Latest news with #RussellWestbrook
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins first NBA MVP award
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar guard who led his team to the NBA's best record, was named the league's most valuable player during Wednesday's "NBA on TNT Pregame Show." Gilgeous-Alexander, 26, is the third Thunder player to win the MVP. Kevin Durant took home the honors in 2014 and Russell Westbrook won it in 2017. Advertisement It's the seventh consecutive season a foreign-born player has won the award, as Gilgeous-Alexander is a native of Canada. ANALYSIS: Why Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should win NBA MVP OPINION: Slow start doesn't shake Shai: Thunder star struts MVP moxie in Game 1 ESPN first reported the news. Led by Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder won 68 regular-season games, including going 29-1 against the Eastern Conference, winning games by an average of 12.9 points per game and outscoring their opponents by 1,055 points. Gilgeous-Alexander also won his first scoring title, averaging 32.1 points per game, including a streak where he scored 20 or more points in 72 consecutive games. He also averaged five rebounds and a career-high 6.4 assists, and his value was not only on the offensive end but defensively as well, as Oklahoma City was first in defensive rating and third in offensive rating. Advertisement Gilgeous-Alexander finished ahead of Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, who won the award last season. Jokic averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game, finishing in the top three in each category, while leading the league in performance efficiency rating. Jokic recorded an NBA-high 34 triple-doubles this season and is the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season, joining Oscar Robertson and Westbrook. Gilgeous-Alexander received 71 first-place votes (worth 10 points) and 29 second-place votes (worth seven points) to win the award with 913 points. Jokic received the other 29 first-place votes and 71 second-place votes to finish with 787 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished in third (470 points), marking the seventh consecutive year he's finished in the top four. Jayson Tatum placed fourth (311 points) and Donovan Mitchell rounded out the top five (74 points). A two-time first-team All-NBA performer, Gilgeous-Alexander is eligible to sign a four-year, $293 million supermax extension this summer. He made $35.8 million this year, and is scheduled to take home $38.3 million and $40.8 million in the final two years of his current contract, which he signed in 2021. NBA MVP voting Check out the full voting totals below: Watch: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins MVP See the moment Gilgeous-Alexander was officially named the 2024-25 NBA MVP, and what he said: Editor's note: The NBA MVP award is voted on by 100 members of the media, chosen by the league. Voting takes place before the postseason. USA TODAY Sports reporter Jeff Zillgitt has a vote. Advertisement The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more. (This story has been updated with new information). This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder guard, wins NBA MVP
NBC Sports
a day ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Nuggets' Russell Westbrook has surgery to fix two breaks on his right hand
Russell Westbrook averaged 11.7 points in 24 minutes per night for the Nuggets this postseason. While he was critical in a few wins, he also shot 39.1% for the postseason and had some rough outings as well. A fractured hand may have contributed to that. Westbrook announced he had surgery on his hand on his blog, World of Westbrook (the Nuggets also confirmed the surgery). 'I'm undergoing surgery on my right hand to fix two breaks that happened during the season. I'm grateful for everyone's support all year and I can't wait to be back out there at 100% soon. The comeback is already in motion.' ' Westbrook has a $3.5 million player option for next season. At age 36, and coming off surgery, he could put himself on the free agent market, but there is unlikely to be more money for him elsewhere, and almost certainly not a better situation. Westbrook is one of those players whose game has been elevated by Nikola Jokic's passing and ability to find him on cuts to the rim or on leak-outs. Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds a game this season, playing almost 28 minutes a night in the 75 games he played. A Denver team looking to add depth around Jokic likely welcomes him back, but you can be sure Westbrook and his agent are kicking the tires to see if other playoff teams might be willing to pay more or have a bigger role for him.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Demolition of former convention center skybridge, north wall planned in June
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Road closures and a temporary shutdown to the OKC Streetcar are scheduled for early June as wrecking crews plan to demolish the north wall of the former convention center, as well as dismantle the pedestrian skybridge. Beginning on the morning of June 9, wrecking crews are expected to demolish the wall, along with the 145-foot-long glass and steel pedestrian skybridge that connects to the Wyndam Grand Hotel, weather permitting, according to the City of Oklahoma City. The bridge is planned to be dismantled into two pieces and is expected to be removed on June 9 and 10. 'Demo crews have been working diligently to remove items from inside the former convention center,' Project Manager David Todd said. 'People will start seeing exciting and dramatic changes to the site of the new arena.' Russell Westbrook set to bring creative ideas to new stadium While the demolition is happening, street closures will be in place for the following areas: Sheridan Avenue from Robinson Avenue to the Century Center Parking Garage will be reduced to one westbound lane. Sheridan will be closed east of the Century Center Garage to South E.K. Gaylord. Detour signs will also be in place. A temporary closure of the OKC Streetcar will also take place while demolition is going on, from June 9 until June 13. EMBARK is expected to operate a bus shuttle for riders along a modified downtown loop that will run from 6 a.m. until midnight, with buses running every 25 minutes. The City states that streetcar fare is required by ticket vending machines or the Token Transit mobile app. Shuttle riders can board at any streetcar platform along the route except for the Century Center stop on Sheridan. Signs will have 'OKC Streetcar Service — Downtown Loop' on them. The City also says that real-time tracking will not be available, and to allow extra travel time. Those who need assistance navigating the streetcar shuttle can call EMBARK Customer Service at 405-235-7433. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Is this the best Thunder team ever?
