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Deadspin | Torrid Clippers take on suddenly surging Sixers

Deadspin | Torrid Clippers take on suddenly surging Sixers

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Feb 1, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) against Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

After another top defensive performance, the Los Angeles Clippers return home Monday to face the Philadelphia 76ers at Inglewood, Calif., as their NBA-best run of success is now over a month old.

The Clippers improved to 17-4 since Dec. 20 with a 117-93 victory on Sunday over the host Phoenix Suns that came without the services of veteran James Harden, who was out on the first day of a back-to-back for personal reasons.

Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points for Los Angeles and had plenty of help from Jordan Miller, who scored 20 points off the bench, while center Ivica Zubac had 20 rebounds with 14 points. It was Zubac’s first 20-rebound game of the campaign after hitting that mark five times last seasons.

Los Angeles is ninth in the Western Conference standings, one game ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers. The Clippers sit three games behind the Golden State Warriors for eighth place.

Leonard’s play has led the Clippers’ resurgence, while team defense has made a major impact. Los Angeles has held opponents under 100 points six times during their current run of success.

“Playing together, trusting, believing, and just playing for one another,” Los Angeles head coach Tyronn Lue said about the recent stretch. “James (Harden) was out tonight and he is one of our big dogs, but other guys stepped up in his absence.

“… Once we hit that rough start at 6-21, once we challenged the guys, they’ve really taken off and they’ve really been good.”

The Clippers are 10-1 at home since their turnaround began, including five consecutive victories.

The 76ers arrive in the Los Angeles area on a three-game winning streak after a 124-114 home victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. Joel Embiid scored a season-high 40 points for Philadelphia with 11 rebounds.

Embiid was 13 of 27 from the floor (48.1%) and matched a season high with three 3-pointers on five attempts. Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 19 points with 10 rebounds and All-Star Game starter Tyrese Maxey had 18 points with eight assists.

The win streak has come after the Sixers lost five of seven games going back to Jan. 14.

Embiid has averaged 26.2 points in 28 games and has at least 29 points in seven consecutive games but was not selected an All-Star reserve on Sunday. Leonard was not named, either, even as he has averaged 27.7 points in 34 games for the Clippers. Both have delivered despite histories of chronic knee issues.

Leonard could be a candidate to replace Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf injury).

“Keep pushing,” Embiid said. “It was supposed to be basically a tryout for next year and moving forward. How are we going to do this? I would say I think we figured out the schedule and what we have to do every single day to make sure that I’m prepared and I feel good.”

Sunday’s game was expected to be the return of Philadelphia’s Paul George against one of his former teams, but that was derailed by George’s 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. His suspension was handed down before Saturday’s game.

