All posts tagged: basketball

Wembanyama scores 41 as Spurs upset Thunder in Game 1 thriller | Basketball

Wembanyama scores 41 as Spurs upset Thunder in Game 1 thriller | Basketball

Published by Sam Flores

Published On 19 May 202619 May 2026 Victor Wembanyama outduelled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to lead the San Antonio Spurs to an epic 122-115 double-overtime triumph over the Oklahoma City Thunder in game one of the NBA Western Conference finals. Wembanyama scored 41 points and pulled down 24 rebounds in the thrilling game on Monday. He forced the second overtime with a dazzling three-pointer and delivered nine of the Spurs’ 14 points in the second overtime as San Antonio handed the defending champions their first defeat of these playoffs. “It was, like, sheer willpower,” 22-year-old Wembanyama told broadcaster NBC after the game. The French star played 49 minutes, producing a pair of dunks and a crucial block late in the second overtime to seal the victory. With the triumph at Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center, the Spurs stole home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series that will send the winners to the NBA Finals. Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama celebrate after the game [Jesse D Garrabrant/Getty Images via AFP] Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP motivates Wembanyama Wembanyama admitted the sight of Thunder …

Former Abilene Christian basketball player permanently banned after NCAA manipulation findings

Former Abilene Christian basketball player permanently banned after NCAA manipulation findings

Published by skeptic

The NCAA says former Abilene Christian basketball player Airion Simmons broke the association’s gambling rules after investigators determined he shared confidential team information with bettors and agreed to influence his play during a 2024 game against Tarleton State. The ruling, released Friday (May 15) by the Division I Committee on Infractions, centered on a March 20, 2024, matchup between Abilene Christian University and Tarleton State University. NCAA officials said Simmons accepted $3,500 after agreeing to “play[ing] bad” during the game as part of a betting scheme tied to outside gamblers. Former Abilene Christian men’s basketball student-athlete violated sports betting integrity rules:https://t.co/C73syI1XiM — NCAA News (@NCAA_PR) May 15, 2026 According to the negotiated resolution, the case surfaced after another former Abilene Christian player disclosed details while attending a Division II school in September 2025. The player told coaches and NCAA officials that Simmons and another teammate discussed “a way to get paid to lose the game” while they were playing video games before the Tarleton State matchup. Investigators were also told about a FaceTime call involving …

Cade Cunningham Scores 21 and Pistons Dominate 2nd Half to Beat Cavs 115-94 and Force Game 7

Cade Cunningham Scores 21 and Pistons Dominate 2nd Half to Beat Cavs 115-94 and Force Game 7

Published by Sam Flores

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cade Cunningham scored 21 points and the top-seeded Detroit Pistons dominated the second half, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-94 on Friday night to force a Game 7 in their Eastern Conference second-round series. The decisive game is Sunday in Detroit. “It’s going to be a fun environment for us and we’re excited to get back to the crib,” Cunningham said. The Pistons’ 21-point victory tied a 66-year-old NBA playoff record for the largest Game 6 road win by a team trailing 3-2 in a series. The St. Louis Hawks beat the Minneapolis Lakers 117-96 in a the 1960 West Division finals. Jalen Duren had 15 points and 11 rebounds while Daniss Jenkins also scored 15 for the Pistons, who have won four games this postseason when facing elimination. “We did what needed to be done. When we’re at our best, it’s the defense and the physicality that’s going to carry us,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “I was pleased that we were allowed to play our style of basketball tonight where we can …

Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady Taking Role as Strategic Adviser for Wagner College Basketball

Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady Taking Role as Strategic Adviser for Wagner College Basketball

Published by Sam Flores

NEW YORK (AP) — Basketball Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady is taking a position as a strategic adviser to the men’s basketball coach at Wagner College, where his son plans to play. McGrady will advise the college on the development of name, image and likeness investment, along with marketing and player development, the school said Wednesday. McGrady — who did not play college basketball — will not take a salary in his position under coach Dwan McMillan. McGrady’s son, Laymen, is joining the Seahawks after spending last season at Oral Roberts. McGrady was a seven-time All-Star and two-time NBA scoring champion who now works as a studio analyst for NBC’s coverage of the league. McMillan became the full-time coach last month at Wagner, where two-time national champion Dan Hurley of UConn got his first college head coaching position. McMillan led the Northeast Conference school on an interim basis last season, when the Seahawks went 14-17. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Photos You Should …

Thunder outlasts Lakers in Game 4 to complete NBA playoff sweep | Basketball News

Thunder outlasts Lakers in Game 4 to complete NBA playoff sweep | Basketball News

Published by Sam Flores

Reigning champions Oklahoma City Thunder remain undefeated in playoffs and move on to Western Conference finals. Published On 12 May 202612 May 2026 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points as ‌the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder advanced to the NBA Western Conference finals with a ⁠115-110 victory over ⁠the Lakers on Monday, completing a four-game sweep in what potentially was LeBron James’ final game for Los Angeles. Ajay Mitchell logged 28 points, Chet ⁠Holmgren produced 16 points and nine rebounds and Jared McCain added 13 points as the Thunder improved to 8-0 in the playoffs. Oklahoma City is set to face the ⁠Minnesota Timberwolves or the San Antonio Spurs in the next round. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list The defending NBA champions shot 51.9% from the floor while the Lakers shot 50.7%. Oklahoma City won all eight games against Los Angeles in 2025-26, including the regular season. Austin Reaves put up 27 points while ‌Rui Hachimura added 25 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers, who head into the offseason with major changes possibly …

A job that changed me: At 14 I was a basketball musician. If someone missed a shot, I’d drop in a ‘du-ba-dum’ | Australian lifestyle

