Daily Discussion Thread + Game Thread Index

# Game Threads Index (March 29, 2025):

|Tip-off|GDT|Away|Score|Home|PGT|
|:--|:--:|:--|:-:|:--|:--:|
|05:00 pm ET||Sacramento Kings|PRE-GAME|Orlando Magic||
|07:00 pm ET||Brooklyn Nets|PRE-GAME|Washington Wizards||
|07:30 pm ET||Miami Heat|PRE-GAME|Philadelphia 76ers||
|08:00 pm ET||Dallas Mavericks|PRE-GAME|Chicago Bulls||
|08:00 pm ET||Los Angeles Lakers|PRE-GAME|Memphis Grizzlies||
|08:00 pm ET||Indiana Pacers|PRE-GAME|Oklahoma City Thunder||
|08:00 pm ET||Boston Celtics|PRE-GAME|San Antonio Spurs||

https://redd.it/1jms5wq
@Reddit_NBA

The Athletic What we’re hearing about the Grizzlies’ surprising firing of Taylor Jenkins

by Sam Amick, Fred Katz, and Joe Vardon

>But when it came to Taylor Jenkins and his future in “Grind City,” the writing was on the wall last summer. And it was written in tears.

>In early July, three months after a disastrous, injury-riddled 27-55 season had come to an end, the Grizzlies front office, led by executive vice president of basketball operations Zach Kleiman, made the unilateral choice to swap out five members of Jenkins’ coaching staff.

>While Jenkins consulted with the front-office on the hires for six replacements to his staff, those final interactions between Jenkins and the assistants he was forced to fire, league sources say, would set an uneasy tone for the season to come. As some close to the Grizzlies saw the situation, it was only a matter of time before Jenkins would be gone, too.

>Former assistant Tuomas Iisalo, whom the Grizzlies hired before this season, will take over as interim head coach, the team announced. He and fellow newcomer assistant Nate LaRoche were driving forces behind Memphis implementing a renovated, motion offense this season, which lifted the Grizzlies to sixth in points per possession, an adjustment the front office encouraged. On Friday, Memphis also fired LaRoche, as well as Patrick St. Andrews, another assistant hired before the season, a league source confirmed. In the end, it’s clear Jenkins’ diminished organizational support coupled with the Grizzlies’ decline over the past two months did him in.

>In large part because of its first-year assistants, Memphis has revamped an offense that formerly struggled in the halfcourt. Once reliant on pick-and-rolls, it now leans on clever cutting and off-ball movement. The Grizzlies set fewer screens than any other NBA team. This philosophical shift was a point of contention as this season progressed.

>League sources say Morant, in particular, was upset that last summer the team let go of one assistant with whom he was particularly close, Ahearn, who worked with the two-time All-Star more than anyone on staff. This season, Morant worked most commonly with LaRoche, a former trainer with individual players who was in his first season as an NBA assistant and, like Iisalo, played a pivotal part in implementing the new offensive system.

>

>Morant played his entire career for Jenkins and remained supportive of the coach up to the end, a league source said. Morant did not, however, like the new offense. He has played in just 43 games this season, missing this most recent stretch because of a hamstring injury while also dealing with right shoulder soreness. But when he’s been on the court, according to a league source, Morant has complained about the new scheme, which takes the ball out of his hands and removes the screens he likes to use as a ball handler to make plays.

>

>One league source who has seen Morant work out with the Grizzlies recently said, “Some days he looks like he’s ready to play, and some days he looks like he doesn’t want to be there … because he hates the offense.”

