Category: NBA Teams

NBA teams blog

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins 2024-25 NBA Most Valuable Player award

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the recipient of the Michael Jordan Trophy as the 2024-25 NBA Most Valuable Player.

Gilgeous-Alexander has been named the NBA MVP for the first time, having finished second in the voting last season and fifth in 2022-23. He becomes the second player from Canada to earn the honor, along with two-time winner Steve Nash (2004-05 and 2005-06). Gilgeous-Alexander is also the third player to win the award with the Thunder, joining Kevin Durant (2013-14) and Russell Westbrook (2016-17).

In the 2024-25 regular season, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.72 steals and 1.01 blocks in 34.2 minutes in 76 games, setting career highs in points, assists and blocks per game.

A seven-year veteran, Gilgeous-Alexander won the NBA scoring title for the first time. He became the first player to lead the league in games with at least 20 points (75), 30 points (49), 40 points (13) and 50 points (four) in a season since James Harden in 2018-19.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s only regular-season game with fewer than 20 points was an 18-point performance against the San Antonio Spurs on Oct. 30, 2024. He scored at least 20 points in each of his final 72 games, the longest streak at any point in a single season since 1963-64 (when Wilt Chamberlain recorded an 80-game streak and Oscar Robertson had a 76-game streak).

The 6-6 Gilgeous-Alexander shot 51.9% from the field, a career-high 37.5% from three-point range and 89.8% from the free throw line (sixth in the NBA). He made an NBA-leading 601 free throws and a personal-best 163 three-pointers, 68 more threes than his previous career high of 95, set last season.

Gilgeous-Alexander joined Michael Jordan as the only players in NBA history to average at least 32.0 points and 6.0 assists per game and shoot 50.0% or better from the field in a season. Jordan accomplished the feat twice, in the 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons.

On defense, Gilgeous-Alexander was the only qualifying NBA player to average at least 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. He ranked fifth in the NBA in steals per game for a Thunder team that led the league in defensive rating (106.6).

In addition to being selected as an NBA All-Star for the third consecutive season, Gilgeous-Alexander was named the Kia NBA Western Conference Player of the Month three times (October/November, December and March) and the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week twice (Weeks 10 and 20). He earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team of the Emirates NBA Cup after leading Oklahoma City to a runner-up finish.

Behind Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder (68-14) finished atop the NBA and tied for the sixth-best single-season record in league history. Oklahoma City outscored opponents by an NBA-record 12.9 points per game.

Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson wins 2024-25 Rudy Tomjanovich Award

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinso nhas won the 2024-25 Rudy Tomjanovich Award, which honors an NBA coach for his cooperation with the media and fans, as well as his excellence on the court, the Professional Basketball Writers Association announced today.

This season, Atkinson guided the Cavaliers to a 64-18 record, tops in the Eastern Conference, and was consistently thoughtful and engaging with the media, and generous with his time. This is his first time winning the award.

“Kenny has always brought great candor, humility and a sense of humor to the job, and to his regular sessions with the media,” said PBWA president Howard Beck. “He’s always eager to explain the nuances of the game and to discuss the bigger issues across the league.”

J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons and Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves tied for second place in the balloting. The other finalists, based on nominations from PBWA members, were Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls. A vote of the full PBWA membership determined the winner.

The award is named for Hall of Famer Rudy Tomjanovich, the former coach of the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, who always was professional and respectful while dealing with the media. During his 13 seasons as an NBA head coach, Tomjanovich compiled a 527-416 regular-season record and a 51-39 postseason record. His Rockets won back-to-back NBA titles in 1994 and 1995.

The PBWA annually honors a PR staff (Brian McIntyre Award), coach (Rudy Tomjanovich Award) and star player (Magic Johnson Award) who go above and beyond to work with the media and help inform fans. Under the PBWA’s current rules, adopted in 2020, no team or individual can win in consecutive years.

Mavericks win 2025 NBA Draft Lottery

The Dallas Mavericks beat overwhelming odds and moved up to the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after the results of the NBA Draft Lottery. This is the first time in franchise history Dallas has moved up when in lottery position.

