Category: NBA News

Chris Broussard Says 1 NBA Team Suffered A ‘Horrific Loss’ On Wednesday

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Dallas Mavericks v San Antonio Spurs, Game 1
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

 

The Golden State Warriors, facing the seemingly overmatched San Antonio Spurs, who had nothing to play for, stumbled into another nail-biter that would test their championship mettle.

The shocking conclusion came when Harrison Barnes drained a fadeaway 3-pointer at the buzzer that sealed a Golden State loss.

It represented another painful chapter in a Warriors season filled with missed opportunities and late collapses.

FOX Sports host Chris Broussard didn’t mince words when assessing the damage of this defeat.

“I said it I think when they lost to Miami a couple weeks ago, horrific loss, and that’s what this was. I mean, San Antonio had lost eight of their last nine games, and you let them come into your building and beat you?” Broussard said on “First Things First.”

The Warriors’ collapse was particularly frustrating given how the game unfolded.

Despite building a 14-point advantage in the first quarter, Golden State couldn’t put away San Antonio, which refused to back down despite having nothing left to play for in the standings.

What should have been a comfortable win transformed into a thrilling back-and-forth contest.

Stephen Curry delivered another stellar performance with 30 points, and Jimmy Butler added 28 points, but neither star provided enough to overcome the Warriors’ inability to close out crucial contests.

Broussard noted that while the Warriors’ playoff path remains viable, their performances against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks reveal concerning vulnerabilities.

Though Golden State might survive the play-in tournament, the fatigue factor could loom large for aging stars like Draymond Green, Curry and Butler.

The post Chris Broussard Says 1 NBA Team Suffered A ‘Horrific Loss’ On Wednesday appeared first on The Cold Wire.



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Analyst Reveals How Nico Harrison Can Redeem Himself In Dallas

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DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 10: Dallas Mavericks fans hold up a sign referring to Mavs general manager Nico Harrison during the game against the Sacramento Kings at American Airlines Center on February 10, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
(Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

 

The Dallas Mavericks’ front office finds itself at a crossroads following the seismic trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that instantly sparked fan outrage and “Fire Nico!” chants at American Airlines Center.

As the dust settles and reality sets in, general manager Nico Harrison faces mounting pressure to salvage both his reputation and the franchise’s competitive future.

ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins didn’t mince words when discussing Harrison’s potential redemption arc.

“You know how they can make this right? Soon as the season is over, you go out and you go get Kevin Durant. That’s how you make it right. You have the pieces. You have some money to make a trade happen. That’s how you make it right if you’re Nico Harrison and the front office of the Mavs organization. Go get KD to pair alongside Kyrie [Irving] and AD (Anthony Davis),” Perkins said on “NBA Today,” via Legion Hoops.

The suggestion of forming a team centered around Durant, Irving and Davis certainly raises eyebrows while questions about Harrison’s job security continue to linger around the franchise.

Despite public backlash, owner Patrick Dumont has consistently supported the general manager throughout the turbulent period.

Reports suggest Dumont has confidence in Harrison even after the controversial trade.

The owner’s continued trust suggests that Harrison likely remains in solid standing.

The scenario where Dumont would approve Harrison’s controversial trade proposal only to dismiss him months later seems unlikely and counterproductive.

The Mavericks appear focused on moving forward rather than conceding to public pressure.

The more pressing concern remains building a competitive team around their current stars rather than dwelling on what might have been with Doncic.

The post Analyst Reveals How Nico Harrison Can Redeem Himself In Dallas appeared first on The Cold Wire.



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Insider Says 1 NBA Team Is Facing Most Important Offseason In Franchise History

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Raptors v Wizards
(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

 

The Phoenix Suns entered this season with championship aspirations and a payroll to match, but as their playoff hopes officially ended, fans weren’t heartbroken, they were relieved it was finally over.

What started as a promising campaign quickly unraveled. The Suns were second in the Western Conference early on, before a stunning collapse changed everything.

Now, as Bobby Marks of ESPN observes, the organization faces decisions that could alter its trajectory for years to come.

