TOP NBA NEWS

February 25, 2025

1. Pacers Fans Sue Bucks and Patrick Beverley Over Ball-Throwing Incident

Two Indiana Pacers fans have filed a lawsuit against the Milwaukee Bucks and former point guard Patrick Beverley after he threw a basketball into the stands during Game 6 of their first-round playoff series last season.

The plaintiffs claim they suffered "physical pain, emotional distress, humiliation, embarrassment, and anguish", along with medical expenses and lost wages, after Beverley threw a ball at a female Pacers fan, striking her in the head.

After the initial throw, Beverley waved for another fan to return the ball—which they did—before throwing it back at them again. He continued to argue with fans behind the Bucks' bench before teammates and others intervened. While he was not ejected from the game, he did not return to play.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the incident but did not file charges. However, the NBA suspended Beverley for four games without pay, citing both the ball-throwing incident and his postgame confrontation with an ESPN reporter.

Beverley later admitted the incident was "an unfortunate situation that should have never happened", but claimed he was provoked by comments made by fans. "Regardless of what was said … it was more than 'Cancun on three,'" he stated. "Still inexcusable. It doesn’t matter what was said. I have to be better, and I will be better."

Since then, Beverley signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Israeli Basketball Premier League but was suspended earlier this month for a dispute with the coach. His four-game NBA suspension remains in effect should he return to the league.

2. LaVar Ball Remains Bold After Foot Amputation, Still Claims He’d Drop 70 on Michael Jordan

LaVar Ball, known for his outspoken personality and bold proclamations, is once again making headlines—even after undergoing a foot amputation due to a medical emergency.

Many expected Ball to step away from the spotlight, but instead, he has doubled down on his long-standing claim that he could beat Michael Jordan in a one-on-one game.

In a recent video following his surgery, Ball took his confidence to another level, stating that even without a foot, he would still "give Jordan 70 points and a holler."

This is just the latest in his ongoing trash talk toward Jordan, whom he frequently claims he could dominate in a one-on-one setting. While Jordan—a six-time NBA champion widely considered one of the greatest players of all time—has never entertained these taunts, Ball remains as confident as ever.

Ball’s three sons—LaMelo, Lonzo, and LiAngelo—have all played in the NBA, making him one of the most unconventional yet successful basketball fathers in history. Even after a major medical setback, his bravado remains fully intact.

3. Luka Dončić Criticized for Beer, Hookah, and Fitness Concerns in Dallas

Reports from The Athletic paint an unflattering picture of Luka Dončić’s final days with the Dallas Mavericks, with team sources labeling him "lazy" and citing his weight issues and off-court habits as major frustrations.

One of the most controversial revelations was his reported fondness for beer and hookah—a habit dating back to his Real Madrid days that NBA circles have long viewed as a red flag.

The Mavericks organization reportedly saw these habits as contributing to his conditioning struggles and feared that his health could significantly decline in the next five years if he does not take better care of himself.

Despite these criticisms, Dončić remains one of the league’s most dominant offensive forces, recently being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. With his fitness and professionalism under intense scrutiny, the 25-year-old superstar now has the opportunity to prove his dedication to sustained success.

4. Joel Embiid Facing Potentially "Radical" Surgery Amid Meniscus Concerns

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is undergoing extensive testing as he deals with a serious knee injury, with reports suggesting his situation is far worse than initially expected.

After playing just 39 games last season due to a torn meniscus, he was expected to recover through standard rehab and surgery, but things have not gone as planned.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the 30-year-old reigning MVP is now at risk of needing a full meniscus replacement—a procedure that could have major long-term implications for his career.

Doctors are also reportedly considering low‐dose radiation therapy or an osteotomy, where a bone is broken to realign the joint and alleviate pressure. A source described these procedures as "radical", emphasizing that what should have been routine rehab has gone horribly wrong.

Sixers head coach Nick Nurse denied that Embiid’s season is over, stating: "Not at that point, at all. We are playing and testing and trying to figure it out and go from there."

However, with his availability uncertain, the Sixers' playoff hopes now hang in the balance, and questions about his long-term durability as the franchise centerpiece continue to grow.

5. Charlotte Hornets Set NBA Record for Worst Three-Game Stretch in History

The Charlotte Hornets have been one of the NBA's worst teams this season, but their struggles reached historic levels over the past four days. After falling to 14-40 with a loss to the Denver Nuggets on Feb. 20, the team suffered three consecutive blowout losses that now stand as the worst three-game stretch in NBA history.

They lost by 53 points to the Portland Trail Blazers, 42 points to the Sacramento Kings, and 36 points to the Golden State Warriors, amounting to a combined deficit of 131 points. This shattered the previous record of 114 points, set by the 2021-22 Trail Blazers, by an astonishing 17 points.

Unlike previous record-holders, the Hornets weren’t fielding a completely depleted roster. While Brandon Miller and Grant Williams remain out for the season, the team still had LaMelo Ball (who played in two games despite an ankle issue), Mark Williams (recently involved in a rescinded trade with the Lakers), and Miles Bridges (who played in all three games).

In contrast, the 2021-22 Trail Blazers—who previously held the record—were using players who barely had NBA careers. Their futility made sense given their roster situation, but Charlotte’s collapse with a semi-intact lineup is even more baffling.

With no clear explanation for this historic failure, the Hornets have set a record that may never be broken.