Game 60.
Game Thread: Suns look to get back on track vs Lakers
Lakers aiming to mirror Dodgers front office’s ‘player identification and development’
Can the way a baseball team operates be successfully imitated in basketball? Lakers fans are about to find out.
Not only is their new majority owner Mark Walter in charge of the Dodgers, but he’s also bringing some of those talents to the Lakers. Lon Rosen is now the President of Business Operations for the Lakers after spending the last decade-plus with the Dodgers.
And, according to a recent piece by Dan Woike of The Athletic, the similarities won’t stop there.
The plan, according to Pelinka and sources, is for the Lakers to expand its front office around the president of basketball operations by reforming its college scouting staff, building a modern pro scouting department and adding to its existing analytics department. The goal is to mirror the Los Angeles Dodgers’ successful front office, which has mastered player identification and development, in addition to working with a seemingly unlimited payroll.
While baseball fans complain about the Dodgers’ wealth, a lot of their success stems from their ability to identify and develop players. Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger won back-to-back National League Rookie of the Year Awards in 2016 and ‘17.
The Dodgers continue to develop young prospects like Josue De Paula, who will likely impact the team’s success in the future. This is why the Dodgers are considered by many baseball experts to be one of the best organizations at developing homegrown talent.
There are also players like Chris Taylor and Max Muncy, who were miscast or misused with other franchises but landed with the Dodgers and became key pieces to winning teams. In a sport with a salary cap like the NBA, being able to identify those types of players is even more valuable than in baseball.
The Lakers have found plenty of quality players in the draft before, from top picks like Lonzo Ball to undrafted players like Austin Reaves. Recently, though, they missed on their first round selections, such as Jalen Hood-Schifino, and Dalton Kencht is out of the rotation and viewed as a negative asset by NBA scouts.
Given that the Lakers let go of the Buss brothers, who were integral to the scouting department, bringing in new people is a top priority. Tony Bennett has recently been brought on as an NBA Draft advisor, the first publicly announced hire for the team’s scouting department.
The idea of copying the Dodgers’ dynasty and applying it to the Lakers is exciting, but basketball is an entirely different sport.
The Lakers can’t spend on players like the Dodgers under the NBA’s CBA. They can, however, spare no expense on all other hires. Being aggressive in providing the franchise with as many top resources as possible will give them the best chance of success.
Things might be changing all around the Lakers front office, but at the top, it will remain the same.
Rob Pelinka is reportedly staying on as President of Basketball Operations as the Lakers aim to be aggressive in what’s set to be a summer with a ton of cap space and dreams of Giannis Antetokounmpo becoming available.
The Lakers will need people who understand NBA basketball and its politics at the highest level for this to work anywhere near as well as it has for the Walter’s baseball team. Perhaps that’s the role Pelinka can thrive in.
Hopefully, the number of new people like Bennett and the workers Walter trusts, like Rosen, can blend to make something special in downtown Los Angeles. And soon, the baby Lakers will be a sign that the front office is winning in the margins while its star players rack up victories on the floor.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
Mike Brown still believes Knicks can win a title — but sees what’s holding them back
MILWAUKEE — A substantial tumble since New Year’s Eve hasn’t diminished Mike Brown’s belief in a Knicks championship.
But the coach understands there are factors beyond talent that will help hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy.
“I truly believe it [that we are championship team],” Brown said Thursday. “Now, having said that, there are things that have to go right. You got to be playing your best basketball. You have to be connected. The things that I talk about. You got to sacrifice. If you got guys on your team that aren’t sacrificing, you could be in trouble. Because it’ll mess with your connectivity. Which is huge. You got to have a competitive spirit. You got to want to compete every night. And you got to believe. You got to keep believing. Even when things are going bad. Even when you go through stretches of 2-7 or 2-9. You got to believe not just in the process — because it is a process — but you got to believe in each other. And then at the end of the day, in anything you do, starting with me, everybody has to be held accountable.”
