Kevin Durant had 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, leading the Brooklyn Nets back from 21 points down to a 110-98 victory over the New York Knicks that strengthened their chances of the best spot possible in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.
Celtics Knicks Basketball New York Knicks' Julius Randle (30) shoots over Boston Celtics' Aaron Nesmith (26) as Jayson Tatum (0) watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021 in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK — (AP) — Julius Randle scored 35 points, Evan Fournier made the go-ahead 3-pointer in the second overtime and added 32 against his former team, and the New York Knicks outlasted Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics 138-134 on Wednesday night. RJ Barrett scored all of his 19 points after halftime and Obi Toppin added a career-best 14 for the Knicks. Tatum had 20 points and 11 rebounds, but was 7 for 30 from the field, including 2 for 15 from 3-point range. The U.S. Olympic gold medalist missed badly on a jumper that could have won it at the end of the first overtime.
wftv.comTokyo Olympics Basketball United States' Breanna Stewart (10), right, celebrates with teammates after their win in the women's basketball preliminary round game against Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. Such is the typical itinerary for basketball players at the Tokyo Olympics. For those who were in the NBA and WNBA bubbles in Florida last summer, it seems familiar. There are clear similarities between what basketball players are having to endure at these Tokyo Olympics and what went on last summer for NBA players in Lake Buena Vista, Florida and WNBA players in Bradenton, Florida. Typically at an Olympics, the NBA stars pop into some of the other big events — like swimming, track and field, gymnastics — whenever possible.
wftv.comTokyo Olympics Basketball France's Evan Fournier (10) shoots over United States' forward Kevin Durant (7) during a men's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (Eric Gay)SAITAMA, Japan — (AP) — Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum are going for gold, though they can’t forget about the green. The quarterfinals of the Olympic men’s tournament arrives on the same day free agency opens in the NBA. The French are one of the top seeds in the men's basketball quarterfinals at the Tokyo Games, with a victory over the U.S. the highlight of their 3-0 start. But Patty Mills is playing for Australia, unconcerned with his NBA future while trying to lead his country to its first Olympic men's basketball medal.
wftv.comFrance — the team that knocked the Americans out of contention in the Basketball World Cup two years ago — dealt the U.S. a major blow once again. The U.S. had won 25 consecutive Olympic games, last losing at the Athens Games 17 years ago and settling for a bronze medal there. Fournier had 28 points for France, while Rudy Gobert scored 14 and Nando de Colo had 13. De Colo’s 3-pointer with 2:42 remaining in the third put France up 55-54, its first lead since the game’s first four minutes. ... Guerschon Yabusele left the game briefly with 1:30 left in the half after going knee-to-knee with Holiday.
wftv.comCeltics Nets Basketball Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden drives to the basket past Boston Celtics guard Evan Fournier in the second half of Game 5 during an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Tuesday, June 1, 2021, in New York. Kyrie Irving scored 25 points and Kevin Durant had 24 for the Nets, who will face the Milwaukee Bucks in their first appearance in the second round since 2014. Fournier added 18 points and Romeo Langford had 17 starting in place of Walker, who missed his second straight game with a knee injury. The Celtics hung in the game, not letting the Nets build a double-digit lead until a 7-0 burst early in the second half made it 66-54. TIP-INSCeltics: Robert Williams also missed his second straight game with an ankle injury.
wftv.comCeltics Nets Basketball Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant, left, reaches for the ball in front of Boston Celtics guard Evan Fournier during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, May 22, 2021, in New York. Kevin Durant had 32 points and 12 rebounds, Kyrie Irving scored 29 points and the Nets recovered from their superstars' frigid start to beat the Boston Celtics 104-93 on Saturday night in Game 1 of the first-round series. To show how little time the Nets' stars spent together, Brooklyn started Harris and Blake Griffin with the Big Three. Durant, Harden and Irving were a combined 5 for 20 in the first quarter and the Nets missed all nine 3-point attempts in the period. Nets: Irving, who spent two seasons with the Celtics, wore green sneakers.
wftv.comHeat Celtics Basketball Boston Celtics guard Evan Fournier (94) tries to block a shot by Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa)BOSTON — (AP) — Tyler Herro scored 24 points and the Miami Heat clinched a playoff spot and locked the Boston Celtics into the play-in tournament Tuesday night with a 129-121 victory. They have three games left in the regular season. Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson each scored 22 points, Kendrick Nunn had 18 and Goran Dragic 17 for the Heat. Celtics: Coach Brad Stevens said Brown had already left Boston and will have the procedure later this week.
