Category: NBA

Aces Crush Connecticut For Second Win In a Row 85-59; Wilson reaches 5000th career point plateau

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The Las Vegas Aces center A’Ja Wilson (22) celebrates scoring her 5000th career point against the Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (left) at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Wed June 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

LAS VEGAS–Wednesday night the Las Vegas Aces (7-7) won their second game in a row beating the struggling Connecticut Suns (2-13) 85-59 . A’Ja Wilson reached yet another milestone reaching 5000 career points in the second quarter.

Game recap: Wilson finished with 22 points and Jackie Young chipped in another 20 points. Chelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd both had double digits. The Aces hit 11 three’s and completely dominated in the second half of play. Despite having 15 turnovers in the game they breezed through this one.

Las Vegas got the perfect start going on a 19-0 run. The first basket the Sun scored was at less than two minutes left in the first quarter. Connecticut went on a 6-0 run to end the first ten minutes of play. The Aces won the opening quarter 21-6.

The Sun had a much improved second quarter outscoring the Aces 23-19 in quite a turnaround. At the half Las Vegas had a 40-29 lead. Connecticut was struggling from beyond the arc not able to hit one in the half. In the second quarter Wilson hit her 5000th career point. There is not a whole lot that Wilson cannot do, she is the epitome of skill and professionalism.

In the third quarter, the Aces had the upper hand in this game controlling the flow of the game. Each team had 9 turnovers but the Aces dominated in the field, beyond the arc, and defensively with 35 rebounds to the Suns 21. After three quarters the Aces had taken their largest lead of the game 68-46 crushing Connecticut.

Going into the fourth quarter, the Sun were looking at a close to impossible task; catching up with Las Vegas. The Aces continued to extend their lead taking a 24-point lead 70-46 in the opening minutes of the final quarter.

Las Vegas had hit 11 shots from downtown while the Sun only had two. Despite the significant lead, the Aces had a frustrating start to the fourth quarter with turnovers and missed shots. They did maintain at least a 20 point lead throughout the quarter and with under four minutes left in the game had a 77-55 lead.

The Las Vegas bench would finish off this game with Kierstan Bell hitting eight points. The final was 85-59 in a really lop-sided game. The Aces had won their second win in a row in a complete rout.

Game notes: After fighting their through the Indiana Fever Sunday, the Aces handled the Sun without much trouble at Michelob ULTRA Arena Wednesday night. The Aces beat the Fever in the fourth quarter of the game after trailing for much of it in the first half. A’Ja Wilson was back in form scoring 24 points in that game; the win breaking a 3-game skid.

Wednesday night they started a winning streak against the Sun picking up their second win in a row. Connecticut had been struggling but Las Vegas took nothing for granted and put out their best effort giving the home crowd another win. The win Wednesday night will put them at .500.

The Aces will not have much time to celebrate this win taking the court Thursday night against the Washington Mystics looking for their third win in a row. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM at Michelob ULTRA .

Kings Trade Up to No. 24, Select Nique Clifford in NBA Draft

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Nique Clifford at CSU. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings made a move up the draft board on Wednesday night. Originally holding the 42nd pick in the second round, the Kings struck a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder to acquire the 24th overall pick and selected Nique Clifford, a guard from Colorado State University.

In exchange, Sacramento sent the 2027 first-round pick they had acquired from the San Antonio Spurs in the De’Aaron Fox trade. The pick is top-16 protected, and if it does not convey to OKC, it will convert into two second-round picks in 2027.

Clifford, a 6-foot-6 guard, averaged 18.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game for CSU in the Mountain West Conference. He’s known for his relentless motor, solid defensive ability, and his versatility.

I asked Scott Perry tonight how the process of acquiring the 24th pick in the draft unfolded. Was this something the Kings had aligned days before, or was it a last-minute opportunity that came together?

“You work on a lot of different things throughout the process,” Perry said. “So you have a number of conversations that—hopefully—you’ve prepared for going into the night. If certain things work a certain way, it makes for easier conversations. And, you know, obviously, when you talk about Oklahoma City—Sam Presti is someone I worked with in Seattle. He’s a friend, and obviously he’s excellent at what he does.”

The value the Kings gave up in the deal feels like a win for Sacramento. Yes, they traded a first-round pick, but in return, they secured a first-rounder in this year’s draft. Realistically, the 2027 San Antonio pick is likely to fall in the same range as the 24th slot where the Kings selected Nique Clifford on Wednesday. And if it somehow becomes a lottery pick, the Kings will keep it thanks to the top-16 protection.

The move makes a lot of sense for a team with win-now players looking to accelerate their timeline back to the postseason.

It’s a small piece of the larger puzzle, but it already feels like Scott Perry is delivering on the vision he laid out when he took the job earlier this summer.

