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Lakers' Big 3 makes NBA history in win over Timberwolves
What the Lakers lack in size and athleticism, they make up in IQ.
It's hard to pinpoint a three-man band in the league more cerebral than LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The trio is averaging a combined 22.4 assists this season, with Reaves (6.1) averaging a career-high dimes and James his most assists (8.7) since 2019-20. Doncic's assists (7.6 overall, 6.7 as a Laker) are his fewest since his rookie year, but only because of the circumstances brought about by a midseason trade. Those numbers don't take away from the fact that he remains one of the best passers in the league.
In Thursday's 111-102 win over the Timberwolves, the Lakers' new Big 3 was clicking on all cylinders, combining for 77 points, 16 assists, 36 rebounds, 26 made free throws and seven threes. They entered the history books for their combined tally of numbers.
LeBron James, Luka Dončić & Austin Reaves of the @Lakers are the first teammate trio in NBA history to combine for:
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) February 28, 2025
75+ points
35+ rebounds
25+ free throws made
15+ assists
5+ threes made
...in a regulation game.
Getting to the charity stripe
To further illustrate its "cerebral" billing, the trio identified that the Timberwolves went away from their drop-coverage defensive scheme (due to the absence of Rudy Gobert) and kept attacking the rim from the onset. They got to the free-throw line a whopping 15 times in the fourth quarter, allowing the Lakers to slow down proceedings and set their half-court defense.
Amazingly, the trio attempted 34 free throws, eight more than the entire Timberwolves roster. It was the sort of shrewd strategy veteran teams adopt in the playoffs and could be a harbinger of what's to come.
If the Lakers keep getting calls, they will be impossible to beat in the postseason. Teams who love to push the pace are likely fretting at the thought of playing this version of the Lakers.
More must-reads:
- Luka Doncic set for first look at Clippers as a Laker
- Luka Doncic addresses shooting woes as a Laker
- The '60-point scorers in the NBA' quiz
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Explaining the Qualifying Offer and how it could benefit Jonathan Kuminga and Cam Thomas
Cam Thomas and Jonathan Kuminga are two players who are both restricted free agents currently involved in negotiations with their respective teams. These young stars have shown they have what it takes to lead their franchises, but have not been given the desired rookie extensions. Cam Thomas‘ talks with the Brooklyn Nets have broken down as he is not willing to accept the contract offer from the team. Jonathan Kuminga has been offered a two-year $45 million contract, but the team option on the final year is not something he is willing to agree to, which has led to his talks stalling with the Golden State Warriors. Both of these players have proven their talent in the league and that is one of the reasons their teams have not let them walk yet, but if no agreement is reached, Thomas and Kuminga could take the qualifying offer route. What is a qualifying offer? A qualifying offer is a one-year contract from the team; in Thomas’ case the Nets and in Kuminga’s case the Warriors. The value of the contract will be according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement and will vary for both players. Under this contract, Thomas and Kuminga can veto any trade during the season. At the end of the contract, they will be unrestricted free agents, which means the Nets and Warriors will have no control over their landing spot. According to Jake Fischer, Thomas is likely to take the $6 million qualifying offer from the Nets to enter unrestricted free agency next offseason, while Kuminga could also sign his $7.9 million offer extended by the Warriors. They have a deadline until October 1 to sign the qualifying offer, which will give them control of their future. Signing the qualifying offer comes with risks Kuminga sent out a message on social media when he rejected the two-year deal offered by the Warriors. It suggested that he was ready to bet on himself and while anyone with natural abilities like Kuminga must do the same, the NBA can be unpredictable. The same is the case with Thomas as injuries are part and parcel of the game. If they suffer any serious setbacks that keep them out of the game for an extended period, their unrestricted free agency bet could prove to be unwise. Former Dallas Mavericks player Nerlens Noel rejected a massive four-year $70 million deal from the Mavs and signed a qualifying offer of $4.1 million to enter unrestricted free agency. However, a serious injury prevented him from playing a lot of games in the 2017-18 season and he had to eventually sign a two-year $3.7 million contract with the OKC Thunder the following year. Kuminga and Thomas have shown that they are willing to put in the work to back their belief. Both franchises will find it tough to replace the talent they have, but due to the CBA, teams have become really careful with their money and their reluctance in paying these young stars is another example of that.
