Paul George is joining the Philadelphia 76ers and&nbsp;Klay&nbsp;Thompson&nbsp;is heading to the Dallas Mavericks, multiple US reports said Monday as NBA free-agency got into full swing. Nine-time All-Star George is joining the Sixers on a four-year deal worth $212 million while&nbsp;Thompson, whose exit from the Golden State Warriors was confirmed on Sunday, has agreed terms on a three-year $50 million contract with Dallas, ESPN reported.

The two deals bolster the Sixers' and Mavs' championship aspirations, with George set to form a big three alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, and&nbsp;Thompson&nbsp;linking up with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in Dallas.&nbsp;Thompson&nbsp;is widely regarded as one of the greatest shooters in basketball history, forming a potent back-court partnership alongside Stephen Curry and featuring prominently in the Warriors' NBA championship-winning seasons in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022.&nbsp;

George, 34, has averaged 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals a game over 867 career contests in 14 seasons for Indiana, Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Clippers, who he left behind last weekend after five seasons.

NBA clubs have a signing moratorium on finalizing all contracts until Saturday, so it's left to media reports to chart the moves that cannot yet become official. George's coming to terms was reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer, The Athletic and ESPN through unnamed sources.

The 76ers have not advanced beyond the Eastern Conference semi-finals since 2001 but might have their best chance with George joining All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey and Cameroonian star center Embiid, the 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player.

Multiple reports on Monday also had Maxey signing a five-year maximum contract extension worth $204 million. Maxey averaged 25.9 points and 6.2 assists for the Sixers last season.

George declined a $48.8 million deal for next season with the Clippers to test his value on the free agency market. The 76ers also reportedly have struck a two-year deal worth just over $10 million with center Andre Drummond, a 12-year NBA veteran and five-seasons league rebounding leader.

Tobias Harris, a forward who played the past six seasons in Philadelphia, is reportedly off to the Detroit Pistons on a two-year deal worth $52 million.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/formula-1/news-austrian-gp-lando-norris-says-he-will-lose-respect-for-max-verstappen-without-apology-736786">Austrian GP: Lando Norris says he will lose respect for Max Verstappen without apology</a>

<h2>- Celtics re-sign Tatum -</h2>

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who sparked the club to the NBA title this season, has agreed to terms on a five-year supermax contract extension worth $315 million, according to TNT and ESPN.

It would be the largest deal in NBA history at an average of $63 million per year. Tatum, who helped the US Olympic team win Tokyo gold and will seek a repeat crown at Paris, averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and a career high 4.9 assists for Boston this season.

The move comes five days after the reigning NBA champions agreed to a deal worth $286.2 million over five years with Jalen Brown. Derrick White has agreed to a four-year deal worth $125.9 million to stay with the Celtics, who extended Jrue Holiday for four years at $135 million three months ago.

Boston has also secured center Kristaps Porzingis, who opted into a $36 million salary for the 2024-25 campaign before a two-year extension worth $60 million begins. The deals mean the Celtics will face limitations on what future deals they can make under tax apron salary limitations.

Center Isaiah Hartenstein, according to multiple reports, will leave New York for a three-year deal worth $87 million with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who also reportedly struck deals with reserves Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe.

Paul George is joining the Philadelphia 76ers and Klay Thompson is heading to the Dallas Mavericks, multiple US reports said Monday as NBA free-agency got into full swing.

Paul George is joining the Philadelphia 76ers and Klay Thompson is heading to the Dallas Mavericks, multiple US reports said Monday as NBA free-agency got into full swing. Nine-time All-Star George is joining the Sixers on a four-year deal worth $212 million while Thompson, whose exit from the Golden State Warriors was confirmed on Sunday, has agreed terms on a three-year $50 million contract with Dallas, ESPN reported. The two deals bolster the Sixers' and Mavs' championship aspirations, with George set to form a big three alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, and Thompson linking up with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in Dallas. Thompson is widely regarded as one of the greatest shooters in basketball history, forming a potent back-court partnership alongside Stephen Curry and featuring prominently in the Warriors' NBA championship-winning seasons in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022. George, 34, has averaged 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals a game over 867 career contests in 14 seasons for Indiana, Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Clippers, who he left behind last weekend after five seasons. NBA clubs have a signing moratorium on finalizing all contracts until Saturday, so it's left to media reports to chart the moves that cannot yet become official. George's coming to terms was reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer, The Athletic and ESPN through unnamed sources. The 76ers have not advanced beyond the Eastern Conference semi-finals since 2001 but might have their best chance with George joining All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey and Cameroonian star center Embiid, the 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player. Multiple reports on Monday also had Maxey signing a five-year maximum contract extension worth $204 million. Maxey averaged 25.9 points and 6.2 assists for the Sixers last season. George declined a $48.8 million deal for next season with the Clippers to test his value on the free agency market. The 76ers also reportedly have struck a two-year deal worth just over $10 million with center Andre Drummond, a 12-year NBA veteran and five-seasons league rebounding leader. Tobias Harris, a forward who played the past six seasons in Philadelphia, is reportedly off to the Detroit Pistons on a two-year deal worth $52 million. Also read: Austrian GP: Lando Norris says he will lose respect for Max Verstappen without apology - Celtics re-sign Tatum - Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who sparked the club to the NBA title this season, has agreed to terms on a five-year supermax contract extension worth $315 million, according to TNT and ESPN. It would be the largest deal in NBA history at an average of $63 million per year. Tatum, who helped the US Olympic team win Tokyo gold and will seek a repeat crown at Paris, averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and a career high 4.9 assists for Boston this season. The move comes five days after the reigning NBA champions agreed to a deal worth $286.2 million over five years with Jalen Brown. Derrick White has agreed to a four-year deal worth $125.9 million to stay with the Celtics, who extended Jrue Holiday for four years at $135 million three months ago. Boston has also secured center Kristaps Porzingis, who opted into a $36 million salary for the 2024-25 campaign before a two-year extension worth $60 million begins. The deals mean the Celtics will face limitations on what future deals they can make under tax apron salary limitations. Center Isaiah Hartenstein, according to multiple reports, will leave New York for a three-year deal worth $87 million with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who also reportedly struck deals with reserves Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe.

Paul George joining Philadelphia 76ers, Klay Thompson heading to Dallas Mavericks in NBA free agency

Bronny James, the 19-year-old son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, was selected 55th overall by the Lakers in Thursday's second round of the NBA Draft, setting up the first father-son combination in NBA history.

It's a dream come true for four-time NBA Most Valuable Player James, who said for years he dreamed of playing alongside his son. "In the history of the NBA, there has never been a father and a son that have shared an NBA basketball court," Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said. "That feels like something that could be magical."

LeBron, a 39-year-old Lakers playmaker and four-time NBA champion, will be busy on the US team at the Paris Olympics next month while son Bronny is set to join the Lakers in NBA Summer League games in Las Vegas.

LeBron James posted photos on Instagram with the one-word caption "LEGACY!!!!!!" and images of himself with Bronny as a child, of both of them dunking and another with father and son side-by-side in Lakers jerseys.

Bronny James, a guard for the University of Southern California, averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the Trojans last season after a stellar high school career and also impressed scouts at an NBA combine.

At a practice session last July, USC freshman James collapsed after suffering cardiac arrest caused by a congenital heart defect. The teenager was released from the hospital a few days later and doctors approved him playing both in US college basketball and, last month, in the NBA.

"Congratulations to Bronny James on being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers!" Lakers legend Magic Johnson said. "This is a historic moment... Watching Bronny suit up for the @Lakers during Summer League in Vegas will be must-see TV!"

The younger James is seen as a top defensive prospect with elite athletic skills and strong instincts for the game but might need time to develop fully as an NBA player.

"We're excited to see this story unfold," said Pelinka, who said new Lakers coach JJ Redick is already planning how to make Bronny better. "

It's an honor for us to add him to our program," Pelinka said. "Coach Redick is already excited about putting a development plan around him to increase his basketball skills and turn him into a player we think can impact and help this franchise."

LeBron James has until Saturday to opt into the final year of his Lakers contract or become a free agent, which could set up a new Lakers deal. The status gave him options should Bronny have ended up elsewhere in the NBA.

"We know and have to respect that LeBron has a decision about his opt out and I'm sure he and his family will decide what they are going to do there," Pelinka said. "If it worked out that he was on our team next season, history could be made -- and NBA history should be made in a Lakers uniform."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tour-de-france-favourite-tadej-pogacar-fully-recovered-from-covid-735767">Tour de France favourite Tadej Pogacar 'fully recovered' from Covid</a>

<h2>- High character -</h2>

The Lakers owned the fourth-to-last NBA Draft selection and there was concern other clubs might use a higher pick on James, to see if they could swing a trade deal with the Lakers for James or the pick.

ESPN reported agent Rich Paul warned clubs against picking Bronny, saying he would go to Australia before dealing with some teams.

The Phoenix Suns, who didn't own a second-round pick due to a free agency tampering violation, were the only team other than the Lakers to have a workout with Bronny James ahead of the draft.

Pelinka said character and work ethic were more important factors than ancestry for the Lakers. "Bronny is first and foremost a person of high character and second he's a young man that works incredibly hard and those are the qualities we look for in drafting players and adding to our developmental core of the Lakers," Pelinka said.

"In terms of his work ethic, I think we've all seen that lived out too. He's not a person that has ever taken short cuts, or expected or been entitled about basketball opportunities. He has worked for everything he has gotten, including being selected today at 55."

Bronny James, the 19-year-old son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, was selected 55th overall by the Lakers in Thursday's second round of the NBA Draft, setting up the first father-son combination in NBA history.

Bronny James, the 19-year-old son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, was selected 55th overall by the Lakers in Thursday's second round of the NBA Draft, setting up the first father-son combination in NBA history. It's a dream come true for four-time NBA Most Valuable Player James, who said for years he dreamed of playing alongside his son. "In the history of the NBA, there has never been a father and a son that have shared an NBA basketball court," Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said. "That feels like something that could be magical." LeBron, a 39-year-old Lakers playmaker and four-time NBA champion, will be busy on the US team at the Paris Olympics next month while son Bronny is set to join the Lakers in NBA Summer League games in Las Vegas. LeBron James posted photos on Instagram with the one-word caption "LEGACY!!!!!!" and images of himself with Bronny as a child, of both of them dunking and another with father and son side-by-side in Lakers jerseys. Bronny James, a guard for the University of Southern California, averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the Trojans last season after a stellar high school career and also impressed scouts at an NBA combine. At a practice session last July, USC freshman James collapsed after suffering cardiac arrest caused by a congenital heart defect. The teenager was released from the hospital a few days later and doctors approved him playing both in US college basketball and, last month, in the NBA. "Congratulations to Bronny James on being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers!" Lakers legend Magic Johnson said. "This is a historic moment... Watching Bronny suit up for the @Lakers during Summer League in Vegas will be must-see TV!" The younger James is seen as a top defensive prospect with elite athletic skills and strong instincts for the game but might need time to develop fully as an NBA player. "We're excited to see this story unfold," said Pelinka, who said new Lakers coach JJ Redick is already planning how to make Bronny better. " It's an honor for us to add him to our program," Pelinka said. "Coach Redick is already excited about putting a development plan around him to increase his basketball skills and turn him into a player we think can impact and help this franchise." LeBron James has until Saturday to opt into the final year of his Lakers contract or become a free agent, which could set up a new Lakers deal. The status gave him options should Bronny have ended up elsewhere in the NBA. "We know and have to respect that LeBron has a decision about his opt out and I'm sure he and his family will decide what they are going to do there," Pelinka said. "If it worked out that he was on our team next season, history could be made -- and NBA history should be made in a Lakers uniform." Also read: Tour de France favourite Tadej Pogacar 'fully recovered' from Covid - High character - The Lakers owned the fourth-to-last NBA Draft selection and there was concern other clubs might use a higher pick on James, to see if they could swing a trade deal with the Lakers for James or the pick. ESPN reported agent Rich Paul warned clubs against picking Bronny, saying he would go to Australia before dealing with some teams. The Phoenix Suns, who didn't own a second-round pick due to a free agency tampering violation, were the only team other than the Lakers to have a workout with Bronny James ahead of the draft. Pelinka said character and work ethic were more important factors than ancestry for the Lakers. "Bronny is first and foremost a person of high character and second he's a young man that works incredibly hard and those are the qualities we look for in drafting players and adding to our developmental core of the Lakers," Pelinka said. "In terms of his work ethic, I think we've all seen that lived out too. He's not a person that has ever taken short cuts, or expected or been entitled about basketball opportunities. He has worked for everything he has gotten, including being selected today at 55."

