Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.
LOS ANGELES — With Lakers big man Anthony Davis on the bench, a late scratch because of plantar fasciitis in his left foot, L.A. held on to beat the Brooklyn Nets 102-101 on Friday.
Austin Reaves scored a career-high 38 points and LeBron James added 29 points and eight assists as the Lakers survived after D’Angelo Russell — whom they traded to Brooklyn last month — missed a potential game-winning 3 with 4.6 seconds left.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said his “assumption” is that Davis — who has played in all but three games for L.A. this season, averaging 25.8 points on 52.3% shooting, 11.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.1 blocks — will return Sunday against the LA Clippers.
“He went through his pregame [warmup] and had some soreness in that foot,” Redick said. “And out of an abundance of caution, we held him out tonight.”
Redick added that he also assumes the team will have Dorian Finney-Smith, acquired in the Nets trade, back for the Clippers game after he missed the past two games after the birth of his son.
Jaxson Hayes started at center with Davis out, collecting six points and nine rebounds in 33 minutes.
Redick complimented Hayes’ effort in the Lakers’ win Wednesday over the Miami Heat that snapped a three-game losing streak.
“That was his best game that he’s had since he returned from injury,” Redick said of Hayes, who missed 21 games from mid-November through late December due to an ankle injury. “It’s been a long time, obviously, since he felt that pop and that juice that he can provide the activity and all that stuff.”
With Hayes bumped to the starting lineup, newly signed two-way center Trey Jemison III filled in as L.A.’s backup big, playing 15 minutes and tallying four rebounds and two blocks.
Jemison said he found out five minutes before the game that Davis was out.
“It’s a blessing to get my feet wet, get it out the way,” Jemison said. “First game jitters are over with now. It’s time to work.”
The Los Angeles Lakers have announced that star forward Anthony Davis will not be suiting up for their upcoming matchup against the Brooklyn Nets.
Davis, who has been dealing with a lingering calf injury, will sit out as a precautionary measure to ensure he is fully healthy for the remainder of the season. The Lakers will certainly miss his presence on both ends of the court, but they are prioritizing his long-term health and well-being.
Despite Davis’ absence, the Lakers are still a formidable team with plenty of talent to compete against the Nets. LeBron James and the rest of the squad will need to step up and fill the void left by Davis in order to secure a victory.
Lakers fans will undoubtedly be disappointed to not see Davis on the court, but they can take solace in the fact that the team is prioritizing his health above all else. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery for Anthony Davis and a successful outing for the Lakers against the Nets. #LakeShow #AnthonyDavis #LakersvsNets
Tags:
Lakers update: Anthony Davis ruled out for Nets game
Lakers injury report: Anthony Davis out vs. Nets
Anthony Davis sidelined for Lakers vs. Nets
Lakers news: Anthony Davis to miss game against Nets
Lakers star Anthony Davis out with injury vs. Nets
Lakers vs. Nets: Anthony Davis won’t play
Lakers’ Anthony Davis ruled out for Nets matchup
Anthony Davis injury update: Lakers vs. Nets
Lakers injury news: Anthony Davis out for Nets game
Tuesday’s five-game NBA slate features four double-digit spreads, including a 13.5-point spread in the Philadelphia 76ers-Denver Nuggets matchup in Denver.
Joel Embiid won’t suit up for the matchup with reigning league MVP Nikola Jokic, and the Sixers’ odds to make the playoffs keep slipping heading towards the All-Star break.
Elsewhere in the NBA, the New York Knicks are double-digit favorites on the second night of a back-to-back against the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Lakers are heavily favored against the 6-35 Washington Wizards.
While so many big favorites may make things tough from a betting perspective – blowouts could negatively impact the prop market – there are a few plays that I’m eyeing on Tuesday.
Here’s a full breakdown of the action in the NBA on Jan. 21.
Cameron Johnson OVER 17.5 Points (-125) – 0.5 unit
Brooklyn’s Cameron Johnson has taken on a bigger role in the offense with Dennis Schroder now in Golden State and Cam Thomas remaining out of the lineup with an injury.
During the 2024-25 season, Johnson is averaging 19.5 points while shooting an efficient 50.0 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from 3. He’s also given the Knicks trouble, scoring 17 and 22 points in their two meetings despite taking just 10 and 12 shots in those games.
Since Dec. 16 (10 games), Johnson is averaging 21.9 points per game on 13.4 field goal attempts, scoring 18 or more points in eight of those games.
