NBA Fans Hype Steph Curry-Damian Lillard Duel with Giannis Out for Warriors vs. Bucks
Feb 10, 2025
Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard might be getting closer and closer to the end of their careers, but the two legendary point guards continue giving fans battles for the ages.
On Monday, they added another fun matchup to their list of exciting duels.
As the Milwaukee Bucks faced the Golden State Warriors without star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lillard and Curry went shot for shot all night. Lillard had 18 first-half points while Curry put up 15 of his own.
The matchup was reminiscent of some of the exciting playoff meetings between Lillard's Trail Blazers and Curry's Warriors years ago and had fans hyped on social media.
Dame v Steph will never get old. Gotta cherish these matchups.
While Curry and Lillard aren't the same players they once were, the two are still playing at a high level. Curry is putting up 23 points, 6.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game this year while Lillard is averaging 25.5 points, 7.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game.
While Golden State's season hasn't gone the way it hoped, the Warriors are looking to turn things around with the addition of Jimmy Butler. Meanwhile, Lillard's Bucks will look to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference without Antetokounmpo, who will be sidelined until after the All-Star break with a calf injury.
Dirk Nowitzki to Attend Luka Doncic's Debut with Lakers: 'Had to Come Support My Guy'
Feb 10, 2025
Dirk Nowitzki is synonymous with the Dallas Mavericks, having spent 21 years with the team, but he'll be cheering on a different team on Monday.
The Mavericks legend will be in attendance for the Los Angeles Lakers matchup against the Utah Jazz on Monday to see his former teammate, Luka Dončić, debut for his new team.
"I will always be a Mav for life, but had to come support my guy 77 [Dončić] in the first game of his new chapter!" Nowitzki wrote on social media.
I will always be a Mav for life, but had to come support my guy 77 @luka7doncic in the first game of his new chapter!
Marc Stein first reported that Nowitzki would attend the game.
Nowitzki, drafted by the Mavericks in 1998, was with the organization until he retired in 2019. His tenure in Dallas briefly intersected with Dončić's, as he was in his final year during Dončić's rookie season.
As Stein pointed out, until this week, the Mavericks hadn't played a game without either Nowitzki or Dončić on the roster since April 1998.
Dirk Nowitzki, I’m told, will attend tonight’s game in Los Angeles to be present at the Laker debut of his close friend and former teammate Luka Dončić.
It seemed like Dončić was going to follow in Nowitzki's footsteps and be a Maverick for life, but Dallas had other plans. The team dealt Dončić to the Lakers in return for Anthony Davis in one of the most shocking trades in NBA history last Saturday.
Now the former face of the Mavericks franchise will suit up in purple and gold after six and a half years in Dallas. Dončić hasn't played since Christmas Day when he suffered a calf strain, but he'll make his debut on Monday.
While he's played just 22 games this year, Dončić has been his usual productive self when he's on the court. He's averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game and will look to continue that production with his new team.
Lakers Rumors: Luka Dončić 'Handpicked' Mark Williams Trade Before Rescinded Deal
Feb 10, 2025
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 8: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Crypto.com Arena on February 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers newest star reportedly had a major say in a trade that ultimately fell through.
ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported on SportsCenter Monday that Luka Dončić "handpicked" Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams.
"Williams was a guy that Luka Dončić, when the Lakers brought some names to him that they could potentially pursue at center, he signed off on that name, he handpicked it," McMenamin said. "So after they rescinded the trade, I'm told by my sources, they explained to Luka why they had to do it and he understood it."
The Lakers initially traded rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2030 pick swap and an unprotected 2031 first-round pick to Charlotte in return for Williams. On Saturday, that trade was rescinded after Williams failed his physical.
According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, the Lakers "needed to feel confident he'd be healthy enough to be their starting center for the next 5-10 years" but didn't feel he could do so after the physical.
Williams, the 15th overall pick in the 2022 draft, has missed 129 of the Hornets' 214 games since he joined the team. He played just 43 games as a rookie because of season-ending surgery on a thumb injury. Last year, he appeared in just 19 games due to a back injury.