“This is the most important offseason in Suns franchise history, just based on a lot of different things, and I think certainly the first thing is what direction do they go with head coach …,” Marks said, via NBA on ESPN.

The tenure of head coach Mike Budenholzer has raised more questions than answers.

His rotational inconsistency became a hallmark of the team’s struggles, and players like Tyus Jones emerged as defensive liabilities, contributing to the Suns’ bottom-five defensive rating.

What’s particularly troubling is that the roster flaws that plagued them last season only intensified this time around.

This season doesn’t just rank as disappointing, it stands as one of the most humiliating campaigns in NBA history.

Owner Mat Ishbia broke spending records assembling the roster, yet virtually every move designed to improve the team backfired.

After a decade of organizational instability, Budenholzer was supposed to be the steady hand guiding a talented group, but that vision never materialized.

Now, the Suns must confront difficult questions about their future. At the heart of these discussions are Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, two max-contract stars who spent significant time sidelined with injuries.

Their massive deals limit flexibility, forcing the front office to consider whether to double down on championship aspirations or pivot toward rebuilding.

The franchise has historically oscillated between contention and reconstruction. Which path they choose this offseason could determine whether they remain relevant in an increasingly competitive Western Conference or begin the painful process of starting over.

The post Insider Says 1 NBA Team Is Facing Most Important Offseason In Franchise History appeared first on The Cold Wire.



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Brian Windhorst Believes Suns Have To Consider Trading 1 Star This Offseason

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Victor Oladipo #4 of the Miami Heat puts up a three-point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on January 06, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Heat defeated the Suns 104-96.
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

 

The Phoenix Suns are not looking very bright right now.

They were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Wednesday night, meaning their season will limp to an end in the next few days.

The current superteam featuring Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal has not worked out, and now it’s time for them to make a big move.

Appearing on “First Take,” Brian Windhorst said the Suns need to do what was unthinkable just a year ago: trade Durant.

They don’t need to trade him because of his talent, Windhorst said, but because they are so strapped for cash and have no way to move forward with all the heavy contracts weighing them down.

“They’re going to have to seriously consider trading Kevin Durant for flexibility,” Windhorst stated.

This lineup hasn’t worked and likely will not work, which is reason enough to blow it up.

But Windhorst noted that the Suns put themselves in a very tough position when they worked to acquire Durant and Beal.

They gave away all of their assets and their future draft picks.

In exchange, they got multiple massive contracts that are costing them a lot, especially with taxes.

Durant would likely continue to serve the Suns well, but they cannot make a move unless they commit to financial adjustments, which means he has to go.

The good news for Phoenix is that they can probably make a good deal for him because multiple teams will want to negotiate.

The problem is that everyone else knows the Suns are desperate and in a tough spot, and they will not have the upper hand, even with Durant.

The Suns have set for this season, and they will likely look very different when 2025-26 begins.

 

The post Brian Windhorst Believes Suns Have To Consider Trading 1 Star This Offseason appeared first on The Cold Wire.



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Ja Morant Has Honest Admission About His NBA Fine

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Memphis Grizzlies v Boston Celtics
(Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)

 

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies recently faced a hefty fine from the NBA for repeatedly making gun gestures on the court during games.

Given Morant’s past, the fine wasn’t that shocking.

Morant certainly wasn’t surprised, and he recently talked about the fees he’ll have to pay and why the NBA targeted him.

“I wasn’t surprised. Just was showing people what’s been evident pretty much for the last two years,” Morant said, per NBACentral.

Morant has run into trouble multiple times over the last few years, and he sees this latest fine as another example of the NBA attempting to go after him.

He has certainly been under a lot of scrutiny since he gained notoriety for posing with a handgun on multiple social media live streams.

After the suspensions he faced for that, Morant said he would do right and stop acting out.

And he hasn’t made a mistake that egregious since, but the gun gestures he has performed recently have raised a lot of eyebrows.

Morant feels it’s unfair and believes he is being singled out by the league.

Other NBA stars have made similar gestures, but they haven’t received the same reaction.