The Knicks (37-22) haven’t looked the part of a title contender over most of the past two months, amassing a pedestrian 14-13 record starting Dec. 31. Heading into Thursday, it was tied for the NBA’s 18th-best winning percentage during that stretch — and it included bouts of ugly defense, disjointed vibes and blowout defeats against the East’s top dogs. The No. 1 Pistons (48-13) have created space in the standings that feels insurmountable, while the Celtics (38-20) surpassed the Knicks for No. 2.
Lately, New York, just a half-game above Cleveland for No. 3 in the conference, has been more pretender than contender.
Before New Year’s Eve, though, the Knicks were 23-9 and NBA Cup champs. They carried the look of an NBA Finals team, after nearly reaching that point last year. So the talent has shown it’s capable, and there’s a public mandate from owner James Dolan to at least win the East.
But Brown, who was on the coaching staff of four NBA championship squads in San Antonio and Golden State, said the Knicks need to quickly find the other stuff first — sacrifice, accountability, competitiveness.
- CHECK OUT THE LATEST NBA STANDINGS AND KNICKS STATS
“Those things, which are our standard, are huge for us,” Brown said. “Those things are not necessarily what the outside world can see. The outside world sees the shots, the points, the defense and all that. If you want to win a championship, you gotta have a team that’s talented. We have that. Can we make sure we maximize and embrace our standard every time we step on the floor? And if we can, that’s what’s going to get us over the hump.”
With 23 games remaining there’s still time to rediscover a title form, but the door is no longer wide open.
“We’re not trying to be a final product by Game 60,” Jalen Brunson said after Tuesday’s nasty loss to the Cavs. “I know how good we can be.”
After Friday at the Bucks, the Knicks begin the toughest five-game stretch of the season — vs. San Antonio, at Toronto, vs. OKC, at Denver and at the Lakers.
All those opponents are top six in their respective conferences.
It’ll be a good test of Brown’s “standard.”
“Everything is geared toward being your best toward the end of the season and going into the playoffs and hopefully throughout that run,” Brown said. “I’ve never been a guy who puts stock in everything and it’s the end of the world if it doesn’t happen in this particular game. That’s not life in general. Things are going to average out to however they need to at the right time. And hopefully after 70 games, or whatever it is, you feel pretty good where you are going into that postseason.”
Mavericks vs Kings Preview and Injury Update: Terrible time for a win streak
The Dallas Mavericks (21-36) are home for the first time in a month and on Thursday night they host the Sacramento Kings (13-47). Dallas is staring at their least welcomed winstreak in years, defeating the Pacers then the Brookly Nets. The Kings actually beat the Grizzlies this week, which was their first win since one over the Washington Wizards in mid-January. The Kings are bad bad bad bad, but we knew that already
Here’s the main things you need to know:
- WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Sacramento Kings
- WHAT: The new Dallas Mavericks finally get to play in front of the home crowd
- WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
- WHEN: 7:30 pm CST
- HOW: KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV streaming, NBA League Pass
Oh boy what an injury report we have today. On the Dallas end, Cooper Flagg, Daniel Gafford, PJ Washington, and Ryan Nembhard are all out with various maladies. Khris Middleton is going to suit up after hurting his shoulder the other night. Moussa Cisse and Miles Kelly should both see some action tonight as they’re both listed as available.
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Unlike the Nets, the Kings have taken to just shutting down guys for the year. Domanta Sabonis and Zach LaVine are out. Russell Westbrook was ruled out for tonight’s game. DeAndre Hunter and Dyland Cardwell are missing the game with various injuries. Keegan Murray has been out with a bad ankle sprain. It’s bleak over there for an already bad team.
I see no way Dallas loses. They have NBA players. The Kings have DeMar DeRozan. It’s gonna be a sad evening of basketball for the hardcore fans out there.
Be sure to chime in with your predictions in the comments!
Consider joining Josh and me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start LATE. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!
Cavs add several new names to lengthy injury report for showdown with Pistons
Tuesday’s win over the New York Knicks seemed like a seminal moment for the Cleveland Cavaliers. They showed that the new-look team could hang with one of the best teams in the conference, while still acknowledging that there was room to grow.
