Tag: Los Angeles

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LeBron James makes his return from a groin injury in the loss to the Bulls

LeBron James kneels on the court in the 2nd half

On Saturday, the Lakers were finally complete for the first time in weeks, with LeBron James and Rui Hachimura both returning from injuries. However, their careless ball handling and weak defense put them in a hole they couldn’t get out of, leading to a 146-115 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

While James’ return after missing two weeks due to a strained left groin and Hachimura’s return after nearly a month off with tendinopathy in his left knee were both welcome, the loss highlighted the difficult position the team faces with only 12 games left in the regular season.

The Lakers (43-27) are currently in fourth place in the Western Conference, just 2½ games behind the second-place Houston Rockets. However, they are also only three games ahead of the seventh-place LA Clippers, who are the top team in the play-in tournament in the West.

“We got 12 games to position ourselves in the postseason,” James said after scoring 17 points on 7-of-16 shooting, along with 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 5 turnovers against the Bulls. “We pretty much can control our own destiny if we win ball games and not have to be in the play-in.”

Lakers coach JJ Redick has already made it clear that the team’s goal is to secure a spot in the top six, avoiding the play-in tournament and giving them a week of rest and preparation between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs, something they’ve had to deal with in three of the last four years.

“I think that’s a good way to look at it. … ground zero,” Redick said. “These next 12 games, you’ve got to re-find your way. It’s a perpetually flowing river that we’ve all of a sudden run into a beaver’s [dam] … and we got to get ready to get the water flowing again.”

Things didn’t go well for Los Angeles against Chicago, especially in the second half, where they were outscored 81-53

“I think our key is going to be the defense,” Hachimura said. “Our defense was awful today. We weren’t locked into our gameplans and everything. We didn’t execute. They were getting everything — 3s, transition, layups, pick-and-roll, whatever. So we just got to, I think, focus on defense.”

All five Bulls starters scored in double figures, with Coby White leading the way with 36 points. Rookie Matas Buzelis scored a season-high 31 points, and Josh Giddey almost had a quadruple-double with 15 points, 17 assists, 10 rebounds, and 8 steals.

Lebron James- Los Angeles Lakers

While the Lakers’ defense struggled, their offense didn’t perform much better. Luka Doncic scored 29 points in the first half, but finished with just 34 points and 7 turnovers. As a team, the Lakers committed 21 turnovers, which led to 27 points for the Bulls. “I can’t be losing the ball seven times,” Doncic said. “That’s way too many for me.”

However, lingering on the loss to the Bulls won’t help much. Los Angeles needs to shift their focus quickly. The Lakers begin a four-game road trip on Monday against the Orlando Magic, followed by games against Indiana, Chicago, and Memphis.

Eight of their last 12 games are on the road, with three back-to-back sets remaining. Only four of the remaining games are against teams outside of the top eight in either conference.

In addition, just because James and Hachimura are back, it doesn’t mean they are fully healthy.

Hachimura, who scored 5 points on 2-for-6 shooting and grabbed 2 rebounds in 18 minutes against Chicago, will have a 20-24 minute restriction moving forward. He believes his knee is still only “70-80%” recovered. “My knee is going to be like that for a while, I think,” he said.

“I can’t really get back to 100% right away. I got to rest for a long time to get back to normal. But I don’t think we have that, so we just got to maintain and manage it.”

James wasn’t ready to say he was fully recovered from his groin injury either. “I just take it day by day,” he said. “I hope it’s behind [me], but I don’t want to go too far in the future.”

For a team that has embraced competition this season under first-year coach Redick, how they respond to nightly challenges over the next three weeks will largely decide how successful their season will be.

“I think we’re in a great spot,” Doncic said. “Obviously, today wasn’t a good game for us, but I think we’re in a great spot. We’ve got to play hard every game to try not to get in the play-in and try to get the highest seed we can.”

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Basketball

Dylan Andrews guides UCLA through a tense finish to secure a close victory over Indiana in Los Angeles

Indiana's Mackenzie Mgbako tries to shoot over UCLA's Tyler Bilodeau

It all felt strange, uncomfortable, and all too familiar.

UCLA, a team that’s usually careful with the ball, had a lot of turnovers. They missed free throws and went through a long scoring drought.

What had been a comfortable lead for UCLA against Indiana on Friday night quickly shrank to just two points, and the game, which had gone from a comfortable lead to a possible collapse, was headed in the wrong direction again for the Bruins.

With just 4.2 seconds left, Dylan Andrews stepped back up to the free-throw line. He had already missed two one-and-one attempts earlier, losing up to four points, which felt like a repeat of the Bruins’ tough loss to North Carolina in December.

As Andrews got ready for his free throws, he took a deep breath, dribbled twice, and spun the ball in his hands. He made the first one. Then he made the second.

