JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 17, 2022/ -- NBA Africa and KFC Africa ( https://order.KFC.co.za/ourtaste/ourfood) today announced a marketing partnership that will see NBA Africa and KFC Africa collaborate on a number of promotions and activations for basketball fans across eight countries on the continent: Botswana, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal and Tanzania. Through the partnership, KFC Africa and NBA Africa will launch co-branded product campaigns, limited-edition merchandise giveaways, and limited-edition KFC x NBA promotions, including the opportunity for basketball fans to win tickets to live NBA games in the U.S. and complimentary access to NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service. Additional details about the promotions will be announced at a later date. “We are proud to announce this exciting partnership between our iconic KFC brand and one of the most epic sports brands in the world,” said KFC Marketing Director, Rest of Sub-Saharan Africa, Emmanuel Kasambala. “As a brand that has been on the continent for 50 years, we are passionate about connecting with the youth at the touchpoints that really mean something to them. So, beyond the extremely cool products and merchandise we will offer, we have longer-term plans to inspire the youth to achieve more in life through basketball. We are exploring various grassroots basketball initiatives, like the refurbishment of courts, and basketball clinics in communities. It is about inspiring and enabling the youth to reach for, and achieve, their dreams.” “We are excited to partner with KFC Africa to launch a series of fan-centric activities and promotions as part of our efforts to provide compelling ways for basketball fans across the continent to engage with the NBA,” said NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams. “We want to meet our fans where they are and make the game of basketball more accessible, and through this partnership with one of the world’s most iconic food brands, we look forward to reaching new and existing fans and providing them with more opportunities to experience the NBA.”For the latest news and more information on the competitions, prizes and programmes, fans can follow #KFCBalling on social media. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KFC Africa. DALLAS’ REGGIE BULLOCK, MILWAUKEE’S JRUE HOLIDAY, MEMPHIS’ JAREN JACKSON JR., MINNESOTA’S KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS AND TORONTO’S FRED VANVLEET SELECTED AS FINALISTS FOR 2022 KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR SOCIAL JUSTICE CHAMPION AWARD – Award Winner to Be Announced During the Western Conference Finals on TNT – – NBA to Donate $100,000 on to the Social Justice Non-profit of Winner’s Choice, Other Four Finalists to Receive $25,000 Donations on their Behalf – NEW YORK, May 16, 2022 – The NBA today announced that Dallas Mavericks guard-forward Reggie Bullock, Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, Memphis Grizzlies forward-center Jaren Jackson Jr., Minnesota Timberwolves center-forward Karl-Anthony Towns and Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet have been selected as the five finalists for the 2022 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award. The five finalists represent the year’s most impactful social justice advocates who are continuing NBA players’ decades-long tradition of activism. The annual award recognizes a current NBA player for pursuing social justice and advancing Abdul-Jabbar’s life mission to engage, empower and drive equality for individuals and groups who have been historically marginalized or systemically disadvantaged. The finalists were determined from the pool of team nominees by the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion selection committee, comprised of social justice leaders and members of the NBA family. The committee includes inaugural voters Abdul-Jabbar, Director of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport Dr. Richard Lapchick, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía, Rise Founder and CEO Amanda Nguyen, and NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum, as well as Kendall Dudley, the 2021-22 youth representative who is a member of the Jr. NBA Court of Leaders. The winner will be announced during the Western Conference Finals on TNT and will receive a $100,000 donation from the NBA for a social justice organization of his choosing. The other four finalists will each select a social justice organization to receive a $25,000 contribution on their behalf. Los Angeles Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony was named as the inaugural Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion at the end of the 2020-21 season. Below is more information about the finalists, including their respective efforts and selected beneficiaries. About the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Finalists: Reggie Bullock, Dallas Mavericks Reggie Bullock has been an avid advocate for LGBTQ equity throughout his NBA career, continuing his efforts with the Dallas Mavericks during the 2021-22 season. Following the 2014 murder of his sister Mia Henderson, who was transgender, Bullock has focused on acceptance of all people by working to create truly inclusive communities through neighborhood engagement and national efforts around the LGBTQ movement, including participating in the NYC Pride March, the GLAAD Media Awards and NBA events for LGBTQ youth and allies. Upon joining the Mavericks in August of 2021, he forged new relationships with organizations that work in the LGBTQ space in the greater Dallas area, including Abounding Prosperity, Dallas Southern Pride, House of Rebirth, The Black-Tie Dinner, the Resource Center and the Muhlashia Booker Foundation. Most recently, as part of the Mavs Take ACTION! initiative, Bullock participated in a courageous conversation as part of the HUDDLE series to uplift the Trans community, amplify community organizations who are working to support and protect LGBTQ individuals and create opportunities for allyship. Joined by Stephanie Houston, Founder of the Muhlashia Booker Foundation and Leslie McMurray, Transgender Education & Advocacy Associate, he fondly remembers his sister Mia and how the personal tragedy motivated him to use his platform as a professional athlete to advocate equal rights and visibility for the LGBTQ community. The session, titled Voices Unheard, Uplifting Trans Perspectives, was released on National Day of Trans Visibility on March 31, 2022. Additionally, Bullock created RemarkaBULL, an organization focused on developing revitalized spaces for a stable life in the LGBTQ community and continues to advocate for equal rights and protections for the individuals, including writing an open letter to the NCAA protesting Idaho’s House Bill 500. Bullock has selected Kinston Teens as the recipient of his donation. Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks During the 2021-22 season, Jrue Holiday continued to support Black-led organizations and Black-owned businesses in Milwaukee and beyond. Through the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Justice Fund, Holiday has provided funding and support to minority businesses to address social and economic inequality that continues to prevent Black communities from upward mobility. In February 2022, he and his wife launched the third round of grant funding, committing another $1 million dollars to Black-owned business and nonprofits in Milwaukee, New Orleans, Indianapolis and Los Angeles. Working with Renee King, founder of FundBlackFounders, grantees receive coaching and training to expand their funding opportunities, including the creation of crowdfunding campaigns that increase community engagement. Beyond the funding and mentorship, Holiday intentionally partners with organizations that recognize the 360-degree model of providing funds, programming and services and is viewed as a leader in building stronger communities focused on economic development. In addition to his philanthropy and engagement with minority-owned small businesses in Wisconsin, Holiday has been active champion and advocate for voting right awareness across the state through the Bucks Vote initiative, reaching hundreds of thousands of eligible voters through state-wide public service announcements. Holiday has selected Urban Underground as the recipient of his donation. Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies For the past several years, Jaren Jackson Jr. has been focused on advancing health and economic equity in Black and brown communities, creating women empowerment initiatives and increasing voter awareness. Understanding the pandemic’s impact on communities of color, Jackson Jr. has worked to provide custom masks for Black and brown families, supply PPE to communities, provide meals for those working at COVID testing locations and use his voice in the NBA’s COVID-19 PSA to encourage all to get vaccinated. Additionally, Jackson Jr. continues to support women’s empowerment initiatives and recently completed his third year as an ambassador for the Nike Game Growers Program, an exclusive opportunity for 7th and 8th grade girls to share their ideas on how to encourage more girls to play sports. He also sponsored all women-led local organizations for Women’s History Month through the Grizz Ticket Assist Program and covered the cost of the tickets, transportation and snacks for local middle school teams to attend University of Memphis Women’s Basketball games. Jackson Jr. is also passionate about civic engagement and upon entering the league made it a point to be vocal about being a first-time voter during the 2018 season. Following that, he was incredibly visionary in support of voter campaigns and increasing awareness before the 2020 election, and this past election season, he supported several voting campaigns, including BET’s National Black Voters Day, Tennessee Secretary of State’s, Your Vote Matters Campaign and the Grizzlies’#GrizzVotes Campaign. Additionally, in Nov. 2021 he committed $7,500 to assist 13 families in eliminating their overdue housing and utility bills and launched his first social media fundraising campaign to support young Memphians on the rise on Giving Tuesday. As part of this ‘Much Required’ campaign, he raised nearly $200,000, in one day to add to his personal donation to help support local youth organizations, including Arts Memphis, Girls Inc., Memphis Slim House, Vance Avenue Youth Development Center and Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis. He has selected Rock the Vote as the recipient of his donation. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves Karl-Anthony Towns has devoted his time, platform and resources to health equity and education since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and specifically this past season to advocate for vaccine education after experiencing personal loss. Towns worked with the NBA on a vaccine PSA released in Feb. 2022, Cue Health to provide 100 COVID-19 testing kits and tests to more than 50 schools in both New Jersey and Minnesota, and Walgreens on their Get a Shot, Give a Shot campaign to promote flu shots and help ensure access for all via a $5,000 donation. Beyond health equity, Towns donated $20,000 to the George Floyd Foundation in partnership with JD Sports in July 2021 and made a $30,000 donation to the Vera Institute of Justice, which works to end the overcriminalization and mass incarceration of people of color, immigrants, and people experiencing poverty, selecting them as his beneficiary in Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. Additionally, in support of gender equity and access for women in sports, Towns made a donation to Kean University in New Jersey to support programming for their women student athletes highlighting empowerment and internships, naming the series in honor of his late mother, Jacqueline Towns. He continues to serve as a board member of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition. Towns has selected George Floyd Memorial Foundation as the recipient of his donation. Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors Fred VanVleet has been a leader and champion around social justice, inspiring teammates to find their own voice in his pursuit. To create equity in education, he created the Fred VanVleet Scholarship in Dec. 2021, a full academic scholarship for a Black or Indigenous student to pursue four years of higher education in Canada and receive mentorship from VanVleet to help shape the reality for the student after their academic career. Additionally, through the Heart of the City initiative, he distributed more than 1,000 backpacks to historically marginalized students throughout the Greater Toronto Area and provided them with the necessary resources to succeed academically. VanVleet also hosted a conversation with Marci Ien, Minister of Women & Gender Equality & Youth, to continue his allyship of women. VanVleet also co-hosted the Bet on Yourself social justice podcast, dedicated to shining a light on and uplifting struggling or up-and-coming BIPOC entrepreneurs shape their business to impact culture in a positive way. Together with his advisor, Derek Folk, they supported business owners and listeners with insight, motivation and honest conversations around entrepreneurship, branding, finance and e-commerce. Additionally, he serves as the leader of the Raptors’ Social Justice Team Council, which reviews social justice participation and actions, and has inspired his teammates to engage in their own work for marginalized communities, including Scottie Barnes’ scholarship and Pascal Siakam’s “Coding for Champions” program. VanVleet is currently in the process of creating an additional scholarship in his hometown of Rockford, Illinois and planning for the next season of the Bet on Yourself podcast to encourage BIPOC entrepreneurs. He has selected Penny Appeal Canada as the recipient of his donation.
