Timofey Mozgov

Timofey Pavlovich Mozgov (Russian: Тимофей Павлович Мозгов; IPA: [tʲɪmɐˈfʲej mɐˈzɡof], born July 16, 1986) is a Russian professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Mozgov won an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, becoming one of the first Russians, along with Sasha Kaun, to win an NBA championship.

European career

Mozgov began his professional career with LenVo St. Petersburg, in the Russian second tier division, during the 2004–05 season. In 2006, he moved to CSK VVS Samara, the second level club from Samara. Before the 2006–07 season, he joined Khimki Moscow Region, where he played through the 2009–10 season.

NBA career

New York Knicks (2010–2011)

Mozgov as a member of the Knicks

In 2010, Mozgov signed a three-year, $9.7 million contract with the New York Knicks.

On January 30, 2011, after a three-week stint on the bench, Mozgov finally saw significant minutes against the Pistons. He had a career game scoring 23 points and grabbing 14 rebounds to lead New York to a 124–106 victory. He played 40 minutes and was treated to loud “Mozgov! Mozgov!” chants in the final minute.

Denver Nuggets (2011–2015)

Mozgov in a game as a member of the Denver Nuggets

On February 22, 2011, he was traded to the Nuggets in a three-way blockbuster deal which also involved the Minnesota Timberwolves that brought Carmelo Anthony to New York.

On July 21, 2011, he joined Khimki Moscow Region for the second time during the 2011 NBA lockout.

On July 27, 2013, he re-signed with the Nuggets.

On April 10, 2014, he recorded career highs in points and rebounds with 23 and 29 respectively in a 100–99 win over the Golden State Warriors.

Cleveland Cavaliers (2015–2016)

On January 7, 2015, Mozgov was traded, along with a 2015 second-round pick, to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for two protected 2015 first-round picks (via Oklahoma City and Memphis). Having always previously worn number 25, he was forced to change that upon joining the Cavaliers due to the franchise having the number retired for Mark Price. He instead chose number 20 as it was the number his father, a Soviet handball player, used while he played the sport. On January 9, he made his debut for the Cavaliers, recording nine points and eight rebounds off the bench in a 112–94 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

On June 4, 2015, he became the first Russian to play in the NBA Finals, as the Cavaliers lost Game 1 of the series to the Golden State Warriors. The Cavaliers went on to lose the series in six games, as Mozgov played in and started all six games.

On June 23, 2015, the Cavaliers exercised the option on Mozgov's contract for the 2015–16 season. Mozgov played a reduced role throughout the season, as the Cavaliers made it to the 2016 NBA Finals. Despite the Cavaliers going down 3–1 in the series following a Game 4 loss, they went on to win the series in seven games to become the first team in NBA history to win the championship after being down 3–1. The Cavaliers defeated the defending champion Golden State Warriors in a rematch of the previous Finals. Mozgov and teammate, Sasha Kaun, became the first Russians to win an NBA championship.

Los Angeles Lakers (2016–present)

On July 8, 2016, Mozgov signed a four-year, $64 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. He made his debut for the Lakers in their season opener on October 26, recording 12 points and eight rebounds in a 120–114 win over the Houston Rockets.

Note: The EuroLeague is not the only competition in which the player participated for the team during the season. He also played in domestic competition, and regional competition if applicable.

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

Euroleague

Mozgov playing for the Russian national team.

Mozgov has also been a member of the senior Russian national basketball team. He played at EuroBasket 2009, Eurobasket 2011, and the 2012 Summer Olympics, winning bronze medals at Eurobasket 2011 and the 2012 Summer Olympics.