Dallas entered the night in the 11th slot, and the Mavericks had a 1.80% chance of landing the No. 1 pick in the 2025 Draft, as well as an 8.50% chance at moving into one of the top four positions. This marks the second time that Dallas has held the first-overall selection, the first being in the second-ever draft in Mavericks franchise history in 1981 when the team selected Mark Aguirre out of DePaul.

NBA Draft 2025 will take place June 25-26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. Coverage on both nights will begin at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN platforms.

Kings hire Mike Woodson as associate head coach

The Sacramento Kings announced today that Mike Woodson has been named associate head coach. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Mike Woodson brings decades of coaching experience to this staff,” said head coach Doug Christie. “His impact will be extremely valuable, and I’m looking forward to getting to work with him.”

Woodson joins the Kings after more than 40 years in the NBA community. Woodson played 11 seasons in the NBA (1980-1991), before transitioning into coaching where he served as head coach of the Atlanta Hawks (2004-2010) and New York Knicks (2012-2014), leading both franchises to multiple playoff appearances. In 2021, he returned to his alma mater, Indiana University, as head coach of the men’s basketball team.

He began his coaching career as an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1996 and later held assistant roles with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Detroit Pistons, where he helped lead the team to the 2004 NBA Championship. In 2004, he was named head coach of the Atlanta Hawks. During his six-year tenure in Atlanta he led the Hawks to back-to-back 50-win seasons and three consecutive playoff appearances.

Cavs star Donovan Mitchell aims to be able to play Tuesday

Per Cleveland.com:

The Cavs’ season comes down to one game — and star guard Donovan Mitchell vows to be available for it.

“I will be good for Tuesday. You know me. I will see you Tuesday,” Mitchell told cleveland.com and one other outlet with a wry smile during a brief conversation prior to leaving Gainbridge Fieldhouse alongside his father late Sunday night.

With the Cavs trailing by 41 points at halftime — tied for the largest deficit in playoff history — Mitchell came out of the locker room for warmups as usual. As he attempted to step into a jump-shot near the top of the key, he felt pain in his lower leg that caused him to shake his head and crouch down while multiple trainers came out to check on him.

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Kings hire B.J. Armstrong as assistant general manager

The Sacramento Kings announced today that B.J. Armstrong has been named assistant general manager. Armstrong will report to general manager Scott Perry.

“B.J. has an elite understanding of the game, and his basketball IQ, front office insight, and championship experience will be invaluable as we build towards the future,” said general manager Scott Perry. “He’s been a trusted advisor to me and many others in the basketball world for years, and I’m confident his perspective and leadership will make a significant impact on our organization.”

Armstrong brings over 30 years of NBA experience to Sacramento. After playing 11 seasons in the NBA (1989-2000), Armstrong joined the Chicago Bulls front office before departing in 2005. He then joined Wasserman as an agent and represented several NBA players including Derrick Rose, the No. 1 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft and the youngest player to ever be named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player.

Armstrong was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1989 and played for them for six seasons, winning three NBA championships (1991, 1992, 1993). He also spent time with the Golden State Warriors (1995-1996), Charlotte Hornets (1996-1997), Orlando Magic (1997-1999), and returned to the Bulls for one final season (1999-2000). Armstrong was named an NBA All-Star in 1994. Over 11 seasons, Armstrong averaged 9.8 points and 3.3 assists per game.

Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson wins 2024-25 NBA Coach of Year award

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson is the recipient of the Red Auerbach Trophy as the 2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year.

Atkinson, in his first season as the Cavaliers’ head coach and fifth season as an NBA head coach, has been named the NBA Coach of the Year for the first time. He becomes the third head coach to earn the honor with Cleveland, joining Bill Fitch (1975-76) and Mike Brown (2008-09).

Under Atkinson, the Cavaliers (64-18) finished with the second-best record in franchise history and earned the No. 1 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. He tied for the fourth-most victories by a head coach in his first season with a team.

