NBA NEWS

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA RETURNS IN BIG WAY, SPURS TAKE SERIES LEAD ON WOLVES

Victor Wembanyama scored 27 points — 18 in a rousing first quarter — and grabbed 17 rebounds to lead the host San Antonio Spurs past the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-97 on Tuesday night to take a 3-2 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series.

game 6 in the best-of-seven series is Friday in Minneapolis while Game 7 (if necessary) would be back in the Alamo City on Sunday.

Wembanyama returned to action after being ejected in the second quarter of an eventual 114-109 loss to the host Timberwolves in Game 4 on Sunday. He connected on an elbow to the face of Naz Reid and was ejected after officials reviewed the incident on replay to a flagrant 2 foul, which is an automatic ejection.

“Very, very much,” Wembanyama said when asked how anxious he was to return to the court for Game 5. “I mean, I was fresh, feeling good. But honestly, it’s hard to tell if it’s just, it’s just, it was just getting fired up. Obviously, I’m going to be excited with butterflies, you know. So excitement is not something abnormal.”

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The Spurs led by as many as 18 in the second quarter before going cold late and settling for a 12-point advantage at halftime. After Minnesota rallied to tie the game at 61-all four minutes into the third quarter, San Antonio ran off 30 of the final 42 points of the period to carry a 91-73 lead into the final 12 minutes.

“We went away from what was working, and then, you know, defense just cratered,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “In the last six minutes of the third quarter, lot of it was just ball contain stuff. And, you know, offensively found stuff that was working, then we just started breaking off plays, you know. And that’s my job. I gotta get us back on track. That’s on me.”

The Spurs stoked the margin to 20 early in the fourth. Minnesota answered with an 8-0 surge to pull within 93-81 with 9:34 remaining but never got closer than 11 the rest of the way.

Keldon Johnson added 21 points off the bench for San Antonio, with De’Aaron Fox scoring 18, Stephon Castle hitting for 17 and Devin Vassell and Dylan Harper tallying 12 points each. Harper also grabbed 10 rebounds.

“We played with the appropriate fear, discipline, execution, physicality, poise,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “And I thought we had it from an array of people tonight, and it was really good to see. We needed everybody, because at different moments of the game, different guys stepped up.”

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 20 points. Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle had 17 points apiece, Ayo Dosunmu racked up 16 and Reid finished with 12.

Wembanyama was on fire in the game’s early moments, scoring 16 of the Spurs’ first 24 points as San Antonio built a 24-9 lead at the 6:17 mark of the first period. The Timberwolves weathered the storm, with Reid’s driving layup with 23 seconds remaining trimming the deficit to 34-30 after 12 minutes of play.

“We knew it was going to be physical, so just making that a point of emphasis and trying to keep them off the offensive glass,” Castle said. “I thought we started the game off well, and that’s where our runs came from. But obviously, they’re a good team, you know, they’re going to go on their own run.”

The Spurs ripped off the first nine points of the second quarter, capped by a three-point play by Castle, to stoke their advantage to 43-30.

San Antonio built its margin to 58-40 after a Wembanyama alley-oop dunk with 3:24 left in the period but then missed its final eight shots of the quarter, allowing Minnesota to pull to within 59-47 at the break.

Wembanyama had a double-double in the first half alone, scoring 21 points and collecting 11 boards. Fox contributed 12 points for San Antonio before halftime.

“I think one thing, the one word I’d like to use, just ‘mature,’” Mitch Johnson said of Wembanyama. “There’s a lot that’s happened in the last 48 hours, in the last game, and I think how that young man came out tonight and played in a variety of ways, in a variety of situations, not just in terms of his production, was extremely mature and then defensively, start to finish.”

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Dosunmu’s nine points paced the Timberwolves’ offense in the first half while Reid and Edwards added eight points each.

Minnesota continued its charge at the start of the third quarter, tying the game at 61-61 at the 7:51 mark when Dosunmu’s layup culminated a 14-2 run.

“I don’t see nobody in our locker room that (is) worried at the end of the day,” Edwards said. “Man, it’s another basketball game. So you come out, put your boots on and get ready to go to work.”

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REPORT: NBA TAKING NO ACTION AFTER BUCKS, GIANNIS INVESTIGATION

The NBA will not be taking any action after concluding its investigation into Giannis Antetokounmpo being shut down for the final month of the season, according to a report by ESPN on Tuesday.

The two-time MVP hyperextended his left knee on March 15 against the Indiana Pacers and did not play in the final 15 games of the season for the Bucks, who missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

However, the team and its star player had differing stories on his health and desire to return by the time the team had been eliminated from contention in late March.

Antetokounmpo told reporters in early April that he was healthy but being held out by the team.

“I’m available to play, but I’m not in the game,” Antetokounmpo said on April 3. “I’m available to play today. Right now. I’m available.

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“For somebody to come and tell me to not play or not to compete, it’s like a slap in my face. So I don’t know where the relationship goes from there.”

Per the report, the Bucks told investigators that they didn’t believe Antetokounmpo actually wanted to return, citing his refusal to participate in 3-on-3 scrimmage work at practice to show his recovery progress.

Antetokounmpo also denied this claim in his exit interview with media members.

“From my understanding, coming back to play, which I don’t think I ever had any return-to-play protocol, but to my understanding was I had to play 3-on-3 to be able to be available to play,” Antetokounmpo said. “I did that multiple times. I’ve never in my life denied participation of practice.”

ESPN reported Monday that the Bucks are once again exploring a pre-draft trade for Antetokounmpo, 31. Milwaukee also explored this option before the trade deadline before electing to hold onto its star player until at least the summer window.

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Antetokounmpo has one year left on his deal before a player option for the 2027-28 season.

The 10-time All-Star and nine-time All-NBA player has averaged 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals over 13 seasons and 895 games (830 starts) with the Bucks, leading them to the franchise’s first NBA title in 50 years in 2021.

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DARYL MOREY OUT AS 76ERS’ HEAD OF BASKETBALL OPS AFTER 6 SEASONS

The Philadelphia 76ers are parting ways with president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, they announced Tuesday.

Former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers, now the president of sports for the Sixers’ parent company, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, will lead the search for a new leader of basketball operations for team owner Josh Harris. Myers will also lead the department in the interim.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Daryl personally and professionally, and I’m grateful for his contributions over the last six seasons,” Harris said in a statement. “After speaking with Daryl, we determined that it was time for a fresh start. Bob Myers will lead the process of identifying a new leader and I believe his experience in constructing four NBA championship teams will be a valuable resource to our organization.

“To our fans, your frustration and disappointment are understandable and warranted. We have fallen well short of our own expectations and failed to deliver in the way this city deserves. That bothers me deeply and I have confidence in Bob to establish a path forward for our franchise.”

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Morey, 53, joined the 76ers in 2020 following 13 years as the general manager of the Houston Rockets.

His boldest move while leading the Sixers was to acquire James Harden in a deal that sent Ben Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets in 2022, at a time when Simmons was holding out and Harden was unhappy in Brooklyn.

Simmons’ career fizzled out after brief stays with the Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers, but Harden only spent 1 1/2 seasons in Philadelphia before requesting a trade and being dealt to the Clippers. During an appearance in China before the trade, Harden declared that “Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.”

Harden had spent eight-plus seasons in Houston overlapping with Morey’s Rockets tenure.

As for the Sixers now, they have failed to advance past the Eastern Conference semifinals since 2001. After missing the playoffs in 2024-25 amid injuries to Joel Embiid and other key players, they rebounded to go 45-37 this past season, earning the seventh seed in the East. They upset the Boston Celtics in a seven-game first-round series before the New York Knicks swept them out of the semis.

ESPN reported that Nick Nurse will be retained for a fourth season as Philadelphia’s head coach. His teams have gone 116-130 in his first three seasons on the job.

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GRIZZLIES F BRANDON CLARKE DIES AT 29

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died at the age of 29.

Clarke’s death was announced Tuesday by the Grizzlies and his representation, Priority Sports.

NBC Los Angeles reported that his death is being investigated as a possible overdose. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a 911 call of a medical emergency shortly after 5 p.m. on Monday and paramedics declared Clarke dead after they arrived, per the report.

“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke,” the Grizzlies said in a statement. “Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten. We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Clarke played in just six games during the 2023-24 season due to a torn Achilles and suited up for just two this campaign. He was out at the start of this season due to a right knee injury. He returned in mid-December and injured his right calf in his second game.

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The Grizzlies ruled Clarke out for the rest of the season on March 24.

“We are all beyond devastated by the passing of Brandon Clarke,” Priority Sports said in a statement. “He was so loved by all of us here, and everyone whose life he touched. He was the gentlest soul who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family. Our hearts are so broken as we think about his mom, Whitney, his entire family, and all of his friends and teammates. From high school to San Jose State to Gonzaga to the Grizzlies, Brandon impacted everyone who was part of his life.

“Everyone loved BC because he was always there as the most supportive friends you could ever imagine. He was so unique in the joy he brought to all of those in his life. It’s just impossible to put into words how much he’ll be missed.”

On April 1, Clarke was arrested on four charges, including possession of and trafficking a controlled substance. He also was charged with two driving offenses — improper passing and fleeing in a vehicle or conveyance with speeding.

Clarke had career averages of 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds in 309 games (50 starts) since he was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He was traded to the Grizzlies shortly afterward.

“We are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “As one of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Brandon’s family, friends and the Grizzlies organization.”

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