He has played in 23 of Charlotte's 50 games so far this year, dealing with foot and back issues throughout the year.
When on the court, Williams has been highly productive. He's averaging 15.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. It's easy to see why Los Angeles and Dončić were fixated on the big man, but ultimately it didn't work out.
After the trade for Williams failed, the Lakers will have to make do with their current roster. Since trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Dončić, Los Angeles has turned to Jaxson Hayes as its primary starting center. The 7-footer is averaging 5.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and a block per game, though his numbers are likely to get better as he gets more minutes.
The Lakers have played well recently, winning 11 of their last 13 games. With two games remaining before the All-Star break, Los Angeles is sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference at 31-19.
The Lakers will look to keep their strong play going once Dončić makes his debut in the coming weeks.
Photo: Lakers Give Away Luka Dončić Shirts to Every Fan Attending Debut vs. Jazz
Feb 10, 2025
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10: T-Shirts laid out for fans before the game between the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers on February 10, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
Every Los Angeles Lakers fan attending Luka Dončić's debut can walk away wearing No. 77.
The Lakers are giving out Dončić shirts to every fan in attendance for Monday night's game against the Utah Jazz.
Lakers are handing out Luka Doncic shirts to EVERY FAN in attendance tonight 🍿🔥
Dončić was upgraded from questionable to probable ahead of the contest against the Jazz. He last played on Dec. 25 for the Dallas Mavericks.
His presumptive Lakers debut comes hours after the star announced he is donating $500,000 through his charitable foundation to fund wildfire recovery efforts in Los Angeles.
After sitting out more than a month due to a left calf strain, Dončić was traded to the Lakers on Feb. 1 as part of a deal that sent Anthony Davis to the Mavericks.
The Lakers' Saturday matchup with the Indiana Pacers had previously been moved to ESPN, likely because the network hoped to highlight Dončić and James' first game together.
Both Dončić and James ended up sitting out the game, while Austin Reaves stepped up with a career-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to victory
James has also been upgraded to probable ahead of the Jazz game, and the Monday night contest has again been moved to ESPN.
Given the t-shirts waiting at Crypto.com Arena, it looks like both team and network are confident they will see Dončić play his first game in purple and gold on Monday night.
Video: Suns' Kevin Durant Discusses Being Part of Jimmy Butler, Warriors Trade Rumors
Feb 10, 2025
Kevin Durant was the subject of trade rumors last week as the Phoenix Suns looked to shake up their core group amidst a disappointing 26-26 season, namely in the Jimmy Butler trade talks and the reported discussions with the Golden State Warriors (which Durant seemingly nixed).
The superstar forward told reporters on Monday he didn't take any of it personally, however, calling it "part of the business."
Kevin Durant speaks on the following:
On Suns talking with Warriors about him before trade deadline: "Just business, man. It's part of the business. Everybody is bought and sold in this league. Anybody can be up for action. I understand that."
He also said it wouldn't necessarily impact his future in Phoenix.
"I always had a goal of playing my contract out and see what happens. ... I know that will be a topic," he said. "That's probably the most frustrating part about being in trade talks is that microscope is going to be solely on me the rest of the season."
The Suns, to a certain degree, didn't have much choice but to take calls on Durant. The preference almost assuredly would have been to trade a player like Bradley Beal instead and keep the Durant and Devin Booker duo intact, but Beal's massive contract and no-trade clause made him basically impossible to move.
And the Suns were never going to entertain offers for Booker, the face of the franchise. So if the organization was going to make a foundational change and shake things up, it was going to require departing with Durant.
The Suns thought better of doing so, of course, and Durant framed the entire situation as a mark of respect.
"It's not a bad thing that people around the league want me to play for them," he told reporters. "It's not a bad thing my organization here is fighting off people to keep me on a team or even dangle me in a trade. Part of being in high demand."
The Suns ultimately decided to trade Jusuf Nurkić and a 2026 first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for Cody Martin, Vasilije Micić and a 2026 second-rounder instead. It wasn't the sort of franchise-altering move they had been discussing, but it provided change to a team in desperate need of some.
