The Los Angeles Lakers are packaging together a trade package and shopping it around the league, but so far, there haven’t been any takers. The Lakers are looking for anything to shake up what’s become a mediocre season. Frank Vogel is expected to leave sooner rather than later, but replacing Vogel alone won’t fix the
12:29 AM ET Trailing by 35 shortly before the half, point guard Reggie Jackson joked that the LA Clippers were “right where we want to be” against the Washington Wizards. Still, the Clippers could hardly believe what they had done when the buzzer sounded. Despite playing without the injured Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 30: Grayson Allen #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on December 30, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty
6:41 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — Anthony Davis will play for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Brooklyn Nets after missing 17 games with a sprained MCL in his left knee. Coach Frank Vogel said there was no set minutes level for the All-Star big man, but the Lakers had a range they
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 06: James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets drives against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center on February 06, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting
11:39 PM ET MIAMI — Anthony Davis‘ left knee injury coincided with an offensive explosion from LeBron James, as his 33 points in Sunday’s 113-107 loss to the Miami Heat marked the 17th straight game that the Los Angeles Lakers star has scored 25 points or more. All with Davis out. With Davis potentially returning
8:03 PM ET Jamal CollierESPN The Chicago Bulls are getting one star back for Monday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, while simultaneously resting another. Zach LaVine is in the starting lineup on Monday night after missing the past five games with a left knee injury. Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan will not play against the Thunder
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. P.J. Tucker’s NBA niche has always been about 3-and-D but his defensive impact and versatility have long been the more reliable half of that equation. For his career, he’s
7:22 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN New Orleans Pelicans center Jaxson Hayes was formally charged with domestic violence, resisting arrest and battery against a police officer stemming from his arrest last summer in Los Angeles, court records show. Hayes was charged with 12 counts in total, including three counts of inflicting corporal injury to a spouse,
Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans live stream, start time, odds, TV channel, radio broadcast by Alicia de Artola Former Duke Blue Devil and current Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen caught some heat for a flagrant-two foul which led to his ejection. Allen went headhunting for
8:00 AM ET The race atop the Eastern Conference is shaping up to be a wild one in the NBA’s second half. The Miami Heat are the current leaders after their win over the Los Angeles Lakers combined with the Brooklyn Nets‘ loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, but plenty of contenders are right
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 03: Grayson Allen #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball during a game against the Detroit Pistons at Fiserv Forum on January 03, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and
12:36 AM ET MINNEAPOLIS — Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden does not believe he is getting the benefit of the whistle the same way he did in years past. The 32-year-old made that clear after getting to the line only four times in a 136-125 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night. When asked
Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets at the buzzer on Friday night. Curry can’t believe this was his first career buzzer-beater. Curry had never made a shot to win the game at the buzzer until Friday night. After leading his team back from a deficit against the lowly Rockets, Curry
4:53 PM ET Jamal CollierESPN The NBA suspended the Milwaukee Bucks‘ Grayson Allen for one game on Sunday for his flagrant 2 foul on Alex Caruso that caused a fractured wrist for the Chicago Bulls guard. The league punished Allen, who was ejected from the Bucks’ 94-90 victory over the Bulls on Friday night after
Dec 17, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen (7) dribbles in the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports Derrick Henry injury update: Foot recovery sounds incredibly painful by Mark Powell Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen could be at risk
5:40 PM ET ESPN News Services During the Tokyo Olympics last summer, when Damian Lillard‘s abdominal injury flared up, Jrue Holiday suggested it was time for surgery. Lillard finally took his fellow Olympian’s advice and had the procedure Jan. 13. The Portland Trail Blazers‘ star point guard spoke to reporters Saturday for the first time
If the Los Angeles Lakers do decide to sell Russell Westbrook on the cheap at the NBA Trade Deadline, they could have just one suitor. With the way Westbrook is playing right now, can we blame the Lakers for listening? Los Angeles managed to defeat the Orlando Magic on Friday night, thankfully, evening their record
8:44 PM ET MIAMI — Anthony Davis, out for the past five weeks with a sprained MCL in his left knee, has been upgraded to questionable for the Los Angeles Lakers‘ game against the Heat on Sunday and is considered a game-time decision, according to the team. Davis missed the past 16 games since the
Before the Atlanta Hawks sent Cam Reddish to the New York Knicks, there was apparently a Ben Simmons deal on the table that included Tobias Harris. Daryl Morey has made it clear that he will only entertain substantial offers for Ben Simmons, and last week, the Atlanta Hawks were apparently willing to part ways with
Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls. (Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports) Justin Jefferson puts Vikings on notice via Instagram: His payday is coming by John Buhler The Chicago Bulls will be without Alex Caruso going forward, as he suffered a major injury from the Milwaukee Bucks’ Grayson Allen’s flagrant foul on Friday night. Alex Caruso will be sidelined
3:53 PM ET Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso will undergo surgery early next week for a fractured right wrist, the team announced Saturday. Caruso suffered the injury during the Bulls loss to the Bucks on Friday night in Milwaukee. Caruso was fouled hard by the Bucks’ Grayson Allen, who was assessed a flagrant 2 foul
Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal is in a prime situation to pressure his team to pay a premium or watch him walk out the door. For the first time in his his career, Bradley Beal admits he’s being selfish — and it’s hard to imagine someone who wouldn’t be in his particular situation. If Bradley
3:30 AM ET Kendra AndrewsESPN SAN FRANCISCO — As the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets sat with a tied score with just over five seconds left Friday night, Steve Kerr had a clear play in mind for their final offensive possession: “Get the ball to Steph and get out of the way.” They executed
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 11: Paul Millsap #31 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on October 11, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of
1:09 AM ET Jamal CollierESPN MILWAUKEE — Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan wants the NBA to consider further discipline for Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen after he was ejected in the third quarter of Milwaukee’s 94-90 victory for a Flagrant 2 foul on Bulls guard Alex Caruso. Caruso went up for a layup on a
Addressing Knicks fans on MLK Day, New York City mayor Eric Adams made a correlation between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and basketball, which didn’t work. On MLK Day, many sports figures and organizations honor Dr. King’s legacy by sharing one of his many inspirational messages. NYC mayor Eric Adams decided to draw his own
Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images Wisconsin football schedule 2022: Early game-by-game picks for Badgers by Ethan Lee Golden State Warriors standout Draymond Green didn’t hold back and said that Ja Morant most definitely belongs in the MVP conversation. What we’ve all been able to witness Ja Morant do this season has been nothing short of
8:00 AM ET Los Angeles Lakers star Russell Westbrook told ESPN that he was disappointed with his fourth-quarter benching in Wednesday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers but that he remains undeterred about how to “figure s— out and do what’s best for our team to win in the long run.” Asked whether he was surprised
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images The Long Two: Picking Eastern Conference NBA All-Stars by Ben Ladner Some rough news has come in for the Chicago Bulls, as star point guard Lonzo Ball could end up undergoing knee surgery. Things have unfortunately gone from bad to worse for the Chicago Bulls and Lonzo Ball’s knee injury.
