Madison Square Garden will be the site of the nonconference matchup between the Rebels and the Red Storm.
Michigan State has big chance against Duke as college basketball weekend headliner
Tom Izzo has Michigan State playing like a top-tier team, and another chance for a big win comes to town with a visit from star-studded Duke.
Edgecombe shows knack for doing ‘whatever it takes' on 1st career game-winner
Edgecombe shows knack for doing ‘whatever it takes' on 1st career game-winner originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
VJ Edgecombe didn’t pause.
For rookies — and for anyone — it’s natural to stop and stare as a crunch-time shot is launched. But the Sixers’ 20-year-old guard saw De’Anthony Melton block Tyrese Maxey’s jumper and reacted first. As is his habit, he knew where to be and was determined to get there.
The result was a first career NBA game-winner, a put-back layup with 0.9 seconds on the clock. Despite blowing a 24-point lead Thursday night to the Warriors, the high-drama Sixers sit at 12-9.
Edgecombe’s vital rebound was no fluke. He’s grabbed 1.9 offensive rebounds per game — second among rookies to 7-foot-1 Hornets center Ryan Kalkbrenner — and has at least one offensive board in 16 of his 18 games.
“I’m athletic,” he said. “Just try to use my athleticism. The shot goes up, people tend to relax. I’m a victim of it. So I know the opportunity is going to present itself for me to grab the board. And like I said, I can jump, so I just try to jump before them, to be honest.”
Maxey sat to Edgecombe’s left at the postgame press conference podium. Instead of being grateful after Edgecombe’s put-back and celebrating a presumed win, he chased down Melton and blocked his layup attempt on the other end at the buzzer.
“Rese probably ran a 4.2 (40-yard dash) or something,” Edgecombe said with a smile.
Maxey enjoyed swatting his good friend and former teammate, who returned Thursday from a torn ACL.
“Honestly, I just didn’t want him to call me in a couple minutes saying he beat us,” Maxey said of Melton. “I’m just happy to see him out there. He was at my house for two, three hours yesterday just chopping it up and talking about life. … I told him I’d give him one jump shot because he was struggling early. I gave him one middie in the third. But I’m just happy that out he was out there, man. It was good to see him. I told him he can’t guard me, so it’s all good.”
While Maxey continued to be a scorching scorer, posting 35 points, Edgecombe’s final box score stats were not sparkling. He chipped in 10 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals, but he committed five turnovers and only played 24 minutes in his third game since returning from a left calf injury.
None of his previous mistakes ever seem to matter in the final moments.
“He’s had some of these games where he just hasn’t done much, and then down the stretch he’ll hit a big three, get a big rebound,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said. ”I just thought, ‘Let’s go back with him and maybe he’ll make a play.’ He’s got a nose for the ball and he’s got a nose for what’s going on out there. Even though he’s a rookie, he can make those plays.”
The Sixers had their game-winning chance because Edgecombe stole Pat Spencer’s inbounds pass and called timeout with 8.2 seconds left.
“Just watching basketball, to be honest,” Edgecombe said of his defensive instincts. “I knew how much time they had to inbound the ball and I knew they had no timeouts left. He had to throw the ball somewhere and everyone was just contesting that one little spot. I just dove on the ball.
“It’s more just reading their eyes because people tend to telegraph their passes a lot. So just trying to read their eyes and make a quick play on the ball.”
Edgecombe has shined late in many of the Sixers’ ultra-tight early-season contests.
He’s played 54 minutes in “clutch” situations, which the NBA defines as the final five minutes of games within five points. Edgecombe has shot 10 for 13 from the field and 4 for 6 from three-point range, pulled down 11 rebounds and dished out seven assists.
“I just want to win,” he said. “Whatever it takes for me to do that, I’ll do it. I don’t care about (anything) else.
“If they need me to make a shot, I’m going to make the shot. If they need me to grab a rebound, I’ll grab the rebound. Get a steal, get a stop … I’ll do it. Whatever it takes to win, because winning feels great and losing (doesn’t).”
Ex-Warrior Jamal Crawford details Steph Curry's work ethic with classic story
Ex-Warrior Jamal Crawford details Steph Curry's work ethic with classic story originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Stephen Curry is 37 years old and still playing like one of the NBA’s best.And according to Jamal Crawford, the reason behind Curry’s sustained greatness is simple: relentless discipline.
