The King has been dethroned. After Team LeBron James won the All-Star game in five consecutive years, he was finally dethroned on Sunday as Team Giannis won 184-175 at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Celtics’ forward Jayson Tatum won the All-Star MVP after scoring 55 points, pulling down 10 rebounds, and having six assists. Donovan Mitchell (40 points, 10 assists), Jaylen Brown (35 points, 14 rebounds), and Kyrie Irving (32 points, 15 assists) also had great games.
With the All-Star break behind us, NBA action will really amp up as teams make their final pushes for the playoffs. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the biggest stories of the week around the NBA.
Westbrook Going To Clippers
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, it appears Russell Westbrook has made his decision on his next team. After acquiring him in a deal, the Utah Jazz have waived the veteran guard, and he will be heading to the Los Angeles Clippers when the dust all settles.
The Clippers currently sit fourth in the Western Conference at 33-28, nine games behind the Denver Nuggets. With Paul George and Kawhi Leonard as the definitive team leaders, it was important for the Clippers to know that Westbrook would be alright as more of a role player.
It appears their concerns have been addressed, and Westbrook could certainly give the team another level of depth. In 52 games with the Lakers this season, he has averaged 15.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game.
The Clippers currently have the third-best odds of winning the West (+500) and the fifth-best odds of winning the NBA Finals (+1200).
Kevin Love Finds New Team
Westbrook isn’t the only one finding a new team after a buyout. After having the rest of his contract bought out by the Cleveland Cavaliers, forward Kevin Love has found a new home in South Beach as he officially signed with the Miami Heat on Monday.
The 34-year-old Love played in 41 games this season for the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.
After just under nine seasons in Cleveland, Love now moves to a Heat team that is seventh in the Eastern Conference at 32-27, 10 games behind the first place Celtics.
With the undersized Caleb Martin currently the team’s power forward, Love should have an opportunity to get valuable playing time immediately for the Heat, something he had lost with the Cavaliers.
Miami currently has the fifth-best odds of winning the Eastern Conference at +2500.
Giannis To Have Further Tests On Injured Wrist
One noticeable absence from the court over the weekend was Giannis Antetokounmpo. Technically he played for 20 seconds and scored two points, but that was more for show as he is nursing an injury.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ superstar injured his wrist in the last game before the break against the Chicago Bulls, and according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, he is having more tests done on it this week.
While initial x-rays were negative, the team is just trying to take it cautious with Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 31.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game in 47 games.
The Bucks are currently second in the East with a 41-17 record, just a half game behind Boston. Overall, they have the second-best odds of winning the Conference (+185), and they also have the second-best odds of winning the NBA Finals (+430). The health of Antetokounmpo will go a long way in determining whether that becomes a reality, though.
