Category: c3

Here’s what you need to know about Banchero’s latest injury woe and when to expect him back in the lineup.

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What is Paolo Banchero’s injury?
Banchero was diagnosed with a torn right oblique, the team announced on Thursday, Oct. 31. He suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of the Magic’s 102-99 loss to the Bulls the previous evening.

Banchero averaged 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists on 49.5 percent shooting to start the year. The 21-year-old became the second-youngest player in NBA history to drop at least 50 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a single game, only bested by LeBron James (20 years, 80 days).

Banchero’s absence weakens a Magic side that currently sits fourth in the East.

How long is Paolo Banchero out?
The Magic announced on Oct. 31 that Banchero would be out indefinitely. He was scheduled to be evaluated in four-to-six weeks, putting a potential return around Christmas, barring a setback. His return to the floor will be dictated by how his injury responds to treatment.

Banchero provided a positive update on Nov. 18, saying, “This isn’t from the medical team or anything but the way I feel and I’ve been feeling, I think I can get back before Christmas now.”

“If it’s around that time and Arnie [Kander, Magic VP of Player Performance and Wellness] says ‘man no way, you can’t go’ then I’ll listen but if he gives me the green light, then I’mma do it.”

“The way I feel and I’ve been feeling, I think I can get back before Christmas.”@Pp_doesit on when he hopes to be back 👀 pic.twitter.com/DsRpTwgY5L

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 18, 2024
Magic coach Jamahl Mosley provided another update on Dec. 19, telling the media that Banchero has been “on the court” and “able to do some jogging” but still hasn’t been cleared for contact.

While all 30 teams were in contention to begin, it is fitting that the last two teams standing were led by a pair of superstars in Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Which players were recognized for their efforts during the Cup? Check out the full breakdown of the MVP and All-Tournament honors below.

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NBA Cup MVP 2024
Giannis Antetokounpmo was named MVP of the 2024 NBA Cup.

The #EmiratesNBACup MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo! pic.twitter.com/WEpYNsg0KH

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 18, 2024
In the championship game, Antetokounmpo scored 26 points, pulled down 19 rebounds and dished out 10 assists. For the NBA Cup, he averaged 30.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 2.8 blocks per game.

Antetokounmpo adds NBA Cup MVP to a trophy case that already includes two NBA MVP awards, a Defensive Player of the Year trophy and an NBA Finals MVP award.

NBA Cup All-Tournament Team 2024
The NBA Cup All-Tournament Team is headlined by MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and championship teammate Damian Lillard.

Rounding out the All-Tournament Team is Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Atlanta’s Trae Young and Houston’s Alperen Sengun.

The name is no coincidence: Brunson is also the father of New York’s franchise player, Jalen Brunson. As such, Rick’s relationship with DiVincenzo dates back to DiVincenzo’s time as Jalen’s Villanova teammate.

Heated as the exchange appeared to be, both sides have downplayed the nature of the argument in the time since. Each time these teams face off, however, the disagreement will undoubtedly be a talking point. Here is a recap of what happened and the explanation that has been offered from everyone involved.

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Donte DiVincenzo-Rick Brunson beef, explained
It all began midway through the first quarter when DiVincenzo hit a driving floater while absorbing the contact of a foul from Josh Hart. Because the foul occurred in front of New York’s bench, DiVincenzo had an opportunity to exchange some barbs with his former team.

“Can’t finish, right Thibs?” DiVincenzo jokingly said toward Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau.

After an unintelligible response came back from the New York bench, DiVincenzo’s tenor changed as he responded by saying, “That’s what happens when they let you run the show!” A retort that did not seem like it was directed to Thibodeau.

Donte says “I can’t finish right Thibs?” immediately after this finish pic.twitter.com/FllrEhr1Pd

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) October 14, 2024
When the game came to a close, tensions rose. Before returning to the locker room, DiVincenzo made his way to half-court to exchange pleasantries with his former teammates. As DiVincenzo continued his conversations, a seemingly peeved Rick Brunson came over to speak his mind, resulting in the two needing to be separated.

Donte DiVincenzo & Rick Brunson got into a heated exchange after the game 👀pic.twitter.com/cGaIt2HFWJ

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) October 14, 2024
As per internet sleuths, talented lip-readers and, more reliably, the on-court microphone, here is how the exchange went:

Rick Brunson: Sucker s— man. That was some sucker s—. I’ma let you live, bro.

Donte DiVincenzo: You talked to me! I was talking to Thibs. You wanna bring it out here for the camera.

Cooler heads ultimately prevailed, and both DiVincenzo and Rick Brunson have cleared the air when asked about the exchange in its aftermath.