During an appearance on “Dubs Talk” with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Bonta Hill and Monte Poole, Crawford didn’t hesitate when asked what keeps a guard like Curry playing at a high level for so long.
“Doing exactly what he’s doing,” Crawford said. “Shape has no age.”
Crawford knows that better than most. The former guard played in the NBA until he was 42, suiting up for nine teams — including the Warriors during the 2008-09 season — and becoming one of the most respected veterans in the league. He won three Sixth Man of the Year awards, made his name as a legendary ballhandler and, in 2019, became the oldest player in NBA history to score 50-plus points in a game when he dropped 51 for the Phoenix Suns at age 39.
So, when he looks at Curry, he recognizes the work behind the results.
Crawford recalled last year’s NBA All-Star Game, when most players had long hit recovery mode. But not Steph.
“Steph went and did a weight-room workout after an All-Star Game,” Crawford explained. “That kind of consistency, that kind of discipline, is why he is who he is.”
Now in his 17th NBA season after being drafted No. 7 overall in 2009, Curry continues to set the standard for veterans who refuse to slow down.
But Crawford said playing deep into your career isn’t luck — it’s commitment.
“It’s a lifestyle change,” Crawford noted. “You start changing your diet, you start stretching, even if you’re sore, you start foam rolling — ice tub. But you get in a routine.”
That’s why watching Curry continue to evolve and dominate year after year doesn’t surprise him.
“I’m sure Steph has his routine,” Crawford said. “He has the best team around him. And he’s very intentional … Not a lot of wasted motion. He knows how to scale it back, when to ramp it up. He’s in tune and the ultimate professional.”
Coming from someone who defied time for two decades, that’s as high a compliment as Curry can get.
James' 18-year-old record comes to an end
LeBron James' incredible run of 1,297 regular-season NBA games scoring 10 or more points ended as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Toronto Raptors 123-120.
James, 40, scored eight points against the Raptors and handed out 11 assists, including the pass for Rui Hachimura to score the buzzer-beating game-winner.
"Just playing the game the right way," said James, who is in his unprecedented 23rd season.
"Always make the right play. That's how I was taught the game."
James last failed to score in double digits in January 2007, breaking Michael Jordan's previous record by 431 games.
James struggled with his shot for much of the night, connecting on just four of 17 and missing all five of his three-point attempts.
With the NBA's leading scorer Luka Doncic absent for personal reasons, Austin Reaves delivered a double-double of 44 points and 10 assists for the Lakers.
In March, James became the first player to score 50,000 points in NBA regular season and play-off matches.
Madina Okot’s double-double lifts No. 3 South Carolina over No. 22 Louisville 79-77
Madina Okot had 23 points and 13 rebounds and No. South Carolina outlasted No. Louisville 79-77 on Thursday night in the ACC/SEC Challenge.
Johnson, Fulwiley help No. 5 LSU beat Duke 93-77 in ACC/SEC Challenge
Flau'jae Johnson had 18 points to lead six players in double figures as No. 5 LSU beat Duke 93-77 in the ACC/SEC Challenge on Thursday night. MiLaysia Fulwiley added 16 points for the Tigers (9-0), who failed to reach 100 points for the first time this season to end an NCAA-record streak at eight games. No matter, it was still a dominating offensive performance, with the Tigers shooting 59.7% and scoring 52 points in the paint while needing just five made 3-pointers to crack the 90-point mark.
Nets allow 42 points in fourth-quarter collapse, fall to Jazz, 123-110
NEW YORK (AP) — Lauri Markkanen scored 30 points, Keyonte George had 29 and the Utah Jazz used a huge fourth quarter to beat the Brooklyn Nets 123-110 on Thursday night.
The Jazz outscored the Nets 42-20 in the final quarter after trailing by 15 points in the first half. Markkanen and George nearly outscored the Nets by themselves, combining for 18 points.
Kyle Filipowski had 15 points and Walter Clayton Jr. added 13 off the bench for Utah, which shot 14 for 22 (63.6%) in the fourth.
Noah Clowney scored 29 points and Ziaire Williams had 23 off the bench for Nets, who had their two-game winning streak snapped.
With the game tied at 98 with 6:29 remaining, George hit consecutive 3-pointers. Williams answered with a three that made it 104-101.
