard hit a deep 3-pointer with 13.7 seconds left to give the Portland Trail Blazers a hard-fought 108-106 victory over Golden State on Wednesday night. His 3-pointer gave Golden State a 101-96 lead with 3:57 remaining. He took a charge from Green, which prompted an unsuccessful challenge by Golden State, and Portland won its second straight after a four-game losing streak.
The Latest: NBA's Hornets ready to welcome fans again
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, right, passes the ball over Charlotte Hornets center Bismack Biyombo, second from right, as Hornets forward P.J. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___The Charlotte Hornets are getting set to welcome fans for home games. The Hornetsโ reopening plan has been approved by state and county authorities and allows the team to host fans at 15% capacity, approximately 3,000 per game. โWe are excited about the opportunity to welcome more fans to our outdoor venues,โ the university said in a written statement. AdTuesday nightโs game will be the first game with fans in attendance at PPG Paints Arena since last March.
Suns' Booker replaces Lakers' Davis in NBA All-Star Game
Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker muscles his way towards the basket against Portland Trail Blazers' Damien Lillard during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)NEW YORK โ Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker was selected Wednesday to replace injured Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis in the NBA All-Star Game. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver choose Booker to take Davis' spot a day after Booker was snubbed by the league's head coaches for a reserve spot in the March 7 game in Atlanta. โDevin Booker is the most disrespected player in our league!!! Booker and fellow All-Star Chris Paul have helped Phoenix to a 20-10 record, fourth-best in the NBA.
Lillard, Blazers top Mavs 121-118 as Doncic heats up again
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) goes for a layup in front of Dallas Mavericks center Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021. Lillard hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer in the final minute after a big Dallas rally, and the Trail Blazers held off Doncic and the Mavericks for a 121-118 victory Sunday night. Lillard connected on the go-ahead 3 after Doncic assisted on a tying 3-pointer from Dorian Finney-Smith after the Mavericks trailed by 13 midway through the fourth quarter. Mavericks: Doncic shared the previous club record of 13 straight games with at least 25 points with Mark Aguirre (1983-84) and Dirk Nowitzki (2005-06). The Mavericks and Pistons met just once during the coronavirus-interrupted season, with Dallas winning in Mexico City behind 41 points from Doncic.
Lillard scores 30 points as Trail Blazers down 76ers 118-114
Anthony scored a season-high 24 points off the bench, including 16 in the fourth quarter, and the Trail Blazers beat the Sixers 118-114 on Thursday night. Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 35 points and nine rebounds, and Ben Simmons added 23 points and 11 boards. โI thought tonight was just one of those games where we felt like we had to win the game,โ Anthony said. Trail Blazers: It was the first of a back-to-back for Portland. The Trail Blazers host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
Trent, Anthony lead undermanned Portland past 76ers 121-105
Portland Trail Blazers' Rodney Hood, left, tries to dribble past Philadelphia 76ers' Seth Curry during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, in Philadelphia. Gary Trent Jr. scored 24 points and Enes Kanter had 17 points and 18 rebounds to lead the undermanned Trail Blazers to a 121-105 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night. Carmelo Anthony had 22 points and a Trail Blazers team with four starters missing led by as many as 29 points against the top team in the East. โBut on both ends of the floor, the other guys did an amazing job today.โJoel Embiid scored 37 points for the Sixers. Throw in four players already out with injuries -- including Jusuf Nurkic (wrist) and McCollum (left foot) -- and the Trail Blazers were down to nine players.
Stephen Curry has career-high 62, Warriors beat Blazers
Golden State Warriors guard Damion Lee, right, pours water over the head of guard Stephen Curry (30) while celebrating Curry's career-high 62 points against the Portland Trail Blazers in an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. One small blemish in his brilliant night: Curry had his streak of free throws snapped at a franchise-record 80 in the first. Against Portland, Curry made a career-high 18 of his most attempts yet at 19. McCollum shot 2 for 8 from deep after his 25 3-pointers over the initial five games left him and Curry as the only players to ever do so. ... Curry scored 20 or more in a quarter for the 27th time in his career.
Lillard, Trent shoot Blazers past champion Lakers, 115-107
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, right, fouls Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroeder (17) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)LOS ANGELES โ Damian Lillard scored 21 of his 31 points in the second half, and CJ McCollum had 20 points and 11 assists in the Portland Trail Blazers' 115-107 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. Gary Trent Jr. matched his career high with seven 3-pointers while scoring 28 points in the Blazers' second straight win over the Lakers at Staples Center. Dennis Schrรถder added 24 points, but the Lakers' streak of 59 straight victories when taking a lead into the fourth quarter was snapped. ... Los Angeles got just 23 bench points, led by Montrezl Harrell's nine.