Without their sharpshooter in George, the Sixers still went 17 of 36 (47.2%) from 3-point range Saturday against New Orleans, tied for their second-best accuracy mark from distance this season.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Spurs stare down 1-0 deficit, confident Timberwolves in Game 2 Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) shoots in front of San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) in the second half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images Playoff experience is lived and learned, a concept the Spurs are tired of hearing about. San Antonio is reaching for the mute button entering Game 2 of the best-of-seven Western Conference playoff semifinal series with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who landed the first punch to take a 1-0 lead on the Spurs’ home floor Monday. “It’s on me,” Spurs MVP candidate Victor Wembanyama said after a dominant defensive performance in the 104-102 loss. Minnesota won despite shooting 12 of 21 from the free-throw line because of a lackluster shooting night from the Spurs. Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox, the top two scorers for San Antonio during the regular season, combined for 21 points on 10-of-31 shooting. The pair missed all 12 of their 3-point attempts; Wembanyama was 0-for-8. He had 15 rebounds and an NBA playoff single-game record 12 blocked shots but walked off the floor in disbelief as the Spurs lost at home for the second time in six games this postseason. “I used too much energy (on defense) and things that didn’t really help our team,” he said. “So that’s on me. But first thing I have to start making some shots.” Wembanyama played only 11 minutes, 41 seconds in the other playoff defeat at home — 106-103 to Portland in Game 2 of their first-round series — because of a concussion. He wasn’t hurt Monday night, but the Timberwolves did enough to get San Antonio out of a comfort zone. Both teams played plenty of three-quarter court pressure defense and challenged the ball with tight defense for 48 minutes. Minnesota’s playoff legs held up. “We know it’s going to be a hard fought series,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said. “That team has success in the playoffs in recent history. They just go through a hard-fought series. They obviously showed the mettle that they have. It’s going to be a fight.” Anthony Edwards might not be fully healthy for Minnesota. He was a surprise game-time decision and scored 18 points off the bench in Game 1. Edwards is dealing with a knee injury and the Timberwolves were without Ayo Donsumu (calf). Donsumu had games of 25 and 43 points in Minnesota wins over Denver the first round. The Spurs are shooting for a postseason run for the first time since 2019. As the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, San Antonio entered Game 1 and the series as the prevailing favorite. Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch told his team to continue being the aggressors on the day off Tuesday, when he shared the opinion that the team’s film breakdown of Game 1 told a little bit different story about Wembanyama’s big night. “Historic night. But when we looked at (Wembanyama’s 12 blocks), at least four of them were goaltending,” Finch said. “To me, it’s a little alarming that none of them were called. Here’s a generational shot blocker — 7-foot-6, goes after everything — and there’s no heightened awareness that these blocks could be goaltends? The third possession of the game is a goaltend. A clear, obvious one. So let’s just say there were four (violations), that’s eight points. You know the value of eight points in an NBA game? It’s massive.” Finch credited his guards, in particular, for getting downhill and not shying away from the swat threat. That plan is unchanged ahead of Game 2 on Wednesday before the series shifts to Minneapolis for Games 3 and 4. “He gonna have to block it every time, I ain’t gonna stop going downhill. I told him that when he said a little something,” Terrence Shannon Jr. said. “He gonna have to block it every time, man. I know he ain’t gonna block it every single time. I’m gonna dunk on him.” Shannon and Julius Randle, who scored 21 points with 10 rebounds, proved to be difficult one-on-one matchups for the Spurs. “Just was kind of just reading the game,” Randle said of Monday’s win. “What’s going on, what’s working at certain points of the game, just just trying to be like, aware, present, reading what’s going on the game earlier.” San Antonio had the ball, down two, with seven seconds left. Julian Champagnie’s 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded bounced off the front of the rim, allowing Minnesota to steal home court advantage. “Felt like there were times we got a little in between, whether that was to shoot or not to drive or not to pass or not,” Johnson said. “Just in general, we were indecisive, and that hurt us. In the first half, we picked up the pace a little bit there. In the second half, we missed some good shots.” Rookie Dylan Harper led the Spurs with 18 points off the bench, with many of his minutes coming with starting point guard Stephon Castle on the sidelines in foul trouble. Castle fouled out with 3:20 to play, marking the second straight game he’s been on the bench for the closing minutes. “In a game like this, our goal is only to be better moving forward,” Harper said. “Every little thing matters. It’s a series (not just) one game. I mean, we’re gonna bounce back. We’re not gonna let this one dwell with us. Just gotta just tweak some things and limit, limit the mistakes.” Minnesota has now won three of the four games played between the teams this season. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Spurs #stare #deficit #confident #Timberwolves #GameMinnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) shoots in front of San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) in the second half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Playoff experience is lived and learned, a concept the Spurs are tired of hearing about.

San Antonio is reaching for the mute button entering Game 2 of the best-of-seven Western Conference playoff semifinal series with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who landed the first punch to take a 1-0 lead on the Spurs’ home floor Monday.

“It’s on me,” Spurs MVP candidate Victor Wembanyama said after a dominant defensive performance in the 104-102 loss.

Minnesota won despite shooting 12 of 21 from the free-throw line because of a lackluster shooting night from the Spurs. Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox, the top two scorers for San Antonio during the regular season, combined for 21 points on 10-of-31 shooting. The pair missed all 12 of their 3-point attempts; Wembanyama was 0-for-8. He had 15 rebounds and an NBA playoff single-game record 12 blocked shots but walked off the floor in disbelief as the Spurs lost at home for the second time in six games this postseason.

“I used too much energy (on defense) and things that didn’t really help our team,” he said. “So that’s on me. But first thing I have to start making some shots.”

Wembanyama played only 11 minutes, 41 seconds in the other playoff defeat at home — 106-103 to Portland in Game 2 of their first-round series — because of a concussion.

He wasn’t hurt Monday night, but the Timberwolves did enough to get San Antonio out of a comfort zone. Both teams played plenty of three-quarter court pressure defense and challenged the ball with tight defense for 48 minutes.

