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Yahoo
a day ago
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- Yahoo
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reveals future message to son about NBA title
The post Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reveals future message to son about NBA title appeared first on ClutchPoints. NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is eternally grateful for all it took for the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the NBA title. A journey he looks forward to telling his baby son, Ares Alexander, one day. Advertisement On Tuesday, Alexander spoke movingly on ESPN about what the championship means to him as a father, per Hoops Hype. He credits Ares for helping him to evolve as a man. 'I barely slept last night cuz he was screaming in the crib,' he said. 'Ever since he's walked into my life, I view the world differently. I've viewed everything differently. Without him, I wouldn't be the man I am today. He'll understand that one day.' On Sunday, the Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 103-91 to win their first NBA championship as the Oklahoma City Thunder. In 1979, the then-Seattle SuperSonics won the title before becoming the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008. The Thunder were carried to the title due to several factors. They finished with the best record in the NBA with a 68-14 record. Advertisement In the Finals, their defense forced the Pacers to turn the ball over numerous times. In turn, the Thunder outscored them 32-10 in points off turnovers in Game 7. The Thunder also had depth to their roster with Cason Wallace, Chet Holmgren, and Alex Caruso providing considerable performances. Guard Jalen Williams came through in Game 5 with 40 points to put the Thunder up 3-2 in the series. But they don't get there without Alexander. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the shining knight for the Thunder Alexander not only can tell his son they won, but he was named the NBA MVP. He led the league in scoring averaging 32.7 points per game, along with 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds. Advertisement His son got to see Alexander win WCF MVP award after the Thunder defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. In the Finals, Alexander averaged 30.3 points and 5.6 assists per game throughout the series. In Game 7, Alexander had a double double with 29 points and 12 assists. Related: Paul George makes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander declaration after Thunder's title Related: Jalen Williams' Kobe Bryant shirt at championship parade is epic
Yahoo
a day ago
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- Yahoo
Paul George makes suggestion after Tyrese Haliburton injury
The post Paul George makes suggestion after Tyrese Haliburton injury appeared first on ClutchPoints. It was arguably the most heartbreaking sight of the NBA Finals. The moment when Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles in Game 7 left fans shaken. Advertisement One of those fans was fellow NBA player Paul George. The 76ers guard emphatically stated on his podcast, Podcast P with Paul George, he knew how bad it was when it happened, per Hoops Hype. 'I knew it was over from the moment, you know, you saw that,' George said. 'Um, which is unfortunate cuz he came out hot, you know what I mean? He came out as a leader. Um, you could tell he was ready. He was prepared. Um, and then I knew right away once I seen him fall down. Then they replayed it. He looked back to see what happened. And then you you could you know read his lips when shout out Josh Corbiel who uh you know the trainer that was there um the first respond there you you could see him say like yep yep he it's done it's done it like I did it I did it happened. So yeah I feel for him feel for him.' Before Game 7, Haliburton injured his calf during Game 5, which put his status in doubt. He fought through it in Game 6 as he scored 14 points in only 23 minutes of play to force a Game 7. Despite that, Haliburton had every intention to play in the do-or-die Game 7. Advertisement The moment came in the first quarter as Haliburton fell to the floor and agonized in pain. He subsequently had to be helped back into the trainers' room as the Pacers lost the title 103-91 to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Paul George offers a suggestion to Haliburton and the Pacers' medical staff Haliburton boldly stated he had no regrets playing in Game 7 and would do it again. To which George provided a recommendation for Haliburton and the Pacers medical staff going forward. I think at the end of the day, it falls on the player, right?,' George said. 'At the end of the day, it falls on the player. But I do think there needs to be a better relationship because I've been on, like I said, been on organizations where like I'll tell them, 'Hey, this this is like this don't feel right.' like, 'Oh, take this. You'll be all right.' Yeah. And then, you know, something happens and it's getting worse and it's worse and it's worse, but there need to be there needs to be a better, you know, I think relationship amongst the player and the training staff with the front office. But in this situation, like again, you're not going to hold nobody out of a game seven. Like, you're not gonna hold me out of a game seven quarts in KD's situation. Yeah. We're in the finals. like you're not going to hold me out. And I was thinking like, damn, he should probably like Indie should probably sit him game three, right? They did their job.' Advertisement The injury is likely to force Haliburton to miss the 2025-2026 NBA season. Related: Brian Windhorst reveals what Tyrese Haliburton 'won' despite Pacers' NBA Finals loss Related: Rick Carlisle breaks silence on Myles Turner's free agency
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Raptors Free Agent Breaks Silence on Potentially Leaving Team
Raptors Free Agent Breaks Silence on Potentially Leaving Team originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After missing the playoffs once again last season, the Toronto Raptors will likely have a busy offseason in front of them as they look to get things back on track. Toronto owns the No. 9 pick in this year's draft, which kicks off on Wednesday. Whether they keep the pick or include it in a trade remains to be seen, but it seems like all options may be open for the team. Advertisement As the Raptors aim to bolster their roster, they will also have to consider the futures of some of their current players. This includes big man Chris Boucher, who is set to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason. Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher (25).