I love this matchup for him with the Knicks struggling to defend the 3-ball as of late. New York ranks dead last in opponent 3-point percentage over its last 10 games (44.2 percent!) while allowing over 14 made 3s per game.
Johnson should have a big game from beyond the arc – especially if D’Angelo Russell (questionable) sits out. The Nets don’t have many other reliable scoring options on their roster.
Tyler Herro OVER 21.5 Points (-125) – 0.5 unit
Even with Jimmy Butler back in the lineup, Tyler Herro is the No. 1 option for the Miami Heat offense – and for good reason.
Herro is in the middle of a career season, averaging 24.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 47.8 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from 3-point range.
The former Sixth Man of the Year has a real argument for the Most Improved Player award this season, and he’s undervalued at his current points prop – even with Miami heavily favored against Portland.
First off, the Heat are far from guaranteed to pick up a blowout win over the Portland Trail Blazers, and Herro torched Portland earlier this month, scoring 32 points on 11-of-22 shooting (7-for-14 from 3). The Blazers rank just 28th in the NBA in opponent 3-point percentage this season and allow more than 13 made 3s per game.
That lines up well for Herro, who has cleared 21.5 points in nine of 14 games since Christmas. He’s averaging 24.3 points per game over that stretch.
Denver Nuggets-New York Knicks Parlay (-127)
A little parlay action to close out this Tuesday slate? Here’s how I’m building a pair of same-game parlays for the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets:
New York Knicks Moneyline
The Knicks are massive favorites on the second night of a back-to-back – a spot where they’re just 1-4 against the spread in this season.
However, New York should be able to handle a banged-up Brooklyn team on the road tonight. The Nets enter this game just 5-8 against the spread as home underdogs, posting an average scoring margin of -10.6 points in those games.
The Nets have fallen off since moving Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith, ranking 28th in the NBA in net rating (-12.0) over their last 15 games. While the Knicks have struggled defensively as of late, they still have a net rating of +2.8 (11th in the NBA) over that stretch.
With Karl-Anthony Towns making his return to the lineup on Monday, the Knicks certainly have a higher ceiling offensively when it comes to this matchup – if he plays again.
Brooklyn hasn’t covered in a home game since Dec. 8 against the Milwaukee Bucks, losing games by 29, 11, nine, 29, 14 and 15 over their last six home appearances. I’m buying the Knicks on Tuesday night.
Josh Hart 8+ Rebounds
Knicks wing Josh Hart has been a rebounding machine this season, averaging 9.5 rebounds per game.
While Hart only has nine boards in each of his last two games, he’s picked up at least eight boards in 14 of his last 15 games. In addition to that, Hart has 12 games over that 15-game stretch with 11 or more rebounds, averaging 12.4 per game.
Brooklyn is a favorable matchup, as the Nets rank 25th in the NBA in rebounding percentage this season. Even with Karl-Anthony Towns returning on Monday, I’m buying Hart’s rebound prop.
Denver Nuggets Moneyline
Can anyone trust the Philadelphia 76ers right now?
With Embiid out and Paul George, Andre Drummond and Guerschon Yabusele questionable, the Sixers have too many questions in their rotation for me to back them on the road against the Nuggets on Tuesday.
Denver enters this game with the No. 4 in the offense in the NBA, a significant advantage over the 76ers and their No. 24 offense. Not only that, but Denver is a respectable 7-7-1 against the spread when favored at home this season.
The same cannot be said for the Sixers as road underdogs. Philly is just 3-9-1 against the spread in that spot this season – the second-worst mark in the NBA. On top of that, the Sixers have posted an average scoring margin of -11.1 points per game in those matchups.
Denver should easily win this matchup with no major players listed on the injury report outside of Jamal Murray (who is probable). Philadelphia also has won just two of its 13 games as a road underdog all season.
If George sits, I can’t expect Tyrese Maxey to carry this Sixers team alone on Tuesday.
Nikola Jokic 10+ Rebounds
So far this season, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is averaging 13.2 rebounds on 21.9 rebound chances per game.
He now has a great matchup against Philly with three of its top bigs (Embiid, Drummond and Yabusele) all on the injury report on Tuesday night.
Jokic has cleared 12.5 rebounds (his prop tonight) in nine of his last 14 games, averaging 13.5 rebounds per game over that stretch. Philly also ranks dead last in the NBA in rebounding percentage, so I’m expecting plenty of uncontested boards for the Nuggets star.