About 30 minutes later, while standing in a hallway inside Assembly Hall, Andrews was talking about the free throws that helped his team secure a 72-68 win. He could only say a few words before being interrupted by UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond.

“Big-time right there,” Jarmond said as he patted Andrews on the shoulder.

Bruins coach Mick Cronin also praised him, as his team had committed nine of its 11 turnovers in the second half and barely survived a missed three-pointer from Mackenzie Mgbako that could have given Indiana the lead with six seconds left.

“He’s a great kid,” Cronin said with a smile, “and he really cares about his coach and he didn’t want to see me go to the hospital.”

UCLA guard Dylan Andrews brings the ball upcourt during the first half

How did Andrews make those free throws after missing?

“At the end of the day, you know you’re not going to make every shot,” Andrews said, “so you’ve got to stay confident, you’ve got to stay poised and the team needed it.”

UCLA (19-7 overall, 10-5 Big Ten) really needed those points, both for NCAA tournament seeding and to show they could win in Big Ten country. They pulled through despite guard Sebastian Mack missing the first part of a one-and-one with 1:18 left. During the same play, he was fouled and then earned a technical foul for elbowing Indiana’s Anthony Leal in the face.

“We kept our head down and we still fought,” Mack said after his team almost lost a seven-point lead in the last 78 seconds, “and that’s why we were victorious.”

UCLA’s first win in a Big Ten arena was a statement, showing that there’s still a lot of work left if they want to make a deep postseason run.

Here are some things Bruins coach Mick Cronin needs to think about: Should center Aday Mara (eight points, five rebounds, and two blocks in just 13 minutes) have played more in the second half after recovering from a suspected case of norovirus? Did freshman guard Trent Perry earn more playing time after possibly having his best performance of the season, including a key block of Myles Rice’s jumper with 1:57 left?

“Every game, I’m the same,” Cronin said. “We try to win, then we evaluate the film — what do we need to do to get better? Because for us, it’s about the NCAA tournament. That’s just the way it is.”

Cronin said he played Mara less because Indiana (15-11, 6-9) went small, but their comeback was partly fueled by inside baskets that Mara could have contested, given his 7-foot-3 frame.

The Bruins were up by two when Mack missed a driving layup. His teammate Skyy Clark briefly grabbed the rebound but was quickly double-teamed by two Indiana players, forcing a jump ball that went to the Hoosiers.

Rice missed a jumper, and Mgbako missed a putback before the ball went out of bounds to the Hoosiers with nine seconds left. Mgbako came off a screen, got open, and attempted a three-pointer, but missed. Andrews grabbed the important rebound and was fouled, sending him back to the free-throw line.

Forward Tyler Bilodeau led UCLA with 12 points, and Clark added 11. Guard Luke Goode scored 16 points to lead the Hoosiers, who have now lost eight of their last 10 games.

Indiana coach Mike Woodson, based in Bloomington, has decided not to return next season

This will be coach Mike Woodson’s final season after he recently announced his departure

When asked about being a potential candidate for Woodson’s job, Cronin joked about fans’ fickleness, saying, “Here’s how I look at that stuff: I might be on your hot boards and they might want my ass fired on our hot boards. That’s how I look at that, so I stay off the hot boards. That’s just the way it is — you can go from one board to the other real quick, hired and fired, you know what I’m saying?”

For the Bruins, playing their first game in this iconic arena had been on their minds for a long time.

About a month ago, during Big Ten media day just outside Chicago, Andrews and Kobe Johnson were already in sync on one thing: which arena they were most excited to play in.

Johnson glanced at his teammate, then said, “You want to say it at the same time?” Andrews answered, “Assembly Hall.”

If there was a part of the game that showed what the Andrews experience has been like during this up-and-down season, it came in the final minutes.

In the middle of the second half, he made a smart pass to Johnson for a layup, then hit a three-pointer that gave the Bruins a double-digit lead.

But then came the tough part. The offense kept turning the ball over and went almost three minutes without scoring. Then, Andrews missed a free throw on the first part of a one-and-one.

Redemption came when his team was on the edge of trouble, and Andrews kept believing in himself.

“I knew for a fact,” he said, “that if I got another shot to shoot free throws, that I was going to make it.”

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MLB (Baseball)

One bite of salad derailed Dustin May’s comeback to the Dodgers, but he’s grateful to be back in action in Los Angeles

Dustin May
Dustin May (MLB)

Last year was supposed to go differently for Dodgers pitcher Dustin May.

After undergoing flexor tendon and Tommy John revision surgery in the middle of 2023, the hard-throwing right-hander was on track to return before the season ended.

By early July, he was just a week away from starting a minor-league rehab assignment and only about a month away from possibly rejoining the team.

Even more encouraging was that as May was nearing the end of his recovery from his second major surgery (he had Tommy John surgery in 2021), he was finally starting to feel like his old self. He was hopeful about returning to the shorthanded starting rotation and playing a key role in the Dodgers’ push for a World Series title.