Unfortunately for the Cavs, things haven’t gone well since that day. The team announced that James Harden broke his thumb in the win, Donovan Mitchell was added to the injury report with a groin strain, and the Cavs lost to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday due to poor perimeter defense.
A loss in the standings wasn’t the only thing the Cavs suffered that day. Three new rotation players have been added to the injury report. Keon Ellis has broken his left index finger, Dean Wade has a right ankle sprain, and Dennis Schroder also has a right ankle sprain.
This has all led to the following injury report for Friday’s game against the Detroit Pistons:
- Donovan Mitchell – OUT, groin strain
- James Harden – QUESTIONABLE, broken thumb
- Dean Wade – QUESTIONABLE, right ankle sprain
- Dennis Schroder – QUESTIONABLE, right ankle sprain
- Keon Ellis – QUESTIONABLE, right ankle sprain
- Max Strus – OUT, left foot Jones fracture
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The severity of any of the new injuries isn’t known at this time.
The most concerning part of the injury report is Mitchell missing his second game in a row with a groin strain. It seems like Mitchell has battled some kind of injury in late February/early March for the past few seasons. This groin strain is the latest one.
The Cavs need Mitchell at his best if they’re going to meet playoff expectations. Shutting him down for several games, if needed, would be in their long-term best interest. We’ll likely find out more information about his injury on Friday evening when head coach Kenny Atkinson speaks with the media.
Harden is expected to play through his thumb injury and could return to the court for this matchup.
The three new names on the injury report of Ellis, Wade, and Schroder are concerning. Each fills a vital role for this team that isn’t easily replaced.
We’ll see which of the questionable players are available to play. At the very least, it’s disappointing that the Cavs will be without their best player and could be missing several key contributors in Friday’s matchup with Detroit.
Bruce Froemming, record-setting major league umpire, dies at age 86
Bruce Froemming, a major league umpire for 37 consecutive years who worked the third-most games in big league history and a record 11 no-hitters, died Wednesday, his son said. He was 86.
Froemming fell just after midnight Tuesday and hit his head on the hardwood floor at his home in Mequon, Wisconsin, and was taken to Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital in Milwaukee, according to Froemming's son, Steven.
He had brain bleeding that medical personnel could not stop because Froemming was on blood thinners, leading to his death.
Froemming was a semipro baseball player and started his umpiring career in the minor leagues in 1958 at age 18. He worked his way up and joined the National League staff in 1971. He shifted to the unified major league staff in 2000 and retired in 2007 having worked 5,163 games, second at the time to Bill Klem's 5,373. They were both surpassed by Joe West, who worked 5,460 games before retiring in 2021.
Froemming started his umpiring career at a minor league game in Waterloo, Iowa.
“I thought I was in heaven — on the ballfield, professional athletes, I was starting my professional career,” he told The Associated Press days before his retirement. “But never did you dream at the time, ever even think of going to a big league ballpark, because you had so far to go through the minor leagues to even get a chance.”
He concluded that being a good umpire required “probably being patient with yourself. ... You’re going to make mistakes early on.”
Among the most famous of the no-hitters he worked was on Sept. 2, 1972. Milt Pappas of the Chicago Cubs retired his first 26 batters and went to a 1-2 count on pinch-hitter Larry Stahl before walking him. Pappas then retired Garry Jestadt on a popup.
Froemming was behind the plate for three other no-hitters, by Ed Halicki (1975), Nolan Ryan (1981) and José Jiménez (1999). He worked five World Series.
When he retired, Froemming became a special assistant to MLB's vice president on umpiring,
He is survived by his wife, the former Rosemarie Loch, whom he married in 1957; two sons, Steven and Kevin; sister Cathy Seizer; half-brother Johnny Froemming; and two grandchildren.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Cavs at Pistons: How to watch, odds, and injury report
The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to pick up their second win this week against a team in the top half of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Cleveland has split its previous two games against the conference-leading Detroit Pistons, but its current team looks a lot different from the one that faced them in October and January. We’ll see how this version stacks up against one of the most consistent teams in the league.