LeBron James' teen son Bronny picked by LA Lakers in NBA Draft

Boston Celtics' Jason Tatum now has most career playoffs points for a player aged 26 or under. Tatum broke former NBA player Kobe Bryant's record to achieve the milestone in Game 5 of 2024 NBA Finals against Dallas Mavericks on Monday (June 17).

Tatum now has 2,711 points in 113 playoff appearances while Kobe had 2,694 points in 119 games before the age of 26. Tatum scored 31 points Boston's record 18th title in Game 5 to go past Bryant.

Third on the list of most career playoff points at 26 or younger is LA Lakers star LeBron James with 2,578 in 92 games.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nba/news-_024-nba-finals-payton-pritchard-makes-another-wild-buzzer-beater-in-title-winning-game-5---watch-732863">2024 NBA Finals: Payton Pritchard makes another wild buzzer-beater in title winning Game 5 - WATCH</a>

Tatum, a former Round 1 pick in 2017 NBA Draft, has been in conference finals five times in his seven pro seasons which include two trips to NBA Finals as well.

The Boston forward also holds are record for most points in Game 7 of a series - scoring 51 in last season's Eastern Conference Semifinals against Philadelphia 76ers.

Tatum was on cloud nine after winning the title and said: “It's a surreal feeling. Still has not really kicked in yet. Just trying, I guess, to enjoy the moment. I kept saying, 'Wow.'

“These last seven years have been a roller coaster, up and down. I had to listen to all the s*** that people said about me, and tonight, it was worth it. Oh, my God,” he added.

The game started with Boston scoring 28 points against Dallas' 18. The Celtics upped the ante in the second quarter as they dropped 39 points against the Mavs' 28.&nbsp;

While Mavs outscored Boston 21-19 in 3Q and 21-20 in 4Q, Celtics went on to win the game and the title with a difference of 18 points and a scoreline of 106-88.

Boston were favourites to sweep the series after winning first three games on the trot but the Mavs halt their streak with a win in Game 4 before Boston completed an iconic win in Game 5 at home court.

Boston Celtics' Jason Tatum now has most career playoffs points for a player aged 26 or under. Tatum broke former NBA player Kobe Bryant's record to achieve the milestone in Game 5 of 2024 NBA Finals against Dallas Mavericks on Monday (June 17).

Boston Celtics' Jason Tatum now has most career playoffs points for a player aged 26 or under. Tatum broke former NBA player Kobe Bryant's record to achieve the milestone in Game 5 of 2024 NBA Finals against Dallas Mavericks on Monday (June 17). Tatum now has 2,711 points in 113 playoff appearances while Kobe had 2,694 points in 119 games before the age of 26. Tatum scored 31 points Boston's record 18th title in Game 5 to go past Bryant. Third on the list of most career playoff points at 26 or younger is LA Lakers star LeBron James with 2,578 in 92 games. Also Read: 2024 NBA Finals: Payton Pritchard makes another wild buzzer-beater in title winning Game 5 - WATCH Tatum, a former Round 1 pick in 2017 NBA Draft, has been in conference finals five times in his seven pro seasons which include two trips to NBA Finals as well. The Boston forward also holds are record for most points in Game 7 of a series - scoring 51 in last season's Eastern Conference Semifinals against Philadelphia 76ers. Tatum was on cloud nine after winning the title and said: “It's a surreal feeling. Still has not really kicked in yet. Just trying, I guess, to enjoy the moment. I kept saying, 'Wow.' “These last seven years have been a roller coaster, up and down. I had to listen to all the s*** that people said about me, and tonight, it was worth it. Oh, my God,” he added. The game started with Boston scoring 28 points against Dallas' 18. The Celtics upped the ante in the second quarter as they dropped 39 points against the Mavs' 28. While Mavs outscored Boston 21-19 in 3Q and 21-20 in 4Q, Celtics went on to win the game and the title with a difference of 18 points and a scoreline of 106-88. Boston were favourites to sweep the series after winning first three games on the trot but the Mavs halt their streak with a win in Game 4 before Boston completed an iconic win in Game 5 at home court.

2024 NBA Finals: Jason Tatum breaks Kobe Bryant's playoff record in Boston Celtics' 18th title win

Boston Celtics' Payton Pritchard scored another wild buzzer-beater in the title-winning game 5 of NBA Finals against Dallas Mavericks on Monday (June 17) at TD Garden, Boston (USA).

The shot came with only four second left on the clock for halftime and the Celtics already leading by 18 points. The Mavs star Luka Doncic missed a free throw and Boston's Al Horford grabbed the ball.

Horford then made an outlet pass to Pritchard who had just checked in in the game. He took off with the ball before launching it towards the ring from Boston's side of the half-court. Have a look at the video below:

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PAYTON MF PRITCHARD 🔥 (via <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBA</a>) <a href="https://t.co/3wVCCicEIG">pic.twitter.com/3wVCCicEIG</a>
— Overtime (@overtime) <a href="https://twitter.com/overtime/status/1802879430886568117?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nba/news-_024-nba-finals-we-cant-play-together-jaylen-brown-on-jason-tatum-after-celtics-win-record-18th-title-732841">2024 NBA Finals: 'We can't play together...,' Jaylen Brown on Jason Tatum after Celtics win record 18th title</a>

As per ESPN Stats, the shot was the longest in history of NBA Finals in last 25 years as Celtics went into the half-time with a commanding lead of 21 points.

The advantage eventually proved too much for the Mavs to overcome despite outscoring the Celtics in both quarters after the half-time.

The game started with Boston scoring 28 points against Dallas' 18. The Celtics upped the ante in the second quarter as they dropped 39 points against the Mavs' 28.&nbsp;

While Mavs outscored Boston 21-19 in 3Q and 21-20 in 4Q, Celtics went on to win the game and the title with a difference of 18 points and a scoreline of 106-88.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla also credited his players for the dominating title win which saw them go past LA Lakers for most NBA titles in history.

“It really starts with them,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said. “You can't have a philosophy or a way of playing if you don't have a group of guys that are willing to buy into it and be disciplined. Quite honestly, this group of guys has been through so much in the league, they know what it takes.”

Boston Celtics' Payton Pritchard scored another wild buzzer-beater in the title-winning game 5 of NBA Finals against Dallas Mavericks on Monday (June 17) at TD Garden, Boston (USA).

Boston Celtics' Payton Pritchard scored another wild buzzer-beater in the title-winning game 5 of NBA Finals against Dallas Mavericks on Monday (June 17) at TD Garden, Boston (USA). The shot came with only four second left on the clock for halftime and the Celtics already leading by 18 points. The Mavs star Luka Doncic missed a free throw and Boston's Al Horford grabbed the ball. Horford then made an outlet pass to Pritchard who had just checked in in the game. He took off with the ball before launching it towards the ring from Boston's side of the half-court. Have a look at the video below: PAYTON MF PRITCHARD 🔥 (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/3wVCCicEIG — Overtime (@overtime) June 18, 2024 × Also Read: 2024 NBA Finals: 'We can't play together...,' Jaylen Brown on Jason Tatum after Celtics win record 18th title As per ESPN Stats, the shot was the longest in history of NBA Finals in last 25 years as Celtics went into the half-time with a commanding lead of 21 points. The advantage eventually proved too much for the Mavs to overcome despite outscoring the Celtics in both quarters after the half-time. The game started with Boston scoring 28 points against Dallas' 18. The Celtics upped the ante in the second quarter as they dropped 39 points against the Mavs' 28. While Mavs outscored Boston 21-19 in 3Q and 21-20 in 4Q, Celtics went on to win the game and the title with a difference of 18 points and a scoreline of 106-88. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla also credited his players for the dominating title win which saw them go past LA Lakers for most NBA titles in history. “It really starts with them,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said. “You can't have a philosophy or a way of playing if you don't have a group of guys that are willing to buy into it and be disciplined. Quite honestly, this group of guys has been through so much in the league, they know what it takes.”

2024 NBA Finals: Payton Pritchard makes another wild buzzer-beater in title-winning Game 5 - WATCH

The Boston Celtics claimed a record-breaking 18th NBA championship after wrapping up a 4-1 series win over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA finals. This was Celtics' first win in 16 years and it puts them one clear of the Perennial rivals Los Angeles Lakers for the most titles in NBA history.

NBA Finals: Celtics win record-breaking 18th title

Boston Celtics clinched a record-breaking 18th NBA Championship on Monday (June 17) after they beat the Dallas Mavericks 4-1 in the best-of-seven finals. The win now sees them stand on top with the most titles in the NBA history, having leapfrogged arch-rivals Los Angeles Lakers. Jayson Tatum was the hero of the hour for Celtics having produced a 31-point display in the fifth round of finals to lead his side to the title. The cruising win came just four days after the Mavericks&nbsp;won in a 38-point drubbing in game four.

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BANNER 18 🏆 <a href="https://t.co/cp0FnHez57">pic.twitter.com/cp0FnHez57</a>
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<h2>Celtics clinch record-breaking title</h2>

Having won the opening three games in the final, the Celtics suffered a setback on Friday with the Mavericks winning to set up an improbable comeback. However, those aspirations were quickly put to rest by Tatum and Co. as they won the fifth game with a dominant display. Led by the 26-year-old, the Celtics beat the Mavericks 106-88 to clinch the historic championship. He amassed 31 points in the final and walked away with the MVP of the match at a full-house TD Garden.

<h3>Finals results</h3>

Game 1: Boston Celtics 107-89 Dallas Mavericks

Game 2: Boston Celtics 105-98 Dallas Mavericks

Game 3: Boston Celtics 106-99 Dallas Mavericks

Game 4: Dallas Mavericks 122-84 Boston Celtics

Game 5: Boston Celtics 106-88 Dallas Mavericks

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The win also saw Celtics end their 16-year drought for an NBA title having last won in 2008 when they got the better of arch-rivals Los Angeles Lakers in the final. With the latest triumph, they are on top of the pile with most NBA titles&nbsp;having overtaken the Lakers who have 17 titles. This was the Celtics’ 23rd appearance in the final of the NBA and have lost on just five occasions making them one of the most successful franchises when it comes to the summit clashes.

The Celtics are already the record champions from the Eastern Conference of the NBA, adding to their illustrious history. They won eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966 while losing just five finals in the history of the NBA. Their most recent defeat in the finals came in 2022.

Boston Celtics clinched a record-breaking 18th NBA Championship on Monday (June 17) after they beat the Dallas Mavericks 4-1 in the best-of-seven finals. The win now sees them stand on top with the most titles in the NBA history, having leapfrogged arch-rivals Los Angeles Lakers.