On the ensuing possession, Tyrese Martin turned the ball over after stepping out of bounds and Bryce Sensabaugh was fouled on a three-point attempt and made two free throws to extend the lead 106-101.
Filipowski then connected on another three-pointer and Markkanen followed with one of his own after Clowney’s layup with 3:39 to play to make it 112-103.
The Nets rested leading scorer Michael Porter Jr. for injury management in the second game of a back-to-back. Porter, who is averaging 25.3 points, scored 33 and had 10 rebounds in Wednesday’s win at Chicago.
Up next
Jazz: Remain in New York to play the Knicks on Friday.
Nets: Host the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.
LeBron James' record scoring streak ends, but Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura deliver win
Of course.
Stuck between trying to extend his record streak of 1,297 consecutive games with 10 or more points or passing to an open Rui Hachimura to take the potential winning shot, LeBron James made the right play.
Because that’s what he’s done for 23 years in the NBA.
James’ assist on Hachimura’s buzzer-beating three-pointer punctuated the Lakers’ dramatic 123-120 win over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday at Scotiabank Arena.
After the Lakers (16-5) forced a miss by Brandon Ingram with 22.9 seconds left, Austin Reaves heard Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic calling for a double team. Scottie Barnes rushed to guard Reaves near the sideline and the Lakers guard sent a left-handed bounce pass to James near the top of the arc. James, with eight points on labored four-for-17 shooting, took one dribble and fired it to Hachimura in the corner.
“I just make the right play,” James said. “That's all that matters. Win, lose or draw, make the right play.”
James’ 11 assists and Reaves’ 44 points and 10 assists helped the Lakers overcome the absence of Luka Doncic, who missed the game because of personal reasons. The NBA’s leading scorer and his fiancee are expecting their second child. Coach JJ Redick said the team hopes to get Doncic “back soon, but don’t have a pinpointed day yet.”
Without the team’s primary offensive engine, center Deandre Ayton chipped in 17 points and Jake LaRavia scored 14 off the bench. Two-way guard Nick Smith Jr. delivered 12 points in 14 minutes off the bench as the Lakers dug deep into their roster ahead of another game in Boston on Friday.
James last scored in single digits on Jan. 5, 2007 when Milwaukee held him to eight points on three-for-13 shooting in 43 minutes. But Cleveland still won that game 95-86 as James dished nine assists.
Read more:'A lot of slices of pizza left': Where the Lakers stand after 20 games
At 40, James has continued to rely on his playmaking, averaging 7.8 assists in six games since missing the first 14 because of sciatica. James acknowledged he still is finding his rhythm offensively.
He faded into the background of the Lakers' blowout loss to the Phoenix Suns on Monday, when he barely extended the streak by scoring four of his 10 points in the fourth quarter. He came out aggressively against the Raptors with nine shots by halftime.
But he scored only four points. He missed his first six shots, some even missing the rim.
Behind 22 third-quarter points from Reaves, the Lakers were clinging to a two-point lead entering the fourth. James was “acutely aware” of how many points he had as the game progressed, Redick said. With only six points in the first three quarters, James opened the fourth with two quick three-point attempts. Neither was close to going in.
The first Lakers points in the fourth quarter came from Smith. Of course, he was assisted by James.
Throughout his celebrated career, James often has been criticized for his passing. In big moments, critics questioned whether he could be the true face of the NBA if he was passing on winning opportunities to create open looks for his teammates. If he passed, he was ridiculed for not stepping up. If he shot and missed, he was torn down for it.
James, the career scoring leader who ranks fourth in assists, still remembers “everything [that] has been negatively said” about his game. Any insinuation that he wouldn’t always choose the right play sticks with him the most.
“That aspect was always like the most, one of the most foolish things I've ever heard as far as making the right pass, making the right play,” James said. “We are in the business of winning basketball games. My whole life I've just played the game that way. I was taught the game that way and I've won at every single level I've played at by playing the game that way. So there was no reason for me to ever change once I got to this level.”
James’ unselfish play rubbed off on teammates who worked to earn his trust.
“When you got someone like that, everybody's gotta fall in line,” said Reaves, who is averaging 41 points in four games without Doncic this season. “If you don't fall in line with someone like that, then you look crazy.”
