Saturday (AEDT) marked the second day of the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament, and it was an action-packed slate of games, highlighted by the Clippers’ third-straight loss with James Harden in the line-up.
A terrific all-round game from rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama wasn’t enough to lift the Spurs to victory against Minnesota.
Lakers superstar Lebron James wasn’t afraid to give his “naysayers” an almighty post match spray after leading his team to a narrow win over the Suns.
Meanwhile the 76ers, Harden’s former team, is proving they are just fine without the polarising guard, improving to a 7-1 record.
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For an explainer of the NBA’s in-season tournament, click here.
LeBron’s Lakers down Durant and Suns | 01:34
LEBRON’S MESSAGE FOR HIS HATERS AND FATHER TIME
Lakers star LeBron James has ripped his critics in a fiery interview after his team’s 122-119 win over the Phoenix Suns.
James called out the “basketball savants that don’t know nothing about basketball” in the interview, referring to those who criticised him after he turned down a three pointer in a loss against the Heat three days ago, instead passing it to Cam Reddish who missed the would-be game-winner.
James was again willing to place his trust in Reddish against the Suns, with the fifth-year guard knocking down a clutch corner three off a LeBron pass to extend LA’s lead to five with 1:10 on the clock.
“To all the naysayers and basketball savants that don’t know nothing about basketball and telling me I should have shot that shot in Miami instead of passing to Cam Reddish, well I did the same thing tonight because I trust my teammates,” James said.
“I make the right play every single time.”
James handed in a complete performance against the Suns, scoring 32pts, 11rebs and 6asts in 36 minutes on the court.
Kevin Durant led the way for Phoenix with 38pts and 9rebs, but it wasn’t enough as the Suns dropped to 4-5.
WEMBY STARS BUT SPURS NO MATCH FOR WOLVES’ 1-2 PUNCH
Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama had one of his best nights on an NBA floor yet in his side’s 117-110 loss to the Timberwolves.
‘Wemby’ had 29 points, four assists and three rebounds in the loss, including a wild deep three in the second quarter which just exemplifies how rare a talent he is.
However, Wemby’s big game wasn’t enough for the star power of Wolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns (29pts, 12rebs) and Anthony Edwards (28pts, 7rebs, 5asts).
Wolves centre Rudy Gobert was “impressed” with what he saw from his fellow Frenchman Wembanyama.
“I thought he had a good game,” Gobert said.
“He hit some tough shots. I tried to make him work. I tried to make him hit some tough ones, and he did, especially at the end. I was pretty impressed.”
Giannis notches up 54 points in defeat! | 00:54
76ERS/CLIPPERS ON DIFFERENT TRAJECTORIES SINCE HARDEN TRADE
Since the blockbuster trade of 76ers guard James Harden to the LA Clippers was announced on November 1, Philadelphia has gone 5-0 and now sit pretty at the top of the eastern conference.
The Clippers meanwhile, are 0-3 in games Harden has appeared in, including a heavy 144-126 loss to Dallas in their first in-season tournament clash.
Harden was a non-factor for the Clippers, scoring just 14 points and only three assists as Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving starred for the Mavs.
Harden isn’t stressing about the team’s form just yet.
“I didn’t have a training camp. I didn’t have a preseason,” Harden said.
“Everything is still moving fast speed for me. Need about a 10-game window, then kind of see where I am.”
A rant from Mavericks announcer Brian Dameris summed up the growing view around Harden.
“Ask the producer to pipe this into the Clippers locker room so I can talk to you James. I hope you’re taking notes. I’m telling you in advance, you’re welcome, for the wisdom I’m about to spew. Because listen, I get on my knees every night and pray for someone to believe in me like Daryl Morey believed in you. You wanted a certain coach, they brought in Mike D’Antoni,” he said.
“You wanted to play a certain style, they played it. You wanted Dwight Howard, they brought him in and got rid of him when you were tired of him. You wanted Chris Paul, they brought him in and got rid of him when you were tired of him. They brought in your old friend Russell Westbrook. You want to go to Vegas on off days? They looked away. You wanted the team to stay over so you could go out at night, they changed the schedule – and it didn’t work.
“And you know what, you said I’m gonna break up with my wooby, not good enough. I see the bright lights of New York. I want to go there. My old pal Kevin Durant. It’s gonna work, the big three—and all after one year you wanted out. You realized, “oh my gosh! I took this guy for granted, the guy that believed in me. I want back with Daryl Morey.” They traded Ben Simmons for you—how did they pull that off?
“And you know what? You went there, and you got a partner who got the MVP. He won the MVP, and what did you say afterwards? You said, “they didn’t hand me the reins.” You’re the point guard! You were holding the reins! And what did you do when you had the reins? You scored 9 points in Game 7 against Boston, you blew a 3-2 series lead.
“So they fired their coach, not good enough. You broke up with the guy that believed in you again, you said “the bright lights of LA! That’s where I want to go! Let’s see if that works.”
“Listen James, have you ever had those friends who had bad roommates? Over and over they complained about their bad roommates: “this guy’s terrible,” “the bad roommate here,” they never thought to be self aware enough that THEY’RE the bad roommate! They’re the problem! Hey James, YOU’RE the PROBLEM! If this doesn’t work this year, in this system, with this team, then you’re gonna go and point fingers at everybody else and then you’re gonna go back home and you’re gonna start swiping right for another team, and there’s not gonna be anyone left.
“Because James, you’re not the beard, you’re not the system, you’re the problem.”
Nuggets withstand Warriors to top group | 01:34
The 76ers won their first in-season game earlier in the day, and seventh-straight of the season, defeating the struggling Pistons 114-106.
Joel Embiid steered the ship for the Sixers, scoring 33 points and recording 16 rebounds while Tyrese Maxey continued his career best season in Harden’s absence, pouring in 29.
Maxey has been able to open his game up with Harden out of the side, with the point guard showing off his scoring versatility but also proving he can facilitate as well.
Harden led the league in assists last season, but Maxey and the rest of the Philly backcourt have been able to fill the void so far.
SATURDAY’S NBA GAMES
Philadelphia 76ers 114 @ Detroit Pistons 106
Charlotte Hornets 124 @ Washington Wizards 117
Brooklyn Nets 107 @ Boston Celtics 121
New Orleans Pelicans 101 @ Houston Rockets 104
Utah Jazz 127 @ Memphis Grizzlies 121
Minnesota Timberwolves 117 @ San Antonio Spurs 110
LA Clippers 126 @ Dallas Mavericks 144
LA Lakers 122 @ Phoenix Suns 119
Oklahoma City Thunder 98 @ Sacramento Kings 105