Whether it’s fair or not, Morant will have to accept this is his place in the league, and he is going to be examined closely by the NBA officials.

Morant has had an up-and-down season this year, and injuries have been a problem.

He has a season average of 23.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 7.3 assists, and his Grizzlies are sixth in the West.

Morant will either stop making these gestures on the court or keep facing consequences.

He might not feel it’s fair, but it’s the reality he lives in.

 

The post Ja Morant Has Honest Admission About His NBA Fine appeared first on The Cold Wire.



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Terence Davis Has Decided On His Jersey Number With Kings

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Boston Celtics v Sacramento Kings
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

 

The Sacramento Kings recently announced they were signing guard Terence Davis to fill their open roster spot, and now Davis has made it official with the selection of his jersey number.

According to Etienne Catalan, Davis will wear No. 9 for the Kings.

This number was last used by Kevin Huerter in 2025.

Davis has most recently spent time with the G-League Wisconsin Herd this season, averaging 14.3 points per game on 40.2 percent three-point shooting.

Before that, he played for the Toronto Raptors and spent three seasons with the Kings.

During his first run in Sacramento, Davis averaged 8.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.

Back in 2023-24, Davis ruptured his Achilles while he was playing for the Rip City Remix.

After recovering, he signed a training camp deal with the Milwaukee Bucks before this season began but was waived by the team in October.

The Kings see Davis as a way to provide more depth to their wing positions, especially now that Malik Monk suffered a calf injury on Monday.

Meanwhile, Keegan Murray has missed the last two games with back problems.

The Kings are currently the ninth team in the West and have secured their spot in the Play-In Tournament.

It’s going to be a rough few weeks for them.

If they are able to secure a spot in the playoffs, they will be the eighth seed, meaning they’ll face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the opening round.

Davis hasn’t been in the NBA for some time, but he will be thrown right into the fire with his return to Sacramento.

He is surely happy to be back, but he joins the team at a challenging time.

 

The post Terence Davis Has Decided On His Jersey Number With Kings appeared first on The Cold Wire.



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Tyronn Lue Reveals His Thoughts On Michael Malone’s Firing

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Chicago Bulls v Los Angeles Clippers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

 

The firing of Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone sent a message to the rest of the league: it doesn’t matter if you won a championship, and it doesn’t matter how close the playoffs are – everyone is expendable.

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue spoke about that recently, touching upon the sudden firing of Malone and the state of coaching in the NBA.

“The criteria for getting hired, fired, I don’t know what it is anymore,” Lue said, per RG on X.

Malone was definitely receiving negative reviews this year, but most people didn’t think he’d be fired at this point.

The Nuggets aren’t in the place they want to be, especially because Nikola Jokic is playing so well this year.

There have been complaints about the rotation and other choices Malone made.

A lot of people believed that he faced firing in the summer if the Nuggets didn’t turn things around and make a playoff push.

Instead, he was let go just days before the postseason.

Obviously, the firing might have major implications for the Nuggets.

It may have doomed their chances in the playoffs, but it could also put them in a better position.

This shows how much the Nuggets wanted a change and how much they didn’t like Malone’s performance.

Lue is probably safe with his job, especially because he has such a cozy and comfortable relationship with Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.

But the league moves quickly, the NBA is a business, and things can change in the blink of an eye.

Lue isn’t going to think about that and will instead stay focused on leading his team into the postseason.

He doesn’t understand why the league works like it does, but he is paying attention to more important things.

 

The post Tyronn Lue Reveals His Thoughts On Michael Malone’s Firing appeared first on The Cold Wire.



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Stats Show How Nikola Jokic Has Dominated In Past 7 Games

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New Orleans Pelicans v Denver Nuggets
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

 

The Denver Nuggets may have faced their fair share of challenges, but there is no doubt that Nikola Jokic has been playing fantastic basketball lately.

Legion Hoops summed up his recent run of games and reminded fans just how great he has been during the last seven games.

It all started with a 40-point, 13-rebound, 9-assist game, and then Jokic was off to the races with a slew of outstanding games.