8:00 AM ET As Kyrie Irving stayed away from his Brooklyn Nets teammates the past three months, he wondered what it would be like to venture out and watch a game like a fan. “I can’t really go out and watch at a local bar or anything like that,” Irving, who is still not vaccinated
NBA Twitter roasted the New York Knicks, who saw their losing streak extend to three games after loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. The New York Knicks latest home stand has not gone the way that they had expected. They had lost the first two games of the four-game set at Madison Square Garden to
11:58 PM ET DALLAS — Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic said his neck was “pretty sore” due to a hard fall after a drive to the basket during Thursday’s 109-101 loss to the Phoenix Suns, but he was optimistic that he would not miss any time due to the injury. Doncic landed on his back after
Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images Draymond Green says Ja Morant is a candidate for MVP, not Most Improved by Braulio Perez Russell Westbrook was nowhere to be seen late in the Lakers loss to Indiana, and ESPN is reporting Frank Vogel had the green light to bench him down the stretch. The rough stretch for
2:09 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has surged past Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and into the lead among all NBA players in All-Star voting ahead of polls closing Saturday night at midnight ET. James, who trailed Curry in the first two rounds of voting, had 6.8 million votes
NBA All-Star voting ends this week. Which players from the Eastern Conference deserve a spot in this year’s All-Star Game, and which ones just miss the cut? NBA All-Star voting closes this Friday, and while I don’t have an official media vote for who gets into this year’s game, I still went through the exercise
8:00 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN MADISON SQUARE GARDEN had just played host to one of the season’s most thrilling comebacks. It was Jan. 6, and New York Knicks fans had witnessed a ridiculous buzzer-beating bank shot 3-pointer by RJ Barrett that capped a 24-point rally and win against the Boston Celtics. It was the Knicks’
Jan 17, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzles guard Ja Morant (12) and Chicago Bulls centerTony Bradley (13) shove each other as Grizzles center Steven Adams (4) and referees try to break it up during the second half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports 49ers: Fred Warner gives positive update after injury scare
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. Ja Morant went off for 25 points in Monday’s big win over the Chicago Bulls and, in what has become a season-long trend, did most of his damage in
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images Packers getting good news on Randall Cobb by Russell S. Baxter Jonathan Kuminga continues to impress during his first season and Klay Thompson is clearly a big fan of the power forward. Early on in his career with the Golden State Warriors, power forward Jonathan Kuminga has impressed. While his 6.5
10:14 PM ET ESPN News Services PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid tied his career high with 50 points in just 27 minutes, leading a dominant third quarter that carried the Philadelphia 76ers to a 123-110 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. Embiid also had 12 rebounds and three blocks while making 17 of 23
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images Klay Thompson has nothing but praise for rookie Jonathan Kuminga by Braulio Perez Could the Sacramento Kings end up parting ways with De’Aaron Fox to try and land star big man Domantas Sabonis? There’s plenty of intrigue leading up to the 2022 NBA trade deadline. With the big day
Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Malik Monk has a specific strategy when it comes to tattoo sleeves — and it’s borrowed from Nick Young. Malik Monk is only 23 years old, but he’s quickly building a name for himself in the NBA as a former first-round pick and a Los Angeles Laker. But during that
Los Angeles Lakers senior basketball advisor Kurt Rambis made his “voice heard” on the recent roster decisions made by Lakers head coach Frank Vogel. The Lakers have perfected peak mediocrity this season with an even-keeled .500 record for a large portion of the season. Even now, the Lakers are 22-22, and while they could still
1:03 PM ET Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner is expected to be sidelined beyond the Feb. 10 NBA trade deadline, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, as the two-time NBA blocks champion recovers from a stress fracture in his left foot. The Pacers on Tuesday said Turner will be re-examined in two weeks, but teams interested
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 12: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center on January 12, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the
3:11 AM ET Kendra AndrewsESPN SAN FRANCISCO — Klay Thompson knew he needed to use the same patience he learned over the past 2½ years and apply it to his shot coming back. And for the most part, it looked to have paid off in the Golden State Warriors‘ 102-86 win over the Detroit Pistons
A lot of memorable NBA players are getting a second chance…due to a new wave of a deadly pandemic. Can any joy be found here? For the third straight season, the NBA has been thoroughly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the season was able to start on time, and the league has managed to
LeBron James offered serious praise for Stanley Johnson following an impressive Jan. 17 performance against the Utah Jazz. With top draft players that have moved around quite a bit, it can sometimes be difficult to remember how they entered the league. For Stanley Johnson, a 25-year-old Lakers forward who was originally drafted by the Detroit
12:15 AM ET The Denver Nuggets are acquiring San Antonio Spurs guard Bryn Forbes in a three-way deal with the Boston Celtics, sources told ESPN on Tuesday night. The Nuggets will send Bol Bol and P.J. Dozier to the Celtics, and the Spurs will acquire Boston forward Juancho Hernangomez and Denver’s 2028 second-round pick, sources
Indiana Pacers guard Chris Duarte (3): Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports The NBA Trade Deadline is fast approaching and after an entire season of speculation and rumors, it’s time to see who are the legitimate trade candidates on the market. The New York Knicks got things going, trading Kevin Knox and a protected first-round pick for
Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving gave a detailed answer as to why he’s “standing on” his position of refusing the COVID vaccine. No matter the number of scientists, healthcare workers, citizens and government officials working tirelessly to end the global coronavirus pandemic, nothing can persuade Kyrie Irving in regards to getting the COVID vaccine.
4:17 PM ET The LA Clippers are extending Paul George‘s period of rest for the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow a few more weeks to see how it responds, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. George has not played since scoring 17 points in a win at the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 22.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 28: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after the Warriors failed to tie the game in the final seconds of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center on December 28, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. In this season, as COVID-19 has pushed player absences and roster uncertainty to historic levels, reliable depth has never been more important — particularly at the point guard position.
3:35 AM ET LOS ANGELES — LeBron James apologized to Lakers fans and the next night Los Angeles made the No. 1 offense in the league look sorry in a 101-95 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday. “I think there’s a huge lesson to be learned with this group that we’re going nowhere without
While the long-delayed return of Zion Williamson will help the Pelicans, his injury has revealed that their problems are much deeper than his absence. The New Orleans Pelicans season has been haunted by the absence of Zion Williamson. On media day, it was announced that he had suffered a foot injury but that the team
9:05 PM ET CLEVELAND — Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving made clear Monday that his stance regarding the COVID-19 vaccine will not change in the wake of Kevin Durant‘s knee injury that is expected to sideline him for four to six weeks. Irving is unvaccinated and therefore ineligible to play at home because of a
Baron Davis accomplished so much in his decorated NBA career. But his most lasting impact may be in what he’s done off the court. The terms “robber baron” and “captain of industry” refer to the same phenomenon, but differ in connotation. In the 19th century, wealthy, powerful industrialists amassed unforeseen wealth in the United States
3:20 PM ET CLEVELAND — As the Brooklyn Nets prepare for life without Kevin Durant for at least the next month, coach Steve Nash wants them to do so with as positive an outlook as possible. Durant sprained the MCL in his left knee during Saturday’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans. While Nash said
Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic has never been better and he’s keeping the Denver Nuggets afloat without two of his most talented teammates. In a competitive Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets have managed to stay afloat this season without Michael Porter Jr and Jamal Murray, who both averaged 19-plus points per game last season. As of
8:00 AM ET The Memphis Grizzlies‘ franchise-record 11-game win streak ran out of steam during Friday’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks, but something tells us Ja Morant & Co. aren’t done putting their stamp on the NBA this season. Even with the defeat, the Grizzlies’ 30-15 record is the second best in franchise history through
6:35 PM ET Golden State Warriors star forward Draymond Green will be out at least two more weeks after evaluations indicated that the soreness in his left calf is tied to “the involvement of a disc in his lower back.” Green left last Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers early because of a sore left
11:09 AM ET After the Brooklyn Nets diagnosed All-NBA forward Kevin Durant with a sprained MCL of his left knee, the franchise expects a four- to six-week rehabilitation before his return, sources told ESPN. Durant underwent imaging on Sunday morning after Saturday night’s injury, and a realistic benchmark for Durant could be a return coming
1:48 AM ET DENVER — After the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 37-point loss to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, the second-biggest loss of LeBron James‘ 19-year career, another franchise great weighed in with his disgust. “We as Lakers fans can accept being outplayed but we deserve more than a lack of effort and no sense of
8:58 PM ET NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets star forward Kevin Durant injured his left knee during the second quarter of Saturday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The team called it a left knee sprain, and it occurred with just under six minutes left in the quarter as Pelicans guard Herb Jones drove to
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid and Boston Celtics center Al Horford. (Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports) UCLA football fans react to Chip Kelly’s contract extension by Ethan Lee The family of Boston Celtics forward Al Horford made waves on Twitter by bad-mouthing the Philadelphia 76ers during Friday night’s game. Al Horford’s time in Philadelphia didn’t exactly
12:36 PM ET DALLAS — Mavericks power forward/center Kristaps Porzingis has cleared the NBA’s health and safety protocols after missing the past seven games and is expected to play in Saturday night’s home game against the Orlando Magic. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd also cleared the protocols. Dallas won six of the seven games missed by
With Cam Reddish whisked away to the New York Knicks, reports now reveal that the Los Angeles Lakers tried — and failed — to court him away from Atlanta. Although Ben Simmons has taken up the NBA news cycle with his desire for a high-value trade, it seems that Cam Reddish quietly did the same
Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine. (Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports) Florida football schedule 2022: Way-too-early game-by-game picks for Billy Napier’s first season by Ethan Lee Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine had to leave Friday’s game against the Warriors with a knee injury but the latest update leans towards optimism. The Bulls got a big scare on
8:40 PM ET Jamal CollierESPN CHICAGO — Bulls guard Zach LaVine exited Friday’s 138-96 loss to the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter with a left knee injury and did not return. LaVine did not travel with the team to Boston for its matchup against the Celtics on Saturday night, and instead will remain
The Los Angeles Clippers could miss both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard for the rest of the 2021-22 season, per Clippers sources. Last week, Clippers sources indicated that there was a “strong possibility” that Kawhi Leonard could return before the end of the 2021-22 season. One week later, Clippers sources are now offering a more
12:08 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN PHILADELPHIA — After beating the Boston Celtics to win for the ninth time in 11 games Friday night, 76ers superstar Joel Embiid said “there’s really no urgency to change anything” with his team with just under four weeks to go until the NBA’s trade deadline. “I feel great, man,” Embiid
After a 941-day absence, Klay Thompson returned to the NBA in a way only he could. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics are struggling to find an offensive rhythm. Klay Thompson made his NBA return in a way only Klay Thompson could: with a quick trigger and absolutely no conscience. Given his fiery competitiveness and stone-cold confidence,
2:43 PM ET After an absence of six weeks in the wake of right thumb surgery, Miami Heat All-Star center Bam Adebayo is targeting a return against the Toronto Raptors on Monday, sources told ESPN on Friday. Adebayo has been ramping up for a return in practice, and his return comes with the Heat surging
Jun 17, 2019; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Canadian recording artist Drake sits beside Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry at Toronto Raptors Championship Parade. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports Vikings: Justin Jefferson laughs off ridiculous All-Pro snub by Scott Rogust Miami Heat star Kyle Lowry played some one-on-one basketball with rap star Drake at the FTX
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. The Lakers are working through myriad problems right now but Russell Westbrook is the most obvious by far. In Wednesday night’s loss to the Sacramento Kings, he shot 2-of-14
7:40 PM ET Jamal CollierESPN Chicago Bulls forward Derrick Jones Jr. will miss 2 to 4 weeks after an MRI revealed significant bone bruising in his right knee, the team announced on Thursday. Jones Jr. hyperextended his knee during Wednesday’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets after landing awkwardly on his leg 36 seconds into the
A new development indicates a Ben Simmons trade is nowhere near fruition: the asking price has gone up for the 76ers point guard, according to ESPN. Every day, new rumors about the availability of Ben Simmons seem to crop up, but a Jan. 12 update holds more water than prior assumptions. On Wednesday night, Simmons’
12:25 AM ET Jamal CollierESPN MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks delivered another statement win on Thursday night with a 118-99 thumping of the Golden State Warriors, continuing their trend of being at their best this season when matched up against other likely title contenders. The Bucks blitzed the Warriors from the start, jumping out to
In a trade involving four teams, the Atlanta Hawks are trading Cam Reddish, Solomon Hill and a 2025 second-rounder for Kevin Knox and a 2022 first-rounder. One month after trades open up for players picked up in free agency, a comprehensive list includes those who are restricted, those with at least two years remaining on
11:40 AM ET The Atlanta Hawks are trading Cam Reddish to the New York Knicks for Kevin Knox in a swap of former first-round draft selections, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Atlanta also will receive a protected first-round draft pick via Charlotte, sources tell Wojnarowski, while the Knicks will acquire veteran forward Solomon Hill and
Damian Lillard has been out for almost two weeks and now the Trail Blazers will have him out even longer with the star guard now undergoing surgery. The Portland Trail Blazers haven’t had star guard Damian Lillard on the floor since Dec. 31 as he’s been nursing an abdominal injury that has plagued him a
8:00 AM ET JIMMY BUTLER INTERRUPTED his pregame warmup and made a beeline toward half court. There, Utah Jazz swingman Joe Ingles stood, watched and waited as the All-Star closed in. Butler’s mission: Peace. At this point, the quick wits, sharp tongues and competitive fires of both Butler and Ingles had been clashing for years,
Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan is having an MVP-caliber season because of a lesson he picked up from Kobe Bryant about always improving. Kobe Bryant may be gone but his impact on basketball will remain forever, in large and small ways. DeMar DeRozan is proof of that as he delivers an MVP-type season with the
6:45 PM ET With the NBA trade deadline a month away, Ben Simmons‘ agent — Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul — met with Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and general manager Elton Brand on Wednesday, and the sides remain at a stalemate over the All-Star guard’s immediate future, sources told ESPN. Simmons
According to new reports, the Sacramento Kings are apparently open to trading two of their young guards for Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons. It seems the Sixers’ adamance about holding off on lowball Ben Simmons offers has finally paid off — or, at least, that’s the way it’s trending. The Kings have been popping
NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski indicated that there is “no movement” in the Ben Simmons trade saga — and there likely won’t be any until the 2022 NBA Draft. Persistent since last summer, the Ben Simmons trade rumors kicked up a notch in December, when Dec. 15 opened the door to more trade possibilities for the
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. It’s been a brutal season for the Boston Celtics, hammered again by injuries and COVID-related absences, struggling to keep themselves in the playoff picture and dealing with some apparent
8:00 AM ET Jamal CollierESPN THE STADIUM CREW has already begun to disassemble the United Center floor, turning the arena from a basketball court to a hockey rink following the Chicago Bulls‘ victory over the Orlando Magic. It’s Jan. 3, and as they stack the courtside seats, remove the scorer’s table and line the outside
Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, LeBron James complimented Ja Morant’s incredible chasedown block that aided their win. In their marvelous 127-119 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, the Memphis Grizzlies brought the heat to L.A., pushing the Lakers to perfectly execute on every shot. And even on perfectly-executed shots, the
9:54 PM ET While more than 300 NBA players have entered the league’s health and safety protocols this season because of COVID-19-related issues, several league general managers told ESPN that a debilitating issue remains the recent surge of team staffers — from coaches to support staff and beyond — entering protocols for the same reason.
Jan 8, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) looks on against the Miami Heat during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports Vikings next head coach could mean poaching Cowboys assistant by Scott Rogust Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker got the Toronto Raptors mascot thrown in
7:50 PM ET Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman has agreed to a contract extension through the 2027-28 season — and will assume a new title of president of basketball operations, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Altman has engineered a franchise renaissance and reshaped a roster that has shown the promise of becoming a long-term
It’s a matter of when the 76ers trade Ben Simmons, but they are reportedly trying to attach Tobias Harris to a deal. Depending on the week, or even the day, the Philadelphia 76ers may or may not be close to trading Ben Simmons and a new rumored suitor may even emerge. On the new suitor
New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9): Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports The New York Knicks are back to disappointing fans after a rough first half of this season. However, there are a few superstar trades that could help them recapture the magic that sent them to the playoffs last season. It’s been a typical New
2:16 PM ET Draymond Green’s seven-second performance Sunday sparked controversy in the betting community and caused one sportsbook to delay payouts until it investigated the flurry of prop bets that were placed right before tipoff. Green experienced tightness in his lower calf while warming up but wanted to start in Golden State Warriors‘ home game
The New Orleans Pelicans have announced that injured power forward Zion Williamson will continue rehabilitating his foot “away from the team.” In December, Pelicans fans awaited for the return of Zion Williamson before receiving a depressing update: Williamson’s foot injury actually regressed, and it would be much longer until he was able to return to
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. The Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers played on Sunday night, though I was not among those who tuned in. I was watching a movie instead. It was not
3:25 PM ET The Orlando Magic have extended the contracts of president Jeff Weltman and general manager John Hammond through the 2025-2026 season, sources told ESPN on Monday. Talks on new deals for Weltman and Hammond started at the end of last season, sources said. Both executives were headed into the final year of their
10:20 PM ET PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Trail Blazers coach and former NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups says he believes Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving is “the most skilled player” ever to play the point guard position. “Kyrie is just, he’s a wizard, man,” Billups said before Monday’s game against the Nets. “He’s must-see TV.
Warriors guard Klay Thompson and Cavaliers forward Kevin Love. (David Richard-USA TODAY Sports) 3 New Orleans Saints who won’t be back for the 2022 season by Scott Rogust Russell Wilson comments on Seahawks future after potential last game with Seattle by Ethan Lee Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love
8:00 AM ET Klay Thompson returned after 941 days away from the court. The Golden State Warriors Splash Brother, who hadn’t played in an NBA game since the 2019 Finals due to ACL and Achilles injuries, made his much-anticipated season debut with 17 points in 20 minutes during the Warriors’ win over the Cleveland Cavaliers
Tyler Herro and Jusuf Nurkic had to be separated on Wednesday night as tempers nearly boiled over the top on the hardwood. The Miami Heat ended up getting a win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night, but fans were most definitely treated to some extra fireworks in the middle of the action. That’s
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 09: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after scoring on a three-point shot against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter at Chase Center on January 09, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this
3:01 AM ET LOS ANGELES — Ja Morant just keeps soaring to new heights. In Sunday’s 127-119 win over the Lakers, the budding Memphis Grizzlies star’s ascent was quite literal, as Morant’s two-handed chase-down block on Lakers guard Avery Bradley left both teams marveling at the play. “That’s probably the best block I’ve ever seen
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. If you were to delineate contenders by statistical resumes alone, ignoring the noise of injuries and COVID-related absences, you’d really find just three teams this season, all in the
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports) Raiders fans already trying to recruit Davante Adams on Twitter by Scott Rogust Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant pulled off a two-handed block against the Lakers that appeared to defy the laws of physics. Ja Morant might have rockets in his shoes and go-go-gadget arms.