Ub Huishan NE win first-ever
FIBA 3x3 World Tour Opener in Utsunomiya |
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MAY 15, 2022 UTSUNOMIYA (Japan) - Ub Huishan NE (SRB) won the first-ever FIBA 3x3 World Tour Opener in Utsunomiya on May 14-15, 2022.
The number one 3x3 team in the world defeated World Tour 2019 runners-up Princeton (USA) in the final 22-16, avenging their Day 1 loss against the same opponents.
MVP Strahinja Stojacic stepped up in the final with a near-triple five of 13 points, 6 highlights and 4 rebounds. The 29-year-old scored the game-winning shot from outside the arc as Princeton were making a come-back led by 12 points combined from Damon Huffman and Isaiah Wilkerson. Ub Huishan NE captain Dejan Majstorovic continued his winning ways in Utsunomiya. The Japanese city hosted 5 events in World Tour history, "The Maestro" won 4. This Opener was like no event before. The 10 best-ranked teams in the world were invited. The prize money (USD 50,000 for the winners, 152,000 total) was higher than any Masters. Last but not least, Ub Huishan NE qualified for the Masters of their choice.
In the Individual Contests, Arturs Strelnieks (Riga, LAT) won the Maurice Lacroix Shoot-Out Contest and was awarded a special AIKON #tide FIBA 3x3 edition, while Brandon Ruffin took home the Ashikaga Bank Dunk Contest.
UTSUNOMIYA OPENER STANDINGS
1. Ub Huishan NE (SRB)
2. Princeton (USA)
3. Antwerp (BEL)
4. Amsterdam (NED)
5. Liman Huishan NE (SRB)
6. Sakiai (LTU)
7. Riga (LAT)
8. Vienna (AUT)
9. Utsunomiya BREX (JPN)
10. Lausanne (SUI)
11. Jeddah (KSA)
12. Tokyo Dime (JPN)
13. Shinagawa CC (JPN)
14. Asakusa EXE (JPN)
The FIBA 3x3 World Tour is back on May 28-29 for the Manila Masters, the first Masters in the Philippines since 2015.
### Exciting, urban and innovative, 3x3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court. It was played successfully for the first time in international competition at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and since then has benefited from the launch of a yearly professional circuit for men and women (World Tour and Women’s Series respectively) and national-team competitions. 3x3 made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Wilson is the Global Ball Partner. Wilson is also the Apparel Partner, Maurice Lacroix the Official Timekeeper and Chooks-to-Go the Global Partner of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2022. FIBA 3x3 events are played on Enlio floors with Wilson balls, Schelde backstops, Bodet shot-clocks and the Magic Sky canopy system. For further information about 3x3, visit fiba3x3.basketball, FIBA 3x3 accounts on Douyin, Facebook, Instagram, Sina Weibo, Tencent, TikTok, Twitch, Twitter, Youku and YouTube or contact 3x3@fiba.basketball.
Wizards District Gaming – the NBA 2K League affiliate of the Washington Wizards – swept DUX Infinitos 4-0 in a seven-game series to win the first ever Coinbase NBA 2KL 3v3 SLAM OPEN. The 2020 and 2021 NBA 2K League Champions defeated Hornets Venom GT and Grizz Gaming in the quarterfinals and semifinals. Point guard Ryan “Dayfri” Conger was named the SLAM OPEN tournament MVP after averaging 6.3 points, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals and shooting 55% from the field across the championship series. Game 1: Wizards District Gaming 22 – DUX Infinitos 6 Game 2: Wizards District Gaming 24 – DUX Infinitos 20 Game 3: Wizards District Gaming 22 – DUX Infinitos 18 Game 4: Wizards District Gaming 22 – DUX Infinitos 5 The Coinbase NBA 2KL 3v3 SLAM OPEN is the first of three 3v3 tournaments (SLAM OPEN, SWITCH OPEN, STEAL OPEN) that are part of the NBA 2KL 3v3 BLACKTOP SERIES. The SLAM OPEN included all 24 NBA 2K League teams, North American amateur teams that earned a spot through the tournaments’ qualifying events and Community Teams selected by the league and consisting of top players from the 2K community and social media influencers. The SLAM OPEN tournament stages included: - Amateur Qualifying Event (March 23 – April 2);
- Group Play (April 26 – May 6);
- and Bracket Play (May 11 – May 14) at The Pavilion at Pan Am in Downtown Indianapolis.
2022 competitions continue May 24 – June 11 with the second 5v5 tournament of the season, THE TURN powered by AT&T. For the latest news and updates on the NBA 2K League, fans can sign up to receive emails at NBA2KLeague.com and follow the NBA 2K League on Twitter (NBA2KLeague), Instagram (nba2kleague), Facebook (NBA 2K League), TikTok (nba2kleague), Twitch (NBA2KLeague) and YouTube (NBA 2K League).