NBA fines 76ers' Daryl Morey $50,000 for tweet about Harden
Houston Rockets guard James Harden shoots over Portland Trail Blazers forward Robert Covington during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)NEW YORK โ The NBA fined Philadelphia president of basketball operations Daryl Morey $50,000 on Monday for a since-deleted tweet about Houstonโs James Harden that violated the leagueโs anti-tampering rule. Typically, teams are prohibited from discussing players under contract to other teams and the NBA has warned clubs that it can be considered tampering. A tweet by Morey in 2019 led to major problems for the NBA and its relationship with China. NBA games were not shown on CCTV, China's state broadcaster, for one year after that since-deleted tweet.
McCollum scores 44 to lift Trail Blazers past Rockets in OT
(AP Photo/Steve Dykes)PORTLAND, Ore. โ CJ McCollum scored 44 points, including a 3-pointer with 6.3 seconds left that gave the Portland Trail Blazers a 128-126 win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night. Lillard's layup pushed the Blazers ahead 125-123 with 30 seconds left in overtime, but Harden made a 3 to push the Rockets ahead with 15.3 seconds left. Then with 6.3 seconds left, the ball found McCollum again and the Blazers' guard hit another long range shot putting Portland ahead 128-126. After Wood cut the Blazers lead to 123-120 with a layup, Harden tied the game again at 123 with 38.6 seconds left. After a missed 3-pointer by Lillard, Houstonโs PJ Tucker was called for a loose ball foul on the rebound with 32 seconds left.
The Latest: DePaul at Iowa St men's hoops canceled for COVID
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___The DePaul at Iowa State menโs basketball game scheduled for Sunday has been canceled under guidelines for COVID-19 protocols in the Blue Demons' program. They tested positive after the team returned home. They, along with all other NBA teams, began having players back in their facility for individual workouts last week. The team did not say if the positive tests involved players, staff or some combination of the two. The guard and forward says he tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Nov. 28 and is isolating in a Chicago hotel.
James and Lakers advance with 131-122 win over Trail Blazers
We got better throughout the course of the series, James said. The Lakers hadn't won a playoff series since 2012. James has never lost a first-round playoff series, going 14-0. CJ McCollum had 36 points for the surprisingly scrappy Trail Blazers, who played without injured All-Star guard Damian Lillard. His personality and energy were unmatched, and his contributions on the court were unmistakable, helping the Trail Blazers into the playoffs each of his eight seasons with the team, the Blazers said in a statement.
After deciding to stay, Lakers could be in bubble a while
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. There was a point this week when LeBron James and the Lakers weren't sure they would remain in the bubble. The Lakers moved into the Western Conference semifinals by finishing off the Portland Trail Blazers with a 131-122 victory on Saturday night. It was the Lakers' first series victory since 2012 and set them up for a second-round matchup against Houston or Oklahoma City. The Rockets lead 3-2 with Game 6 on Monday, so the Lakers will have some time off. Anthony Davis said the Lakers know they have to get back to their usually stronger defense in the next round.
Former Portland Trail Blazers star Cliff Robinson dies at 53
DETROIT Former Portland Trail Blazers star Cliff Robinson has died. Robinsons death was confirmed by the UConn Huskies on Saturday. He played for the Detroit Pistons from 2001 to 2003. In addition to playing for the Detroit Pistons and Portland Trail Blazers, he was also with the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and New Jersey Nets during that period. DETAILS: Ex-UConn star, top NBA sixth man Cliff Robinson dies at 53Read More: Sports NewsThe basketball community has lost a Legend.
Cliff Robinson, ex-UConn star, top NBA 6th man, dies at 53
Cliff Robinson guided UConn out from the bottom and almost helped take the Portland Trail Blazers to the top. Robinson helped the Blazers reach the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992. RIP Clifford Robinson - some of my earliest memories of NBA basketball were of you as the lifeblood to those early/mid 90s Blazers teams. As a player coming in, heres this guy playing on TV for the Trail Blazers, watching him play, watching UConn being mentioned. Besides the Blazers, Robinson also played for Phoenix, Detroit, Golden State and the Nets.
Blazers say Lillard leaving bubble for tests on injured knee
Lillard will leave the bubble in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, and return to Portland on Thursday, the Trail Blazers said. The team did not make any mention if the uncertainty over the remainder of the NBA season played a role in Lillard's decision. Even if the playoffs resume and the Blazers were to extend their series, Lillard would have to miss several days anyway simply for leaving the bubble. Portland won their final three seeding games by a total of seven points; Lillard had 51, 61 and 42 points, respectively, in those games. Lillard has been very durable during his eight NBA seasons, all of them coming with the Blazers.