“I was pretty close,” May said. Then, everything changed in one scary night.

On July 10, while he was still rehabbing at the Dodgers’ Camelback Ranch facility in Arizona, May went out for dinner and ordered a salad. After one bite, he felt lettuce stuck in his throat. He tried to wash it down with a quick sip of water.

Moments later, he realized something was wrong.

In what May described as a “complete freak accident,” he unknowingly tore his esophagus badly, which required emergency surgery that night. This put an end to any hopes of him returning that season and gave him a new perspective on both baseball and the fragility of life.

“It was a life-altering event,” May said Friday, sharing the story publicly for the first time. “It was definitely very serious. It’s not a very common surgery. It was an emergency.”

He added, “I probably wouldn’t have made it through the night if I didn’t have it.”

For 15 minutes, May said, he felt a “mega-painful” sensation in his throat and stomach. He later learned that the lettuce lodged in his throat caused a rare food impaction that damaged his esophagus. When the pain passed, May thought he would be fine and went home from dinner.

“I’m not a big panicker,” he said. “It kind of chilled out. So I was like, ‘I’m fine. I don’t need to do anything.’” However, his wife, Millie, wasn’t convinced.

“No,” May recalled her saying. “We’re going to the ER to get it checked out.”

Dustin May works against a San Diego Padres batter during the first inning of a baseball game

When May arrived at the hospital, doctors did a CT scan with contrast fluid, which showed a serious tear in his esophagus. They immediately took him into surgery. Within hours, he went from being close to returning to the team to facing an unexpected setback.

“It was extremely frustrating,” May said. “You can’t plan for it. You can’t try to prevent it. It just happened.”

Shaking his head, he added, “It wasn’t on my bingo card for 2024.”

To fix the tear, May needed what he called “basically a full abdominal surgery,” showing a long vertical scar from his lower chest to his stomach.

Instead of finishing his elbow rehab, May started a new six-month recovery. He was not allowed to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds. He began light throwing in November, but it wasn’t until around New Year’s that he felt fully recovered.

“It just kind of gives me a different viewpoint on a lot of things in life,” May said, still in disbelief. “Just seeing how something so non-baseball-related can just be like — it can be gone in a second. And the stuff it put my wife through, it definitely gave me [a feeling] of, ‘Wow, stuff can change like that.’ It was definitely very scary.”

This spring, May has shifted his focus to making the Dodgers’ opening-day roster and getting his career back on track.

When healthy, the third-round draft pick has been excellent for the Dodgers, with a 3.10 earned-run average and 174 strikeouts in 46 games (34 starts) since making his debut in 2019. He’s hopeful of returning to that form and is encouraged by his early bullpen sessions as he competes for the final spot in the starting rotation with Tony Gonsolin, Landon Knack, Bobby Miller, and others in camp.

“If I’m healthy, I feel like I have a spot on this rotation,” said May, who manager Dave Roberts said could also be an option for the bullpen. “I just have to go out and prove that.”

If May can prove himself, it will be a full-circle moment for the 27-year-old, bringing a rewarding end to the medical struggles that kept him from returning last year.

“It’s been a minute,” May said of finally being healthy again. “But I’m definitely excited, and definitely have a deeper appreciation for the game.”

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Wrestling

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: From Wrestling to Global Stardom, His Path to Becoming a Leading Entertainer

Johnson reflects on the surreal experience of being seen as a contender

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is one of the most well-known names in entertainment. From his beginnings as a professional wrestler to his rise as a Hollywood superstar, he has built an impressive career. Today, he is not only famous for his acting but also for his inspiring journey, positive influence, and business ventures. Let’s take a closer look at how Dwayne Johnson became one of the most influential entertainers.

Dwayne Douglas Johnson was born on May 2, 1972, in Hayward, California. He comes from a family of wrestlers. His father, Rocky Johnson, was a professional wrestler, and his grandfather, Peter Maivia, was a famous wrestler in the 1960s and 1970s. Growing up, Dwayne was introduced to the world of wrestling at an early age. However, it wasn’t an easy path for him.

Before entering the wrestling ring, Dwayne played football in high school and at the University of Miami. He was a standout player and had dreams of going professional. He even had a short stint with the Canadian Football League but didn’t make it to the National Football League (NFL). This setback led him to wrestling, where his family background and his passion for the sport gave him a unique advantage.

The Debut in 1996

In 1996, Dwayne Johnson debuted in the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) under the ring name “Rocky Maivia,” a tribute to his father and grandfather. Initially, his character was a goody-two-shoes, which made him unpopular with fans.

However, he quickly changed his image, adopting the persona of “The Rock.” This transformation made him one of the most charismatic and popular wrestlers in the WWE. His catchphrases like “If you smell what The Rock is cooking!” became iconic and helped him connect with the audience.

