In the News

Former UCLA Bruin Matt Barnes introduced as a Los Angeles Laker
By adding Matt Barnes, who was officially introduced as a Laker on Tuesday, they got a new set of chains for their tires to plow through the rocky terrain.

Barnes: Kobe sold me on Lakers
When Matt Barnes first texted Kobe Bryant about the possibility of joining the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant surprised him by immediately texting back with emphatic encouragement.

Los Angeles Lakers' Lamar Odom puts spat with Matt Barnes behind him
Lamar Odom isn't wasting anytime clearing the air between him and Matt Barnes.

Lakers sign veteran swingman Barnes (AP)
Matt Barnes is going back to Los Angeles, this time to join the two-time defending NBA champion Lakers. The Lakers announced Thursday they had signed the free-agent forward. Terms were not disclosed. Barnes, a UCLA product who started 58 games last season for Orlando, said earlier this week on his Twitter page that he was headed to Toronto.

Veteran swingman Matt Barnes signs with Los Angeles Lakers
Veteran swingman Matt Barnes, one of the most coveted free agents left on the open market, is headed to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Report: Lakers to sign Barnes
Free-agent forward Matt Barnes has agreed to a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Yahoo Sports.

Lakers sign free agent F Barnes
Free-agent forward Matt Barnes has agreed to a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Yahoo Sports.

Sources: Toronto Raptors face competition for Matt Barnes
Five teams remain in the running to sign free-agent swingman Matt Barnes, according to sources with knowledge of Barnes' thinking.

Barnes says he will join Raptors (AP)
Free-agent forward Matt Barnes says he is headed for Toronto. Barnes wrote on his Twitter page Monday that he has decided to play for the Raptors next season. He also thanked fans in Orlando, where he played last season. Barnes started 58 games for the Magic, helping them reach the Eastern Conference finals.

Sources: Matt Barnes, Toronto Raptors close in on two-year deal
Free-agent swingman Matt Barnes confirmed he is joining the Toronto Raptors on Monday night.

Barnes says he is headed to Toronto
Free-agent forward Matt Barnes says he is headed for Toronto.

Magic agree with Quentin Richardson (AP)
A person familiar with the negotiations says the Orlando Magic have agreed to a deal with free agent Quentin Richardson. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been officially announced. Terms of the contract were not immediately known. Richardson's signing means the Magic are likely parting ways with free agent small forward Matt Barnes.

2010 NBA free agents: Matt Barnes of Orlando Magic to opt out of deal, test market
Forward Matt Barnes says he will opt out of the final year of his contract with the Orlando Magic to become a free agent.

Magic F Barnes to opt out of contract (AP)
Forward Matt Barnes says he will opt out of the final year of his contract with the Orlando Magic to become a free agent. Barnes had said for months he would likely make the move, hoping to get a long-term deal to return to Orlando. He made his intentions official Monday after the team's end-of-season meeting.

Barnes says he'll opt out of Magic deal
Forward Matt Barnes says he will opt out of the final year of his contract with the Orlando Magic to become a free agent.

Magic's Barnes to start Game 1 despite ailing back
Orlando Magic forward Matt Barnes will start against the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals despite recent back spasms.

2010 NBA Playoffs: Matt Barnes of Orlando Magic to start vs. Boston Celtics despite back spasms
Orlando Magic forward Matt Barnes will start against the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals despite recent back spasms.

Magic F Barnes hurts back, plans to play (AP)
Magic forward Matt Barnes has missed practice because of back spasms but expects to start in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against Boston. Barnes said after Saturday's practice that he feels pain in the lower-left side of his back. The injury recently flared up after first occurring in Game 3 of the Magic's second-round sweep of Atlanta.

Orlando Magic's Matt Barnes expects to start with ailing back
Magic forward Matt Barnes has missed practice because of back spasms but expects to start in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against Boston.

Magic's Matt Barnes misses practice
Magic forward Matt Barnes has missed practice because of back spasms but expects to start in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against Boston.

Stern warning: Stop griping about refs (AP)
NBA commissioner David Stern is tired of coaches and players griping about the officiating, and challenged them Thursday to "make my day" by continuing to complain during the rest of the playoffs. The league handed out fines of $35,000 apiece on Thursday to Boston Celtics forward Rasheed Wallace, Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy and Orlando forward Matt Barnes for publicly criticizing...

