•Get the NBA App•Coverage of the 2024-25 NBA Awards•All-Defensive Teams by Year Selected for the 2024-25 Kia NBA All-Defensive First Team are Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, Luguentz Dort of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Draymond Green, forward-center for the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers forward-center Evan Mobley, and Amen Thompson, guard-forward with the Houston Rockets. This marks the first time …

Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara from Belgium, Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert from France, and LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac from Croatia have been named to the NBA’s Second All-Defensive Team. According to a recent press release, Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort, Golden State Warriors forward-center Draymond Green, Cleveland Cavaliers forward-center Evan Mobley, …

Observing fellow Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being crowned as this season’s NBA MVP filled Steve Nash with immense pride. Then, the moment took on even greater significance. Nash, the first and only Canadian to hold the MVP title until now, was recognized by Gilgeous-Alexander in his acceptance speech on Wednesday night as a key influence in his basketball journey. “It really …

After being selected as one of the three finalists alongside Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been awarded the 2024-25 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award. The league revealed the voting outcomes on Wednesday. The Oklahoma City Thunder star accumulated a total of 913 points, receiving 71 out of 100 first-place votes. Nikola Jokic, the Serbian leader of …

Welcome to the Thursday NBA DFS lineup. The Conference Finals are in full swing, and last night’s action was certainly captivating. The Pacers’ comeback in Game 1 was something to witness, and we can only hope that tonight’s Game 2 between the Thunder and Timberwolves provides a similar thrill. With only this matchup on the slate, we’re entering a series …

In a nod to franchise icon Reggie Miller and his memorable interaction with Spike Lee back in 1994, Tyrese Haliburton celebrated a crucial basket by motioning a choke signal to the audience at Madison Square Garden. Although he believed he secured a victory with his buzzer-beating jumper, a review revealed that it merely sent the game into overtime. Ultimately, the …

•Get the NBA App•Complete Coverage of the 2024-25 NBA Awards•Kia Most Valuable Player Award: Historical Winners OKLAHOMA CITY— The Thunder’s latest MVP recipient—four if including James Harden, who was drafted by the team before earning his award in Houston—feels honored to join such an elite fraternity. “In any discussion about me being mentioned alongside those two extraordinary players,” Shai Gilgeous-Alexander …

One of the prominent narratives of the offseason involves the recent revelation about Giannis Antetokounmpo, suggesting that the star player is poised to request a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks to a particular team. As he prepares to meet with the front office, the 30-year-old point forward is expected to urge the Bucks to facilitate a move to his chosen …

•Download the NBA App•Comprehensive Coverage of the 2024-25 NBA Awards•Kia Most Valuable Player Award: A History of Winners The legendary Bill Russell, the iconic Larry Bird, and now, the standout from the Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokić. By securing the runner-up position in this year’s Kia NBA MVP voting, just behind Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokić has entered a select group …

Vasilije Micic is currently in Abu Dhabi, reflecting on the Final Four of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, while also considering his club choices and beginning preparations for EuroBasket 2025. There are circulating rumors about a potential connection to Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv, which is expected to make its debut in Europe’s top-tier club competition in the 2025-26 season. “I …

•Install the NBA App•2024-25 NBA Awards: Comprehensive coverage•Kia Most Valuable Player Award: Historical winners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, has been honored with the Michael Jordan Trophy, recognizing him as the 2024-25 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player. This marks Gilgeous-Alexander’s first time winning the Kia NBA MVP award, after placing second in last year’s voting and fifth …

According to Nielsen, viewership for the 2025 NBA Playoffs on ESPN platforms (including ESPN and ABC) has increased by 12% compared to the previous year. During the Conference Semifinals, which consisted of 22 games, ESPN reported an average of 4,883,000 viewers, marking the second-highest ratings for the NBA Playoffs since 2011. The Game 7 matchup between the Denver Nuggets and …

