April 2024 Basketball Wiretap

Damian Lillard Has Strained Achilles, Doubtful For Game 4

Apr 27, 2024 12:47 PM

Damian Lillard has suffered a strained Achilles. Lillard is in a walking boot and is doubtful for Game 4 of the Milwaukee Bucks' first round series against the Indiana Pacers.

Lillard has been playing through Achilles soreness for several weeks. He re-aggravated the injury in the fourth quarter of Friday's game. He finished the overtime loss but was spotted limping at several different points. Following the game, Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Lillard had an Achilles injury, but he didn't know the extent at that time.

The Pacers took a 2-1 series lead with the victory on Friday night. Game 4 will be Sunday night in Indiana. The series will then shift back to Milwaukee for Game 5 on Tuesday.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Injury

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Doc Rivers Doubts Giannis Antetokounmpo Will Play In Game 4

Apr 27, 2024 1:43 PM

The Milwaukee Bucks are potentially down a second superstar, with Damian Lillard battling an Achilles strain. Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers doesn't think Giannis Antetokounmpo, the first injured Bucks superstar, will be back for Game 4 either.

When asked where Antetokounmpo is at with rehabbing his strained calf, Rivers said "He’s working out tomorrow. Going to go hard, early and then we’re going to make a decision".

Rivers was asked if Antetokounmpo works out before Sunday's Game 4 if the star forward would play. Rivers didn't commit, but seemed to lean towards Antetokounmpo not playing.

"I doubt it," Rivers said. "But we’ll see."

The Indiana Pacers lead the series 2-1, with Game 4 in Indiana on Sunday. The series shifts back to Milwaukee for Game 5 on Tuesday.

Jamal Collier/ESPN

Tags: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Injury

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Kawhi Leonard Still Experiencing Knee Issues

Apr 27, 2024 8:51 AM

After returning for Game 2 of the LA Clippers first round series against the Dallas Mavericks, Kawhi Leonard also played in Game 3. However, Leonard said his right knee is still giving him some issues.

When asked about his knee, Leonard said that it "just didn't respond the way we wanted" after he returned for Game 2 of the series. Leonard said he still plans to play in Game 4.

"Yeah," Leonard said about playing on Sunday afternoon. "Right now, I'll see [how it feels] tomorrow. But I want to play."

The Clippers lost Game 3 in Dallas. That gave the Mavericks a 2-1 series lead. Game 4 is Sunday at 3:30 PM ET.

Ohm Youngmisuk/ESPN

Tags: Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA Injury

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Kiki Iriafen Transfers To USC From Stanford

Apr 28, 2024 1:23 AM

Kiki Iriafen, who had a breakout junior season at Stanford, is transferring to join the USC women's basketball program, she told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Saturday.

Iriafen, a 6-foot-3 forward, will be returning to her hometown of Los Angeles after three seasons at Stanford. This season she averaged 19.4 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists for the Cardinal (30-6) who advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16. Iriafen was the Pac-12's most improved player and on the All-Pac-12 team.

She was No. 2 in ESPN's transfer rankings list.

espn.com

Tags: Stanford Cardinal, USC Trojans, NCAA, National, National Misc Rumor, NCAA Transfer

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Christian Wood Available For Lakers For Game 4

Apr 27, 2024 6:59 PM

Los Angeles Lakers big man Christian Wood is available to play in Game 4. Wood hasn't played since February 14, due to a knee injury.

Los Angeles had hoped he might be available for Game 3, but Wood wasn't quite ready to return. The Lakers are down 3-0 against the Denver Nuggets entering Game 4 of the first round.

In his first season with Los Angeles, Wood averaged 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game. Wood mostly came off the bench, starting in just one of his 50 appearances for the Lakers.

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Tags: Christian Wood, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Injury

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2024 NBA Playoff Snapshots (April 26): Pacers/Bucks, Mavericks/Clippers, Wolves/Suns

Apr 27, 2024 3:30 PM

What happened in three snapshots in the NBA Playoffs on Friday, April 25, 2024.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: NBA, NBA Playoffs, Infographic

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Jeremy Roach Transfers To Baylor From Duke

Apr 27, 2024 2:23 PM

Jeremy Roach is transferring from Duke to Baylor. Roach is also exploring the 2024 NBA Draft process as an Early Entry Candidate.