Is this the best Thunder team ever? | Good Word with Goodwill Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill and Yahoo fantasy basketball analyst Dan Titus discuss Oklahoma City's run to the Finals and whether this year's squad surpasses the 2012 or 2016 versions. Hear the full conversation on 'Good Word with Goodwill' and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen. View more Video Transcript I was thinking about it then last night as the Thunder clinched. Advertisement First NBA finals since 2012. That was Durant, Westbrook, Harden. Last night was nine years to the day of the Klay Thompson game. Game 6 of the 2016 Western Conference Finals. Thunder were up 3-1, then they were up 3-2. They had a chance to close out the 73 win Warriors at home, and then Klay Thompson went berserk. That day led to all the events, I think that has happened. To get them back here. You lose Kevin Durant, you get Russell Westbrook, the MVP stuff and blah blah blah. You get Carmelo, Paul George, and then those, those trades wind up netting you, Shay Gilge's Alexander. Those other trades wind up netting you the draft picks that become Jaylen Williams and some of these other guys. Advertisement This looks like the best Thunder team that I've seen, period. It doesn't feel like it because you're like, man, that's Kevin Durant. That's James Harden, that's Russell Westbrook over there. I feel like this team, I don't know if they beat the brakes off the 2016 Thunder or the 2012 Thunder, but they beat them and I think they beat them good. So which team do you think is better, 2012 or 2016 Thunder? I would say 2012 because you do have James Harden who single-handedly put out the San Antonio Spurs in the, in the Western Conference Finals after going down 20. But there's a better Kevin Durant in 2016, theoretically a better Russell Westbrook in 2016, but there's still the combustibility of both of those players in big moments, whereas you don't think Shay's not gonna melt down. Advertisement J Doub's not gonna melt down. Chet ain't gonna melt down, not in those big moments. Yeah, I feel like the, I actually thought that the 2012 team was, was probably the best version of the Thunder at that point too. I think offensively, the current iteration of the Thunder stack up pretty well against the 2012. I'd say maybe you give a slight edge to the 2012 team. But the difference on the defensive end to me is is is the stark difference for me of this current Thunder team. And I think this Thunder team defensively is by far better than the 2016 and 2012. So I think that this version of the Thunder is the best version that we've seen of the Thunder in the history of their franchise, and I think that will be cemented when they win the championship.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
The Oklahoma City Thunder prove time is just a construct
The Oklahoma City Thunder prove time is just a construct The Oklahoma City Thunder are going to the NBA Finals, thanks to three young stars who've blossomed into something no one could have possibly anticipated. The team has two young guards who can attack the rim with reckless abandon and a tall, lanky forward with a bunch of guard skills at 7 feet tall. The above paragraph is about the 2012 Oklahoma City Thunder, who reached the NBA Finals with an average team age of 25.7 years old. The two guards? Russell Westbrook and James Harden. The lanky forward? Obviously, Kevin Durant. Here's Kenny Smith back in 2012 congratulating that team for making it all the way to the Finals. "Everyone said they were too young. People said they weren't battle-tested and it wasn't time. But they proved them wrong. And, so now, we have the 2012 Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder," Smith said. Replace 2012 with 2025 and you'd basically be able to use the same script. Everyone said this Thunder team was too young to do anything serious. People immediately counted them out despite having the soon-to-be-MVP on the roster along with another All-Star running mate and the league's best defense. It didn't matter. The only thing people could see was this team's age. Now, with an average age 24.7 years old, the 2025 Thunder are the new youngest team to make it to the NBA Finals since the 1977 Portland Trail Blazers, according to Yahoo! Sports. The job isn't finished. We know what happened the last time the Thunder were here. LeBron James' Miami Heat finished their revenge tour for the 2011 Finals in Oklahoma City. The Thunder only won one game despite a brilliant series from Durant. That's probably not happening again. Oklahoma City is the best team in the NBA this season by quite a bit. As of now, the Larry O'Brien trophy is theirs to lose. But that's why we play the games. We'll see if they can finish their breakfast this time. Dynasty calling? The Panthers are headed back to the Stanley Cup Finals, folks. For a third consecutive year, Florida will be playing on the NHL's biggest stage. The path there certainly wasn't easy. The Hurricanes jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Florida and, for a while, it seemed like Carolina's comeback attempt was real. Florida quashed all that with three goals in the second. Game 5 ended in a 5-3 win for Florida. The Prince of Wales Trophy returned home. But they didn't touch it, though! Florida touched the trophy two years ago and lost in the Cup Finals. They refused to touch it last season and won it all. What'll it be this season? We'll find out. The Panthers are just the 7th team in the expansion era to make it to three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, according to NBC. The last to do it was the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2020 through 2022 — they won two of those series. We'll see if Florida can match them in a few weeks. More CFB 26 The trailer for College Football 26 is here and, MY GOODNESS, it's electric. Guys. A lot is going on in this trailer. But two of the coolest things I picked up on were: Enter the Sandman is on the game now! Shoutout to you, Virginia Tech. High school football seems to be back in the game for Road to Glory. That's fun. Real coaches are in the game now. Spotted Marcus Freeman and Ryan Day in this. Freeman's shapeup is still sharp, even in video game form. Last year's game was a blast. Hopefully, this year won't disappoint. Quick hits: NBA Draft decisions ... Caitlin Clark is still in midseason form ... and more — Here's Bryan Kalbrosky with seven fascinating players who decided to stay in the NBA Draft instead of going back to school. — It turns out Caitlin Clark doesn't need to be in a uniform to complain about officiating. Here's Meg Hall with more. — Cory Woodroof says Falcons fans should be hopeful for Michael Penix Jr. — Stefon Diggs' latest boat controversy is, uh, fascinating. Charles Curtis has details. — I don't know how I'd react to tearing my Achilles but I imagine it'd be much like this. — Lane Kiffin and Paul Finebaum are such an incredible combination. That's a wrap. Thanks for reading today. Peace. ✌️ This is For The Win's daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. This was Mike Sykes.