Van Gundy, Barnes each fined $35,000 (AP)
The NBA fined Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy and forward Matt Barnes $35,000 each Thursday for publicly criticizing officials. Van Gundy and Barnes said after the Magic beat Charlotte on Wednesday night that they were not happy with the way officials called the game on Dwight Howard. Orlando's All-Star center has been in foul trouble the first two games of the series.

Magic, Bobcats in friendly, fiery series (AP)
Matt Barnes sent the playful, trash-talking text messages and voice mails for a week until finally getting a call back from Stephen Jackson. The two shared a laugh, caught up and made plans to hang out in Orlando until Sunday evening. Then their friendship will be put on hold. "We know once that game starts," Jackson said, "we're going to play like we don't know each...

Carter leads Magic to fifth straight win (AP)
The Orlando Magic are finishing the regular season with a kick. Vince Carter scored 21 points to help Orlando beat the Indiana Pacers 118-98 on Monday night for their fifth straight win. Jameer Nelson had 15 points, eight assists and seven rebounds and Rashard Lewis scored 14 points for the Magic. Matt Barnes had 13 points and 11 rebounds and Dwight Howard added 12 points and 11 rebounds for...

Scuffle mars Magic win over Grizzlies (AP)
Vince Carter had 26 points and seven rebounds, and the Orlando Magic beat the Memphis Grizzles 107-92 Sunday night after an on-court scuffle. The scrum between Matt Barnes and Hasheem Thabeet escalated into a near 10-player shoving match. There were six technical fouls by game's end, plenty of pop for an Easter matchup that had little meaning in the standings.

Shoving match between Hasheem Thabeet, Matt Barnes causes scuffle between Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic
A game between the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies broke out into a scuffle.

Tempers flare between Magic, Grizzlies (AP)
A game between the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies broke out into a scuffle. Matt Barnes was called for an offensive foul for pushing off on Memphis center Hasheem Thabeet with 6:54 remaining in the third quarter Sunday. Barnes got up to protest the call and bumped Thabeet, who shoved Barnes, who came back with an even harder push square in the center's chest.

Magic waste lead, then beat Heat in OT (AP)
Vince Carter scored 27 points, Rashard Lewis added 24 including a huge 3-pointer with 28.4 seconds left, and the Orlando Magic blew a 12-point lead in the final 5 minutes of regulation before beating the Miami Heat 108-102 in overtime Thursday night. Jameer Nelson scored 15, Matt Barnes finished with 13 and Dwight Howard had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Magic, who've won 10 of their last...

Orlando Magic forward Matt Barnes out with sprained big toe
Orlando small forward Matt Barnes will miss the Magic's game against the Charlotte Bobcats on Sunday with a sprained left big toe.

Magic F Barnes out with sprained toe (AP)
Orlando small forward Matt Barnes will miss the Magic's game against the Charlotte Bobcats on Sunday with a sprained left big toe. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said he expects Barnes to be back when they host San Antonio on Wednesday. Barnes injured the toe in a win at Washington on Saturday. The Bobcats were also missing a starter.

Rose sprains wrist, Bulls lose to Magic (AP)
Vince Carter had 23 points to help the Orlando Magic pull away early and cruise past the injured Chicago Bulls, 111-82 on Thursday night for a season-high seventh straight win. Matt Barnes added 14 points, and reserve Brandon Bass scored 13 in another blowout victory against a struggling team for the Magic.

Barnes leads balanced Magic past Nets (AP)

Matt Barnes scored 14 of his 16 points in the first quarter when Orlando opened a double-digit lead and the Magic won their fourth straight, 97-87 over the New Jersey Nets on Friday night. Vince Carter scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half, Dwight Howard added 11 points and 16 rebounds and the Magic hit 13 3-pointers in beating the Nets for the third time this season.

Nowitzki, defense lead Mavs past Magic (AP)

Dirk Nowitzki scored 23 points and the Dallas Mavericks rode a surprisingly strong defensive effort to beat the Orlando Magic 95-85 on Friday night. Caron Butler and Jason Terry had 16 points apiece and Brendan Haywood added 15 points and nine rebounds as the Mavs won for the second time in three games since acquiring Butler and Haywood from Washington.

