1:03 AM ET DALLAS — This situation certainly was not what Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle had in mind recently when he emphatically declared that the “post-up just isn’t a good play anymore.” Nor was it how the Mavericks wanted to defend All-Star center Nikola Jokic with the game on the line. The 7-foot, 284-pound
Month: January 2020
Danuel House Jr. is one of the best stories in the NBA, and he should be making more money. The popular blueprint for defense against the Houston Rockets this season — double-team the ball out of James Harden’s hands, make his teammates beat you — paints a hilarious target. You can’t really stop them from
6:56 PM ET PLAYA VISTA, Calif. — After allowing a total of 172 points in their last two home games, the LA Clippers started a rare two-day practice stretch on Wednesday trying to find their defense and rediscover some of that underdog grinding mentality they had a season ago. The Clippers are 26-12 despite shuffling
10:35 AM ET ESPN News Services An MRI on the back of Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis came back negative and he plans to travel with the team on its upcoming road trip, a source confirmed to ESPN’s Cari Champion on Wednesday. Davis left the game against the New York Knicks in the third
Jaylen Brown has taken an enormous leap on offense this season, in large part by developing his off-the-dribble game. In terms of offensive priority, Jaylen Brown still takes a backseat to Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum for the Celtics. He ranks in third in usage, third in scoring, third in field goal attempts per game,
12:29 AM ET ESPN News Services LOS ANGELES — Anthony Davis left the Los Angeles Lakers‘ game against the New York Knicks in the third quarter Tuesday night after he bruised his lower back in a painful fall to the court. Davis was injured when he fell awkwardly while trying to block the shot of
After an eventful holiday season, the NBA now enters its middle third. With Christmas in the rearview, teams and players will push forward to the All-Star break over the next month-and-a-half. Over the last two weeks, many of the candidates for the year’s awards turned in performances that could help or hurt their positioning. Joel
4:58 PM ET The NBA on Tuesday said via its Last Two Minute Report that officials erred by not calling a foul on Utah Jazz center Ruby Gobert in the closing seconds of Monday’s controversial win against the Pelicans in New Orleans. With Utah up two, Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram drove directly at Gobert, who
Isaac Okoro is easily the best defensive wing in the 2020 NBA Draft class. But how good does his offense have to get for him to be impactful? One-way NBA players are difficult to build around. It’s obviously easier to count on players who can give you reliable production on offense and defense, and for
1:39 AM ET Andrew LopezESPN NEW ORLEANS — A possible no-call that goes against the home team in New Orleans. The officials reviewing a call after time expired. Those same officials being escorted out of the playing area showered by thousands of boos. No, this wasn’t a Saints’ playoff game. This was the scene at
After an eventful holiday season, the NBA now enters its middle third. With Christmas in the rearview, teams and players will push forward to the All-Star break over the next month-and-a-half. Over the last two weeks, many of the candidates for the year’s awards turned in performances that could help or hurt their positioning. Joel
1:51 AM ET The Golden State Warriors waived forward Marquese Chriss after their 111-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Monday night. His contract would have become guaranteed on Tuesday. Golden State plans to complete a deal with guard Damion Lee to keep him on the 15-man roster, a league source told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
After over a decade, former Dunk Contest winner Dwight Howard is returning to the event next month, making his fourth appearance in the annual showcase This has been a season of rejuvenation for Dwight Howard. After a number of years bouncing around the league with no team particularly eager to have or hold on to
12:50 PM ET Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Kevin Porter Jr. is expected to miss two weeks because of a sprained left knee, the team announced Monday. Porter suffered the injury in Sunday night’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. His knee buckled awkwardly in the third quarter when he tried to change directions, and he had to
Lottery picks are viewed through rose-colored lenses in the NBA. As the draft approaches, teams, fans and the media alike increasingly overvalue top players and picks. