NBA

Curry hits 39 as Warriors shocked by depleted Pacers, table-topping Suns down Mavs

By Sports Desk January 21, 2022

Stephen Curry scored 39 points but it was not enough as the Golden State Warriors were shocked by a depleted Indiana Pacers 121-117 in over-time on Thursday.

The Pacers were without Domantas Sabonis (ankle), Caris LeVert (calf) and Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles) yet found a way to win led by Chris Duarte with 27 points and seven rebounds.

Curry hit six three-pointers in his 39-point haul with five rebounds and eight assists while Kevin Looney had 13 points and 15 rebounds.

The two-time MVP shot 12 of 27 from the field, while Klay Thompson shot six of 17 from the field and zero of seven from beyond the arc.

The Warriors gave away 21 turnovers for the game which was costly as the Pacers claimed rare back-to-back road wins.

 

Suns clinch fifth straight win

The table-topping Phoenix Suns stormed home with a 35-19 fourth quarter to knock off Luka Doncic's Dallas Mavericks 109-101.

Devin Booker finished with 28 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, while Chris Paul had 20 points and 11 assists. The Suns enjoyed a 22-6 run to finish the game, with Paul underlining their clutch status with a late three-pointer.

Phoenix improve to 35-9 on the back of a five-game winning run. Doncic, who nursed a minor neck issue, had 28 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Mavs.

 

Knicks clipped by Pelicans

Julius Randle shot one-of-nine from the field as the New York Knicks were humbled 102-91 by the New Orleans Pelicans. Randle only managed four points, while Kemba Walker also struggled with only five points.

Related items

  • 'Not a good sign' – Keane unimpressed by Man Utd's injured absentees 'Not a good sign' – Keane unimpressed by Man Utd's injured absentees

    Roy Keane was left questioning the attitudes of Manchester United's players as the Red Devils were once again without numerous key players for Sunday's loss to Arsenal.

    Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez were among the notable names to miss out for the 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford, as Erik ten Hag bemoaned continued injury issues.

    Martinez and Harry Maguire's absence ensured Ten Hag had to field Jonny Evans and makeshift centre-back partner Casemiro in defence, with the latter at fault for Leandro Trossard's winning goal.

    Wayne Rooney vocalised his concerns over the application of United's players and Keane, speaking on Sky Sports, echoed his thoughts as he questioned the prolonged absence of some.

    "Obviously, that's not a good sign," Keane said of players not returning from injury. "You'd hope players who are carrying injuries are desperate to get back playing again.

    "There is always a worry, there are always players at every club that can drag their heels with an injury.

    "Generally, players I played with when they were given a period they'd be injured for, they were always trying to knock a week off it and get back playing for Manchester United or whatever club they're at."

    Without a host of key players, United have conceded in 10 successive games in all competitions for the first time since October 2021.

    The Red Devils' 82 goals they have conceded this season is their most since 1970-71 (also 82), too, as United continue to disappoint in the 2023-23 campaign.

    United have also lost 19 games in all competitions this season, their most since 1977-78 (also 19), while their nine defeats at Old Trafford this term are their joint-most at home in a single campaign.

    Keane says the concerns over players not racing back to fitness is not unusual, though it does little to aid Ten Hag's plight.

    "It's always a worry but I have to say, it goes on at lots of football clubs," the United great said. 

    "There are lots of players out there when they have an injury, they're not in the hurry to get back in the team. I think that's obvious and happens at lots of football clubs."

  • 'I don't stop' – Simeone focused after bringing up 400 Atletico wins with Celta triumph 'I don't stop' – Simeone focused after bringing up 400 Atletico wins with Celta triumph

    Diego Simeone is refusing to relent in his pursuit with Atletico Madrid after bringing up 400 wins during his managerial tenure at the club.

    Atletico needed a late stunner from Rodrigo De Paul to edge past Celta Vigo on Sunday, keeping them on course for Champions League qualification.

    Simeone's side would secure a top-four spot in LaLiga if they beat Getafe on Wednesday.

    That remains Simeone's firm focus, rather than celebrating personal achievements.

    The Atletico boss told reporters: "I don't stop. I know what I want, I know what I'm looking for, I know where the path is.

    "I will continue pushing until the last day I am here.

    "We will continue game by game until the end, and then we will analyse well what needs to be assessed."

    Though not accepting any personal praise, Simeone lauded the support of Atletico's fans after another positive season in the Spanish capital.

    "The unconditional support we have with our people," he added. "What is happening this season, our strength at home that is repeated and repeated, and repeated…

    "It is not only because of what we can give. There is a passion that is extraordinary, unbeatable in that sense.

    "It makes us play with a plus. It exists, it is seen, I hope we can continue repeating it for a long time"

  • Hawks win NBA Draft lottery for first time despite three per cent odds Hawks win NBA Draft lottery for first time despite three per cent odds

    The Atlanta Hawks surprisingly won the NBA Draft lottery for the first time Sunday, giving the franchise the top overall selection for the first time in 49 years.

    Atlanta had just a three per cent chance to win the lottery after going 36-46 this season and finishing in 10th place in the Eastern Conference.

    The Hawks’ campaign ended with a 131-116 road loss to the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Play-In Tournament on April 17.

    “It’s a significant part of any team building strategies, so this is exciting,” Atlanta general manager Landry Field said Sunday.

    Atlanta had never won the Draft lottery and will be picking first for the first time since selecting David Thompson in 1975.

    Thompson, however, went on to sign with the Denver Nuggets when they were part of the American Basketball Association.

    “It’s been a while,” Fields said. “That turned out a little differently than hopefully what we’ll be expecting here for the future.

    “But excited about this (draft) class, excited about continuing to build what we got going in Atlanta.”

    The Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards each had the best odds to win the lottery at 14 per cent, followed by the Charlotte Hornets (13.3), Portland Trial Blazers (13.2) and San Antonio Spurs (10.5).

    Washington will instead pick at No. 2 followed by Houston, San Antonio and Detroit.

    The Spurs selected NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 overall pick last June.

    This year’s draft will be held June 26-27 in Brooklyn.

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.