The Lakers made it look perfect. Hachimura, who scored 12 points, sprinted down the sideline after his first winning buzzer-beater. Reaves jumped on his back. James yelled toward the Lakers bench with outstretched arms. Redick relished the look of pure joy on James’ face.
The superstar took no time to mourn the streak that he never truly tried to build. When asked for his feelings about the end of a run that was set to turn 19 years old next month, James looked almost puzzled at the question.
“None,” James said. “We won.”
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Chris Paul reportedly does not want to retire, Clippers stars were surprised by move to send him home
Chris Paul may have suggested weeks ago that he planned to retire after this season, but being sent away from the team and parting ways with the Clippers is not how he wants his career to end.
Paul "absolutely" does not want to retire mid-season, reports Marc Spears of ESPN.
"Does he want to retire, is he done? I was told absolutely not." @MarcJSpears on Chris Paul after being sent home from the Clippers pic.twitter.com/XVzDyEcTrH
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 4, 2025
Paul, who signed a veteran minimum contract with the Clippers this summer, cannot be traded until after Dec. 15 and the Clippers reportedly will look to find a new home for the future Hall of Famer. However, any teams that have any interest in him would rather wait to pick him up on the buyout market after the trade deadline — or, after the Clippers just release him — than give up anything in a trade.
Paul is known for being a very vocal leader, unafraid to call out anyone — teammates, coaches, management — in meetings and in private, and over the course of his career, that has worn thin at places. With the Clippers stumbling out of the gate, the relationship between Paul and coach Tyronn Lue reportedly grew strained, to the point that they were no longer speaking. That's when the decision to send Paul home and keep him away from the team was made.
Whatever one thinks of the reasoning, the Clippers' handling of Paul's exit — with the news leaking at nearly 3 AM Eastern while the team was in Atlanta — was not smooth. It caught Clippers players off guard, as they told Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.
"I'm just as confused and shocked as you guys, the world," (James) Harden said ... "Definitely surprised me. But not just Chris, it's a lot that we were dealing with. But that is out of my hands. I got to focus on what I got to focus on and what I can control. I guess the front office felt that was the best decision for the organization."
"It was shocking to me," (Kawhi) Leonard said. "I guess they had a conversation, and front office made a decision."
The Clippers did go out after all this drama and picked up a quality win in Atlanta, 115-92. LA is still 6-16 on the season and sitting 13th in the West.
NBA fines Cavaliers $250,000 for sitting Darius Garland in nationally televised game
On Nov. 23 and 24, the Cleveland Cavaliers faced a back-to-back, at home on Sunday against the struggling Clippers, then on the road Monday against the impressive Raptors, with their high-pressure defense. The Cavaliers chose to start Darius Garland in the game they most expected to win — against the Clippers — and rested him on Monday night in Toronto.
That decision will cost Toronto $250,000 for violating the NBA's player participation policy, a fine the league announced Thursday.
That Monday Toronto game was nationally televised as part of Peacock NBA Monday and "the violation occurred when the Cavaliers failed to make Garland available for the team's nationally-televised game on Nov. 24 and instead made him available on Nov. 23 which was not a nationally-televised game," the NBA said in its statement announcing the fine.
The league determined that Garland could have played both halves of the back-to-back. Garland has played in just eight of the Cavaliers' 23 games this season, battling a toe issue that slowed him in last season's playoffs.
The $250,000 sum was because this was the Cavaliers second violation of the player participation policy. Cleveland had previously been fined $100,000 for sitting Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley against Miami earlier in November. After that fine, Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said, "I gotta look at the Cavs' best interest." I think my No. 1 job is to protect the health of our players."
Observations after Sixers blow 24-point lead but Edgecombe makes game-winning put-back
Observations after Sixers blow 24-point lead but Edgecombe makes game-winning put-back originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Exactly one month after blowing a 24-point lead to the Bulls, the Sixers did the same Thursday night vs. the Warriors.
This time around, they still escaped with a win, earning a 99-98 victory at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
De’Anthony Melton blocked Tyrese Maxey’s jumper on the Sixers’ final possession, but VJ Edgecombe leaped for a game-winning put-back layup with 0.9 seconds to go.
The Warriors then chucked the ball ahead and Melton appeared like he’d have a clean chance, but Maxey hustled back and snuffed his lay-in attempt to seal the game.
Maxey led all scorers with 35 points.
