Fantasy Basketball Pickups: Malik Monk leads top waiver wire adds for Week 8
By Gabe Allen, RotoWireSpecial to Yahoo SportsWe’ve reached December, and the fantasy waiver wire is still alive and well. And as usual, this article focuses primarily on players I haven’t already recommended adding this season, with one exception. Players who have posted a stat line like that in recent memory aren’t found on the waiver wire often. However, across the last six contests, McConnell is averaging 9.7 points, 6.3 dimes, 3.3 boards and 1.8 swipes in 21.7 minutes. Seasoned fantasy basketball managers know how difficult dimes and steals are to find via the free-agent pool, especially in deep leagues, so McConnell is certainly worthy of consideration.
wftv.comSources: Reggie Jackson expected to be Clippers' starting point guard over John Wall to open season
The Los Angeles Clippers are expected to name Reggie Jackson the starting point guard to open up the 2022-23 season, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Jackson was in a preseason battle with five-time All-Star John Wall for the starting point guard nod. Jackson is expected to join a lineup featuring Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Marcus Morris and Ivica Zubac. It is unlikely Wall will play back-to-back games to start the year, sources said. He had a strong exhibition campaign, but Jackson has continuity with the personnel from his two-plus seasons with the team.
wftv.comEdwards, Russell carry Wolves past Clippers in play-in game
Clippers Timberwolves Basketball Minnesota Timberwolves guard D'Angelo Russell (0) loses control of the ball while Los Angeles Clippers forward Norman Powell (24) defends during the first quarter during an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 12, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King) (Andy Clayton-King)MINNEAPOLIS — (AP) — Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell combined for 59 points to help the Minnesota Timberwolves overcome a rough night for Karl-Anthony Towns and beat the Los Angeles Clippers 109-104 in a play-in game on Tuesday night. Edwards scored 30 points with five 3-pointers and Russell had 29 points and six assists to send the Wolves to the No. Jackson's 3-pointer gave the Clippers their largest lead of the game at 93-83 with 8:54 remaining, but about 4 minutes later Russell knocked down the go-ahead 3-pointer for a 97-95 advantage the Wolves never relinquished. Timberwolves: Game 1 in Memphis is on Saturday afternoon.
wftv.comDeRozan scores 50, Bulls rally past Clippers 135-130 in OT
Clippers Bulls Basketball Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan looks to pass during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Chicago, Thursday, March 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh)CHICAGO — (AP) — DeMar DeRozan did everything he could to carry the Chicago Bulls to a much-needed victory. DeRozan scored a season-high 50 points and Chicago rallied to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 135-130 in overtime Thursday night. Jackson then hit two foul shots for the Clippers before DeRozan converted two to make it 131-127. Bulls: DeRozan has 2,019 points, the second time he's scored 2,000 in a season.
wftv.comClippers surge to 132-111 victory, season sweep of Lakers
Lakers Clippers Basketball Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann (14) reacts after making a 3-point basket during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, March 3, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (Marcio Jose Sanchez)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Reggie Jackson scored 12 of his season-high 36 points in the fourth quarter while adding nine assists and eight rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers completed a four-game season sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers with a 132-111 victory Thursday night. The Clippers outscored their cross-hallway rivals 37-10 late into the third before coasting to their fifth consecutive victory in the past eight days, including two over the Lakers. Los Angeles signed him Tuesday. Clippers: Nicolas Batum appeared in his 900th career NBA game.
wftv.comReggie Jackson hits winning jumper, Clippers beat Magic
Magic Clippers Basketball Los Angeles Clippers guard Reggie Jackson (1) is defended by Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris, second from right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (Marcio Jose Sanchez)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Reggie Jackson hit a step-back jumper with 2.2 seconds remaining to give the Los Angeles Clippers a 106-104 victory over the Orlando Magic on Saturday. The Clippers were missing Paul George for the second straight game due to a right elbow contusion. Anthony led the Magic with 23 points, including five 3-pointers and Ross came off the bench to add 22 points. UP NEXTMagic: Conclude five-game trip against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
wftv.comDoncic returns, Mavericks beat Clippers in OT to snap skid
Mavericks Clippers Basketball Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) gets past Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John McCoy) (John McCoy)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — It would have been understandable if the Dallas Mavericks folded in overtime against the Los Angeles Clippers after blowing a 10-point lead. Dončić had 15 points in the period and four assists that resulted in 10 additional Mavericks points. TIP-INSMavericks: Dorian Finney-Smith, who had a season-high 17 points, scored eight points during a 16-5 run midway through the fourth to give Dallas a double-digit lead. Clippers: George missed his first five shots from the field and didn’t get his first basket until there was 1:44 remaining in the first half.
wftv.comNBA playoff notebook: Clippers leading the comeback craze
The conference finals will be of the every-other-day variety. The NBA Finals will begin July 6 or July 8; it will be July 6 unless the East title series goes seven games. There will be finals games on July 8, July 11 and July 14 under all scenarios. That’s 99 less than the record first-two-rounds total they made last season in 66 games before the conference finals. 1 seed will make the conference finals.