Howard's 32 and 11 help Magic snap skid (AP)

Dwight Howard had 32 points and 11 rebounds, and the Orlando Magic held off the Indiana Pacers for a 109-98 victory Wednesday night to end a three-game losing streak. Matt Barnes added 16 rebounds, 10 points and six assists to help the streaky Magic build a 29-point first half lead before going cold.

Anthony, Billups lead Nuggets over Magic (AP)

Carmelo Anthony scored 27 points and Chauncey Billups added 24 to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 115-97 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. It was Denver's fourth win in five games, including victories over fellow division leaders Orlando and Cleveland. Matt Barnes scored a season-high 28 points for Orlando.

Carter-less Magic rout Hawks, snap skid (AP)

J.J. Redick scored 17 points in place of an injured Vince Carter, and the Orlando Magic ended a four-game losing streak with a 113-81 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night. Matt Barnes finished with 18 points, and reserve Jason Williams added 14 to help the Magic build a 38-point lead and stay atop the Southeast Division.

Lewis steps up to help Magic get victory on road
Rashard Lewis scored 21 points, and Matt Barnes added 17 to help the Orlando Magic snap a three-game road losing streak with a 106-94 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.

Magic snap 3-game road losing streak (AP)

Rashard Lewis scored 21 points, and Matt Barnes added 17 to help the Orlando Magic snap a three-game road losing streak with a 106-94 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. Jonny Flynn led Minnesota with 23 points, Kevin Love added 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Al Jefferson had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Howard's 21 and 23 help Magic top Pacers (AP)

Dwight Howard overcame a slow start to finish with 21 points and 23 rebounds, powering the Orlando Magic past the Indiana Pacers 106-98 on Monday night. Howard endured hard-hitting fouls and a Pacers team determined to not let him dunk. He went 4 for 9 from the field, still struggled with free throws but helped Orlando snap its two-game losing skid with some physical play in the paint.

Amare's dunk helps Suns hold off Magic (AP)

Amare Stoudemire capped a 28-point night with an emphatic offensive rebound dunk with 6.9 seconds to play and the Phoenix Suns stayed unbeaten at home with a 106-103 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday night. The Magic, at the end of a four-game trip after being beaten at Utah on Thursday, lost consecutive games for the first time this season.

Lewis leads surging Magic past Knicks (AP)

Rashard Lewis scored 17 of his 20 points in the third quarter, helping the Orlando Magic pull away for an easy 118-104 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. Dwight Howard added 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Mickael Pietrus had 17 points as Orlando scored 41 points in the decisive third quarter.

Magic's Barnes fined $20K for throwing ball
Orlando forward Matt Barnes has been fined $20,000 for throwing a basketball into the stands. The Heat's Michael Beasley soared over Barnes to grab an offensive rebound and dunk the ball for the winning points with 1.6 seconds left in Miami's 99-98 win Wednesday. The Magic protested that it was goaltending. Barnes threw the ball into the stands after the game. The NBA announced Barnes' fine Saturday.

Magic F Barnes fined $20K for ball toss (AP)
Orlando Magic forward Matt Barnes was fined $20,000 by the NBA on Saturday for throwing a basketball into the stands. The Miami Heat's Michael Beasley soared over Barnes to grab an offensive rebound and dunk the ball for the winning points with 1.6 seconds left in a 99-98 win over Orlando on Wednesday.

Orlando Magic's Matt Barnes fined; chucked ball into stands
Orlando forward Matt Barnes has been fined $20,000 for throwing a basketball into the stands.

Howard lifts Magic, keeps scuffling Nets winless
Dwight Howard had 26 points and 12 rebounds and Matt Barnes added 13 points and 13 rebounds and the Orlando Magic put away the winless New Jersey Nets 88-72 on Friday night.

Magic roll 88-72, drop Nets to 0-9 (AP)

Dwight Howard had 26 points and 12 rebounds and Matt Barnes added 13 points and 13 rebounds and the Orlando Magic put away the winless New Jersey Nets 88-72 on Friday night. New Jersey got a triple-double from point guard Rafer Alston, the first triple-double of his career, but the Nets fell to 0-9. They are the NBA's only winless team.