The Pistons have been the best team in the conference by every statistical measure. They have the best record, best defense, and have been playing at a high level all season. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has gotten the most out of this group. Whether or not that translates to the playoffs remains to be seen.
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Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (37-23) at Detroit Pistons (43-14)
Where: Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, MI
When: Fri., Feb. 27 at 7 PM
TV: ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network – Ohio, FanDuel Sports Network App
Point spread: Pistons -7
Cavs injury report: Donovan Mitchell – OUT (groin), James Harden – QUESTIONABLE (thumb), Dennis Schroder – QUESTIONABLE (ankle), Dean Wade – QUESTIONABLE (ankle), Keon Ellis QUESTIONABLE (left index finger fracture), Max Strus – OUT (foot), Tristan Enaruma – OUT (G League), Riley Minix – OUT (G League)
Pistons injury report: Isaiah Stewart – OUT (suspension), Bobbi Klintman – OUT (G League), Chaz Lanier – OUT (G League), Wendell Moore Jr. – OUT (G League)
Cavs expectedstarting lineup: James Harden, Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Pistons expected starting lineup: Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Tobias Harris, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren
Previous matchup: Missed defensive rebound cost the Cavs in their Jan. 4 loss to the Pistons
Here’s a look at both teams’ impact stats via Cleaning the Glass.
| Offensive Rating | Defensive Rating | Net Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavs | 118.3 (8th) | 114 (11th) | +4.3 (9th) |
| Pistons | 117.6 (10th) | 109.1 (2nd) | +8.5 (2nd) |
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Anthony Edwards fined $25K by NBA for throwing game ball 'with force'
Minnesota Timberwolves' guard Anthony Edwards has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for throwing the game ball "with force" into the stands during halftime of Minnesota's 124-121 road win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
The incident occurred at the end of the second quarter, when Edwards snagged a rebound off a Portland miss, then faked a heave to end the half. After the buzzer had already sounded, Edwards launched the ball toward the basket and struck someone standing nearby.
Edwards did not throw the ball out of anger or frustration, but the ball did clearly hurt the bystander.
WATCH: The heave that cost Edwards $25K
You can watch the full video of the incident here, on nba.com.
The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/4g7WkBCbXw
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 26, 2026
Has Edwards been fined before?
He's certainly no stranger to fines. Last year, Edwards was fined $420,000 across eight transgressions, mostly for foul language used in interviews with the press following games.
Has anyone else been fined for similar actions?
Funny enough, Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane was also fined $25K for throwing a ball into the stands "with force" during the team's Tuesday night win against the Los Angeles Lakers. Bane's incident occurred at the end of the game.
You can watch that incident here.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Watch the ball toss that cost Anthony Edwards $25K
NBA fines Anthony Edwards, Desmond Bane $25,000 each for throwing ball at opposite basket after buzzer
The NBA is sending a message: After a buzzer, don't take the ball and throw it toward the opposite basket (not as a shot, more of a celebration... or just because).
That message is going to cost the Timberwolves Anthony Edwards and the Magic's $25,000 each as both were fined by the league on Thursday "for throwing the game ball with force into the spectator stands."
What does that look like? Here's what Edwards did at halftime in Portland to earn his fine:
Ant pic.twitter.com/tUxhRUgxqo
— Moonball (@moonball30) February 26, 2026
Bane did essentially the same thing at the end of the Magic's dramatic win over the Lakers Tuesday night.
Lebron pic.twitter.com/aveCRiFNgI
— Moonball (@moonball30) February 25, 2026
Were those really worth $25,000? The league's concern is that a ball thrown into the stands could hit someone and injure them, but a fine?
Adidas and Ant responded to this perfectly (they must have had this in the can, waiting for the moment).
Good thing we saved for times like this…Believe That. https://t.co/d0kL7pPdg3pic.twitter.com/M1KDW8J2Ie
— adidas Basketball (@adidasHoops) February 26, 2026
Atlanta Hawks' 'Magic City Monday' to feature NSFW local institution
Welcome to Atlanta, where the players play and the gentlemen's clubs have the best wings in town.