Envol City joins Basketball Africa League as Official Partner | The BAL and Envol City will collaborate on fan engagement initiatives that showcase the convergence of sport, music, food, art, and fashion, including at BAL Fan Zones during games in Dakar | Access Multimedia Content | DAKAR, Senegal, May 12, 2022/ -- The BAL (theBAL.com) and Envol City to Engage Fans in Senegal Beginning Next Season; top Eight BAL Teams to Compete at BAL Playoffs and Finals in Kigali, Rwanda from May 21-28.The Basketball Africa League (BAL) and Envol City – an innovative real-estate project in the upscale district of Diamniadio in Dakar, Senegal – today announced a multiyear partnership that makes Envol City an official partner of the BAL and the league’s Country Partner in Senegal. Beginning with the 2023 BAL season, the BAL and Envol City will collaborate on fan engagement initiatives that showcase the convergence of sport, music, food, art, and fashion, including at BAL Fan Zones during games in Dakar. The first BAL Fan Zone was held in Dakar from March 5-15 and featured a DJ, live musical performances, concession stands, merchandise sales, opportunities to meet NBA and basketball legends, and more. Envol City branding will also be visible on the BAL court and broadcasts during the 2022 BAL Playoffs, which will feature the top eight teams from the league’s Sahara and Nile Conferences competing in a single-elimination tournament and Finals at Kigali Arena in Rwanda from May 21-28.“We are pleased to partner with Envol City to engage the passionate BAL fans in Senegal while shining a light on Africa’s capacity to be a global leader in sports and entertainment,” said BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall. “Envol City shares our commitment to a future for Africa based on modernity and innovation, and we look forward to working together to use the convening and transformative power of sports to provide memorable experiences to BAL fans and guests.” “Envol City is an innovative and modern real estate project, firmly focused on the future,” said Envol City CEO Moctar Thiam. “Our vision for Africa in the future is one that is ambitious, innovative and a symbol of excellence. It is therefore only natural for us to establish a partnership with BAL, a well-established brand on the continent and beyond. Through our strong partnership with BAL, we want to be an example for pan-African youth and create bridges that build the path towards a common vision for Africa’s future.” Envol City joins the BAL’s roster of world-class marketing partners, which includes Foundational Partners New Fortress Energy (NFE), Rwanda Development Board (RDB), NIKE, Jordan Brand and Wilson, and official partners Alley-Oop Africa, Attorney General Alliance (AGA) – Africa, Destination Senegal, and Air Senegal, Flutterwave and Hennessy. The expanded 2022 BAL season features the top 12 club teams from 12 African countries playing a total of 38 games in three cities over three months: Dakar (March 5-15); Cairo, Egypt (April 9-19); and Kigali (May 21-28). The BAL is reaching fans in 215 countries and territories in 14 languages through free-to-air and paid TV broadcast partnerships with Canal+, ESPN, NBA TV, Tencent Sports, TSN, American Forces Network (AFN), Voice of America (VOA), TV5Monde and VisionView TV and livestreaming on the NBA App, NBA.com and NBA.com/BAL. The 2022 BAL Playoffs will tip off on May 21 at 8:30 a.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CAT when Angola’s Petro de Luanda (4-1) takes on Morocco’s AS Salé (3-2), followed by Rwanda’s REG (4-1) against Cameroon’s F.A.P (2-3) at noon ET / 6 p.m. CAT. The quarterfinals will continue on May 22 with Tunisia’s US Monastir (4-1) facing South Africa’s Cape Town Tigers (2-3) at 8:30 a.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CAT, followed by defending BAL champion Zamalek of Egypt (5-0) against Guinea’s S.L.A.C (2-3) at noon ET / 6 p.m. CAT. Winners of the quarterfinal matchups will meet in the semifinals on May 25 for the chance to advance to the 2022 BAL Finals, which will be held May 28 at 12:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. CAT and will air in Africa on ESPN, Canal+, VisionView TV and VOA radio, and around the world on AFN, ESPNews, NBA TV International, Tencent Sports, TSN, the NBA App, NBA.com and NBA.com/BAL. Basketball Africa League 2022 Playoffs/Finals Promotional Spot: https://bit.ly/3wmEhaD (Credit: BAL)Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Basketball Africa League (BAL).
MEMPHIS’ ZACH KLEIMAN WINS
2021-22 NBA BASKETBALL EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD NEW YORK, May 12, 2022 – NBA team basketball executives have selected Memphis Grizzlies Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Zach Kleiman as the winner of the 2021-22 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year Award, the NBA announced today. This is the first NBA Basketball Executive of the Year Award for Kleiman, who has led Basketball Operations for Memphis for the last three years. Kleiman, 33, is the youngest recipient of the award, which has been presented annually since the 1972-73 season. He also becomes the second person to earn the honor with the Grizzlies, joining Jerry West (2003-04). Kleiman received 16 of 29 first-place votes and earned 85 total points from a panel of team basketball executives across the NBA. Cleveland Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman and Chicago Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas tied for second place with 27 points each. Phoenix Suns General Manager James Jones and Miami Heat President Pat Riley tied for fourth place with 26 points each. Executives were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote. As Memphis’ lead personnel decision maker, Kleiman assembled a roster that finished with the second-best record in the NBA this season (56-26) and matched the franchise single-season record for victories. The Grizzlies secured the No. 2 playoff seed in the Western Conference, their highest seed ever. This season, Grizzlies guard Ja Morant was named a starter for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game and the winner of the 2021-22 Kia NBA Most Improved Player Award, and head coach Taylor Jenkins finished in second place in the voting for the 2021-22 NBA Coach of the Year Award. In 2019, Kleiman selected Morant with the second overall pick in the NBA Draft and hired Jenkins to his first NBA head coaching position. The same year, Kleiman acquired forward Brandon Clarke and guards Tyus Jones and De’Anthony Melton, three valuable contributors to the 2021-22 team. Memphis guard Desmond Bane, the 30th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, finished in fifth place in the voting for the 2021-22 Kia NBA Most Improved Player Award after averaging 18.2 points and ranking second in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage (43.6). In November 2020, Kleiman acquired Bane’s draft rights as part of a three-team trade with the Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers. Under Kleiman, the Grizzlies also signed guard-forward Dillon Brooks and forward-center Jaren Jackson Jr. to multiyear contract extensions in February 2020 and October 2021, respectively. Brooks averaged 18.4 points this season. Jackson averaged 16.3 points and an NBA-high 2.27 blocks, finishing in fifth place in the voting for the 2021-22 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. In August 2021, Memphis acquired center Steven Adams and the draft rights to guard-forward Ziaire Williams, the 10th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, as part of a three-team trade with the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans. Adams started 75 of his 76 games this season and ranked 12th in the NBA in rebounding (10.0 rpg). Williams started 31 of his 62 games as a rookie and averaged 8.1 points. Kleiman joined the Grizzlies in 2015 as their in-house legal counsel. He served as assistant general manager during the 2018-19 season and was promoted to his current role in April 2019. Prior to joining Memphis, Kleiman worked as an associate at the international law firm Proskauer Rose LLP. Kleiman will be presented with a special edition 75th Anniversary commemorative trophy today in celebration of the honor, gifted in addition to the NBA Basketball Executive of the Year Award trophy, which he will receive later. The commemorative trophy, composed of a solid crystal basketball, features the NBA 75 logo 3D laser etched and suspended within its center. The voting results for the 2021-22 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year Award are below. The balloting was tabulated by the independent accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP. VOTING RESULTS: 2021-22 NBA BASKETBALL EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD | | | | Executive (Team) | | 1st Place Votes (5 Points) | | 2nd Place Votes (3 Points) | | 3rd Place Votes (1 Point) | | Total Points | | | | Zach Kleiman (Memphis) | | 16 | | 1 | | 2 | | 85 | | Koby Altman (Cleveland) | | 2 | | 5 | | 2 | | 27 | | Artūras Karnišovas (Chicago) | | 1 | | 6 | | 4 | | 27 | | James Jones (Phoenix) | | 3 | | 3 | | 2 | | 26 | | Pat Riley (Miami) | | 3 | | 3 | | 2 | | 26 | | Brad Stevens (Boston) | | 1 | | 4 | | 3 | | 20 | | Masai Ujiri (Toronto) | | 1 | | 1 | | 5 | | 13 | | Jon Horst (Milwaukee) | | 1 | | 0 | | 1 | | 6 | | Sachin Gupta (Minnesota) | | 1 | | 0 | | 0 | | 5 | | Nico Harrison (Dallas) | | 0 | | 1 | | 2 | | 5 | | Daryl Morey (Philadelphia) | | 0 | | 1 | | 2 | | 5 | | Tim Connelly (Denver) | | 0 | | 1 | | 0 | | 3 | | Lawrence Frank (LA Clippers) | | 0 | | 1 | | 0 | | 3 | | Mitch Kupchak (Charlotte) | | 0 | | 1 | | 0 | | 3 | | Brian Wright (San Antonio) | | 0 | | 1 | | 0 | | 3 | | Rafael Stone (Houston) | | 0 | | 0 | | 2 | | 2 | | David Griffin (New Orleans) | | 0 | | 0 | | 1 | | 1 | | Jeff Weltman (Orlando) | | 0 | | 0 | | 1 | | 1 | |
