Latest news with #NBASixthManoftheYear
Perth Now
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Star 36er returns to boost Bryce's hopes of Adelaide success
Bryce Cotton will have another potent weapon at his disposal at his new NBL club, with Adelaide re-signing star big man Montrezl Harrell on a one-year deal. A former NBA Sixth Man of the Year who boasts eight years' experience in the world's top league, Harrell posted significant numbers in his first campaign in Australia last season. Harrell averaged 20.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game on his way to All-NBL Second Team selection, and became a fan favourite with his on-court theatrics in Adelaide. The 31-year-old will join Cotton in a potent combination after the five-time NBL MVP stunned the Australian basketball community last week by announcing his shift to the 36ers after exiting Perth in March. The 36ers also have Australian national team representatives DJ Vasiljevic and Isaac Humphries at their disposal to loom among the title front-runners, with the club looking to snap a championship drought dating back to 2002. 'We've really reworked our roster but Trez fits because of his unique skillset,' 36ers coach Mike Wells said. 'His basketball IQ will allow us to play different ways. Montrezl Harrell. Credit: AAP 'The player combinations with him involved will be difficult for teams to handle.' Harrell put up 24 points in just 25 minutes in his most recent NBL clash against the Wildcats in February - a performance that was overshadowed by Cotton pouring in 49 for Perth at RAC Arena. The 201cm big man's signing came a day after Cotton revealed his exit at the Cats had been fuelled by the club, who made the call to part ways with him as he scoped his options in free agency. 'As much as people say why did I leave the Wildcats, I didn't technically leave,' Cotton said on The EasyDay Show podcast. 'The Wildcats parted ways with me because I wasn't willing to give an answer back in March.'
West Australian
28-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Montrezl Harrell to return to Adelaide 36ers to boost Bryce Cotton's chances of NBL success at his new club
Bryce Cotton will have another potent weapon at his disposal at his new NBL club, with Adelaide re-signing star big man Montrezl Harrell on a one-year deal. A former NBA Sixth Man of the Year who boasts eight years' experience in the world's top league, Harrell posted significant numbers in his first campaign in Australia last season. Harrell averaged 20.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game on his way to All-NBL Second Team selection, and became a fan favourite with his on-court theatrics in Adelaide. The 31-year-old will join Cotton in a potent combination after the five-time NBL MVP stunned the Australian basketball community last week by announcing his shift to the 36ers after exiting Perth in March. The 36ers also have Australian national team representatives DJ Vasiljevic and Isaac Humphries at their disposal to loom among the title front-runners, with the club looking to snap a championship drought dating back to 2002. 'We've really reworked our roster but Trez fits because of his unique skillset,' 36ers coach Mike Wells said. 'His basketball IQ will allow us to play different ways. 'The player combinations with him involved will be difficult for teams to handle.' Harrell put up 24 points in just 25 minutes in his most recent NBL clash against the Wildcats in February - a performance that was overshadowed by Cotton pouring in 49 for Perth at RAC Arena. The 201cm big man's signing came a day after Cotton revealed his exit at the Cats had been fuelled by the club, who made the call to part ways with him as he scoped his options in free agency. 'As much as people say why did I leave the Wildcats, I didn't technically leave,' Cotton said on The EasyDay Show podcast. 'The Wildcats parted ways with me because I wasn't willing to give an answer back in March.'