MORE: Why Knicks are furious over NBA investigation into Rick Brunson’s promotion

“Family talks and family moves forward,” DiVincenzo said ahead of a rematch with his former team. “I wish them — obviously, that situation, but everybody over there, every single person over there — I wish nonstop individual success and collective success.”

Rick Brunson sang a similar tune when he joined his son and Hart on their “Roommates Show” podcast in mid-November.

“As you know, he’s family, man. So I thought it was blown out of proportion,” Brunson said.

“I could have handled it in a better way. …I thought, myself included, we didn’t act right. But it’s over with, we talked the next day. It’s all good.”

Josh: “You didn’t want to put the paws on Donte?”

Rick: “As you know, he’s family man. So I thought it was blown out of proportion… We didn’t act right, but it’s over with man. We talked the next day, it’s all good. Donte be at the Thanksgiving Dinner.” @bet365_us pic.twitter.com/Y7B8pwyb2X

— Roommates Show (@Roommates__Show) November 14, 2024
After the Knicks and Timberwolves meet on Dec. 19, they’ll meet one final time in Madison Square Garden on Jan. 17.

As Bronny James’ rookie season with the Lakers continues, he’s starting to show signs of growth during his G League assignments. After a few impressive scoring performances with South Bay, James has traveled with the team to play in the G League Winter Showcase in Orlando.

The South Bay Lakers played their first of two games in Orlando on Thursday against the Greensboro Swarm, the Hornets’ G League affiliate.

The Sporting News tracked James’ stats and highlights as he and the Lakers played their first of two games in Orlando.

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Bronny James live stats vs. Greensboro Swarm
It wasn’t his most efficient shooting night from the field but James continued his streak of double-digit scoring with 16 points in a loss to Greensboro. In addition to his scoring, James dished out five assists and pulled down four rebounds in the game.

As for things to clean up on, James committed five fouls and six turnovers. Mistakes come with aggression, however, and his mentality shift is certainly a welcomed sight for Lakers brass.

It’s no secret the Miami Heat are considering cutting ties with Jimmy Butler, but the organization may list an additional asset on the trade block.

The Heat could ship a 17-year veteran and 2016 NBA Finals hero to the Boston Celtics this season.

“Maybe Pat Riley has some sort of rule where he won’t trade with Boston, and that would make some sense, but if the Celtics are only interested in bringing in a veteran presence, Kevin Love could be an interesting choice,” Hardwood Houdini’s Jack Simone wrote Wednesday.

“He probably wouldn’t give Boston much on the court outside of a few gritty floor-spacing minutes, but that may be all they need.”

While Love only averages 6.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest with the Heat this season, he’s an experienced 36-year-old pro who’s participated in pivotal playoff clashes.

In his prime, Love was a meaningful contributor on the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers.

The UCLA product served as a dependable three-point shooting threat and made a big-time play against the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals.

Following a memorable Kyrie Irving side-step triple with 53 seconds remaining in regulation, Love played perhaps the most disciplined on-ball defense of his career and forced a crucial Steph Curry miss in crunch time.

The Cavaliers defeated the Warriors 93-89 and captured their first championship in franchise history.

Love is likely on his last leg in the present, but the Heat would be wise to keep the NBA champion around for mentorship purposes.

With the NBA trade deadline slowly sneaking up, teams are scrambling to make moves to bolster their playoff hopes. The Cleveland Cavaliers, owner of the best record in the league, are not expected to shake things up, but a small move might help their front office earn brownie points with ownership.

The Cavs are incredibly excited to do what was once seen as impossible: win a title without LeBron James. The King thrust Cleveland into the center of the NBA world, and when he left in free agency (both times), the Cavs withered away without him. This year, they look like a juggernaut.

With $140.5 million in payroll this year, Cleveland is just $1.9 million above the luxury tax. If they can dip below that line, they will receive a $19 million payout from the NBA. While trading away a key player to a team with cap space likely wouldn’t be worth it, Cleveland could turn to a division rival to get a sensible deal done.

The Detroit Pistons, after waiving center Paul Reed, have roughly $15 million in cap space and are expected to take on salary before the deadline in exchange for draft capital or young players.

Originally expected to be a part of a larger three-team deal, the Pistons could make a smaller move, sending a top-55 protected second-round pick in 2027 to the Cavs in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick and veteran center Tristan Thompson, who is only averaging 7.6 minutes this season. His $2 million salary this season would get the Cavs under the luxury tax if they could flip him

While floundering teams like the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to make a blockbuster move, winning teams like Cleveland are ready to hold the line, but they might be able to make some money and keep their core intact.