In a rapid progression to the Western Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs sponsored by Google, the Oklahoma City Thunder triumphed over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a score of 114-88 at Paycom Center. This marked the beginning of a best-of-seven series vying for a place in the NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV, with the home team having had …

Oklahoma City Thunder 114, Minnesota Timberwolves 88 (Final Score) The Thunder now lead the series 1-0. Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday in Oklahoma City. In a decisive performance, the Thunder won Game 1 with a score of 114-88. Although the first half was tightly contested, Oklahoma City surged ahead in the second half, outscoring Minnesota 70-40. OKC exhibited dominance …

Nikola Jokic is no longer the choice of Michael Malone for the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player award. “Shai Gilgeous-Alexander demonstrated why he’s deserving of MVP,” Malone stated during his appearance on ESPN’s postgame analysis following Game 1 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves. In April, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo were announced as finalists for …

**Editor’s Note:** For additional NBA insights, check out The Athletic here. The opinions expressed on this page may not represent those of the NBA or its franchises. * * * NEW YORK— Jalen Brunson doesn’t have an extensive collection of trophies. Among his few accolades is the game ball from his exceptional 60-point outing last season, while his parents retain …

Thanasis Antetokounmpo has revealed that he has received medical clearance to continue his basketball career. “I’m back,” he emphasized during an episode of his podcast, Thanalysis Show. In the most recent recording, filmed in March, the 32-year-old forward expressed his excitement about the chance to return to the court. This marks the first time he has been cleared by physicians …

When it rains in Oklahoma City, it really pours. A commanding 70-40 performance in the second half propelled the Thunder to a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals. **FIVE HEADLINES IN TODAY’S ISSUE 🏀** **May 21, 2025** **Thunderous Surge:** OKC dominates the second half to claim Game 1 against Minnesota. **Wolves Tamed:** OKC’s top-rated defense restricts Minnesota to just …

For the first time in NBA history, two French athletes have been included in the Kia NBA All-Rookie First Team. Following their selections as the first and second picks in the 2024 NBA Draft, Zaccharie Risacher of the Atlanta Hawks and Alex Sarr of the Washington Wizards were among those honored in the All-Rookie First Team, which also featured Stephon …

OKLAHOMA CITY— Two indicators from Game 1 provided the Oklahoma City Thunder with a sense of optimism heading into the Western Conference Finals. Firstly, they emerged victorious. Secondly, they did so despite not being at their best. They stumbled initially but managed to close the first half down by only four points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a candidate for the Kia NBA …

The concept of “championship experience” is currently observing from the sidelines. This year, the last three winners of the NBA title—the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and Golden State Warriors—were all ousted in the conference semifinals. Consequently, we are looking at a span of seven years (2019-2025) during which seven distinct teams have claimed the NBA championship. Not only are we …

**2025 NBA Draft: Comprehensive Coverage** **Editor’s Note:** For a deeper dive into the 2025 Draft, check out Jonathan Wasserman’s insights on Bleacher Report or click here to access the article on BleacherReport.com. Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA or its franchises. (B/R) – Last week, the 2025 NBA Draft Combine took place in Chicago, and …

There’s a single term that encapsulates the 2024-25 playoffs: Riveting. The matches have provided plenty of tension, standout performances, seven-game series, and exhilarating conclusions. Indeed, riveting is the perfect descriptor. This excitement can be largely credited to the efforts and performances of the final four franchises — Knicks, Pacers, Timberwolves, and Thunder. Each team showcases key players who are rising …

In every NBA postseason, there are two categories of key players: stars and X-factors. Each type can significantly uplift a team for a match, a series, or even throughout the entirety of the playoffs. The key difference between them emerges during challenging times. X-factors are not subjected to the same level of expectation or scrutiny as stars. While a player’s …

In a surprising turn of events just three games before the conclusion of the regular season, the Nuggets chose to part ways with Michael Malone, their most successful coach in franchise history. Despite this unexpected change, Denver secured a spot in the Playoffs, achieving three consecutive victories that propelled them to the Western Conference semifinals. Although their journey ended there, …