11:03 PM ET SAN FRANCISCO — As his name was introduced last in the starting lineup, Klay Thompson sat in his seat, stared ahead and soaked everything in. Chase Center delivered one of its loudest roars, 941 days in the making. After being out for nearly 31 months that have tested his physical and mental
LeBron James spoke on how he wanted to snatch Malik Monk from Charlotte — and how it “doesn’t make sense” how well it all worked out. LeBron James is an athlete, entrepreneur, and at this point, general manager. While unofficially listed in Lakers management, the NBA legend has been known to have his run of
While the GOAT battle between these two rages on, LeBron James has finally tied Michael Jordan in this unique stat comprised of NBA veterans. For those who continue to debate that LeBron James is better than Michael Jordan, there’s a new statistic to use in heated Twitter arguments. On Jan. 4, James tied Jordan with
According to Isaiah Thomas, the Boston Celtics wouldn’t consider bringing him back on a 10-day contract the way the Lakers and Mavericks have. A December COVID outbreak has seen NBA teams bring capable veterans back into the league, including the Boston Celtics. On Dec. 22, the Celtics signed Joe Johnson to a 10-day contract, contributing
3:03 PM ET The Detroit Pistons are acquiring 7-foot-2 Bol Bol in a trade with the Denver Nuggets, sources told ESPN on Sunday. Detroit will send Rodney McGruder and a 2022 second-round pick via the Brooklyn Nets to Denver for Bol, sources said. Bol, 22, has shown flashes of promise with Denver, but has never
Los Angeles Clippers Kawhi Leonard could return before the end of the season, which could affect the chances of a second consecutive NBA Finals appearance. Without Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers have still advanced to an even 19-20 record and a tentative playoff spot. But with him, the Clippers could perhaps move even further in the
Klay Thompson is set to make his return to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, and he’s channeling his inner Bill Murray from Space Jam. After over two years, the Golden State Warriors are set to have Klay Thompson return to their starting lineup. Thompson had been out since Game 6 of the 2019 NBA
11:33 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN BOSTON – After Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown produced the first triple-double of his career in Boston’s 99-75 victory over the New York Knicks here at TD Garden Saturday night, he shot down the idea that he and Jayson Tatum can’t have an effective long-term partnership. “I think we can
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 10: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball in the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 10, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms
5:42 PM ET ESPN News Services Five-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA champion Klay Thompson will be available to play for the Golden State Warriors in Sunday night’s game vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Golden State star made it official with his own creative announcement on Instagram as he so loves to do. Thompson has
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 06: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks drives against Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celticsduring their game at Madison Square Garden on January 06, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User
8:00 AM ET MAKING HIS WAY through the Golden State Warriors locker room following a preseason win over the Los Angeles Lakers, Zaza Pachulia heard the familiar sound of a ball bouncing on the organization’s practice floor. Pachulia assumed one of the Warriors’ young players was getting some extra shots in. What the longtime NBA
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images Shaedon Sharpe to begin practicing at Kentucky this week, so will he play this season? by John Buhler Where is the National Championship Game 2022? by John Buhler Some massive news has come in for the Golden State Warriors, as it’s looking like Klay Thompson is getting ready to
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. Under Steve Kerr, the Golden State Warriors have continually broken offensive norms and shattered statistical benchmarks. The 3-point shooting gets the most attention but the imprints of their offensive
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 31: Head Coach Ime Udoka of the Boston Celtics looks on during the first half of a game against the Phoenix Suns at TD Garden on December 31, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting
12:16 AM ET NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant said he hasn’t had any extra conversations with teammate Kyrie Irving about getting a COVID-19 vaccination that would allow him to play in every game this season, not just most of the road games. Irving, who is not vaccinated against COVID-19, returned to the
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 06: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks drives against Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics during their game at Madison Square Garden on January 06, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph,
6:57 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN NEW YORK — Julius Randle apologized in a statement on his Instagram account on Friday, saying that his thumbs-down gesture to Knicks fans during Thursday’s win over the Boston Celtics as well as his postgame remarks were “an example of how sometimes you say things you regret to people you
Jan 6, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) gestures after making a basket against the Boston Celtics during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball ‘Manningcast’ featuring A-Rod sounds terrible by Scott Rogust Julius Randle gave New York
12:57 PM ET Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols after testing positive for COVID-19. Kidd is the 13th NBA head coach to enter the protocols this season. Kidd tested positive Thursday night after the team traveled to Houston for the road game Friday against the Rockets. Assistant coach
Former Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki. (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports) Davante Adams hints at feelings towards Packers using franchise tag by Cody Williams Dallas Cowboys players Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb turned up courtside for Dirk Nowitzki’s jersey retirement ceremony with the Mavericks. Dirk Nowitzki’s night of honor at American Airlines Center brought out the
Attending a Dallas Mavericks game may come back to haunt Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper. By sitting courtside alongside Dallas Cowboys teammate CeeDee Lamb to celebrate the iconic Dirk Nowitzki at a Dallas Mavericks game on Wednesday night, wide receiver Amari Cooper could be in trouble with the NFL. Because Cooper is an unvaccinated player, he could
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. On Wednesday night, Stephen Curry put up his second-straight stinker, shooting 5-of-24 from the field and 1-of-9 from beyond the 3-point arc in a 17-point loss to the Dallas
12:44 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN NEW YORK — Despite helping his team engineer a remarkable comeback from 25 points down against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night, star forward Julius Randle wasn’t happy. Midway through the fourth quarter, Randle made a layup and, as he ran back to the other end
Nic Claxton has played fewer than 70 NBA games, but the Nets’ wiry big man could be the key that unlocks the best version of a title contender. Kevin Durant and James Harden excluded, the most crucial variable in Nets’ championship aspirations isn’t a former All-Star big man, a sharp-shooting wing or a mercurial, galaxy-brained
6:01 PM ET Associated Press The first time that Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, the NBA didn’t even have health and safety protocols. It shut down the league instead. This time, the Utah Jazz center might miss just a few days. Gobert has tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed Thursday on the virus-related
Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images The Long Two: Nets need Nic Claxton, Jalen Brunson helps lead the Mavs by Ben Ladner With an NBA expansion looking more and more likely, basketball fans in Seattle and Las Vegas are getting fired up about the future. While we may be in the middle of another exciting NBA
8:00 AM ET FOR MOST OF Monty Williams’ tenure coaching the Phoenix Suns, the downs have followed the ups. An 8-0 record in the NBA bubble two seasons ago still resulted in missing the play-in game to qualify for the postseason. Last season, making the franchise’s first Western Conference finals in a decade was met
Former Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki. (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports) Former NFL QB offers Caleb Williams $1 million NIL deal to shirk USC, Georgia by Alicia de Artola Dirk Nowitzki was honored on Wednesday night at the Mavericks game but head coach Jason Kidd was ready to get him back on the court. It was
12:39 AM ET DALLAS — Dirk Nowitzki watched and listened to two tribute videos and three high-profile speakers Wednesday night before he finally took his place behind the lectern, which featured “41 FOREVER” on the front and was set up in the center of the American Airlines Center court for a postgame ceremony in which
Former WNBA star and San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon talks about leading her own professional basketball team with the Las Vegas Aces. Basketball star Becky Hammon has been circling the top as a candidate for leading professional basketball teams for years, but it was the Las Vegas Aces who finally gave her a
11:46 AM ET INDIANAPOLIS — Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving will make his season debut Wednesday night against the Indiana Pacers — but Nets coach Steve Nash didn’t want to reveal whether Irving would start or come off the bench. No matter what Nash decides to do, he is confident that Irving will play “a
Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) Red Sox legend Luis Tiant shares heartbreaking message after passing of Jim Corsi by Scott Rogust The Over and Back Podcast remembers the life and career of Boston Celtics legend “Mr. Clutch” Sam Jones. The NBA world lost a great one as Boston Celtics legend Sam Jones passed away.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 02: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat dribbling the ball drives towards the basket on Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Golden 1 Center on January 02, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or
8:00 AM ET IT’S A FEW hours after dusk on a Monday in early December, and the Golden State Warriors‘ gleaming spaceship, the Chase Center, is about to transform into a vibrating dance party. The frenzy will be identical to those created by superstar Stephen Curry‘s one-man scoring blitzkriegs, but Curry will be swaying and
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. Offenses have, in general, had a tough time this season and it’s about more than the endless shuffling of lineups as teams navigate a surge in COVID cases and
3:14 AM ET LOS ANGELES — Russell Westbrook bounced back from nine turnovers Sunday by committing zero turnovers in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 122-114 win over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, the first time the point guard protected the ball that well in nearly six years. Westbrook snapped a personal streak of 407 straight games
