Rivers says no interest in Lakers; Clippers win
Doc Rivers denied Tuesday rumors night that he’s interested in leaving the Los Angeles Clippers to coach the Lakers.
Rivers shot down the speculation before the Clippers defeated the Pacers 115-109. Danilo Gallinari scored 24 points, and Montrezl Harrell had 20 points and 12 rebounds for Los Angeles.
The Lebron Jamesled Lakers are 31-40 under coach Luke Walton, whose job status is widely believed to be in jeopardy. Fueling the speculation involving Rivers is that he is close friends with Magic Johnson, Lakers president of basketball operations.
Rivers and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer agreed to a shorter contract extension last year that included an opt-out after this season. Rivers said the opt-out existed to “make sure it was the right fit for everyone.”
However, Rivers said that’s being replaced with a long-term deal.
“I have a job and the Lakers have a coach,” Rivers said. “Straight and upfront, I’m going to be here until Steve says, ‘Get out.’”
At Milwaukee, Khris Middleton scored 30 points, Brook Lopez added 28, and the Bucks beat Los Angeles.
Milwaukee played without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is nursing an injured ankle, while Lebron James sat out for Los Angeles due to a sore groin.
At Minneapolis, Stephen Curry scored 22 of his 36 points in the third quarter, and Klay Thompson pitched in with 28 points, giving Golden State more than enough production to beat Minnesota and regain first place in the Western Conference.
Jonas Jerebko added 18 points, Kevin Durant scored 17 points, and Draymond Green had 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Warriors (48-22), who bounced back from a loss at San Antonio on Monday and moved a half-game ahead of Denver (47-22) in the race for the top seed. The Nuggets were idle.
At Atlanta, James Harden had 31 points and 10 assists, Clint Capela added 26 points and 11 rebounds, and Houston won its third straight.
At Charlotte, N.C., Ben Simmons scored 28 points, JJ Redick had 27 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and Philadelphia held on for its fifth straight victory.
At Sacramento, Calif., D’angelo Russell scored 27 of his career-high 44 points in the fourth quarter, Rondae HollisJefferson made a layup with eight-tenths of a second remaining, and Brooklyn rallied from 28 points down in the second half to beat Sacramento.