Throughout his wrestling career, The Rock won numerous championships, including multiple WWE World Heavyweight Championships. He became one of the biggest stars of the “Attitude Era,” a time when WWE’s popularity skyrocketed.

As The Rock became a household name in wrestling, he began to think about his future outside the ring. He wanted to make the transition into acting, and in 2001, he got his first movie role in , where he played the Scorpion King. His performance was well-received, and it led to a spin-off movie, (2002).

“The Pebble”: Dwayne the Rock Johnson’s 1984 Clip Age 11 With Hair Resurfaces Amid Cody Rhodes & Bloodline Feud
Dwayne Johnson (WWE)

The Rock’s acting career took off after that. He starred in a range of movies, from action films like to family-friendly movies like (2007) and (2010). His ability to balance both action-packed roles and comedic performances helped him appeal to a wide audience. This versatility made him stand out in Hollywood, and he quickly became one of the highest-paid actors in the industry.

One of the biggest breaks in his acting career was joining the franchise

He made his first appearance in (2011) and quickly became a fan favorite, known for his tough-guy persona as Luke Hobbs. His role in the series helped propel both the franchise and his career to new heights. The movies are some of the highest-grossing films of all time, and The Rock’s contributions played a key role in their success.

Dwayne Johnson didn’t just stop at acting. He has made a name for himself as a successful businessman as well. One of his most ventures is his partnership with Under Armour, a popular sports apparel brand. In 2015, he launched a line of clothing called Project Rock, which features gym wear, shoes, and accessories. The collaboration with Under Armour has been highly successful, and it has expanded his reach into the fitness world.

In 2012, The Rock co-founded Seven Bucks Productions, a film production company. Through this company, he has been involved in producing films and television shows, including the hit series (2015-2019) and the 2019 blockbuster . His business ventures continue to grow, and he has established himself as a major player both in front of and behind the camera.

Another of his major business accomplishments is his involvement in tequila. In 2020, he purchased the tequila brand Teremana Tequila. The brand quickly became a huge success, with The Rock’s personal touch and branding helping it stand out in the competitive spirits market.

Dwayne Johnson has built a massive social media following, with millions of fans on platforms like Instagram and Twitter. His posts often showcase his workouts, behind-the-scenes glimpses into his life, and messages of positivity and hard work. He is known for his motivational speeches, where he encourages his followers to stay positive, work hard, and never give up on their dreams.

Dwayne Johnson (WWE)

He has been a hard-working man

He has shared his personal struggles, including growing up in a family with financial hardships and dealing with his own battles with depression. By opening up about these struggles, The Rock has become a source of inspiration for many. He uses his platform to spread kindness and positivity, making him more than just a celebrity. He is seen as a role model for millions of people around the world.

In addition to his social media presence, The Rock has supported numerous charitable causes. He is known for his involvement in children’s charities, military veterans’ organizations, and organizations that support mental health awareness. His generosity and willingness to give back to the community have made him a beloved figure outside of his acting and wrestling career.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has come a long way from his humble beginnings in wrestling. Through hard work, determination, and a genuine desire to inspire others, he has become one of the most influential entertainers in the world. From his early days as a wrestler to his current success in Hollywood and business, The Rock has proven that anything is possible with the right mindset.

His story is one of resilience, positivity, and continuous growth, and it serves as a reminder to us all that we can achieve our dreams, no matter the obstacles we face.

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NBA (Basketball)

Lakers Cancel Trade Deal: The Los Angeles Lakers explain why they reversed a recent trade involving Mark Williams

Dalton Knecht gestures after scoring in the 2nd half

The Los Angeles Lakers have a new issue after the trade deadline. The trade with the Charlotte Hornets that sent center Mark Williams to the Lakers in exchange for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, and a first-round pick has been canceled.

The reason for this was Williams failing his physical exam. Charania reported that the medical check showed “multiple issues” that the Lakers were not aware of, which caused the trade to fall through. The problems found were not related to Williams’ existing back issues, which the Lakers knew about before the trade. The exact details of the new issues haven’t been made public.

Since the trade deadline has passed, the deal cannot be modified, so Williams will return to the Hornets, and Knecht and Reddish will go back to the Lakers. The Hornets released a statement on Saturday, saying they are happy to have Williams back and that his return strengthens their team.

The Lakers are now left with only Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood as centers, unless they sign a free agent. This change is significant for the Lakers, who had hoped to improve their center position after trading for Luka Doncic.

LeBron James and Cam Reddish in the 1st half

Williams had been performing well with the Hornets, averaging 15.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game in 23 games this season. The Lakers now also have a crowded guard position with Knecht returning. Along with Doncic and Knecht, they have Austin Reaves and Gabe Vincent, so the Lakers will need to find consistent playing time for these guards.

