Western Conference Finals

SOURCE SPORTS: Timberwolves Stay Alive with Victory Over Mavericks, Force Game 5

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Timberwolves Stay Alive with Victory Over Mavericks, Force Game 5

The West Finals are headed back to Minnesota. The Timberwolves secured their first Western Conference Finals victory in 20 years by defeating the Mavericks 105-100 in Dallas, extending their season and forcing a Game 5 on Thursday in Minnesota.

Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for 54 points, outshining the Dallas duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving for the first time in the series. The Timberwolves improved to 3-0 this postseason when facing elimination, with two crucial wins coming on the road.

Despite the win, the Wolves face a daunting challenge. Of the 156 teams falling behind 3-0 in a series, Minnesota became just the 61st to avoid a sweep. They still have a long road ahead to become the first team to win a series after trailing 3-0.

Luka Doncic recorded his ninth career playoff triple-double with 28 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in the loss. Edwards fell just one assist short of his first triple-double, posting 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists.

Every game of the 2024 West Finals has been decided in clutch time, with the score within five points in the final five minutes. As the series returns to Minnesota, the Timberwolves will look to continue their fight and make history.

You can see the final 4:46 below.

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The post SOURCE SPORTS: Timberwolves Stay Alive with Victory Over Mavericks, Force Game 5 appeared first on The Source.

LeBron James Reflects On Playoffs Loss & Future In The NBA

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After the Los Angeles Lakers lost the 2023 Western Conference Finals to the Denver Nuggets, LeBron James has a lot on his mind. In fact, just a few words from him reflecting on the defeat led many into a frenzy, speculating on his possible retirement. Moreover, numerous outlets and sourced reported that the NBA star is considering what his future in the NBA holds, and whether it’s time to hang up his jersey. Of course, losing a player of such magnitude that still puts up astonishing numbers 20 years into his career is a big development. Still, amid a lot of rumors and jumps to conclusions, the words that we can trust the most are his own.

“I don’t know,” LeBron James said when asked how he would “on a personal level… evaluate the season that [he] had.” “I love to play the game, I love to compete, I love to be out there for my guys, my teammates. Whoever I have that particular year. I think it was special in the fact that having a first-year coach, first-year coaching staff, to be able to take them to the Western Conference Finals, I think that’s dope for Coach Ham and his coaching staff going forward. That’s pretty amazing.

Read More: Get To Know LeBron James’s Family

Reports On LeBron James’ Potential Retirement

“For me, it’s all about availability for me and keeping my mind sharp and things of that nature,” LeBron James continued. “Being present on the floor, being present in the locker room and bus rides and plane rides, things of that nature. It’s challenging, it’s challenging for sure. It was a very challenging season for me, for our ball club. Obviously, we know whatever went on early on or whatever the case may be. It was cool, a pretty cool ride.

“But I don’t know,” he remarked. “I don’t know, I think it was okay. I don’t like to say it’s a successful year because I don’t play for anything besides winning championships at this point in my career. You know, I don’t get a kick out of making a Conference appearance. I’ve done it, a lot, and it’s not fun to me to not be able to be a part of getting to the Finals. But we’ll see. We’ll see. We’ll see what happens going forward. I don’t know. I don’t know. I’ve got a lot to think about, to be honest. Just for me personally going forward with the game of basketball, I’ve got a lot to think about. Appreciate it.”

The King Speaks

Of course, another factor in his decision is his will to one day play with his son, Bronny. Furthermore, as the league’s leading scorer and a stellar and influential player, his retirement would send shockwaves. Meanwhile, until we get confirmation from him, we will have to wait and see. For the latest news and updates on LeBron James, check back in with HNHH.