7:11 PM ET The Miami Heat have ruled out forward Jimmy Butler for Wednesday night’s game against the Trail Blazers in Portland. Butler injured his right ankle late in the third quarter of Monday night’s 115-108 loss to the Golden State Warriors. The Heat provided no other updates Tuesday beyond ruling him out against the
Though Antonio Brown trying to get away from MetLife Stadium was a big subplot of yesterday, he never left New York after quitting the Bucs and football. Antonio Brown was the talk of the NFL on Sunday, but not for anything he did on the field — well, at least in terms of playing in
10:38 AM ET After missing four games in the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols, Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams has been cleared and will join the team for Tuesday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Suns, at 28-8, have the second-best record in the league. Williams entered the league’s health and
12:27 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN NEW YORK — Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane has heard the chatter about whether his backcourt mate, Ja Morant, should make his first All-Star Game this season. But after Morant’s latest dominant performance — 36 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and a game-high plus-24 in 33 minutes of a 118-104
4:20 PM ET After a two-year layoff with significant injuries, there’s optimism that Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson will make his return against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, sources told ESPN. A final decision on Thompson’s debut is expected to be made once the Warriors return from back-to-back games on Wednesday and Thursday in
The Rajon Rondo trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers got a little bigger after the Knicks trade for Denzel Valentine. It’s been a rather quiet transactional front so far in the NBA this season. While teams struggle to deal with how to properly handle COVID-19 without changing the rules on everyone, deals
8:00 AM ET DeMar DeRozan and the Chicago Bulls ended 2021 with fireworks. They started 2022 with some too. The NBA’s leader in fourth-quarter scoring was at it again this past week, knocking down wild, buzzer-beating 3-pointers in back-to-back fashion to stun the Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards. Thanks to DeRozan’s late-game heroics, the Bulls
10:03 PM ET ESPN News Services OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder rookie guard Josh Giddey, back after missing three games while in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, became the youngest player in league history to record a triple-double during Sunday night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks. Giddey finished with 17 points, 14 assists
5:16 PM ET Marc J. Spears Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has cleared the NBA’s health and safety protocols and is expected to play in Monday’s home game against the Miami Heat, a source told The Undefeated. Green played 34 minutes in the Warriors’ Christmas Day win over the Phoenix Suns, dishing out 10
Seth Partnow, author and former Director of Basketball Research for the Milwaukee Bucks, spoke with FanSided about his new book, The Midrange Theory. Last month saw the release of Seth Partnow’s new book, The Midrange Theory. Throughout the book, Partnow, the former director of basketball research for the Milwaukee Bucks, explores the evolution of basketball
12:08 AM ET NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant didn’t mince words after a disappointing 120-116 loss to a severely undermanned LA Clippers squad on Saturday night. He was frustrated by not only the fact that the Nets dropped their second straight game, but that they did so against a team he thought
Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green isn’t happy with the NBA’s decision to cancel their game against the Denver Nuggets. Green cited the Nuggets getting an unfair advantage, as well as inconsistent policy, for his frustration in a well-time social media discussion. Many NBA players, including LeBron James, have grown upset with the Association’s COVID-19
12:02 AM ET Jamal Collier Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan hit a buzzer-beating, game-winning 3-pointer for the second consecutive night Saturday, leading the Bulls to a 120-119 road victory over the Washington Wizards, their seventh straight win. DeRozan, who hit a game-winner Friday to defeat the Indiana Pacers, is the first player in NBA history
The Golden State Warriors have made it clear they have no intention of trading their young players to win now, but is that the right decision? After two consecutive years with a postseason appearance, expectations were tempered for this year’s Golden State Warriors. Yet a third of the way through the season, the Warriors have
2:28 PM ET Superstar point guard Luka Doncic is among three Dallas Mavericks who have cleared the NBA’s health and safety protocols and are expected to rejoin the team before Sunday’s game in Oklahoma City. Shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. and power forward Maxi Kleber have also cleared the protocols after missing several games because
The Boston Celtics paid tribute to NBA legend Sam Jones on Friday afternoon. Jones passed away at 88 years old. Only Bill Russell has more championships than Jones, who retired with 10. Jones died on Thursday and the Celtics honored their team legend before their game against the Phoenix Suns with a tribute. “Sam Jones
10:42 AM ET ESPN News Services Sam Jones, a clutch scorer who won 10 titles with the Boston Celtics during their dynasty in the late 1950s and 1960s, has died at the age of 88. Jones died Thursday night in Florida, where he had been hospitalized in failing health, Celtics spokesperson Jeff Twiss said. The
Cincinnati football star Coby Bryant will honor the late Kobe Bryant during the Cotton Bowl. Ahead of the biggest game of his life, Cincinnati football player Coby Bryant will pay tribute to the person he was named after, honoring the late Kobe Bryant during the Cotton Bowl. No. 4 Cincinnati may be the last undefeated team
3:56 AM ET LOS ANGELES — If 2022 goes anything for the Los Angeles Lakers like LeBron James‘ first game since turning 37, L.A. could have big things in store. James scored a season-high 43 points in just 29 minutes in the Lakers’ 139-106 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, dominating the action from the
Nov 7, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio (3) celebrates after scoring a three-pointer against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports Tennessee fans think Purdue players are faking injuries in Music City Bowl by Mark Powell The Cleveland
7:57 PM ET Jamal Collier After Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan knocked down a 3-pointer at the buzzer, a one-legged heave as the clock expired to lead the Bulls to a 108-106 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday afternoon, he stood several steps behind the 3-point line and raised both arms in the air.
Dec 16, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) shoots the ball as Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) defends during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports Vanderbilt fires back at Tennessee after Music City Bowl loss by Scott Rogust Joel Embiid and Kevin Durant
11:20 AM ET The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to trade Denzel Valentine to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Rajon Rondo, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Friday. The Lakers are expected to waive Valentine’s partially guaranteed deal and create an open roster spot. Rondo is eager for the chance to play a bigger
Nov 7, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio (3) celebrates after scoring a three-pointer against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without guard Ricky Rubio for the remainder of the season with a
12:33 AM ET San Antonio Spurs assistant Becky Hammon is finalizing a five-year deal with the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces that’ll make her the league’s highest-paid coach, sources confirmed to ESPN on Thursday. Hammon plans to finish the season with the Spurs, sources said. A six-time All-Star during her playing career in the WNBA, Hammon,
Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook. (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports) Watch Clemson locker room party with Dabo Swinney after Cheez-It Bowl win by Alicia de Artola The Los Angeles Lakers had a chance late against the Grizzlies but passed up a wide-open Russell Westbrook before turning the ball over. The Lakers are in turmoil
7:22 PM ET The Cleveland Cavaliers are nearing a trade to acquire Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo, and an agreement is expected to be completed as soon as Friday, sources told ESPN. The sides are working out terms on a deal, but the Cavaliers need to create a roster spot to make room for
A reflection on LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, the Lakers, Christmas and the too-familiar ghosts of past, present and future. Tis the season at the freshly christened Crypto.com Arena, which really means there are only 82 games of this to endure, and of those 82, some 34 are already in the record. Hope and disappointment are
More than one basketball lifetime separates the birth of LeBron James and Ja Morant. In sharing this time and space, they give us the best of both worlds. Ja Morant is a lot of fun right now. Ja Morant is likely to be fun for a while. There is a Paul Rudd uncorking a bottle
If you’re in the market for an NBA small forward or even a point guard, a peat bog isn’t a bad place to start. Maybe you’re a general manager or a head coach. Maybe you’re just a guy with a couch and a League Pass subscription. Maybe you’re just into playing Fantasy Basketball to kill
8:00 AM ET NBA Insiders When the 2021-22 season began in October, it kicked off the first normal NBA schedule since the COVID-19 pandemic paused the league in March 2020. The 2021 playoffs were played in NBA arenas again after the 2020 postseason was held in the NBA’s Orlando, Florida, bubble. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the
1:05 AM ET The Los Angeles Lakers were seemingly in control, up by 13 late in the third quarter, before Ja Morant nearly outproduced them on his own down the stretch in the Memphis Grizzlies‘ 104-99 win on Wednesday. Morant scored 16 of his 41 points from the 3-minute, 38-second mark in the third through
4:30 PM ET Kyrie Irving returned to a Brooklyn Nets‘ practice for the first time since the preseason and said he understood why the team decided to have him stay away because of New York City’s vaccine mandate. “I understood their decision and respected it,” Irving told beat writers Wednesday at the Nets practice facility
12:44 AM ET Andrew LopezESPN NEW ORLEANS — Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio will get an MRI on his left knee on Wednesday to assess the severity of an injury he suffered in Tuesday night’s 108-104 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Rubio injured his knee with 2 minutes, 20
Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins became a part of history as an ideal teammate: by passing to Steph Curry for his record-breaking 3-pointer. History will enshrine Steph Curry as the greatest 3-point shooter of all time, but the books will also have to make note of the assist from teammate Andrew Wiggins. In the