Magic finish preseason with 8-0 record (AP)

Vince Carter was 9 of 10 from the field and scored 26 points to lead the Orlando Magic to a 123-86 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night to cap the NBA's only unbeaten preseason. The Magic (8-0) won their exhibition games by an average of 18 points. Carter, acquired in an offseason trade with New Jersey, made all five of his 3-point attempts.

Scoring F Barnes reaches 2-year deal with Magic
Well-traveled free-agent forward Matt Barnes has agreed to a two-year contract with the Orlando Magic. Barnes' agent, Aaron Goodwin, who also represents Magic All-Star center Dwight Howard, confirmed the deal in an e-mail Monday, but declined to disclose financial terms. The Magic said they had nothing to announce yet. The 6-foot-7 Barnes averaged a career-high 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in 77 games last season for the Phoenix Suns.

Barnes, Magic agree to 2-year contract (AP)
Well-traveled free-agent forward Matt Barnes has agreed to a two-year contract with the Orlando Magic. Barnes' agent, Aaron Goodwin, who also represents Magic All-Star center Dwight Howard, confirmed the deal in an e-mail Monday, but declined to disclose financial terms. The Magic said they had nothing to announce yet.

Sources: Orlando Magic near deal with forward Matt Barnes
Sources say the Magic are nearing an agreement with forward Matt Barnes.

Stoudemire, Nash lead Suns by Raptors (AP)

Amare Stoudemire scored 31 points, Steve Nash had a season-high 18 assists and the Phoenix Suns beat Toronto 117-113 on Sunday afternoon, their ninth consecutive victory over the struggling Raptors. Jason Richardson added 17 points, Shaquille O'Neal and Matt Barnes each had 16 and Leandro Barbosa scored 14 for the Suns.

Suns rally from 16 down to beat Thunder (AP)

Matt Barnes hit a 3-pointer from the left wing with 25.7 seconds left to complete the Phoenix Suns' fourth-quarter rally and spoil Scott Brooks' home debut as the Oklahoma City Thunder's head coach with a 99-98 victory Tuesday night. The Thunder led throughout the second half and had been up by as much as 16 late in the third quarter before Steve Nash rallied the Suns with a 13-0 run.

Rockets-Suns suspensions: Alston, Barnes, Nash
The NBA has suspended Steve Nash and Matt Barnes of Phoenix and Rafer Alston of Houston for their roles in a fight.

Nash, Alston, Barnes suspended for fight
The NBA has suspended Steve Nash and Matt Barnes of Phoenix and Rafer Alston of Houston for their roles in a fight. Alston and Barnes were suspended for two games without pay and Nash for one. The league also fined Shaquille O'Neal $35,000 and Tracy McGrady $25,000 on Friday for their actions during the Rockets' 94-82 win in Phoenix on Wednesday. Barnes knocked back Alston with his shoulder late in the third quarter, and Alston charged him.img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Foxsports/rss/NBA/~4/453304394" height="1" width="1"/

Nash, Barnes, Alston suspended for fight (AP)
The NBA has suspended Steve Nash and Matt Barnes of Phoenix and Rafer Alston of Houston for their roles in a fight. Alston and Barnes were suspended for two games without pay and Nash for one. The league also fined Shaquille O'Neal $35,000 and Tracy McGrady $25,000 on Friday for their actions during the Rockets' 94-82 win in Phoenix on Wednesday.

Barnes' 21 points lead Suns past Jazz (AP)

Matt Barnes scored 21 points and Alando Tucker added 19 as the Phoenix Suns beat the Utah Jazz 96-89 on Thursday night. The Suns, who didn't make a 3-pointer in their opening loss to Atlanta on Wednesday, went 9-of-21 from beyond the arc against Utah (1-1) and didn't trail after the opening minutes of the first quarter.

Matt Barnes agree to one-year deal with Sun
Well-traveled sharpshooter Matt Barnes signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. The 6-foot-7 forward spent the last two seasons with the Golden State Warriors, averaging 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. His best season came in 2006-07, when he averaged 9.8 points and 4.6 rebounds, then had 11.1 points and 5.7 rebounds in 11 playoff games. Barnes, 28, joins his sixth team since leaving UCLA.