wftv.comNewly acquired guard Norman Powell scored 22 points and hit five 3-pointers in his Portland debut, and C.J. Portland won for a second night in a row and improved to 14-6 this season in back-to-back sets of games. Orlando rookie Chuma Okeke scored a career-best 22 points by making 9 of 15 shots and 4 of 6 3-pointers. Coincidentally, his father, Gary Trent, was also dealt from Portland to Toronto halfway through his third NBA season in 1998. Magic: Guard Michael Carter-Williams (illness) was scratched from the starting lineup, but entered the midway through the first period, while Terrence Ross (sore knee) missed his sixth straight game.
Evan Fournier hit six three-point shots in the Orlando Magic’s 106-83 win against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night. Evan Fournier is being traded by the Orlando Magic to the Boston Celtics for a pair of second-round draft picks, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said Thursday. Orlando also struck a deal earlier Thursday with Chicago to send All-Star forward Nikola Vucevic to the Bulls. Fournier gives the Celtics added wing depth and another ballhandler. The Celtics started Thursday eighth in the Eastern Conference with a 21-23 record, well below their expectations coming into the season.
Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) celebrates a three-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)Kyle Lowry wound up staying with Toronto after all. The trade deadline has come and gone. “Anytime you trade a player like Nikola, it is a tough decision to make," Magic President Jeff Weltman said. But Lowry — a free-agent-to-be and considered perhaps the biggest prize on this year's trade market — did not get traded, the Raptors apparently unable to find enough assets to their liking. Questions swirled around Lowry all the way to the 3 p.m. EST deadline, and there were signs that the Raptors were positioning themselves to make the move.
Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier shoots as he gets past Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)ORLANDO, Fla. – Evan Fournier scored the last of his 21 points on a driving layup over Phoenix center Deandre Ayton with 6.4 seconds left and the Orlando Magic beat the Suns 112-111 on Wednesday night. AdChris Paul scored eight of his 23 points in the fourth quarter for the Suns. Booker finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Ad“As of right now, I’m an Orlando Magic,” Gordon said. … Down as much as 13 in the early going, the Magic took its first lead at 47-46 on a Vucevic 3-pointer.
But the Nuggets won their sixth consecutive road game to tie a franchise record set twice previously, most recently in 2018. The Nuggets also won their ninth straight against the Magic and for the 16th time in 18 meetings dating to the 2003-04 season. Malone named each of the 10 victims of a massacre that took place approximately 28 miles from downtown Denver. He seemed aware that Wednesday’s game against Phoenix could be the last of his seven-season stint with the Magic. Magic: Orlando extended its streak of games with at least one 3-pointer to 1,100.
Aaron Gordon scored a season-best 38 points, Evan Fournier added 31 and the Magic held off a furious fourth-quarter rally to beat the Brooklyn Nets 121-113 on Friday night. On Friday, Fournier and the Magic did little wrong while shooting 51.2% and making a season-best 21 3-pointers. However, Brooklyn would get no closer than 104-100 after Gordon and Fournier revived the Magic offense. Harden snapped a streak of 14 straight games with at least 20 points when he finished with 19. Gordon made all five of his third-quarter shots and had 33 points by the start of the fourth.
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle shoots over Orlando Magic center Khem Birch (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 18, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, Pool)NEW YORK – Julius Randle recorded his third triple-double of the season with 18 points, 17 assists and 10 rebounds to lead the New York Knicks to a 94-93 victory over the Orlando Magic on Thursday night. Evan Fournier scored 23 points but Reggie Bullock stole his pass on Orlando's final possession as the Magic dropped their ninth straight. ...Instead of reading the play, I starting the play (thinking) ahead and I was anticipating (the Knicks double-teaming on a pick-and-roll). “I was going to find my teammates.”The Knicks held Orlando to 42.7% shooting from the field and 29.4% from 3.
ORLANDO, Fla. – Jimmy Butler started Sunday night’s game against Orlando by winning the opening tip and ended it with a steal and win-sealing layup as the Miami Heat topped the Magic 102-97. In between, the standout guard was pretty good, too, helping the Heat win their fourth straight and for a 10th time in 11 games. Butler’s defense led to 23 Orlando turnovers and 26 points off those mistakes for the Heat. The Magic, who are 1-2 this season against the rival Heat, haven’t won since Feb. 21. … GM Anthony Parker and head coach Stan Heath of the G League champion Lakeland Magic attended Sunday’s game.
SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio played its first home game with fans and welcomed back four players who sat almost a month due to COVID-19 protocols. San Antonio held an opponent under 80 points for the first time since beating Golden State 89-75 on March 19, 2018. While that quartet returned fully, San Antonio was without veterans DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge. San Antonio is attempting to trade Aldridge after agreeing to part ways with the veteran forward after his role was lessened. … San Antonio is 16-2 when leading by 10 points at any time in the game.
MIAMI – For the first time this season, the Miami Heat have a winning record. Miami opened the season with a loss to Orlando, and had gone 0-6 in opportunities this season to move over .500 — until Thursday. Tyler Herro scored 17 points, Kendrick Nunn had 13 and Goran Dragic added 11 for the Heat. All-Star Nikola Vucevic finished with 24 points and a game-high 17 rebounds for the Magic, who have dropped six straight. MAGIC CHAMPSOrlando’s G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic, won that league’s championship Thursday by topping the Philadelphia-affiliated Delaware Blue Coats.
The star guard scored 32 points and hit the go-ahead free throws with eight seconds remaining as Atlanta rallied from 19 down in the second half to beat the Orlando Magic 115-112 on Wednesday night. McMillan took over Monday when Atlanta fired Lloyd Pierce following a 14-20 start. Atlanta took its first lead at 111-110 when Tony Snell drilled a corner 3 off a feed from Young with 1:09 to play. “It’s no statement to anybody but ourselves that we can win games,” Young said. Magic: Evan Fournier missed his 15th game, this time because of a groin strain sustained Monday while scoring 26 points.
ORLANDO, Fla. – Luka Doncic had 33 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, Kristaps Porzingis played a nearly flawless second half and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Orlando Magic 130-124 on Monday night. Jalen Brunson scored 17 of his 24 points in the second half as the Mavericks broke open a close game. Nikola Vucevic had 29 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists for the Magic, who dropped their fourth straight. “I just thought we’d be better defensively, and that was the difference in the game,” Magic coach Steve Clifford said. AdTIP INSMavericks: Doncic led Dallas in points, rebounds and assists for the 11th time this season.
ORLANDO, Fla. – Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points and Joe Ingles filled in well again at point guard in place of Mike Conley to help the Utah Jazz beat the Orlando Magic 124-109 on Saturday night. Utah bounced back from a loss a night earlier in Miami, improving to 6-1 following a defeat. The NBA-leading Jazz have lost consecutive games just once all season and not since Jan. 6 when they were 4-4. The Jazz led my 19 in the fourth quarter and improved to 25-0 when leading after three periods. Magic All-Star center Nikola Vucevic scored 34 points, but missed out on his 24th double-double by two rebounds.
Lee, a rookie out of Vanderbilt on a two-way contract, made 8 of 11 shots and all three of his 3-pointers as the Pistons started fast and dominated the second half in a 105-93 win over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night. Following the 10th game of his NBA career, Lee was presented with the game ball by coach Dwane Casey in a joyous locker room celebration. Just two nights after battering the undersized Pistons for 37 points and 13 rebounds, Vucevic finished with 20 points and nine rebounds. Dennis Smith Jr. added 14 points for the Pistons, who shot 46.6% despite 10-for-34 shooting from 3-point range. Magic guard Evan Fournier, who scored season-highs of 28 and 29 points in the previous two games, had 14 points in the loss.
ORLANDO, Fla. – Nikola Vucevic had 37 points and 11 rebounds, Evan Fournier added a season-high 29 points and the Orlando Magic beat the Detroit Pistons 105-96 on Sunday night. Vucevic had his seventh 30-point game of the season, two days after his third career triple-double. Fournier, who scored 28 points in Orlando’s victory over Golden State on Friday night, had 16 first-half points. Jerami Grant bounced back from his poorest shooting game of the season in Memphis on Friday by scoring 24 points for the Pistons. AdHEROES HONOREDThe Magic honored 500 frontline workers from AdventHealth and the Orlando community on Sunday as part of their “Healthcare Heroes Night.”
