Owner halts sale of Wolves, Lynx to Lore, A-Rod

Ramona Shelburne

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Ramona Shelburne

ESPN Senior WriterSenior writer for ESPN.comSpent seven years at the Los Angeles Daily News

Adrian Wojnarowski

Mar 28, 2024, 02:14 PM ETOpen Extended Reactions

Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor is no longer selling his controlling stake in the franchise to minority owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, he announced Thursday.

Taylor alleges Lore and Rodriguez failed to meet certain contractual deadlines and obligations of the sale process, which began in 2021. Sources told ESPN that the relationship between Taylor and his successors — Lore and Rodriguez — disintegrated over the past two years.

Minnesota (50-22) is having its best season in years and is just a half-game out of first place in the Western Conference.

In a statement given to ESPN, Lore and Rodriguez maintained they have met their financial obligations to Taylor, including a final payment last week. In 2021, Taylor agreed to sell the Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota

How to watch New Orleans Pelicans vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Live stream, TV channel, start time for Thursday's NBA game

3rd Quarter Report

The Pelicans are giving their home crowd exactly what they were hoping for. They have a bit of a cushion as they currently lead the Bucks 85-73.

The Pelicans came into the match with some extra motivation after the defeat they were dealt the last time these two teams faced off. We’ll see if they’re able to flip the script or if it’ll just be more of the same.

Who’s Playing

Milwaukee Bucks @ New Orleans Pelicans

Current Records: Milwaukee 46-26, New Orleans 44-28

How To WatchWhen: Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8 p.m. ETWhere: Smoothie King Center — New Orleans, LouisianaTV: NBATVFollow: CBS Sports AppOnline streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)Ticket Cost: $19.00What to Know

The Bucks have enjoyed a three-game homestand but will soon have to dust off their road jerseys. They will square off against the New Orleans Pelicans at 8:00 p.m.

Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics: How to watch, schedule, live stream info, start time, TV channel

Halftime Report

The Celtics are on the road but looking no worse for wear. Sitting on a score of 63-59, they have looked like the better team, but there’s still two more quarters to play.

The Celtics came into the matchup with some extra motivation after the loss they were dealt the last time these two teams faced off. We’ll see if they’re able to flip the script or if it’ll just be more of the same.

Who’s Playing

Boston Celtics @ Atlanta Hawks

Current Records: Boston 57-15, Atlanta 33-39

How To WatchWhen: Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ETWhere: State Farm Arena — Atlanta, GeorgiaTV: Bally Sports – SoutheastFollow: CBS Sports AppOnline streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)Ticket Cost: $37.00What to Know

The Hawks will be in front of their home fans on Thursday, but a look at the spread shows they might need that home-court

Clippers' James Harden on mending fences with 76ers' Daryl Morey: 'Hell no'

James Harden returned to Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday night as the L.A. Clippers traveled to play the Philadelphia 76ers, who traded the star guard to L.A. in November.

While the Clippers pulled off a 108-107 victory on the road, it was Harden’s postgame comments that raised eyebrows.

When asked if he has stayed in touch with 76ers star and 2022-23 NBA MVP Joel Embiid since the trade, Harden curtly responded, “No.” Harden was also asked if it’s possible that he could eventually mend fences with 76ers president Daryl Morey, to which he responded, “Hell no.”

Harden requested a trade from the 76ers in June 2023, with a preference to play for the Clippers. The now-34-year-old Harden took issue with Morey not promptly moving him to his preferred destination after opting into the final season of a two-year deal he signed with the 76ers, publicly calling the executive a “liar” and saying that he’d “never” be part of an organization with Morey ever again. 

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Morey acquired Harden twice, once when he was the general manager of the Houston Rockets in 2012 and then again with the 76ers in 2022. He was previously traded from Houston to the Brooklyn Nets in 2021.

Harden, a three-time scoring champion and seven-time All-NBA honoree, is averaging 17.1 points, 8.6 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 43.9/39.5/88.1 for the Clippers.

The Clippers are 45-27, good for the fourth seed in the Western Conference, whereas the 76ers have slipped to 39-34 and eighth in the East. Philadelphia has been without Embiid for the past two months due to a knee injury, but it remains hopeful that he’ll return this season.

Harden is a free agent after this season.

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    Video Details

    The Western Conference is heating up, with the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, and Golden State Warriors all vying for a playoff spot. Emmanuel Acho, James Jones, and LeSean McCoy discuss the “bubble” teams and who is the scariest out of all of them.

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