© David Richard-Imagn Images Boucher has spent the last seven seasons of his career in Toronto. Additionally, he is the only player remaining from the 2018-19 championship team. However, the 32-year-old recently provided an update on what his playing future could hold ahead of his free agency and made it clear he could return to Toronto or play "somewhere where they want to win" (h/t Michael Scotto of HoopsHype). "Obviously, I want to play with a team that's going for winning... When I look at the playoffs, I don't see myself not being in it. I'd say there are a lot of things I can do to help a team. I feel like with Toronto, I've always been lucky to be with this team trying to win. This year, it was a little bit different, and it felt a little different," Boucher said in an interview with Scotto. "Now it's about how I can get better and be wherever it is, whether it's here in Toronto or somewhere where they want to win. If that's the case, then that's where I should be." Advertisement Last season, Boucher appeared in 50 games for the Raptors. In those games, he averaged 10 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 49.2% from the field and 36.3% from beyond the arc. Boucher provides a veteran presence in Toronto and offers solid depth. However, it seems that he may have already played his final game with the team, and it could be worth monitoring his status in free agency this summer. Related: Raptors Champion Receives Major Update on NBA Future Related: Raptors Named in Trade Report After Giannis Antetokounmpo News This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
HoopsHype: Rockets coach Ime Udoka had wanted Kevin Durant trade for years
It's been reported that Rockets coach Ime Udoka strongly supported the Kevin Durant trade, and the concept reportedly traces back to his Boston days. After the Kevin Durant trade, what's next for the Rockets, Suns, Heat, Timberwolves & Raptors? How Tyrese Haliburton's injury may affect Myles Turner, Thunder notes, Kings trade talks, Guerschon Yabusele's free agency & a Chris Boucher chat on @hoopshype. It was widely reported during Houston's successful trade pursuit of Kevin Durant that head coach Ime Udoka was among the leading voices in support of Durant joining the Rockets. So, too, was assistant coach Royal Ivey, who shares University of Texas basketball program lineage with Durant and has coached alongside Udoka at multiple stops. Both Udoka and Ivey were assistant coaches during Durant's first playing season (2020-21) with the Brooklyn Nets. In between those Brooklyn days and their current roles in Houston, Udoka spent one year as head coach of the Boston Celtics (who he guided to the 2022 NBA Finals). As it turns out, Udoka's fondness for Durant was enough that he was trying to trade for the All-Star forward and future Hall of Famer then! Per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype: Durant reunites with Udoka, whom he spent time with on the Nets. Udoka was head coach of the Celtics and was in favor of the organization trying to acquire Durant when the organization dangled a package centered around Jaylen Brown, league sources told HoopsHype. Now, while finalizing his contract extension with the Rockets, Udoka encouraged Houston to trade for Durant, sources said. This time, Udoka got his man. Durant will reunite with Royal Ivey, his former NBA teammate (with the Oklahoma City Thunder) and assistant coach, who turned down interest from the Grizzlies and Spurs for assistant coaching positions to remain in Houston alongside Udoka. Ivey also interviewed for Phoenix's head coaching opening. Within league circles, Ivey's decision to stay with Houston was a potential sign that Durant would ultimately end up with the Rockets. Brown, 28, is eight years younger than the 36-year-old Durant — and that age gap likely played a role in Boston's front office not choosing to go down that path in trade talks with the Nets. But in Houston, the players sent out as part of the June 2025 Durant trade package — Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks — aren't nearly as accomplished as Brown (an All-Star) was in Boston. So in this case, the front office and Udoka were in alignment, and a deal got to the finish line. 'His day-to-day approach is unlike anybody I've been around or seen,' Udoka said of Durant on a Rockets-Suns gameday in March (via Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic). 'With all the accolades he still has a chip, is grumpy as hell every other day, but he holds himself to a high standard.' More: Despite external coaching inquiries, Royal Ivey likely to stay with Rockets, Ime Udoka "His day-to-day approach is unlike anybody I've been around or seen."Rockets coach Ime Udoka on Kevin Durant. Was an assistant in Brooklyn when Durant was there."With all the accolades he still has a chip, is grumpy as hell every other day, but he holds himself to a high…
Yahoo
5 days ago
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Suns rumors: Phoenix's next $22M roster decisions after Kevin Durant trade
The post Suns rumors: Phoenix's next $22M roster decisions after Kevin Durant trade appeared first on ClutchPoints. The dust has settled on the Phoenix Suns' massive trade of Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. The Rockets were widely seen as the best suitor, and both teams were able to complete the deal. The Suns are not done yet either. They have a massive payroll and are actively looking to trim their roster for salary reasons, instead of infusing new talent into a team that desperately needs a boost. Advertisement The Suns actively seek to eliminate $22 million from their roster, which comes down to two players they might move on from. Vasilije Micic and Cody Martin are all on the chopping block. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype broke it down, saying that both are expected to be waived unless a trade opens up for both. 'Phoenix is expected to decline the $8.11 million team option on Micic, barring a trade that would necessitate his salary being included, league sources told HoopsHype. The two-time EuroLeague champion and former EuroLeague MVP is expected to command significantly lucrative offers overseas. Martin, whose $8.68 million salary for the 2025-26 season is non-guaranteed, is in a similar boat to Micic. Martin is a candidate to be waived unless his salary is included in a trade.' Micic rarely saw the court last season and did not contribute much, while Martin came in with some expectations to be able to help the Suns, but was disappointing. Advertisement HoopsHype also reports that the Suns are gauging the trade market for Royce O'Neale and Grayson Allen. After the Durant trade, Phoenix's backcourt got more crowded, leaving less room for either to contribute meaningfully in the backcourt and on the wing. O'Neale averaged 9.1 points and shot 40.6% from behind the arc, while Allen averaged 10.6 points on 42.6% from behind the arc. However, O'Neale is owed a combined $32.63 million over the next three seasons, and Allen is owed $35 million over the next two seasons with a $19.38 million player option for the 2027-28 season. The addition of Jalen Green raises many questions about the status of the backcourt and wing players as we enter the offseason, especially because the Suns reportedly decided on keeping Green and not flipping him for more. The Suns made a giant deal involving Kevin Durant, but they are far from over in finalizing their roster, and these next few moves will determine how much the Suns can contend for an NBA championship moving forward. Related: The Suns can't keep new 'Big 3' together after Kevin Durant trade Related: Suns' 10 worst NBA Draft day mistakes in history