Read More: Five NBA Teams Bronny & LeBron James Could Join Forces On

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Nikola Jokić Leads Denver Nuggets To First NBA Finals In History, Beating The Lakers

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For the first time in NBA history, the Denver Nuggets are heading to the NBA Finals. While this is a huge disappointment for fans of LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, it was by no means a blowout win. In fact, records shattered left and right as Nikola Jokić and the rest of the Colorado team nabbed 113 points against the Lakers’ 111. For example, for 50 years, Wilt Chamberlain held the title of the player with the most triple-doubles in a single playoff. Until Game 4 of the 2023 Western Conference Finals, that is, as the Joker gained his eighth triple-double (and counting) in the postseason.

Elsewhere, James reached a career-high 31 points in the first half, as his teammates tried to match the energy and keep the Nuggets at bay. As far as that team, Jamal Murray scored 25 points and Aaron Gordon got 22, resulting in one of his best showings. Overall, it was an incredibly tight game with a lot of make-or-break moments, even if skeptics might think different from the 4-0 series sweep. Considering what was at stake for both teams, the showdown’s conclusion couldn’t have been more fitting- or earned.

Read More: Shannon Sharpe Reveals His Thoughts On LeBron’s Lakers Legacy

The Nuggets Beat The Lakers

With that in mind, now fans, commentators, and NBA experts look to the Eastern Conference Finals, where a similar situation is at hand. The Miami Heat are currently up 3-0 against the Boston Celtics as of writing this article, with the play-in team looking to sweep a team with one of the best records in the whole season. It’s been a tense few games, made even more personal when Jimmy Butler of the Heat taunted Celtics players Al Horford and Grant Williams as the Massachusetts team took a loss in Game 3. Still, the series has made for great displays of prowess and determination from both sides.

Meanwhile, the East’s Game 4 will take place on Tuesday (May 23) at 8:30 p.m., and we’ll see how it differs from the West’s endgame. Regardless of who wins, the Denver Nuggets unsurprisingly set themselves up as a true force for the NBA Finals. We’re sure a lot of discourse will follow in the coming days before we get back to more nail-biters in the league’s post-season. For more news and the latest updates on the NBA, stay up to date on HNHH.

Read More: Nikola Jokic Becomes Highest-Paid Player In League History: Details

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SOURCE SPORTS: Lakers in 0-2 Hole After Fourth Quarter Jamal Murray Explosion

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Lakers in 0-2 Hole After Fourth Quarter Jamal Murray Explosion

The Los Angeles Lakers officially sit in a 0-2 hole after Jamal Murray’s fourth-quarter explosion led the Denver Nuggets to a 108-103 Game Two win in the NBA Western Conference Finals.

The series will now shift to Game 3 as the Lakers are in a must-win situation, hoping to claw back and win the series. It will be no easy task, as the Lakers will now have to beat the Nuggets four times in the next five games to make the NBA Finals.

The star duo of the Lakers, Anthony Davis and LeBron James, both gave mediocre performances in the game. Despite nearly notching a triple-double, James shot 0-6 from three-point range, including missing three in the crucial fourth quarter. Davis would miss 11 of his 15-shot attempts.

In the postgame, James was looking forward to Game 3. “I think we improved from Game 1 to Game 2, and if we can do the same thing from Game 2 to Game 3, we put ourselves in a position to win.”

Both James and Davis vowed to be better for the 7:30 ET tip at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Also notable was James turning his ankle in the game, but he plans to be ready to play on Saturday. “A little ankle isn’t going to stop me,” James said to ESPN.

For the Nuggets, Murray reflected on his total of 37 points, and enjoyed a moment where he eyed ESPN broadcaster Mike Breen and mouthed his trademark “Bang!”

“When I was little, I used to count down the seconds off the shot clock and make the shot and talk like Marv Albert and Mike Breen,” Murray said. “Just the imagination running as a kid. When you get in that moment and you see your fam in the crowd, see your little brother, see Mike Breen there, all these little reminders, they all pay dividends and make that moment a little more special. Just kind of lock you back in.”

Not to be overlooked, two-time league MVP Nikola Jokic dropped another triple-double with 23 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists.

Game 3, who you got?

