Here’s the best news from week 16 in the NBA, and other news from around the world of basketball.
😱Joel Embiid has decided to undergo surgery! (05/02)
🤕 Injured to his left meniscus, the Sixers pivot will begin a « repair procedure ».
❌ Embiid will be out for a fairly significant period but there is optimism that he could return at the end of the season.
🗓️ There will be a clearer agenda once Embiid completes his surgery, which is taking place this week.
🏀 Phoenix takes advantage of the opening of the WNBA transfer market to recruit! (06/02)
💪 The WNBA (the NBA’s equivalent for women’s players) recently opened up the transfer and signing window and Phoenix have taken advantage to strengthen.
🤑 Phœnix first signed former Washington player Natasha Cloud last week, who was a free agent. The point guard is a major addition given her record: 2019 WNBA champion and league leader in assists in 2022.
🔥 The Mercury then just acquired WNBA champion and 2021 Finals MVP Kahleah Copper this afternoon via a trade. The three-time all-star from Chicago will perfectly complement the Arizona squad.
😱 An already talented squad with Diana Taurasi, surely the best player in WNBA history, as well as Brittney Griner and Sophie Cunningham.
🔦NBA unveils interactive led floor for ASG contests! (06/02)
🤖 As technology takes over every field, the big league is no exception. The NBA is continuing to innovate this season, after the eccentric floors at the In-Season Tournament at the start of the season, here’s a new one for All-Star Weekend.
🕹️Il will be used for all Saturday’s contests, including the Skills Chalenge, the 3-point contest, the dunk contest and also the 3-point confrontation between Sabrina Ionescu and Stephen Curry.
👨🎨 The floors are designed to change colour and design throughout the competitions. They are also capable of displaying replays or other videos. There will also be player tracking and interactive games for fans.
💪 Los Angeles Clippers are the new Western Conference leaders! (07/02)
🔥 Here may be the surprise of the season, the Los Angeles Clippers are 1st in the Western Conference after the night of 6 February and the defeats of the Wolves and the Thunder.
4️⃣ With a record of 34 wins to 15 losses, the Clips are now ahead of OKC, Minnesota and Denver but the 4 teams are neck and neck.
📈 With 17 wins out of their last 20 games, Los Angeles are on a tear, with James Harden exceptional and Kawhi Leonard bluffing with efficiency.
🔥 France crushed Puerto Rico in the OQT! (08/02)
👀 A slaughter took place in Xi’An with the 12 players of the French basketball team as the culprits as they stepped on their opponent of the day, Puerto Rico. Les Bleues won the game 88-40 against Puerto Ricans who were non-existent in attack.
💪 After a slow start from both sides (5-5 after 6 minutes), the return of Marine Johannes (absent from the starting 5) was beneficial to France with 2 baskets in 2 minutes and MJ put on an attacking show with 17 points.
😵 With a frightening 3/30 shooting record at half-time, Puerto Rico was largely dominated (37-13) by their French opponents, who found their shooting touch, particularly from long range. The Central American players manage to score 18 points in the final quarter to avoid complete humiliation, but the loss is brutal (88-40).
🤩 The scary statistic to remember, illustrating Les Bleues’ domination : the top 9 scorers of the game were French.
🫡 1/1 in this Olympic Qualifying Tournament for France, who still have to face China and New Zealand, but the stakes are lower as Les Bleues are automatically qualified, with the Olympics taking place in Paris!
🙁Evan Fournier is sent to Detroit! (08/02)
💣 Quentin Grimes, Malachi Flynn, Ryan Arcidiacono and Evan Fournier leave for Detroit with two second-round draft picks in exchange for Burks and Bogdanovic joining the Knicks according to Woj.
🐝Frank Ntilikina is released by the Hornets! (09/02)
😬 The Frenchman, who has just returned from injury at the start of January, has been cut by his Charlotte franchise. Having previously played for New York and Dallas, Frank will have to find a new base to get back into the swing of things before the Olympics.
😮💨 France keep up their clean sheet in the Olympic Football Tournament! (10/02)
💥 Les Bleues, skilful and disciplined, gave China, one of the best teams in the world, no chance with a huge offensive second quarter (27-14) to take the lead. On this Chinese New Year’s Day, France gave their opponents of the day a lesson in basketball.
🔥 Marine Johannes, as magical as ever finished with exactly the same number of points (17) as on Thursday against Puerto Rico.
🎯 Les Bleues were also able to count on a very effective Gabby Williams with 17 points at 61% shooting to ensure this wide French victory (82-50).
❌ France had won 8 of their last 10 meetings against the Chinese players. However, the last face-off between the 2 teams in official competition, brings back no fond memories with the quarter-final elimination at the 2022 World Cup.
🗓️ France return to the courts tomorrow morning against New Zealand for their final game in this OQT.
😱 France overwhelmed New Zealand (94-39)! (11/02)
😳 An 88-40 win on Thursday against Puerto Rico, an 82-50 success against China yesterday and a 94-39 victory over New Zealand this morning. Jean-Aimé Toupane’s players have blown away their 3 opponents in this Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
🎯 This morning, it was Gabby Williams (21 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals) who led her team-mates with her powerful style of play and finesse close to the rim. Every time she took the ball, the Franco-American winger pierced through an almost non-existent defence.
😬 Les Bleues were already leading 61-17 at half-time in what can only be described as a walk in the park. The New Zealanders had a better second half, slightly limiting the gap, which was still quite violent (94-39).
✅ 3/3 for the French team, who leave China full of confidence, ready to take on the best teams in the world at the Olympics.
Eliott Caillot 