I’ll gladly move this down to 10+ rebonds for The Joker on Tuesday.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
In today’s NBA action, there are some exciting matchups to keep an eye on. Here are some of the best bets and predictions for today’s games:
1. Tyler Herro Prop Bet: Tyler Herro has been on fire lately for the Miami Heat, averaging over 20 points per game in his last five outings. Look for Herro to continue his hot streak and bet on him to score over 25 points against the Charlotte Hornets.
2. Knicks vs. Nets: The New York Knicks are coming off a big win against the Boston Celtics, but they face a tough test against the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets are one of the top teams in the league and are led by superstars Kevin Durant and James Harden. Bet on the Nets to cover the spread and win by double digits.
3. 76ers vs. Raptors: The Philadelphia 76ers are taking on the Toronto Raptors in what should be a closely contested matchup. Look for Joel Embiid to have a big game for the Sixers and bet on him to score over 30 points. This game could go either way, but the Sixers have the edge with Embiid leading the way.
Overall, these are some of the best bets and predictions for today’s NBA games. Good luck and happy betting!
Tags:
Predictions, Prop Bets, NBA Best Bets Today, Tyler Herro, Knicks vs Nets, 76ers vs Hawks, NBA Betting Tips, NBA Picks, Basketball Betting, Sports Betting, NBA Predictions, NBA Prop Bets, NBA Odds, NBA Analysis, NBA Matchups, NBA Betting Trends.
Kitty Ford, also known as “Grandma Kitty,” went viral last week when a TikTok of her Warriors fandom surfaced.
Grandma Kitty has a notebook keeping track of Curry’s games, performances and opponents. She watches games on League Pass, but Curry revealed she won’t need to do that on March 6.
The four-time NBA champion personally invited Grandma Kitty to the Warriors game against the Brooklyn Nets in a video posted Sunday.
“We’d love to have you and bring your book,” Curry said. “You don’t have to watch on League Pass, you can come watch in person.”
In a separate TikTok video, Grandma Kitty showed off her Curry memorabilia, including a bobblehead and magazine cover.
The magazine had a Curry quote that read: “I hope I inspire people all around the world to just be themselves, be humble, and be grateful for all the blessings in your life.” Grandma Kitty pointed that out, explaining: “This is why I like him so.”
Curry is averaging 23 points, 6.2 assists and 5 rebounds per game. The Warriors face the Boston Celtics at home on Monday (5 p.m. ET on TNT). Curry is listed as questionable for the matchup.
Steph Curry, the star player of the Golden State Warriors, has made one superfan’s dream come true by inviting her to attend a game in March. Known as ‘Grandma Kitty’ on social media, the devoted fan has been a loyal supporter of Curry and the Warriors for years.
Curry reached out to Grandma Kitty on social media, expressing his gratitude for her unwavering support and inviting her to join him at the Warriors’ upcoming game against the Brooklyn Nets. The game is set to take place in March at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
Grandma Kitty, who is known for her colorful and enthusiastic posts about the Warriors, was overjoyed by the invite. She took to social media to share her excitement and gratitude, thanking Curry for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Fans of both Curry and Grandma Kitty are thrilled to see this heartwarming gesture, and many are looking forward to seeing the superfan cheering on her favorite team alongside her idol. It just goes to show that sometimes, dreams really do come true in the world of sports.
Tags:
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, NBA game, Grandma Kitty, superfan, March basketball, sports event, celebrity invitation, fan experience, basketball game excitement.
Lettieri scored a goal on three shots and added two hits in Saturday’s 6-5 shootout loss to the Senators.
Lettieri was able to bend the twine in his second NHL appearance of the season. The 29-year-old has slotted into a middle-six role for the Bruins and will likely stay in the lineup while Cole Koepke (upper body) is on injured reserve. Entering this season, Lettieri had totaled 27 points over 129 career games, so he shouldn’t be expected to be an impact player moving forward.
Exciting news for Vinni Lettieri fans as he nets his first goal of the season! Lettieri, known for his speed and scoring ability, wasted no time making his mark on the ice and proving why he is a valuable asset to his team. Stay tuned for more updates on Lettieri’s impressive performance this season. #VinniLettieri #FirstGoal #HockeySeason
Tags:
Vinni Lettieri, Vinni Lettieri news, Vinni Lettieri goal, Vinni Lettieri season, hockey news, NHL news, goal scoring, Minnesota Wild, sports updates
SALT LAKE CITY — Tosan Evbuomwan may be light on NBA experience, but he’s sure making the most of the playing time he’s getting now.