Boston Celtics clinched a record-breaking 18th NBA Championship on Monday (June 17) after they beat the Dallas Mavericks 4-1 in the best-of-seven finals. The win now sees them stand on top with the most titles in the NBA history, having leapfrogged arch-rivals Los Angeles Lakers. Jayson Tatum was the hero of the hour for Celtics having produced a 31-point display in the fifth round of finals to lead his side to the title. The cruising win came just four days after the Mavericks won in a 38-point drubbing in game four. BANNER 18 🏆 pic.twitter.com/cp0FnHez57 — Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 18, 2024 × Celtics clinch record-breaking title Having won the opening three games in the final, the Celtics suffered a setback on Friday with the Mavericks winning to set up an improbable comeback. However, those aspirations were quickly put to rest by Tatum and Co. as they won the fifth game with a dominant display. Led by the 26-year-old, the Celtics beat the Mavericks 106-88 to clinch the historic championship. He amassed 31 points in the final and walked away with the MVP of the match at a full-house TD Garden. Finals results Game 1: Boston Celtics 107-89 Dallas Mavericks Game 2: Boston Celtics 105-98 Dallas Mavericks Game 3: Boston Celtics 106-99 Dallas Mavericks Game 4: Dallas Mavericks 122-84 Boston Celtics Game 5: Boston Celtics 106-88 Dallas Mavericks ALSO READ | Euro 2024: Axe-wielding man ahead of Netherlands vs Poland game charged with attempted manslaughter The win also saw Celtics end their 16-year drought for an NBA title having last won in 2008 when they got the better of arch-rivals Los Angeles Lakers in the final. With the latest triumph, they are on top of the pile with most NBA titles having overtaken the Lakers who have 17 titles. This was the Celtics’ 23rd appearance in the final of the NBA and have lost on just five occasions making them one of the most successful franchises when it comes to the summit clashes. The Celtics are already the record champions from the Eastern Conference of the NBA, adding to their illustrious history. They won eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966 while losing just five finals in the history of the NBA. Their most recent defeat in the finals came in 2022.

Jayson Tatum leads Boston Celtics to clinch record-breaking 18th NBA title after 4-1 win over Dallas Mavericks

Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis lost his last-minute fitness battle Wednesday and was ruled out for game three of the NBA Finals in Dallas with what the team has called a "rare" lower left leg injury. The Latvian power forward had insisted he would try to play despite being diagnosed with a "torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg" after game two on Sunday.

The 28-year-old had returned from a month-long injury layoff with a right calf strain and helped the Celtics seize a 2-0 lead against his former Mavericks team in the best-of-seven championship series. "The medical team and the staff decided it wasn't what's best for him to go tonight," Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said less than two hours before tip-off.

Porzingis's availability for the rest of the series remains in question. "It'll just be a day to day thing," Mazzulla said. "We’ll see how he is tomorrow and the next day."

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His absence will be a blow, but after he was injured in game four of the first-round victory over the Miami Heat the Celtics went on to beat Cleveland in five games and sweep the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.

"Obviously you saw the first two games, his rim protection, his ability to space the floor," Mazzulla said of the key contributions Porzingis makes. "The guys ready to step in can do different things and have a positive impact," Mazzulla said.

Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis lost his last-minute fitness battle Wednesday and was ruled out for game three of the NBA Finals in Dallas with what the team has called a "rare" lower left leg injury.

Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis lost his last-minute fitness battle Wednesday and was ruled out for game three of the NBA Finals in Dallas with what the team has called a "rare" lower left leg injury. The Latvian power forward had insisted he would try to play despite being diagnosed with a "torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg" after game two on Sunday. The 28-year-old had returned from a month-long injury layoff with a right calf strain and helped the Celtics seize a 2-0 lead against his former Mavericks team in the best-of-seven championship series. "The medical team and the staff decided it wasn't what's best for him to go tonight," Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said less than two hours before tip-off. Porzingis's availability for the rest of the series remains in question. "It'll just be a day to day thing," Mazzulla said. "We’ll see how he is tomorrow and the next day." Also read: Basketball great Jerry West who inspired NBA logo, dead at 86 His absence will be a blow, but after he was injured in game four of the first-round victory over the Miami Heat the Celtics went on to beat Cleveland in five games and sweep the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals. "Obviously you saw the first two games, his rim protection, his ability to space the floor," Mazzulla said of the key contributions Porzingis makes. "The guys ready to step in can do different things and have a positive impact," Mazzulla said.

Boston Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis ruled out for NBA Finals game 3

Jerry West, an iconic 1960s star guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who inspired the NBA logo, died Wednesday (Jun 12) at age 86, the Los Angeles Clippers announced.

Jerry West, an iconic 1960s star guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who inspired the NBA logo, died Wednesday (Jun 12) at age 86, the Los Angeles Clippers announced. West played for the Lakers from 1960 through 1974, winning his only NBA title in 1972, and was co-captain on the 1960 Rome Olympic US basketball gold medal squad. In later years, West served as an executive on several NBA clubs, most recently the Clippers, his knowledge and guidance contributing to eight championship runs, six by the Lakers. "Jerry West, the personification of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him, passed away peacefully this morning at the age of 86," the Clippers announced. "His wife, Karen, was by his side." The league plans to have a pre-game tribute to West before Wednesday's third game of this year's NBA Finals. With impressive speed and quickness and a deft shooting touch, West was nicknamed "Mr. Clutch" for his skilled shotmaking under pressure. "Jerry West was a basketball genius and a defining figure in our league for more than 60 years," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. "He distinguished himself not only as an NBA champion and an All-Star in all 14 of his playing seasons but also as a consummate competitor who embraced the biggest moments." In the 1969 NBA Finals against the arch-rival Boston Celtics, he received the Most Valuable Player award even though the Celtics beat the Lakers for the title. West was an NBA All-Star in all 14 of his league seasons and the NBA scoring champion in 1970. His jersey number, 44, was retired by the Lakers. West was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980 and in October he will be enshrined again as a contributor for his work as an executive, becoming the first person ever inducted as both a player and a contributor. Also read | NBA nears historic $76 billion media rights deal 'An indelible figure' In 1969, the NBA created its current logo, which was the silhouette of West dribbling a basketball, an image inspired by a photograph of West taken during a game. "He was the league's first Finals MVP and made rising to the occasion his signature quality," Silver said. "Jerry's four decades with the Lakers also included a successful stint as a head coach and a remarkable run in the front office that cemented his reputation as one of the greatest executives in sports history. "He helped build eight championship teams during his tenure in the NBA, a legacy of achievement that mirrors his on-court excellence." For his career, West averaged 27.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists a game. West, who coached the Lakers from 1976 through 1979, would capture eight titles as an NBA executive, five with the Lakers in the 1980s "Showtime" era with Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He also was an executive for NBA champions with the Lakers in 2000 and Golden State in 2015 and 2017, before leaving to join the Clippers. Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers paid tribute to West for his iconic place in LA sports, posting on social media: "The Dodgers mourn the passing of NBA Hall of Famer and Lakers legend Jerry West, an indelible figure on the Los Angeles sports landscape for more than 60 years." In many ways, he was a lasting symbol of the NBA's early days and many of its most glorious memories. "I valued my friendship with Jerry and the knowledge he shared with me over many years about basketball and life," Silver said. "On behalf of the NBA, we send our deepest condolences to Jerry's wife, Karen, his family and his many friends in the NBA community."

Basketball great Jerry West who inspired NBA logo, dead at 86

<h2 class="MsoNormal">Major networks compete for coveted NBA broadcast rights<o:p></o:p></h2>

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is nearing a historic broadcast rights agreement with Comcast-owned NBC, Disney's ESPN, and Amazon.com. The deal, which may produce $76 billion in revenue over 11 years, emphasises the importance of live sports content in an era of diminishing traditional television viewing.<o:p></o:p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal">NBC's return to NBA coverage<o:p></o:p></h2>

Under the proposed agreement, NBC would pay an average of $2.5 billion yearly to broadcast around 100 NBA games each season. Notably, around half of these games would be exclusive to Comcast's Peacock streaming service, signalling NBC's significant return to NBA coverage after a long absence. This decision is consistent with NBC's strategy of expanding its streaming capabilities in response to the continuous trend away from traditional cable TV.<o:p></o:p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal">Amazon's expansion into sports broadcasting<o:p></o:p></h2>

Amazon.com is also planning a significant investment in NBA content, with an annual package worth $1.8 billion. This package would contain regular-season and postseason games, as well as a portion of the conference finals that would be distributed among the network partners. This expansion reflects Amazon's rising ambition in the live sports domain, as it seeks to draw in more Prime Video members.<o:p></o:p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal">Disney's enhanced role with increased payments<o:p></o:p></h2>

Disney's payments through its ESPN network will increase dramatically under the new agreement, from $1.5 billion to an average of $2.6 billion each year. Despite paying more, ESPN will receive fewer games than under the existing contract but will retain exclusive rights to broadcast the NBA Finals. The agreement also allows ESPN to air games on its future direct-to-consumer streaming service, which is expected to start in 2025 and includes WNBA telecast rights.<o:p></o:p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal">Warner Bros Discovery left out of the initial agreement<o:p></o:p></h2>

Warner Bros Discovery, whose Turner Sports network has been broadcasting NBA games for nearly four decades, is noticeably absent from the first conditions. Analysts believe Warner Bros Discovery's large debt may limit its ability to secure a new NBA package. However, the Wall Street Journal reports that the corporation may still match a competing offer or that the NBA may construct a new package specifically for them, but these options appear limited at this time.<o:p></o:p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal">Industry responses and future implications<o:p></o:p></h2>

ESPN and Comcast have declined to comment on the allegations, while other stakeholders, including the NBA, have yet to reply to demands for comment. If completed, the purchase has the potential to change the sports broadcasting market, showing the lasting attractiveness of live sports content in attracting devoted consumers notwithstanding the rise of streaming services and cord-cutting tendencies.<o:p></o:p>

This proposed transaction highlights the fierce battle among major media organisations for premium sports rights, which remain a vital driver of audience engagement and subscription growth in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.<o:p></o:p>

(With inputs from Agencies)<o:p></o:p>

Major networks compete for coveted NBA broadcast rights The National Basketball Association (NBA) is nearing a historic broadcast rights agreement with Comcast-owned NBC, Disney's ESPN, and Amazon.

Major networks compete for coveted NBA broadcast rights The National Basketball Association (NBA) is nearing a historic broadcast rights agreement with Comcast-owned NBC, Disney's ESPN, and Amazon.com. The deal, which may produce $76 billion in revenue over 11 years, emphasises the importance of live sports content in an era of diminishing traditional television viewing. NBC's return to NBA coverage Under the proposed agreement, NBC would pay an average of $2.5 billion yearly to broadcast around 100 NBA games each season. Notably, around half of these games would be exclusive to Comcast's Peacock streaming service, signalling NBC's significant return to NBA coverage after a long absence. This decision is consistent with NBC's strategy of expanding its streaming capabilities in response to the continuous trend away from traditional cable TV. Amazon's expansion into sports broadcasting Amazon.com is also planning a significant investment in NBA content, with an annual package worth $1.8 billion. This package would contain regular-season and postseason games, as well as a portion of the conference finals that would be distributed among the network partners. This expansion reflects Amazon's rising ambition in the live sports domain, as it seeks to draw in more Prime Video members. Disney's enhanced role with increased payments Disney's payments through its ESPN network will increase dramatically under the new agreement, from $1.5 billion to an average of $2.6 billion each year. Despite paying more, ESPN will receive fewer games than under the existing contract but will retain exclusive rights to broadcast the NBA Finals. The agreement also allows ESPN to air games on its future direct-to-consumer streaming service, which is expected to start in 2025 and includes WNBA telecast rights. Warner Bros Discovery left out of the initial agreement Warner Bros Discovery, whose Turner Sports network has been broadcasting NBA games for nearly four decades, is noticeably absent from the first conditions. Analysts believe Warner Bros Discovery's large debt may limit its ability to secure a new NBA package. However, the Wall Street Journal reports that the corporation may still match a competing offer or that the NBA may construct a new package specifically for them, but these options appear limited at this time. Industry responses and future implications ESPN and Comcast have declined to comment on the allegations, while other stakeholders, including the NBA, have yet to reply to demands for comment. If completed, the purchase has the potential to change the sports broadcasting market, showing the lasting attractiveness of live sports content in attracting devoted consumers notwithstanding the rise of streaming services and cord-cutting tendencies. This proposed transaction highlights the fierce battle among major media organisations for premium sports rights, which remain a vital driver of audience engagement and subscription growth in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. (With inputs from Agencies)

NBA nears historic $76 billion media rights deal

Latvian forward Kristaps Porzingis returns from a right calf strain for the Boston Celtics in Thursday's (Jun 6) opening game of the NBA Finals against his former club, the Dallas Mavericks.

