NBA News Today: Kyrie Irving defends controversial social media post, Luka Doncic matches incredible Michael Jordan feat, and more | October 31, 2022
Brooklyn Nets All-Star guard Kyrie Irving recently got into a rather tense exchange with an NBA reporter. The incident took place on the heels of Irving facing plenty of backlash for sharing a link to an anti-Semitic film on Twitter.
In other news, Dallas Mavericks superstar guard Luka Doncic continues to make NBA history. Doncic just tied NBA legend Michael Jordan’s scoring streak from 36 years ago during the Mavericks' latest win.
On that note, here are the latest rumors from around the NBA as of Oct. 31st, 2022.
Kyrie Irving defends controversial social media post
Kyrie Irving has continuously gotten himself involved in controversies lately. The latest of those involved him sharing a link to an anti-Semitic film on Twitter.
Irving initially apologized for his actions in a separate tweet, writing:
“I am an OMNIST and I meant no disrespect to anyone’s religious beliefs. The 'Anti-Semitic' label that is being pushed on me is not justified and does not reflect the reality or truth I live in everyday. I embrace and want to learn from all walks of life and religions.”
I am an OMNIST and I meant no disrespect to anyone’s religious beliefs. The “Anti-Semitic” label that is being pushed on me is not justified and does not reflect the reality or truth I live in everyday. I embrace and want to learn from all walks of life and religions.
Hélà🤞🏾♾
However, when asked about the issue by NBA reporters during a recent postgame interview, Irving got rather defensive.
“We're in 2022. History is not supposed to be hidden from anybody, and I'm not a divisive person when it comes to religion. I embrace all walks of life,” Irving said.
“I’m not going to stand down on anything I believe in. I’m only going to get stronger because I’m not alone. I have a whole army around me.”
Irving eventually left the interview after he felt like a reporter was trying to bait him into saying something controversial.
The NBA has since released an official statement in relation to the issue, a part of which read:
"Hate speech of any kind is unacceptable and runs counter to the NBA’s values of equality, inclusion and respect.”
The NBA issued the following statement: https://t.co/vuTVhEegeh
Brooklyn Nets billionaire owner Joe Tsai also tweeted his disappointment regarding the incident, writing:
“I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of anti-Semitic disinformation. I want to sit down and make sure he understands this is hurtful to all of us, and as a man of faith, it is wrong to promote hate based on race, ethnicity or religion,” Tsai said.
I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of anti-semitic disinformation. I want to sit down and make sure he understands this is hurtful to all of us, and as a man of faith, it is wrong to promote hate based on race, ethnicity or religion.
Finally, the Brooklyn Nets as an organization also released a statement via The Athletic's Alex Schiffer. It read:
"The Brooklyn Nets strongly condemn and have no tolerance for the promotion of any form of hate speech. We believe that in these situations, our first action must be open, honest dialogue.”
Despite the controversy, Kyrie Irving is not expected to receive any punishment from the NBA, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
Luka Doncic ties Michael Jordan’s scoring streak
Luka Doncic made history during the Dallas Mavericks' 114-105 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday night.
Per Tim McMahon of ESPN, Doncic became the first player since Michael Jordan to score at least 30 points in his team’s first six games of a season. Jordan achieved the feat in the 1986-87 season.
Luka Doncic just became the first player since Michael Jordan in 1986-87 to score at least 30 points in his team’s first six games of the season, per @ESPNStatsInfo.
Doncic did it by halftime tonight vs. Magic.
Doncic needed just two quarters (18 minutes of action) to reach the 30-point mark against the Magic. He ended up with 44 points on 17/26 (65.4%) shooting overall in the game.
What made his feat even more incredible was that it came on the second night of a back-to-back. Doncic and the Mavericks had suffered a historic fourth quarter collapse against the OKC Thunder just the previous night. He made sure not to mess around in this game as the Mavs secured the win.
Doncic is averaging 36.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game on 50.3% shooting this season. He currently leads the league in scoring.
