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[ad_1] MIAMI: The Denver Nuggets' six-game winning streak came to an end on Friday with the defending NBA champions failing to a 119-93 loss at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points for the Thunder, shooting 14 of 20 from the field and making 10 out of 10 free throws. The win moves the Thunder above the Nuggets into second place in the West on 21-9, behind leaders Minnesota (23-7). The Nuggets' Serbian star Nikola Jokic made 19 points shooting nine of 10 from the field and had ten rebounds but gave up seven turnovers. The Thunder led 54-48 at the break and extended their lead to 20 points by the end of the third quarter. It was the fifth time this season that Gilgeous-Alexander enjoyed a 40-point game and he said it was a "super fun" performance. "We have so many weapons on the floor that I get to play in space and when I play in space, in my comfort zone, I have pretty good nights," he said. Giannis Antetokoun...

[ad_1] Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat dribbles against Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena on June 12, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. Justin Edmonds | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images The National Basketball Association's upcoming decision on which companies will acquire the TV and streaming rights for its live games could transform the entire media industry. Based on preliminary discussions between media executives and league officials, Comcast 's NBCUniversal, Google 's YouTube TV, Amazon , Apple and even Netflix may challenge or join the incumbents as rights holders, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private. Spokespeople at NBCUniversal, YouTube, Amazon, Apple and Netflix declined to comment. Every media rights renewal for the NBA is an important event because it only happens about once a decade. The last rights deal was...

[ad_1] Retired NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal has been named Reebok's first president of basketball, the company announced Thursday. The company also announced that former NBA great Allen Iverson would be joining O'Neal's efforts as the brand's vice president of basketball.  The newly created position is part of Reebok's attempt to reenter professional performance basketball, the company said. "We are thrilled to be expanding upon our partnership with Shaquille with this historic appointment," said Reebok CEO Todd Krinsky. "With the combination of his deep-rooted history with Reebok and reigning influence he's made on the game, there is no one better than this guy to take the helm and lead our brand back to reclaiming its rightful place and dominance in basketball." O'Neal has been a Reebok partner for decades — he signed with the shoe brand ahead of his rookie season back in 1992, which, at the...

[ad_1] Fanatics founder and CEO Michael Rubin at his office in New York. The Washington Post | Getty Images Fanatics held its second investor day in nearly a year as the company quietly moves closer to an initial public offering, a source familiar with the matter tells CNBC. More than 100 existing and prospective institutional investors from major firms such as Goldman Sachs and Barclays gathered Tuesday for the meeting at the NBA Players Association headquarters in New York to hear from Fanatics founder and CEO Michael Rubin, the source said. Another 300 people attended the meeting virtually on Zoom. Leaders from all parts of the business gave presentations and took part in a Q&A session with the audience. A spokesman for Fanatics said the company's timeline for an IPO hasn't changed. Investors were also treated to a surprise visit by football great Tom Brady, an investor in the company. Brady spoke to investors about business and leadership and mingled with the aud...