Latvian forward Kristaps Porzingis returns from a right calf strain for the Boston Celtics in Thursday's (Jun 6) opening game of the NBA Finals against his former club, the Dallas Mavericks. The 7-foot-2 (2.18m) standout averaged 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds a game for the Celtics this season but has missed 10 games since suffering the injury against Miami on April 29 in the first round of the playoffs. "It was a long road to get to this point for me, but feeling good," Porzingis said. "Burns inside of me, not being able to be out there, but tomorrow finally I'll get the chance and I'm excited. "There's nothing like game minutes and experience that I'm going to get. It'll be tough to jump into the finals like this. I did everything I could to prepare for it. We'll see." With the Celtics ignited by stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown and Dallas sparked by star guard Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Porzingis could be the x-factor to lifting a championship trophy. "The situation was not ideal, having to miss all this time and now having to jump back in at the most important moment of the season," Porzingis said. "I have to go out there and just be myself, give what I can to the team and expect nothing. We have to go out there and earn it and we will do that individually and as a group. "Going to be special, goosebumps for sure. I don't need to overthink. Just go out there and hoop." Porzingis played for the Mavericks from 2019 to February 2021 before being traded to Washington, ending a stay that never worked for player or team. "Not all of it was not good," said Porzingis. "Overall I think it didn't work for both sides. It wasn't perfect. "There were some rumors there was something in the locker room. It was never like that. It wasn't just perfect for us playing together. It didn't work out. We moved on. "There's no ill will from their side, for sure from my side. I don't think there should be." Doncic said the combination just didn't work with Porzingis in Dallas. "I don't really know why it didn't work out. We were both still really young," he said. "We tried to make it work but it just didn't work so we were done." Mavericks coach Jason Kidd had no ill will for Porzingis. "I thought it was going well in the sense of our defense, his ability to block shots and rebounds, and on offense we looked to post him up a little more. Both worked. He has the skill set to do both," Kidd said. "For the short period I had him, I really enjoyed KP, did everything we asked. In the business of basketball, there was a pivot and things changed." Kidd has watched Porzingis improve since joining the Celtics this season. "When you talk about a big who can put the ball on the floor and score, and look at the defensive end -- he doesn't get recognized for how he can change shots or (be) a shot-blocker -- in Boston, he has done an incredible job of doing both," Kidd said. "He plays his role." Apparent sex noises interrupt Doncic's PC following Mavericks vs Thunder game - Watch 'Super-jumpy' Mavs Porzingis has learned from eight NBA seasons on four clubs, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. "All he cares about is winning and he has used his experiences around the league," Mazzulla said. "He has seen a lot. He has seen tough times. He knows what the league is all about." Over the next two weeks, that will be about winning the best-of-seven series. "Everybody has one goal in mind and everybody is doing their part achieving that goal," Porzingis said. "That's the special part about this group." Porzingis also has insight into the challenge the Mavericks will bring, notably on inside lobs to the hoop. "They are special and we have to be mindful of that," Porzingis said. "Those guys are super-athletic and super-jumpy. We'll have our hands full with them."

NBA Finals: Boost for Celtics as Porzingis returns to action against Mavericks

The Dallas&nbsp;Mavericks, fueled by 36 points each from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, routed the Minnesota&nbsp;Timberwolves&nbsp;124-103 on Thursday to clinch the Western Conference crown and&nbsp;book&nbsp;an&nbsp;NBA&nbsp;title&nbsp;showdown&nbsp;with the Boston&nbsp;Celtics.

Denied a sweep at home on Tuesday, the Mavs left no room for doubt in Minneapolis as they wrapped up the best-of-seven conference finals 4-1 to return to the&nbsp;NBA&nbsp;Finals for the first time since they won the&nbsp;title&nbsp;in 2011.

The&nbsp;Celtics&nbsp;will host game one of the championship series on June 6.

Slovenian star Doncic and Irving had their way with the league's top-rated defense, Doncic taking the game by the throat in the opening minutes.

"My mindset was: set the tone," said Doncic, who scored 20 points in a fast-paced first quarter, one more than the&nbsp;Timberwolves&nbsp;managed as a team.

He scored four of his six three-pointers in the first period, including a bomb from the center court logo, and the Mavs closed the quarter on a 17-1 scoring run to put the&nbsp;Timberwolves&nbsp;on their heels for good.

Irving got going with 15 points in the second quarter as he and Doncic combined for 44 first-half points -- four more than the&nbsp;Timberwolves&nbsp;put on the board before halftime, when the Mavs led 69-40.

Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 28 points each for Minnesota, Towns adding 12 rebounds for the third-seed&nbsp;Timberwolves, who had swept the Phoenix Suns in the first round and stunned the defending champion Denver Nuggets in seven games in the second.

The&nbsp;Timberwolves&nbsp;had been 3-0 in elimination games this post-season, with wins in games six and seven against the Nuggets as well as their victory on Tuesday.

But the early damage by Doncic and Dallas' disruptive defense put this one out of reach early and the Mavs grabbed the first double-digit victory of a hard-fought series.

"Luka came out tonight and put his stamp on the game,"&nbsp;Timberwolves&nbsp;coach Chris Finch said. "Hit a couple of bomb threes, kind of got them loosened up offensively."

Dereck Lively returned for the Mavs after missing game four with a neck sprain suffered when Towns inadvertently kneed him in the back of the head in game three.

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The energetic reserve went down hard again when he took a blow to the back of the head from Naz Reid, who was charged with a flagrant foul shortly before halftime.

He stayed in the game and finished with nine points.

Dallas are in the finals for the third time, chasing a second&nbsp;title&nbsp;to go with the one they captured back in 2011.

The&nbsp;Celtics, who swept the Indiana Pacers in four games in the Eastern Conference finals, share the record for most&nbsp;NBA&nbsp;titles with the Los Angeles Lakers at 17.

They're back in the&nbsp;title&nbsp;series for the second time in three years.

The Dallas Mavericks, fueled by 36 points each from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, routed the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-103 on Thursday to clinch the Western Conference crown and book an NBA title showdown with the Boston Celtics.

The Dallas Mavericks, fueled by 36 points each from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, routed the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-103 on Thursday to clinch the Western Conference crown and book an NBA title showdown with the Boston Celtics. Denied a sweep at home on Tuesday, the Mavs left no room for doubt in Minneapolis as they wrapped up the best-of-seven conference finals 4-1 to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since they won the title in 2011. The Celtics will host game one of the championship series on June 6. Slovenian star Doncic and Irving had their way with the league's top-rated defense, Doncic taking the game by the throat in the opening minutes. "My mindset was: set the tone," said Doncic, who scored 20 points in a fast-paced first quarter, one more than the Timberwolves managed as a team. He scored four of his six three-pointers in the first period, including a bomb from the center court logo, and the Mavs closed the quarter on a 17-1 scoring run to put the Timberwolves on their heels for good. Irving got going with 15 points in the second quarter as he and Doncic combined for 44 first-half points -- four more than the Timberwolves put on the board before halftime, when the Mavs led 69-40. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 28 points each for Minnesota, Towns adding 12 rebounds for the third-seed Timberwolves, who had swept the Phoenix Suns in the first round and stunned the defending champion Denver Nuggets in seven games in the second. The Timberwolves had been 3-0 in elimination games this post-season, with wins in games six and seven against the Nuggets as well as their victory on Tuesday. But the early damage by Doncic and Dallas' disruptive defense put this one out of reach early and the Mavs grabbed the first double-digit victory of a hard-fought series. "Luka came out tonight and put his stamp on the game," Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. "Hit a couple of bomb threes, kind of got them loosened up offensively." Dereck Lively returned for the Mavs after missing game four with a neck sprain suffered when Towns inadvertently kneed him in the back of the head in game three. ALSO READ | Eng vs Pak: Babar Azam becomes second batter after Virat Kohli to complete 4k runs in men's T20Is The energetic reserve went down hard again when he took a blow to the back of the head from Naz Reid, who was charged with a flagrant foul shortly before halftime. He stayed in the game and finished with nine points. Dallas are in the finals for the third time, chasing a second title to go with the one they captured back in 2011. The Celtics, who swept the Indiana Pacers in four games in the Eastern Conference finals, share the record for most NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers at 17. They're back in the title series for the second time in three years.

Playoffs: Dallas Mavericks crush Minnesota Timberwolves to book title showdown with Boston Celtics

Two-time NBA champion, member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and beloved commentator Bill Walton&nbsp;passed away on Monday (May 27) at the age of 71 after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer.&nbsp;

"Bill Walton was truly one of a kind. As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the centre position," National Basketball Association (NBA) Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement after Walton's passing.&nbsp;

While recalling Walton's career, Silver said he "translated his infectious enthusiasm and love for the game to broadcasting, where he delivered insightful and colourful commentary which entertained generations of basketball fans... But what I will remember most about him was his zest for life. He was a regular presence at league events, always upbeat, smiling ear to ear and looking to share his wisdom and warmth."

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6-foot-11 Walton first gained prominence at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Under the tutelage of Coach John Wooden, he won back-to-back National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships in 1972 and 1973.

His professional career saw him rise to stardom with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he spearheaded the team to a championship in the 1976-77 season. He also went on to gain the Most Valuable Player award the year after.

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However, Walton's career was marred by injuries.

His fragile footbones caused him to miss three out of four seasons while with the San Diego Clippers. However, he made a triumphant return as a bench player for the Boston Celtics. It was then that he helped Boston Celtics secure the NBA championship in 1985-86.

Walton's impact extended beyond his playing days.

He transitioned into broadcasting&nbsp;where his philosophical commentary became his trademark. He was often seen seamlessly weaving in musings.

Walton's love for the Grateful Dead also became part of his persona and he was frequently seen in tie-dye shirts and referencing the band during his broadcasts.

<h2>'Best of us'</h2>

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a former rival expressed his sorrow and reflected on Walton's character saying, "On the court, Bill was a fierce player, but off the court he wasn’t happy unless he did everything he could to make everyone around him happy. He was the best of us."

Bill Walton is survived by his wife Lori and four sons and they were by his side during his final moments.

Watch | IPL Teams with Most Titles

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His brother Bruce, who passed away in 2019, also left a legacy in sports. Bruce and Bill made the first siblings to play in both NFL and NBA championship games.

Bill Walton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993, cementing his place in basketball history.

(With inputs from agencies)

Two-time NBA champion, member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and beloved commentator Bill Walton passed away on Monday (May 27) at the age of 71 after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer.

Two-time NBA champion, member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and beloved commentator Bill Walton passed away on Monday (May 27) at the age of 71 after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer. "Bill Walton was truly one of a kind. As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the centre position," National Basketball Association (NBA) Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement after Walton's passing. While recalling Walton's career, Silver said he "translated his infectious enthusiasm and love for the game to broadcasting, where he delivered insightful and colourful commentary which entertained generations of basketball fans... But what I will remember most about him was his zest for life. He was a regular presence at league events, always upbeat, smiling ear to ear and looking to share his wisdom and warmth." Also Read | Unai Emery inks new five-year contract at Aston Villa after securing UCL football 6-foot-11 Walton first gained prominence at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Under the tutelage of Coach John Wooden, he won back-to-back National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships in 1972 and 1973. His professional career saw him rise to stardom with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he spearheaded the team to a championship in the 1976-77 season. He also went on to gain the Most Valuable Player award the year after. Also Read | Is Rafael Nadal retiring? Tennis great provides update after French Open 1st round exit However, Walton's career was marred by injuries. His fragile footbones caused him to miss three out of four seasons while with the San Diego Clippers. However, he made a triumphant return as a bench player for the Boston Celtics. It was then that he helped Boston Celtics secure the NBA championship in 1985-86. Walton's impact extended beyond his playing days. He transitioned into broadcasting where his philosophical commentary became his trademark. He was often seen seamlessly weaving in musings. Walton's love for the Grateful Dead also became part of his persona and he was frequently seen in tie-dye shirts and referencing the band during his broadcasts. 'Best of us' Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a former rival expressed his sorrow and reflected on Walton's character saying, "On the court, Bill was a fierce player, but off the court he wasn’t happy unless he did everything he could to make everyone around him happy. He was the best of us." Bill Walton is survived by his wife Lori and four sons and they were by his side during his final moments. Watch | IPL Teams with Most Titles × His brother Bruce, who passed away in 2019, also left a legacy in sports. Bruce and Bill made the first siblings to play in both NFL and NBA championship games. Bill Walton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993, cementing his place in basketball history. (With inputs from agencies)

NBA legend and Hall of Fame player Bill Walton dies at 71 after prolonged battle with cancer

Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic stepped back to dodge Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert of Minnesota Timberwolves and dropped a go ahead three-pointer in Game 2 of the West Finals. All this with four seconds left in the game. As a result, Mavs won 109-108 and now enjoy a 2-0 lead in the series.