The 12-9 Sixers were down Paul George (left knee injury recovery), Kelly Oubre Jr. (left knee LCL sprain) and Trendon Watford (left adductor strain).
Oubre will be re-evaluated next week, according to a team official. The 29-year-old wing said pregame that he’s been making progress, doing whatever the Sixers’ medical staff instructs and taking a “day-by-day” approach.
Golden State was without Stephen Curry (left quadriceps contusion) and Jimmy Butler (left knee soreness). Draymond Green exited at halftime because of a right foot injury.
The Sixers will fly to Milwaukee and play the Bucks on Friday night. Here are observations on their win over the Warriors:
Lid on the Warriors’ rim
Joel Embiid faced up against Al Horford on the game’s first possession and knocked down a jumper. Horford followed with a three-pointer, which was the last long-range success the Warriors had for a long time.
For much of the first quarter, there was a lid on the Golden State rim.
The Warriors started 2 for 21 from the field and 1 for 13 from three-point range. They managed a mere 10 points in the first quarter. The Sixers played sound defense, but many of those misses came on open and wide-open shots.
Meanwhile, Maxey had a swell time on the other end against his friend Melton, who returned from a torn ACL to make his season debut. Maxey hit a baseline floater, and-one layup and mid-range jumper on his former backcourt mate. He also nailed a step-back three against another former Sixer, sinking a deep jumper over Buddy Hield to put the Sixers up 21-5.
Nothing free for Golden State in first half
The Warriors made a 10-0 run early in the second quarter with Maxey on the bench. Edgecombe snapped it with a tightly guarded, off-balance three late in the shot clock.
The Sixers’ lack of fouls helped them maintain a comfortable lead. Golden State took no free throws in the first half.
The team has made significant improvement in that area this season. Entering Thursday, the Sixers ranked 11th in the NBA in defensive free throw rate, per Cleaning the Glass. They were 20th last season. The Sixers haven’t forced turnovers as often, but the decrease in free points conceded has helped the team at least be a middle-of-the-pack defense so far.
Two Maxey mid-range buckets built the Sixers’ lead back to 20 points. Jared McCain’s corner three with 3.1 seconds to go in the second quarter got a generous bounce through the hole and gave the Sixers a 56-34 advantage.
Sixers collapse but still pull it out
After the Warriors scored the first six points of the third quarter, Maxey canned a trio of triples in quick succession.
That sure didn’t spell the end of the contest.
The Sixers had many sloppy possessions against the Warriors’ zone defense in the third quarter. Maxey committed three turnovers in the period and Edgecombe had two. Melton scored a driving layup on Golden State’s final play of the third to cut the Sixers’ lead to 80-66.
By the middle of the fourth quarter, the Sixers were in serious danger of losing their lead.
Edgecombe missed a three and Hield then leaked out for a fast-break layup on his Bahamian teammate. McCain turned the ball over twice in a row against Golden State’s ball pressure. In general, the Sixers’ offense looked rushed and uncertain. Jumpers by Quinten Post and Melton sliced the Warriors’ deficit to 84-81.
Adem Bona checked in for his first action of the night and converted a put-back layup on his first play. Embiid logged 25 minutes and didn’t appear in the fourth quarter.
The Warriors began to drain all the jump shots they’d bricked in the early going. Post drilled another three and Gui Santos cut free for a layup that lifted Golden State to a 93-92 edge.
Pat Spencer made it 98-94 with a long-range jumper. Quentin Grimes then scored an and-one layup and the Sixers finally managed an important stop. Melton drove into the lane, got stopped in his tracks by Bona, and traveled. On the ensuing possession, Bona drew a foul … and missed both his free throws.
Melton missed a layup in traffic, but the Warriors retained possession thanks to a successful challenge that showed the rebound last touched Edgecombe on its way out of bounds.
The final seconds were full of more chaos. Edgecombe wound up stealing a Spencer inbounds pass and calling timeout with 8.2 seconds on the clock. The rookie had one more clutch play in store.
Oakland basketball coach Greg Kampe sounds off on absent student section: ‘Where are they?’
Oakland University basketball head coach Greg Kampe called out the team's student section for not attending games.
