Center of attention: Towns wins All-Star 3-Point Contest
NBA All-Star Skills Challenge Basketball Minnesota Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns celebrates after winning the three-point shot skills challenge competition, part of NBA All-Star basketball game weekend, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, in Cleveland. Minnesota's 7-footer became the first center to win the 3-Point Shooting Contest, defeating seven guards during the NBA's All-Star Saturday and providing a memorable moment on a night the dunk contest barely got off the ground. Golden State's Juan Toscano-Anderson was second as the dunk contest, once a marquee event that at times trumped the All-Star Game, fell flat. After his surprising 3-point win, Towns accepted his trophy at mid-court and immediately turned toward Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Neal sitting courtside in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. It’s coming back home where it belongs.”The dunk contest started with some promise and fizzled fast.
wftv.comKennard scores 7 in final 9 seconds as Clippers stun Wizards
Clippers Wizards Basketball Los Angeles Clippers guard Luke Kennard (5) celebrates after hitting the game tying shot against the Washington Wizards during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, in Washington. The Clippers erased a 35 point deficit to defeat the Wizards 116-115. From left, Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33), Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann (14), Kennard, and Clippers forward Justise Winslow (20). (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON — (AP) — Luke Kennard scored seven points inside the final 9 seconds, including a go-ahead four-point play with 1.9 seconds remaining, and the Los Angeles Clippers overcame a 35-point first-half deficit to stun the Washington Wizards 116-115 on Tuesday night. Wizards: Held the Clippers to 36 first-half points, an opponent's season low.
wftv.comClippers beat Pacers 129-96 for 1st 4-game winning streak
Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon (7) shoots against Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)LOS ANGELES – Marcus Morris scored a season-high 20 points to lead seven players in double figures, and the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Indiana Pacers 129-96 on Sunday night for their first four-game winning streak of the season. “Guys are buying in and enjoying playing the game.”Doug McDermott led the Pacers with 23 points, making five 3-pointers. It was their fourth straight game with at least 15 3-pointers made, tying the longest such streak in franchise history. ... Williams missed his second straight game with a left hip injury.
George scores 39 points, Clippers hold off Suns 112-107
(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)PHOENIX – Paul George scored 39 points and the Los Angeles Clippers held on to beat the Phoenix Suns 112-107 on Sunday night after nearly blowing a 31-point lead in a matchup of two of the Western Conference’s top early season teams. At 5-2, the Clippers are tied with the Suns and Los Angeles Lakers for the West lead. George was 7 of 10 from 3-point range and Los Angeles was 17 of 29 overall. Chris Paul, who played six seasons for the Clippers, had 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Los Angeles opened the second quarter with 15 straight points to make it 50-24.
Mavs destroy Clippers 124-73 to earn 1st win of season
Josh Richardson added 21 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. had 18 points for the Mavs, who kept up their dominance in the second half, too. Paul George led the Kawhi Leonard-less Clippers with 15 points before sitting out the second half. Serge Ibaka added 13 points and nine rebounds over three quarters of the team's first loss. He scored as many points (13) as the Clippers in the first quarter. They swept the Mavs last season, winning all three meetings as the visiting team, including a first-round playoff victory.
Kawhi Leonard out for Clippers against Mavericks
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard is helped off the court after suffering an injury during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Friday, Dec. 25, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)LOS ANGELES – Kawhi Leonard won’t play for the Los Angeles Clippers against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. Leonard was bleeding heavily when he left the court in the fourth quarter. Leonard was replaced in Sunday’s lineup by Luke Kennard for the Clippers' home opener at Staples Center. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
George scores 33, Clippers beat Lakers 116-109 on ring night
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, is defended by Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)LOS ANGELES – After the Los Angeles Lakers got their championship rings, the Los Angeles Clippers gave a performance that showed this retooled team is determined to contend for its own jewelry several months from now. Paul George scored 26 of his 33 points in the second half, Kawhi Leonard added 26 points and the Los Angeles Clippers rallied past the Los Angeles Lakers on the NBA champions’ ring ceremony night for a 116-109 victory Tuesday. The Clippers beat the Lakers in the season opener for the second straight year while winning coach Tyronn Lue’s debut. Lakers: James believes he will be fine to play on Christmas, saying he'll get extensive treatment.
Magic sign Isaac and Fultz to extensions
Orlando signed Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz to extensions, while San Antonio did the same with Derrick White, Toronto with OG Anunoby and the Los Angeles Clippers with Luke Kennard. Isaac ($80 million), White and Anunoby ($72 million) each received four-year extensions. “We are thrilled to keep both Markelle and Jonathan in a Magic uniform,” Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman said. 1 pick in the 2017 draft, averaged 12.1 points and 5.1 assists for the Magic last season. “We’re really pleased that OG will be with us for seasons to come.”White averaged 11.3 points for the Spurs last season.