The Advertiser
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Celtics discover three-point magic in the Knick of time
Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard have eased concerns for the Boston Celtics, leading a 115-93 rout of the New York Knicks as the defending champions got their first win in the NBA Eastern Conference semi-finals. Tatum had 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists and Pritchard scored 23 points in Game 3 in New York on Saturday (Sunday AEST) as the visitors reduced their deficit to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. The Celtics went 20-for-40 from three-point range after going just 25-for-100 in their two losses in Boston, when they blew 20-point leads in the second half of both games. They went ahead by 31 in this one, but there was never anything resembling a comeback for the Knicks. Tatum, an All-Star who shot just 12-for-42 overall in Boston, and Pritchard, the NBA Sixth Man of the Year, both made five threes. Jaylen Brown scored 19 points and Derrick White had 17 for the Celtics, who will try to tie the series on Monday night in Game 4, before returning to Boston for Game 5 on Wednesday. "You've got to beat us four times. That's what it comes down to. Not twice, not once, not three," Brown said. "You've got to win four games, so there's a lot of basketball to be played." Jalen Brunson scored 27 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 15 rebounds for the Knicks, who blew a 2-0 lead in this round last year and are seeking their first conference finals appearance since 2000. "I don't think we came with the mindset of being satisfied, but I think it was just subconsciously satisfied being up 2-0," Brunson said. "Just not the way we need to approach the game." Boston made more three-pointers than any team in NBA history in the regular season, when they swept all four meetings against New York. But the Celtics were ice-cold to open this series, starting with an NBA playoff record 45 misses in Game 1. They made their first four three-point shots in a blistering start Saturday and never really slowed down. They finished 6-for-7 behind the arc en route to a 36-20 lead. Tatum and Pritchard hit consecutive threes for a 55-33 lead with four minutes remaining in the half, and Boston took a 71-46 lead to the locker room. New York were 5-for-25 behind the arc and shot 68.6 per cent on free throws. In San Francisco, Anthony Edwards hit a baseline three-pointer with 1:19 remaining and scored 36 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Golden State Warriors 102-97 for a 2-1 lead in their second-round playoff series. Edwards' teammate Julius Randle had a triple-double of 24 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, For Golden State, Jimmy Butler had 33 points, seven assists and seven rebounds and Jonathan Kuminga scored 30 off the bench, but the Warriors still lacked the kind of rhythm they have with Stephen Curry on the floor. "Obviously with Steph out there, he demands two to three bodies when he's out there on the floor," Butler said. "When he's not, there's no room for error. You can't make mistakes. You can't turn the ball over. You can't give back all of those things. And then you've got to take the right shots." Kuminga shot 11-for-18 as the Warriors again mixed and matched while playing without Curry as he nurses a strained left hamstring he injured in Game 1. Game 4 is on Monday night (Tuesday AEST) at Chase Center. Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard have eased concerns for the Boston Celtics, leading a 115-93 rout of the New York Knicks as the defending champions got their first win in the NBA Eastern Conference semi-finals. Tatum had 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists and Pritchard scored 23 points in Game 3 in New York on Saturday (Sunday AEST) as the visitors reduced their deficit to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. The Celtics went 20-for-40 from three-point range after going just 25-for-100 in their two losses in Boston, when they blew 20-point leads in the second half of both games. They went ahead by 31 in this one, but there was never anything resembling a comeback for the Knicks. Tatum, an All-Star who shot just 12-for-42 overall in Boston, and Pritchard, the NBA Sixth Man of the Year, both made five threes. Jaylen Brown scored 19 points and Derrick White had 17 for the Celtics, who will try to tie the series on Monday night in Game 4, before returning to Boston for Game 5 on Wednesday. "You've got to beat us four times. That's what it comes down to. Not twice, not once, not three," Brown said. "You've got to win four games, so there's a lot of basketball to be played." Jalen Brunson scored 27 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 15 rebounds for the Knicks, who blew a 2-0 lead in this round last year and are seeking their first conference finals appearance since 2000. "I don't think we came with the mindset of being satisfied, but I think it was just subconsciously satisfied being up 2-0," Brunson said. "Just not the way we need to approach the game." Boston made more three-pointers than any team in NBA history in the regular season, when they swept all four meetings against New York. But the Celtics were ice-cold to open this series, starting with an NBA playoff record 45 misses in Game 1. They made their first four three-point shots in a blistering start Saturday and never really slowed down. They finished 6-for-7 behind the arc en route to a 36-20 lead. Tatum and Pritchard hit consecutive threes for a 55-33 lead with four minutes remaining in the half, and Boston took a 71-46 lead to the locker room. New York were 5-for-25 behind the arc and shot 68.6 per cent on free throws. In San Francisco, Anthony Edwards hit a baseline three-pointer with 1:19 remaining and scored 36 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Golden State Warriors 102-97 for a 2-1 lead in their second-round playoff series. Edwards' teammate Julius Randle had a triple-double of 24 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, For Golden State, Jimmy Butler had 33 points, seven assists and seven rebounds and Jonathan Kuminga scored 30 off the bench, but the Warriors still lacked the kind of rhythm they have with Stephen Curry on the floor. "Obviously with Steph out there, he demands two to three bodies when he's out there on the floor," Butler said. "When he's not, there's no room for error. You can't make mistakes. You can't turn the ball over. You can't give back all of those things. And then you've got to take the right shots." Kuminga shot 11-for-18 as the Warriors again mixed and matched while playing without Curry as he nurses a strained left hamstring he injured in Game 1. Game 4 is on Monday night (Tuesday AEST) at Chase Center. Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard have eased concerns for the Boston Celtics, leading a 115-93 rout of the New York Knicks as the defending champions got their first win in the NBA Eastern Conference semi-finals. Tatum had 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists and Pritchard scored 23 points in Game 3 in New York on Saturday (Sunday AEST) as the visitors reduced their deficit to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. The Celtics went 20-for-40 from three-point range after going just 25-for-100 in their two losses in Boston, when they blew 20-point leads in the second half of both games. They went ahead by 31 in this one, but there was never anything resembling a comeback for the Knicks. Tatum, an All-Star who shot just 12-for-42 overall in Boston, and Pritchard, the NBA Sixth Man of the Year, both made five threes. Jaylen Brown scored 19 points and Derrick White had 17 for the Celtics, who will try to tie the series on Monday night in Game 4, before returning to Boston for Game 5 on Wednesday. "You've got to beat us four times. That's what it comes down to. Not twice, not once, not three," Brown said. "You've got to win four games, so there's a lot of basketball to be played." Jalen Brunson scored 27 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 15 rebounds for the Knicks, who blew a 2-0 lead in this round last year and are seeking their first conference finals appearance since 2000. "I don't think we came with the mindset of being satisfied, but I think it was just subconsciously satisfied being up 2-0," Brunson said. "Just not the way we need to approach the game." Boston made more three-pointers than any team in NBA history in the regular season, when they swept all four meetings against New York. But the Celtics were ice-cold to open this series, starting with an NBA playoff record 45 misses in Game 1. They made their first four three-point shots in a blistering start Saturday and never really slowed down. They finished 6-for-7 behind the arc en route to a 36-20 lead. Tatum and Pritchard hit consecutive threes for a 55-33 lead with four minutes remaining in the half, and Boston took a 71-46 lead to the locker room. New York were 5-for-25 behind the arc and shot 68.6 per cent on free throws. In San Francisco, Anthony Edwards hit a baseline three-pointer with 1:19 remaining and scored 36 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Golden State Warriors 102-97 for a 2-1 lead in their second-round playoff series. Edwards' teammate Julius Randle had a triple-double of 24 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, For Golden State, Jimmy Butler had 33 points, seven assists and seven rebounds and Jonathan Kuminga scored 30 off the bench, but the Warriors still lacked the kind of rhythm they have with Stephen Curry on the floor. "Obviously with Steph out there, he demands two to three bodies when he's out there on the floor," Butler said. "When he's not, there's no room for error. You can't make mistakes. You can't turn the ball over. You can't give back all of those things. And then you've got to take the right shots." Kuminga shot 11-for-18 as the Warriors again mixed and matched while playing without Curry as he nurses a strained left hamstring he injured in Game 1. Game 4 is on Monday night (Tuesday AEST) at Chase Center. Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard have eased concerns for the Boston Celtics, leading a 115-93 rout of the New York Knicks as the defending champions got their first win in the NBA Eastern Conference semi-finals. Tatum had 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists and Pritchard scored 23 points in Game 3 in New York on Saturday (Sunday AEST) as the visitors reduced their deficit to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. The Celtics went 20-for-40 from three-point range after going just 25-for-100 in their two losses in Boston, when they blew 20-point leads in the second half of both games. They went ahead by 31 in this one, but there was never anything resembling a comeback for the Knicks. Tatum, an All-Star who shot just 12-for-42 overall in Boston, and Pritchard, the NBA Sixth Man of the Year, both made five threes. Jaylen Brown scored 19 points and Derrick White had 17 for the Celtics, who will try to tie the series on Monday night in Game 4, before returning to Boston for Game 5 on Wednesday. "You've got to beat us four times. That's what it comes down to. Not twice, not once, not three," Brown said. "You've got to win four games, so there's a lot of basketball to be played." Jalen Brunson scored 27 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 15 rebounds for the Knicks, who blew a 2-0 lead in this round last year and are seeking their first conference finals appearance since 2000. "I don't think we came with the mindset of being satisfied, but I think it was just subconsciously satisfied being up 2-0," Brunson said. "Just not the way we need to approach the game." Boston made more three-pointers than any team in NBA history in the regular season, when they swept all four meetings against New York. But the Celtics were ice-cold to open this series, starting with an NBA playoff record 45 misses in Game 1. They made their first four three-point shots in a blistering start Saturday and never really slowed down. They finished 6-for-7 behind the arc en route to a 36-20 lead. Tatum and Pritchard hit consecutive threes for a 55-33 lead with four minutes remaining in the half, and Boston took a 71-46 lead to the locker room. New York were 5-for-25 behind the arc and shot 68.6 per cent on free throws. In San Francisco, Anthony Edwards hit a baseline three-pointer with 1:19 remaining and scored 36 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Golden State Warriors 102-97 for a 2-1 lead in their second-round playoff series. Edwards' teammate Julius Randle had a triple-double of 24 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, For Golden State, Jimmy Butler had 33 points, seven assists and seven rebounds and Jonathan Kuminga scored 30 off the bench, but the Warriors still lacked the kind of rhythm they have with Stephen Curry on the floor. "Obviously with Steph out there, he demands two to three bodies when he's out there on the floor," Butler said. "When he's not, there's no room for error. You can't make mistakes. You can't turn the ball over. You can't give back all of those things. And then you've got to take the right shots." Kuminga shot 11-for-18 as the Warriors again mixed and matched while playing without Curry as he nurses a strained left hamstring he injured in Game 1. Game 4 is on Monday night (Tuesday AEST) at Chase Center.
New Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
T-Wolves grab 2-1 NBA playoff series lead as Celtics get key win
SAN FRANCISCO: Anthony Edwards scored 36 points and rallied the Minnesota Timberwolves for a 102-97 victory over Golden State on Saturday to seize the lead in their NBA playoff series. The Warriors, missing star guard Stephen Curry with a left hamstring strain, dominated defensively before the T-Wolves battled back in the fourth quarter behind Edwards and Julius Randle, who had a triple double with 24 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. Asked about the keys to a fightback triumph, Edwards said, "Playing as a team, getting stops on the defensive end and limiting those guys to one shot." The Timberwolves took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference second-round playoff series with game four on Monday at San Francisco. "You can't ever get too comfortable," Edwards said. "This is a championship DNA team. This is what they do so we've got to be ready at all times." Edwards had eight points in the first half but scored 28 points in the second half, 13 in the fourth quarter, and made 10 of his last 16 shots. "I stunk in the first half," Edwards said. "But you know, that happens. Shots are going to fall. Shots are not going to fall sometimes. But as long as you trust the work, keep shooting it and shoot with confidence, you'll be all right." He praised Randle's first playoff triple double. "He's big time. He has come through in every game for us in the playoffs," Edwards said. "The way he's finding people (with passes) and getting us open looks, I can't ask for nothing better." In Saturday's only other NBA game, defending champion Boston routed New York 115-93 at Madison Square Garden to pull within 2-1 in their Eastern Conference second-round series with game five Monday in New York. The Celtics had squandered 20-point leads in two home playoff losses to the Knicks with woeful three-point shooting but Boston hit 20-of-40 from beyond the arc and held firm to the finish to blow out New York, knowing no NBA team down 0-3 had rallied