The Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points as his team defeated the Orlando Magic 97-83 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff clash. This is Mitchell’s fifth consecutive game in which he scored at least 30 points, thereby tying 1 that Mitchell has scored at least 30 points, tying Alex English for the sixth-longest streak in NBA history. It is also the longest streak among active players.

“It’s all about setting a tone,” Mitchell said following his impressive performance. “This is exciting and I love it and it’s great but in the same token, this game is only one game. This is trying to set that tone but now we have to do it again and again.”

Throughout his first 45 playoff games, Mitchel has scored at least 30 points in 21 games. He played a pivotal role in lifting Cleveland to fourth position in the Eastern Conference standings during the regular season.

The post Donovan Mitchell Grabs 30 Points in Game 1 Victory Over Magic appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Veteran small forward DeMar DeRozan has aired his desire to remain with the Chicago Bulls as he enters the twilight of his career. He emphasized his desire to win following the Bulls’ disappointing 112-91 loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.

“My stance on wanting to be here is still the same, but I just want to win,” DeRozan explained. The 34-year-old player proved to be a pivotal player for the Bulls during their final play-in tournament game, scoring 22 points in 41 minutes. The rest of the Bulls’ starters posted a combined 45 points.

DeRozan has enjoyed three promising seasons in Chicago, averaging 25.5 points on 49.6% shooting and contributing 5.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game. He was named to the All-Star team in 2022 and 2023. Set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer, Bulls vice president Arturas Karnisovas has expressed a desire for DeRozan to remain with the Bulls due to his ability to mentor young upcoming players.

The post DeRozan Looks to Remain With Bulls Ahead of Retirement appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Bronny James, son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, announced on Friday that he will enter the 2024 NBA Draft. He will enter the draft after spending one season at USC.

James made his announcement on Instagram, where he also revealed that he plans to maintain his college eligibility and enter the NCAA transfer portal.

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James was considered one of the top prospects in basketball this past season, but his college career didn’t get off to a great start. He suffered a cardiac arrest and had to undergo a heart procedure in July, which sidelined him for almost five months.

After returning to action, it was clear that James would need some time to get back in rhythm. He ended up playing 25 games with the Trojans, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.

Reportedly, James plans to meet with teams during the pre-draft process to see whether there is a strong interest in him and a good fit for him in the NBA. If he fails to find that, he will return to college and hope a change of scenario will help him bounce back and improve his draft stock.

ESPN reports that if James decides to play another year of college basketball, Duquesne will be a strong candidate as his next destination. The Dukes recently hired Dru Joyce, who played high school basketball with LeBron James at St. Vincent-St. Mary, as their next head coach.

The post Bronny James, Son of LeBron James, Declares for 2024 NBA Draft appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons may return from injury as soon as Monday, sources revealed to ESPN. The player has been sidelined for over two and a half months due to a lingering back injury.

Simmons’ lower back nerve impingement has kept him out since November 6. As a result, he has been limited to playing just six games for the Nets this season, averaging a career-low 6.5 points yet a career-high 10.8 rebounds.

Arriving at the Nets in a trade deadline deal in 2022, Simmons was ruled out for the remainder of the 2021-22 season due to back soreness and a subsequent surgery. Last season, he played 42 games, averaging 6.9 points and career lows of 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists. With the Nets dropping to 11 place in the Eastern Conference with a 17-26 record, they’ll be hoping for a career resurgence from Simmons, a three-time All-Star and the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year.

The post Simmons May Return for Brooklyn Nets as Soon as Monday appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Milwaukee Bucks are in talks with Doc Rivers over his possible appointment as the team’s new head coach. This comes after the Bucks dismissed former head coach Adrian Griffin after just 43 games. According to sources, the team decided to fire Griffin due to the belief that their chances of winning a championship would be better with more experience.

Despite a 30-13 record during Griffith’s tenure, the Bucks slumped from fourth to 22nd in defensive efficiency. General manager Jon Horst maintained his belief that Griffith will develop into a top NBA head coach and that he simply felt that the young coach wouldn’t be able to deliver on the Bucks’ near-term championship ambition.

Currently an analyst for ESPN, Rivers has coached the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Philadelphia 76ers. He led the Celtics to the NBA Championship title in 2008 and took the 76ers to three consecutive Eastern Conference semifinals.