Still, the Suns need to figure out how to make the trio of Booker, Durant and Beal work. Barring more trade talks involving Durant come the summer—or the Suns somehow finding a way to move Beal—it's a core group the team is stuck with until at least the summer of 2026, when Durant will hit free agency.
Lakers' Luka Doncic's Foundation Will Donate $500K to LA Wildfire Recovery Efforts
Feb 10, 2025
Luka Doncic
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić announced he's donating $500,000 through his charitable foundation to aid in the recovery efforts from the recent Los Angeles wildfires.
"It's been so sad to see and learn more about the damage from the wildfires since I landed in L.A," he said in a statement. "I can't believe it and I feel for all the kids who lost their homes, schools, and the places where they used to play with their friends."
At least 29 people died as a result of the wildfires, and one projection from AccuWeather had the economic loss at between $250 billion and $275 billion.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick said the home he and his family were renting in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles burned down, incinerating countless possessions and mementos.
Even now, with the fires extinguished, the Los Angeles Times' Rong-Gong Lin II wrote how the scorching of the local ecosystem has increased the risk of landslides and debris flows with heavy rain in the forecast.
The Lakers acquired Dončić ahead of the NBA trade deadline, after the worst wildfires are contained, but as he said, the damage is readily apparent to anybody who visits the city. The state government estimates that 57,636 acres were burned and 16,246 structures were destroyed.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 8: LeBron James #23 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Indiana Pacers on February 8, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers and general manager Rob Pelinka consulted with Luka Dončić before pulling off the since-rescinded trade for center Mark Williams, temporarily granting their new superstar the lob threat he wanted.
And LeBron James noticed.
As ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported: "What is clear is that Doncic will have a say. And it wasn't lost on James' camp, sources said, that Pelinka prioritized Doncic's involvement upon his arrival and immediately engaged in the Williams trade that he'd asked for, when James had for years wanted the team to trade its picks to improve its roster."
This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.
NBA Rumors: Some in Lakers Organization Using 'Lukaland' Name After Dončić Trade
Feb 9, 2025
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 6: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles before the game against the Golden State Warriors on February 6, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
As Dallas continues to reap their losses following the trade of superstar Luka Dončić, Los Angeles is riding high—and even embracing a new nickname for the city.
"I've heard that, even within their organization, some in L.A. have taken to referring to Lakerland as Lukaland," said NBA insider Marc Stein.
Dončić, was averaging 28.1 points per game on 46.4 percent shooting, while Davis has been averaging 25.7 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 52.8 percent from the field.
After the blockbuster trade that sent Dončić to the Lakers and Anthony Davis to the Mavericks—along with other players and several draft picks—one NBA city has been celebrating its success while the other is in full revolt.
Davis, in particular, has quickly felt the weight of the move, as the infamous "bones made of glass" jabs followed him to Dallas almost immediately when he suffered a non-contact injury in the third quarter of his Mavericks debut, adding to the frustration of fans already skeptical of the trade.
"Disbelief remains prevalent throughout the NBA and especially in Dallas, where that is merely one of the smothering sentiments in the air," Stein said. "This is a city trying to sort through heartbreak, outrage and, presumably, fresh waves of all-over-the-place emotions after watching Davis look like the most dominant two-way player on the planet for two quarters in Saturday's matinee victory over visiting Houston ... only to see him exit the third quarter with an injury."
The stark contrast between the two cities and their reactions to acquiring All-Stars has been striking.
While Lakers fans celebrated the arrival of Dončić, even renaming the infamous Lakerland in his honor, Mavericks fans erupted in outrage. Protests broke out in Dallas, with fans calling for front-office firings and chanting "loyalty" and "sell the team" in frustration over losing their superstar.
Luka is targeting his Lakers debut on Monday after being sidelined since Christmas Day with a left calf strain.
Jimmy Butler Praised by Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Steve Kerr After Warriors' Debut
Feb 9, 2025
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors high fives Jimmy Butler #10 against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on February 08, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green and head coach Steve Kerr were all enthusiastic about Jimmy Butler after he made his debut for the team.
Butler had 25 points, two rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in 29 minutes on the floor in Saturday's 132-111 win over the Chicago Bulls.
