Weekend Recap: LeBron James Makes History and Ja Morant Challenges All Rim-Protectors
In case you missed it, this last weekend featured some exciting revelations from Warriors legend Draymond Green, Ja Morant doubling back on his relentless poster dunks, a WNBA blockbuster trade, Nikola Jokic dominating and hitting a game-winner, and LeBron James making more history and inching closer and closer to the all-time scoring record.
Here’s what happened in the NBA and WNBA over the weekend. Let’s get it!
Draymond Green Gets Candid in Interview with Taylor Rooks
Draymond Green recently sat down with Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report. The Warriors legend dropped some revealing gems during their interview. Green admitted “the writings on the wall” when he was asked about leaving the Warriors as a free agent.
The two parties have had some incredible highs as four-time champs and a record-setting 2015-2016 regular, but the lows have been low during public spats with head coach Steve Kerr, Kevin Durant, and a controversial altercation with teammate Jordan Poole. When it comes to that infamous moment, Green said their relationship is “a work in progress,” and he’s willing to do the work because he was wrong.
He also said they “definitely moved forward” and that he’s “seen improvements day by day, week by week, month by month.”
TOMORROW 🎥🎥🎥 pic.twitter.com/avHPFxt6MV
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) January 13, 2023
Ja Morant’s Challenge to All Rim Protectors: ‘Jump with Me if You Want to Go Viral’
Do not get it confused; Ja Morant will never back down. The former No. 2 overall pick has posterized many a rim protector. Few, if any, were as impressive as Morant’s yam on Jalen Smith. The unbelievable slam was punctuated by Memphis winning their ninth straight game after beating Indiana, 130-112, on Sunday.
Postgame, Morant admitted his thunderous dunk was his best of the difficulty. Morant felt so good about it that he challenged all rim protectors to jump with him if they wanted to go viral.
“It’s what everybody has been waiting for. I finally made it.”
jump with me if you want to go viral 😮💨 https://t.co/3ESSiC3A1w
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) January 15, 2023
Jonquel Jones is Headed to New York Via Blockbuster Trade
Jonquel Jones is on the move! The 2021 MVP was a part of a three-team deal that will send her to the New York Liberty, while Rebecca Allen and Natasha Howard will be sent to the Connecticut Sun and Dallas Wings, respectively. The Wings will also receive Liberty guard Crystal Dangerfield, Kayla Thornton will go to New York, and Ty Harris is headed to Connecticut.
Connecticut will also receive the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft.
JONQUEL TO BROOKLYN?!
— WSLAM (@wslam) January 15, 2023
Welcome to free agency 🤯 @RachGall @Winsidr pic.twitter.com/PpZqvW1hgn
Nikola Jokic’s Game-Winner Sinks Orlando
Nikola Jokic delivered a stepback game-winner to sink the Orlando Magic 119-116. The back-to-back MVP posted 17 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists on 8-11 shooting from the field and 1-4 from beyond the arc.
“He stepped back, got the space, and just shot over the top,” teammate Aaron Gordon said per ESPN. “It was a beautiful shot.”
EVERY ANGLE OF NIKOLA JOKIC’S STEPBACK GAME-WINNER 🎬 pic.twitter.com/007JQYDLas
— NBA (@NBA) January 16, 2023
LeBron James Inches Closer to History After Scoring 38,000 Career Points
The King is the second player to score 38,000 career points and is now 364 points away from breaking Hall-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbarr’s career scoring record. James accomplished the historic feat after knocking down a three-pointer from the top of the arc. The four-time MVP posted 35 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in the Lakers’ heartbreaking 113-112 loss to the 76ers.
LeBron tonight:
— NBA (@NBA) January 16, 2023
35 PTS
8 REB
10 AST
Only the second player in NBA history to score 38,000 career points 👑 pic.twitter.com/W7DvUvFB7s