>

>Jenkins had begun to reinstall some of the plays Morant likes, a league source said, reimplementing the pick-and-roll and other plays involving screens Morant could use to break free. If doing so angered Kleiman and played a role in Jenkins’ firing, one could understand, but LaRoche was the driving force behind the Grizzlies going away from ball screens to begin with — and he’s gone too.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6239543/2025/03/28/why-did-taylor-jenkins-get-fired-grizzlies/

https://redd.it/1jmorxr
@Reddit_NBA

After a 4 steal performance last night, Nikola Jokic is officially top 3 in the league amongst PPG (3rd), RBG (3rd), APG (2nd), and SPG (2nd)

Steals per game:

1. Dyson Daniel (3.1) (!!)
2. Jokic (1.8)
3. SGA (1.8)
4. Maxey (1.8)
5. Cason Wallace (1.7)

Averaging 29.3/12.8/10.2 with 1.8 SPG and 7 games remaining in the Nuggets season, Jokic has a great chance to finish in the top 5 in every major category excluding BPG. There is also a real shot he finishes in the top 3 in each of these categories, a race worth keeping an eye on. It’s been a truly historic season for Jokic, regardless of any MVP talk. We may never see someone achieve numbers like this again.




https://redd.it/1jmox0v
@Reddit_NBA

[Highlight] After last night’s halfcourt heave from Nikola Jokić, here are the top 5 longest shots of his career

https://redd.it/1jmtmu7
@Reddit_NBA

Austin Rivers on front office job security that comes with tanking/rebuilding: "These guys like rebuilding as long as possible because it's a job security. Because when you got a good team there's a lot more pressure, you gotta figure out how to manage them and pay them,..."
https://streamable.com/4g1l7t

https://redd.it/1jmtd0w
@Reddit_NBA

Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman said the decision to fire coach Taylor Jenkins was made without talking with players.


"The players were not consulted on this decision," Kleiman told reporters on Saturday, a day after the Grizzlies fired Jenkins. "This decision is mine and mine only."

Kleiman spoke during Grizzlies' shootaround ahead of Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers, but he answered questions from reporters for less than three minutes and did not answer the final two questions, responding, "We're focused on this team and this basketball game tonight" to a question about what he's looking for in the next Grizzlies coach.



https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2025/03/29/taylor-jenkins-fired-memphis-grizzlies-zach-kleiman-nba/82710959007/

https://redd.it/1jmqb8r
@Reddit_NBA

Earlier this season, (JJ Redick's) analytics group found 86% of opposing team's players have been available, ranking 1st in the NBA.

Via Mike Trudell (LakersReporter) on X

Screenshot: https://i.imgur.com/VulsfFO.png

JJ Redick was asked about opposing players going against the Lakers, with the expectation that Morant returns tonight. Earlier this season Redick had his analytics group look into it, finding that 86% of opposing team’s players have been available, which was No. 1 in the NBA.

\~30 minutes later, Ja Morant was confirmed to be returning to face the Lakers tonight.

https://redd.it/1jmzf3a
@Reddit_NBA

[GG Jackson] “I was brushing my teeth when my friends called me and said Coach Jenkins got fired — I was like they probably saw NBA Centel or something…”
https://streamable.com/hqfjn9

https://redd.it/1jn0b77
@Reddit_NBA

[Highlight] Luka dishes it to LeBron on the fast break for the dunk
https://streamable.com/v8tz56

https://redd.it/1jn16d5
@Reddit_NBA

The Philadelphia 76ers have been eliminated from championship contention

Source: https://www.espn.com.au/nba/table

With the 76ers loss to the Heat today, they have officially been eliminated from championship contention.

A terribke injury riddled season for the Sixers with Embiid and Maxey missing numerous games, with Maxey also missing a notable amount of time.