Curry pointed out how much he and Butler differ with their offensive approaches, which could make Golden State even tougher to stop.
"He's like the exact opposite player of me, which is kind of funny," he said, per The Athletic's Anthony Slater. "I shot 16 threes. He shot one. He got to the free-throw line a lot, dominated the paint. I'm dominating the outside, the perimeter. Guys working around us. It has the potential to be really fun."
Green also called the six-time All-Star a "great target" for passes, with the prime example being this acrobatic layup in the fourth quarter.
"Put the ball in his area, he's gonna get it," Green said.
Curry said Butler was "like a receiver" on the lob from Green.
"That was ridiculous," he said.
Kerr, meanwhile, told reporters it's "pretty fun having Jimmy on our team." Beyond what's visible on the court, he emphasized the "confidence and presence" Butler brings to a roster that wasn't lacking in either already.
Butler's debut couldn't have gone much better. He filled out the stat sheet and helped the Warriors turn a 24-point deficit midway through the first half into a blowout victory.
As Kerr laid out, Saturday night exemplified why Golden State acquired the 35-year-old. Even against a rebuilding Bulls squad, it was impressive to see him hardly miss a beat after returning from what proved to be a seven-game suspension from the Miami Heat.
The Warriors play the Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets before they head into the All-Star break. Going up against three straight playoff contenders will provide a better indication of whether their blockbuster addition has made them meaningfully better.
Jimmy Butler: 'I Get the Easy Job' in Duo with Stephen Curry After Warriors Trade
Feb 9, 2025
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 08: Jimmy Butler #10 and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after the game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on February 08, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Jimmy Butler says Stephen Curry's ability to draw defenders to him is making his job easier.
Butler put up 25 points in his team debut, while Curry scored 34, to lead the Golden State Warriors to a Saturday night victory over the Chicago Bulls.
"They say opposites attract in a lot of ways in life. I don't think I could be a better complement to him, and vice versa," Butler said after Saturday's win. "In the sense that, they're not leaving him, ever. Probably two people will never leave him, so there's so much space for everybody else.
"I get the easy job. I'm playing one-on-one, I'm playing in so much space. And then everybody's looking for him, everybody's looking to get him open. And at the same time, he's looking for everybody else. It's so great to play with somebody like that."
Jimmy Butler on this Steph Curry comment: “Opposites attract in life. I don’t think I could be a better complement to him and vice versa. They’re not leaving him ever. Maybe two people…I get the easy job. I’m playing 1-on-1 or in space.” https://t.co/KyXgUAVELcpic.twitter.com/3jt7TBOmAT
The Warriors trailed early Saturday before Curry's 24-point third quarter helped turn the deficit into a 132-111 blowout win.
It was Curry who first described Butler as the "exact opposite" to him in his own interview following the win.
"He's like the exact opposite player of me, which is kind of funny," Curry said. "I'm shooting 16 threes, he shot one. He's getting to the free-throw line a lot, he's dominating the paint. I'm dominating the outside, the perimeter. The guys working around us, it has the potential to be really fun."
Steph Curry on Jimmy Butler: “He’s like the exact opposite player of me. I took 16 3s and he shot one. He got to the free throw line a lot, dominated the paint. I dominate the perimeter. It has the potential to be really fun.” pic.twitter.com/cUzXtNfLzW
The Warriors entered the weekend as one of the five NBA teams taking the fewest free throws per game.
That could be set to change going forward, if Butler's debut is any indication. The former Miami Heat star got to the foul line 13 times and made 11 of his throws, setting a franchise record for free throws made in a debut game, according to the team.
Curry meanwhile had one of his highest-volume shooting nights of the season as he attempted at least 16 shots from behind the arc for the sixth time in 43 games.
The Warriors star made half of those shots from deep to help his team complete their second-half comeback.
Curry said after the Warriors traded for Butler he hoped the drama in Miami, which led to the Heat issuing three separate suspensions for Butler, would end now that the forward had agreed to an extension with the Warriors.
Butler's apparent happiness to be playing with Curry is an early sign that the change of scenery could ultimately be positive for both player and team.