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr commended Jonathan Kuminga on his breakout performance, calling him worthy of a starting spot — on another team. Jonathan Kuminga had the best night of his rookie season so far on Saturday, when the forward scored a personal high of 26 points in a 119-100 loss to the
Nov 28, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts against the Detroit Pistons in the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Here’s where Carlos Correa free agency rumors stand on Christmas by Mark Powell LeBron James sure didn’t add to the COVID-19 discussion on
1:21 AM ET Starting at center for not only the first time of his 19-year career, but for what he said was the first time in his life, LeBron James keyed a 132-123 victory for the Los Angeles Lakers over the Houston Rockets. The win snapped a five-game losing streak for an L.A. team that
Nov 19, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports Did Baker Mayfield’s wife call out the Browns on Instagram? by John Buhler Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James got tangled with young Pistons
Houston Rockets, Christian Wood (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) Cardinals could fix rotation woes with 1 move by Cody Williams Rockets big man Christian Wood isn’t known for his passing and that was never more evident than against the Hornets, as one unfortunate fan can attest to. Rebounding and scoring at the rim are where
12:44 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN The Brooklyn Nets announced Tuesday that Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and LaMarcus Aldridge had cleared the NBA’s health and safety protocols. Aldridge has been in the protocols for two weeks, while Durant and Irving both entered them 10 days ago. Brooklyn had a massive COVID-19 outbreak across its roster, with
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 10: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers smiles against the Indiana Pacers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 10, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the
12:57 AM ET ESPN News Services SAN ANTONIO — Jordan Clarkson helped lift the short-handed Utah Jazz over the Spurs after he got into a confrontation with a Spurs fan he said “crossed the line” on Monday. Clarkson, who is from San Antonio, was upset by a non-call on his shot attempt and did not
DALLAS, TEXAS – DECEMBER 15: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks works through pregame warm ups before the Dallas Mavericks take on the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center on December 15, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) Bills lose Cole Beasley to COVID, out 10 days at minimum by
NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar asked LeBron James to make his stance on the COVID-19 vaccine clear due to his influence on the African-American community. As the most popular basketball player on the planet, James has plenty of influence in the sports community, especially the African-American athletics community. James has routinely made his views on police
11:46 PM ET SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green will not play Tuesday against the Denver Nuggets and is expected to miss several games after entering health and safety protocols. The Warriors made that official Monday in an injury report that includes three other players who remain in the protocols. Green’s absence
The CDC COVID guidelines are changing with the recommended isolation period reduced from 10 days to five. How will that impact the sports world? The sports world has been unsettled over the past few weeks with a surge in COVID cases prompting postponements and cancelations. The NFL has had to push back games. NBA, NHL
4:15 PM ET Adrian Wojnarowski Close Senior NBA Insider Host of The Woj Pod Joined ESPN in 2017 Baxter Holmes Close ESPN Senior Writer Baxter Holmes (@Baxter) is a senior writer for ESPN Digital and Print, focusing on the NBA. He has covered the Lakers, the Celtics and previously worked for The Boston Globe and
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 23: Davis Gaines sings the National Anthem before the game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to
8:00 AM ET Health and safety protocols continue to be a concern around the league. Several stars sat out their teams’ Christmas Day matchups, including Trae Young, Luka Doncic and Kevin Durant, though James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to action for Saturday’s slate of games. Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks past the Boston Celtics,
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 04: Juan Toscano-Anderson #95 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Chase Center on December 04, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the
12:47 AM ET ESPN News Services SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Kings interim coach Alvin Gentry lashed out at his team after a 127-102 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday night, calling its performance “absolutely ridiculous.” “It’s the most disappointed I’ve been in 34 years in the NBA, I can honestly say that,” said Gentry, who
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 25: Patty Mills #8 and Paul Millsap #31 of the Brooklyn Nets defend LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers as he drives to the basket in the first half of the game at Crypto.com Arena on December 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly
5:22 PM ET Utah Jazz star guard Donovan Mitchell will miss at least the next two games due to a left lower back strain, the team announced Sunday. Mitchell will remain in Salt Lake City to receive treatment during the Jazz’s two-game road trip to San Antonio and Portland. Mitchell suffered the strain during the
Dec 25, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden (13) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker (5) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports Ohio State football lands Arizona State transfer RB to play LB by Cody Williams James Harden was
1:46 AM ET LeBron James passed Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer on Christmas Day. James’ 13th point of the first half, coming on a free throw with 3 minutes, 52 seconds remaining in the second quarter, gave him 396 career points on the holiday, eclipsing Bryant’s 395. James
9:04 PM ET There’s renewed momentum for the creation of a future in-season NBA tournament among the league’s 30 teams, sources told ESPN. The NBA and National Basketball Players Association have been discussing elements of the tournament, which could become part of the calendar as soon as the 2022-2023 or 2023-2024 seasons, sources said. Negotiations
You can learn a lot recovering from a serious injury. A lot about yourself. Your body. And about Zion Williamson. Zion Williamson broke the fifth metatarsal in his right foot this summer. So did I. A lot of rumor and speculation have surrounded the basketball phenom’s absence from the court this season. As his team
6:46 PM ET LA Clippers All-Star Paul George suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and will rest the injury for the next three-to-four weeks prior to a revaluation, the team announced Saturday. There’s no clear timetable on a return to play, but the hope is that resting the injury over the
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 16 : Danny Green (14) of Philadelphia 76ers and Kevin Durant (7) of Brooklyn Nets in action during NBA match between Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, United States on December 16, 2021. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) NHL releases
10:40 AM ET Amid a dramatic franchise transformation, Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff has agreed on a long-term extension that will keep him under contract through the 2026-27 season, sources told ESPN on Saturday. Bickerstaff and general manager Koby Altman have worked together to reshape the Cavaliers around a young core — including guard Darius
Denver Nuggets point guard Austin Rivers reveals how he really feels about the Golden State Warriors’ success this season. Austin Rivers is quite candid when it comes to speaking his mind. Described as “so real, so honest, and so authentic”, Rivers has self-scouted his play during his recent COVID quarantine, admitting that he “hasn’t been
1:23 PM ET After clearing the NBA’s health and safety protocols, there’s optimism that Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will be in the lineup against the Boston Celtics on Saturday, sources told ESPN. Antetokounmpo, the reigning NBA Finals MVP, planned to get on the court Friday for a workout. He will make a decision on
With the recent Omicron COVID outbreak hitting the NBA hard, there’s one NBA-caliber player who has been fighting to make another roster: Jeremy Lin. Saying the NBA is short-staffed is an understatement — there are over 90 players in COVID protocols right now, and there aren’t enough professional-level athletes available on short notice for teams
5:20 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN Facebook Twitter Facebook Messenger Pinterest Email print The Boston Celtics had another five players officially enter the NBA’s health and safety protocols Friday afternoon, further battering one of the hardest-hit rosters in the league as the omicron variant of COVID-19 sweeps through the NBA. Guard C.J. Miles, forwards Aaron Nesmith
Dec 23, 2021; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Kemba Walker (8) celebrates after making a three-point basket against the Washington Wizards during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports Dodgers re-signed Cody Bellinger and left fans in the dark for weeks by Alicia de Artola
6:28 PM ET Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols ahead of Minnesota’s game in Utah on Thursday. He joins six Timberwolves players in the protocols, including starters Patrick Beverley, Anthony Edwards and Jarred Vanderbilt. 1 Related In a tweet shortly after the announcement, Towns lamented that he can’t catch a
Raptors game at Scotiabank Arena. (John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports) Seattle Seahawks: 3 players who won’t be back in 2022 by Aryanna Prasad Joe Johnson nails first shot back in improbable return with Celtics (Video) by Alicia de Artola The Toronto Raptors and Maple Leafs made an awesome gift to a Canadian foodbank, sending them
3:00 AM ET SAN FRANCISCO — As the Golden State Warriors roll into a Christmas Day showdown with the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, they do so with a little frustration. It’ll mark their second straight year being on the road during the NBA’s biggest regular-season showcase day. “Generally I like playing on Christmas,” Warriors coach
Boston Celtics guard Joe Johnson. (David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports) Raptors, Maple Leafs donate concessions to food bank during shutdown by Alicia de Artola NFL Week 16 2021: Picks and predictions for each game by Matt Verderame Joe Johnson’s long NBA career came full-circle on Wednesday when he suited up for the Celtics and hit
3:59 PM ET The NBA and National Basketball Players Association are near an agreement to reduce the 10-day quarantine periods for COVID-positive players, sources told ESPN on Thursday. The arrangement — expected to soon be shared with teams — could return some players to active play in six days, based on testing procedures, sources said.