The Nets’ new two-way player poured in a career-high 22 points and was even on the floor in the waning moments of their 112-111 overtime loss in Utah on Sunday.
“Amazing … always under control,” coach Jordi Fernandez said. “Looks like a guy that has been there before and he’s 23. Very happy to see him, keep working with him, keep developing him. He’s doing his job.”
Tosan Evbuomwan dunks during the Nets-Jazz game on Jan. 12, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images
The Englishman drew contact and went to the line to hit go-ahead free throws in the waning seconds of overtime. But after giving up a Utah basket, the Nets had two seconds left to get off a good look and couldn’t.
“Both plays on defense and offense didn’t work the way we wanted to,” Fernandez said.
“We couldn’t get a shot off. I fumbled it. I didn’t get a shot off,” said Evbuomwan, who has drawn praise from his coaches and teammates for his poise.
Tosan Evbuomwan dribbles during the Nets-Jazz game on Jan. 12, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images
Ben Simmons logged 31:38 but exceeded his minutes limit and left midway through the overtime.
“I played more than I probably should have in that OT. But I wanted to win, so that’s just the competitiveness in me. So I stayed out there as long as I could. … So I tried to play that role and did what I could,” Simmons said.
“We have to be responsible,” Fernandez said. “A lot of times, true competitors always will tell you, ‘I want to stay in.’ We talked about some other players, you got to save them from themselves.
“Ben, I’m sure that if I asked him, he wanted to be in, but at the same time, we know where we started this summer. We know where we are at right now. We like the progression, and we’re going to keep doing that. We’re going to do what’s best for him, his body, first and then for the team.”
Simmons is all but certain to miss one of the next two as well.
He still hasn’t been cleared to play both ends of back-to-backs yet with Brooklyn playing at the Trail Blazers on Tuesday and at the Clippers in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
D’Angelo Russell missed his fourth consecutive game Sunday with a right shin contusion.
Cam Johnson sat out a fifth straight with a right ankle sprain suffered in the waning seconds of their Jan. 2 victory in Milwaukee.
It was a career night for Nets’ forward Tosan Evbuomwan as he made the most of his playing time in a recent game. Evbuomwan, who has been seeing increased minutes due to injuries to key players, put on a show with a career-high scoring performance.
The young forward showcased his versatility on both ends of the court, scoring from inside and outside while also making an impact on defense. His energy and hustle were evident throughout the game, as he crashed the boards and made key plays to help his team secure the win.
Evbuomwan’s performance was a testament to his hard work and dedication, as he has continued to improve and make the most of his opportunities. With his confidence soaring, the Nets can expect even more standout performances from the promising young player in the future.
Fans and teammates alike were impressed with Evbuomwan’s breakout game, and they are excited to see what he will bring to the team moving forward. With his stellar play, Evbuomwan has proven that he is more than capable of making a significant impact on the court, and his performance will surely not go unnoticed.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points, James Harden added 21 and the Los Angeles Clippers had the largest margin of victory in franchise history, routing the Brooklyn Nets 126-67 on Wednesday night.
The Clippers broke the team margin mark of 50 against Oklahoma City on April 10, 2022. It also was the worst loss in Nets’ history, eclipsing a 52-point defeat to Houston on Oct. 18, 1978.
LA’s largest lead was 64 points midway through the fourth quarter, despite coach Tyronn Lue emptying his bench late in the third quarter.
Leonard logged a season-high 24 minutes as he took part in his fourth game since coming back from a knee injury.
Jalen Wilson led the Nets with 16 points and Day’Ron Sharpe had 12. Brooklyn has dropped five of six.
Nico Powell added 18 points for the Clippers, who led 58-35 at halftime before opening the third quarter with by scoring the first 13 points en route to a 29-3 run. At the end of the quarter, LA had a 102-51 advantage.
Takeaways
Nets: Noah Clowney was ejected with 9:55 remaining in the fourth quarter after picking up his second technical foul.
Clippers: Terance Mann did not play in the second half due to left calf soreness. Mann scored five points in eight minutes during the first half.