Reaves scored a career-high 45 points in Saturday’s win over the Indiana Pacers, a game where both Doncic and LeBron James were absent. The Lakers’ plans for the rest of the season will likely change, as the trade they had counted on did not go through.

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NBA (Basketball)

LeBron James will miss the Lakers’ game in Los Angeles against Indiana to rest his injured left ankle

LeBron James celebrates after the win

LeBron James will miss the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against Indiana on Saturday to rest his sore left ankle.

The Lakers announced this decision about four hours before they played the Pacers.

James, 40 years old, has been performing well in recent weeks for the Lakers (30-19), who have won four games in a row and 10 of their last 12, even after trading center Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic last weekend. Despite dealing with regular ankle pain, James hadn’t missed a game since Dec. 28 against Sacramento and has missed only four games this season.

Doncic is also missing the game against Indiana as he continues to recover from a left calf strain he suffered on Christmas. The Slovenian star has practiced with his new team this week and is expected to make his Lakers debut on Monday against Utah.

“LeBron, just a little bit of increased soreness on that foot after the other night,” coach JJ Redick said before the game. “Luka is progressing well, but we’ll make that decision in real time on Monday.”

James has been averaging 29.0 points, 9.9 assists, and 8.4 rebounds over the last seven games. He became the oldest player in NBA history to score 40 points when he scored 42 points in a win over Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night.

Amid talks about how the Lakers will work with James and Doncic together, Indiana coach Rick Carlisle is excited to see how it all comes together. Carlisle was Doncic’s coach for his first three seasons with the Dallas Mavericks from 2018 to 2021.

LeBron James scores in the 2nd half

“I don’t see any world in which it doesn’t work great,” Carlisle said. “(Doncic) goes into a game and just decides how the game is going to be played. LeBron James does the same exact thing. These two guys are surgeons, the way they dissect games, and they’re really both impossible to game-plan for.

You have to decide how you’re willing to lose. That’s what it comes down to. This is the Lakers. This is a larger-than-life legacy franchise, so this is an amazing opportunity for Luka.”

James is a record 21-time All-Star and was selected first overall in the team draft for the competition in San Francisco next weekend. The Lakers have two more games before All-Star weekend, playing a home-and-home series with Utah.

Mark Williams, the center the Lakers acquired from Charlotte this week, was also ruled out for the game against the Pacers because the trade was still pending on Saturday morning.

Redick said he hopes to have James, Doncic, and Williams available for Monday’s game.

“I don’t know why we wouldn’t,” Redick said. “We’re not trying to hold guys out.”

Pacers big man Myles Turner also sat out with a head injury, although Carlisle said he wasn’t in the concussion protocol. “He’s done better each of the last two days,” Carlisle said. “Today wasn’t in the cards.”

Categories
NBA (Basketball)

Anthony Davis exits his Dallas debut with an injury following the major Luka Doncic trade

Anthony Davis leaves the game in the 3rd quarter

Anthony Davis left the game in the third quarter due to a lower-body injury and didn’t return in his first game with the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday after the big trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Davis fell without anyone touching him and grabbed his groin area during Dallas’ 116-105 win over the Houston Rockets. He was listed as doubtful to return and didn’t play again during the Mavs’ first home game after the trade.

The 31-year-old mentioned that he felt tightness in his groin and quadriceps. Part of the reason he didn’t return was because of the abdominal strain that had kept him out of his last two games with the Lakers before the trade and the first two games he could have played with the Mavericks.

“My leg got tight, like a little spasm,” Davis said. “I came back and tried to get it loose and everything, obviously dealing with the ab, still strained. It wouldn’t loosen up and let go. But it’s nothing serious.”

Davis had 24 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and all three of his blocks in the first half. He finished the game with 26 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists.

“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” coach Jason Kidd said.

Anthony Davis yells in the 1st half

One of the many criticisms of the trade was Dallas giving up a 25-year-old superstar in his prime for Davis, who has had a history of injuries.

The 10-time All-Star went down without contact when Alperen Sengun drove past him for a layup. Davis walked slowly toward the offensive end and stayed in the corner near the Dallas bench while his team ran their offense.

Davis didn’t attempt to move back after the Rockets regained possession. The Mavericks committed a foul to stop the clock and get Davis out of the game. He stayed on the bench briefly before leaving the court.

The Mavs will face Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors on Monday night in the second game of a four-game homestand.

“I’m very confident,” Davis said. “I feel great. I’ll do some more stuff tomorrow, but just take it a day at a time.”

Categories
NBA (Basketball)

Lakers’ deal for Hornets center Mark Williams canceled due to failed physical, in Los Angeles

Mark Williams looks to shoot against Nikola Jokic in the 1st half

The Los Angeles Lakers canceled their trade to acquire Mark Williams from Charlotte after he failed his physical, according to a source who spoke on Saturday night.