Philadelphia 76er Joel Embiid revealed his additional sporting aspirations, stating how his “ball-hawk abilities” would make for a perfect NFL cornerback. It’s difficult to imagine Joel Embiid doing anything besides dominating downcourt for the Sixers, but truthfully, it’s something that Embiid himself has pondered over. If Embiid ever did try his hand at American football,
Rather than conceding another lost year after Collin Sexton’s season-ending knee injury, the Cavs have become one of the NBA’s best defensive units. All that, and a look at Chris Paul’s mid-range shooting in this week’s The Long Two. From last NBA season to this one, no team has improved as drastically or as suddenly
8:00 AM ET Since it first opened its doors in 1999, Staples Center has played host to seven NBA Finals, five WNBA Finals, four UFC pay-per-view cards, two Stanley Cup Finals and countless championship boxing matches. It was the home of the Pac-12 men’s basketball tournament for a decade and has seen multiple All-Star games
Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images Texas A&M football team unable to play in Gator Bowl due to COVID by John Buhler Talen Horton-Tucker makes Lakers history in the worst way: by tying a record for one of the worst three-point performances of all time. The Lakers have reached peak mediocrity in this particular moment, sitting
12:12 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN BOSTON — It’s been 20 years since Joe Johnson made an NBA debut, but he still knows how to score in isolation. Johnson, who earned the nickname “Iso Joe” for his scoring prowess in those situations over the course of his long and decorated NBA career, scored the final points
Over 35 players are in COVID protocols before the NBA Christmas Day games, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Luka Doncic and Trae Young. While the NFL has its annual Thanksgiving tradition of football, the NBA celebrates the holidays every year with its own Christmas Day slate of games. On Dec. 25, the NBA
2:42 PM ET Adrian Wojnarowski Close Senior NBA Insider Host of The Woj Pod Joined ESPN in 2017 Tim MacMahon Close ESPN Staff Writer Joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009 Covers the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks Appears regularly on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM Dallas Mavericks All-NBA guard Luka Doncic has entered the league’s health and
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 26: Kemba Walker #8 of the New York Knicks in action against Mikal Bridges #25 of the Phoenix Suns during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden on November 26, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using
Dec 13, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts to a missed shot in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports South Carolina football: Will Spencer Rattler take Gamecocks to next level? by Scott Rogust Steph Curry failed to break the
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 21: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball defended by Jae Crowder #99 of the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Staples Center on December 21, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this
10:05 AM ET Thursday’s scheduled game between the Nets and Trail Blazers has been postponed, as the NBA announced that coronavirus-struck Brooklyn does not have the required eight players available for the contest. This is the third straight Nets game that has been postponed over the past week. Games against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday
New Orleans Pelicans beat reporter Jake Madison revealed how poorly the Zion Williamson situation is being handled — and how Zion is partially to blame. The Pelicans remain at the bottom of the Western Conference, underneath the rubble of what’s already a collapsed season. The Pelicans have an 8-21 record, and the player expected to
2:53 AM ET Back at .500 at 16-16 following a 108-88 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James made it sound like he knows as much about his team’s potential now as he did when they were 0-0 to start the season. “We don’t know,” James said. “We have
4:30 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN NBA commissioner Adam Silver told ESPN’s Malika Andrews that the league has no plans to suspend its season as COVID-19 surges through the league. “No plans right now to pause the season,” Silver said in an interview on NBA Today on Tuesday afternoon. “We have of course looked at all
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) Bears victimized by horrendous call on great tackle (Video) by Scott Rogust Steph Curry has pretty clearly been the best shooter ever for some time but the Warriors star is finally now comfortable calling himself that. It’s certainly been a December to remember for Steph
8:48 PM ET Nick DePaulaESPN In the aftermath of his record-breaking game last week at Madison Square Garden, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has launched a new NFT collection to celebrate each and every one of those 2,974 made 3-pointers. The “2974 Collection” launched Monday at 2974SC.com, and it features a series of nonfungible
7:34 PM ET One of the hottest teams in the league is getting their star point guard back. Ja Morant returned for the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday against the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder after missing more than three weeks with a left knee sprain. Morant sprained his knee in a Nov. 26 loss to the
12:38 PM ET Associated Press Steve Kerr saw everything that Gregg Popovich went through as coach of the U.S. men’s national team, saw exactly how difficult it was last summer for the Americans to emerge from the Tokyo Olympics with another gold medal. And when he walked off the floor for the last time in
8:00 AM ET Stephen Curry took center stage to start the week as he continued his pursuit of Ray Allen’s 3-point record. Curry hit six 3s on Monday night against the Indiana Pacers to pull within two shots of the top spot, then quickly hit two 3s in the first quarter of Tuesday’s win over
12:33 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association came to an agreement Sunday night on rules over allowing additional replacement players for teams dealing with players entering the league’s health and safety protocols, according to a memo obtained by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The amended rules, which were outlined in the
The Indiana Pacers are in full rebuild mode. Owner Herb Simon has signed off on a plan to trade the team’s greatest stars. Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner and Caris LeVert are arguably the best trade pieces the Pacers have to offer, and odds are they won’t be on the team too much longer. Despite a
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis. (Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports) Heres’s 4 times Charlie Woods proved he’s just as iconic as dad Tiger by Cody Williams The Los Angeles Lakers will have to go four weeks or more without Anthony Davis after the forward was diagnosed with an MCL sprain in his left knee. Life
11:27 AM ET The NBA is postponing Sunday’s game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Five Cavaliers players tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday morning, including center Jarrett Allen, sources told Wojnarowski. Allen is having an All-Star-caliber season with averages of 16.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per
Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets. (Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports) Updated NFL schedule Week 15 by Aryanna Prasad The Brooklyn Nets are desperate enough to cave to Kyrie Irving’s vaccine status, despite the fact he won’t be allowed to play home games in New York City. NYC still enforces a vaccine mandate for city employees,
11:05 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN BOSTON — It took the New York Knicks being without nine players for head coach Tom Thibodeau to end Kemba Walker‘s removal from the team’s rotation after nine games. Walker had an electrifying return to the court, finishing with 29 points in 37 minutes against the Celtics, but he ultimately
The Golden State Warriors are getting closer to bringing back Klay Thompson, who now have target dates for his return from injury. The Warriors are first in the Pacific this season and they could get even stronger in a few weeks. That’s because Klay Thompson is on the mend and nearing a return from the
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry. (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports) Oklahoma football: Theo Wease removes name from transfer portal with awesome tweet by Alicia de Artola Packers: Adrian Amos expresses genuine concern over NFL postponing games by Mark Powell Steph Curry can’t stop breaking records. On Friday, he set a new NBA record as the
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers. (Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports) Packers: Adrian Amos expresses genuine concern over NFL postponing games by Mark Powell PNC Championship TV schedule, live stream, tee times for Tigers Woods’ return by Cody Williams Steph Curry is so popular, even LeBron James’ son Bronny shouts “Steph!” after shooting in recognition of the
6:23 PM ET Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis will miss at least four weeks with an MCL sprain in his left knee before being re-evaluated, the team announced on Saturday. Davis suffered the injury in the third quarter of Friday’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, when Wolves forward Jaden McDaniels lost his balance and
Nov 21, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) walks off the court after being ejected from the game during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports Georgia’s elite defense isn’t going anywhere with Bulldogs latest 5-star commit by John Buhler
The Los Angeles Lakers could potentially add Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant to add much-needed frontcourt depth in potential trade. The Lakers seem to be turning things around as of late, winning five of their last seven games. Still, the team needs depth beyond massive defensive players and nimble combo guards, possessing little wind in
Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) 3 teams screwed over the most by NFL’s COVID-19 schedule changes by John Buhler Kevin Durant is now the eighth Brooklyn Nets player to enter the NBA’s health and safety protocols. The Brooklyn Nets are between a rock and a hard place when it comes to COVID,
11:41 AM ET Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols. Durant becomes the eighth Nets player to enter the protocols. Forward Paul Millsap entered the protocols Monday, and was followed by forwards LaMarcus Aldridge, James Johnson and DeAndre’ Bembry and guard Jevon Carter on Tuesday morning. They were later
Dell Curry, the former NBA star point guard and father of Steph Curry, is now thankful that the New York Knicks did not draft Steph in the 2009 NBA Draft. It’s difficult to imagine Steph Curry draped in anything but blue and gold, but there was a point in time when Curry imagined himself in
1:19 AM ET Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis will undergo an MRI on Saturday after he was forced to leave Friday night’s 110-92 loss at the Minnesota Timberwolves with a left knee injury. Davis was hurt in the third quarter, when Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels stumbled into his knee. “So far, all is in
LeBron James, Stephen Curry. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports Stephen Curry isn’t the only NBA player who can make history this season as LeBron James is eyeing several records that he could set this season. The NBA world stood in awe on Tuesday night as they watch Stephen Curry unthinkably break Ray Allen’s record
5:12 PM ET The Brooklyn Nets are bringing back All-Star guard Kyrie Irving as a part-time player for games outside of New York, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The unfolding circumstances of Brooklyn’s season — including injuries, players lost to health and safety protocols and an inordinate minutes load on their superstar players — led
Not only did Devonte’ Graham’s long buzzer-beater against the Thunder give the Pelicans a win over OKC, it also set an NBA record. Considering that the New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder entered their clash on Wednesday night with two of the NBA‘s worst records, there weren’t high expectations for the matchup. However, the
4:54 PM ET MINNEAPOLIS — Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook tested out of the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols and is available to play against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, the team announced. Westbrook flew from Dallas to Minneapolis Friday after testing out of the protocols, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Westbrook was placed in the
Sep 23, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (7) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports Bills optimistic Josh Allen won’t miss time with foot injury by John Buhler The Bulls have been
It’s uncommon for an NBA team to play its best basketball after losing its best player, yet the Memphis Grizzlies have taken off since Ja Morant’s injury. Plus: A look at the Timberwolves’ surprisingly stingy defense. It’s uncommon for an NBA team to play its best basketball immediately after losing its best player and offensive