The Atlanta Hawks are leaning into the city's famed hip-hop culture and history, featuring what the team is calling an "iconic cultural institution" that's definitely NSFW in an upcoming promotional night.
The team announced Wednesday it will collaborate with prominent Atlanta strip club Magic City for a one-night only, in-game celebration of hip-hop called "Magic City Monday" against the Orlando Magic on March 16.
“From the food to the music and the exclusive merchandise, we are excited to team up with Magic City to create an authentic, True to Atlanta-inspired game experience,” Hawks Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Melissa Proctor said in a news release.
Magic City Kitchen will serve two versions of their "world famous" lemon pepper wings, Louwill Lemon Pepper BBQ, named after Atlanta-native and three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year-winner Lou Williams.
What else is planned for 'Magic City Monday'?
The Hawks' celebration of "Magic City Monday" doesn't stop at wings. Atlanta rapper and entrepreneur T.I. is expected to perform at halftime.
Being that Tip is back home in Atlanta, at the State Farm Arena, it'll be interesting to see if he'll perform any recent cuts including diss tracks toward rapper and entrepreneur Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson.
Keeping it so ATL, the organization tabbed native DJ Esco to provide the pregame tunes.
Before the game, ticketed fans will have a chance to view a recording of the Hawks AF Podcast featuring a conversation with Magic City founder Michael “Mr. Magic” Barney and T.I., hosted by comedian D.C. Young Fly, another Atlanta native.
“We doin’ this one for the city ... Magic City,” T.I. said in a news release.
Why is Magic City famous?
Magic City has become influential not only in Atlanta but as a tourist stop for those who visit the city. Ask NBA players who have a road game against the Hawks about the lore of Magic City wings.
Williams famously couldn't help but visit the spot for its wings in 2020 when he was excused from the NBA Bubble in Orlando to attend a funeral, while everyone was social distancing due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The moment went viral after a photo he snapped with rapper Jack Harlow during the visit that was posted to social media.
"We had our masks on, I thought we did it how we were supposed to do it," Williams said, explaining the incident during a June 2025 episode of Gil's Arena, a podcast hosted by former NBA player Gilbert Arenas with Nick Young, Kenyon Martin, Rashad McCants and Josiah Johnson.
He continued: "I want to put this to bed. I didn't sneak out the bubble to go to Magic City. They excused me from the bubble to go to a funeral. ...The funeral home was a block away from Magic [City]. I've been staying in a hotel [in the NBA bubble in Orlando] eating hotel room service food. Magic got good food, this is my hometown and if you know ATL, we eat in our strip clubs. That's where you can find the best food."
Williams received a 10-day quarantine for violating safety protocols but maintains that the league's focus was on him going to a strip club rather than his real reason for going – the food.
The incident did two things: birthed the nickname "Lemon Pepper Lou" and also cemented Magic City's kitchen's place as the stuff of NBA and Atlanta legend.
But long before Williams's visit, the site was a landmark for Atlanta and its visitors, which is the focus of the documentary "Magic City: An American Fantasy" that discusses the impact of the club on Atlanta music, sports and culture through interviews with Atlanta rappers Big Boi, Killer Mike and T.I., along with other celebrities and artists who they discuss its role in hip-hop and Black culture.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Atlanta Hawks to feature prominent strip club in upcoming promotion
Deandre Ayton doesn’t seem thrilled about his role with the Lakers
Deandre Ayton has gained a reputation for being something of an enigma during his relatively brief time in the NBA. The latest feature story on him is going to do nothing to change any of that.
On Thursday, a story by Dave McMenamin of ESPN profiling Ayton with the Lakers this season had some of the most insane anecdotes imaginable. While we’ll dive into those shortly, the most notable on-court takeaway from the article was Ayton’s reaction to his role with the Lakers.
When he was finished speaking to the group, Ayton made his way back toward the showers and said what he really felt — loud enough for anyone still in the locker room to hear.