The source, who remained anonymous, said that the Lakers did not plan to announce the reason for pulling back the deal publicly.

On Wednesday night, the Lakers agreed to send rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, and some draft considerations to the Hornets for Williams, a 23-year-old center who is in his third year in the NBA. Williams, a former first-round pick, was seen as a potential replacement for Anthony Davis, who was traded to Dallas along with Max Christie for superstar Luka Doncic.

The trade would have also sent the Lakers’ 2031 first-round pick and a 2030 first-round pick swap to Charlotte.

However, the Lakers decided to cancel the trade after learning more about Williams’ injury history. He has struggled with back issues and other injuries, playing only 84 out of 212 possible NBA games in his three seasons.

In a statement on social media, the Hornets said, “We are excited to welcome Mark back to our Hornets organization. After the other team aggressively pursued Mark, we made the difficult decision to move him. We have always held great respect for Mark’s talent, work ethic, and character. We are thrilled to see him rejoin our roster as a dynamic presence at the starting center position. His return strengthens our team, and we look forward to the impact he will make on and off the court.”

The Lakers had no concerns about the trade initially, according to general manager Rob Pelinka. Coach JJ Redick, who knows Williams personally as they both played at Duke, said on Thursday, “Just feel like he’s a really good fit now, and he’s a really good fit for the future.”

The cancellation of the trade adds to the uncertainty surrounding the Lakers, who have won five straight and 11 of their last 13 games despite many roster changes.

Dalton Knecht celebrates after scoring in the 1st half

On Saturday, the Lakers beat Indiana 124-117, even without LeBron James and Doncic.

Now, the Lakers are left without a proven big man to play next to Jaxson Hayes, who was expected to move to the bench after Williams’ arrival. Against the Pacers, the backup center was 6-foot-10 Trey Jemison III, who has played for four different teams in the past two seasons and joined the Lakers less than a month ago.

The Lakers may look to the buyout market for veteran big men, but it doesn’t seem like a promising option. The Lakers also lost the roster spot they created by trading two players for Williams. However, they could get help from within the team.

Christian Wood has missed the entire season due to knee surgery in September, and while there hasn’t been a recent update on his return, he wasn’t expected to miss the whole season initially.

Jemison and backup big man Christian Koloko are on two-way contracts, meaning they wouldn’t be eligible for the playoffs.

Without Knecht and Reddish, the Lakers’ wing depth is thinner. Knecht, who was a strong shooter with a 37-point game earlier in the season, struggled defensively and had limited playing time before the trade.

Categories
NBA (Basketball)

Austin Reaves makes his mark in Los Angeles Lakers history with a 45-point performance against the Pacers

Austin Reaves and Jaxson Hayes in the 2nd half

The first five players to achieve at least 45 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists in a single game for the Los Angeles Lakers were Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James.

Austin Reaves became the sixth player to do so, recording those exact numbers while leading the Lakers to a 124-117 win over Indiana on Saturday.

Reaves understands the surprise of seeing his name on the list. He feels the same way.

“It looks weird when you see my name up there,” Reaves said, smiling.

But it’s becoming less unusual with each accomplishment by Reaves, who joined the Lakers as an undrafted player from Oklahoma three and a half years ago. He has grown into a starting player and key contributor for his favorite team, having come from a small town in Arkansas where he looked up to Kobe Bryant and didn’t let anyone stop him from pursuing his NBA dream.

With LeBron James and Luka Doncic both out due to injuries, Reaves had the most impressive game of his career so far. He made 14 of 26 shots, hit four 3-pointers, and went 13 of 13 from the free-throw line while running the offense in the final moments.

He also grabbed seven rebounds, handed out seven assists, and had three steals, helping the Lakers win despite being short-handed. Lakers fans, grateful for such a great performance, cheered “M-V-P!” as a thank-you to Reaves for leading the team.

James was sidelined due to a sore left ankle, and Doncic was not quite ready for his debut. The Lakers were still adjusting after trading away players like Anthony Davis, Max Christie, Dalton Knecht, and Cam Reddish in two moves before the deadline, and things were even more unsettled after they canceled the trade for Reddish and Knecht later that Saturday.

Reaves was also playing through a sore left elbow, which almost kept him out of the game. He decided to play through the pain just before the pregame deadline, and the Lakers were glad he did.

Austin Reaves dunks in the 2nd half

“I think he’s been as important as any player on our team,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “I felt like he was the best player on the floor tonight, and that says a lot. He showed up in a big-time way.”

Reaves started off strong against Indiana, scoring 11 points in under six minutes. He had 20 points by halftime and took charge again in the fourth quarter, starting it with back-to-back 3-pointers and finishing with 14 points in the final period.

It was an impressive performance for a player who set his previous career high of 38 points just last month against Brooklyn. But Reaves knows that his whole NBA career has been filled with surprises. Since earning a spot on the Lakers roster out of training camp in 2021, he has played many different roles.

