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With the Philadelphia 76ers falling to 1-4 on the season, some NBA analysts are questioning whether Philly could move on from head coach Doc Rivers.
In other news, Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri has received a $35k fine for his remarks to a game official. This is the latest in a series of punishments that have been handed down by the NBA lately.
On that note, here is the latest news from around the NBA as of Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022.
Philadelphia 76ers outsiders questioning Doc Rivers' future
The Philadelphia 76ers have fallen to a disappointing 1-4 record this season following Wednesday night’s 119-109 loss to the Toronto Raptors. This has some NBA analysts questioning head coach Doc Rivers’ future with the team.
According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, there has already been some chatter around the league regarding the Sixers moving on from Rivers.
“Doc Rivers, Bill Simmons has been saying for weeks on his podcast that Doc could be the first coach fired. Certainly, people are chattering about that in the league ecosystem,” Lowe said.
Lowe then added that he isn’t sure how true the rumors are. He also explained that team president Daryl Morey may give the team more time to work things out.
“But I don’t know how much that chatter is actually reality, and this is Daryl Morey’s team. This is the Rockets reunion tour. This is ‘I waited on my long-lost love James Harden. I waited and waited and got him back.’ This is it. Like this is the team and they’ve just got to be better than this,” Lowe said.
Doc Rivers currently has a coaching record of 101-58 during his tenure with the Sixers. However, he has not been able to lead the team past the second round of the playoffs so far. This season was expected to be Philly’s best chance to win the East with a revamped bench and James Harden getting back to full strength. So, if the Sixers' slow start continues, it would not be surprising to see them look for a new coach.
Raptors' president Masai Ujiri fined $35,000 by NBA for remarks to game official
Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri has been fined $35,000 for his actions during the Raptors’ 112-109 road loss to the Miami Heat on Saturday. Ujiri reportedly approached the scorer’s table and directed inappropriate comments toward a game official, via Byron Spruell, president of league operations.
Ujiri's fine is one of the multiple punishments that have been handed out by the league following the game. Heat forward Caleb Martin was already suspended for one game, and Raptors center Christian Koloko was fined $15,000 for their altercation during the game. Heat forward Nikola Jovic also received an automatic one-game suspension for leaving the bench area during the incident.
The Raptors and Heat have since faced off again, with the Raptors winning 98-90 in Miami on Monday. The two teams’ next matchup will be on Nov. 16 in Toronto.
Paolo Banchero becomes seventh NBA player to post 20+ points in first five games
The Orlando Magic are 0-5 following their 103-92 Wednesday night loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, Magic rookie Paolo Banchero is still giving fans something to be excited about as he continues his historic start to the season.
The 2022 No. 1 pick scored a career-high 29 points on 10-for-19 (52.6%) shooting to go along with eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks. It was Banchero's fifth straight game of 20-plus points to start his NBA career, putting him in some elite company.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, Banchero is now one of seven NBA players to start their careers with five straight 20-plus-point games. Others include Wilt Chamberlain, Elvin Hayes, Grant Hill, Oscar Robertson, Dominique Wilkins and John Williamson.
It will be interesting to see how long Banchero can keep his 20-point game streak going. Likewise, it will be interesting to see if Banchero’s production starts translating into wins anytime soon. The Magic’s next game will be on Friday at home against the 2-2 Charlotte Hornets.
Boston’s Grant Williams suspended one game without pay by the NBA for making contact with a game official
Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams has been suspended one game without pay for “recklessly making contact with and directing inappropriate language toward a game official.”
The decision was announced by Joe Dumars, NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations.
Grant Williams’ incident with a referee occurred with 8:58 remaining in the fourth quarter of Boston’s 120-102 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Monday. Williams tried to take a charge against Bulls guard Zach LaVine in the lane but was called for a blocking foul. Williams then jumped up and started running back up the floor, where he then made contact with official Cheryl Flores.
The contact didn’t appear to be intentional; however, it still earned Williams a technical foul and ejection. Now it will cost him one more game as well.
Grant Williams will serve his suspension on Friday when the Celtics face the Cleveland Cavaliers at home.
Steve Nash receives first ejection as head coach
Steve Nash was ejected for the first time as an NBA head coach on Wednesday during the Brooklyn Nets’ 110-99 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Nash’s ejection came with 4:24 left in the third quarter and the Nets leading 70-66. Nash was initially whistled for a technical foul before losing his temper even further. Several coaches and players then had to hold him back.
Steve Nash later explained in his postgame interview that he was just protecting his players.
"I was just standing up for our guys," Nash said.
"I thought Patty (Mills) took a forearm in the throat from Giannis (Antetokounmpo) in front of the ref. I didn't think that was fair. I don't think I was overly demonstrative. I was upset that I got a tech," Nash continued.
NBA official crew chief Josh Tiven, who ejected Nash also explained his decision.
"Steve twice yelled out a very unsportsmanlike comment that was directed at the officiating. That was the first technical. The second technical was for his continual outburst after receiving the first. As per rule, because he received two technicals he’s ejected," Tiven said.
After Nash’s ejection, Milwaukee went on to outscore the Nets 44-29 to improve to 3-0 on the season.
Meanwhile, the Nets have fallen to a disappointing 1-3 record this season. The Nets will have to move on fast as they will face the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, the second game of a back-to-back for Brooklyn.