Portland's Lillard injures knee in Game 4 against Lakers
Damian Lillard left Game 4 of the Portland Trail Blazers' playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers because of a right knee injury. Lillard, who was the MVP of the seeding games in the NBA bubble in Florida, had 11 points before leaving the game in the third quarter Monday night. He left the floor for a time after his knee appeared to buckle, then returned briefly before leaving again. No further details about the injury were immediately available. Lillard, a five-time All-Star for the Trail Blazers, averaged 30 points and eight rebounds in the regular season.
On Kobe Bryant Day, Lakers dominate Blazers 135-115
The Trail Blazers won the opener but have appeared gassed in the past two games as the grind of the bubble and injuries appear to have taken a toll. It was considered Kobe Day because Monday was 8/24, the two numbers Kobe Bryant wore during his 20-year career. We want to have this be a day to celebrate his life and carry that type of emotion into the game, Lakers coach Frank Vogel said before the game. It was the most points in a half for Los Angeles in a playoff game since a game against Denver in 1987. Trail Blazers: It was the first time this season that the Blazers allowed an opponent 80 first-half points.
Lakers, Bucks look to clinch second-round berths Wednesday
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)It was only a week ago when the sky was falling on the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. The Bucks lead the Orlando Magic 3-1; the Lakers lead the Portland Trail Blazers 3-1. The bottom line is weve come out and competed so much harder.The wake-up call helped the Lakers as well. James teams went 5-5 in his first 10 series-clinching opportunities; theyre 30-5 in those situations since. NEED TO KNOW: If the Bucks win, the Eastern Conference first round would be completed in just 17 games.
Blazers' Lillard out for Game 5 with a sprained right knee
The Blazers trail the best-of-seven series 3-1, and now will play without their leading scorer. Lillard got hurt while driving to the basket and drawing a foul with 7:16 left in the third quarter of Mondays game against the Lakers. The knee seemed to buckle as Lillard made an awkward landing and he was clearly limping as he made his way to the foul line. Portland won their final three seeding games by a total of seven points; Lillard had 51, 61 and 42 points, respectively, in those games. Lillard has been very durable during his eight NBA seasons, all of them coming with the Blazers.
Top seeds toppled: Bucks, Lakers stunned in playoff openers
Then came LeBron James and the Lakers, clanging 3-pointers off the rim to provide a steady sound in a mostly empty gym. Milwaukee and Los Angeles lost their playoff openers, the first time both conference No. James had 23 points, 17 rebounds and 16 assists, the first 20-15-15 game in NBA playoff history. The Lakers' Danny Green was on that team, so he wasn't concerned about what either top-seeded squad faces now. Theyre the top-seeded team for a reason, were the top-seeded team for a reason.
Disney is nice but for NBA's top teams, no place like home
But right now it's more hurting the teams that should be playing in front of rowdy fans, not virtual ones. With Domantas Sabonis lost to injury, the Pacers need Turner to do even more on the inside to pick up the slack. Game 2, 9 p.m. ESPN NEED TO KNOW: These teams are seeded No. 8 based on what they did over the entire season, but there is no such difference in the bubble. Vogel said he believes in adjusting when necessary and may decide the Lakers need more speed on the floor and go smaller.
Lillard wins Bubble MVP, Williams picked as top coach
Phoenixs Monty Williams, who led the Suns to a perfect 8-0 record in the bubble, was chosen as the top coach of the seeding-game schedule. Joining Lillard on the first team for games played at Disney between July 30 and Fridays end of the seeding-game season was Phoenix's Devin Booker, Indiana's T.J. Warren, Dallas' Luka Doncic and Houston's James Harden. Booker was second in the Bubble MVP race, with Warren third. Second-team selections were Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard, Brooklyn's Caris LeVert, Denver's Michael Porter Jr. and Dallas' Kristaps Porzingis. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Blazers make playoffs, oust Grizzlies with 126-122 victory
Portland finished eighth in the West, Memphis was ninth, and the Grizzlies needed to sweep a two-game matchup to advance. They had a chance, up eight in the final quarter, before Portland did what Portland does in the bubble find a way at the end. The Grizzlies' 42-point third quarter matched the second-highest scoring period of the season for Memphis and was the second-highest scoring third quarter in franchise history. LOOKING AHEADThe Lakers went 2-1 against the Blazers this season, with the road team winning all three games. Anthony Davis (32.0 ppg) and LeBron James (24.7 ppg) led the Lakers; Lillard (36.0 ppg) and Whiteside (22.0 ppg) led the Blazers.
Lillard, Blazers escape Nets, advance to play-in series
The Trail Blazers secured the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference only after Brooklyn's Caris LeVert, who scored 37 points, missed a jumper just before time expired. The winner of the play-in series gets the final spot in the West and a first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Had the Blazers lost, the Suns would have inched ahead of them into ninth. LeVert came back with a three-point play and had a chance to win it after Carmelo Anthony missed a 3-pointer, but his jumper was off.