Suns make it official, sign former Warrior Barnes
The Suns signed former Warriors forward Matt Barnes to a one-year deal.

Suns sign F Barnes to 1-year deal (AP)
Well-traveled sharpshooter Matt Barnes signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. The 6-foot-7 forward spent the last two seasons with the Golden State Warriors, averaging 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. His best season came in 2006-07, when he averaged 9.8 points and 4.6 rebounds, then had 11.1 points and 5.7 rebounds in 11 playoff games.

Reports: Suns to sign free-agent forward Barnes
The Phoenix Suns will reportedly sign former Warrior Matt Barnes on Monday.

Webber could miss rest of Warriors' road trip
Chris Webber missed Golden State's game against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night with a sore left knee. Warriors coach Don Nelson said Webber, who left a win Sunday over Portland after eight minutes, plans to stay in Atlanta to rehab and could sit out the final three games of Golden State's current road trip. Results of an MRI taken Monday in Oakland were negative. Matt Barnes started in place of Webber, a 14th-year center-forward who is averaging 3.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in nine games.

Warriors roll past Bobcats 127-96 (AP)

Jason Richardson has been on the unpleasant end of innumerable blowout losses in this building, and he still feels a twinge of regret that he's no longer on the team that's now handing them out instead of taking them. Monta Ellis scored 21 points, Stephen Jackson had 19 and the Warriors made Richardson miserable in his return to Golden State with a 127-96 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on...

Barnes can't play due to inactive list snafu
Golden State forward Matt Barnes was ruled ineligible Saturday night against Milwaukee because of an error made when the Warriors turned in their active and inactive lists. Barnes was not placed on either list when the team turned them in before the game. Instead, guard Mickael Pietrus was named on both lists, and was eligible to play. Barnes has played in 36 games, starting 12, and is averaging 7.7 points. He was not on the bench during the game.

Barnes ineligible for Warriors' game (AP)
Golden State forward Matt Barnes was ruled ineligible Saturday night against Milwaukee because of an error made when the Warriors turned in their active and inactive lists. Barnes was not placed on either list when the team turned them in before the game. Instead, guard Mickael Pietrus was named on both lists, and was eligible to play.

Chandler's 22-22 effort lifts Hornets (AP)

Tyson Chandler had a season-high 22 points and matched a season best with 22 rebounds to lead the New Orleans Hornets to their fifth straight road win, 116-104 over the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. Chris Paul scored 11 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and added 13 assists to help the Hornets extend their longest road winning streak since also winning five straight in 2003.

Warriors end 7-game skid in Denver (AP)

Baron Davis scored 28 points and Stephen Jackson added 23 to help Golden State beat the Nuggets 105-95 on Sunday night, ending a seven-game losing streak in Denver. Carmelo Anthony had 26 points and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets. Linas Kleiza and J.R. Smith added 15 points each for the Nuggets, who saw their season-high seven-game winning streak snapped.

Barnes (finger) joins list of injury-riddled Warriors
Golden State forward Matt Barnes has a sprained finger on his shooting hand, adding another injury to the winless Warriors' early woes.

Barnes is latest Warrior to be injured
Golden State forward Matt Barnes has a sprained finger on his shooting hand, adding another injury to the winless Warriors' early woes. Barnes, a key part of the Warriors' postseason run last spring, was injured in the Warriors' loss to Cleveland on Tuesday night, coach Don Nelson said. Barnes, who missed Wednesday's practice, dislocated the knuckle on the ring finger of his right hand.

Warriors F Barnes dislocates finger (AP)
Golden State forward Matt Barnes has a sprained finger on his shooting hand, adding another injury to the winless Warriors' early woes. Barnes, a key part of the Warriors' postseason run last spring, was injured in the Warriors' loss to Cleveland on Tuesday night, coach Don Nelson said. Barnes, who missed Wednesday's practice, dislocated the knuckle on the ring finger of his right hand.

Matt Barnes, G/F - GS
Barnes out with foot injury Visit Rotoworld.com for more analysis on this update.