to win a series. "We understood the magnitude of this game," Boston's Jayson Tatum said. "We needed this one. Didn't like the way we felt after last game so just coming out here with the right mindset, just trying to put it all together." At San Francisco, the Warriors led 42-40 at half-time without making a three-pointer – their first playoff first half since 2007 without a hoop from beyond the arc. Butler, who had 18 first-half points, scored six and Kuminga added five in an 11-0 run that gave the Warriors their first lead at 23-21 early in the second quarter. Golden State kept the T-Wolves without a basket for the last 6:29 of the second quarter and closed the half on a 13-1 run, but Edwards lifted the T-Wolves onto his shoulders and carried them to the finish with a dazzling second-half surge. Reserve Payton Pritchard, the 2025 NBA Sixth Man of the Year, led Boston's blowout win with 23 points while Jayson Tatum added 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Jaylen Brown had 19 points and Derrick White scored 17. "We understand Monday is going to be a great atmosphere, a big game. It's going to be fun," Tatum said. "Just coming out with the right mindset, understanding we played better but we can play a lot better based on a lot of things we did we really didn't like tonight. So just building off that." The Celtics overcame two humbling defeats to boost their chances at Boston's first back-to-back NBA titles since 1968-69. "You don't get into the journey for it to be easy," Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. "It has been dark, but in a good way. You've just got to tap into your darkness and that's it. That's what we've got to do." Jalen Brunson led New York with 27 points while Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 15 rebounds for the Knicks, who have not reached the conference finals since 2000. "We need to play with more of a sense of urgency," Brunson said. "I don't think we came with the mindset we needed. A lot we need to discuss and figure out." --AFP
Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Minnesota Timberwolves grab 2-1 NBA play-off series lead as Boston Celtics get key win
Julius Randle of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks the ball against Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter in Game 3. PHOTO: AFP SAN FRANCISCO – Playing as a team, that was the message as Anthony Edwards scored 36 points and rallied the Minnesota Timberwolves for a 102-97 win over Golden State on May 10 to seize the lead in their NBA play-off series. The Warriors, missing star guard Stephen Curry with a left hamstring strain, dominated defensively before the Timberwolves battled back in the fourth quarter behind Edwards and Julius Randle, who had a triple-double with 24 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. Asked about the keys to a fightback triumph, Edwards simply said: 'Playing as a team, getting stops on the defensive end and limiting those guys to one shot.' With the victory, Minnesota took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference second-round play-off series with Game 4 on May 12 at San Francisco. 'You can't ever get too comfortable,' Edwards added. 'This is a championship DNA team. This is what they do so we've got to be ready at all times.' He had eight points in the first half but scored 28 points in the second half, 13 in the fourth quarter, and made 10 of his last 16 shots. 'I stunk in the first half,' Edwards said. 'But you know, that happens. Shots are going to fall. Shots are not going to fall sometimes. But as long as you trust the work, keep shooting it and shoot with confidence, you'll be all right.' He also praised Randle's first play-off triple-double. 'He's big time. He has come through in every game for us in the play-offs,' Edwards said. 'The way he's finding people (with passes) and getting us open looks, I can't ask for nothing better.' In the only other NBA game, defending champions Boston routed New York 115-93 at Madison Square Garden to pull within 2-1 in their Eastern Conference second-round series with Game 4 also on May 12 in New York. The Celtics had squandered 20-point leads in two home play-off losses to the Knicks with woeful three-point shooting but they hit 20-of-40 from beyond the arc and held firm to the finish to blow out New York, knowing no NBA team down 0-3 had rallied to win a series. 'We understood the magnitude of this game,' Boston's Jayson Tatum said. 'We needed this one. Didn't like the way we felt after last game so just coming out here with the right mindset, just trying to put it all together.' Reserve Payton Pritchard, the 2025 NBA Sixth Man of the Year, led Boston's blowout win with 23 points while Tatum added 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Jaylen Brown had 19 points and Derrick White scored 17. 'We understand Monday is going to be a great atmosphere, a big game. It's going to be fun,' Tatum added. 'Just coming out with the right mindset, understanding we played better but we can play a lot better based on a lot of things we did that we really didn't like tonight. So we are just building off that.' AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
