Josh Lewenberg

Toronto Raptors NBA Beat Reporter @TSN_Sports, @TSN1050Radio, IG: jlewgram, BSky:

[Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050]

@OverDrive1050 @mickey_canuck @dfeschuk @stromer19 @Ricky_Ro24 🥵 😂

[Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050]

Live from my Costa Rican hotel room: Some thoughts on the NBA’s long-awaited ruling, why Kawhi got off easy, and what it all means for the Raptors (who are expected to complete their trade with the Clippers in the coming days)

[Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050]

My 3 year old, as I tried to explain why dad has to work on vacation: “If Kawhi broke the rules, why didn’t he get a timeout?”

Buddy, it’s complicated 😂

[Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050]

Live from my Costa Rican hotel room: Some thoughts on the NBA’s long-awaited ruling, why Kawhi got off easy, and what it all means for the Raptors (who are expected to complete their trade with the Clippers in the coming days)

[Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050]

But how many toilets is the NBA confiscating?

[Ben Golliver @BenGolliver]

La Clippers owner Steve Ballmer fired up about one of the Intuit Dome’s signature features: “Toilets! 1,160 toilets and urinals! Three times the NBA average! … We do not want people waiting around. We want them back to their d—- seats.”

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

The NBA's rulings are final -- there is no formal appeal or arbitration process available to the Clippers with the league. LA's only outlet to fight the punishment is in court.

[Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050]

It took a year but the NBA got this right. They avoid going to war with the PA (and completely screwing over the Raptors), but despite the light player penalty, they send a very clear message to the league’s other 29 teams: f*** around and find out.

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

Statement from the Clippers: We vehemently reject the NBA's findings, which are the result of a heavily biased investigation seeking to justify a predetermined narrative rather than facts and evidence. What the league told us privately differs from what it announced today publicly, and they have not held themselves close to the standard Commissioner Silver set at the start of this investigation to ensure it’s fairness and accuracy.

For the past year, we cooperated fully and in good faith and we will now fight just as hard to demonstrate our innocence.

We intend to vigorously challenge these findings and penalties through every avenue available to us and look forward to an ethical and impartial arbitration process.

[Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050]

@iamlaurenmiles 😎 😂

[Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050]

Just landed in Costa Rica for Day 1 of my vacation, so naturally, here comes a ruling on the NBA’s yearlong investigation.

The hammer falls on Steve Ballmer and the Clippers. Meanwhile, with just a slap on the wrist, Kawhi Leonard will soon be a Toronto Raptor again (officially)

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

BREAKING: The NBA has ruled on the Los Angeles Clippers in for salary cap circumvention investigations on Kawhi Leonard after yearlong probe -- stripping the franchise of 5 first-round picks, issuing a $30 million fine to owner Steve Ballmer and suspensions for Ballmer, Lawrence Frank and Gillian Zucker, sources tell ESPN.

Kawhi Leonard will have to pay $700,000 in restitution for improper benefits by the Clippers for his uncle and former business rep, Dennis Robertson. No contract void or suspension for Leonard. And Robertson -- who was fired by Leonard in June -- is being banned by the NBA from all business dealings.

[Harrison Faigen @hmfaigen]

The tally for the Clippers getting Kawhi is now 10 first-round picks, two-swaps and SGA

[Brian Geltzeiler @BGeltzNBA]

THIS is why the Raptors did the Clippers a HUGE favor putting the Kawhi deal on hold. Without that deal being official, those were two picks the league couldn’t take from the Clippers

[Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050]

When people have asked me when the Kawhi news was going to come down, I’ve been joking: the moment I leave for vacation. It happened literal minutes after I landed. Incredible timing as always, NBA! 😜

[Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050]

Even if/when things drag out further in a lengthy arbitration process (would imagine Ballmer/Clips fight their punishment), the Raptors are free to complete the trade now that they have assurances they were waiting on: they’re not impacted by the (relatively light) Kawhi penalty

[Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050]

Kawhi: “As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate."

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

Kawhi Leonard, through his new agent, Harrison Gaines, issues statement:

“Integrity and respect for this game are fundamental to who I am. I accept full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people within my inner circle and regret the distraction this situation has caused the fans and my family.  

I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone's part to circumvent the salary cap.  

For 15 years, my priority has been giving everything to my family, the game, and those I share the court with. As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate."

[Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050]

At long last

[Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050]

Where do you go from here, Kawhi?

[Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050]

The only scenario where Canada fails to qualify involves them losing their final 4 games, Bahamas winning out, AND Uruguay or Argentina going 2-2 to force a multi-team tie.

I asked ChatGPT for the odds of all that
happening: 0.003%. You’re more likely to be struck by lightning.

[Canada Basketball @CanBball]

Going into tonight’s game, Canada needed to beat Argentina and Panama needed to beat Bahamas in order for Canada to qualify for the 2027 FIBA Men’s World Cup. Panama did not beat Bahamas, which means Canada will have to wait until Window 5 in November to qualify. 🍁

#SMNT

[Blake Murphy @BlakeMurphyODC]

To be clear, there is a bizarro multi-team tiebreak scenario in play that could muddy things, so FIBA won’t officially declare Canada as in yet, but for all intents and purposes.

[Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050]

Canada gets a chance to defend (or build off) its 2023 WC bronze & they owe many of their unheralded, non-NBAers a debt of gratitude for it. They’re 8-0 in qualification games; only had NBA guys in half of them & anything close to their A Team in 2. Kabengele/Carr were huge today

[Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050]

Canada officially clinches a spot in next summer’s FIBA World Cup, doing it with 4 qualifying games to spare. They’re the 3rd team to qualify, joining Turkey (who locked up a spot earlier today) and Qatar (who auto qualifies as host). 29 spots still up for grabs.

[Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050]

Easily the most impressive of Canada's 8 wins in FIBA World Cup qualifying. Showed plenty of fight and toughness battling back against a very good Argentina team.

Alexander-Walker: 26 points, 5 assists
Dort: 25 points, 8-13 FG, +27
Kabengele: 14 points, 11 rebounds, +24