The post Bucks In Talks With Doc Rivers Over Coaching Role appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Trae Young suffered a concussion during the Atlanta Hawks’ 116-95 defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, it was later confirmed. There is currently no timeline detailing his possible return date.

Young left the Cavs’ game with 8:43 remaining in the fourth quarter after he took a hit to the face when charged by the Cavaliers’ Isaac Okoro, with Okoro’s elbow making contact with Young’s face. Although the Hawks’ guard was able to remain on the court for a few minutes, he ultimately departed, leaving for the locker room and not returning to the court of play.

Prior to his departure, Young scored 15 points. He is averaging 26.9 points per game this season and ranks second in the NBA with 10.8 assists per game. The Hawks will be hoping for Young’s prompt return as they attempt to keep their challenge for a playoff spot alive.

The post Trae Young Suffers Concussion in Hawks’ Defeat appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out of his team’s 135-95 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers after he suffered a bruised right shoulder. The power forward was only added to the team’s official injury report two hours before tipoff.

Prior to being sidelined, Antetokounmpo has played in 29 consecutive games, his longest streak since the 2020-21 season when he played 31. Still, the superstar’s absence could be deeply felt against Cleveland, with the team lacking points on the night.

Antetokounmpo is enjoying a stellar season, averaging 31.2 points and 11.4 rebounds. Last month, the power forward set a franchise record by scoring 64 points to lift the Bucks to a 140-126 win over the Indiana Pacers. Despite the loss to the Cavs, the Bucks remain second in the Eastern Conference on 28-13.

The post Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Misses Cavs Defeat Through Injury appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Los Angeles Clippers are set to be without their starting center Ivica Zubac for at least four weeks after incurring a right calf strain. Prior to Tuesday night’s 128-117 home win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Clippers confirmed that Zubac would be re-evaluated in four weeks.

“We just got to adjust,” Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue admitted. “I think [with] Mase finally trying to get in better shape, he still has a ways to go, but DT, the job he’s done since he’s been here, now they have a bigger role and more responsibility. We’re going to definitely miss Zu.”

Mason Plumlee played in Zubac’s stead on Tuesday night, scoring 14 points and five rebounds in 28 minutes. The Clippers will be hoping that they can continue their fine form without their starting center, having won 23 of their last 30 games. The team find themselves fourth in the Wester Conference standings at 26-14.

The post Clippers’ Ivica Zubac Out for Four Weeks appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane exited his team’s 119-128 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night due to a left ankle sprain. Bane was injured during the third quarter when he stepped on Kawhi Leonard’s foot when attempting a drive, forcing him to leave the court and head to the locker room.

During the interval before the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies announced that Bane would not be returning to the game. Following the defeat, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins revealed that Bane was still being evaluated and that the team did not yet know the extent of the guard’s injury.

Averaging 24.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists across 36 games this season, Bane has been a key player for the Grizzlies. What makes his injury all the more concerning is the mounting injury crisis that the Grizzlies have faced throughout the season. With Ja Morant out due to season-ending shoulder surgery, Marcus Smart is set to be reevaluated in about six weeks due to a finger injury.

The post Grizzlies’ Desmond Bane Injured in Clippers’ Loss appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Miami Heat have handed coach Erik Spoelstra an eight-year contract extension worth a total of $120 million; the most committed money in a coaching deal in North American sporting history. Since becoming head coach of the Heat in 2008, the 53-year-old coach has become one of the most respected coaches in the NBA given the work he has done in his only head coaching role to date.

Expectations were high for Spoelstra after the then-assistant coach replaced Hall of Famer Pat Riley as the heat’s head coach. Despite having big shoes to fill, he didn’t disappoint, leading Miami to back-to-back NBA Championships in 2012 and 2013 and a total of six NBA Finals. Currently the second-highest-paid NBA coach on an annual basis behind Gregg Popovich at $19 million per season, sources have explained that the length of Spoelstra’s deal separates him from his peers.

Spoelstra has proven to be an effective coach during the ongoing season as well, with the Heat currently fifth in the Eastern Conference standings despite dealing with a long list of injuries to several key players. Miami next faces the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night before hosting the Orlando Magic on Friday night.

