All articles tagged with #three point shooting
Miami Heat move toward signing Klay Thompson after a Dallas Mavericks buyout clears the path; once he clears the 48-hour waiver window, Thompson is expected to join in free agency on a two-year deal starting above $6 million, significantly boosting the Heat’s floor spacing with elite 3-point shooting alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, with depth pieces lining up behind him.
Olivia Miles dominated the Lynx’s 77-66 win over the Valkyries, finishing with 20 points and seven assists while going 3-for-5 from three, including a decisive late step-back; her improved shooting (about 44% from deep on five attempts per game) and elite playmaking have made her increasingly unguardable, even against the WNBA’s top defense, a point reinforced by her late-game expletive-filled burst of energy.
Yaxel Lendeborg again led Golden State in summer league, posting 14 points on 4-of-8 three-pointers with 2 rebounds and 4 assists in under 25 minutes as the Warriors beat the Thunder 104-79. His 13-of-21 shooting from long range over four games has GS weighing whether to keep him on the floor for the remainder of the summer league or shut him down to protect him for training camp, while balancing conditioning and defensive gaps against his versatile offense and potential for MVP/All-Summer League honors if the team clinches the title.
Philadelphia agreed to sign forward Dean Wade to a four-year, $39 million contract using the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, adding a 6-foot-9 defender who can guard on the perimeter and knock down threes (career 36.7% from deep). Wade’s addition is expected to slot into the starting group with Maxey, Edgecombe, Paul George and Embiid, and it leaves the team hard-capped at the first apron for this season, likely signaling departures of Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr. with roughly $6 million remaining in the MLE for other moves.
The Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Duke guard Isaiah Evans with the 33rd overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, a selection acquired from Brooklyn in a Julius Randle–related trade. Evans, a 6'6" guard known for his deep shooting and off-ball movement, was projected as a first-round talent and attended the green room before slipping to No. 33. He averaged 6.8 ppg as a freshman and 15 ppg as a sophomore at Duke, shooting 41% from three as a freshman and 36% last season, earning All-ACC honors. The pick fits Minnesota’s need for floor spacing with Donte DiVincenzo recovering from an Achilles injury. Evans has elite range and can drive off closeouts, but weighs only about 186 pounds and will need to add strength to defend in the NBA; still, the move is viewed as a strong value at No. 33, with a No. 59 pick later on the Wolves’ slate.
The Bucks selected Arizona guard Brayden Burries with the No. 10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, aiming to boost their outside shooting as they adjust to a post-Giannis era. Burries posted 16.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game as a freshman at Arizona, shot 39% from beyond the arc, and ranked among the Wildcats’ top freshmen in points, threes and steals. While many mocks had him to Dallas, Milwaukee scooped up the consensus best available prospect.
Even if Boston acquires Giannis, his presence isn’t a magic fix for the Celtics’ offense. The team has a long history of three-point attempts and would still rely on Mazzulla-ball, with Giannis likely boosting shooting volume but not transforming the system. A Brown-for-Giannis swap would upgrade a star yet create new spacing and center-fit issues, especially with Neemias Queta, and Stevens would still need to address a third scorer and bench punch via mid-level exceptions. In short, Giannis isn’t a cure-all for Boston’s needs—there are substantial fit challenges to solve.
Kentucky's new sharpshooter Milan Momcilovic, a Serbian-American guard who led the nation in three-point percentage last season at Iowa State, brings deep ties to the Herro family, a quirky jellybean pre-shot ritual that allegedly helps him focus, and a NIL package rumored north of $6 million as he helps energize the Wildcats after his high-profile transfer.
Kentucky announced the arrival of Milan Momcilovic, a 6-foot-8 forward from Iowa State, who signed with UK after withdrawing from the NBA Draft and will arrive Saturday. He is a premier 3-point shooter, hitting 48.7% from deep on 7.5 attempts per game last season, and chose Kentucky over Louisville and Arizona. Momcilovic has one year of college eligibility left (potentially two more if the 5-in-5 rule passes), and his addition should boost UK as a top SEC contender for 2026-27; his high school coach called the move a great fit for Kentucky’s system and the NIL era.
Stephon Castle delivered a playoff breakout game (32 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists) to seal San Antonio’s series win over Minnesota, proving he’s evolved into a top‑tier guard who can score, pass and defend. His lethal shooting (71% from three in that game; over 39% in the playoffs) and fearless off‑the‑dribble approach vault the Spurs toward a Western Conference Finals date with Oklahoma City, where his physicality and growth will be tested—while he must curb some aggressive offensive fouls as the grind tightens.
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.
The Indiana Fever announced Sophie Cunningham will return for the 2026 season, following a strong 2025 showing that helped the team during Caitlin Clark’s absence, despite a late-season MCL tear. Cunningham shot 47% overall and 43% from three, underscoring her value as a sharpshooter and veteran presence as Indiana pursues another title.
Despite a high-powered offense, the Lakers are hamstrung by a weak defense—slow rotations and no rim protection—allowing the Suns to punish with a high-volume 3-point attack and a late run. The Big Three aren’t elevating the team into consistent winners, and with playoff positioning at stake, the season risks ending without the Hollywood ending the franchise hopes for.
UNC defeated Syracuse 87-77 in a game built on balanced scoring and solid defense, with Caleb Wilson leading the way at 22 points and a quartet of Tar Heels reaching double figures (including strong bench contributions from Veesaar, Powell, and Bogavac). The Heels shot well from three (8-for-18) and limited turnovers for most of the game, while forcing nine Syracuse turnovers in the first half and dominating points off turnovers. A late Syracuse surge trimmed the final margin after UNC had built a 32-point lead, and Carolina now faces a tougher slate, including a home meeting with Duke as ESPN’s College GameDay rolls into Chapel Hill.
Indiana snapped a four-game skid with an 82-59 win at Rutgers, riding a season-high 15-for-35 from three as it built a 47-32 halftime lead and cruised in the second half. Nick Dorn started in place of an injured Tayton Conway and dropped 23 points, going 6-for-10 from deep; Tucker DeVries added 22 with four 3-pointers; and Lamar Wilkerson scored 27 on efficient shooting. IU also limited turnovers to five and smothered Rutgers on the boards and at the free-throw line, using strong defense and perimeter shooting to pull away on the road.