The Timberwolves lost the game despite leading by 18 points at one point in the game. Doncic, however, played the most clutch sequence of the game and denied the chance of equality to the NBA title favorites. Have a look at his shot below:

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LUKA 3-POINTER IN THE CLUTCH TO TAKE THE LEAD WITH 3 SECONDS LEFT IN THE 4Q 🤯🎯 
 
DAL-MIN (1-0) | 4Q Live on TNT <a href="https://t.co/6hNV77J8aV">pic.twitter.com/6hNV77J8aV</a>
— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1794203009490014642?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The game started with Minnesota determined to equal the series after losing the game 1. Timberwolves scored 32 points in the first quarter against Mavs' 26. In the second quarter, Timberwolves dropped 28 more while Dallas could score only 22 and trailed by 12 points going into the half-time.

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Come third quarter, Dallas decided on offense and dropped 31 points against Minnesota's 26, cutting their deficit by five points. In the fourth quarter, Timberwolves just seemed to have gotten over the line before Doncic dropped that three-pointer and sent the Target Center in silence.

The Mavs point guard was pumped after making a fool of Gobert and appeared to say after the shot: “Motherf—er! You can’t f—ing guard me!” Have a look at the video below:

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Luka - “Motherf**k you can’t f**king guard me” to Gobert🤣🤣 <a href="https://t.co/3y2GF7aAPf">pic.twitter.com/3y2GF7aAPf</a>
— Bubba (@PhenomBubba) <a href="https://twitter.com/PhenomBubba/status/1794203862548803714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Luka finished the game with a triple-double of 32 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds and the next best for the Mavs was Kyrie Irving with 20 points.

For Minnesota, who ousted the defending champions Denver Nuggets in the West semis, Naz Reid was the highest scorer with 23 points while Anthony Edwards scored 21 points.

Earlier in Game 1, Mavericks had beaten Minnesota 108-106. The third game of the series is scheduled to be played on Tuesday (May 28).

Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic stepped back to dodge Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert of Minnesota Timberwolves and dropped a go ahead three-pointer in Game 2 of the West Finals.

Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic stepped back to dodge Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert of Minnesota Timberwolves and dropped a go ahead three-pointer in Game 2 of the West Finals. All this with four seconds left in the game. As a result, Mavs won 109-108 and now enjoy a 2-0 lead in the series. The Timberwolves lost the game despite leading by 18 points at one point in the game. Doncic, however, played the most clutch sequence of the game and denied the chance of equality to the NBA title favorites. Have a look at his shot below: LUKA 3-POINTER IN THE CLUTCH TO TAKE THE LEAD WITH 3 SECONDS LEFT IN THE 4Q 🤯🎯 DAL-MIN (1-0) | 4Q Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/6hNV77J8aV — NBA (@NBA) May 25, 2024 × The game started with Minnesota determined to equal the series after losing the game 1. Timberwolves scored 32 points in the first quarter against Mavs' 26. In the second quarter, Timberwolves dropped 28 more while Dallas could score only 22 and trailed by 12 points going into the half-time. Also Read: FA Cup Final: Guardiola 'understands' Ten Hag's problems at United but backs City to complete domestic double Come third quarter, Dallas decided on offense and dropped 31 points against Minnesota's 26, cutting their deficit by five points. In the fourth quarter, Timberwolves just seemed to have gotten over the line before Doncic dropped that three-pointer and sent the Target Center in silence. The Mavs point guard was pumped after making a fool of Gobert and appeared to say after the shot: “Motherf—er! You can’t f—ing guard me!” Have a look at the video below: Luka - “Motherf**k you can’t f**king guard me” to Gobert🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/3y2GF7aAPf — Bubba (@PhenomBubba) May 25, 2024 × Luka finished the game with a triple-double of 32 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds and the next best for the Mavs was Kyrie Irving with 20 points. For Minnesota, who ousted the defending champions Denver Nuggets in the West semis, Naz Reid was the highest scorer with 23 points while Anthony Edwards scored 21 points. Earlier in Game 1, Mavericks had beaten Minnesota 108-106. The third game of the series is scheduled to be played on Tuesday (May 28).

Mavs beat Timberwolves in Game 2 after Luka Doncic drops 3P with four seconds left and trash talks Rudy Gobert

The Minnesota Timberwolves erased a 20-point deficit to stun the Denver Nuggets 98-90 on Sunday, knocking the defending champions out of the NBA playoffs.

The Timberwolves followed up a 45-point game-six victory with an epic comeback to win their best-of-seven series 4-3 and book a Western Conference finals clash with the Dallas Mavericks.

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 23 points and grabbed 23 rebounds, Jaden McDaniels added 23 and Anthony Edwards hit his stride late as the Timberwolves became the first team to come back from a halftime deficit of more than 11 points to win a game seven.

"I think our poise was the most (important) thing," Edwards told broadcaster TNT. "We was very poised throughout the entire game."

Down by 15 at halftime, they trailed by 20 early in the third. But the Nuggets went cold as Edwards and the Timberwolves built a rhythm and cut the deficit to one point going into the final quarter.

Edwards said coach Chris Finch told him at halftime to "play quicker."

"If they're going to continue to trap you, you got to make the right play and trust your teammates, and we was just poised throughout the entire game," Edwards said. "We just fought, fought.

"And KAT played spectacular tonight," Edwards added. "He carried us tonight."

Edwards, 22, scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half and Denver regained the lead for good on Rudy Gobert's driving layup that put them up 68-67 in the first minute of the fourth quarter.

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Denver's three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic scored 14 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter. He added 19 rebounds and seven assists and Jamal Murray scored 35 points but it just wasn't enough.

Minnesota had led by as many as seven in a back-and-forth first quarter, but the Nuggets closed with a strong push. Aaron Gordon's put-back dunk was followed by a pair of three-pointers from Jamal Murray that gave Denver a 24-19 lead.

Jokic shrugged off the presence of Minnesota's Defensive Player of the Year Gobert to grab 15 rebounds in the first half, compiling a double-double by halftime when the Nuggets led 53-38.

The Minnesota Timberwolves erased a 20-point deficit to stun the Denver Nuggets 98-90 on Sunday, knocking the defending champions out of the NBA playoffs. The Timberwolves followed up a 45-point game-six victory with an epic comeback to win their best-of-seven series 4-3 and book a Western Conference finals clash with the Dallas Mavericks.

The Minnesota Timberwolves erased a 20-point deficit to stun the Denver Nuggets 98-90 on Sunday, knocking the defending champions out of the NBA playoffs. The Timberwolves followed up a 45-point game-six victory with an epic comeback to win their best-of-seven series 4-3 and book a Western Conference finals clash with the Dallas Mavericks. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 23 points and grabbed 23 rebounds, Jaden McDaniels added 23 and Anthony Edwards hit his stride late as the Timberwolves became the first team to come back from a halftime deficit of more than 11 points to win a game seven. "I think our poise was the most (important) thing," Edwards told broadcaster TNT. "We was very poised throughout the entire game." Down by 15 at halftime, they trailed by 20 early in the third. But the Nuggets went cold as Edwards and the Timberwolves built a rhythm and cut the deficit to one point going into the final quarter. Edwards said coach Chris Finch told him at halftime to "play quicker." "If they're going to continue to trap you, you got to make the right play and trust your teammates, and we was just poised throughout the entire game," Edwards said. "We just fought, fought. "And KAT played spectacular tonight," Edwards added. "He carried us tonight." Edwards, 22, scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half and Denver regained the lead for good on Rudy Gobert's driving layup that put them up 68-67 in the first minute of the fourth quarter. ALSO READ | Premier League: Manchester City become first team to claim four consecutive titles with win over West Ham Denver's three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic scored 14 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter. He added 19 rebounds and seven assists and Jamal Murray scored 35 points but it just wasn't enough. Minnesota had led by as many as seven in a back-and-forth first quarter, but the Nuggets closed with a strong push. Aaron Gordon's put-back dunk was followed by a pair of three-pointers from Jamal Murray that gave Denver a 24-19 lead. Jokic shrugged off the presence of Minnesota's Defensive Player of the Year Gobert to grab 15 rebounds in the first half, compiling a double-double by halftime when the Nuggets led 53-38.

Minnesota Timberwolves rally to knock defending champion Denver Nuggets out of playoffs

Defending champions Denver Nuggets crashed out of the title race after being beaten 98-90 by the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 7 of West semis in NBA Playoffs on Sunday (May 19). Nuggets coach Michael Malone was clearly not happy with the result and used the profane language in the after-game press conference.

On being asked how hard it is to handle the loss, especially when the Nuggets were up by 20 points, Malone replied: “Next question, man. The season’s over. That’s what’s hard. F–k being up 20. The season’s over. You don’t understand that. The season’s over, it’s hard."

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“Stupid a– questions,” Malone further seemed to mutter to himself. Have a look at the video below:

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"The season's over. That's what's hard. F*** being up by 20. Stupid questions." 
 
— Denver coach Mike Malone 😬😳<a href="https://t.co/OcVEJ9IS0j">pic.twitter.com/OcVEJ9IS0j</a>
— BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews/status/1792394309041561667?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2024</a></blockquote>
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On the other hand, Timberwolves playoffs hero Anthony Edwards also had some trash talk about Nuggets' Jamal Murray. While exiting the venue after the game, Edwards was seen having a chat with two Minnesota supporters and said: “I had Jamal [Murray] in handcuffs." Have a look at the video below:

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Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards: “I had Jamal in handcuffs.” <a href="https://t.co/0SuTyaeA83">pic.twitter.com/0SuTyaeA83</a>
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenGolliver/status/1792393530796863662?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2024</a></blockquote>
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As for the game, the Nuggets started the must-win game with 24 points in the first quarter while the Timberwolves managed just 19. The second quarter timeline was also similar as Denver scored 29 while Minnesota managed 19.

Trailing by 15 points at the half, the Timberwolves came back hard in the 3Q, dropping 28 points against Denver's 14. In the last 12 minutes, the Wolves scored 32 points while Denver managed 23 and lost the game by a difference of eight points.

For Nuggets, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray were the stars, scoring 34 and 35 points respectively. For Timberwolves, it was more of a team work with Jaden McDaniels and Karl-Anthony Towns being the top scorers with 23 points each. Apart from them, Edwards scored 16 points while Rudy Gobert managed 13 points.

Defending champions Denver Nuggets crashed out of the title race after being beaten 98-90 by the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 7 of West semis in NBA Playoffs on Sunday (May 19).