The post Heat Hands Erik Spoelstra Record Eight-Year Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points as his team defeated the Orlando Magic 97-83 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff clash. This is Mitchell’s fifth consecutive game in which he scored at least 30 points, thereby tying 1 that Mitchell has scored at least 30 points, tying Alex English for the sixth-longest streak in NBA history. It is also the longest streak among active players.

“It’s all about setting a tone,” Mitchell said following his impressive performance. “This is exciting and I love it and it’s great but in the same token, this game is only one game. This is trying to set that tone but now we have to do it again and again.”

Throughout his first 45 playoff games, Mitchel has scored at least 30 points in 21 games. He played a pivotal role in lifting Cleveland to fourth position in the Eastern Conference standings during the regular season.

The post Donovan Mitchell Grabs 30 Points in Game 1 Victory Over Magic appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Veteran small forward DeMar DeRozan has aired his desire to remain with the Chicago Bulls as he enters the twilight of his career. He emphasized his desire to win following the Bulls’ disappointing 112-91 loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.

“My stance on wanting to be here is still the same, but I just want to win,” DeRozan explained. The 34-year-old player proved to be a pivotal player for the Bulls during their final play-in tournament game, scoring 22 points in 41 minutes. The rest of the Bulls’ starters posted a combined 45 points.

DeRozan has enjoyed three promising seasons in Chicago, averaging 25.5 points on 49.6% shooting and contributing 5.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game. He was named to the All-Star team in 2022 and 2023. Set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer, Bulls vice president Arturas Karnisovas has expressed a desire for DeRozan to remain with the Bulls due to his ability to mentor young upcoming players.

The post DeRozan Looks to Remain With Bulls Ahead of Retirement appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Bronny James, son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, announced on Friday that he will enter the 2024 NBA Draft. He will enter the draft after spending one season at USC.

James made his announcement on Instagram, where he also revealed that he plans to maintain his college eligibility and enter the NCAA transfer portal.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @bronny

James was considered one of the top prospects in basketball this past season, but his college career didn’t get off to a great start. He suffered a cardiac arrest and had to undergo a heart procedure in July, which sidelined him for almost five months.

After returning to action, it was clear that James would need some time to get back in rhythm. He ended up playing 25 games with the Trojans, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.

Reportedly, James plans to meet with teams during the pre-draft process to see whether there is a strong interest in him and a good fit for him in the NBA. If he fails to find that, he will return to college and hope a change of scenario will help him bounce back and improve his draft stock.

ESPN reports that if James decides to play another year of college basketball, Duquesne will be a strong candidate as his next destination. The Dukes recently hired Dru Joyce, who played high school basketball with LeBron James at St. Vincent-St. Mary, as their next head coach.

The post Bronny James, Son of LeBron James, Declares for 2024 NBA Draft appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons may return from injury as soon as Monday, sources revealed to ESPN. The player has been sidelined for over two and a half months due to a lingering back injury.

Simmons’ lower back nerve impingement has kept him out since November 6. As a result, he has been limited to playing just six games for the Nets this season, averaging a career-low 6.5 points yet a career-high 10.8 rebounds.

Arriving at the Nets in a trade deadline deal in 2022, Simmons was ruled out for the remainder of the 2021-22 season due to back soreness and a subsequent surgery. Last season, he played 42 games, averaging 6.9 points and career lows of 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists. With the Nets dropping to 11 place in the Eastern Conference with a 17-26 record, they’ll be hoping for a career resurgence from Simmons, a three-time All-Star and the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year.

The post Simmons May Return for Brooklyn Nets as Soon as Monday appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Milwaukee Bucks are in talks with Doc Rivers over his possible appointment as the team’s new head coach. This comes after the Bucks dismissed former head coach Adrian Griffin after just 43 games. According to sources, the team decided to fire Griffin due to the belief that their chances of winning a championship would be better with more experience.

Despite a 30-13 record during Griffith’s tenure, the Bucks slumped from fourth to 22nd in defensive efficiency. General manager Jon Horst maintained his belief that Griffith will develop into a top NBA head coach and that he simply felt that the young coach wouldn’t be able to deliver on the Bucks’ near-term championship ambition.

Currently an analyst for ESPN, Rivers has coached the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Philadelphia 76ers. He led the Celtics to the NBA Championship title in 2008 and took the 76ers to three consecutive Eastern Conference semifinals.

