NBA News Roundup: Ben Simmons to begin rehab phase of recovery after back surgery, Jayson Tatum comments on his struggles & more
The Golden State Warriors beat the Boston Celtics in Game 4 to tie the NBA Finals at two games apiece. Steph Curry exploded for 43 points, while Jayson Tatum struggled with his shot and took care of the ball. Tatum finished with 23 points on 23 shooting and six turnovers.
Meanwhile, Ben Simmons is making progress in his recovery from back surgery. Simmons underwent back surgery on May 5 at Cedars-Sinai Marina Del Rey Hospital in Los Angeles. The Aussie star has missed the entire season with the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets.
Here’s the latest roundup of NBA news for June 11 brought to you by Sportskeeda.
Steph Curry earns Warriors Game 4 win to tie NBA Finals with Celtics
Steph Curry put on one of the all-time greatest performances in NBA Finals history in the Warriors’ Game 4 victory over the Celtics. Curry finished the game with 43 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in their 107-97 win over Boston. It’s the second time Steph has scored 40 or more points in the Finals in his career.
The two-time MVP is doing everything he can to lead the Warriors to another championship. Curry is now averaging 34.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists in the first four games of the Finals. He also makes 6.3 3-pointers on 49% shooting.
The series is now tied 2-2 going into Game 5 in San Francisco. The Warriors have regained home-court advantage, with Game 5 scheduled for Monday. Golden State is 10-1 at home in the playoffs. Their only loss came to the Celtics in the Finals game.
Ben Simmons injury update
Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons underwent back surgery, a microdiscectomy, on May 5. The operation was performed by Dr. Robert Watkins IV at Cedars-Sinai Marina Del Rey Hospital in Los Angeles. Dr. Watkins gave Simmons a three-month recovery period.
A month after his surgery, Simmons has now entered the rehabilitation phase of his recovery. According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, the Aussie star is on schedule to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp. NBA training camp usually starts from mid-September until the end.
Simmons has been very busy over the past week. He was spotted watching the Port Washington men’s lacrosse team play in the Long Island Championship last Saturday. He was also present at a WNBA game between the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx at Barclays Center on Tuesday.
NBA analyst compares Zion Williamson to Kevin Durant
Zion Williamson is eligible to sign his rookie max extension with the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason. The Pelicans can offer Williamson a five-year, $181 million contract. However, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported two weeks ago that the Pelicans were willing to give him a maximum, but not fully guaranteed, extension.
Windhorst’s colleague Alan Hahn responded to comments on a recent episode of “Get Up”. Hahn thinks the Pelicans should give Williamson a fully guaranteed maximum deal. He noted that Zion is still young and compared his recovery from a foot injury to Kevin Durant.
“You know how good I am,” Hahn said. “I was young. I had a few foot injuries. Kevin Durant had foot injuries early in his career. How’s it going for him now?”
Jayson Tatum admits he needs to improve in the NBA Finals
Jayson Tatum had 23 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and three blocks in the Celtics’ 107-97 loss to the Warriors on Friday night. It was a strong stat line for Tatum, but he also committed six turnovers and shot 8 for 23 from the field.
The 24-year-old Celtics superstar has come under heavy criticism from NBA fans online, including on Twitter. Tatum knows he needs to play better for Boston to have a chance at winning its 18th championship. He told reporters (h/t ESPN) at the post-match press conference that he would do his best to move on.
“It’s on me. I have to be better,” Tatum said. “I know I impact the game in other ways, but I have to be more efficient, shoot the ball better, finish on the rim better. I take responsibility for that.”
Luka Doncic posts workout video in an attempt to stay in shape all summer long
Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic has a reputation for being a bit overweight at the start of the season. Doncic has struggled with conditioning this season and it has taken him a long time to get into shape. The Slovenian star told reporters after the Mavericks’ final game of the season that he would take care of his health this offseason.
“I’ll probably take a week off from basketball and then come back to it,” said Doncic. “You have to stay healthy, you know? Health is the most important thing in basketball. If you’re not healthy, you’re not going to play.”
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Doncic stayed true to his words as he recently posted about his summer workout on Instagram. He is back in Slovenia and seems to be in great shape. Luka is expected to have a busy off-season playing for his national team. Slovenia are set to take part in the FIBA World Cup 2023 qualifying matches and EuroBasket 2022.
Luka Doncic, exactly two weeks since the end of the Mavs playoffs ⬇️ https://t.co/yIFC8Y1lvo
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