Michael J. Duarte is a sports writer and reporter with NBCLA. He is known for his sharp wit in sports news storytelling and his detailed sports features, Duarte is the 2019 Southern California Sports Journalist of the Year and currently covers the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers, Rams, and more.
The Latest
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Lakers in familiar territory facing elimination after 112-105 loss to Nuggets in Game 3 of first-round playoff series
Last month, after another regular season loss to the Denver Nuggets, LeBron James spoke candidly about his frustration playing the defending champions. “They have our number,” said James following a 124-114 loss on March 3rd. “We haven’t beaten them in quite a while.” ‘Quite a while’ is quite the understatement. It’s been 496 days and counting since the last...
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O Captain! My Captain! Anze Kopitar delivers game-winning goal in overtime as Kings stun Oilers 5-4 to even series
O Captain! My Captain! Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar played the hero role, rescuing his team from the brink of an 0-2 series hole. Kopitar delivered the game-winning goal, firing a breakaway wrist shot past goalie Stuart Skinner in overtime to give the Kings a 5-4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers that evened their best-of-seven series at one game…
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Kawhi Leonard returns, but Clippers lose to Mavs 96-93 in Game 2 to level series at 1-1
Luka Doncic did not want his team to dig themselves into an 0-2 hole heading back to Dallas. So he made sure to spoil the return of Kawhi Leonard in front of his hometown fans at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Doncic had 32 points and the Mavericks defeated the Clippers 96-93 on Tuesday night in Game 2 to even…
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LAFC to sign World Cup-winning forward Olivier Giroud this summer
Olivier Giroud, France’s prolific goal scorer and a stalwart of European football, has sealed a deal to join Los Angeles FC (LAFC) in Major League Soccer this upcoming summer, as confirmed by sources close to the player on Tuesday. The 37-year-old, whose tenure with Italian giants AC Milan concludes at the season’s end, has inked an 18-month agreement with...
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Oilers rout L.A. Kings 7-4 in thrilling opener of playoff trilogy
The third time might not be the charm for the Los Angeles Kings. Zach Hyman scored a hat-trick and the Edmonton Oilers routed the Kings 7-4 in Game 1 of their first-round series at Rogers Place on Monday night. Connor McDavid did not score but had a playoff-record five assists in the victory. “I thought we had a good start,…
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Lakers blow 20-point lead in 101-99 loss to Nuggets in Game 2, LA's losing streak to champs reaches 10 games
Maybe it was the altitude. Jamal Murray hit a buzzer-beater and the Denver Nuggets overcame a 20-point deficit to stun the Los Angeles Lakers 101-99 to take a commanding 2-0 series lead on Monday night at Ball Arena. “Of course this was a heartbreaking game,” said a shocked LeBron James after the loss. “You never want to lose a game…
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Dodgers' Mark Walter: The ‘most liked' owner in Major League Baseball
Owners of professional sports are typically not the most liked people by diehard fans. Oftentimes, they are seen as scapegoats for a down season, a troubled time, or a disastrous decade. For evidence, look no further than Oakland A’s owner John Fisher, who is rightfully the current target of hate and vitriol by the longtime fans of the team....
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Nuggets beat Lakers 114-103 in Game 1 of Western Conference Playoffs
New season, same script. Nikola Jokic had 32 points in a huge effort for the Denver Nuggets as they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 114-103 on Saturday night in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series at Ball Arena. The Lakers led by as many as 12 points in the first half, but were run off the floor in…
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Lakers beat Pelicans in Play-In Tournament, will meet defending champion Denver Nuggets in first round of Western Conference Playoffs
For the second straight season, the Los Angeles Lakers have survived the NBA’s Play-In Tournament and secured the seven-seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. LeBron James scored 23 points and the Lakers held on to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 110-106 to advance to the first round of the NBA Playoffs where they will meet the defending champion Denver Nuggets…
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Dodgers All-Star and World Series champion Carl Erskine dies at 97
The Los Angeles Dodgers community was deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary pitcher, Carl Erskine, who left an indelible mark on the world of baseball and beyond. His journey, filled with triumphs and compassion, reflects a life well-lived and a legacy that will endure for generations to come. The team announced Erskine’s death Tuesday in a social...
