Clippers’ Tucker fined for public trade demands
Clippers forward P.J. Tucker was fined $75,000 by the NBA on Thursday for his public trade demands, citing comments the veteran made during the week of Feb. 5 expressing his desire to be sent to another team.
Tucker had made it known that he wanted to be dealt ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline to a team where he could have a chance to play. He has not appeared in a game for the Clippers since Nov. 27.
The Clippers ultimately were unable to find a deal involving the 15-year veteran, increasing Tucker’s frustration.
Tucker came to the Clippers as part of the trade with the Philadelphia 76ers that brought James Harden to L.A. Shortly after arriving, Tucker was seeing limited minutes. He averaged 25.6 minutes per games and started all 75 games last year in Philadelphia and averaged 22.0 minutes this season with the 76ers. In 12 games as a Clippers reserve, he has averaged 14.4 minutes.
“I went from 30 minutes (a game) starting to playing 10 minutes coming off the bench,” Tucker told SCNG in November. “It’s a huge adjustment for me. I probably have the most adjustment than anybody, but I’m a professional. I come in and do my job every night, do my job and leave it out there on the court in the time I get.”
He later told Clutch Sports, “I didn’t ask to be here. I didn’t ask for and I didn’t demand a trade to be here.”
Tucker and Bones Hyland, who both were subject of trade rumors, were not with the team in San Francisco for Wednesday’s game against the Golden State Warriors. Both are expected to rejoin the team after the All-Star break.
TIMBERWOLVES 128, TRAIL BLAZERS 91 »
Anthony Edwards had 34 points and visiting Minnesota built a 30-point lead after the most lopsided first quarter in the NBA this season, handing Portland a sixth straight loss. Karl-Anthony Towns added 23 points for the Western Conference-leading Timberwolves, who led 44-14 after one quarter.
Jerami Grant had 20 points for Portland.
Ziaire Williams and GG Jackson scored 27 points apiece and host Memphis held on for a victory over Milwaukee. Vince Williams added 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Grizzlies. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 35 points and 12 assists, his 43rd double-double of the season.
Klay Thompson came off the bench for the first time since his rookie season to knock down seven 3-pointers and score a seasonhigh 35 points to lead visiting Golden State. Thompson was a reserve for the first time since March 11, 2012. Collin Sexton led Utah with 35 points.
GRIZZLIES 113, BUCKS 110 »
WARRIORS 140, JAZZ 137 »
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Golden State Utah
Houston Memphis Portland
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EASTERN CONFERENCE
Boston Cleveland Milwaukee New York Philadelphia Indiana Miami Orlando Chicago Atlanta Brooklyn Toronto Charlotte Washington Detroit
Thursday’s results
Today’s games
39 37 36 36 33 33 32 31 30 27 26 24 20 15 11
W
43 36 35 33 32 31 30 30 26 24 21 19 13 9 8 16 17 17 19 22 22 23 23 26 26 30 30 36 39 44
Golden State 140, Utah 137
L
12 17 21 22 22 25 25 25 29 31 33 36 41 45 46
Memphis 113, Milwaukee 110
Minnesota 128, Portland 91
2024 Rising Stars Semifinal 1
Pct
.782 .679 .625 .600 .593 .554 .545 .545 .473 .436 .389 .345 .241 .167 .148
Team Tamika vs Team Jalen, 6 p.m.
GB
— 6 81⁄2 10 101⁄2 121⁄2 13 13 17 19 211⁄2
24 291⁄2 331⁄2 341⁄2
L10
8-2 9-1 3-7 5-5 3-7 5-5 6-4 7-3 5-5 6-4 4-6 3-7 3-7 2-8 3-7
Str
W-6 W-1 L-2 L-4 L-1 W-1 W-2 W-1 L-1 L-2 L-2 L-3 W-3 L-8 L-3
Saturday’s games
No games scheduled
Sunday’s game 2024 All-Star Game
Home
26-3 19-9 23-7 19-8 17-11 17-11 15-13 18-8 15-12 13-15 13-17 11-16 8-21 3-23 4-23
2024 Rising Stars Semifinal 2
Away
17-9 17-8 12-14 14-14 15-11 14-14 15-12 12-17 11-17 11-16 8-16 8-20 5-20 6-22 4-23
Team Pau vs Team Detlef, 6:30 p.m.
East NBA All Stars vs West NBA All Stars, 5 p.m.