Ky Carlin: Kelly Oubre Jr. on any keys to defending Jimmy Butler on Wednesday: “I’m not giving nothing. No keys. He’s smart. He watches this type of stuff. He gets fueled by it. He’s a great basketball player. I’m looking forward to going against him.” #Sixers
April 29, 2024 | 9:52 pm EDT Update
Jay King: Kristaps Porzingis is hurt. He just called for a sub. Now he’s limping toward the locker room, hitting himself on the head. He’s clearly frustrated.
Cameron Tabatabaie: Porzingis is DOUBTFUL to return per Celtics He’s dealing with “right calf tightness”
Chris Forsberg: The Porzingis injury. pic.twitter.com/4wKgYMe0fs
Ryan Blackburn: Asked Michael Malone on Denver’s struggles to make wide open threes: “The quality looks we’re getting, you can’t ask for more quality shots. So, I think it comes down to: you want your guys to stay aggressive, but if you’re struggling to make shots, it’s okay to drive the basketball, get to the rim, get a layup, get to the foul line, and see the ball go through.”
Adrian Wojnarowski: ESPN Sources: Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray (calf strain) is expected to play in Game 5 vs. the Lakers tonight. Murray is averaging 21.5 points in this opening-round series that Denver leads, 3-1.
Harrison Wind: Michael Malone says Jamal Murray will warm up and then his status for tonight’s Game 5 will be determined: “Sometimes I have to be the adult in the room — if need be, be the voice of reason and take a bigger picture approach.” “We’re not risking further injury.” pic.twitter.com/RM84Y6TVM2
Dave McMenamin: Jarred Vanderbilt is available for Game 5, the Lakers announce.
ClutchPoints: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appeared to have rolled his ankle near the Thunder bench. Hope he’s alright 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Hq54xdi1SP
April 29, 2024 | 8:16 pm EDT Update
NBC prepared to make a bid of about $2.5 billion per year for NBA games
Comcast’s NBCUniversal is prepared to pay an average of about $2.5 billion a year to air a package of National Basketball Association games, as rival Warner Bros. Discovery makes last-ditch efforts to keep those rights, say people familiar with the situation. Warner’s TNT is one of the league’s oldest television partners and has paid an average fee of $1.2 billion under its current deal. Warner was unable to reach a new pact with the NBA before an exclusive negotiating window expired last week, which allowed NBC to make a bid.
The package NBCUniversal is bidding on would include playoff and regular season games that would appear on the NBC network, as well as its Peacock streaming service. NBC has discussed carrying two prime-time games a week, something Warner can’t offer because it doesn’t own a broadcast network.