Nets’ Kevin Ollie gives passionate response about team playing together

After Saturday’s 121-100 loss at the Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets head coach Kevin Ollie gave a passionate response about playing together.

The Brooklyn Nets have been trying to regain their identity ever since they began this season with a 13-10 record, but have not yet gotten back to their winning ways. While interim head coach Kevin Ollie, along with other players, has been repeatedly saying that the team has to play with energy and pride, there are still instances where the team fails to play with either of those characteristics.

The Nets lost at the Indiana Pacers on Saturday 121-100 and one of the main reasons for the loss was Brooklyn’s lost of focus in the second half compared to how they played in the first half. The Nets went into halftime trailing 59-57 thanks to some big minutes from Dorian Finney-Smith and Cam Johnson, who combined for 20 points, five rebounds, and three steals.

In the second half, specifically the fourth quarter, things fell of the rails for Brooklyn due to the inability to stop the Pacers in any facet of their game, especially scoring in the paint. After a certain point, it was clear that the Nets were unable to maintain the focus and intensity that they had in the first half as Indiana continued to get to the basket and get out in transition.

After the loss, Ollie was asked about what comes first: do the players trust each other and then, the winning results begin to happen? Or, do the winning results happen and then, the players trust each other? Ollie gave an passionate answer:

“We’ve seen it. We’ve seen it in Cleveland, we’ve seen it in different games, we’ve seen it in both Atlanta games, I mean chicken or egg, you’ve seen it before. So, how can we be more consistent with that? We’ve seen the other results when we do it that way, where we turning the ball over, we’re not taking care of the ball, when we’re not getting defensive rebounds. So, like I keep saying, our margin of error is very short, it’s very limited, and we got to play the right way.”

[lawrence-related id=57911,57900,57897]

Nets full injury report for Saturday’s matchup at Pacers

Here is the Brooklyn Nets’ full injury report for Saturday’s matchup at the Indiana Pacers.

The Brooklyn Nets, 3.5 games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the 10th and final seed in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament heading into Friday’s slate of games, have an important matchup at the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. The good thing is, Brooklyn will be fully-healthy for the game, all things considering.

In the Nets’ initial injury report that was released on Friday, the only players who will not be available, not including players that are already ruled out for the rest of this season in Ben Simmons and Dariq Whitehead, will be in the G League. That means that Brooklyn will be able to go into their normal nine-man rotation and will be basically full-strength against a tough opponent.

The most likely starting lineup for the Nets against the Pacers will be Dennis Schroder, Cam Thomas, Mikal Bridges, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Nic Claxton. It is notable that Noah Clowney is still in the G League given how well he has been playing for Long Island recently.

It seems that Jalen Wilson has become a steady part of the rotation as he is averaging 14.5 minutes per game since the All-Star break. Other than that, it should be expected to see Cam Johnson, Dennis Smith Jr. and Day’Ron Sharpe in the rotation as well.

[lawrence-related id=57882,57879,57876]

Shai Gilgeous-Alexanders breaks Thunder record for most 30-point games in single season

Shai Gilgeous-Alexanders breaks Thunder record for most 30-point games in single season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made history in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s loss to the Indiana Pacers when he broke the franchise record for most 30-plus point games in a season.

Against the Pacers, he finished with 30 points on 12-of-27 shooting, 10 rebounds and five assists. The final basket came in the final seconds of the contest.

It was his 48th contest with 30-plus points this season, surpassing Kevin Durant’s mark of 47 games from the 2009-10 and 2013-14 campaigns.

Gilgeous-Alexander has played like an MVP candidate this season. He’s averaged 31.1 points on 54.6% shooting, 6.4 assists and 5.5 rebounds in 63 games. He’s shot 38.5% from 3 on 3.5 attempts.

The 25-year-old has headlined the Thunder’s 45-20 campaign that has them in sole possession of first place.

Considering the rich history of the Thunder with individual excellence, Gilgeous-Alexander’s 30-point performance record might be his best feat yet. OKC had future Hall-of-Famers Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Paul George during some of the best seasons of their respective careers.