Cleveland joined the 2006-07 Dallas Mavericks as the only two teams to have three separate winning streaks of 12 or more games in a season. The Cavaliers won their first 15 games to match the second-best start to a season in NBA history. They also recorded a team-record 16-game winning streak from Feb. 5 – March 14.

Atkinson led Cleveland to several other single-season franchise highs, including scoring average (NBA-leading 121.9 points per game), scoring differential (9.5 points per game), road victories (30) and three-pointers made (1,303).

Atkinson was named the NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month twice, for games played in October/November and December. He also earned a spot to serve as a head coach in the NBA All-Star Game for the first time.

Thunder Executive Sam Presti wins 2024-25 NBA Basketball Executive of Year award

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti has been named the 2024-25 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year.

Presti has earned the annual honor for the first time. He previously finished second in the voting three times (2009-10, 2019-20 and 2023-24).

Presti assembled a team that went an NBA-leading 68-14 in the 2024-25 regular season, tied for the sixth-best record in league history. Oklahoma City set the NBA record for scoring differential, outscoring opponents by 12.9 points per game.

Last offseason, Presti’s player acquisitions included guard Alex Caruso and center Isaiah Hartenstein. Caruso, a Kia NBA All-Defensive Team selection in each of the previous two seasons, averaged 7.1 points and 1.61 steals per game and helped Oklahoma City lead the NBA in defensive rating (106.6) this season. Hartenstein averaged career highs of 11.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game in his first season with the Thunder.

Presti is in his 18th season with the Thunder franchise after being named general manager in June 2007. Prior to that, he spent seven years with the San Antonio Spurs, rising from video intern to vice president/assistant general manager.

Knicks notes heading into Game 2 against Celtics

On Monday, the Knicks won Game 1 of their second round playoff series on the road in Boston against the Celtics, 108-105.

Jalen Brunson recorded 29 points, five assists, two steals and five made three-pointers. This marked his 22nd playoff game as a Knick with 25+ points, which ranks third in Knicks history and only trails Patrick Ewing (43) and Walt Frazier (29). Brunson also passed Dick Barnett (922) for 9th on the Knicks all time playoff scoring list.

Brunson scored 20 points on 60-percent shooting and four made three-pointers on 100-percent three-point shooting in the second half. This marked his 14th second half in the playoffs as a Knick with 20+ points, which ranks first in Knicks history since the NBA started tracking quarter stats in 1996-97.

OG Anunoby registered 29 points, four rebounds and one steal, marking his fourth career playoff game with 25+ points. Anunoby also set a playoff career high with six made three-pointers.

Anunoby scored 20 points in the second half, marking his second career half in the playoffs with 20+ points.

Mikal Bridges recorded eight points, seven assists, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks, marking his third career playoff game with multiple blocks and multiple steals.

Bridges added two steals in overtime, becoming the first Knick since the NBA started tracking quarter stats in 1996-97 to have multiple steals in a playoff overtime.

The Knicks rallied back from a 20-point deficit against the Celtics, marking their largest playoff comeback since 1969-70.

Jazz sign head coach Will Hardy to contract extension

The Utah Jazz have signed head coach Will Hardy to a multi-year contract extension.

“We are excited to extend Will Hardy’s contract as head coach of the Utah Jazz through 2031. Will is an incredible leader, great communicator – especially with our younger players – and a strong ambassador for this franchise. He has been a tremendous partner to Danny, Justin, and me. There is no one we would rather have leading us to our ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship here in Utah,” said Ryan Smith, governor of the Utah Jazz.

Hardy, who will enter his fourth season with the Jazz in 2025-26, became the ninth head coach in Jazz history and the sixth since the franchise’s relocation to Salt Lake City in 1979. He is the first head coach hired since the Smiths purchased the Jazz in December 2020.

“Will’s leadership has been invaluable to our program,” said Danny Ainge, CEO of Jazz Basketball. ”He has established a vision for our players and a strong foundation of core values, competitive habits, and growth mindset. He is one of the brightest young coaches in our league, and we are incredibly fortunate to have him.”