wftv.comMann scores career-high 39, Clippers eliminate Jazz 131-119
Jazz Clippers Basketball Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann, right, celebrates with guard Paul George after scoring and drawing a foul during the first half in Game 6 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Utah Jazz Friday, June 18, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Terance Mann scored a career-high 39 points and the Los Angeles Clippers advanced to a conference final for the first time in the franchise's 51-year history, beating the Utah Jazz 131-119 on Friday night. The Clippers had a 107-106 lead with eight minutes remaining before they seized control with nine straight points, including five by Mann. It is the second time in franchise history the Jazz have blown a 25-point lead in a postseason game. TIP INSJazz: Jordan Clarkson had all 21 of his points in the second quarter.
wftv.comClippers beat Jazz 119-111 to take series lead
Clippers Jazz Basketball Los Angeles Clippers guard Reggie Jackson (1) argues with referee Josh Tiven (58) during the first half of Game 5 of the team's second-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) (Rick Bowmer)SALT LAKE CITY — (AP) — Paul George scored 37 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 119-111 victory over the Utah Jazz in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinals series Wednesday night. Los Angeles won its third straight game to push the top-seeded Jazz to the brink of elimination. Utah and Los Angeles will play Game 6 on Friday in Los Angeles. Mike Conley missed his fifth straight game for the Jazz while rehabbing a strained hamstring.
wftv.comLeonard, George help Clippers beat Jazz, cut deficit to 2-1
Jazz Clippers Basketball Los Angeles Clippers guard Reggie Jackson, left, smiles as Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson after scoring during the second half of Game 3 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Los Angeles. Leonard and George each scored at least 30 in the same playoff game for the second time to help the Clippers cut Utah's series lead to 2-1. George shot only 34.3% from the field in the first two games but was 12 of 24, including 6 of 10 on 3-pointers. The Jazz were 19 of 44 on 3-pointers, but 17 of 40 inside the arc as the Clippers' zone defense caused problems. Clippers: LA had struggled from the perimeter in the first two games but was 19 of 36 on 3-pointers Saturday night.
wftv.comMitchell has 37, Jazz beat Clippers 117-111 for 2-0 lead
Clippers Jazz Basketball Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) defends as Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, left, goes to the basket during the first half of Game 2 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Thursday, June 10, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) (Rick Bowmer)SALT LAKE CITY — (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 37 points and the Utah Jazz forced nine straight misses down the stretch to outlast the Los Angeles Clippers 117-111 on Thursday night and take a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series. The guard is the first Jazz player with at least 35 points in back-to-back playoff games since Karl Malone in 1988. Mitchell shot 11 of 16 in the first half and did the same in the second half of Game 1. Jackson scored 16 points in the third quarter and the Jazz finally started missing shots against an active Clippers zone.
wftv.comClippers beat Mavs 104-97, force Game 7 in another road win
Clippers Mavericks Basketball Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) scores a basket as he is defended by Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, front right, in the first half during Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in Dallas, Friday, June 4, 2021. The victory gives Leonard and Paul George their first chance to eliminate the team they beat in six games in the Florida playoff bubble last August. Leonard scored the next eight LA points, including back-to-back 3-pointers for a 98-90 lead with 1:41 remaining. Ibaka made the trip for Game 5 after staying in LA for the first two games in Dallas. ... Boban Marjanovich scored 12 points as Dallas went with a big lineup again.
wftv.comClippers beat Mavs 104-97, force Game 7 in another road win
Kawhi Leonard tied his playoff career high with 45 points and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Dallas Mavericks 104-97 on Friday night, forcing a Game 7 in the first postseason series in NBA history with the road team winning the first six games.
Leonard, Clippers bounce back with 109-99 win over Mavericks
Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George (13) attempts a layup as Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber (42) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 15, 2021, in Dallas. Leonard scored 22 points, Marcus Morris Sr. added 14 in a rare start and the Clippers beat the Dallas Mavericks 109-99 on Monday. The Clippers won for the second time in six games while Dallas lost for just the second time in its past seven. Paul George scored 15 as seven Clippers finished in double figures. Mavericks: C Dwight Powell didn't play because of an illness that coach Rick Carlisle said wasn't related to COVID-19.
Antetokounmpo, Bucks rally late to to beat Clippers 105-100
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)MILWAUKEE – Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks showed they can still rally in the fourth quarter to win games with their defense. Antetokounmpo scored 36 points and sparked a game-closing 9-0 run as the Bucks rallied to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 105-100 on Sunday for their fifth consecutive victory. The Bucks generally haven’t performed quite as well on defense this season but stifled the Clippers down the stretch. Bucks: Antetokounmpo has scored at least 35 points in four straight games, making him the first Bucks player to accomplish that feat since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar from Jan. 6-14, 1973.
