Giannis Antetokounmpo leaves game with sprained wrist Celtics remove interim tag, officially make Joe Mazzulla head coach Clippers reportedly begin talks to sign Russell Westbrook after buyout Post Malone, Jewel (both with Utah ties) to perform at NBA All-Star Game Three things to Know: Mikal Bridges scores 15 straight, 45 for game, Nets beat Heat

Thursday in Chicago in the first quarter Giannis Antetokounmpo became the Milwaukee Bucks’ all-time leader in assists.

Early in the second quarter, he sprained his wrist by falling into a standing position after a block and went out of the game, never to return.

Giannis Antetokounmpo will NOT return for today’s game due to a sprained right wrist.

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 17, 2023

There is no word yet on the severity of the sprain or whether he could end up missing this Sunday’s All-Star Game, where he captains alongside LeBron James.

The game happened when the Bulls are guarding Coby White went around Antetokoumbo, but the Greek Frick pursued him and struck a block from the shield. Antetokumbō fell onto the counter, breaking the fall with his right hand, resulting in a sprain.

This replay angle shows Giannis running to the counter after trying to block Kobe White.pic.twitter.com/YdDxRIfcMv

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 17, 2023

The Bucks, runners-up in the East, will be cautious about returning their MVP candidate, but they have the advantage of a week before the All-Star break with no games.

Antetokounmpo averages 32.5 points and 12.3 rebounds per game, along with 5.5 assists and an elite defense. He is a serious candidate for what will be his third MVP trophy.

Joe Mazzulla has been promoted from the back bench to one of the most prestigious coaching positions in the NBA. When the Celtics suspended Ime Udoka due to an inappropriate relationship with a team member, Mazzulla was named interim head coach. He did an impressive job of keeping the Celtics locker room from losing focus despite heavy distraction, and Boston heads into the All-Star break with an NBA-best record (and he will coach in the All-Star Game).

On Thursday, the Celtics removed the temporary tag from Mazzulla’s title.

Joe Mazzulla officially became the 19th head coach in franchise history 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/LMcTLS1u0m

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 16, 2023

“As he has shown, Joe is a very talented coach and leader,” Celtics president of basketball Brad Stevens said in a statement. “He has a unique ability to bring the room around the mission to life. We are grateful for the work he has done to help us get to this point and are delighted that he has agreed to lead us into the future.”

The Celtics also extended Mazzulla’s contract along with a new title.

It’s unclear what this means for Udoka. While it has always been highly unlikely that he would return to coach the Celtics, he is still under contract and is currently in limbo. The Brooklyn Nets seriously considered hiring Udoki after the firing of Steve Nash, but dropped the idea due to the nature of his suspension from the Celtics.

Coach Tyrone Liu and the Clippers feel they need more point guard. What do they need? Shooting, defending, someone who is comfortable without the ball in glasses but can sometimes take on some raffle duties.

It describes Russell Westbrook? Because that’s who the Clippers started talking to, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

The Los Angeles Clippers are in talks with Russell Westbrook, sources tell me. @LawMurrayTheNU. The Clippers were given permission to speak with Westbrook and negotiations began between franchise officials.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 16, 2023

Westbrook was traded from the Lakers to the Jazz in a three-team blockbuster that also sent Mike Conley to the Timberwolves. Westbrook has reportedly spoken to Yuta about a potential ransom, but he wants a landing spot first. He got permission to speak to the Clippers, Heat, Bulls and Wizards. reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. However, Mark Stein’s report says that Westbrook will take most of the All-Star break to make a decision, he wants to recharge and take his time.

Westbrook loved to play at home in Los Angeles with his family, and he has fans in the Clippers organization.

“I was talking to him just to find out where his head was and see if there was anything I could do…” Paul George said after a recent game. “I am a big supporter and fan of Russ’ work, having had one of the best seasons of my career with him. I saw what he was capable of night and night. I really think he can improve the team. He is such a great talent. He picks up, finds guys, makes the game easy for everyone. I think he will come, he will grapple, he will understand how we play and he will adapt to it.”

Westbrook’s game had changed—switched sides, I should say—since George had played with him in Oklahoma City. Westbrook averaged 15.9 points and 7.5 assists per game with the Lakers and had four triple-doubles, but he is ineffective and does not play well with the other Lakers.

Are the Clippers in a position where throwing the dice at Westbrook is worth it? Does it meet their requirements? Perhaps we’ll find out soon.

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah native and Grammy nominee Jewel, along with Post Malone and actors Vin Diesel and Ben Affleck, will be among the performers at this weekend’s NBA All-Star event in Salt Lake City.

Jewel will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the All-Star Game on Sunday, Diesel will greet fans, and Post Malone, who now lives in Utah, will perform a medley after LeBron James And Giannis Antetokounmpo prepare your teams for the game.

During the show’s halftime show, three Nigerian artists – Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and producer Burna Boy, Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated singer Tems and rapper Rema – will perform on the Afrobeats theme.

Once the halftime period ends, the NBA will host a celebration dedicated to James, who beat Kareem Abdul-Jabbar earlier this month to become the league’s top scorer.

Julie Black will sing the Canadian anthem before the game.

Affleck, who stars in the upcoming Air, the story of how Sonny Vaccaro signed Michael Jordan to Nike, will introduce the teams before the All-Star Game on Friday night.

Utah’s The Bonner Family will perform “The Stars and Stripes” before the Rising Stars game on Friday and then again on Saturday – along with “Raise Every Voice and Sing,” sometimes referred to as the black national anthem – at NBA HBCU Classic student basketball game between the southern …