Below is the list of winners of the NBA Basketball Executive of the Year Award. NBA BASKETBALL EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR WINNERS | | 1972-73 – Joe Axelson, Kansas City-Omaha 1973-74 – Eddie Donovan, Buffalo 1974-75 – Dick Vertlieb, Golden State 1975-76 – Jerry Colangelo, Phoenix 1976-77 – Ray Patterson, Houston 1977-78 – Angelo Drossos, San Antonio 1978-79 – Bob Ferry, Washington 1979-80 – Red Auerbach, Boston 1980-81 – Jerry Colangelo, Phoenix 1981-82 – Bob Ferry, Washington 1982-83 – Zollie Volchok, Seattle 1983-84 – Frank Layden, Utah 1984-85 – Vince Boryla, Denver 1985-86 – Stan Kasten, Atlanta 1986-87 – Stan Kasten, Atlanta 1987-88 – Jerry Krause, Chicago 1988-89 – Jerry Colangelo, Phoenix | | 1989-90 – Bob Bass, San Antonio 1990-91 – Bucky Buckwalter, Portland 1991-92 – Wayne Embry, Cleveland 1992-93 – Jerry Colangelo, Phoenix 1993-94 – Bob Whitsitt, Seattle 1994-95 – Jerry West, Los Angeles Lakers 1995-96 – Jerry Krause, Chicago 1996-97 – Bob Bass, Charlotte 1997-98 – Wayne Embry, Cleveland 1998-99 – Geoff Petrie, Sacramento 1999-00 – John Gabriel, Orlando 2000-01 – Geoff Petrie, Sacramento 2001-02 – Rod Thorn, New Jersey 2002-03 – Joe Dumars, Detroit 2003-04 – Jerry West, Memphis 2004-05 – Bryan Colangelo, Phoenix 2005-06 – Elgin Baylor, LA Clippers | | 2006-07 – Bryan Colangelo, Toronto 2007-08 – Danny Ainge, Boston 2008-09 – Mark Warkentien, Denver 2009-10 – John Hammond, Milwaukee 2010-11 – Gar Forman, Chicago (tie) Pat Riley, Miami (tie) 2011-12 – Larry Bird, Indiana 2012-13 – Masai Ujiri, Denver 2013-14 – R.C. Buford, San Antonio 2014-15 – Bob Myers, Golden State 2015-16 – R.C. Buford, San Antonio 2016-17 – Bob Myers, Golden State 2017-18 – Daryl Morey, Houston 2018-19 – Jon Horst, Milwaukee 2019-20 – Lawrence Frank, LA Clippers 2020-21 – James Jones, Phoenix 2021-22 – Zach Kleiman, Memphis | |
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NBA INTRODUCES NEW LINEUP OF POSTSEASON HARDWARE FEATURING AN EVOLUTION OF THE LARRY O’BRIEN TROPHY - The Six Trophies, Designed in Collaboration with Artist Victor Solomon and Tiffany & Co., Honor NBA Legends and League Pioneers - - The Larry Bird Trophy and Earvin “Magic” Johnson Trophy to be Awarded to Eastern and Western Conference Finals MVPs; Eastern and Western Conference Champion Trophies Named After NBA Legends Bob Cousy and Oscar Robertson - 
NEW YORK, May 12, 2022 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today unveiled a lineup of reimagined trophies for the NBA postseason, including an evolution of the Larry O’Brien Trophy, awarded annually to the NBA champions. The six trophies, designed in collaboration with artist Victor Solomon and Tiffany & Co., are named after NBA legends who have helped shape the league and represent the standards of postseason excellence. The NBA’s relationship with Tiffany & Co. spans 45 years, with the American luxury house having designed and manufactured the Larry O’Brien Trophy since 1977, the league’s conference championship trophies since 2001 and the Bill Russell Trophy (NBA Finals MVP) since 2005. Tiffany’s legendary “Makers” – the skilled craftspeople at its hollowware workshop in Cumberland, Rhode Island – bring to life more than 65 trophies each year in addition to hundreds of other designs they also produce at the workshop. Solomon worked in tandem with Tiffany & Co. to evolve the NBA’s postseason hardware offerings, refreshing how the league’s champions will be honored for the next 75 years and beyond. NBA Finals Trophies The Larry O’Brien Trophy The league’s championship trophy, named after Larry O’Brien since 1984, honors the NBA’s third commissioner, who oversaw the NBA’s absorption of four ABA teams and the elevation of national broadcast agreements. The trophy stands 25.5 inches tall and weighs approximately 30 pounds, with its latest iteration evolved in three key areas: - The net and ball configuration has been shifted forward, symbolizing the league looking ahead to its future.
- The 24k gold vermeil has been masked to reveal sterling silver that emphasizes the channels of the ball and the net.
- The base has been reformed to feature two stacked discs. The top disc lists the first 75 NBA champions. Starting this year, the name of each NBA champion will be etched on the bottom disc of each new trophy, ensuring that each team will receive a one-of-a-kind trophy bearing its name. The second disc was designed with enough space to display the next 25 NBA champions, leading up to the league’s 100th Anniversary Season. The underside of the trophy features the new NBA Finals logo.
The Bill Russell Trophy The NBA Finals MVP award, named after Bill Russell since 2009, honors a legend who won a record 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons. The Bill Russell Trophy, which remains 17.25 inches tall and weighs 11 pounds, is now finished completely in gold vermeil to match the Larry O’Brien Trophy, and features similar masking to reveal the net and basketball channels The NBA Conference Champion Trophies The NBA is naming its conference champion trophies after two NBA legends, Bob Cousy and Oscar Robertson, for their outstanding contributions on the court and the impact they made as early presidents of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). Similar to the original trophies created in 2001, the Eastern and Western Conference Champion trophies each raise a silver basketball symbolically quartered into four sections, representing the key milestones on the road to the NBA Finals: making the Playoffs and winning the First Round, Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals. The underside lists the 15 teams in each conference and the Conference Finals logo. Made of sterling silver, the Western Conference trophy measures 15.6 inches tall and weighs 31 pounds, while the Eastern Conference trophy also measures 15.6 inches tall and weighs 28 pounds. The etching on the base of both trophies features the namesakes and round-by-round scores. The Eastern Conference Champion Trophy is raised by three posts while the Western Conference Champion Trophy is raised by two rings. The Bob Cousy Trophy Nicknamed “Mr. Basketball” and “The Houdini of the Hardwood” for his revolutionary playmaking ability, Cousy has been named to every Anniversary Team in league history (25th, 35th, 50th and 75th). He is a six-time NBA champion, an NBA MVP, a 13-time NBA All-Star selection, a 12-time All-NBA Team selection and a two-time NBA All-Star Game MVP. As the first president of the NBPA, Cousy was instrumental in securing important benefits for his fellow players. “I have been part of the NBA family since 1950 and among the greatest joys of my post-playing career has been watching the game continue to evolve into what it is today,” said Cousy. “There are few greater achievements in sports than representing your conference in the NBA Finals, and I’m moved that the NBA has granted me the honor of being connected to the Eastern Conference champions for years to come.” The Oscar Robertson Trophy™ Oscar “The Big O” Robertson was the first NBA player to average a triple-double for an entire season. An NBA champion, NBA MVP, 12-time NBA All-Star selection, 11-time All-NBA Team selection, NBA Rookie of the Year, three-time NBA All-Star Game MVP and member of the league’s 35th, 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams, Robertson is one of the best all-around players in the history of the game. Robertson was also the first African American president of the NBPA and played a pivotal role in reforming the NBA Draft and ushering in free agency. “I am thrilled to have the NBA Western Conference Champions Trophy named in my honor,” said Robertson. “Several decades ago, I played in an emerging and highly competitive league with tremendous talent. This trophy represents to me not only my hard work to make the league better, but all the efforts of the future Oscar Robertson Trophy™ winners who make the NBA great.” NBA Conference Finals MVP Trophies Larry Bird and Earvin “Magic” Johnson helped define the modern NBA with their individual brilliance and team success in the 1980s. Together, Bird and Johnson’s bicoastal rivalry captivated fans and played a critical role in elevating the league to new heights. The two NBA legends are honored as the namesakes for the trophies that will now be awarded each year to the Eastern and Western Conference Finals MVPs. Each Conference Finals MVP trophy raises a sterling silver ball, similar to the conference champion trophies. The trophy bears a 24k gold vermeil net in its support structure, mirroring the new Finals MVP trophy, and stands 14 inches tall and weighs approximately five pounds. The Larry Bird Trophy Bird’s illustrious career is highlighted by three NBA championships, three NBA MVP awards, two NBA Finals MVP awards, 12 NBA All-Star selections, 10 All-NBA Team selections, an NBA Rookie of the Year award, an NBA All-Star Game MVP award and selections to the league’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams. “I am very honored to have my name associated with the NBA's Eastern Conference Finals MVP Trophy,” said Bird. “I know how tough it is to get to this great milestone of the Eastern Conference Finals and to be named the Most Valuable Player makes it even more special.” The Earvin “Magic” Johnson Trophy One of the greatest point guards of all time, Johnson has built a legacy of excellence that includes five NBA championships, three NBA MVP awards, three NBA Finals MVP awards, 12 NBA All-Star selections, 10 All-NBA Team selections, two NBA All-Star Game MVP awards and selections to the league’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams. “The NBA Conference Finals represent the last hurdle a team must face for an opportunity to make it to the big stage, the NBA Finals,” said Johnson. “I’m truly honored to have my name memorialized on the Western Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Trophy. This player excels on both ends of the court, makes his teammates better and leads his team to the greatest stage in basketball.” Additionally, the NBA and Meta Quest 2 recreated "NBA Lane” - the league's seasonlong marketing campaign - in virtual reality. Starting today in Horizon Worlds, fans will be able to play mini games, watch the latest Playoffs highlights and view all six new trophies in the "Trophy Room.” The 2022 NBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel continue tonight with the Philadelphia 76ers hosting the Miami Heat (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) followed by the Phoenix Suns taking on the Dallas Mavericks (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). The 2022 NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV begin on Thursday, June 2 on ABC.
