Ja Morant criticized by Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley for new grenade celebration, but says he’ll keep doing it

The Boston Celtics aim to break the trend of unsuccessful title defenses by repeating as champions, a feat they haven't achieved since 1969. Historically, repeating was more common, with teams like the Celtics and Lakers dominating in past eras, but modern challenges, such as player movement and salary cap constraints, have made it difficult. This season, the Celtics won 61 games, joining a select group to win over 60 games post-championship, and they enter the...

As the NBA playoffs begin, significant implications arise for teams like the Knicks, Pacers, Bucks, Hawks, Timberwolves, and Rockets. The Knicks' success could determine Tom Thibodeau's future, while Mikal Bridges' potential extension hinges on playoff performance. The Pacers face salary cap challenges with Myles Turner, the Bucks risk losing Giannis Antetokounmpo if playoff results falter, and the Hawks must decide on Trae Young's financial commitment, while the Timberwolves confront roster decisions amid high spending concerns....

The Los Angeles Lakers, the third seed in the Western Conference, will face the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. The Lakers have recently acquired Luka Dončić, enhancing their roster alongside veteran LeBron James and Anthony Davis, despite defensive concerns. The Timberwolves, with standout performances from Anthony Edwards and a solid record since March, look to capitalize on their offensive depth, having tied their regular-season series with the Lakers...

The 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year race features Stephon Castle, Alex Sarr, and Zaccharie Risacher, amidst predictions of a weak rookie class, as only five players averaged double-digit points per game. This trend of declining rookie scoring and efficiency is notable, with the average rookie scoring 13.7 points per 36 minutes, the lowest gap compared to the league average in 40 years. Despite these challenges, the rookie class shows potential, with some players like...

SummaryIn a thrilling game, Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry combined for 75 points, leading the Warriors to a 121-116 victory over the Grizzlies. Butler scored 38 points, with 21 coming in the first half, while Curry added 37 points, including the last 10 for his team. Ja Morant, who sprained his ankle during the game, contributed 22 points, and Desmond Bane led Memphis with 30 points; however, a crucial five-second violation on Santiago Aldama sealed...