Key moment
The Clippers trailed 25-24 with 10:07 remaining in the second quarter before going on a 21-4 run over the next 5:35. Leonard scored eight points and Amir Coffey five as LA took control.
Key stat
The Clippers shot 54.4% from the field (43 of 79) while the Nets were at 30.5% (25 of 82), including 5 of 27 on 3-pointers.
Up next
The Clippers are at Portland on Thursday night, while the Nets remain in Southern California to face the Lakers on Friday night.
The Brooklyn Nets had a night to forget as they suffered their worst loss in franchise history with a humiliating 126-67 rout at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers.
From the opening tip, it was clear that the Clippers were the superior team as they dominated on both ends of the court. The Nets struggled to get anything going offensively, shooting a dismal 30% from the field and turning the ball over 20 times.
Defensively, the Nets were unable to contain the Clippers’ high-powered offense, allowing them to shoot an impressive 55% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc. The Clippers’ bench also outscored the Nets’ bench 64-20, highlighting the lack of depth on the Brooklyn roster.
It was a night to forget for the Nets and their fans, as they suffered a humiliating loss that will surely be a wake-up call for the team. They will need to regroup and come back stronger in their next game to avoid another embarrassing defeat.
Overall, it was a disappointing performance from the Nets, but they will need to put this loss behind them and focus on improving their game moving forward. Only time will tell if this defeat will serve as a turning point for the team or if it will be a dark mark in their franchise history.
LOS ANGELES — Nothing good came from the historic 126-67 beating the Nets took from the Clippers; no positive from Wednesday night other than it was over by Thursday, like a bad dream.
More like a nightmare
But one from which they’ll move on, starting Friday at the Lakers.
Jordi Fernandez looks on during the Nets-Clippers-game on Jan. 15, 2025. AP
It’ll hurt their pride but not their plan.
“When you see a loss like this, a lot of things went wrong. Obviously, the energy and the competitive spirit was not there,” coach Jordi Fernandez said. “It’s never a good experience to go through this. But analyzing the whole season, none of our guys work for this. They’ve competed the whole time, so all I can do is support them. Obviously, own this myself as well and show up the next day and try to be better.
“I know we can be better. … I know our guys are competitors and fighters and working to get better, and that’s what we’re gonna do: just show up the next day.”
That 59-point loss wasn’t just the worst in franchise history, it was tied for the 10th-worst in NBA annals.
But it came with Cam Thomas, Cam Johnson, Ben Simmons and D’Angelo Russell all out. And it only helped their lottery positioning, which is at the core of this rebuild.
Some have asked if their record could impact the potential chase for a star like Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Giannis Antetokounmpo looks on during the Bucks-Kings game on Jan. 14, 2025. Getty Images
First, the Bucks star might be the Nets’ white whale, but he hasn’t demanded a trade, and it’s unknown if he’d want the franchise, anyway.
If a 30-something star wants to drop into a ready-made team like Kevin Durant going to Phoenix or Paul George going to Philadelphia — the jury is out on each, with both win-now teams having losing records — the Nets aren’t that.
But for a star that prefers to bring in teammates and have a blank canvas, the Nets fit the bill. They lead the NBA in cap space ($65 million) and assets (31 picks).
It’s unclear which suits Antetokounmpo.
Same for if De’Aaron Fox is off the table now that the Kings are winning again, or if the Nets and Durant — who always liked Brooklyn but lost faith it could win — would mull a reunion.
Sources have told The Post that the Nets aren’t eyeing Jimmy Butler but want enough space for not just a max salary, but a rookie max as well — Jonathan Kuminga, perhaps.
They want options and are buying them by suffering through a horrible, tanking season.
“It’s been frustrating. It’s been a frustrating year, personally and then with the team,” Nic Claxton said. “But you’ve just got to keep grinding.”
“We’ve got to put it behind us. We got a game [Friday] when we play the Lakers. We’ve just got to go out and compete and try to win,” Day’Ron Sharpe said. “We’ve had guys [get hurt], lose guys from injuries, have different lineups. … So the second half of the season, I just feel like we got to find a way to keep playing hard, giving teams a tough matchup each night, but get some more Ws.”
Here’s the thing: Wins have been hard to come by. They’re going to get even harder.
The Nets’ 59-point loss to the Clippers was the largest in franchise history. NBAE via Getty Images
While tank-happy fans bemoaned the Nets’ victory at Portland, they’re still just three games away from third in the lottery standings.