They started tanking a little while ago so this season can be salvaged if they keep their first round pick as it’s top 6 protected, but if it goes to OKC then this season is a complete disaster for them.


https://redd.it/1jn22vk
@Reddit_NBA

[Highlight] Jaren Jackson Jr. receives a technical for a flop worthy of an Oscar, upon review. With replays. Full incident.
https://streamable.com/11n3t5

https://redd.it/1jn2koa
@Reddit_NBA

Post Game Thread The Los Angeles Lakers (45-29) defeat the Memphis Grizzlies (44-30), 134-127 behind 85 combined points from Lebron, Luka, and Reaves

||
|:-:|
|(/LAL) 134 - 127 (/MEM)|
|Box Scores: NBA - Yahoo|

||
|:-:|
| |
|GAME SUMMARY|
|Location: FedExForum (18087), Clock: Final|
|Officials: JB DeRosa, Tyler Ford, and Mousa Dagher|

|Team|Q1|Q2|Q3|Q4|Total|
|:---|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|
|Los Angeles Lakers|39|33|30|32|134|
|Memphis Grizzlies|28|33|38|28|127|

||
|:-:|
| |
|TEAM STATS|

|Team|PTS|FG|FG%|3P|3P%|FT|FT%|OREB|TREB|AST|PF|STL|TO|BLK|
|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|
|Los Angeles Lakers|134|45-89|50.6%|19-43|44.2%|25-27|92.6%|8|48|30|21|7|13|3|
|Memphis Grizzlies|127|50-95|52.6%|14-32|43.8%|13-18|72.2%|9|48|33|27|7|12|4|


||
|:-:|
| |
|PLAYER STATS|

||||||||||||||||
|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--|
(/LAL) Los Angeles Lakers|MIN|PTS|FGM-A|3PM-A|FTM-A|ORB|DRB|REB|AST|STL|BLK|TO|PF|±|
|Rui Hachimura^SF|28:28|13|5-8|3-5|0-0|0|3|3|0|0|1|0|1|-3|
|LeBron James^PF|37:27|25|10-21|2-5|3-4|1|5|6|8|3|1|3|3|-1|
|Jaxson Hayes^C|17:06|2|1-1|0-0|0-0|0|5|5|0|0|0|1|4|3|
|Austin Reaves^SG|37:21|31|8-16|5-8|10-10|3|4|7|8|2|1|3|2|-5|
|Luka Dončić^PG|38:22|29|8-18|2-9|11-12|0|8|8|9|1|0|3|3|11|
|Dorian Finney-Smith|34:44|11|4-9|3-7|0-0|0|5|5|1|0|0|1|2|15|
|Gabe Vincent|23:05|15|5-7|4-6|1-1|1|1|2|1|1|0|1|3|9|
|Jordan Goodwin|08:10|0|0-2|0-1|0-0|1|0|1|0|0|0|0|0|4|
|Jarred Vanderbilt|09:52|6|3-5|0-1|0-0|1|3|4|1|0|0|1|2|-1|
|Dalton Knecht|05:23|2|1-2|0-1|0-0|1|0|1|2|0|0|0|1|3|
|Bronny James|00:00|0|0-0|0-0|0-0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|
|Christian Koloko|00:00|0|0-0|0-0|0-0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|
|Alex Len|00:00|0|0-0|0-0|0-0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|
|Shake Milton|00:00|0|0-0|0-0|0-0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|
|Markieff Morris|00:00|0|0-0|0-0|0-0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|
|Trey Jemison III|00:00|0|0-0|0-0|0-0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|
|Maxi Kleber|00:00|0|0-0|0-0|0-0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|
(/MEM) Memphis Grizzlies|MIN|PTS|FGM-A|3PM-A|FTM-A|ORB|DRB|REB|AST|STL|BLK|TO|PF|±|
|Jaylen Wells^SF|23:37|11|3-8|1-3|4-4|1|2|3|3|1|0|0|3|4|
|Jaren Jackson Jr.^PF|28:31|24|8-13|3-4|5-6|0|4|4|1|1|1|1|4|6|
|Zach Edey^C|26:30|14|7-10|0-0|0-2|5|6|11|2|1|3|1|4|1|
|Desmond Bane^SG|32:58|29|12-18|5-8|0-0|1|3|4|6|2|0|0|2|3|
|Ja Morant^PG|31:23|22|9-23|1-5|3-5|1|7|8|10|1|0|4|3|0|
|Scotty Pippen Jr.|18:18|16|6-8|3-4|1-1|0|3|3|5|1|0|1|4|-6|
|Santi Aldama|26:21|8|4-10|0-4|0-0|1|4|5|2|0|0|4|3|-7|
|Lamar Stevens|08:11|0|0-1|0-1|0-0|0|0|0|0|0|0|1|1|-8|
|Luke Kennard|21:20|0|0-0|0-0|0-0|0|0|0|2|0|0|0|1|-9|
|Vince Williams Jr.|17:49|3|1-4|1-3|0-0|0|3|3|2|0|0|0|2|-11|
|Jay Huff|04:59|0|0-0|0-0|0-0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|-8|
|Marvin Bagley III|00:00|0|0-0|0-0|0-0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|
|GG Jackson|00:00|0|0-0|0-0|0-0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|
|John Konchar|00:00|0|0-0|0-0|0-0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|
|Cam Spencer|00:00|0|0-0|0-0|0-0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|
|Brandon Clarke|00:00|0|0-0|0-0|0-0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|
|Yuki Kawamura|00:00|0|0-0|0-0|0-0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|
|Zyon Pullin|00:00|0|0-0|0-0|0-0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|