Defending champions Denver Nuggets crashed out of the title race after being beaten 98-90 by the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 7 of West semis in NBA Playoffs on Sunday (May 19). Nuggets coach Michael Malone was clearly not happy with the result and used the profane language in the after-game press conference. On being asked how hard it is to handle the loss, especially when the Nuggets were up by 20 points, Malone replied: “Next question, man. The season’s over. That’s what’s hard. F–k being up 20. The season’s over. You don’t understand that. The season’s over, it’s hard." Also Read: Mercedes are in 'no-man's land', says Lewis Hamilton after finishing sixth at Italian Grand Prix “Stupid a– questions,” Malone further seemed to mutter to himself. Have a look at the video below: "The season's over. That's what's hard. F*** being up by 20. Stupid questions." — Denver coach Mike Malone 😬😳pic.twitter.com/OcVEJ9IS0j — BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) May 20, 2024 × On the other hand, Timberwolves playoffs hero Anthony Edwards also had some trash talk about Nuggets' Jamal Murray. While exiting the venue after the game, Edwards was seen having a chat with two Minnesota supporters and said: “I had Jamal [Murray] in handcuffs." Have a look at the video below: Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards: “I had Jamal in handcuffs.” pic.twitter.com/0SuTyaeA83 — Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 20, 2024 × As for the game, the Nuggets started the must-win game with 24 points in the first quarter while the Timberwolves managed just 19. The second quarter timeline was also similar as Denver scored 29 while Minnesota managed 19. Trailing by 15 points at the half, the Timberwolves came back hard in the 3Q, dropping 28 points against Denver's 14. In the last 12 minutes, the Wolves scored 32 points while Denver managed 23 and lost the game by a difference of eight points. For Nuggets, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray were the stars, scoring 34 and 35 points respectively. For Timberwolves, it was more of a team work with Jaden McDaniels and Karl-Anthony Towns being the top scorers with 23 points each. Apart from them, Edwards scored 16 points while Rudy Gobert managed 13 points.

Playoffs: Nuggets coach Malone loses cool, Edwards trash talks Murray after T-Wolves win West semis

Denver Nuggets finally took the control of Western Conference semis with 112-97 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday (May 14). The win put the defending champions 3-2 ahead in the best of seven series and Nuggets' Nikola Jokic was the the star of it. The big Serb scored 40 points and 13 assists including a touchdown-throw like pass in the third quarter.

The Nuggets were leading 62-57 when Jokic collected the ball off the rim and sent it to Jamal Murray for a dunk. Murray also gestured towards the refs for the points by raising his both arms up in the air - just like the officials call a touchdown in the NFL. Have a look a the video below:

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TOUCHDOWN 🙌 <a href="https://t.co/iHnXAYzJEu">pic.twitter.com/iHnXAYzJEu</a>
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) <a href="https://twitter.com/nuggets/status/1790596519235641812?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
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As for the game, Nuggets played like the defending champs through four quarters of the Game 5 and led the Timberwolves in all of them. The first 12 minutes were closely fought with the Wolves scored 26 against Denver's 28. The Nuggets added four more points to their lead as they outscored Minnesota 22-18 in the second quarter.

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In the third quarter, Denver went on full offense and dropped 38 points while the Timberwolves could manage only 30. In the final quarter, trailing by 14 points, Minnesota tried hard to match Denver but Mile High scored 24 against Timberwolves 23 to win the game by a difference of 15 points.

For Denver, Aaron Gordon scored 18 points while Murray and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope dropped 16 each apart from Jokic's 40. For Timberwolves, Karl Anthony-Towns top scored with 23 while Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards scored 18 each. Nickeil Alexander-Walker also chipped in with 14 points but in the end, the Timberwolves fell well short of their best game.

With two more games left in the series, the Nuggets will be aiming for a place in the West finals in Game 6 only while the Wolves will looking to take the series to the final game at least.

Denver Nuggets finally took the control of Western Conference semis with 112-97 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday (May 14). The win put the defending champions 3-2 ahead in the best of seven series and Nuggets' Nikola Jokic was the the star of it.

Denver Nuggets finally took the control of Western Conference semis with 112-97 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday (May 14). The win put the defending champions 3-2 ahead in the best of seven series and Nuggets' Nikola Jokic was the the star of it. The big Serb scored 40 points and 13 assists including a touchdown-throw like pass in the third quarter. The Nuggets were leading 62-57 when Jokic collected the ball off the rim and sent it to Jamal Murray for a dunk. Murray also gestured towards the refs for the points by raising his both arms up in the air - just like the officials call a touchdown in the NFL. Have a look a the video below: TOUCHDOWN 🙌 pic.twitter.com/iHnXAYzJEu — Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 15, 2024 × As for the game, Nuggets played like the defending champs through four quarters of the Game 5 and led the Timberwolves in all of them. The first 12 minutes were closely fought with the Wolves scored 26 against Denver's 28. The Nuggets added four more points to their lead as they outscored Minnesota 22-18 in the second quarter. Also Read: MLB: Houston Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco ejected for foreign substance in glove In the third quarter, Denver went on full offense and dropped 38 points while the Timberwolves could manage only 30. In the final quarter, trailing by 14 points, Minnesota tried hard to match Denver but Mile High scored 24 against Timberwolves 23 to win the game by a difference of 15 points. For Denver, Aaron Gordon scored 18 points while Murray and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope dropped 16 each apart from Jokic's 40. For Timberwolves, Karl Anthony-Towns top scored with 23 while Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards scored 18 each. Nickeil Alexander-Walker also chipped in with 14 points but in the end, the Timberwolves fell well short of their best game. With two more games left in the series, the Nuggets will be aiming for a place in the West finals in Game 6 only while the Wolves will looking to take the series to the final game at least.

Playoffs: Nikola Jokic's 'TOUCHDOWN' pass highlights Nuggets Game 5 win over Timberwolves - WATCH

The Boston Celtics fought off a spirited challenge from short-handed Cleveland Monday, beating the Cavaliers 109-102 to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final series.

Jayson Tatum scored 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Jaylen Brown added 27 points for the Celtics, who will try to finish off the best-of-seven series at home on Wednesday.

The Cavaliers were dealt a heavy blow when Donovan Mitchell, who had averaged more than 35 points over the six prior games, was ruled out with a calf injury, joining starting center Jarrett Allen on the sidelines.

NBA superstar LeBron James, who led the Cavs to their only NBA title back in 2016, was sitting courtside, but with Mitchell absent the Cavs ultimately didn't have enough firepower.

The Cavs kept the pressure on, taking the lead briefly on Darius Garland's driving basket early in the third quarter -- their first lead since the first quarter.

But the Celtics quickly reasserted themselves and led by 10 going into the final period.

Cleveland, on the back of 30 points from Garland, pulled within five points three times in the final four minutes, but Brown, fed by Tatum, connected on a three-pointer with 1:09 to play that effectively sealed it.

"It's a game of runs," Tatum said after the Celtics struggled to put the depleted Cavaliers away.&nbsp;

"It's not going to be perfect every single time. They're going to make shots, but it's our job to figure it out."

The Celtics, winners of a league-best 64 regular-season games, used a 12-0 scoring run to take charge in the first quarter, Tatum scoring 16 points in the period.

Boston led by as many as 13 in the second quarter but Tatum cooled off and Cleveland, buoyed by 11 of their 15 three-pointers in the first half, battled back, twice cutting the deficit to one point before going into the break down by five.

The Celtics caught a break early in the second quarter, when Brown was called for only a common foul, rather than a flagrant, after he fell backwards into Max Strus and grabbed Strus's ankle as the Cavs player -- himself struggling to stay upright -- stepped over his head.

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Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff was more concerned at the fact that Boston went to the free-throw line 24 times compared to Cleveland's seven.

"I'll be honest with you, I was disappointed with the way the whistle blew tonight," he said.&nbsp;

"I thought our guys deserved much better, the way that they were competing, they were attacking the paint, they were getting after it.

"We're not asking for anything more, but we're asking for equal and I don't think we got an equal opportunity at it tonight from that standpoint."

The Dallas Mavericks were aiming to extend their 2-1 series lead as they hosted Western Conference top seeds Oklahoma City Thunder in the later game.

The Boston Celtics fought off a spirited challenge from short-handed Cleveland Monday, beating the Cavaliers 109-102 to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final series.

The Boston Celtics fought off a spirited challenge from short-handed Cleveland Monday, beating the Cavaliers 109-102 to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final series. Jayson Tatum scored 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Jaylen Brown added 27 points for the Celtics, who will try to finish off the best-of-seven series at home on Wednesday. The Cavaliers were dealt a heavy blow when Donovan Mitchell, who had averaged more than 35 points over the six prior games, was ruled out with a calf injury, joining starting center Jarrett Allen on the sidelines. NBA superstar LeBron James, who led the Cavs to their only NBA title back in 2016, was sitting courtside, but with Mitchell absent the Cavs ultimately didn't have enough firepower. The Cavs kept the pressure on, taking the lead briefly on Darius Garland's driving basket early in the third quarter -- their first lead since the first quarter. But the Celtics quickly reasserted themselves and led by 10 going into the final period. Cleveland, on the back of 30 points from Garland, pulled within five points three times in the final four minutes, but Brown, fed by Tatum, connected on a three-pointer with 1:09 to play that effectively sealed it. "It's a game of runs," Tatum said after the Celtics struggled to put the depleted Cavaliers away. "It's not going to be perfect every single time. They're going to make shots, but it's our job to figure it out." The Celtics, winners of a league-best 64 regular-season games, used a 12-0 scoring run to take charge in the first quarter, Tatum scoring 16 points in the period. Boston led by as many as 13 in the second quarter but Tatum cooled off and Cleveland, buoyed by 11 of their 15 three-pointers in the first half, battled back, twice cutting the deficit to one point before going into the break down by five. The Celtics caught a break early in the second quarter, when Brown was called for only a common foul, rather than a flagrant, after he fell backwards into Max Strus and grabbed Strus's ankle as the Cavs player -- himself struggling to stay upright -- stepped over his head. ALSO READ | NFL 2024: Ravens vs Chiefs to kickoff season; full schedule to be released on May 15 Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff was more concerned at the fact that Boston went to the free-throw line 24 times compared to Cleveland's seven. "I'll be honest with you, I was disappointed with the way the whistle blew tonight," he said. "I thought our guys deserved much better, the way that they were competing, they were attacking the paint, they were getting after it. "We're not asking for anything more, but we're asking for equal and I don't think we got an equal opportunity at it tonight from that standpoint." The Dallas Mavericks were aiming to extend their 2-1 series lead as they hosted Western Conference top seeds Oklahoma City Thunder in the later game.

Playoffs: Boston Celtics hold off depleted Cavaliers to take 3-1lead in NBA Eastern Conference semi-final

Minnesota Timberwolves lost the second consecutive game against the Denver Nuggets and Western Conference semis now stand equal at 2-2. This despite Anthony Edwards dropped 44 points in Game 4. The 22-year-old has been the fulcrum of the Timberwolves' performance this season which has seen them shocking the defending champs in the first two games of the West semis.

Edwards also had an interesting moment with Denver Nuggets' Jamal Murray whose 55-foot buzzer-beater in the first half highlighted Denver's 115-107 Game 4 victory on Sunday (May 12). Edwards was near Murray on the sideline with the game also nearing the end when he clapped his hand with a nodding head and kept staring towards Murray.

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Edwards said to Murray: "I just told his a** we love that. Keep talking [like] that. That's what we like.' Well, I loved it. He didn't say nothing back. But I'm pretty sure he heard me. They heard me. You live for that."

Murray also spoke on defending Edwards during the game and said: "He's downhill, he's tough to guard, he's explosive. He's always in attack mode, you know what I'm saying? So, I think we can just do a better job of just giving him some attention."

As for the game, the Nuggets started the game with 12-2 lead before ending the first quarter at 29-24. In the second quarter, the Nuggets led 27-25 with the Timberwolves, thanks to Anthony Edwards, showing the signs of comeback. Denver then went on a 8-0 run to end the quarter 35-25, thanks to Murray's from beyond the half-court heave.

With the Nuggets leading 64-49 at the half-time, Minnesota rallied to win the third quarter 30-26. The deficit, however, proved too much to erase for the Wolves. Minnesota huffed and puffed to win the final 12 minutes by 28-25 but the Nuggets eventually won the game by a difference of eight points.

