Appearing on Zolak and Bertrand on 98.5 The Sports Hub on Tuesday, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla offered an encouraging update on the progress Kristaps Porzingis is making in his recovery from a calf strain, per Brian Robb of MassLive.com. “It’s definitely better than we thought,” Mazzulla said. “I think one thing about KP is, I don’t know what his timetable is, but I know … [Read more...] about Injury Notes: Porzingis, J. Allen, Murray, KCP, Jackson
Glen Davis Sentenced To 40 Months In Prison For Involvement In Fraud Scheme
Former NBA big man Glen Davis, who played for the Celtics, Magic, and Clippers across eight NBA seasons from 2007-15, has been sentenced by a federal judge to 40 months in prison for his involvement in a scheme to defraud the league’s health and welfare benefit plan, according to Alex Prewitt of ESPN. Davis was one of 18 former NBA players originally charged back in 2021 over … [Read more...] about Glen Davis Sentenced To 40 Months In Prison For Involvement In Fraud Scheme
Cavaliers Notes: Game 1, Strus, Allen, Wade
The Cavaliers seemed to use Game 1 to figure out how to handle the top-seeded Celtics for the rest of the series, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic. Cleveland was overwhelmed in the second half Tuesday on the way to a 25-point loss, but Vardon writes that the players didn’t appear shaken by the defeat and are viewing it as a learning experience. “I think you can see the … [Read more...] about Cavaliers Notes: Game 1, Strus, Allen, Wade
Nikola Jokic Named Most Valuable Player
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has been selected as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the third time in four years, the league announced (via Twitter). Jokic won the Michael Jordan Trophy by a wide margin, being named on all 99 ballots and collecting 79 votes for first place, 18 for second place and two for third place, giving him a total of 926 points. Thunder guard Shai … [Read more...] about Nikola Jokic Named Most Valuable Player
Eastern Notes: Wade, Allen, J. Brown, Claxton, Bucks
Cavaliers forward Dean Wade, who continues to recover from a right knee injury, hasn’t played since March 8, but it’s possible he’ll return to action at some point in the Eastern Conference semifinals, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscription required). Sources tell Fedor that there’s hope Wade will be able to play later in the series, possibly as early as Game 3 or 4 … [Read more...] about Eastern Notes: Wade, Allen, J. Brown, Claxton, Bucks
Community Shootaround: Celtics/Cavaliers Series
No second-round series in the this year’s NBA playoffs is viewed as more one-sided than Celtics vs. Cavaliers. Ahead of Game 1 on Tuesday, betting site BetOnline.ag has made Boston a -2000 favorite to advance, listing Cleveland at +1000 to pull off the upset. Based on what we’ve seen this season from Boston, those odds don’t come as a major surprise. At 64-18, the Celtics won … [Read more...] about Community Shootaround: Celtics/Cavaliers Series
Rudy Gobert Named Defensive Player Of Year For Fourth Time
Rudy Gobert has been named the Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth time in his career, the NBA announced on Tuesday (via Twitter). The Timberwolves center joins Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace as the only four-time winners of the award. Gobert also claimed the award in 2018, 2019, and 2021 when he played for Utah. Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama, who was unanimously … [Read more...] about Rudy Gobert Named Defensive Player Of Year For Fourth Time
Heat’s Pat Riley Talks Butler, Injuries, Herro, Rozier, More
Player availability – or lack thereof – was a focus for Pat Riley during the Heat president’s annual end-of-season press conference, writes Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. Riley repeatedly brought up the fact that Miami needs to have its best players available more often and made it clear that figuring out how to improve on that front will be a goal this offseason. “That’s a … [Read more...] about Heat’s Pat Riley Talks Butler, Injuries, Herro, Rozier, More
Atlantic Notes: Batum, Nets, Ex-Raptors, Celtics-Cavs
Sixers forward Nicolas Batum kept things fairly open when it came to talk of his potential NBA retirement, writes Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The 35-year-old is now a free agent, having wrapped up his two-year, $22.6MM contract at the end of Philadelphia’s 2023/24 season. There were rumors prior to the season that it could be his last in the NBA. Batum told … [Read more...] about Atlantic Notes: Batum, Nets, Ex-Raptors, Celtics-Cavs