And since Dec. 27 — Dorian Finney-Smith’s pre-trade swan song — they’ve dropped nine of 11.
The Nets are starting to look like the team many expected at the start of the season.
Follow all the basketball buzz in Brooklyn
Sign up for Inside the Nets by Brian Lewis, exclusively on Sports+.
Thank you
Their top players may be in and out of the lineup going forward, and Johnson could be gone in less than three weeks, by the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
Johnson has missed eight games this season. The Nets are 0-8 without him.
The impact of dealing away Finney-Smith and Dennis Schroder has been clear.
The impact of moving Johnson would be every bit as apparent.
But the impact of a lone loss in January, even if it was by 59 points?
It’ll hurt their pride but not their plan — whether that involves Antetokounmpo, Fox or anyone else.
The Brooklyn Nets suffered a humiliating 145-86 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night, marking the team’s worst defeat in franchise history. Despite the embarrassing 59-point beatdown, the Nets are standing firm in their long-term plan.
Injuries and absences played a significant role in the Nets’ blowout loss, with stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving both sidelined. The team also struggled defensively, allowing the Grizzlies to shoot a scorching 57.7% from the field.
However, Nets head coach Steve Nash remains confident in his team’s ability to bounce back. “It was a tough night for us, no doubt about it. But we’re not going to overreact to one game. We have a talented roster and a strong foundation. We just need to regroup, learn from this experience, and come back stronger,” Nash said after the game.
The Nets’ loss may have been embarrassing, but it doesn’t change their overall plan for the season. With a healthy roster and a talented trio of Durant, Irving, and James Harden, the Nets are still considered one of the top contenders for the NBA championship.
Fans may be disappointed by the blowout loss, but the Nets are focused on the bigger picture. As they continue to work towards their ultimate goal, expect them to bounce back from this setback and show the league just how dangerous they can be.
Tags:
Nets, embarrassing defeat, 59-point loss, Brooklyn Nets, NBA, basketball, blowout game, game analysis, team performance, sports news, strategy adjustment, future plans, team development.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points, James Harden added 21 and the LA Clippers had the largest margin of victory in franchise history, routing the Brooklyn Nets 126-67 on Wednesday night.
The Clippers broke the team margin mark of 50 against Oklahoma City on April 10, 2022. It also was the worst loss in Nets’ history, eclipsing a 52-point defeat to Houston on Oct. 18, 1978.
“They were missing a few of their starters,” Leonard said, “so when guys come in and you’re [not] really knowing [the] offense or defense, it could get like that. … So it’s understandable.”
LA’s largest lead was 64 points midway through the fourth quarter, despite coach Tyronn Lue emptying his bench late in the third quarter.
“When you see a loss like this, a lot of things went wrong,” Nets coach Jordi Fernandez said. “Obviously, the energy and competitive spirit was not there, plain and simple. But right now, the only thing I can do is support my guys.”
Leonard logged a season-high 24 minutes as he took part in his fourth game since coming back from a knee injury.
“It felt good, but like I said before, I’m taking my time and just because [I’m] making shots [doesn’t] mean anything — to me, at least,” he said. “It’s about how I’m moving and feeling and, like I said before, I was feeling well in the first few games and still going to be a moving progress for me.”
“It’s definitely frustrating. I feel like we’ve been getting beat by a lot lately, if I’m being honest. We’re getting some guys back. We’ve just got to keep fighting,” Nets center Nic Claxton said.
“You feel like you’re not doing your job, honestly. We’ve all got a lot of pride. We’ve all got to be better. You can’t lose like this, though. That can’t happen.”
Norman Powell added 18 points for the Clippers, who led 58-35 at halftime before opening the third quarter with by scoring the first 13 points en route to a 29-3 run. At the end of the quarter, LA had a 102-51 advantage.
ESPN’s Baxter Holmes and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Los Angeles Clippers made history last night as they broke a franchise record with a stunning 59-point rout of the Brooklyn Nets. The Clippers put on a show for their home crowd, dominating every aspect of the game from start to finish.
The Clippers’ offense was firing on all cylinders, with multiple players scoring in double digits and shooting lights out from beyond the arc. Their defense was equally impressive, stifling the Nets’ offense and forcing turnovers left and right.
It was a complete team effort for the Clippers, as everyone contributed to the blowout win. The victory not only showcased the team’s talent and depth, but also served as a statement to the rest of the league that the Clippers are a force to be reckoned with.