Denver’s Nikola Jokić Wins 2021-22 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award | Serbian Center Becomes 13th Player Selected as MVP in Consecutive Seasons | Access Multimedia Content | NEW YORK, United States of America, May 12, 2022/ -- Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić has been named the 2021-22 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player, the NBA (www.NBA.com) announced today.Download document (1): https://bit.ly/3svVqh8This is the second Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award for Jokić, who also earned the honor last season. He becomes the 13th player to win the award in consecutive seasons, joining Kareem Abdul- Jabbar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, Stephen Curry, Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Moses Malone, Steve Nash and Bill Russell. Jokić received 875 points (65 first-place votes) from a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid finished in second place with 706 points (26 first-place votes). Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo finished in third place with 595 points (nine first- place votes), followed by Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker in fourth place with 216 points and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić in fifth place with 146 points. Players received 10 points for each first- place vote, seven points for each second-place vote, five points for each third-place vote, three points for each fourth-place vote and one point for each fifth-place vote. This is the first time that both the top three and four of the top five finishers in voting for the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award are international players, with Jokić (Serbia), Embiid (Cameroon) and Antetokounmpo (Greece) comprising the top three and Dončić (Slovenia) joining them in the top five. Jokić is the second European player to win the award more than once, joining Antetokounmpo, the MVP in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. In his seventh NBA season, Jokić averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.47 steals and 0.85 blocks per game, setting career highs in each category except assists (second highest). Jokić, who played 74 games and averaged 33.5 minutes, ranked sixth in the NBA in points, second in rebounds, eighth in assists, 12th steals and 33rd in blocks per game. He led the league in total rebounds (1,019) and total defensive rebounds (813). His career-high 58.3 field goal percentage was eighth highest in the NBA. Jokić, 27, became the first player in NBA history to record at least 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 assists in a season and the first player to average at least 25.0 points, 13.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in a season. He led the NBA in triple-doubles with 19 and double-doubles with 66, both single-season records for a Nuggets player. Jokić earned his fourth consecutive NBA All-Star selection and second straight All-Star start. He twice was named the Kia NBA Western Conference Player of the Month (January and March/April) and the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week (Jan. 24 and April 4). Behind Jokić, the Nuggets (48-34) qualified for the NBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel for the fourth consecutive season. With Denver trying to clinch a playoff spot late in the season, Jokić averaged 35.7 points, 16.3 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.14 steals in his final seven games. The Nuggets selected Jokić with the 41st overall pick during the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft. Last season, he became the lowest-drafted player to win the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award with the exception of three-time recipient Moses Malone, who was not selected in the NBA Draft. Jokić will be presented with a special edition 75th Anniversary commemorative trophy today in celebration of the honor, gifted in addition to the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award trophy, which he will receive later. The commemorative trophy, composed of a solid crystal basketball, features the NBA 75 logo 3D laser etched and suspended within its center. The voting results for the 2021-22 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award are below. The balloting was tabulated by the independent accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP. Complete ballots for each voter will be posted at PR.NBA.com after the announcement of all end-of-season awards. VOTING RESULTS: 2021-22 KIA NBA MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD
| | | Player (Team)
| 1st Place Votes
(10 Points)
| 2nd Place Votes
(7 Points)
| 3rd Place Votes
(5 Points)
| 4th Place Votes
(3 Points)
| 5th Place Votes
(1 Point)
| Total Points
| | | Nikola Jokić (Denver)
| 65
| 27
| 6
| 2
| 0
| 875
| Joel Embiid (Philadelphia)
| 26
| 39
| 34
| 1
| 0
| 706
| Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee)
| 9
| 32
| 52
| 7
| 0
| 595
| Devin Booker (Phoenix)
| 0
| 1
| 8
| 49
| 22
| 216
| Luka Dončić (Dallas)
| 0
| 1
| 0
| 32
| 43
| 146
| Jayson Tatum (Boston)
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 8
| 19
| 43
| Ja Morant (Memphis)
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 1
| 7
| 10
| Stephen Curry (Golden State)
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 4
| 4
| Chris Paul (Phoenix)
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 2
| 2
| DeMar DeRozan (Chicago)
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 1
| 1
| LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 1
| 1
| Kevin Durant (Brooklyn)
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 1
| 1
|
Below is the list of winners of the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award. KIA NBA MOST VALUABLE PLAYER WINNERS
| 1955-56 – Bob Pettit, St. Louis
1956-57 – Bob Cousy, Boston
1957-58 – Bill Russell, Boston
1958-59 – Bob Pettit, St. Louis
1959-60 – Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia
1960-61 – Bill Russell, Boston
1961-62 – Bill Russell, Boston
1962-63 – Bill Russell, Boston
1963-64 – Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati
1964-65 – Bill Russell, Boston
1965-66 – Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia
1966-67 – Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia
1967-68 – Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia
1968-69 – Wes Unseld, Baltimore
1969-70 – Willis Reed, New York
1970-71 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee
1971-72 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee
1972-73 – Dave Cowens, Boston
1973-74 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee
1974-75 – Bob McAdoo, Buffalo
1975-76 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, L.A. Lakers
1976-77 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, L.A. Lakers
1977-78 – Bill Walton, Portland
| 1978-79 – Moses Malone, Houston
1979-80 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, L.A. Lakers
1980-81 – Julius Erving, Philadelphia
1981-82 – Moses Malone, Houston
1982-83 – Moses Malone, Philadelphia
1983-84 – Larry Bird, Boston
1984-85 – Larry Bird, Boston
1985-86 – Larry Bird, Boston
1986-87 – Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers
1987-88 – Michael Jordan, Chicago
1988-89 – Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers
1989-90 – Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers
1990-91 – Michael Jordan, Chicago
1991-92 – Michael Jordan, Chicago
1992-93 – Charles Barkley, Phoenix
1993-94 – Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston
1994-95 – David Robinson, San Antonio
1995-96 – Michael Jordan, Chicago
1996-97 – Karl Malone, Utah
1997-98 – Michael Jordan, Chicago
1998-99 – Karl Malone, Utah
1999-00 – Shaquille O’Neal, L.A. Lakers
2000-01 – Allen Iverson, Philadelphia
| 2001-02 – Tim Duncan, San Antonio
2002-03 – Tim Duncan, San Antonio
2003-04 – Kevin Garnett, Minnesota
2004-05 – Steve Nash, Phoenix
2005-06 – Steve Nash, Phoenix
2006-07 – Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
2007-08 – Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers
2008-09 – LeBron James, Cleveland
2009-10 – LeBron James, Cleveland
2010-11 – Derrick Rose, Chicago
2011-12 – LeBron James, Miami
2012-13 – LeBron James, Miami
2013-14 – Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City
2014-15 – Stephen Curry, Golden State
2015-16 – Stephen Curry, Golden State
2016-17 – Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City
2017-18 – James Harden, Houston
2018-19 – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee
2019-20 – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee
2020-21 – Nikola Jokić, Denver
2021-22 – Nikola Jokić, Denver
|
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).