“The path that I took is not conventional,” Reaves said. “There’s probably only a handful of people that thought I would be in this position, if any. It wasn’t really the popular thing to do to continue to chase my dream. … If I can inspire kids that’s in my situation to continue to chase their dreams, whatever it is, just do it.”

He’s now more than just a surprise. Reaves has averaged at least 28 minutes per game in each of the last three seasons as a regular starter — including all 44 games this season.

Reaves is also part of one of the most interesting Lakers teams ever after the big trade to bring in Doncic, who could be Reaves’ future teammate in the backcourt for many years.

Though Doncic is expected to be the next leader of the Lakers, Reaves has become incredibly important too, and he’s even making history.

“It’s surreal, because I grew up a huge Kobe fan, so I was automatically a Laker fan,” Reaves said. “Just to be able to go out there and put the uniform on and compete, and then to have a couple of those games where my name is in with those guys, is special. It’s something that I won’t take for granted.”

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Lawrence Frank believes the Clippers’ recent moves will position them well for the remainder of the season in Los Angeles

Tyronn Lue talks in the 2nd half

Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, initially thought the team’s biggest move before the NBA’s trade deadline would be bringing back Kawhi Leonard. However, after assessing his roster, he realized that Leonard’s return alone wouldn’t be enough. Frank then shifted his focus to improving the bench for the final stretch of the regular season.

In the past week, the Clippers added Bogdan Bogdanovic, Patty Mills, Drew Eubanks, and MarJon Beauchamp, with a few more moves possibly coming. “We feel really good that we improved our team on the margins, which is very important,” Frank said before Saturday’s game against the Utah Jazz. “We had to address some different positions and skillset needs, and we feel good about the guys that we added.”

The Clippers acquired Bogdanovic and three second-round draft picks from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Terance Mann and Bones Hyland. Frank has been a fan of Bogdanovic for a long time, even though the 32-year-old guard has struggled with his shooting this season.

Bogdanovic has averaged 10 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2 assists in 24 games for the Hawks this season. He hasn’t played since January 25 due to personal reasons, but he could debut for the Clippers on Wednesday against Memphis.

“We’re a little light on shooting, and Bogdan gives us not just shooting but good size at the position. He’s a quick processor of the game,” Frank said about the 6-foot-5 guard.

Bogdanovic helped Serbia win a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and a silver at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. He’s shooting just 37.1% from the field this season, below his career average of 43.5%. Frank believes it’s simply a case of bad shooting luck after reviewing his game.

“We’re well-versed in his game. With the way coach Tyronn Lue plays and Bogdanovic’s game, it is going to be a good fit. He is a tough competitor,” Frank said. “We’re very confident that as long as he stays healthy, he will be a positive contributor for us.”

Kawhi Leonard tries to get past RJ Barrett in the 1st half

Beauchamp was acquired from Milwaukee for guard/forward Kevin Porter Jr. on Friday. He is a 6-foot-7 forward with potential, although he hasn’t had many chances with the Bucks. Beauchamp averaged 2 points and 1.2 rebounds in 26 games this season. Frank is curious to see how Beauchamp develops with more opportunities.

Mills and Eubanks, acquired from Utah on February 1 for P.J. Tucker and Mo Bamba, add bench flexibility for the Clippers.

Despite losing three straight games before facing the Jazz, the Clippers sat in seventh place in the Western Conference with a 28-23 record. Many had not expected the Clippers to compete for a playoff spot this season after Paul George joined Philadelphia and Leonard missed the first 34 games due to a right knee injury.

“We know what our long-term strategy is, but also our short-term strategy is to be as competitive as we can possibly be and give ourselves a chance to go as far as we possibly can,” Frank said.

One player Frank didn’t mention is Ben Simmons, who was waived by the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday after agreeing to a buyout. ESPN reported that Simmons plans to sign with the Clippers once he clears waivers.

“We’ve been fortunate in the buyout market. You look at Nico (Batum), Reggie Jackson, and Russ (Russell Westbrook), those guys had a huge impact,” Frank said. “We’re fortunate that we’ve always been a destination for buyout guys. Guys love playing for coach Tyronn Lue, they’ve fallen in love with the franchise. So we’ll look at the buyout market and see how we can address some additional needs that we have.”

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Clippers aim to bounce back with a win over the Jazz in Los Angeles

Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers, currently on a three-game losing streak matching their season high, will look to regain control of the game’s pace when they face the Utah Jazz on Saturday night in Inglewood, Calif.

This will be the teams’ first meeting after a trade between them, where the Clippers acquired Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills, and the Jazz got Mo Bamba and P.J. Tucker. Bamba has been waived, and Tucker was traded twice after that.

The Clippers’ recent losses are troubling, with their last two defeats standing out due to being outplayed in key moments.