https://redd.it/1jn2tma
@Reddit_NBA

Reaves, Luka, and LeBron all *each* had at least 25 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 3-pointers made, 1 steal, and 3 turnovers in their win over the Grizzlies

Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401705644

Reaves: 31/7/8/2/1 w/ 3tov on 76 TS%

Luka: 29/8/9/1/0 w/ 3tov on 62 TS%

LeBron: 25/6/8/3/1 w/ 3 tov on 55 TS%

Combined for 85 points, 21 rebounds, 25 assists, with 9 3pm, 6 stls, 2 blks, 9tovs on 64 TS%

https://redd.it/1jn2znh
@Reddit_NBA

35 year old Wilt Chamberlain with 20pts 24reb 10blk vs 24 year old Kareem
https://streamable.com/wocyia

https://redd.it/1jn4px9
@Reddit_NBA

[Highlight] luka after getting shoved into the stands: ''I'm too old for this s*it''
https://streamable.com/790lw6

https://redd.it/1jn5kv1
@Reddit_NBA

SERIOUS NEXT DAY THREAD Post-Game Discussion (March 29, 2025)

Here is a place to have in depth, x's and o's, discussions on yesterday's games. Post-game discussions are linked in the table, keep your memes and reactions there.

Please keep your discussion of a particular game in the respective comment thread. All direct replies to this post will be removed.


|Away|Home|Score|GT|PGT|
|:--|:--|:-:|:-:|:-:|
|(/SAC) Sacramento Kings |(/ORL) Orlando Magic | 91 - 121 | Link | Link |
|(/BKN) Brooklyn Nets |(/WAS) Washington Wizards | 115 - 112 | Link | Link |
|(/MIA) Miami Heat |(/PHI) Philadelphia 76ers | 118 - 95 | Link | No PGT Found |
|(/DAL) Dallas Mavericks |(/CHI) Chicago Bulls | 120 - 119 | Link | Link |
|(/LAL) Los Angeles Lakers |(/MEM) Memphis Grizzlies | 134 - 127 | Link | Link |
|(/IND) Indiana Pacers |(/OKC) Oklahoma City Thunder | 111 - 132 | Link | Link |
|(/BOS) Boston Celtics |(/SAS) San Antonio Spurs | 121 - 111 | Link | Link |

https://redd.it/1jnaw6g
@Reddit_NBA

Andew Bynum is the same age as Stephen Curry

Both are 37. WILD. Feels like Bynum hasn't played in eternity. His last season was in 2014. Had a 10 year career starting in 2004.