Why Steve Kerr trusting his eyes is key to maximizing Warriors' lineup shuffling
Why Steve Kerr trusting his eyes is key to maximizing Warriors' lineup shuffling originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
When the Warriors were running the NBA, staging annual races to the NBA Finals, whatever Kerr would see on the court in real time greatly influenced his substitution decisions. He strayed from that guidance pattern Tuesday night, and it backfired.
Kerr went back to those instincts Thursday night in Philadelphia and almost was rewarded with an unlikely victory.
The Warriors wiped out a 24-point third-quarter deficit, with the surge giving them a 98-94 lead on Pat Spencer’s 3-pointer with 1:12 remaining before the 76ers closed it out for a 99-98 victory that dropped Golden State to 11-12.
Spencer was in the game because Kerr trusted the eyes he didn’t trust Tuesday, when Spencer ignited a late comeback that threatened Oklahoma City but was subbed out for Brandin Podziemski with 3:56 left. The next two possessions went nowhere, with Podziemski missing from deep and committing a turnover.
This time, there was no questionable late-game substitution. Podziemski stayed on the bench, as Spencer played all 12 minutes of the fourth quarter and was no less effective than he was two nights earlier.
“Yeah, tonight was a no brainer,” Kerr told reporters at Xfinity Mobile Center. “The other night was a tricky decision but tonight was obvious pat was just incredible out there and controlled the game and he’s just about the right stuff.”
Spencer scored 12 points in the quarter and was plus-13 for his efforts. He led lineups that were without Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III or Draymond Green, who left in the second quarter after aggravating a sprained right foot.
To put a finer point on it, Spencer – with generous assistance from De’Anthony Melton in his season debut – pushed the Warriors in position to prevail mostly behind the bench. Gui Santos played more than 11 minutes in the fourth quarter, Buddy Hield played 10 minutes, Quinten Post played eight and Melton played five.
“The effort was phenomenal,” Kerr said. “It felt like we really deserved to win, and I feel terrible for the guys that we couldn’t hang on because the effort, the energy, the commitment. Gui hasn’t played in a couple weeks and he’s playing the whole fourth quarter and is (plus-15), showing what he did last year. And the way Pat got us into our offense and got downhill and into pick-and-roll and distributed the ball . . . I like the way the guys fought.”
Kerr indicated that he hopes for a way that Spencer, operating on a two-way contract that limits him to 50 games, can be elevated to a standard contract. The coach also made it clear that he sees Spencer as “the perfect guy for a backup” at point guard behind Curry.
With Spencer playing exceedingly well in consecutive games, and Melton impressing in his return nearly a year after undergoing surgery to repair a slight ACL tear, the Warriors will be exceptionally deep at guard when Curry returns, which is expected next Friday.
“We’re deep,” Spencer said. “We got a lot of guys that could play and guys that have proven it time after time. So, I think that’s the tough part. I don’t envy Steve’s job at all.”
Make no mistake, a 10-point first quarter laid the foundation for this loss, which exposed – or re-exposed – some of the weaknesses that have rendered Golden State unable to escape mediocrity so far this season.
Ineffective defense at the point of attack. Poor shot selection, mostly in the first half, particularly in the first quarter when they jacked up 15 3s, making two. Too many live-ball turnovers, which Philly exploited for 25 points. Insufficient interior moxie and muscle, resulting in another rebounding deficit, with the 76ers scoring the game-winning bucket on an offensive rebound.
Spencer can help with a few of those ailments, and Melton surely will address some of them. When Curry returns, Spencer and Melton will be among seven Warriors vying for guard minutes in the rotation.
All of which gives Kerr the right to shorten his proverbial leash on a night-to-night basis.
The coach likely realized that on this night, when he went back to an old habit that served him well. He trusted his in-game eyes.
Bucks players, coach Doc Rivers downplay buzz around Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors
Giannis Antetokounmpo was frustrated. Doc Rivers was frustrated. Bucks GM Jon Horst was frustrated. All the Bucks players were frustrated. Milwaukee went into training camp believing internally they could be a force in a down Eastern Conference this season, but there they were on Wednesday morning at 9-13, having not only lost four in a row while Antetokounmpo was out with a groin strain, but they had lost on Monday night with him to a struggling Wizards team.
That's when the report dropped that Antetokounmpo and his agent would meet with Bucks management to discuss his future with the franchise. That report sparked countless conversations — from front offices around the league to media broadcasts to barstools in New York City — about what an Antetokounmpo trade might look like.