“It’s cool. It’s an honor,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of the feat. “Obviously, Kev’s done amazing things here and in his career. To be in those type of conversations is an honor and blessing.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Full injury report for Tuesday’s Pacers vs. Thunder matchup

Full injury report for Tuesday’s Pacers vs. Thunder matchup.

The Oklahoma City Thunder continue a lengthy homestand when they welcome the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. It’ll be the first of two matchups this season between the two squads.

It’ll be a contest of two of the three best offensive-rated teams in the league this season, so expect lots of points to be scored.

The Thunder (45-19) enter the contest with one major player on their injury report. After exiting OKC’s blowout win over the Memphis Grizzlies, Jalen Williams (ankle sprain) is questionable.

Ousmane Dieng (G League assignment), Keyontae Johnson (G League two-way), Olivier Sarr (G League two-way) and Adam Flagler (G League two-way) are all out.

Meanwhile, the Pacers (36-29) will be without a couple of role players. Bennedict Mathurin (shoulder labral tear) and Doug McDermott (calf strain) are both out.

Oscar Tshiebwe (G League two-way), Isaiah Wong (G League two-way) and Quenton Jackson (G League two-way) are all questionable.

The Thunder have won three in a row. They hold a small lead for first place in the Western Conference standings. Meanwhile, the Pacers picked up a crucial win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday.

Tip off from Oklahoma City is set for 7 p.m. CT.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle explains how G League has helped Jarace Walker

Pacers rookie Jarace Walker has spent most of the season in the G League, and Rick Carlisle believes he has improved in that time.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker has spent most of the season in the G League, and coach Rick Carlisle believes that time has helped him become better on and off the court.

Walker is averaging 21.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.1 steals on 37.7% shooting from 3-point range in 19 games this season with the Indiana Mad Ants. He has registered three 30-point games, including a season-high 38 points, six rebounds and six assists on Dec. 29.

The organization believed it was important for Walker to be with the Mad Ants to receive consistent playing time. He has had the chance to develop and continue his transition to the next level.

Carlisle said that has been an important step.

(He has) never been in a situation where he wasn’t one of the main players, so that is a big adjustment. It is humbling, but it is a part of becoming a pro, and the steps that you need to take to learn about it, experience it and embrace things like playing with the G League team, going on extended trips with the G League team (to gain) the greatest appreciation for what it means to be on an NBA team and earn your way to being a contributor, regular rotation guy and maybe someday a starter.

Walker has logged only 23 appearances with the Pacers this season. However, Carlisle and the team have leaned on him more following the season-ending shoulder injury to second-year guard Bennedict Mathurin.

The team likes the physicality Walker can provide in spurts off the bench and will likely rely on him in different situations over the remainder of the season. They believe he is more ready to contribute and will remain in the NBA for the rest of the season.

Those minutes in the G League provided Walker with valuable experience, helping him learn the ropes and understand what it takes to be a rotation player in the league.

“There is no substitute for going through these experiences,” Carlisle said. “One of the real valuable aspects of the G League is that you get to see firsthand the difference between being with the NBA team and flying private and then traveling commercial into smaller cities with multiple connections, longer bus rides and no police escorts. You learn pretty quickly that it is special to be an NBA player. What you know and realize several years in, as opposed to what you knew when you walked in the door, is humbling.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=650261565]

Victor Wembanayma talks reliability after Spurs win over Pacers

After the San Antonio Spurs’ win over the Indiana Pacers, Victor Wembanyama spoke about being a guy his team can count on.

The San Antonio Spurs have been one of the worst teams in the league this year in terms of record, but they have a different feel to them. Unlike some of the other bottom-feeders around the league, the Spurs have a clear path forward into the future, and his name is Victor Wembanyama.

And luckily for the Spurs, Wembanyama’s talent has started leading to more success. The Spurs won their second game in a row on Sunday night, taking down the Indiana Pacers behind an impressive performance from the 20-year-old Frenchman. He came up big for them when it mattered most.

After the game, Wembanyama spoke about being a guy that his team can rely on down the stretch of games.

“Every team needs some people they need to rely on,” Wembanyama said via ESPN. “Sometimes it’s the coach or the players, but of course for me, there’s no way to lose my composure or even send a negative image to my teammates. Even when I miss and don’t shake my head, (so I) don’t send any bad messages to my teammates. Keep that to myself.”