ORLANDO, Fla. – Nikola Vucevic had 30 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists for his third career triple-double and the Orlando Magic overcame a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors 124-120 on Friday night. However, Orlando outscored the Warriors 31-14 the rest of the way by getting three 3-pointers from rookie forward Chuma Okeke and a strong closing kick from Vucevic. Vucevic made two free throws with 16 seconds left to put Orlando ahead 123-120 after Warriors star Stephen Curry hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the final minute. He notched his 12th straight game with at least 25 points despite making just 11 of 29 shots and only 6 of 16 3-pointers. … Vucevic had the highlight of the night when he drove hard to the rim and dunked with authority over Green.
The Knicks shot 6 of 20 in the third quarter and 12 of 48 (25%) in the second half as their season-best three-game winning streak ended. “It was a good team effort, especially since the Knicks have been playing well for the last seven games,” Ross said. In that second half, we were on the same page, tied together and we closed it out.”Ross made 10 of 16 shots and 5 of 6 3-pointers. AdRandle had 25 points and seven rebounds for New York, but Orlando limited him to eight points in the second half. Al-Farouq Aminu played in just his second game of the season for Orlando.
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)PHOENIX – Devin Booker scored 27 points, Mikal Bridges added 21 and the Phoenix Suns cruised to their sixth straight victory, beating the Orlando Magic 109-90 on Sunday night. Booker scored 17 points in the first quarter on 8-of-10 shooting, including a 30-foot 3-pointer, and the Suns took a 28-16 lead. Phoenix scored the first six points of the second half and pushed ahead 80-55 after Jae Crowder hit back-to-back 3-pointers. Chris Paul added 12 points, nine assists and six rebounds. Suns: Booker is averaged 28.3 points and shooting 54.7% during the seven-game homestand that ends Tuesday.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, dribbles against Orlando Magic forward Gary Clark during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. Curry knocked down 10 3-pointers on the way to 40 points and also contributed eight rebounds and five assists, leading the Golden State Warriors past the undermanned Magic 111-105 on Thursday night. “I just told him he looks great, he looks quick, he looks healthy, he looks like he’s loving it,” Clifford said. Nikola Vucevic had 25 points, 13 rebounds and five assists as the Magic lost a third straight game, seventh in eight and ninth of 11. ... Golden State hasn't lost two in a row at home this season.
PORTLAND, Ore. – Damian Lillard scored 36 points and the Portland Trail Blazers extended their winning streak over the Orlando Magic to eight games with a 106-97 victory on Tuesday night. The Magic were also without Michael Carter-Williams, who has a sprained foot, and Aaron Gordon because of a sprained left ankle. Aminu played for four years in Portland before signing with Orlando as a free agent in 2019. AdTrail Blazers: Portland was without Nassir Little because of a left knee sprain. Trail Blazers: Host the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, the same time that the forecast calls for snow in the Portland area.
The Orlando Magic will hold a moment of silence to honor the life of NBA legend Kobe Bryant before Sunday evenings matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers at Amway Arena. The Orlando Magic is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kobe Bryant, the organization tweeted Sunday afternoon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bryant family, the L.A. Lakers and the other victims of todays tragedy and their families. AdvertisementThe Orlando Magic is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kobe Bryant. We will observe a moment of silence before tonights game.#RIPMAMBA pic.twitter.com/VwMzx4AKy5 Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) January 26, 2020Magic players of yesterday and today have already taken to social media to pay respects to Bryant.
knightnews.comORLANDO, Fla. - Domantas Sabonis had 21 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists to lift the Indiana Pacers to a 109-102 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday. Malcolm Brogdon and T.J. Warren scored 19 points each to help the Pacers win for the sixth time in seven games. The Pacers led 81-77 going into the fourth quarter and pushed the lead to 14 points with a spark from McConnell. The Magic guards couldn't stay with McConnell on the pick-and-roll and the Pacers' backup point guard made them pay, hitting three straight short jumpers. Magic: Magic F Jonathan Isaac leads the NBA in shots blocked at 3.11 per game.
Associated PressORLANDO, Fla. - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 17 of his 24 points in the second half to lift the Oklahoma City Thunder over the Orlando Magic 102-94 on Tuesday night. Chris Paul added 20 points and six assists for the Thunder (3-4), who held their opponent under 100 points for the fourth time in seven games. Steven Adams had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Aaron Gordon had 15 points and eight rebounds to lead the Magic (2-5), who have yet to reach 100 points in a game this season. The Magic tied at 83 a couple of minutes later but never regained the advantage.