Leonard, Clippers pull away from Knicks for 129-115 win
Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points and the Clippers rang up the highest point total of the season against the New York Knicks on Sunday, winning 129-115 for their 10th victory in 11 games. The Clippers shredded the NBA leaders in fewest points per game allowed to break away after leading by one at halftime. The game's start time was moved up four hours by the NBA to 1 p.m., though neither that nor the Knicks' good early shooting seemed to bother the Clippers. Leonard and Jackson each scored 10 points in the period, when the Clippers made five 3-pointers and scored 35 points, taking a 101-91 lead to the fourth. Knicks: The Knicks' previous high for points allowed was 121 to Indiana in their season opener.
Leonard, George stellar in returns as Clippers thump Magic
ORLANDO, Fla. – Paul George had 26 points, nine rebounds and five assists, Kawhi Leonard added 24 points and the Los Angeles Clippers routed the Orlando Magic 116-90 on Friday night in the two All-Stars’ returns following two-game absences because of COVID-19 protocols. The first NBA team to reach 15 victories, the Clippers beat the Magic for the 14th straight time — a streak that dates to Nov. 6, 2013. Leonard and George both played 28 minutes and were rested early after the lead ballooned to as much as 27 points in the fourth quarter. AdThe Clippers were a plus-27 with George on the floor and a plus-23 with Leonard. Serge Ibaka chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds for a Clippers team that is 13-2 this season when leading at halftime.
Clippers beat Thunder 108-101, tie for NBA's best record
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Theo Maledon (11) defends against Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)LOS ANGELES – Kawhi Leonard scored 34 points and the Los Angeles Clippers beat Oklahoma City 108-101 on Sunday for their seventh consecutive victory and second straight over the Thunder. Serge Ibaka added 17 points. At 13-4, the Clippers are tied with the Lakers for the best record in the NBA. Oklahoma City has lost three in a row and five of six.
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.
Leonard leads Clippers past Doncic, Mavs to reach 2nd round
Los Angeles began putting the ball in Leonards hands and he delivered with eight straight Clippers points before consecutive 3-pointers by Reggie Jackson pushed it to 105-89. TIP-INSClippers: Patrick Beverley had a pregame workout before sitting out for the fifth straight game with a left calf strain. Mavericks: Porzingis missed his third straight game with torn cartilage in his right knee. It was the first game Rivers attended in the bubble but hardly his first time watching his son play at Disney. I just kind of sat and watched the game, Rivers said.
Mavs pull away while Doncic sits, beat Clippers 127-114
Two nights after scoring 42 points in the highest-scoring debut in postseason history, Doncic played just nine minutes in the second half. They beat the Clippers for the first time in five meetings this season and earned their first playoff victory since 2016. Kawhi Leonard had 35 points and 10 rebounds, but Paul George had a mostly miserable performance for the second-seeded Clippers. Clippers: Reggie Jackson started in place of Beverley and scored 11 points. The Clippers noticed the guard wasn't moving well at their shootaround and decided to scratch him.
Doncic's debut good enough for history, but not for a win
Doncic is out for wins, not stats, and the Dallas Mavericks weren't good enough to get one in the opener of their series against the Los Angeles Clippers. They climbed back from a dismal start caused in part by Doncic's carelessness, but ended up losing 118-110 on Monday night. Both players were hit with technical fouls and because it was Porzingis' second of the game, he was automatically ejected. Doncic bettered John Williamson's 38 points in 1979 for most in an NBA playoff debut and was the first 21-year-old to score 40 since LeBron James in 2006. "I thought as good as he played tonight, we could have limited some of the stuff.
McGruder's late 3 helps Clippers edge Trail Blazers 122-120
Portland led by as much as 10 in the first quarter and was up 37-34 at the end of the quarter. They also outshot the Trail Blazers outside the arc hitting 15 of 34 (44.1%) compared to 17 of 43 (39.5%). Trail Blazers: Outscored Los Angeles 46-38 in the paint. HEY YOUThe Trail Blazers had some regional support with Blitz the Seahawk, mascot for the NFLs Seattle Seahawks, sitting in the virtual seats, for the early afternoon game. Trail Blazers: Play Philadelphia on Sunday.
George, Clippers rain 3s on Pelicans in 126-103 blowout
Kawhi Leonard and Beverly kept the barrage going for six straight 3s before Leonard had the Clippers first miss. With the Clippers well on their way to a blowout win, it was an opportunity for the Pelicans to get Williamson out of the game. We had a rough start, Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said. The Clippers have already clinched a playoff spot in their first season with Leonard and George playing together. Clippers: L.A. led 103-63 late in the third quarter when George and Leonard were taken out.
A look back at big hits, bad calls as MLB eyes new draft era
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)NEW YORK Baseballs amateur draft is about to enter the next phase of its ongoing development same as all those young prospects picked every year. Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 version was ticketed for a move to Omaha, Nebraska, to coincide with the College World Series there. But with the top pick in the second June amateur draft in 1966, the New York Mets swung and missed. All that hype came to full fruition a decade later, when he was the World Series MVP as the Nationals won the franchises first championship last year. Prior to Appel, the only top overall picks who failed to reach the majors were Chilcott and left-hander Brien Taylor (Yankees, 1991).