The team was off to a rough start in a 122-97 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. Then, against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, they couldn’t hold onto a 22-point lead, eventually losing 119-112 after getting outscored in the second quarter and late in the game.

The Clippers have been struggling at home, with a 2-4 record since Jan. 20, after having won six straight games at their new arena, starting with a 144-107 victory over Utah on Dec. 16. They are 2-0 against the Jazz this season, with both wins in Inglewood.

In Thursday’s game against Indiana, the Clippers had a 22-point lead early in the second quarter, but the Pacers took the lead by the time the first half ended. Los Angeles was outscored 42-19 in the second quarter and committed eight turnovers, while the Pacers shot 57.7% from the field during that period.

“Second quarter, turnovers, you know, that kind of killed us,” Clippers center Ivica Zubac said. “They were live-ball turnovers that would lead to the layups, and that kind of killed the whole momentum, man.”

James Harden and Norman Powell each scored 22 points, while Zubac added 18 points and 15 rebounds. Kawhi Leonard contributed 19 points in a season-high 33 minutes of play after starting the season late due to knee soreness.

“I didn’t mind tonight’s game,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “You’re not gonna win every game, but there are some things that we can learn. Just (take) care of the basketball. We had a big lead and turn the ball over, turn the ball over, turn the ball over.”

Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)

The Jazz, who have gone 2-2 after an eight-game losing streak, come into Los Angeles following a tough 135-127 overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday. John Collins scored 21 points for Utah, and Walker Kessler had 19 points and a career-high 22 rebounds.

Utah led 120-116 with 4.7 seconds left before Grayson Allen hit two three-pointers for the Suns to send the game into overtime. Phoenix then scored the first eight points in the extra period to win.

The Jazz are on a seven-game road losing streak, including two losses at Phoenix, and have a 7-20 record on the road this season.

Despite being near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, the Jazz are staying positive, especially with the trade deadline now behind them.

“I think the chemistry we have as a group has continued to grow as the year has gone on,” said coach Will Hardy. “I know when we got in the plane yesterday, everybody was having that collective sigh of relief that we can just focus on what’s next and move forward.”

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NHL (National Hockey League)

The Ducks are ready for their upcoming away game against the Kings in Los Angeles

Anaheim Ducks (NHL)

The Anaheim Ducks are happy with their recent performance in the standings. They have a chance to improve even more before the two-week break for the 4 Nations Face-Off when they play the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night.

Anaheim has won five of its last six games, bringing them within nine points of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

The Ducks, who haven’t made the playoffs since 2018, were just seven points behind a playoff spot after beating the Dallas Stars 2-1 on Tuesday.

After a day off on Wednesday, the Ducks had two days of practice to prepare for Los Angeles, who won 5-4 in a shootout against the Dallas Stars on Friday for their third straight win.

“Our team hasn’t really been in a spot to feel that type of added enthusiasm, or emphasis on those games,” said Ducks forward Ryan Strome about the playoff race. “Now we’re in a position where these games are all going to be a little bit more impactful, a little more meaningful. And, with saying that, we kind of have to take a step together and be ready for that challenge.”

The Ducks have struggled against the Kings, going 2-10-1 in their past 13 matchups, and losing the first two games between the teams this season. However, they’ve been stronger against top teams recently.

Anaheim has won both games against the Winnipeg Jets, who lead the Central Division, since their last loss to the Kings. They’ve also split games with the Pacific Division-leading Edmonton Oilers and defeated teams like the New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, and Tampa Bay Lightning, all of which are higher in the standings than Anaheim.

“I think there’s been a lot of confidence with the group,” said Ducks coach Greg Cronin. “I think it started back when we beat Winnipeg a month and a half ago at home. We had that road trip where we got a little bit sloppy, but I think we got back on the rails pretty quickly. When you win, it builds belief into what you’re doing.”

Los Angeles Kings players react after a goal in the 2nd period

The Kings have been tough to beat at home, winning 12 of their last 13 games, with a 17-3-1 record at home this season.

Los Angeles is third in the Pacific Division, but they were only three points ahead of the Vancouver Canucks and five points in front of the Calgary Flames. The Ducks are 12 points behind the Kings.

Kings coach Jim Hiller respected the Ducks’ offense enough to save starting goalie Darcy Kuemper for their game against Anaheim, choosing to start David Rittich against the Stars on Friday.

“Obviously, we’ve got to play hard,” said Kings forward Phillip Danault, who had two assists against the Stars. “It’s always a hard game against the Ducks. Get the crowd going again and get the two points and go for a little trip on the road.”

Kevin Fiala has been on fire for the Kings, scoring five goals in the past three games, with all three being multipoint games.

Adrian Kempe leads the Kings with 24 goals and is tied with Anze Kopitar for the most points (45). Kempe had been Los Angeles’ top scorer at other points this season but went six games without a point before collecting an assist against the Stars.