Minnesota’s playoff legs held up.

“We know it’s going to be a hard fought series,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said. “That team has success in the playoffs in recent history. They just go through a hard-fought series. They obviously showed the mettle that they have. It’s going to be a fight.”

Anthony Edwards might not be fully healthy for Minnesota. He was a surprise game-time decision and scored 18 points off the bench in Game 1. Edwards is dealing with a knee injury and the Timberwolves were without Ayo Donsumu (calf). Donsumu had games of 25 and 43 points in Minnesota wins over Denver the first round.

The Spurs are shooting for a postseason run for the first time since 2019. As the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, San Antonio entered Game 1 and the series as the prevailing favorite.


Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch told his team to continue being the aggressors on the day off Tuesday, when he shared the opinion that the team’s film breakdown of Game 1 told a little bit different story about Wembanyama’s big night.

“Historic night. But when we looked at (Wembanyama’s 12 blocks), at least four of them were goaltending,” Finch said. “To me, it’s a little alarming that none of them were called. Here’s a generational shot blocker — 7-foot-6, goes after everything — and there’s no heightened awareness that these blocks could be goaltends? The third possession of the game is a goaltend. A clear, obvious one. So let’s just say there were four (violations), that’s eight points. You know the value of eight points in an NBA game? It’s massive.”

Finch credited his guards, in particular, for getting downhill and not shying away from the swat threat. That plan is unchanged ahead of Game 2 on Wednesday before the series shifts to Minneapolis for Games 3 and 4.

“He gonna have to block it every time, I ain’t gonna stop going downhill. I told him that when he said a little something,” Terrence Shannon Jr. said. “He gonna have to block it every time, man. I know he ain’t gonna block it every single time. I’m gonna dunk on him.”

Shannon and Julius Randle, who scored 21 points with 10 rebounds, proved to be difficult one-on-one matchups for the Spurs.

“Just was kind of just reading the game,” Randle said of Monday’s win. “What’s going on, what’s working at certain points of the game, just just trying to be like, aware, present, reading what’s going on the game earlier.”

San Antonio had the ball, down two, with seven seconds left. Julian Champagnie’s 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded bounced off the front of the rim, allowing Minnesota to steal home court advantage.

“Felt like there were times we got a little in between, whether that was to shoot or not to drive or not to pass or not,” Johnson said. “Just in general, we were indecisive, and that hurt us. In the first half, we picked up the pace a little bit there. In the second half, we missed some good shots.”

Rookie Dylan Harper led the Spurs with 18 points off the bench, with many of his minutes coming with starting point guard Stephon Castle on the sidelines in foul trouble. Castle fouled out with 3:20 to play, marking the second straight game he’s been on the bench for the closing minutes.

“In a game like this, our goal is only to be better moving forward,” Harper said. “Every little thing matters. It’s a series (not just) one game. I mean, we’re gonna bounce back. We’re not gonna let this one dwell with us. Just gotta just tweak some things and limit, limit the mistakes.”