The post Bucks In Talks With Doc Rivers Over Coaching Role appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Trae Young suffered a concussion during the Atlanta Hawks’ 116-95 defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, it was later confirmed. There is currently no timeline detailing his possible return date.

Young left the Cavs’ game with 8:43 remaining in the fourth quarter after he took a hit to the face when charged by the Cavaliers’ Isaac Okoro, with Okoro’s elbow making contact with Young’s face. Although the Hawks’ guard was able to remain on the court for a few minutes, he ultimately departed, leaving for the locker room and not returning to the court of play.

Prior to his departure, Young scored 15 points. He is averaging 26.9 points per game this season and ranks second in the NBA with 10.8 assists per game. The Hawks will be hoping for Young’s prompt return as they attempt to keep their challenge for a playoff spot alive.

The post Trae Young Suffers Concussion in Hawks’ Defeat appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out of his team’s 135-95 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers after he suffered a bruised right shoulder. The power forward was only added to the team’s official injury report two hours before tipoff.

Prior to being sidelined, Antetokounmpo has played in 29 consecutive games, his longest streak since the 2020-21 season when he played 31. Still, the superstar’s absence could be deeply felt against Cleveland, with the team lacking points on the night.

Antetokounmpo is enjoying a stellar season, averaging 31.2 points and 11.4 rebounds. Last month, the power forward set a franchise record by scoring 64 points to lift the Bucks to a 140-126 win over the Indiana Pacers. Despite the loss to the Cavs, the Bucks remain second in the Eastern Conference on 28-13.

The post Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Misses Cavs Defeat Through Injury appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Los Angeles Clippers are set to be without their starting center Ivica Zubac for at least four weeks after incurring a right calf strain. Prior to Tuesday night’s 128-117 home win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Clippers confirmed that Zubac would be re-evaluated in four weeks.

“We just got to adjust,” Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue admitted. “I think [with] Mase finally trying to get in better shape, he still has a ways to go, but DT, the job he’s done since he’s been here, now they have a bigger role and more responsibility. We’re going to definitely miss Zu.”

Mason Plumlee played in Zubac’s stead on Tuesday night, scoring 14 points and five rebounds in 28 minutes. The Clippers will be hoping that they can continue their fine form without their starting center, having won 23 of their last 30 games. The team find themselves fourth in the Wester Conference standings at 26-14.

The post Clippers’ Ivica Zubac Out for Four Weeks appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane exited his team’s 119-128 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night due to a left ankle sprain. Bane was injured during the third quarter when he stepped on Kawhi Leonard’s foot when attempting a drive, forcing him to leave the court and head to the locker room.

During the interval before the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies announced that Bane would not be returning to the game. Following the defeat, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins revealed that Bane was still being evaluated and that the team did not yet know the extent of the guard’s injury.

Averaging 24.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists across 36 games this season, Bane has been a key player for the Grizzlies. What makes his injury all the more concerning is the mounting injury crisis that the Grizzlies have faced throughout the season. With Ja Morant out due to season-ending shoulder surgery, Marcus Smart is set to be reevaluated in about six weeks due to a finger injury.

The post Grizzlies’ Desmond Bane Injured in Clippers’ Loss appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Miami Heat have handed coach Erik Spoelstra an eight-year contract extension worth a total of $120 million; the most committed money in a coaching deal in North American sporting history. Since becoming head coach of the Heat in 2008, the 53-year-old coach has become one of the most respected coaches in the NBA given the work he has done in his only head coaching role to date.

Expectations were high for Spoelstra after the then-assistant coach replaced Hall of Famer Pat Riley as the heat’s head coach. Despite having big shoes to fill, he didn’t disappoint, leading Miami to back-to-back NBA Championships in 2012 and 2013 and a total of six NBA Finals. Currently the second-highest-paid NBA coach on an annual basis behind Gregg Popovich at $19 million per season, sources have explained that the length of Spoelstra’s deal separates him from his peers.

Spoelstra has proven to be an effective coach during the ongoing season as well, with the Heat currently fifth in the Eastern Conference standings despite dealing with a long list of injuries to several key players. Miami next faces the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night before hosting the Orlando Magic on Friday night.

The post Heat Hands Erik Spoelstra Record Eight-Year Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.