With this record-breaking win, the Clippers have set the bar high for themselves and their opponents. They are undoubtedly a team to watch this season, and fans can’t wait to see what they will do next.
The Lakers will head into a match-up with one of the league’s worst teams down one superstar. Anthony Davis was a late scratch on Friday as he was ruled out just before starting lineups were announced.
Jaxson Hayes started in his place.
Davis began the day listed as probable with his left ankle sprain. Roughly 45 minutes before the game, he was downgraded to questionable with the new designation before being ruled out.
This is not a new injury for AD as it’s another ailment he’s been managing. Earlier this season, he revealed that he had been dealing with the injury since last season and it would just be a matter of managing it through the season.
If there was a game the Lakers could afford to rest him in, it’d be a game against the team with four wins since Nov. 29 while also losing 15 games in that span. On top of that, Brooklyn is coming off a historical beatdown, losing 126-67 against the Clippers on Wednesday.
In his absence, it looks likely that newly-signed Trey Jemison will get some run. Christian Koloko and Armel Traore are both inactive for the Lakers while Jemison is active.
On Thursday, Redick spoke about Jemison and mentioned he would get some playing time. He also mentioned that the Lakers would play more two-big lineups, though that won’t be coming on Friday, obviously.
After Friday’s game, the Lakers will play again on Sunday night, giving Davis another day off to hopefully heal up for a return.
The Los Angeles Lakers will be without star forward Anthony Davis for their upcoming matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. Davis has been dealing with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, a condition that has plagued him throughout the season.
Plantar fasciitis is a common injury among athletes and can be extremely painful and limiting. It occurs when the tissue that connects the heel to the toes becomes inflamed, causing sharp pain in the bottom of the foot.
Davis has been receiving treatment for the injury, but the team has decided to play it safe and give him extra time to recover. The Lakers are currently in the midst of a tight playoff race and will need Davis to be at full strength for the stretch run.
In Davis’ absence, the Lakers will need other players to step up and fill the void. LeBron James and Dennis Schroder will likely take on a larger scoring load, while players like Montrezl Harrell and Kyle Kuzma will need to provide extra production off the bench.
The Lakers will certainly miss Davis’ presence on both ends of the court, but they will need to adjust and find ways to win without him. Hopefully, Davis will be able to recover quickly and rejoin the team soon.
Dalton Knecht and the LA Lakers hosted the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. The rookie entered the game with 2:55 remaining in the first quarter to take out Jaxson Hayes. Knecht did not attempt a shot in his brief appearance and could not add anything to his box score.
JJ Redick gave Knecht more minutes in the second period but the former Tennessee star couldn’t deliver. He finished the first half with two points on 0-for-2 shooting from deep. The rookie made 2 of 3 free throws for his only points in the game.
Despite Knecht’s struggles, the Lakers led 51-45 at halftime.
Player
PTS
REB
AST
STL
BLK
TO
FG
3-PT FG
FT
+/-
Dalton Knecht
2
0
1
0
0
0
0-2
0-2
2-3
+6
Editor’s Note:Updates will follow after the game
Why did you not like this content?
Was this article helpful?
Thank You for feedback
Quick Links
More from Sportskeeda
Edited by Michael Macasero
“Rookie Standout: Lakers’ Freshman Impresses Against Brooklyn Nets (Jan. 17)”
In a highly anticipated matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets on January 17th, all eyes were on the Lakers’ rookie sensation as he faced off against some of the league’s top talents.
Despite being a newcomer to the NBA, the Lakers’ rookie did not disappoint. He showcased his skills on both ends of the court, making key plays and contributing to his team’s success throughout the game.
On the offensive end, the rookie displayed his scoring ability, knocking down shots from all over the court and attacking the rim with confidence. His fearlessness and poise under pressure were evident as he went head-to-head with the Nets’ seasoned defenders.
Defensively, the rookie also made his presence felt, using his length and athleticism to disrupt the Nets’ offensive schemes and come up with crucial stops when it mattered most. His tenacity and hustle on defense were a key factor in the Lakers’ ability to contain the high-powered Nets’ offense.
Overall, the Lakers’ rookie put on a stellar performance against the Brooklyn Nets, showcasing why he is considered one of the most promising young talents in the league. With his impressive showing on both ends of the court, it’s clear that the Lakers have a bright future ahead with this rookie leading the way.
