NBA NEWS - Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. Named NBA Defensive Player of the Year + MORE...

Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. - (NBA - photo)     Jerry West of Los Angeles Lakers scored 41 points as the Lakers edged Boston 133-129 in overtimein in Game 1 of the 1966 NBA Finals - (Public Domain - photo)   Bob Pettit - (The Sporting News Archives - photo) NBA's NEW SISSY BALL ERA   Charles Barkley was a member of the 1992 USA Olympic Dream team BUT… he was never a member of an NBA title winning team ALL TIME NBA NEVER WON-NA TITLE TEAM

Miles Bridges suspended 30 games. The NBA conducted its own investigation into this matter - NBA sets all-time records for attendance and sellouts during 2022-23 regular season - Mavericks fined $750,000. The Mavericks violated the league’s player resting policy - THIS DAY IN THE NBA

NEW YORK, NY USA

Monday April 17, 2023

Memphis Grizzlies forward-center Jaren Jackson Jr. is the recipient of the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy as the 2022-23 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year

NBA sets all-time records for attendance and sellouts during 2022-23 regular season

The NBA set records for total attendance, average attendance, percentage of capacity and sellouts in the 2022-23 regular season. A record 791 sellouts shattered the previous mark of 760 set during the 2018-19 season, and arenas were filled to an all-time-high 97 percent capacity.

The league's total attendance mark of 22,234,502 broke the previous record of 22,124,559 set in the 2017-18 season. This season marks only the second time in NBA history that total attendance exceeded 22 million. For the first time, teams averaged more than 18,000 fans (18,077).

Highest NBA Regular-Season Total Attendance

1. 2022-23 22,234,502

2. 2017-18 22,124,559

3. 2016-17 21,997,412

4. 2015-16 21,972,129

5. 2018-19 21,964,447

Highest NBA Regular-Season Average Attendance

1. 2022-23 18,077

2. 2017-18 17,987

3. 2016-17 17,884

4. 2015-16 17,864

5. 2018-19 17,857

The NBA announced that Miles Bridges has been suspended for 30 games without pay as a result of a domestic violence incident involving the mother of his children.

The incident occurred on June 27, 2022, in Los Angeles, after which Mr. Bridges was arrested and charged with multiple offenses. On November 3, 2022, Mr. Bridges entered a plea of no contest to a felony domestic violence charge and the remaining counts against him were dismissed.

The NBA conducted its own investigation into this matter, reviewing all available materials and interviewing numerous third-party witnesses, as well as the parties involved. The NBA also consulted with a group of domestic violence experts who provide the league with guidance in such cases. The 30-game suspension is based on all facts and circumstances of this matter and considers the conduct and its result, as well as the outcome of the criminal matter, among other factors.

Following his arrest and plea, Mr. Bridges did not sign an NBA contract for the 2022-23 season, missing all 82 games. In recognition of that outcome, the NBA has deemed 20 games of the suspension to have been already served. If Mr. Bridges signs an NBA contract, he will be required to miss the first 10 games for which he is otherwise eligible and able to play.

Mavericks fined $750,000

The NBA announced that the Dallas Mavericks organization has been fined $750,000 for conduct detrimental to the league in an elimination game against the Chicago Bulls on April 7.

The Mavericks violated the league’s player resting policy and demonstrated through actions and public statements the organization’s desire to lose the game in order to improve the chances of keeping its first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. The league did not find that the players who participated in the game were not playing to win.

“The Dallas Mavericks’ decision to restrict key players from fully participating in an elimination game last Friday against Chicago undermined the integrity of our sport,” said Joe Dumars, NBA Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations. “The Mavericks’ actions failed our fans and our league.”

THIS DAY IN THE NBA

April 17, 1966 The Los Angeles Lakers, getting 41 points from Jerry West, came back from a 34-20 deficit after one quarter to beat the Boston Celtics 133-129 in overtime in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Boston, however, won the series in seven games. The Lakers’ comeback from 14 points down in the first quarter of Game 1 is the largest first quarter deficit ever overcome in NBA Finals play.

April 17, 1977 The Boston Celtics converted 27-of-28 free throws in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series against Philadelphia, beating the Sixers 113-111.

April 17, 1982 The Denver Nuggets’ frontcourt of Alex English (25.4 ppg), Dan Issel (22.9 ppg) and Kiki Vandeweghe (21.5 ppg) became the first trio to each average more than 20 ppg since Bob Pettit, Cliff Hagan and Clyde Lovellette of St. Louis did so in 1961.

April 17, 1990 The Minnesota Timberwolves drew 49,551 fans to the Metrodome during a 99-89 loss to Denver. That attendance figure was the third highest total in league history, and it helped the team set an all-time single-season attendance mark, as the Timberwolves drew 1,072,572 fans for 41 games in the Metrodome.

April 17, 1993 Atlanta’s Dominique Wilkins became the 11th player in NBA history to score 22,000 career points, after hitting for 41 in the Hawks’ 110-107 setback against Charlotte. April 17, 1995 Buck Williams of Portland grabbed 12 rebounds during the Blazers’ 97-93 road win at Seattle, becoming the eighth NBA player to reach 12,000 rebounds and 15,000 points in a career.

April 17, 1999 Utah’s John Stockton records his 13,000th career assist when he passed to Karl Malone for a jumper in a 109-93 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.