All articles tagged with #bench depth
San Antonio will not ride Victor Wembanyama for every minute as they trail Oklahoma City 2-1 in the Western Conference Finals; OKC’s depth has dominated when Wembanyama rests, including a 76-23 edge from the Thunder’s bench in Game 3, while the Spurs deal with injuries to De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper and search for schematic fixes for Game 4 without sacrificing their team identity.
OKC used a franchise-record 76-point bench performance to flip an early Spurs run and take a 2-1 series lead, as Jared McCain scored 24, Jaylin Williams added 18 on five 3s, and Alex Caruso chipped in 15, while Victor Wembanyama's highlights couldn't prevent San Antonio's depth from being overwhelmed.
San Antonio jumped out to a 19-4 lead, but Oklahoma City flipped the script with its depth and defense, routing the Spurs 123-108 to take a 2-1 edge in the Western Conference Finals. The Thunder’s bench outscored San Antonio 76-23, with Jared McCain dropping 24 and Jaylin Williams adding 18, while Victor Wembanyama finished with 26 but saw limited paint touches. Devin Vassell led SA with 20 points as the offense stalled after the first quarter; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander still produced 26 on a night he struggled from the floor, and De’Aaron Fox returned from injury only to re-injure his ankle, leaving San Antonio searching for answers ahead of Game 4.
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the San Antonio Spurs 123-108 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals to take a 2-1 series lead, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 26 points and 12 assists, and a 24-point, 10-of-21 bench effort from Jared McCain. OKC's reserves outscored San Antonio 76-23, flipping momentum after an early deficit to build a halftime edge and never surrender the lead as Game 4 is set for Sunday in San Antonio.
Jaden McDaniels poured in a career-high 32 points as Minnesota, shorthanded by injuries to Anthony Edwards, Ayo Dosunmu and Donte DiVincenzo, leaned on a selfless, five-forward rotation to topple the Denver Nuggets in Game 6. McDaniels’ defense on Jamal Murray and Rudy Gobert’s on Nikola Jokic, plus improved ball protection, helped the Wolves win the series and advance to face San Antonio. Terrence Shannon Jr. added 24 points in the effort, underscoring a team-wide effort as Minnesota capitalized on its gritty, collective performance.
In Game 1, the Sixers were overwhelmed by Boston as depth issues at center surfaced (Drummond a minus in 21 minutes; Adem Bona looking out of place) and Embiid’s absence highlighted a long-standing frontcourt weakness. Philadelphia’s poor 3-point shooting (4-of-23) and Oubre’s 0-for-5 contributed to the letdown, while the Celtics’ defense and a tense “We want Boston” exchange underscored the uphill path ahead for a team hoping for a quick turnaround.
Wisconsin Badgers opened their season with a dominant 96-64 win over Campbell, highlighted by John Blackwell's 31-point performance, strong contributions from bench players Janicki and Carrington, and solid performances from transfer starters Boyd and Rapp, showcasing team depth and individual talent.
Kansas Jayhawks, ranked No. 1 in the CBS Sports Top 25 And 1, showcased their improved bench depth in a 92-89 victory over North Carolina. The Jayhawks, who struggled with depth last season, benefited from key contributions by transfers Zeke Mayo and AJ Storr, and freshman Flory Bidunga, who collectively scored 42 points off the bench. Despite blowing a 20-point lead, Kansas rallied late to secure the win, highlighting coach Bill Self's successful strategy of bolstering the roster through the transfer portal.
The Phoenix Suns acquired Royce O'Neale, providing much-needed reliability off the bench with his consistent shooting, defensive skills, and playmaking ability. O'Neale's arrival solidifies the Suns' roster and brings valuable experience, while also offering the option to re-sign him in the future. The trade also involved acquiring David Roddy from the Memphis Grizzlies, adding potential depth and versatility to the team's lineup.
The Florida Gators defeated the Michigan Wolverines 106-101 in a thrilling double-overtime college basketball game. Despite trailing by nine points in the second half, the Gators fought back and relied on their bench depth to wear down the Wolverines, whose starters played heavy minutes. Zyon Pullin led the Gators with 22 points, including a clutch 3-pointer to force a second overtime. The win marked the fourth straight victory for Florida and showcased their toughness and ability to win close games against strong opponents.
The Florida Gators defeated the Michigan Wolverines 106-101 in a thrilling double-overtime college basketball game. Despite trailing by nine points in the second half, the Gators fought back and relied on their bench depth to wear down the Wolverines, whose starters played heavy minutes. Zyon Pullin led the Gators with 22 points, including a clutch 3-pointer to force a second overtime. The win marked the fourth straight victory for Florida and showcased their toughness and ability to win close games against strong opponents.
The Boston Celtics are considering their lineup options for the upcoming season, with the possibility of Derrick White coming off the bench to maximize his usage as a sixth man. While a steady starting lineup is preferred, injuries may cause fluctuations. The Celtics' preferred lineup includes White, Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis. The team is looking for bench depth beyond Payton Pritchard and Al Horford, with Oshae Brissett, Lamar Stevens, Dalano Banton, Svi Mykhailiuk, and Jordan Walsh in contention. The Celtics are also monitoring their center position due to injury concerns and may consider calling up Neemias Queta. Turnovers have been an issue for the team, and they are aiming for better ball control. If they could add a non-All-Star player from Celtics history, a center like Aron Baynes would be a good fit. Gino Time, the celebratory dance during games, could feature a lineup of Davison, Banton, Stevens, Walsh, and Queta. The Celtics have high expectations for the season and view it as title or bust.
The Dallas Mavericks lost to Real Madrid in a preseason game, with Tim Hardaway Jr. leading the team in scoring. The game showcased the Mavericks' ongoing search for a consistent starting lineup, with injuries to Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic complicating matters. The Mavericks' bench impressed with a strong performance, highlighting improved depth compared to last season. While there are concerns about the injuries to the star duo, there is optimism that they will recover in time for the regular season.
The New York Yankees have signed outfielder Franchy Cordero, who is likely to serve as bench depth for the team. Cordero had a strong spring training with the Orioles, hitting .413 with four doubles, a triple, and two home runs in 46 at-bats. The Yankees' outfield is already set with Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Aaron Hicks, but Cordero will provide additional depth.