Minnesota has now won three of the four games played between the teams this season.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Spurs #stare #deficit #confident #Timberwolves #Game">Deadspin | Spurs stare down 1-0 deficit, confident Timberwolves in Game 2 Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) shoots in front of San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) in the second half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images Playoff experience is lived and learned, a concept the Spurs are tired of hearing about. San Antonio is reaching for the mute button entering Game 2 of the best-of-seven Western Conference playoff semifinal series with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who landed the first punch to take a 1-0 lead on the Spurs’ home floor Monday. “It’s on me,” Spurs MVP candidate Victor Wembanyama said after a dominant defensive performance in the 104-102 loss. Minnesota won despite shooting 12 of 21 from the free-throw line because of a lackluster shooting night from the Spurs. Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox, the top two scorers for San Antonio during the regular season, combined for 21 points on 10-of-31 shooting. The pair missed all 12 of their 3-point attempts; Wembanyama was 0-for-8. He had 15 rebounds and an NBA playoff single-game record 12 blocked shots but walked off the floor in disbelief as the Spurs lost at home for the second time in six games this postseason. “I used too much energy (on defense) and things that didn’t really help our team,” he said. “So that’s on me. But first thing I have to start making some shots.” Wembanyama played only 11 minutes, 41 seconds in the other playoff defeat at home — 106-103 to Portland in Game 2 of their first-round series — because of a concussion. He wasn’t hurt Monday night, but the Timberwolves did enough to get San Antonio out of a comfort zone. Both teams played plenty of three-quarter court pressure defense and challenged the ball with tight defense for 48 minutes. Minnesota’s playoff legs held up. “We know it’s going to be a hard fought series,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said. “That team has success in the playoffs in recent history. They just go through a hard-fought series. They obviously showed the mettle that they have. It’s going to be a fight.” Anthony Edwards might not be fully healthy for Minnesota. He was a surprise game-time decision and scored 18 points off the bench in Game 1. Edwards is dealing with a knee injury and the Timberwolves were without Ayo Donsumu (calf). Donsumu had games of 25 and 43 points in Minnesota wins over Denver the first round. The Spurs are shooting for a postseason run for the first time since 2019. As the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, San Antonio entered Game 1 and the series as the prevailing favorite. Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch told his team to continue being the aggressors on the day off Tuesday, when he shared the opinion that the team’s film breakdown of Game 1 told a little bit different story about Wembanyama’s big night. “Historic night. But when we looked at (Wembanyama’s 12 blocks), at least four of them were goaltending,” Finch said. “To me, it’s a little alarming that none of them were called. Here’s a generational shot blocker — 7-foot-6, goes after everything — and there’s no heightened awareness that these blocks could be goaltends? The third possession of the game is a goaltend. A clear, obvious one. So let’s just say there were four (violations), that’s eight points. You know the value of eight points in an NBA game? It’s massive.” Finch credited his guards, in particular, for getting downhill and not shying away from the swat threat. That plan is unchanged ahead of Game 2 on Wednesday before the series shifts to Minneapolis for Games 3 and 4. “He gonna have to block it every time, I ain’t gonna stop going downhill. I told him that when he said a little something,” Terrence Shannon Jr. said. “He gonna have to block it every time, man. I know he ain’t gonna block it every single time. I’m gonna dunk on him.” Shannon and Julius Randle, who scored 21 points with 10 rebounds, proved to be difficult one-on-one matchups for the Spurs. “Just was kind of just reading the game,” Randle said of Monday’s win. “What’s going on, what’s working at certain points of the game, just just trying to be like, aware, present, reading what’s going on the game earlier.” San Antonio had the ball, down two, with seven seconds left. Julian Champagnie’s 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded bounced off the front of the rim, allowing Minnesota to steal home court advantage. “Felt like there were times we got a little in between, whether that was to shoot or not to drive or not to pass or not,” Johnson said. “Just in general, we were indecisive, and that hurt us. In the first half, we picked up the pace a little bit there. In the second half, we missed some good shots.” Rookie Dylan Harper led the Spurs with 18 points off the bench, with many of his minutes coming with starting point guard Stephon Castle on the sidelines in foul trouble. Castle fouled out with 3:20 to play, marking the second straight game he’s been on the bench for the closing minutes. “In a game like this, our goal is only to be better moving forward,” Harper said. “Every little thing matters. It’s a series (not just) one game. I mean, we’re gonna bounce back. We’re not gonna let this one dwell with us. Just gotta just tweak some things and limit, limit the mistakes.” Minnesota has now won three of the four games played between the teams this season. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Spurs #stare #deficit #confident #Timberwolves #Game

As noted by our friends at Big Blue View, Reader visited the Giants during the start of NFL free agency, and ahead of the deal between New York and Cincinnati. But with Lawrence on his way to the Bengals, adding more talent to their defensive line became a bigger priority for the Giants’ front office.

Last year with the Lions, Reader started all 17 games and played 583 defensive snaps, recording 28 total tackles.

This trio will join a defensive front that has some talent on the edges, including last year’s first-round pick Abdul Carter, NFL veteran Brian Burns, 2022 first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux, and the aforementioned Reese.

While New York could not find one player to replace Lawrence on the inside, perhaps these three will.