About Kia America:Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and offers a range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electrified vehicles sold through a network of nearly 750 dealers in the U.S., including several cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America. For media information, including photography, visit www.KiaMedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at https://bit.ly/3M7uuvH. SOURCE
National Basketball Association (NBA) DENVER’S NIKOLA JOKIĆ WINS
2021-22 KIA NBA MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD – Serbian Center Becomes 13th Player Selected as MVP in Consecutive Seasons – NEW YORK, May 11, 2022 – Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić has been named the 2021-22 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player, the NBA announced today. This is the second Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award for Jokić, who also earned the honor last season. He becomes the 13th player to win the award in consecutive seasons, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, Stephen Curry, Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Moses Malone, Steve Nash and Bill Russell. Jokić received 875 points (65 first-place votes) from a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid finished in second place with 706 points (26 first-place votes). Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo finished in third place with 595 points (nine first-place votes), followed by Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker in fourth place with 216 points and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić in fifth place with 146 points. Players received 10 points for each first-place vote, seven points for each second-place vote, five points for each third-place vote, three points for each fourth-place vote and one point for each fifth-place vote. This is the first time that both the top three and four of the top five finishers in voting for the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award are international players, with Jokić (Serbia), Embiid (Cameroon) and Antetokounmpo (Greece) comprising the top three and Dončić (Slovenia) joining them in the top five. Jokić is the second European player to win the award more than once, joining Antetokounmpo, the MVP in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. In his seventh NBA season, Jokić averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.47 steals and 0.85 blocks per game, setting career highs in each category except assists (second highest). Jokić, who played 74 games and averaged 33.5 minutes, ranked sixth in the NBA in points, second in rebounds, eighth in assists, 12th steals and 33rd in blocks per game. He led the league in total rebounds (1,019) and total defensive rebounds (813). His career-high 58.3 field goal percentage was eighth highest in the NBA. Jokić, 27, became the first player in NBA history to record at least 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 assists in a season and the first player to average at least 25.0 points, 13.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in a season. He led the NBA in triple-doubles with 19 and double-doubles with 66, both single-season records for a Nuggets player. Jokić earned his fourth consecutive NBA All-Star selection and second straight All-Star start. He twice was named the Kia NBA Western Conference Player of the Month (January and March/April) and the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week (Jan. 24 and April 4). Behind Jokić, the Nuggets (48-34) qualified for the NBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel for the fourth consecutive season. With Denver trying to clinch a playoff spot late in the season, Jokić averaged 35.7 points, 16.3 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.14 steals in his final seven games. The Nuggets selected Jokić with the 41st overall pick during the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft. Last season, he became the lowest-drafted player to win the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award with the exception of three-time recipient Moses Malone, who was not selected in the NBA Draft. Jokić will be presented with a special edition 75th Anniversary commemorative trophy today in celebration of the honor, gifted in addition to the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award trophy, which he will receive later. The commemorative trophy, composed of a solid crystal basketball, features the NBA 75 logo 3D laser etched and suspended within its center. The voting results for the 2021-22 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award are below. The balloting was tabulated by the independent accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP. Complete ballots for each voter will be posted at PR.NBA.com after the announcement of all end-of-season awards. VOTING RESULTS: 2021-22 KIA NBA MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD | | | | Player (Team) | | 1st Place Votes (10 Points) | | 2nd Place Votes (7 Points) | | 3rd Place Votes (5 Points) | | 4th Place Votes (3 Points) | | 5th Place Votes (1 Point) | | Total Points | | | | Nikola Jokić (Denver) | | 65 | | 27 | | 6 | | 2 | | 0 | | 875 | | Joel Embiid (Philadelphia) | | 26 | | 39 | | 34 | | 1 | | 0 | | 706 | | Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee) | | 9 | | 32 | | 52 | | 7 | | 0 | | 595 | | Devin Booker (Phoenix) | | 0 | | 1 | | 8 | | 49 | | 22 | | 216 | | Luka Dončić (Dallas) | | 0 | | 1 | | 0 | | 32 | | 43 | | 146 | | Jayson Tatum (Boston) | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 8 | | 19 | | 43 | | Ja Morant (Memphis) | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 1 | | 7 | | 10 | | Stephen Curry (Golden State) | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 4 | | 4 | | Chris Paul (Phoenix) | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 2 | | 2 | | DeMar DeRozan (Chicago) | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 1 | | 1 | | LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 1 | | 1 | | Kevin Durant (Brooklyn) | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 1 | | 1 | |
Below is the list of winners of the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award. KIA NBA MOST VALUABLE PLAYER WINNERS | | 1955-56 – Bob Pettit, St. Louis 1956-57 – Bob Cousy, Boston 1957-58 – Bill Russell, Boston 1958-59 – Bob Pettit, St. Louis 1959-60 – Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia 1960-61 – Bill Russell, Boston 1961-62 – Bill Russell, Boston 1962-63 – Bill Russell, Boston 1963-64 – Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati 1964-65 – Bill Russell, Boston 1965-66 – Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia 1966-67 – Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia 1967-68 – Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia 1968-69 – Wes Unseld, Baltimore 1969-70 – Willis Reed, New York 1970-71 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee 1971-72 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee 1972-73 – Dave Cowens, Boston 1973-74 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee 1974-75 – Bob McAdoo, Buffalo 1975-76 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, L.A. Lakers 1976-77 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, L.A. Lakers 1977-78 – Bill Walton, Portland | | 1978-79 – Moses Malone, Houston 1979-80 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, L.A. Lakers 1980-81 – Julius Erving, Philadelphia 1981-82 – Moses Malone, Houston 1982-83 – Moses Malone, Philadelphia 1983-84 – Larry Bird, Boston 1984-85 – Larry Bird, Boston 1985-86 – Larry Bird, Boston 1986-87 – Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers 1987-88 – Michael Jordan, Chicago 1988-89 – Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers 1989-90 – Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers 1990-91 – Michael Jordan, Chicago 1991-92 – Michael Jordan, Chicago 1992-93 – Charles Barkley, Phoenix 1993-94 – Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston 1994-95 – David Robinson, San Antonio 1995-96 – Michael Jordan, Chicago 1996-97 – Karl Malone, Utah 1997-98 – Michael Jordan, Chicago 1998-99 – Karl Malone, Utah 1999-00 – Shaquille O’Neal, L.A. Lakers 2000-01 – Allen Iverson, Philadelphia | | 2001-02 – Tim Duncan, San Antonio 2002-03 – Tim Duncan, San Antonio 2003-04 – Kevin Garnett, Minnesota 2004-05 – Steve Nash, Phoenix 2005-06 – Steve Nash, Phoenix 2006-07 – Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas 2007-08 – Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers 2008-09 – LeBron James, Cleveland 2009-10 – LeBron James, Cleveland 2010-11 – Derrick Rose, Chicago 2011-12 – LeBron James, Miami 2012-13 – LeBron James, Miami 2013-14 – Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City 2014-15 – Stephen Curry, Golden State 2015-16 – Stephen Curry, Golden State 2016-17 – Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City 2017-18 – James Harden, Houston 2018-19 – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee 2019-20 – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee 2020-21 – Nikola Jokić, Denver 2021-22 – Nikola Jokić, Denver | |