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Denver Nuggets Survive Lakers Comeback In WCF Game 1

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The Denver Nuggets have reached the Western Conference Finals four times in franchise history prior to 2023. And every time they’ve made it, it’s marked the end of their playoff run that year. The first time was in 1978 when they lost to the Seattle SuperSonics. However, on the other three occasions (1985, 2009, 2020), the Nuggets have lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.

That meant it was all the more important that Denver won Game 1 against the 2023 Lakers. The Lakers were coming off two giant slaying series, taking down the two-seed Grizzlies and reigning champion Warriors. LeBron, Anthony Davis, and their eclectic supporting cast were hungry and ready to storm back to the NBA Finals.

Jokić Triple-Double Helps Fend Off Lakers

Heading into halftime, the Nuggets were sitting pretty with an 18-point lead. They had been handling the Lakers well on both ends of the court and would cruise to a blowout win if the trend continued. But the Lakers came out of the break with a brand-new look and the now the Nuggets were scrambling for a response. The lead was down to 14 by the end of the third and a run late in the fourth had the Nuggets up by three. But Denver was able to score some late free throws and come away with a 132-126 victory.

Nikola Jokić was once again the savior of the Nuggets. The MVP runner-up had a 34-point triple-double, with 21 rebounds and 14 assists. It made Jokić the first player in playoff history to have 30-point triple-doubles with 70% shooting in back-to-back games. Jamal Murray also had a 30-point game for Denver, adding 31 to the scoreboard. That along with solid performances elsewhere, was enough to erase the 66 points put up by LeBron and AD, including 40 from Davis alone. What ultimately killed the Lakers was leaving the comeback too late. Furthermore, Dennis Schroder, DeAngelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Lonnie Walker combined for just 20 points on 88 total floor minutes. Denver, who went 34-7 at home during the regular season, will look to extend their lead in Game 2 on Thursday.

Twitter Reacts

Do you think the Lakers can even the series in Game 2? Let us know in the comments.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Stephen Curry Wins Inaugural Western Conference Finals MVP Award

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Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry is the inaugural winner of the Magic Johnson Western Conference finals MVP award. Curry was acknowledged for his stellar series efforts after the Warriors eliminated the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 on Thursday night.

“The new trophy is pretty cool,” said Curry to ESPN. “Especially with who it’s named after, the standard that Magic set in terms of being a champion and playing the point guard position, whatever other position he played. Just the excellence that he demonstrated throughout his entire career.”

In game 5, Curry finished with 15 points and nine assists, providing plenty of support to Klay Thompson, who exploded to seal the series for the Warriors. In the WCF, Curry averaged 23.8 points, 7.4 assists, and 6.6 rebounds.

“Everything revolves around him,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. “We got a lot of great players around him and guys who fit well together. It all starts with Steph. He just creates so much havoc for the defense, that even on a night like tonight where he doesn’t shoot the ball that well, he forces rotations and frees up other players.”

The Warriors now await the winner of the Boston Celtics and Miami HEAT.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Stephen Curry Receives College Degree Before Start of the Western Conference Finals

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Warriors

Golden State Warriors global superstar guard Stephen Curry is officially a college graduate. Chef Curry hit Twitter and revealed he graduated this past Saturday.

“Dream Come True!! Class of 2010….aka 2022 but we got it done!” Curry wrote on Twitter. “Thanks to my whole village that helped me get across the finish line. Made the promise when I left and had to see it through. Official @davidsoncollege alum 🙌🏽 Momma we made it! #greatdaytobeawildcat”

Curry just needed to complete one semester of coursework, according to Davidson College. He enrolled for the spring semester and worked with two Davidson faculty members, a Stanford University professor and a UC Santa Cruz professor who both taught Stephen at Davidson. He now has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in sociology.

Curry had to miss his graduation, as he and his Warriors prepared for the Western Conference Finals against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. The Warriors won game one at home 112-87. Game 2 is set for Friday night at Chase Arena in San Francisco.

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