Minnesota Timberwolves lost the second consecutive game against the Denver Nuggets and Western Conference semis now stand equal at 2-2. This despite Anthony Edwards dropped 44 points in Game 4.

Minnesota Timberwolves lost the second consecutive game against the Denver Nuggets and Western Conference semis now stand equal at 2-2. This despite Anthony Edwards dropped 44 points in Game 4. The 22-year-old has been the fulcrum of the Timberwolves' performance this season which has seen them shocking the defending champs in the first two games of the West semis. Edwards also had an interesting moment with Denver Nuggets' Jamal Murray whose 55-foot buzzer-beater in the first half highlighted Denver's 115-107 Game 4 victory on Sunday (May 12). Edwards was near Murray on the sideline with the game also nearing the end when he clapped his hand with a nodding head and kept staring towards Murray. Also Watch: Jamal Murray's 55-foot buzzer-beater highlights Nuggets' Game 4 win Edwards said to Murray: "I just told his a** we love that. Keep talking [like] that. That's what we like.' Well, I loved it. He didn't say nothing back. But I'm pretty sure he heard me. They heard me. You live for that." Murray also spoke on defending Edwards during the game and said: "He's downhill, he's tough to guard, he's explosive. He's always in attack mode, you know what I'm saying? So, I think we can just do a better job of just giving him some attention." As for the game, the Nuggets started the game with 12-2 lead before ending the first quarter at 29-24. In the second quarter, the Nuggets led 27-25 with the Timberwolves, thanks to Anthony Edwards, showing the signs of comeback. Denver then went on a 8-0 run to end the quarter 35-25, thanks to Murray's from beyond the half-court heave. With the Nuggets leading 64-49 at the half-time, Minnesota rallied to win the third quarter 30-26. The deficit, however, proved too much to erase for the Wolves. Minnesota huffed and puffed to win the final 12 minutes by 28-25 but the Nuggets eventually won the game by a difference of eight points.

Playoffs: 'That's what we like,' Anthony Edwards on sideline 'chat' with Jamal Murray in Game 4 loss

Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone had a heated discussion with a couple of Minnesota Timberwolves fans during Game 3 of West semis. Defending champions Nuggets registered a blowout 117-90 victory after losing the first two games at home and the loss might have prompted the fans to get involved more than required.

“He didn’t like my haircut, and I told him that I like my haircut,” Malone said about the altercation, via the Denver Post. “And we just kind of went from there.” The fans were eventually escorted out of the arena.

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“That happens at times in a hostile environment, and people get a little liquid courage I guess sometimes,” Malone said. “And they think they can just say whatever they want to anybody. And I’m not allowing that to happen.”

“Listen man, these fans here are great,” Malone added. “I mean, that was an amazing atmosphere. You live for moments like that and opportunities like that, to go out there and perform when you’ve got 20,000 people screaming at you. But unfortunately there’s always gonna be people that want to get a little bit more involved in the game, and make it personal. And that’s unfortunate.”

As for the game, Denver showed the calibre of defending champions for the first time in the series. For Denver, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray scored 24-points each while Aaron Gordon dropped 13 and Michael Porter Jr. managed 21.

For the Wolves, Anthony Edwards was once again the highest scorer with 19 points but it wasn't enough. The game started with Denver taking eight-point lead in the first quarter after outscoring Minnesota 28-20. The Nuggets again dropped 28 in the next quarter while the Timberwolves could manage only 21.

The defending champs, already ahead by 15 points at the start of the second half, added 12 more points to their lead after outscoring Minnesota 37-25 n 3Q. The final 12 minutes were just a formality with both teams scoring 24 each and the Nuggets winning the game by 27 points.

Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone had a heated discussion with a couple of Minnesota Timberwolves fans during Game 3 of West semis. Defending champions Nuggets registered a blowout 117-90 victory after losing the first two games at home and the loss might have prompted the fans to get involved more than required.

Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone had a heated discussion with a couple of Minnesota Timberwolves fans during Game 3 of West semis. Defending champions Nuggets registered a blowout 117-90 victory after losing the first two games at home and the loss might have prompted the fans to get involved more than required. “He didn’t like my haircut, and I told him that I like my haircut,” Malone said about the altercation, via the Denver Post. “And we just kind of went from there.” The fans were eventually escorted out of the arena. Also Read: Golf: 'Have disagreements on...,' Rory McIlroy on relationship with Tiger Woods “That happens at times in a hostile environment, and people get a little liquid courage I guess sometimes,” Malone said. “And they think they can just say whatever they want to anybody. And I’m not allowing that to happen.” “Listen man, these fans here are great,” Malone added. “I mean, that was an amazing atmosphere. You live for moments like that and opportunities like that, to go out there and perform when you’ve got 20,000 people screaming at you. But unfortunately there’s always gonna be people that want to get a little bit more involved in the game, and make it personal. And that’s unfortunate.” As for the game, Denver showed the calibre of defending champions for the first time in the series. For Denver, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray scored 24-points each while Aaron Gordon dropped 13 and Michael Porter Jr. managed 21. For the Wolves, Anthony Edwards was once again the highest scorer with 19 points but it wasn't enough. The game started with Denver taking eight-point lead in the first quarter after outscoring Minnesota 28-20. The Nuggets again dropped 28 in the next quarter while the Timberwolves could manage only 21. The defending champs, already ahead by 15 points at the start of the second half, added 12 more points to their lead after outscoring Minnesota 37-25 n 3Q. The final 12 minutes were just a formality with both teams scoring 24 each and the Nuggets winning the game by 27 points.

Playoffs: Timberwolves fans ousted after altercation with Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone in Game 3

Dallas Mavericks beat Oklahoma City Thunder&nbsp;119-110 during Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals on Friday (May 10). After getting thrashed in Game 1 of the series, the Mavs clawed their way back in style as the team got hot from behind the three-point line enroute to a stunning 119-110 triumph over the City Thunder.

Following the win, Dallas is now in firm control of the series. If they emerge on top in their home games, it will be enough as the&nbsp;Dallas will move on to the conference finals.&nbsp;

After the Mavs victory, Luka Doncic -- who scored 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the contest -- attended the post-match press conference where a NSFW (no safe for work) moment interrupted his meet with the reporters.&nbsp;

As Doncic sat for the presser, apparent sex&nbsp;noises made heads turn and left everyone clueless as well as in splits. Here is the viral video -

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No way someone was having s*x during Luka's conference? 
 
What are those noises?😭<a href="https://t.co/GOM5vSmxMr">pic.twitter.com/GOM5vSmxMr</a>
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBAMemes/status/1788792309041029200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Ever since the video made it to social media platforms, it has gone viral with many being shocked -- as much as Doncic was.&nbsp;

Talking about the match,&nbsp;Doncic's&nbsp;teammate PJ&nbsp;Washington poured in another 29 points for the Mavericks in their convincing&nbsp;to knot their Western Conference semifinal at one-all.&nbsp;From the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander flirted with a triple-double himself (33 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists), however, it didn't prove to be enough for his side.&nbsp;

Post the encounter, Cavaliers coach JB&nbsp;Bickerstaff said, "I like the way that we were just attack-minded. We didn't settle for the first quick (shot) that we saw."

Dallas Mavericks beat Oklahoma City Thunder 119-110 during Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals on Friday (May 10). After getting thrashed in Game 1 of the series, the Mavs clawed their way back in style as the team got hot from behind the three-point line enroute to a stunning 119-110 triumph over the City Thunder.

Dallas Mavericks beat Oklahoma City Thunder 119-110 during Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals on Friday (May 10). After getting thrashed in Game 1 of the series, the Mavs clawed their way back in style as the team got hot from behind the three-point line enroute to a stunning 119-110 triumph over the City Thunder. Following the win, Dallas is now in firm control of the series. If they emerge on top in their home games, it will be enough as the Dallas will move on to the conference finals. After the Mavs victory, Luka Doncic -- who scored 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the contest -- attended the post-match press conference where a NSFW (no safe for work) moment interrupted his meet with the reporters. As Doncic sat for the presser, apparent sex noises made heads turn and left everyone clueless as well as in splits. Here is the viral video - No way someone was having s*x during Luka's conference? What are those noises?😭pic.twitter.com/GOM5vSmxMr — NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) May 10, 2024 × Also read: Bayer Leverkusen attain MASSIVE European record with last-minute stalemate vs Roma, enter Europa League final Ever since the video made it to social media platforms, it has gone viral with many being shocked -- as much as Doncic was. Talking about the match, Doncic's teammate PJ Washington poured in another 29 points for the Mavericks in their convincing to knot their Western Conference semifinal at one-all. From the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander flirted with a triple-double himself (33 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists), however, it didn't prove to be enough for his side. Post the encounter, Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff said, "I like the way that we were just attack-minded. We didn't settle for the first quick (shot) that we saw."

Apparent sex noises interrupt Doncic's PC following Mavericks vs Thunder game - Watch

San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama has been named NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2023-24 season. Wembanyama got 99 votes in his favour to become the unanimous choice of the award. The second place went to Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren with 98 second-place votes while Charlotte Hornet's Brandon Miller came third.

He became only the sixth player in the last 40 years to be named as Rookie of the Year. Before him, Ralph Sampson (1984), David Robinson (1990), Blake Griffin (2011), Damian Lillard (2013), and Karl-Anthony Towns (2016) were named unanimous Rookie of the Year. He also joined Spurs' &nbsp;Robinson and Tim Duncan (1998) as the No. 1 pick to win the Rookie of the Year award.&nbsp;

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Wembanyama was the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. He played in 71 games this season, averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. Wembanyama also become only the second rookie in the history of NBA to lead the league in blocks since Alonzo Mourning and O'Neal in 1992-93. He registered 250 blocks to his name in the season.

"My goals were always to help my team as best as I could and get better as the year went on," Wembanyama said from San Antonio on TNT after the award.&nbsp;

"I knew in order to do this I had to be individually good on the court and dominant. So, it was a huge thing for me and a big thing to get. It's always been really important and I'm glad it's finally official," he added.

Wembanyama, however, has his eyes set on bigger awards, such as Defensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player as well.

"The most important to me is always winning," Wembanyama said to sports website ESPN. "You know, winning the chip clearly is what I wanna do. But, those individual awards tell a lot about the path a player takes throughout his career to get to those heights. They are important to me and I'm dedicated to winning some."

His team, however, had a poor season which saw them lose 60 of their 82 regular season games.

San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama has been named NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2023-24 season. Wembanyama got 99 votes in his favour to become the unanimous choice of the award.

San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama has been named NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2023-24 season. Wembanyama got 99 votes in his favour to become the unanimous choice of the award. The second place went to Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren with 98 second-place votes while Charlotte Hornet's Brandon Miller came third. He became only the sixth player in the last 40 years to be named as Rookie of the Year. Before him, Ralph Sampson (1984), David Robinson (1990), Blake Griffin (2011), Damian Lillard (2013), and Karl-Anthony Towns (2016) were named unanimous Rookie of the Year. He also joined Spurs' Robinson and Tim Duncan (1998) as the No. 1 pick to win the Rookie of the Year award. Also Read: Playoffs: Officials admit wrong decision on critical call during Knicks vs Pacers Game 1 Wembanyama was the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. He played in 71 games this season, averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. Wembanyama also become only the second rookie in the history of NBA to lead the league in blocks since Alonzo Mourning and O'Neal in 1992-93. He registered 250 blocks to his name in the season. "My goals were always to help my team as best as I could and get better as the year went on," Wembanyama said from San Antonio on TNT after the award. "I knew in order to do this I had to be individually good on the court and dominant. So, it was a huge thing for me and a big thing to get. It's always been really important and I'm glad it's finally official," he added. Wembanyama, however, has his eyes set on bigger awards, such as Defensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player as well. "The most important to me is always winning," Wembanyama said to sports website ESPN. "You know, winning the chip clearly is what I wanna do. But, those individual awards tell a lot about the path a player takes throughout his career to get to those heights. They are important to me and I'm dedicated to winning some." His team, however, had a poor season which saw them lose 60 of their 82 regular season games.