Roach was a four-year starter for the Blue Devils. He'll use his "bonus" year due to COVID-19 impacts to play for the Bears.

Roach averaged 13.9 points, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game for Duke last season. Roach also shot 46.8% from the field, including 42.9% on three-pointers.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Jeremy Roach, Duke Blue Devils, Baylor Bears, NCAA, NCAA Transfer

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Juwan Howard Joins Nets As Assistant Coach

Apr 27, 2024 1:22 AM

Juwan Howard will be an assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets next season, sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Howard was most recently fired by Michigan after five seasons with the program.

Howard joins Steve Hetzel on Jordi Fernandez's staff. 

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Brooklyn Nets, NBA

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Liam McNeeley Commits To UConn

Apr 26, 2024 9:12 PM

Liam McNeeley has committed to Connecticut as part of the incoming class of 2024.

McNeeley, ESPN's No. 9 prospect in the class of 2024, was named a McDonald's All American after helping Montverde Academy to a perfect 33-0 season

McNeeley, a 6-foot-7 wing from Richardson, Texas, picked the Huskies over Arkansas, Kentucky, Alabama, Michigan and others. 

McNeeley is considered arguably the best perimeter shooter in his class. 

McNeeley was a projected lottery pick in ESPN's first 2025 mock draft, released in January.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Liam McNeeley, UConn Huskies, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Declarations, NCAA Commitment

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Damian Lillard Aggravates Achilles Injury During Bucks' Loss

Apr 27, 2024 1:39 AM

Damian Lillard aggravated an Achilles injury in the fourth quarter of the Milwaukee Bucks' overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 3.

Lillard, who finished with 28 points, did not take a shot in overtime.

"I just wanted to be on the floor in case opportunity came up or however I could help," said Lillard.

Lillard added that his Achilles had been sore since the Bucks' regular season finale.

With the Bucks down 2-1 in the series, Game 4 is on Sunday.

"We're gonna get back and just have to get ahead of it because that's not something that you want to play with ... we have a couple of days to start and try to get ahead of it. Get it feeling better and get ready for Sunday," said Lillard. 

Jamal Collier/ESPN

Tags: Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Injury

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NBA, ESPN Reach Deal On Broadcast Rights

John Ourand/Puck News

NBA Has Framework Agreements With ESPN, Amazon For Broadcast Rights

Andrew Marchand/The Athletic

2024 NBA Playoff Snapshots (April 25): Sixers/Knicks, Magic/Cavs, Nuggets/Lakers

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Giannis Antetokounmpo Ruled Out For Game 3

ESPN

Kevin Durant Plans To Play 'Until The Wheels Fall Off'

Baxter Holmes/ESPN

Hollinger & Duncan: Playoffs Week 1: The CRUCIBLE 2024

RealGM Staff Report

Dunc'd On: PHI/NYK, ORL/CLE, LAL/DEN Game 3s

RealGM Staff Report

Mitchell Robinson Exited Game 3 Early, Left Arena In Walking Boot

Jake Fischer/Yahoo Sports

Nikola Jokic: Winning Is A Lifestyle For Us

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Kyshawn George Enters NBA Draft

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Khris Middleton Questionable For Game 3 With Sprained Ankle

ESPN

Boogie Fland Commits To Arkansas

Jeff Borzello & Paul Biancardi/ESPN

Joel Embiid Treated For Bell's Palsy Since Play-In Game

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Stephen Curry Wins 23-24 NBA Clutch Player Of The Year

RealGM Staff Report

Doc Rivers: Giannis Antetokounmpo Getting Close, But I Don't Know What That Even Means

Jim Owczarski/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Ja Morant Hires Mike Miller As Agent

RealGM Staff Report

Tidjane Salaun Declares For 2024 NBA Draft

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

2024 NBA Playoff Snapshots (April 24): Heat/Celtics, Thunder/Pelicans

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Thierry Darlan Declares For 2024 NBA Draft

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Kentucky Adds Alvin Brooks III As Assistant Coach

Jeff Borzello/ESPN