NBA Finals podcast Michael Roberson: Pacers-Thunder battle for title in elimination game Sunday night

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Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) rebounds over the Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (front) in second half action of game 6 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City on Thu Jun 19, 2025 (AP News photo)

Michael Roberson on NBA Finals podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 The Indiana Pacers lives to play another game as they dominated the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday with a 108-91 win to tie the series up at 3-3.

#2 The Pacers Obi Toppin scored 20 points, Andrew Nembhard scored 17 points and were key in helping the Pacers forcing a game 7.

#3 Pascal Siakam scored 16 points, 13 rebounds and Tyrese Haliburton scored 14 points and played with a strained calf.

#4 After getting blown out in game 5 by the Oklahoma City Thunder the Pacers turned things around in game 6 they had a slow start but later blew the game up later to tie up the series and force a game 7.

#5 So the stage is set for game 7 for Sunday night in Oklahoma City for the deciding game. The Thunder have the home floor. Could the Thunder make a come back and win the finals or could the Pacers stay with their game 6 momentum?

Michael Roberson is a NBA podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Finals podcast Michael Roberson: Thunder can end it in game 6 in Indiana on Thursday

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) dives for the basketball while the Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) is in pursuit of the ball during game 5 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City on Mon June 16, 2025 (AP News photo)

NBA Finals podcast Michael Roberson:

On the NBA Finals podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 The Oklahoma City Thunder got help on Monday night in their 120-109 win over the Indiana Pacers. The Thunder got help from Jalen Williams who scored a career high for post season of 40 points. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points as the Thunder move up 3-2 in the series.

#2 It was the tenth and most points that the Williams and Alexander had combined for 70 points or more in a single game. Williams hit 14 out of 24 baskets from the floor and Alexander added ten assists.

#3 The Pacers Pascal Siakam scored 28 points and the TJ McConnell had 18 points. The Pacers got it down to two points in the fourth quarter from 18 but the Thunder went out and closed out the Thunder to take a 3-2 series lead.

#4 Michael, game 6 is Thursday night Jun 19th at 5:30pm PDT as the Thunder and Pacers battle in Indiana. The Thunder can put this away with one more win and the Pacers could tie the series up at 3-3. Any predictions for game 6.

Michael Roberson is an NBA analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Finals podcast David Zizmor: Thunder could put it away or Pacers can tie it up in game 6 Thursday

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Oklahoma City Thunder Alex Caruso (2) is jacked as the Thunder move a game ahead over the Indiana Pacers in game 5 of the NBA Finals at Oklahoma City on Mon Jun 16, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the NBA Finals podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 The Oklahoma City Thunder got help on Monday night in their 120-109 win over the Indiana Pacers. The Thunder got help from Jalen Williams who scored a career high for post season of 40 points. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points as the Thunder move up 3-2 in the series.

#2 It was the tenth and most points that the Williams and Alexander had combined for 70 points or more in a single game. Williams hit 14 out of 24 baskets from the floor and Alexander added ten assists.

#3 Dave, game 6 is Thursday night Jun 19th at 5:30pm PDT as the Thunder and Pacers battle in Indiana. The Thunder can put this away with one more win and the Pacers could tie the series up at 3-3. Any predictions for game 6.

David Zizmor does the NBA Finals analysis at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Finals podcast Game 3: Pacers make comeback in fourth quarter to defeat Thunder 116-107; Indiana takes 2-1 lead

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Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein passes the ball around Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton right in game 3 of the NBA Finals at Oklahoma City Thunder on Wed Jun 11, 2025 (AP News photo)

NBA Finals podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Indiana Pacers Bennedict Mathurin came off the bench to score 27 points, Tyrese Haliburton scored 22 points and the Pacers were able to hold the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-107 in game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night.

#2 Haliburton had 11 assists and nine rebounds. The Pacers Pascal Siakam scored 21 points the Pacers scored 49-18 from players coming off the bench.

#3 The Pacers back in March after a loss went 10-0 and have been a surprise team in the NBA beating the New York Knicks and now taking a 2-1 lead after beating the Thunder on Wednesday.

#4 Jalen Williams scored 26 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points, and Chet Holmgren scored 20 high scorers for the Thunder in the loss.

#5 This Friday the 13th it’s game 4 between the Pacers and Thunder. The Pacers have the home floor in Indianapolis. and Pacers can go back to OKC with a 3-1 lead or the Thunder could go back to OKC and tie this series on Monday night in game 5. How do you see this match up on Friday night.