San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama named unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year

The offseason speculation with regard to LA Lakers' LeBron James has already kicked off with many eager to know his next move. The star basketballer has remained tight-lipped about his future plans&nbsp;and hasn't provided his fans with any specific answers. James -- with a player option worth $51.4 million -- can either choose to opt-out and explore free agency or decide to retire altogether. Amid all this, one of James' ardent supporters and NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins hopes James will choose the latter and quit.

<h2>'More&nbsp;James continues to play,&nbsp;more it's going to hurt his legacy'</h2>

Perkins feels James should preserve his legacy by leaving at the right time and retiring this offseason. He shared his thoughts&nbsp;while making an appearance on ESPN's 'First Take' and said, "I wish LeBron James would retire. Not because I don't want to see more of LeBron James. The more LeBron James continues to play the game of basketball, the more it's going to hurt his legacy and the more it's going to continue to hurt his GOAT argument."

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Perkins was quick to point out that if James stays, continues to play and doesn't win a title, he will receive more criticism.

"It never comes down to accountability with Bron when he has losing seasons or gets eliminated,” Perkins said of his former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate.

Not only this, the NBA analyst also slammed James for sending subliminal messages at the trade window and called out the veteran player for not having much belief in his teammates.&nbsp;

James has blown hot and cold this season at the Lakers and the team is already&nbsp;out of the playoffs race. It will be interesting to see what the superstar player does next and by when does he give&nbsp;more clarity to his fans and supporters.

The offseason speculation with regard to LA Lakers' LeBron James has already kicked off with many eager to know his next move. The star basketballer has remained tight-lipped about his future plans and hasn't provided his fans with any specific answers.

The offseason speculation with regard to LA Lakers' LeBron James has already kicked off with many eager to know his next move. The star basketballer has remained tight-lipped about his future plans and hasn't provided his fans with any specific answers. James -- with a player option worth $51.4 million -- can either choose to opt-out and explore free agency or decide to retire altogether. Amid all this, one of James' ardent supporters and NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins hopes James will choose the latter and quit. 'More James continues to play, more it's going to hurt his legacy' Perkins feels James should preserve his legacy by leaving at the right time and retiring this offseason. He shared his thoughts while making an appearance on ESPN's 'First Take' and said, "I wish LeBron James would retire. Not because I don't want to see more of LeBron James. The more LeBron James continues to play the game of basketball, the more it's going to hurt his legacy and the more it's going to continue to hurt his GOAT argument." Also read: Snooker: England's Kyren Wilson emerges on top of Welshman Jak Jones to clinch first world title Perkins was quick to point out that if James stays, continues to play and doesn't win a title, he will receive more criticism. "It never comes down to accountability with Bron when he has losing seasons or gets eliminated,” Perkins said of his former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate. Not only this, the NBA analyst also slammed James for sending subliminal messages at the trade window and called out the veteran player for not having much belief in his teammates. James has blown hot and cold this season at the Lakers and the team is already out of the playoffs race. It will be interesting to see what the superstar player does next and by when does he give more clarity to his fans and supporters.

'Wish LeBron James would retire': Kendrick Perkins feels LA Lakers star should quit and not hurt his legacy

Los Angeles Lakers have fired head coach Darvin Ham two years into the position. The move comes after the Lakers were ousted in the first round of playoffs by the defending champions Denver Nuggets. Ham had taken over Frank Vogel after 2020-21 season.

Under Ham, the Lakers made it to the playoffs both times including a trip to the Western Conference Finals last year. They although, were beaten by the eventual champions Nuggets. Informing about parting ways with Ham, the Lakers wrote: "We greatly appreciate Darvin's efforts on behalf of the Lakers and recognize the many accomplishment achieved."

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"We all want to thank Darvin for his dedication and positivity. While this was a difficult decision to make, it best course of action following a full review of the season. This organization will remain unwavering in its commitment to deliver championship-caliber basketball to Lakers fans around the world."

"It's been a hell of a two years sitting in this seat, I'll tell you that," Ham said after their loss to the Nuggets via ESPN.

Under Ham, The Lakers went 90-74 in all games. This season also started well for the team including a remarkable 7-0 run to win the inaugural in-season tournament in December. Things, however, went downhill from there on as the Lakers lost 12 of their next 17 games.&nbsp;

The LeBron James-starred side then hustled to win 11 of their last 14 games to finish with a 47-35 record and make it to the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five years.

Under Ham, Lakers star James was quite exceptional. The 39-year-old averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds per game in 71 games &nbsp;this season - his highest since 2017-18 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. It is not confirmed whether or not LeBron will return for the next season.

Los Angeles Lakers have fired head coach Darvin Ham two years into the position. The move comes after the Lakers were ousted in the first round of playoffs by the defending champions Denver Nuggets.

Los Angeles Lakers have fired head coach Darvin Ham two years into the position. The move comes after the Lakers were ousted in the first round of playoffs by the defending champions Denver Nuggets. Ham had taken over Frank Vogel after 2020-21 season. Under Ham, the Lakers made it to the playoffs both times including a trip to the Western Conference Finals last year. They although, were beaten by the eventual champions Nuggets. Informing about parting ways with Ham, the Lakers wrote: "We greatly appreciate Darvin's efforts on behalf of the Lakers and recognize the many accomplishment achieved." Also Read: Kentucky Derby 2024: Horse list, trainer and all you need to know "We all want to thank Darvin for his dedication and positivity. While this was a difficult decision to make, it best course of action following a full review of the season. This organization will remain unwavering in its commitment to deliver championship-caliber basketball to Lakers fans around the world." "It's been a hell of a two years sitting in this seat, I'll tell you that," Ham said after their loss to the Nuggets via ESPN. Under Ham, The Lakers went 90-74 in all games. This season also started well for the team including a remarkable 7-0 run to win the inaugural in-season tournament in December. Things, however, went downhill from there on as the Lakers lost 12 of their next 17 games. The LeBron James-starred side then hustled to win 11 of their last 14 games to finish with a 47-35 record and make it to the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five years. Under Ham, Lakers star James was quite exceptional. The 39-year-old averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds per game in 71 games this season - his highest since 2017-18 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. It is not confirmed whether or not LeBron will return for the next season.

Lakers fire head coach Darvin Ham after loss in playoffs to Denver Nuggets

Tyrese Maxey produced a 46-point gem as the Philadelphia 76ers stunned the New York Knicks 112-106 in overtime to keep their NBA Eastern Conference playoff hopes alive on Tuesday.

Maxey led the Sixers back from the brink of defeat in the fourth quarter with a late burst of scoring before dominating in overtime to ensure a game six back in Philadelphia.

The Knicks, leading the best-of-seven series 3-1 heading into Tuesday's game, had looked poised to clinch after Jalen Brunson helped the second seeds take a six-point lead with 29 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

But Maxey drained a three-pointer from 24 feet and then hit a stunning 34-footer from the logo with nine seconds left to tie it up and send a pulsating duel into overtime.

It looked as if the Knicks had reclaimed the initiative after Brunson scored five points to give New York a five-point lead before a raucous Madison Square Garden.

Yet Maxey and NBA MVP Joel Embiid had other ideas, launching a 9-0 run to give the Sixers a 106-102 advantage. New York pegged it back to 106-106 but the Sixers regrouped and pulled clear again to seal victory.

"Season on the line, we fought for 53 minutes and never gave up," Maxey said afterwards. "Even when we were down late guys still went out their and made plays -- that was big time."

A pumped up Maxey could be seen roaring in defiance after helping the Sixers take the game to overtime in the fourth quarter.

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<h2>Mitchell fires Cavs over Magic</h2>

"I was saying some things that my grandma probably wouldn't like," he said afterwards. "I'm a happy guy but I absolutely hate losing."

Maxey's 46-point haul included seven three-pointers while Embiid posted a triple double comprised of 19 points, 16 rebounds and 10 rebounds.

Tobias Harris added 19 points for the Sixers while Kelly Oubre Jr. finished with 14.

Brunson meanwhile led New York's scoring with 40 points while Josh Hart had 18 and O.G. Anunoby 17.

The Sixers now have a chance to level the series at home when game six takes place back in Philadelphia on Thursday.

In other playoff games on Tuesday, Donovan Mitchell rattled in 28 points -- including 14 in the fourth quarter -- as the Cleveland Cavaliers ground out a 104-103 win over the Orlando Magic to take a 3-2 lead in their Eastern Conference first round playoff series.

Orlando had fought back from 2-0 in the series to level after recording emphatic wins in games three and four in Florida.

But Cleveland dug deep to ensure they will head back to Orlando for game six on Friday with a chance of clinching the series.

"It's not gonna be pretty but it's the playoffs," Mitchell said after Cleveland's win. "The fourth quarter -- that's what I do. But I've got to play better for my group.

"We've played well at home as a group -- now we've got to go down there in a hostile environment and handle our business."

Paolo Banchero led Orlando's scorers with 39 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Tyrese Maxey produced a 46-point gem as the Philadelphia 76ers stunned the New York Knicks 112-106 in overtime to keep their NBA Eastern Conference playoff hopes alive on Tuesday.

Tyrese Maxey produced a 46-point gem as the Philadelphia 76ers stunned the New York Knicks 112-106 in overtime to keep their NBA Eastern Conference playoff hopes alive on Tuesday. Maxey led the Sixers back from the brink of defeat in the fourth quarter with a late burst of scoring before dominating in overtime to ensure a game six back in Philadelphia. The Knicks, leading the best-of-seven series 3-1 heading into Tuesday's game, had looked poised to clinch after Jalen Brunson helped the second seeds take a six-point lead with 29 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. But Maxey drained a three-pointer from 24 feet and then hit a stunning 34-footer from the logo with nine seconds left to tie it up and send a pulsating duel into overtime. It looked as if the Knicks had reclaimed the initiative after Brunson scored five points to give New York a five-point lead before a raucous Madison Square Garden. Yet Maxey and NBA MVP Joel Embiid had other ideas, launching a 9-0 run to give the Sixers a 106-102 advantage. New York pegged it back to 106-106 but the Sixers regrouped and pulled clear again to seal victory. "Season on the line, we fought for 53 minutes and never gave up," Maxey said afterwards. "Even when we were down late guys still went out their and made plays -- that was big time." A pumped up Maxey could be seen roaring in defiance after helping the Sixers take the game to overtime in the fourth quarter. ALSO READ | Spain appoints former national coach Vicente del Bosque to supervise soccer federation Mitchell fires Cavs over Magic "I was saying some things that my grandma probably wouldn't like," he said afterwards. "I'm a happy guy but I absolutely hate losing." Maxey's 46-point haul included seven three-pointers while Embiid posted a triple double comprised of 19 points, 16 rebounds and 10 rebounds. Tobias Harris added 19 points for the Sixers while Kelly Oubre Jr. finished with 14. Brunson meanwhile led New York's scoring with 40 points while Josh Hart had 18 and O.G. Anunoby 17. The Sixers now have a chance to level the series at home when game six takes place back in Philadelphia on Thursday. In other playoff games on Tuesday, Donovan Mitchell rattled in 28 points -- including 14 in the fourth quarter -- as the Cleveland Cavaliers ground out a 104-103 win over the Orlando Magic to take a 3-2 lead in their Eastern Conference first round playoff series. Orlando had fought back from 2-0 in the series to level after recording emphatic wins in games three and four in Florida. But Cleveland dug deep to ensure they will head back to Orlando for game six on Friday with a chance of clinching the series. "It's not gonna be pretty but it's the playoffs," Mitchell said after Cleveland's win. "The fourth quarter -- that's what I do. But I've got to play better for my group. "We've played well at home as a group -- now we've got to go down there in a hostile environment and handle our business." Paolo Banchero led Orlando's scorers with 39 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Tyrese Maxey produces 46-point gem as Philadelphia 76ers stun New York Knicks to stay alive in Playoffs

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