Following the game, Dallas is back at .500 (3-3) and currently sits 10th in the Western Conference. The Mavericks' next game will be on Wednesday at home against the Utah Jazz.
Bogdanovic, Pistons agree 2-year, $39.1 million contract extension
The Detroit Pistons and veteran forward Bojan Bogdanovic have agreed to a two-year, $39.1 million contract extension, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The extension is set to keep him in Detroit through the 2024-2025 NBA season.
Bogdanovic is making $19.5 million in the final year of his contract, and now is tied to the Pistons through the 2024-2025 season. twitter.com/wojespn/status…
Bogdanovic, 33, is playing in his first season with the Pistons after being acquired in a preseason trade with the Utah Jazz. Through seven games, he is currently averaging a career-best 22.7 points per game (PPG) to go along with 3.9 3-pointers per game on a 52.6/50.9/94.1 shooting split.
He currently leads all Pistons players in PPG.
The Pistons may be just 2-5 and 13th in the Eastern Conference but it’s safe to say they got what they bargained for with Bogdanovic. The forward looks set to continue to help guide the Pistons' young core as they try to make their first playoff appearance since the 2018-19 NBA season.
Zion Williamson returns, dominates in blowout win over Clippers
In some more positive news, New Orleans All-Star forward Zion Williamson made his return from a hip injury on Sunday afternoon.
He played a key role as the Pelicans went on to blowout the LA Clippers 112-91. Williamson finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists on 9-for-17 (52.9%) shooting in his return to action.
Y'all know Z had to show out in LA
#Pelicans | @Gatorade https://t.co/rE10VCfYfQ
Williamson had previously missed the Pelicans' last two games with a right hip and lower back contusion. After Sunday’s game, he spoke about how he’s still a little sore but healthy enough to play.
“Still a little sore, man,” Williamson said.
“I’ve taken a lot of falls, but I ain’t never had a fall like that one. But it was fine enough for me to play. Unless I’m truly injured, I’m going to be playing the game of basketball. That’s just how I am.”
Williamson’s seven assists against the Clippers was one off his career-high of eight. He attributed this to the teams’ abundance of shooting options.
“We got some special shooters on this team. I’m able to find them and they knock the shots down,” Williamson said.
Following the win, the Pelicans moved to 4-2 on the season and currently sit fifth in the Western Conference. They are notably 3-1 in the games that Williamson has played in.
Their next game will be on Wednesday on the road against the 1-5 LA Lakers, who will enter the contest on the back of their first win of the season.
Kevin Love and Donovan Mitchell make NBA history in Cavs win
The Cleveland Cavaliers won their fifth straight game of the season on Sunday, beating the New York Knicks 121-108.
The Cavs have been absolutely on fire from three so far this season and shot a blistering 23-for-50 (46.0%) from beyond the arc versus the Knicks. This included a combined 16 made threes from All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell and veteran forward Kevin Love.
In doing so, Mitchell and Love became the second pair of teammates in NBA history to each make eight or more 3-pointers in a game.
Donovan Mitchell and Kevin Love are only the 2nd pair of teammates in NBA history to each make 8+ threes in the same game.
The other instance was done by Coby White and Zach LaVine in 2021. https://t.co/cgwJjn6MWg
Mitchell finished with 38 points and 12 assists in the game, while Love managed 29 points and eight rebounds.
Donovan Mitchell and Kevin Love BALLED OUT tonight for the @cavs.
Mitchell: 38 PTS, 3 REB, 12 AST, 8 3PM
Love: 29 PTS, 8 REB, 8 3PM
🎯🎯🎯 https://t.co/rMwrMyJ9Hc
The Cavs, as a team, are now shooting an NBA-best 42.7% from deep this season.
Following the win, they have also moved to 5-1 and second in the Eastern Conference, behind only the unbeaten Milwaukee Bucks. Their next game will be at home on Wednesday against the Boston Celtics.