A UFC fighter and two of his cornermen had tested positive ahead of Saturday’s pay-per-view event in Jacksonville. Hours later, when the situation became known publicly, many people assumed the show would not go on. After all, the NBA immediately shut down in March when Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert became the first of its players to test positive. A zero-tolerance policy is understandable, then and now, but what Silver and UFC President Dana White came to realize is there is also likely no realistic pathway for the return of major sports competition if that is the benchmark.
A UFC fighter and two of his cornermen had tested posit…
May 31, 2023 | 11:28 am EDT Update
Heat-Celtics Game 7 was most watched Eastern Conference Finals game ever, TNT's third most-watched NBA game ever
Richard Deitsch: TNT said Game 7 between the @MiamiHEAT and @Celtics averaged 11.9 million viewers on Monday, the network’s most-watched NBA ECF Game ever and TNT’s third most-watched NBA game ever.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Chicago-native Matas Buzelis – a 6-foot-10 projected No. 1 overall pick in @Draftexpress’ 2024 NBA mock draft – has officially signed with G League Ignite for next season, Buzelis’ agency Excel Sports Management tells ESPN.
James Plowright: Hornets workout players for today: -Marcus Bagley (Arizona State) -Arthur Kaluma (Creighton) -Elijah McCadden (Memphis) -Filip Rebraca (Iowa) -David Singleton (UCLA) -Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky)
Jeff Goodman: Kansas State’s Nae’Qwan Tomlin will withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to school next season, he told @Stadium. The talented 6-foot-10 forward averaged 10.4 points and 5.9 boards last season.
May 31, 2023 | 10:27 am EDT Update
Jonas Valanciunas would like extension with Pelicans
Valanciunas also talked about his future in the NBA with the New Orleans Pelicans. The Lithuanian big man revealed he would like to stay with the Pelicans. “We had some talks with [the team]. I think this summer won’t be easy for them [team executives] because they will have to make a few key decisions. Our season didn’t go as planned, so there will definitely be changes,” Valanciunas said. “I would like to stay and extend my contract,” JV continued. “Obviously, during the season, you try to help the team as much as possible, but when the summer comes, you try to take care of your own things – how to extend the contract and stuff.”
In an interview with Kestas Rimkus from 24sek.lt, the 31-year-old talked about his situation in the NBA, a possible return to the EuroLeague, and the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup. “I can see myself playing for a European club,” Valanciunas revealed Kestas Rimkus from 24sek.lt “I felt sympathy for European basketball for the whole of my life, so I would not rule such a possibility in the future.” “At this moment, I prefer teams with Lithuanian connections, including Barcelona with Saras and Rokas [Jokubatis]. Whether I’ll play there one day? It’s difficult to say. It’s two different things to support and play for the team,” Valanciunas added.
The Home of Glory Twitter account made this announcement on Tuesday, while Mundo Deportivo sources say Mirotic’s departure is a “very real possibility.” According to BasketNews sources, the two sides have already had a few conversations about solving the current contract, but there’s still no agreement in place. Per Mundo Deportivo, it is hoped that these discussions can progress swiftly to reach a satisfactory resolution for all parties involved.