Packers' Josh Jacobs speaks out on Matt LaFleur’s unclear plan
There is no denying who the alpha is in the Green Bay Packers running back room. After burning rubber for 1,329 rushing yards to go with 15 rushing touchdowns on 301 carries in the 2024 NFL season, Jacobs is expected to carry most of the load again in the Packers’ ground attack in 2025. Besides being a reliable and effective weapon on offense for the Packers, Jacobs was also durable in his first season with the team, having appeared in all of Green Bay’s 17 games in the regular season and in the lone contest in the NFL playoffs. Look for the 27-year-old former Alabama Crimson Tide star running back to be there starting in the backfield along with quarterback Jordan Love in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL regular season against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. But as for his availability and usage in this coming Saturday’s preseason opener at home versus the New York Jets, it won’t be surprising if he gets zero snaps at all, considering that there’s really nothing important on the line. Jacobs is ready whenever he’s called upon by the Green Bay Packers Jacobs said on Thursday that Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has yet to convey a concrete plan for the Jets game. Nevertheless, he’ll be ready. Via Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers’ official website: Jacobs is on board with whatever direction LaFleur and the coaches decide to go but said wouldn’t mind getting “a couple series” to reacclimate to tackling. “We’ll see how it’ll play out,” Jacobs said. “(LaFleur) hasn’t really told us what we’re gonna do. But I think I’ll get a couple hits, get a little feel of it and be cool.” The Packers will also play the Indianapolis Colts on the road in Week 2 of the preseason before meeting the Seattle Seahawks for their final assignment before the regular season starts.
Red Wings Announce Major Change for Their 100th Season and Fans Are Fired Up
The Red Wings have announced that they are bringing back their iconic 'Hockeytown' logo to center ice at Little Caesars Arena for their 100th year in the NHL. A somewhat familiar look is coming back to center ice at Little Caesars Arena, which has been the home of the Detroit Red Wings since 2017. A special fan polling has resulted in the announcement that the iconic former 'Hockeytown' logo from Joe Louis Arena, their former home, is coming back as part of a new special logo for the team's 100th year. Asia Gholston, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, released the following statement. The center ice fan vote, launched in partnership with Meijer, was a great way to get fans involved in Red Wings Centennial right from the start. Through an incredible response to this vote, fans have made it clear they're fired up for what's to come in celebrating 100 years of Hockeytown, which is only possible due to their unwavering support for the Winged Wheel. The Red Wings featured the 'Hockeytown' logo at Joe Louis Arena in 1996, which remained until the building's closure in 2017. The Red Wings then used the same logo in their 1st year at Little Caesars Arena, but since then have just utilized a large team logo. The Red Wings celebrate their 100th year in the NHL The Red Wings were founded in 1926, but are in the midst of the longest drought of postseason hockey in their history. Considering that they've now been around for 100 years, that postseason absence is a surprising statistic. Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman has started to feel some heat for having not been able to get the team to the postseason in each of his first 6 years on the job.
What They’re Saying About Gyokeres After Arsenal’s 3-0 Win Over Athletic Club
The Viktor Gyökeres Gooners watched against Athletic Bilbao is exactly the one they will want to see more of this season. After two worrying performances in his opening appearances for Arsenal, the Swede finally looked like the striker the club thought they were signing. Scoring his first goal in Arsenal colours and celebrating with his trademark gesture, the 27-year-old delivered a standout display. It was a performance that demonstrated his brilliant link-up play, elite movement, aerial threat, nearly scoring a brace of headers, and intelligent channel runs with wide drifting that stretched the defence. Against Athletic Club, Gyökeres’ performance truly caught the eye. Simon Collings of the Evening Standard labelled it “a promising display”. Football London praised how he powered through the Spanish side with relentless runs in behind, noting he made the most of every touch. Praise from Portugal As those two outlets described Gyökeres’ performance well, Record Portugal went a step further. The Portuguese outlet had plenty to say about Arsenal’s new No.14, claiming the Gunners finally got a taste of the Sporting CP version of Gyökeres. They wrote: “The Viktor Gyökeres we saw at the Emirates this Saturday afternoon, helping Arsenal win 3-0 against Athletic Bilbao, was a very close version of the one who left his mark on Sporting fans and Portuguese football. More adapted to the new reality, the Swedish forward portrayed a different image than he had left in the first two games and was truly one of the best on the pitch – particularly his goal in the 34th minute, his first in his new jersey. After a well-measured cross from Martin Zubimendi, the Nordic forward rose first and, with a beautiful technical move, headed the ball into the back of the net. Two minutes later, Saka scored to make it 2-0, with the former Sporting star also involved in the build-up. He was the Gunners’ offensive reference point and gradually made his mark with his trademark runs. In the second half, he came close to a brace, only denied by the post after another powerful header.” A source of hope for Gooners With the new season just days away, Gooners will head to Old Trafford for the league opener against Manchester United with renewed confidence. Gyökeres has just delivered the best striker performance by an Arsenal centre-forward in a long time, and it should be a source of hope for the supporters. The 27-year-old has hinted he can be a real threat. Now, Mikel Arteta needs to create the right conditions for him to make those decisive touches, approaching the goal with control and composure. If everything clicks for the ex-Coventry man, it could be frightening – but not for Gooners! Your thoughts welcome in the comments. Excited for the season to start! COYG! __________________________________________________________________________________________
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