Also, Caruso is the same age as Andre Drummond (31) and Torrey Craig is 34 (?????, swear I thought dude was still a kind young feller)

EDIT: also, on May 8th, Jaren Jackson Jr and Toumani Camara will be the same age haha, Camara was drafted in 2023 and JJJ was drafted in 2018

EDIT #2: Aaron Gordon and Dante Exum are the same age as Cam Johnson. Aaron and Dante were drafted in 2014, Cam in 2019.

https://redd.it/1jn14cj
@Reddit_NBA

Of the approximately 200 players who will be eligible for post-season awards, Jokic is the only non-Thunder, Cav or Celtic in the Top 20 of Net Rating

Jokic is currently 12th in net rating at 10.5 while the rest of the top 20 is seven OKC, six Cleveland and six Boston players. Player net rating is always going to be dominated by guys on the best teams. So it is particularly meaningful to be mixed into a group of guys whose teams are between 8.5 and 15.5 games ahead of his in the standings.

https://redd.it/1jn9hq1
@Reddit_NBA

Tyrese Haliburton on why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should win the MVP - “I grew up in an era where the best player on the best team wins MVP every time.”
https://streamable.com/u4awlk?src=player-page-share

https://redd.it/1jng0o3
@Reddit_NBA

Daily Discussion Thread + Game Thread Index

# Game Threads Index (March 30, 2025):

|Tip-off|GDT|Away|Score|Home|PGT|
|:--|:--:|:--|:-:|:--|:--:|
|03:30 pm ET||Los Angeles Clippers|PRE-GAME|Cleveland Cavaliers||
|06:00 pm ET||Portland Trail Blazers|PRE-GAME|New York Knicks||
|07:00 pm ET||Atlanta Hawks|PRE-GAME|Milwaukee Bucks||
|07:00 pm ET||Detroit Pistons|PRE-GAME|Minnesota Timberwolves||
|07:00 pm ET||Charlotte Hornets|PRE-GAME|New Orleans Pelicans||
|07:00 pm ET||Golden State Warriors|PRE-GAME|San Antonio Spurs||
|07:30 pm ET||Toronto Raptors|PRE-GAME|Philadelphia 76ers||
|09:00 pm ET||Houston Rockets|PRE-GAME|Phoenix Suns||

https://redd.it/1jnibn9
@Reddit_NBA

Toronto Star Toronto Raptors star Scottie Barnes donated $50,000 to prevent a private Montessori school in Brampton, Ontario from closing down

Source

>Josette Drummond has always considered herself a Toronto Raptors fan.

>But her fandom for the team grew even more fervent when Scottie Barnes stepped in and donated $50,000 this week to help her school cover its expenses and, ultimately, save it. 

>Drummond, the owner and principal of Polkadots Playland & Montessori Academy in Brampton — which offers special programming for children with autism spectrum disorder — proudly displayed basketballs decorated with the team’s logo in the school’s windows and had “Raptors-mania” as the team was making their now-storied championship run in 2019.

>The school had been actively asking for donations on the fundraising website GoFundMe, with a goal of $80,000 to “keep Polkadots open.” On their page, the school said that they have been “battling” since the pandemic “to stay afloat,” owing some of their struggles to “rising operational costs for rent, utilities, insurance and staffing.”

>In a letter to parents earlier this month, Drummond shared the state of play with those who’d supported Polkadots; she was incredibly grateful for their donations, she said, but they were still well short of their goal.

>“I always had this faith we would get it, but I wasn’t seeing the how,” she admitted. “It was all amazingly energetic, but we had, like, 10 more days and still $50,000 left to go.”

>Then, she suddenly got a call from a representative for Barnes, who told her that he’d heard about their fundraiser and wanted to help them get over the hump. By Friday, Polkadots had the money in hand and had reached their goal.

>To keep things transparent for would-be donors, she added a $50,000 “offline” donation to the GoFundMe tally and wrote on the page that “the positive energy behind this amazing outpouring of support will fuel everything we do.”

>“You know, I’ve always believed miracles are possible, but to witness one in real-time is mind-blowing,” she told the Star, adding that she’s almost in tears just talking about it. “It’s overwhelming joy.” 

https://redd.it/1jnh9rq
@Reddit_NBA