Wednesday night, the Bucks players, as well as Rivers, pushed back on all that talk on a number of fronts:
• The most impressive was a win without Antetokounmpo — who left the game with a calf strain two minutes in and now reportedly will be out 2-4 weeks — beating the top team in the East, the Detroit Pistons. That's the Bucks' best win of the season and met with Antetokounmpo's approval, according to Bobby Portis.
"What's so crazy is Giannis is the first person texting in the team group message, 'Good job, fellas, way to get one,'" Portis said, via the Associated Press.
• Kevin Porter Jr. had maybe the best summation of where the Bucks locker room stands, seeing everything as outside noise until Antetokounmpo himself talks to the team, with the quote via Eric Nehm at The Athletic.
"I'll just say this: There's a lot of outside noise, that's just what comes with it," Porter said. "And Giannis does a great job of assuring (us) that he's wanting to be here with this group specifically.
"So, we ain't even worried about all the outside noise. That's my brother and I'm sure if it was something he would come to us, but he's with us and we're gonna hold it down until he's ready."
• Before the reports of Antetokounmpo meeting with management even dropped, the Bucks players held a team meeting to talk about why they had not been playing up to their own standards and what needed to be done. Here is how Portis described it, via The Athletic.
"Just trying to keep guys' minds right, keep guys together, that's a big thing in the league," Portis explained of the motive behind the meeting. "Obviously, everybody wants to get paid, everybody has different motives, whatever it is. Just making sure that we're together, right? And then, most importantly, understanding that we have to get a win. No matter how we get it. If it's ugly, if it's good, if we're knocking down shots, whatever it is, the most important thing was to win."
The Bucks got the kind of win they needed on Wednesday night.
• Doc Rivers is maybe the best salesman among the current crop of NBA coaches, and he was selling the company line on Wednesday — but there is a truth in what he is saying. Here's his full quote from pregame:
"I want to make it clear for the — I want to say one more time — for the 50th time, and clearly it's not getting to one network, for sure, Giannis has never asked to be traded. Ever. I can't make that more clear."
Rivers also went on to say that if the Bucks turn things around and start winning games again, playing to their potential, all these questions will go away.
Rivers is not lying here. The Bucks are not going to trade Antetokounmpo until he formally asks to be traded, and he has yet to do that forcefully and directly. He did pressure the Bucks to talk to the Knicks late in this summer (August), but after the Knicks re-signed Mikal Bridges to an extension, taking him off the trade table until Feb. 1, 2026. Those talks went nowhere.
This is the first big question being asked around the league, according to sources NBC Sports has spoken with: Is Antetokounmpo going to formally, officially ask for a trade? He's danced up to that line before, but never stepped over it and officially asked. He comes off as maybe wanting out but also not wanting to be the bad guy. When asked about his status, his response is always some version of what he said at this year's training camp: "I want to be in a situation that I can win, and now I'm here. I believe in this team. I believe in my teammates. I'm here to lead this team to wherever we can go."
Until Antetokounmpo stops just rattling his sabers and actually makes a trade request (or, until he doesn't sign an extension with the team next October when they can offer him a new max deal), the Bucks are going to try to find ways — including making moves at the February trade deadline — to improve the roster and win with him. The Bucks are all-in on Antetokounmpo until he tells them not to be.
• The other question being asked around the league is, if Antetokounmpo does request a trade, will the Bucks be willing to work with him and take less in return to get him where he wants to go (New York, presumably, but other teams like Miami or Golden State could be on a short list) or, are they going to take the best package regardless of where it sends the two-time MVP? Teams like Atlanta and San Antonio can put together offers far better than New York or the other reported preferred Antetokounmpo landing spots, should those teams decide to jump in and go after him. How would Antetokounmpo react if the Bucks worked out a trade with the Hawks or Spurs? Would this be like Antetokounmpo's former teammate, Damian Lillard, who didn't have Milwaukee on his trade list but was open to the idea once presented with the deal? Antetokounmpo has some leverage because he is under contract for one more season after this one and could tell a team he would not re-sign with them if they trade for him. Of course, that's what Kawhi Leonard told Toronto, they traded for him anyway, won a ring, and then he left. There are teams that would sign up for that outcome.
• The Bucks' current roster is going to ignore all that and focus instead on what matters most right now — winning games, so this becomes moot.