#Giants #Dexter #Lawrence #replacement #pass #rush">The Giants found another Dexter Lawrence replacement to help the pass rush When the New York Giants swung a stunning pre-draft trade with the Cincinnati Bengals, they acquired the No. 10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, giving the team two picks inside the top ten.The team also created a hole along the interior of its defensive line, in the form of now-departed defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.While New York put those two picks to good use, drafting Ohio State’s Arvell Reese at No. 10 and Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa at No. 10, they have spent some of the time since the 2026 NFL Draft shoring up that defensive line in the wake of Lawrence’s departure. And New York made yet another addition to that group on Tuesday, and it was a big one at that.The first two additions came on April 30, days after the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft. The first acquisition was veteran Shelby Harris, signed to a one-year deal worth up to million. Harris most recently played for the Cleveland Browns, but began his career with the Las Vegas Raiders. Over his career, Harris has played in 146 NFL games — with 89 starts — and recorded 358 total tackles, 58 tackles for a loss, and 28.5 sacks.Later on that day, the Giants signed another veteran, Leki Fotu. Fotu was a fourth-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2020 NFL Draft, and over his career has played in 66 NFL games with 26 starts. Fotu has recorded 103 tackles — 46 of those solo — along with 15 tackles for a loss.But the biggest move came on Tuesday, when the Giants added D.J. Reader to their defensive line. New York signed Reader to a two-year deal worth up to .5 million given the “reachable incentives” contained within the contract.As noted by our friends at Big Blue View, Reader visited the Giants during the start of NFL free agency, and ahead of the deal between New York and Cincinnati. But with Lawrence on his way to the Bengals, adding more talent to their defensive line became a bigger priority for the Giants’ front office.Last year with the Lions, Reader started all 17 games and played 583 defensive snaps, recording 28 total tackles.This trio will join a defensive front that has some talent on the edges, including last year’s first-round pick Abdul Carter, NFL veteran Brian Burns, 2022 first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux, and the aforementioned Reese.While New York could not find one player to replace Lawrence on the inside, perhaps these three will. #Giants #Dexter #Lawrence #replacement #pass #rush

As noted by our friends at Big Blue View, Reader visited the Giants during the start of NFL free agency, and ahead of the deal between New York and Cincinnati. But with Lawrence on his way to the Bengals, adding more talent to their defensive line became a bigger priority for the Giants’ front office.

Last year with the Lions, Reader started all 17 games and played 583 defensive snaps, recording 28 total tackles.

This trio will join a defensive front that has some talent on the edges, including last year’s first-round pick Abdul Carter, NFL veteran Brian Burns, 2022 first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux, and the aforementioned Reese.

While New York could not find one player to replace Lawrence on the inside, perhaps these three will.

#Giants #Dexter #Lawrence #replacement #pass #rush">The Giants found another Dexter Lawrence replacement to help the pass rush

When the New York Giants swung a stunning pre-draft trade with the Cincinnati Bengals, they acquired the No. 10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, giving the team two picks inside the top ten.

The team also created a hole along the interior of its defensive line, in the form of now-departed defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

While New York put those two picks to good use, drafting Ohio State’s Arvell Reese at No. 10 and Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa at No. 10, they have spent some of the time since the 2026 NFL Draft shoring up that defensive line in the wake of Lawrence’s departure. And New York made yet another addition to that group on Tuesday, and it was a big one at that.

The first two additions came on April 30, days after the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft. The first acquisition was veteran Shelby Harris, signed to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million. Harris most recently played for the Cleveland Browns, but began his career with the Las Vegas Raiders. Over his career, Harris has played in 146 NFL games — with 89 starts — and recorded 358 total tackles, 58 tackles for a loss, and 28.5 sacks.

Later on that day, the Giants signed another veteran, Leki Fotu. Fotu was a fourth-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2020 NFL Draft, and over his career has played in 66 NFL games with 26 starts. Fotu has recorded 103 tackles — 46 of those solo — along with 15 tackles for a loss.

But the biggest move came on Tuesday, when the Giants added D.J. Reader to their defensive line. New York signed Reader to a two-year deal worth up to $15.5 million given the “reachable incentives” contained within the contract.

As noted by our friends at Big Blue View, Reader visited the Giants during the start of NFL free agency, and ahead of the deal between New York and Cincinnati. But with Lawrence on his way to the Bengals, adding more talent to their defensive line became a bigger priority for the Giants’ front office.

Last year with the Lions, Reader started all 17 games and played 583 defensive snaps, recording 28 total tackles.

This trio will join a defensive front that has some talent on the edges, including last year’s first-round pick Abdul Carter, NFL veteran Brian Burns, 2022 first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux, and the aforementioned Reese.

While New York could not find one player to replace Lawrence on the inside, perhaps these three will.

#Giants #Dexter #Lawrence #replacement #pass #rush

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