“They’re trying to make me Clint Capela,” Ayton said, referring to the Houston Rockets’ now backup center, who a decade ago made his impact as a lob-catching, rim-running big on a team that made it to two conference finals.
“I’m not no Clint Capela!”
Well, Deandre, therein lies the problem.
Luka needs a lob-catching partner at center. He went to the NBA Finals with two of them on the Mavs. Everyone knew the Lakers were searching for one this summer.
Ayton hasn’t ever been that player, even in his college days. No one expected him to become Clint Capela this season. But, like, you understand why they’d want him to be more like that, right?
No only is it beneficial to Luka to have a lob-catching center, but the centers get paid, too! Ask Derrick Lively II and Daniel Gafford about their stats, success and payday playing with Luka.
On one hand, it’s great awareness from Ayton that he sees the Lakers trying to turn him into Capela. On the other hand, it’s incredible awareness to understand why they would do that.
The wild stories of Deandre Ayton
Now, for the real meat and potatoes of this article: the anecdotes about Ayton.
The first one begins with a reference to the shirts the team wore early in the season that donned half of Ayton’s face and half of a lion. But it flows into an insane detail that hardly feels real.
The Lakers have stoked that ego, too: Rob Pelinka, team president of basketball operations and general manager, commissioned a black T-shirt with a gold screen print depicting half of a lion’s face and half of Ayton’s face that he presented to the 27-year-old. Members of the training staff wrap Ayton’s water bottle in athletic tape and write “DA’s Crunk Juice — Drink this to unleash the beast” in black marker on it before games.
DA’s Crunk Juice.
10/10. No notes. I’ve been covering the Lakers for a long time and this ranks near the very top of stories in that time period.
Is this more or less powerful than Michael’s Secret Stuff from Space Jam? The fact the most immediate comparison for this story is an animated movie is really just a perfect summary of the situation.
But on the topic of cartoonish moments…
There was less than an hour before tipoff against the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 13 when Ayton entered the Lakers’ locker room.
Just inside the door, Ayton’s breezy walk slowed down and his gait suddenly stiffened for a few awkward steps before the big man hurtled toward the floor.
What would have been one of the more bizarre pregame injuries in NBA history morphed into something else completely: Ayton caught his fall by placing both hands over his head and gracefully executed a cartwheel, followed by a somersault, to land safely on two feet.
Yeah, what needs to happen for us to see Ayton recreate that on the court. Is he saving that for a potential game-winner? A playoff series win? The Lakers aren’t winning a title this year, so it can’t be saved for that. But I absolutely need to see Ayton go full Willy Wonka.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
Deandre Ayton isn't Clint Capela. But it's what he and Lakers need | Opinion
There was no need for Clint Capela to catch this stray.
Capela, a 12-year center currently on the Rockets, became the target of a dig uttered by Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton. According to ESPN, Ayton was speaking with reporters after a frustrating loss Tuesday, Feb. 24 against the Magic. As the interview ended, ESPN reported that Ayton revealed a candid thought loud enough for anyone in the locker room to hear.
“They’re trying to make me Clint Capela,” Ayton said, per ESPN. “I’m not no Clint Capela.”
Ayton is right. He’s not Clint Capela; he’s far more athletically gifted. But, if anything, Ayton should aspire to the consistency and effort Capela has shown in his career. He should embrace the buy-in Capela showed over his stops in Houston and Atlanta. Because that’s just what the Lakers need.
Los Angeles is currently in sixth place in the stacked Western Conference, at 34-23. The Lakers are two games ahead of the No. 7 team, the Phoenix Suns, and it will be essential for L.A. to maintain its position there to avoid the play-in window.
But, going back to games before the NBA All-Star break, the Lakers have lost four of their last six. This comes at a time when Los Angeles is actually enjoying a spell of health, with Austin Reaves returning from a left calf strain. Aside from a few bumps and bruises, the Lakers are as close to full health as they’ve been in some time.
This is where Ayton’s offensive fit becomes an issue. On a team with a pair of ball-dominant playmakers like Luka Dončić and LeBron James, a tertiary option is going to see his usage drop considerably. But, this season, the Lakers have seen the rise of guard Austin Reaves, who’s averaging career highs in points (25.0) and field goal attempts (15.7).