A job that changed me: At 14 I was a basketball musician. If someone missed a shot, I’d drop in a ‘du-ba-dum’ | Australian lifestyle

Published by Sam Flores

Music came to me very early on. I’m told that as a baby I would fall asleep to opera – arias would stop me crying. By age six I was enrolled at the local conservatory of music in Athens, learning classical guitar and moving, quite seriously, through music theory and the fundamentals. By my teens, I was in a band with friends, covering everything from Avril Lavigne to Muse, aiming for precision over hours of rehearsal. My music practice was very disciplined and far removed from anything resembling “entertainment”. Sport, on the other hand, barely registered for me. This made me a bit of an outlier in the family. In Greece, sport – especially basketball and football AKA soccer – is everywhere. My dad and older brother were deeply invested. One of Greece’s major sport clubs, Olympiakos, is based a few blocks from our house, and their stadiums are part of the neighbourhood’s landscape and soundscape. My brother started playing basketball at a local lower-division team and showed talent at a young age. I mostly …

Timberwolves win, tie playoff series after Spurs’ Wembanyama ejected | Basketball

Timberwolves win, tie playoff series after Spurs’ Wembanyama ejected | Basketball

Published by Sam Flores

Edwards’s 36 points give Minnesota 114-109 win and tie the Western Conference semifinals 2-2 against San Antonio Spurs. Published On 11 May 202611 May 2026 Anthony Edwards scored 16 of his 36 points in the fourth ‌quarter, and the Minnesota Timberwolves took advantage of Victor Wembanyama’s ejection to post a 114-109 win over the San Antonio Spurs. The Timberwolves’ win on Sunday ⁠night in Minneapolis tied the Western Conference ⁠second-round series at two games apiece. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Naz Reid contributed 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench for Minnesota. He also took an elbow from Wembanyama into his chin on the play in which the Spurs star was ejected in the second quarter. Jaden ⁠McDaniels scored 14 points, Julius Randle scored 12 and Rudy Gobert had 11 points and 13 rebounds for the Timberwolves. Ayo Dosunmu added 10 points for Minnesota. De’Aaron Fox and reserve Dylan Harper scored 24 points each, and Stephon Castle added 20 for the Spurs. Devin Vassell tallied 14 points for San Antonio. Wembanyama …

OKC Thunder bury LA Lakers to take 3-0 NBA Playoff series lead | Basketball

OKC Thunder bury LA Lakers to take 3-0 NBA Playoff series lead | Basketball

Published by Sam Flores

Thunder use an explosive second half to beat LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 131-108 as Ajay Mitchell scores 24. Published On 10 May 202610 May 2026 Ajay Mitchell scored 18 of his 24 points in the second ‌‌half, as the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the final 24 minutes en route to a convincing 131-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in ⁠⁠Game 3 of their Western Conference second-round ⁠⁠series. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 23 points and nine assists as defending champions Thunder took a commanding 3-0 series lead in the Playoff semifinals on Saturday. Chet Holmgren had 18 points and nine rebounds, Cason Wallace added 16 points off the bench⁠ and Mitchell had 10 assists. “The confidence I got from my teammates and our coaching staff has been amazing from Day 1,” Mitchell said. “That’s the key.” The Thunder trailed by two points at half time before steamrolling Los Angeles 74-49 in the second half. Rui Hachimura made five three-pointers and scored a team-high 21 points, ⁠⁠and LeBron James added 19 points, eight assists …

Wembanyama powers Spurs past T-Wolves as Knicks beat Sixers in NBA playoffs | Basketball News

Wembanyama powers Spurs past T-Wolves as Knicks beat Sixers in NBA playoffs | Basketball News

Published by Sam Flores

A dominant Victor Wembanyama powered the San Antonio Spurs to a 115-108 win over Minnesota and a 2-1 lead in their NBA playoff series, as the red-hot New York Knicks beat Philadelphia again for a 3-0 advantage. A defensive menace all night on Friday, French superstar Wembanyama took a tight, tense and physical game out of the Timberwolves’ grasp with a stunning fourth-quarter offensive, scoring 16 points. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list The 7-foot-4 prodigy, playing his first NBA postseason, finished the night in Minneapolis with 39 points overall, plus 15 rebounds and five blocks. “I’m built for this. I love this more than anything else,” said Wembanyama. He added: “We got the talent. We got the depth. We don’t got the experience, but we don’t care … We can go to the very top if we play like tonight consistently.” Minnesota had been boosted by the return of their own talisman, Anthony Edwards, to the starting lineup. Edwards shone in the Timberwolves’ game-one upset win but still recovering from a knee …

Wembanyama Gives the Spurs Another Gem in a 115-108 Win Over the T-Wolves to Take a 2-1 Series Lead

Wembanyama Gives the Spurs Another Gem in a 115-108 Win Over the T-Wolves to Take a 2-1 Series Lead

Published by Sam Flores

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Victor Wembanyama delivered another masterpiece with 39 points, 15 rebounds and more game-wrecking defense for the San Antonio Spurs, who took a 2-1 lead in the second-round NBA playoff series with a 115-108 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. Wembanyama went 13 of 18 from the floor and 10 of 12 from the line, adding five blocks and a full night of paint deterrence as the Spurs won their second straight game after dropping the opener at home. “It was like holding the ship together. We had a lead. We didn’t need to rush. We needed to be consistent,” Wembanyama said. De’Aaron Fox scored 17 points, and Stephon Castle had 13 points and 12 assists with a team-high plus-17 rating. Anthony Edwards had 32 points and 14 rebounds and Naz Reid added 18 points and nine rebounds for the Wolves, whose defense kept them alive after a woeful start but allowed the Spurs to shoot 6 for 10 from 3-point range in the pivotal third quarter. Minnesota will host Game …