Lillard pours in 61 to lift Blazers past Mavs, 134-131
Kristaps Porzingis scored 36 points and Luka Doncic had 25 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds for the Mavericks, who will finish No. Lillard then drew a double-team and dished to Haasan Whiteside for a dunk to put the Blazers up by two. The game featured the two leading scorers since the NBA restart, with Doncic entering averaging 33.4 points and Lillard 33. Lillard was hot from the start, scoring 25 in the first half as the Blazers took a 66-58 lead. Mavericks: Play Suns on Thursday.
Lillard drops 51 as Trail Blazers top 76ers; Embiid injured
On Saturday, he missed a pair of free throws with 18.6 seconds to go and a 3-pointer with 9.5 seconds left in a 122-117 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Trail Blazers increased their chances of qualifying for the play-in series, which will start Saturday. Richardson missed a 3-pointer for Philadelphia, and the 76ers couldn't get another shot off after a scramble for the rebound. Trail Blazers: Lillard scored a basket in the first quarter when he drove to the hoop and his pass bounced off Philadelphia's Tobias Harris, off the backboard and into the basket. Trail Blazers: Play the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.
McGruder's late 3 helps Clippers edge Trail Blazers 122-120
Portland led by as much as 10 in the first quarter and was up 37-34 at the end of the quarter. They also outshot the Trail Blazers outside the arc hitting 15 of 34 (44.1%) compared to 17 of 43 (39.5%). Trail Blazers: Outscored Los Angeles 46-38 in the paint. HEY YOUThe Trail Blazers had some regional support with Blitz the Seahawk, mascot for the NFLs Seattle Seahawks, sitting in the virtual seats, for the early afternoon game. Trail Blazers: Play Philadelphia on Sunday.
Tatum has 34 as Celtics beat Trail Blazers 128-124
That was a playoff-level energy that we had to play with at the end of the game, Boston coach Brad Stevens said. Jaylen was open and those were the right reads.Damian Lillard had 30 points and 16 assists for Portland. Jusuf Nurkic added 30 points in his second official game back after breaking his leg in March 2019. UP NEXTTrail Blazers: Play Houston on Tuesday night. Celtics: Play the Heat on Tuesday night.
McCollum, Lillard help Blazers get past Memphis in OT
Lillard finished with 29 points and nine assists as the Trail Blazers boosted their hopes for a seventh consecutive playoff appearance. Carmelo Anthony added 21 points as Portland moved within 2 1/2 games of the Grizzlies for the No. Everybody knew how important that game was," Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. Jaren Jackson Jr. had 33 points and rookie Ja Morant added 22 points and 11 assists for Memphis. It was a weird game," McCollum said.
NBA: Last day of scrimmages before regular season begins July 30
There are six games for the NBAs last day of scrimmages before the regular season begins July 30. Dillion Brooks and company will have to put up a fight against Tyler Herro and the Heat to capture a win. The Heat however are coming off a loss as well to the Utah Jazz. The talent is evident on both sides with the Thunder having veteran guard Chris Paul and rising star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Dallas Mavericks vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 8:30 p.m. ESTBoth teams are coming off losses with the Mavericks dropping a game to the Indiana Pacers and the 76ers falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
NBA: Day 2 recap of pre-season scrimmages
Day 2 of NBA pre-season scrimmages were packed with some competitive match ups and looked as though players were taking the scrimmages as serious as a game. Lonnie Walker led the way for the Spurs with 14 points and Dejounte Murray added 13 points and four rebounds for the squad. Anthony Davis added 12 points and Quinn Cook notched 13 points. Dario Saric added 12 points and six rebounds, while rising star Devin Booker added 13 points. For the Jazz, Donovan Mitchell had 17 points and four assists while Mike Conley added 12 points.
NBA: Day 2 of pre-season scrimmages set to begin
The NBA is set to begin day 2 of pre-season scrimmages before their regular season resumes on July 30. San Antonio Spurs vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 3 p.m. ESTThe San Antonio Spurs will be facing the No. Portland Trail Blazers vs. Indiana Pacers 3:30 p.m. ESTDamian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers will face a young Indiana Pacers team. The Suns bring back rising star Devin Booker and Ricky Rubio while the Jazz bring back star Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. All games can be watched via NBA League Pass and some will be broadcasted via NBA TV.
Around sports world, Juneteenth celebrated like never before
Weve never posted about Juneteenth, but it is always the right time to do better than before," read a tweet posted by the New England Patriots. The Miami Heat celebrated the day with a pledge to make financial contributions and other commitments to organizations trying to eliminate racial inequality. Hockey's San Jose Sharks told fans that it was fine to not know where to start when it comes to understanding the significance of Juneteenth. In recognition of Juneteenth, our front office is starting a new tradition," read a statement on the Sharks' site. As an organization, we will be dedicating time on this day each year to actively participate in Juneteenth.