Top NBA News

March 5th, 2025

1. Man Posing as NBA Player Representative Swallows $769,000 in Stolen Tiffany Jewelry

Houston man Jaythan Gilder, 32, was arrested after stealing and swallowing $769,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry while posing as a representative for an Orlando Magic player. On February 26, 2025, Gilder entered a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, claiming he was negotiating a purchase on behalf of an NBA player. Due to the high value of the merchandise, he was escorted into the store’s VIP room where he was shown two pairs of diamond earrings (valued at $160,000 and $609,500) and a diamond ring (valued at $587,000). During the consultation, Gilder suddenly grabbed the earrings, injured store associate Amit Nayee as he forced open the sliding doors, and managed to escape the mall. Security footage tracked him leaving in a blue 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander, and officers later stopped his vehicle for a traffic violation. During his arrest, Gilder swallowed several items; a scan at Washington County Jail later revealed foreign objects in his stomach, suspected to be the stolen earrings. He now faces charges of first-degree grand theft and robbery with a mask, and authorities noted a similar 2022 robbery in Texas along with 48 outstanding warrants in Colorado.

2. Celtics Duo Makes History with 40+ Point Performances

In a thrilling 128-118 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, Celtics teammates Payton Pritchard and Derrick White made history by each scoring over 40 points – 43 and 41 respectively – marking the first time in franchise history that two players have achieved this feat in the same game. With key players like Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jrue Holiday sidelined, the duo's explosive performance was pivotal in overcoming a first-half deficit.

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo Reaches 20,000 Career Points

During the Milwaukee Bucks’ emphatic 137-107 win over the Dallas Mavericks, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 32 points and secured 15 rebounds in just 25 minutes, becoming the sixth-youngest player in NBA history to surpass 20,000 career points. This milestone solidifies his standing as one of the all-time greats and fuels the Bucks’ championship aspirations.

4. Patrick Beverley Agrees That Darvin Ham Would Have Benched Luka Dončić

Former Lakers guard Patrick Beverley sparked controversy by agreeing with a fan’s claim on social media that ex-coach Darvin Ham would have benched Luka Dončić. Beverley criticized Ham’s decision-making and lineup rotations during his tenure with the Lakers, contrasting it with current coach JJ Redick’s trust in Dončić. Despite a slow start, Dončić has rebounded impressively, averaging 30.0 points and 9.7 assists over his last three games, thanks to Redick’s confidence in him.

5. Stephen A. Smith Apologizes to Kyrie Irving Following Season-Ending Injury

Following Kyrie Irving’s devastating season-ending ACL injury, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith publicly apologized to Irving and his family. Known for his previous harsh criticism of Irving’s off-court decisions, Smith expressed genuine regret and extended his best wishes for Irving’s recovery. The apology has generated mixed reactions, with some fans applauding Smith for showing empathy and others questioning the sincerity of his apology given their long-standing conflicts.