The best moment came when Jokic posted 61 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

On Wednesday, Jokic produced 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, yet another triple-double and a sign of how dominant he is.

Jokic has been a walking triple-double this year and has a season average of 29.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game.

He may not be the frontrunner for MVP this year, but he is still easily one of the most impactful players in the NBA.

Jokic rarely has an off night, but he has been looking in fine form lately, which is exactly what the Nuggets need.

They are fighting hard to reach the playoffs and currently sit as the fourth seed in the West with a 48-32 record.

Nuggets fans recognize the team has had an up-and-down season, but they believe that if the Nuggets reach the postseason, Jokic will be able to lead them.

He has done it before, and he can do it again.

The West has never been so competitive, and the Nuggets haven’t looked this inconsistent in a long time.

But if Jokic is playing like this, everyone should fear Denver and what they can achieve.

The team only has a few regular-season games left before the playoffs.

How many more amazing numbers can Jokic produce between now and the start of the postseason?

The post Stats Show How Nikola Jokic Has Dominated In Past 7 Games appeared first on The Cold Wire.



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Nikola Jokic Sends Clear Message About Nuggets After Win Over Kings

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Denver Nuggets v Chicago Bulls
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

 

After all they have been through this week, the Denver Nuggets really wanted a win on Wednesday night.

They got one when they took down the Sacramento Kings 124-116.

Following the game, Nikola Jokic talked about his team and gave a grave warning to the rest of the league who have counted the Nuggets out.

“People say that we were vulnerable, but the beast is always the most dangerous when they’re vulnerable. So, maybe he woke up the beast,” Jokic said, per DNVR Nuggets.

This is the last thing you want to hear if you’re an opponent of the Nuggets.

When they are at their best, Denver is a team that can defeat just about anyone.

Led by Jokic’s brilliant basketball IQ and skills, they can do anything and are a threat for many reasons.

The problem is that the team hasn’t looked like its regular self for much of the season.

Jokic has continued to play incredible, MVP-worthy basketball, but a lot of other problems have plagued the squad.

Was the firing of head coach Michael Malone the turning of a page and start of a new chapter?

Whatever happens next, Jokic has to be at the center of it all.

He will dictate how his team plays and the mindset his teammates have in the final games of the regular season and the start of the playoffs.

This quote from him proves that he hasn’t given up his belief in the Nuggets and is ready to fight hard.

Jokic is the heart and soul of this team, and they will follow if he leads.

It sounds like he is ready to do just that, and fans are cautiously optimistic to see what comes next.

 

The post Nikola Jokic Sends Clear Message About Nuggets After Win Over Kings appeared first on The Cold Wire.



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Portland Trail Blazers Announce Contract Extension With GM

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Utah Jazz v Portland Trail Blazers
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

 

The Portland Trail Blazers aren’t where they want to be, but they are undoubtedly getting better.

Therefore, it’s not a big surprise to hear that the front office wants to keep the team they have now, both on and off the court.

Shams Charania is reporting that Blazers general manager Joe Cronin has agreed to a multiyear contract extension with the franchise.

The Blazers are trying to put something special together, and Cronin is a huge part of their plans, so signing him to an extension is a smart idea.

Cronin was made general manager in May of 2022 and received a four-year deal at the time.

During Cronin’s time in the role, the team has seen a lot of changes, including the loss of Damian Lillard to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Currently, the Blazers hold a 35-44 record, which means they won’t reach the Play-In Tournament this year.

But they are a team to watch because they could be getting better in the years ahead, especially if Cronin pulls off some smart moves and acquires seasoned talent.

He got his start with the Blazers in 2006, working as an intern until he climbed up the ladder and earned more responsibility.

Now he’s in the big seat and plans to stay there.

Cronin has major plans for his team and wants the Blazers to keep improving in the seasons ahead.

They have promise right now, but they want more than that: they want a lot of wins.

The Blazers have gone 22-16 since January 19 and wish to have a much stronger record next season.

The post Portland Trail Blazers Announce Contract Extension With GM appeared first on The Cold Wire.



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