12:31 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN NEW YORK — With his Philadelphia 76ers trailing by nine points to the Brooklyn Nets and three seconds left in the fourth quarter Thursday night at Barclays Center, coach Doc Rivers called timeout. His goal, however, wasn’t to try to draw up a play. Instead, it was to deliver a
Isaiah Thomas isn’t ready to call it a career just yet, as the Los Angeles Lakers have just signed him to a new deal. It’s been a big day of breaking news for the Los Angeles Lakers. On the unfortunate side, it was announced that Russell Westbrook has been placed in COVID protocols and he’ll
11:47 PM ET As the NBA tries to fortify itself against waves of positive COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, the league will increase daily testing and face mask use for players and staff through the holiday season, according to a memo obtained by ESPN. The NBA and National Basketball Players Association agreed to elevate testing
James Harden is the latest player for the Brooklyn Nets to enter the NBA’s health and safety protocol. The Brooklyn Nets were already going to be shorthanded on Tuesday night for their home game against the Toronto Raptors. Brooklyn had a total five players in the league’s COVID-19 protocols earlier on Tuesday. Hours later, that
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. The Cleveland Cavaliers are in a position almost no one expected them to be in at this point — 18-12, sitting at No. 4 in the Eastern Conference with
4:30 PM ET Dave McMenamin Close ESPN Staff Writer Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN. Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09. Adrian Wojnarowski Close Senior NBA Insider Host of The Woj Pod Joined ESPN in 2017 MINNEAPOLIS — Los
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images 5 schools that should hire Deion Sanders after he flipped Travis Hunter by John Buhler NBA rumors indicate the Sacramento Kings are uninterested in Indiana Pacers big men on the trading block, instead looking at Philadelphia 76ers Ben Simmons. Ranked tenth in the Western Conference, the Sacramento Kings will
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 07: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck watch the game between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms
FOX Sports host Skip Bayless praised Kevin Durant for his performance on Tuesday, and he got burned by the Brooklyn Nets star. The Brooklyn Nets entered their game against the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night completely shorthanded. Seven players, including James Harden and LaMarcus Aldridge, were placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, leaving
8:00 AM ET It was almost 11 months ago that the Brooklyn Nets completed a blockbuster trade with the Houston Rockets for James Harden — which, as a result, meant All-Star guard Ben Simmons would remain with the Philadelphia 76ers. “I mean, this is a business,” Simmons said then. “Things like that happen. Only thing
Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young called out a Hawks beat reporter for insulting a fan, the latest in a slew of insulting critiques about Young and the Hawks. Trae Young may be a villain in New York, but the phenomenal 23-year-old point guard is a hero in Atlanta. So when anyone comes for Young, Hawks
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. On Tuesday night, Steph Curry did the expected, making his 2,974th career 3-pointer to pass Ray Allen for the most all-time. Curry hit three more long-distance shots after the
12:27 AM ET Andrew LopezESPN As Devonte Graham sat in the New Orleans Pelicans‘ locker room after Wednesday night’s game, an Oklahoma City Thunder staffer walked in with a gift: the game ball from Graham’s wild buzzer-beating 3-pointer. “One of the guys from the Thunder walked in with the ball and said, ‘This is my
Stephen Curry set the NBA’s all-time record for 3-pointers made but who were early forefathers of the NBA’s current 3-point revolution? Visit any basketball court anywhere in the world — a YMCA, a park anywhere in the country, any high school — and you’ll see clear as day the impact of Stephen Curry on the
8:00 AM ET LUKA DONCIC AND Dennis Smith Jr. had become fast friends after the Dallas Mavericks selected the teenager from Slovenia third overall in the 2018 NBA draft. Smith, whom the team had drafted ninth a year prior, had shown Doncic around the city and invited the new guy into his social circle. They
According to Bleacher Report, the Los Angeles Lakers are already having internal conversations about trading Russell Westbrook as Dec. 15 approaches. With the NBA season in full swing, Dec. 15 has the potential to change up rosters and shift playoff potential for teams looking for an edge. On Wednesday, the majority of players who signed
7:53 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN The Milwaukee Bucks listed Giannis Antetokounmpo as out for Wednesday’s game against the Indiana Pacers after he was placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocols Tuesday night. Antetokounmpo went into the protocols a day after scoring 20 points in 34 minutes in a 117-103 loss to the Celtics in
According to Bleacher Report, the Brooklyn Nets have expressed a “surprising willingness” to trade sharpshooter Joe Harris as NBA trades open up this week. On Dec. 15, the trading period begins that could rock the NBA with seismic shifts across the league. Players who signed contracts as free agents last year will soon be eligible
7:45 PM ET NEW YORK — Stephen Curry is the new 3-point king of the NBA. The Golden State Warriors star guard became the all-time leader in 3-pointers Tuesday night against the Knicks, passing Hall of Famer Ray Allen by knocking down the 2,974th 3-pointer of his career. The record-breaking shot came with 7 minutes,
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. On-ball pressure is just one piece of effective defensive play, and it can often be misleading — gambling and overly aggressive defensive at the point of attack can lead
Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox spoke on the small margin of difference between every NBA team as they each strive to “play sharp.” It’s easy to talk trash against an entire NBA team, especially one that shows obvious signs of struggle in a win-deprived season. That’s why the Sacramento Kings have gotten heat for
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports New Oregon football coach Dan Lanning has epic head coaching experience by Ethan Lee Every NBA fan wants to see history live but Warriors fans have full-on started to take over the Pacers arena trying to see Steph Curry break the record. For the
11:26 AM ET The Brooklyn Nets ruled four players out due to health and safety protocols on Tuesday morning against the Toronto Raptors. The Nets now have five players out due to health and safety protocols after starting center LaMarcus Aldridge, starting swingman DeAndre’ Bembry, power forward James Johnson and point guard Jevon Carter, who
Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard laughed off reports that he is growing frustrated with head coach Chauncey Billups. For years, there have been rumors surrounding Damian Lillard’s future in Portland. Lillard has adamantly reassured Trail Blazer fans that he isn’t going anywhere, but that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from churning out new
10:00 PM ET ESPN News Services Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry finished with five 3-pointers in Monday’s 102-100 win over the Indiana Pacers, putting him on the doorstep of the NBA’s all-time record that he will now look to break Tuesday night on the league’s grandest stage — Madison Square Garden. The 33-year-old sharpshooting
9:53 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN BOSTON — Milwaukee Bucks star Khris Middleton suffered a hyperextended left knee late in the third quarter of Monday night’s game here at TD Garden against the Boston Celtics, and was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the night by the team. Middleton suffered the injury when he landed
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. It’s been more than a month since we last looked at the rookie class as a whole. Over that stretch, several rookies have continued to impress while Cade Cunningham
1:49 PM ET As a COVID-19 outbreak sidelines 10 of its players, the NBA has postponed the next two Chicago Bulls games to allow the franchise to start getting back healthy players and curb further spread. In the first game casualties of the season, the NBA will reschedule the Bulls-Pistons game on Tuesday in Chicago,
8:00 AM ET As Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry continues his pursuit of Ray Allen’s all-time 3-point record — Curry is currently six behind the mark — we’re presenting our latest NBA Power Rankings with a focus on the deep ball. Which players are on pace to become their teams’ leader in 3s? Which
Dec 3, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) reacts after a basket during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports Jared Anderson banishes Oleksandr Teslenko from MSG with big TKO (video) by Jeremy Herriges UFC 269: Kai Kara-France dominates
10:14 PM ET In his most explosive game with the Brooklyn Nets, Kevin Durant scored the most points in a game in the NBA this season, going off for 51 points in a 116-104 win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday at Little Caesars Arena. With James Harden resting for the first time this season,
Knicks fans have their rally cry for the 2021-22 season but some fans are looking to take ‘Bing Bong’ to the political arena next. The New York Knicks have remained a frustrating team for fans in the 2021-22 season. But without a doubt, they are relevant in the Eastern Conference, which is a good thing
New York Knicks point guard Kemba Walker demonstrated leadership with a team-first mentality despite recent demotion to the bench. In an era of superteams, superstars and maximized fantasy basketball lineups, it can be easy to forget the team-first nature of basketball. A multitude of teams rely on one key player, such as the Cleveland Cavaliers
Dec 11, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks on from the bench during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports UFC 269: Geoff Neal earns split decision over Santiago Ponzinibbio (Video) by Adam Stocker Steph Curry was on record
1:04 PM ET Jamal Collier The Chicago Bulls‘ team-wide COVID-19 outbreak continued to spread further on Sunday, when Zach LaVine and Troy Brown Jr. entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Their additions brings the Bulls’ total to nine players in the league’s COVID-19 protocols since the start of the
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) looks to pass against the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger/POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY Sports Look: Aidan Hutchinson took middle seat in coach to Heisman Trophy ceremony by Alicia de Artola Jets struggles set to get even worse with latest
1:08 AM ET PHILADELPHIA — Golden State Warriors star guard Stephen Curry continues to say that the pursuit of Ray Allen’s all-time 3-point record is not weighing on his mind as he sits on the precipice of earning one of the bigger records in basketball. After another lackluster shooting performance — at least by his
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. Over the past few seasons, as teams have adopted extreme shot selection patterns and become increasingly intentional about promoting efficiency we’ve seen several historic marks. A team’s offensive efficiency,
3:49 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson has suffered a setback in his rehab process and will be dialed back even more. Williamson, who has not played in a game this season because of offseason surgery he had for a fracture in his right foot, will be pushed back in his
To celebrate his 27th birthday, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo shared a fistful of cake with Bucks staff as the team celebrated his big day. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the NBA’s undisputed big kid, bringing childlike wonder to every human experience. From appreciating the art of Oreo dunks to singing along to Harry Styles, the reigning
HBO released a trailer for ‘Winning Time’, an HBO Max series chronicling how Magic Johnson transformed the Los Angeles Lakers and its owner, Dr. Jerry Buss. Battles are waged every day between Herculean athletes, but it takes genius and vision to imagine a true dynasty in basketball. That’s how Dr. Jerry Buss, who had a
8:00 AM ET Stephen Curry, just 10 3s shy of breaking Ray Allen’s all-time 3-point record, has put together the kind of historic career through 12 seasons that every young player dreams about. In a generation defined by shooting, Curry is regarded as the best. “I think people have compared him to myself and to
MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 29: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat fights for control of the ball against Facundo Campazzo #7 and Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the second half at FTX Arena on November 29, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading
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