Join Michael Roberson for the NBA Finals podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast Bruce Macgowan: Bill King clearly the best play by play announcer in Bay Area history; What was Raiders owner Al Davis like?; plus more news

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Former Oakland A’s play by play announcer Bill King (photo from the Press Democrat)

Headline Sports podcast Bruce Macgowan:

#1 Bill King was the legendary play by play voice for the Oakland A’s, Oakland Raiders, and Golden State Warriors he was the word picture broadcaster. What was it like working alongside one of the great play by play voices in sports history?

#2 You had a chance to cover some of those legendary Oakland Raider teams in the 1970s you knew Raiders owner Al Davis what was it like to work some of those great Raider teams and have access to Davis?

#3 Did you have a chance to cover the 1972-74 A’s World Series teams and the 1988-90 A’s World Series teams.

#4 Since the Giants released LaMonte Wade, Christian Koss, and Sam Huff that might have been the shot in the arm the club needed as they have now won five in row.

#5 A’s Las Vegas situation. They said their putting shovels in the ground with a groundbreaking ceremony later in June. After all this time it’s a question are the A’s really going to get started with the construction of the ballpark like they say they will.

Bruce Macgowan is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Finals podcast Michael Roberson: Thunder will be out to protect the home floor advantage for game 2

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Indiana Pacers Tyrese Haliburton (0) takes a jump shot converting the game winner a buzzer beater as the Pacers take game 1 from the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City on Thu Jun 5, 2025 (AP News photo)

NBA Finals podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 The only way the Indiana Pacers were going to win game 1 was to chip away at the Oklahoma City Thunder and they were able to manage to pull it off with a one point 111-110 win over the Thunder.

#2 Another consideration was the Pacers turned the ball over 19 times in the first half and were still able to keep together and pull off the surprise win.

#3 There was no one from the Pacers who scored above 20 points it was total team effort and ball distribution do you see that kind of offense as key strategy to keep the Thunder off balance rather than the Pacers have a designated go to guy.

#4 Talk about Tyrese Haliburton’s buzzer beater that sank in for the Pacers one point win. This team is carrying over momentum from the previous series.

#5 Pacers and Thunder get after it again in game 2 at Oklahoma City. You can be assured the Thunder will do whatever it takes to prevent a loss on their home floor at Paycom Arena in OKC?

Michael Roberson is an NBA analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Finals podcast Michael Roberson: Pacers underdogs in this fight with Thunder

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Tyrese Haliburton guard of the Indiana Pacers raises his arms in celebration after a game 6 victory against the New York Knicks to advance to the next round of the NBA Finals on Sat May 31, 2025. The Pacers face the Oklahoma City Thunder for game 1 of the NBA Finals Thu Jun 5, 2025 (AP News photo)

NBA Finals podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 The Indiana Pacers are the underdogs going into the NBA Finals on Thursday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder is that a surprise or the oddsmakers called it right?

#2 How much will these games play into the break down of the Pacers offense and the Thunder’s defense?

#3 The Pacers during these post season games have given each of their opponents fits that includes that last series they were in against the New York Knicks.

#4 Tyrese Haliburton’s father John Haliburton noted for wearing Pacers fan gear and getting on the floor after games had that one memorable moment when he and the Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo got into a head to head argument on the floor final the Pacers-Bucks round one match up. It obviously didn’t turn out to be a distraction and John turned out to be the one who got the last laugh at least so far.

#5 So it’s Pacers and Thunder Thursday night in Oklahoma City for game one what’s your prediction for this series.

Michael Roberson is a NBA analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Conference Finals podcast Michael Roberson: Knicks have backs to wall; Pacers can wrap it up Thursday

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Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) drives on the New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (left) in the second half of game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Gainsbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Tue May 27, 2025 (AP News photo)

NBA Conference Finals podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 The Indiana Pacers just very well might run away with the Eastern Conference Finals after defeating the New York Knicks in Indianapolis on Tuesday night 130-121 in game 4, the Pacers take a 3-1 series lead.

#2 Micahel when you take a look at this game the Knicks were almost watching the Pacers just wiz by them. The Pacers displayed speed, were agile and the Knicks had all sorts of trouble trying to defend Tyrese Haliburton who led with 32 points.

#3 The two teams match up again Thu May 29th for game five at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks have their backs to the wall and have the home floor advantage. The Pacers have the upper hand and can put this away with a win in game 5. How do you see these two teams stacking up?

#4 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did the job against for the Oklahoma City Thunder leading with 34 points to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-94 on Wednesday night to take the Western Conference finals 4-1 and move onto the NBA Finals. The Thunder are making their first appearance there since 2012.

#5 OKC also had help from Chet Holmgren who scored 22 points, seven rebounds, and had three blocks. Jalen Williams scored 19 points and had eight rebounds.

Michael Roberson is an NBA analyst and does the NBA Playoffs podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com