Youth and playoff inexperience didn’t matter in the Thunder’s sweep of the Pelicans in the opening round. They’re the youngest team in NBA history to win a playoff series and ESPN’s Tim MacMahon notes that the Thunder got only one basket in the entire series from a player older than 25 (Twitter link). “There’s a difference between age and maturity,” Thunder coach Mark … [Read more...] about Western Notes: Thunder, Doncic, Spurs’ Arena, Edwards
Northwest Notes: Daigneault, Edwards, Wolves, Nuggets, Jazz
A day after Mark Daigneault was named the NBA’s Coach of the Year for 2023/24, Thunder center Chet Holmgren lauded his head coach for his “crazy X’s and O’s” and his ability to connect with one of the NBA’s youngest rosters, per Rylan Stiles of SI.com. “Shoutout to Mark man. Helluva coach,” Holmgren said. “… (He) puts us all in position to be successful. … He’s not that much … [Read more...] about Northwest Notes: Daigneault, Edwards, Wolves, Nuggets, Jazz
Wolves Notes: Edwards, Phoenix Series, NAW, Defense
The Timberwolves blew out the Suns for a third straight game in the first round of the playoffs on Friday. Anthony Edwards impressed with his shot-making in Game 1; his play-making stood out in Game 2; and in Game 3, he put it all together, Chris Hine of The Star Tribune writes. Edwards had 36 points, nine rebounds and five assists in the 126-109 win to bring the Wolves within … [Read more...] about Wolves Notes: Edwards, Phoenix Series, NAW, Defense
Injury Updates: Vanderbilt, Kawhi, Giannis, Suggs, Anderson, Allen
Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who hasn’t played since February 1 due to a right midfoot sprain, is targeting a Game 3 return, a source familiar with the situation tells Dave McMenamin of ESPN. According to McMenamin’s source, Vanderbilt has been ramping up his workouts in the past couple weeks and had one of his most intense on-court sessions yet on Monday. His availability … [Read more...] about Injury Updates: Vanderbilt, Kawhi, Giannis, Suggs, Anderson, Allen
Wolves Notes: McDaniels, Gobert, Edwards, Towns
Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels had arguably the best game of his four-year NBA career on Tuesday vs. Phoenix, posting 25 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. The Wolves outscored the Suns by 24 points in the 41 minutes he played and were outscored by 12 points during the seven minutes he was on the bench. As Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic writes, McDaniels has … [Read more...] about Wolves Notes: McDaniels, Gobert, Edwards, Towns