NBA ANNOUNCES 76 PLAYERS EXPECTED TO ATTEND MICROSOFT SURFACE NBA DRAFT COMBINE 2022 NEW YORK, May 11, 2022 – The NBA announced today that 76 players are expected to attend the Microsoft Surface NBA Draft Combine 2022, scheduled for May 18-20 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago. The Microsoft Surface NBA Draft Combine 2022 is an important step in the draft process for NBA prospects, leading up to NBA Draft 2022 presented by State Farm on June 23. Players will have interviews with NBA teams and participate in five-on-five games as well as shooting and strength and agility drills from May 18-20. Coverage of the Microsoft Surface NBA Draft Combine 2022 begins Thursday, May 19 on ESPNews from 3-5 PM ET and transitions to ESPN2 from 5-7 PM ET. The coverage continues on Friday, May 20 from 1-2 PM ET on ESPN2 and 2-5 PM ET on ESPNews. Additionally, a select number of standout players from the 2022 NBA G League Elite Camp, which takes place May 16-17 at Wintrust Arena, will be invited to participate in the Microsoft Surface NBA Draft Combine 2022. Below is a list of expected attendees for the Microsoft Surface NBA Draft Combine 2022. Player (College/Club) | Ochai Agbaji (Kansas) | Jake LaRavia (Wake Forest) | Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Milwaukee) | Justin Lewis (Marquette) | Paolo Banchero (Duke) | E.J. Liddell (Ohio State) | Dominick Barlow (Overtime Elite) | Bennedict Mathurin (Arizona) | Marjon Beauchamp (G League Ignite) | Matthew Mayer (Baylor) | Hugo Besson (New Zealand Breakers) | Bryce McGowens (Nebraska) | Malaki Branham (Ohio State) | Leonard Miller (Fort Erie Intl. Academy [Canada] ) | Christian Braun (Kansas) | Josh Minott (Memphis) | Kendall Brown (Baylor) | Aminu Mohammed (Georgetown) | John Butler Jr. (Florida State) | Iverson Molinar (Mississippi State) | Julian Champagnie (St. John’s) | Jean Montero (Overtime Elite) | Kennedy Chandler (Tennessee) | Wendell Moore Jr. (Duke) | Max Christie (Michigan State) | Keegan Murray (Iowa) | Kofi Cockburn (Illinois) | Andrew Nembhard (Gonzaga) | Dyson Daniels (G League Ignite) | Scotty Pippen Jr. (Vanderbilt) | Johnny Davis (Wisconsin) | Gabriele Procida (Fortitudo Bologna [Italy] ) | JD Davison (Alabama) | Orlando Robinson (Fresno State) | Moussa Diabate (Michigan) | David Roddy (Colorado State) | Ousmane Dieng (New Zealand Breakers) | Ryan Rollins (Toledo) | Khalifa Diop (Gran Canaria [Spain] ) | Dereon Seabron (North Carolina State) | Jalen Duren (Memphis) | Shaedon Sharpe (Kentucky) | Tari Eason (LSU) | Jabari Smith (Auburn) | Keon Ellis (Alabama) | Terquavion Smith (North Carolina State) | Michael Foster Jr. (G League Ignite) | Jeremy Sochan (Baylor) | Collin Gillespie (Villanova) | Matteo Spagnolo (Cremona [Italy] ) | AJ Griffin (Duke) | Julian Strawther (Gonzaga) | Jaden Hardy (G League Ignite) | Dalen Terry (Arizona) | Ron Harper Jr. (Rutgers) | Drew Timme (Gonzaga) | Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga) | Jabari Walker (Colorado) | Harrison Ingram (Stanford) | TyTy Washington Jr. (Kentucky) | Jaden Ivey (Purdue) | Peyton Watson (UCLA) | Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana) | Blake Wesley (Notre Dame) | Nikola Jovic (Mega [Serbia] ) | Alondes Williams (Wake Forest) | Johnny Juzang (UCLA) | Jalen Williams (Santa Clara) | Ismael Kamagate (Paris [France] ) | Jaylin Williams (Arkansas) | Trevor Keels (Duke) | Mark Williams (Duke) | Walker Kessler (Auburn) | Trevion Williams (Purdue) | Christian Koloko (Arizona) | Fanbo Zeng (G League Ignite) |
### NBA COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER’S STATEMENT REGARDING THE PASSING OF BOB LANIER NEW YORK, May 10, 2022 – Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and longtime NBA Global Ambassador Bob Lanier passed away earlier today at the age of 73 following a short illness. He was surrounded by his family. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement: “Bob Lanier was a Hall of Fame player and among the most talented centers in the history of the NBA, but his impact on the league went far beyond what he accomplished on the court. For more than 30 years, Bob served as our global ambassador and as a special assistant to David Stern and then me, traveling the world to teach the game’s values and make a positive impact on young people everywhere. It was a labor of love for Bob, who was one of the kindest and most genuine people I have ever been around. His enormous influence on the NBA was also seen during his time as President of the National Basketball Players Association, where he played a key role in the negotiation of a game-changing collective bargaining agreement. “I learned so much from Bob by simply watching how he connected with people. He was a close friend who I will miss dearly, as will so many of his colleagues across the NBA who were inspired by his generosity. We send our deepest condolences to Bob’s family and friends.”
ATLANTA HAWKS AND MILWAUKEE BUCKS TO GO HEAD-TO-HEAD IN FIRST NBA GAMES IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 to Feature Hawks and Bucks Playing Two Preseason Games on Oct. 6 and 8 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island – – Fans Can Visit NBA.com/AbuDhabi to Register Their Interest in Tickets – LONDON AND ABU DHABI, May 10, 2022 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) today announced that the Atlanta Hawks and the 2021 NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks will play two preseason games at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, Oct. 6 and Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 will mark the league’s first games in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Arabian Gulf. Tickets for The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 will go on sale at a later date. Fans can register their interest in receiving more information about The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022, including exclusive pre-sale access and additional benefits, by visiting NBA.com/AbuDhabi. The Hawks currently feature two-time NBA All-Star Trae Young, 2020-21 NBA rebounding leader Clint Capela and 2018 NBA All-Rookie Second Team members John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanović. The Bucks currently feature two-time Kia NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, three-time NBA All-Star Khris Middleton and three-time NBA All-Defensive Team member Jrue Holiday. The two teams met in the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, with the Bucks going on to win their first NBA championship in 50 years. The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 will be broadcast live in the UAE and across the Middle East and North Africa on beIN SPORTS, The Sports Channel and NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service. The games will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories around the world on television, digital media and social media. The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 are part of a groundbreaking multiyear partnership between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi that earlier this year saw the launch of the first Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League, a youth basketball league for 450 boys and girls ages 11-14 from local schools across Abu Dhabi. The partnership also includes a variety of interactive fan events featuring appearances by current and former NBA players, a series of NBA FIT clinics promoting health and wellness, and an NBA 2K League exhibition event at Middle East Film & Comic Con. The partnership also sees DCT Abu Dhabi, under “Visit Abu Dhabi,” the tourism promotion initiative of the UAE’s capital city, serve as the Official Tourism Destination Partner of the NBA in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and China. More than 220 male and female prospects from the Middle East – including five players from the UAE – have participated in Basketball Without Borders (BWB) or NBA Academy, the league’s elite basketball development programs for top prospects from outside the U.S. Since 2019, more than 500 boys and girls have also participated in the NBA Basketball School Dubai (UAE), a year-round, tuition-based basketball development programme for boys and girls ages 6-18. Executive Quotes: Atlanta Hawks CEO Steve Koonin: “The NBA continues to do an amazing job of growing the game internationally, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in the first NBA Abu Dhabi Games. As we look toward the future of the Hawks brand, being recognized as a premier NBA franchise globally is something we aspire to, and we believe the experience for our players and staff to take in the culture in Abu Dhabi will be both incredibly memorable and impactful.” Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum President Peter Feigin: “We are honored to have been selected to participate in the NBA’s first games in the United Arab Emirates. As the NBA continues to expand globally, we look forward to visiting Abu Dhabi and furthering the league’s goals of inspiring people through basketball. We will be proud to represent our city, our state and Bucks fans worldwide this October.” DCT Abu Dhabi Director General H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry: “We are thrilled to be hosting the UAE’s first NBA games in Abu Dhabi and look forward to welcoming the Atlanta Hawks, the Milwaukee Bucks and basketball fans from across the world to discover this incredible city and experience our authentic Emirati culture for themselves. Basketball has the ability to unite communities, and the spirit of the game will be felt by players and visitors, both on and off the court. The unveiling of the NBA teams marks an important milestone in our wider partnership with this world-class sports organisation.” NBA Europe and Middle East Managing Director Ralph Rivera: “Bringing the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks to Abu Dhabi in October is an important milestone in the NBA and basketball’s global growth. In addition to the games, we look forward to engaging fans through a variety of interactive events and giving back to the local community through NBA Cares initiatives and youth development clinics that will teach the sport and its values to young boys and girls.” About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries. DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought. For more information about DCT Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit tcaabudhabi.ae and visitabudhabi.ae For Abu Dhabi Calendar, please visit inabudhabi.ae PHOENIX’S MONTY WILLIAMS WINS