Wembanyama finished the game with 31 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, one steal, and six blocks while shooting 11-of-17 from the field and 3-of-4 from behind the three-point line.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Pat Connaughton/Blake Wesley NBA Tracker: Feb. 26-March 3

Read about the latest from Notre Dame’s NBA representation.

[autotag]Pat Connaughton[/autotag] had a couple of pretty good games as his Milwaukee Bucks played a home-and-home against the Charlotte Hornets. The first one Feb. 27 featured nine points, three rebounds, five assists and three steals from him. When the teams met in Charlotte on Feb. 29, he scored 11 points and picked up two more steals. For the week, he averaged 6.7 points, 2.3 assists and 2.0 steals a game.

[autotag]Blake Wesley[/autotag] was held without a field goal during the San Antonio Spurs’ first two games of the week and completely out of the scoring column during that second game. He salvaged what had been a below-average week by getting back on track March 3 against the Indiana Pacers, making all three of his field goals and hitting three of four free throws for nine points. He also dished out two assists and picked up a steal. He averaged 3.7 points a game while shooting 50.0% from the field.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

An 8-year-old delivered the most passionate national anthem at a Pacers game

What a national anthem performance this was!

Say hello to Kinsley Murray. She’s only 8 years old, and while in an American flag dressed, she stepped up to the mic at a recent Indiana Pacers game and delivered what I will declare is the most passionate Star-Spangled Banner you will ever hear.

RELATED: The worst national anthem performances of all time

Bonus: Because it was the Toronto Raptors visiting the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, she got to do O Canada too, and she delivered it with similar passion. I’ve seen a lot of Fergie comparisons after the former Black Eyed Pea made people laugh at her rendition at the NBA All-Star Game, and I’ve got to tell you: those comparisons are wrong.

Lance Stephenson: ‘Anthony Edwards reminds me of me with the super green light’

Lance Stephenson has enjoyed a 10-year career in the NBA, and is currently tearing it up with the G League Iowa Wolves. During All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, he sat down with HoopsHype on behalf of Panini America to talk about his career, …

Lance Stephenson has enjoyed a 10-year career in the NBA, and is currently tearing it up with the G League Iowa Wolves. During All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, he sat down with HoopsHype on behalf of Panini America to talk about his career, trash-talking, China memes, his experience overseas, and more.

Ann Meyers Drysdale wins prestigious WNBA Advocacy Award

Hall of Famer Ann Meyers is the first woman to receive the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award.

The 2024 Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award was bestowed upon Naismith Memorial and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer Ann Meyers Drysdale. In 2020, the WNBA created the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award, which recognizes “an individual or group who has made significant contributions to the visibility, perception, and advancement of women’s and girls’ basketball at all levels.”

“Annie has been a force inspiring young girls on and off the court, something she, Gianna and Kobe shared and cared about deeply,” said Vanessa Bryant, Chair of the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation. “I’m happy Annie is receiving this award in Kobe and Gianna’s memory – she is so deserving.”

Meyers Drysdale has been changing the game since high school. She was the first high school basketball player to make a U.S. national team, the first female athlete to receive a full athletic scholarship to UCLA (where she competed in basketball, volleyball and track & field) and the first college basketball player to be named to the All-America Team in four consecutive seasons. She was also the first woman to sign an NBA contract when she joined the Indiana Pacers in 1979.

“Having been around the WNBA since its inception, I am truly humbled to accept the 2024 Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award and to be viewed as an advocate for girls and women in sports,” said Meyers Drysdale. “I first met Kobe when his dad was coaching the Los Angeles Sparks, and I was on the Sparks’ broadcast team. I knew then how much passion Kobe had for the game of basketball and how that devotion ran in the family.

“It was a full-circle moment for me when Kobe led his daughters to the sport, and we all saw the support he gave to girls and women in the game. As someone who has also lost a husband while raising young children, I hope to honor Vanessa’s strength and bring further awareness to the ways that she continues to recognize her husband and daughter’s legacy.”

She is the first woman to receive the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award. Chris Paul won in 2022, and Pau Gasol won in 2023.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=650261897]