That has reduced opportunities for Ayton, who is 13.2 points on 9.0 attempts per game. Ayton is shooting a career-high 66.7% from the floor and is adding a career-low 8.5 rebounds per game. Often, especially late in games, Ayton becomes more of a threat as a screener than he does as a scorer, which is understandably frustrating.
The question for the Lakers becomes if they feel it’s more efficient and effective to have the offense run through Dončić, James and Reaves (which it is) as opposed to manufacturing targeted touches for Ayton.
At his peak, Capela was a high-effort defensive force in the paint who adapted to his limited jump shot and offensive efficiency, instead becoming an efficient lob threat who found high-percentage buckets by sprinting into position.
The thing is, Ayton is far more athletic than Capela ever will be. A 7-foot big with an absurd wingspan and speed and leaping ability, Ayton has the ability to blow past defenders and outwork and outjump rebounders. It’s his effort that has let him down.
Consider this: Ayton’s best statistical season came in his final season in Phoenix, in 2022-23. Capela’s top year was in 2018-19, with the Rockets.
Ayton: 18.0 points on 58.9% shooting, 10.0 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game in 67 appearances.
Capela: 16.6 points on 64.8% shooting, 12.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in 67 appearances.
Capela, however, led the NBA in rebounding (14.3) in 2020-21 and led the league in offensive rebounds (4.7) that same season, tied for the league lead in 2023-24 (4.6). Capela was the No. 25 selection in the 2014 NBA Draft. Ayton was the No. 1 overall pick in 2018.
Ayton has had a fine, if underwhelming, career. Though his athleticism is undeniable, he often finds himself out of position on defense. When his usage drops, he often becomes disengaged and his effort dips.
Capela hasn’t been perfect, or even stellar, in his own career. But there are plenty of things Ayton could learn from him.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Deandre Ayton should embrace Clint Capela-type role | Opinion
Reports: Italian golfer Pavan badly injured from fall down elevator shaft when car was not there
STELLENBOSCH, South Africa (AP) — Italian golfer Andrea Pavan was badly injured from a fall down an elevator shaft when the doors opened and he was unaware the car wasn't there, according to multiple reports.
Golf Channel cited people on a text thread with Pavan's friends on the European tour and former Texas A&M teammates in reporting he suffered injuries to his back and shoulder and had undergone surgery Wednesday night in South Africa.
Pavan was scheduled to play in the South African Open, which began Thursday.
“By all accounts, he's in good spirits, thankful to be alive and FaceTiming with his kids,” J.T. Higgins, his former coach at Texas A&M, told Golf Channel. Higgins said he had not spoken with Pavan but was updated on his condition.
Golf Channel reported Pavan was staying near Cape Town and called for an elevator. He fell three stories and was taken to the hospital for surgery. The European tour, citing medical confidentiality, could only report he had withdrawn from the South African Open due to injury.
Pavan, 36, is a two-time winner on the European tour. His most recent victory was a playoff win over Matt Fitzpatrick in the 2019 BMW International Open.
___
AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
NBA fines Anthony Edwards $25,000 for throwing a ball into the stands after the halftime buzzer
NEW YORK (AP) — Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Thursday for “throwing the game ball with force into the spectator stands,” the league announced.
The incident occurred at halftime of Minnesota's victory at Portland on Tuesday. After a missed shot by the Trail Blazers as the buzzer sounded, Edwards casually grabbed the loose ball and hurled it the length of the floor toward the opposite basket. The NBA's announcement included video that showed the ball appearing to hit an arena staff member in the head.
The NBA also announced a $25,000 fine to Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane, also for throwing the game ball with force into the stands. Bane’s incident occurred at the end of Orlando’s 110-109 win at the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
Edwards was fined a total of $420,000 by the league last season for eight different transgressions, mostly for profane language in postgame interviews. After one incident he was docked $35,000 for failing to leave the court in a timely manner and throwing the ball into the stands after his ejection from a game.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
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