2021-22 NBA COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD NEW YORK, May 9, 2022 – Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams is the recipient of the Red Auerbach Trophy as the 2021-22 NBA Coach of the Year, the NBA announced today. This is the first NBA Coach of the Year Award for Williams, who joins Cotton Fitzsimmons (1988-89) and Mike D’Antoni (2004-05) as head coaches to earn the honor with the Suns. Williams received 458 points (81 first-place votes) from a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins finished in second place with 270 points (17 first-place votes). Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra finished in third place with 72 points (one first-place vote). Coaches were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote Williams guided the Suns to an NBA-leading 64-18 record in the regular season, the most victories and the highest winning percentage (.780) in a season in franchise history. Phoenix had identical 32-9 records at home and on the road. The Suns tied for the third-most road wins and fifth-best road winning percentage (.780) in a season in NBA history. Phoenix won a franchise-record 18 consecutive games from Oct. 30 – Dec. 2, 2021. The streak included a 16-0 record in November, tied for the second-most wins in a month without a loss in NBA history, trailing only the Atlanta Hawks’ 17-0 record in January 2015. The Suns finished first in the NBA in net rating (+7.5), third in defensive rating (106.8) and fifth in offensive rating (114.2), making them the only team to rank in the top five in all three categories. They were 47-0 when leading after the third quarter, the most such wins without a loss in a season in the shot clock era (which began in the 1954-55 season). Williams was named the NBA Western Conference Coach of the Month twice (October/November and January). He and his staff also earned the spot to coach Team LeBron in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game. This is Williams’ third season as the Suns’ head coach. Last season, he guided Phoenix to a 51-21 record and its first appearance in the NBA Finals since the 1992-93 season, finishing in second place in the voting for the 2020-21 NBA Coach of the Year Award. Williams previously served as head coach of the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans for five seasons. Williams will be presented with a special edition 75th Anniversary commemorative trophy today in celebration of winning the 2021-22 NBA Coach of the Year Award, gifted in addition to the Red Auerbach Trophy, which he will receive later. The commemorative trophy, composed of a solid crystal basketball, features the NBA 75 logo 3D laser etched and suspended within its center. The NBA Coach of the Year Award trophy is named in honor of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Red Auerbach. The legendary head coach guided the Boston Celtics to nine NBA championships, including eight in a row from 1958-59 – 1965-66. The voting results for the 2021-22 NBA Coach of the Year Award are below. The balloting was tabulated by the independent accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP. Complete ballots for each voter will be posted at PR.NBA.com after the announcement of all end-of-season awards. VOTING RESULTS: 2021-22 NBA COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD | | | | Coach (Team) | | 1st Place Votes (5 Points) | | 2nd Place Votes (3 Points) | | 3rd Place Votes (1 Point) | | Total Points | | | | Monty Williams (Phoenix) | | 81 | | 17 | | 2 | | 458 | | Taylor Jenkins (Memphis) | | 17 | | 55 | | 20 | | 270 | | Erik Spoelstra (Miami) | | 1 | | 16 | | 19 | | 72 | | Ime Udoka (Boston) | | 1 | | 5 | | 26 | | 46 | | J.B. Bickerstaff (Cleveland) | | 0 | | 4 | | 16 | | 28 | | Tyronn Lue (LA Clippers) | | 0 | | 1 | | 6 | | 9 | | Jason Kidd (Dallas) | | 0 | | 1 | | 6 | | 9 | | Nick Nurse (Toronto) | | 0 | | 1 | | 1 | | 4 | | Chris Finch (Minnesota) | | 0 | | 0 | | 4 | | 4 | |
Below is the list of winners of the NBA Coach of the Year Award. NBA COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS | | 1962-63 – Harry Gallatin, St. Louis
1963-64 – Alex Hannum, San Francisco
1964-65 – Red Auerbach, Boston
1965-66 – Dolph Schayes, Philadelphia
1966-67 – Johnny Kerr, Chicago
1967-68 – Richie Guerin, St. Louis
1968-69 – Gene Shue, Baltimore
1969-70 – Red Holzman, New York
1970-71 – Dick Motta, Chicago
1971-72 – Bill Sharman, L.A. Lakers
1972-73 – Tom Heinsohn, Boston
1973-74 – Ray Scott, Detroit
1974-75 – Phil Johnson, Kansas City-Omaha
1975-76 – Bill Fitch, Cleveland
1976-77 – Tom Nissalke, Houston
1977-78 – Hubie Brown, Atlanta
1978-79 – Cotton Fitzsimmons, Kansas City
1979-80 – Bill Fitch, Boston
1980-81 – Jack McKinney, Indiana
1981-82 – Gene Shue, Washington
| | 1982-83 – Don Nelson, Milwaukee
1983-84 – Frank Layden, Utah
1984-85 – Don Nelson, Milwaukee
1985-86 – Mike Fratello, Atlanta
1986-87 – Mike Schuler, Portland
1987-88 – Doug Moe, Denver
1988-89 – Cotton Fitzsimmons, Phoenix
1989-90 – Pat Riley, L.A. Lakers 1990-91 – Don Chaney, Houston
1991-92 – Don Nelson, Golden State 1992-93 – Pat Riley, New York
1993-94 – Lenny Wilkens, Atlanta
1994-95 – Del Harris, L.A. Lakers
1995-96 – Phil Jackson, Chicago
1996-97 – Pat Riley, Miami
1997-98 – Larry Bird, Indiana
1998-99 – Mike Dunleavy, Portland
1999-00 – Doc Rivers, Orlando
2000-01 – Larry Brown, Philadelphia
2001-02 – Rick Carlisle, Detroit
| | 2002-03 – Gregg Popovich, San Antonio 2003-04 – Hubie Brown, Memphis 2004-05 – Mike D’Antoni, Phoenix 2005-06 – Avery Johnson, Dallas 2006-07 – Sam Mitchell, Toronto 2007-08 – Byron Scott, New Orleans 2008-09 – Mike Brown, Cleveland 2009-10 – Scott Brooks, Oklahoma City 2010-11 – Tom Thibodeau, Chicago 2011-12 – Gregg Popovich, San Antonio 2012-13 – George Karl, Denver
2013-14 – Gregg Popovich, San Antonio 2014-15 – Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta 2015-16 – Steve Kerr, Golden State 2016-17 – Mike D’Antoni, Houston 2017-18 – Dwane Casey, Toronto 2018-19 – Mike Budenholzer, Milwaukee 2019-20 – Nick Nurse, Toronto 2020-21 – Tom Thibodeau, New York 2021-22 – Monty Williams, Phoenix | |
# # # PHILADELPHIA 76ERS FINED NEW YORK, May 7, 2022 – The NBA today announced the Philadelphia 76ers have been fined $50,000 for violating league injury reporting rules. The team failed to disclose center-forward Joel Embiid’s participation status in an accurate and timely manner prior to Game 3 of their conference semifinal playoff series vs. the Miami Heat on May 6 at Wells Fargo Center.
DALLAS MAVERICKS FINED NEW YORK, May 6, 2022 – The Dallas Mavericks organization has been fined $25,000 for violating league rules regarding team bench decorum, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations.
On multiple occasions, several players and a member of the coaching staff stood away from Dallas’ team bench and were on or encroaching upon the playing court during game action in the Mavericks’ 129-109 loss to the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of their conference semifinals playoff series May 4 at Footprint Center.
GOLDEN STATE’S GREEN FINED NEW YORK, May 5, 2022 – Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has been fined $25,000 for directing an obscene gesture toward the spectator stands, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations. Green made the gesture as he exited the playing court to return to the locker room for medical assistance in the first quarter of the Warriors’ 106-101 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 2 of their conference semifinals playoff series May 3 at FedEx Forum.
MEMPHIS’ BROOKS SUSPENDED NEW YORK, May 5, 2022 – Memphis Grizzlies guard-forward Dillon Brooks has been suspended one game without pay for having made unnecessary and excessive contact against Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II, resulting in substantial injury to Payton, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations. The incident, for which Brooks was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected, occurred with 9:08 remaining in the first quarter of the Grizzlies’ 106-101 win over the Warriors in Game 2 of their conference semifinals playoff series May 3 at FedEx Forum. Brooks will serve his suspension Saturday, May 7 when the Grizzlies visit the Warriors for Game 3 at Chase Center. To view the incident, click on the following link: https://www.nba.com/watch/video/grizzlies-vs-warriors-5-3-2022
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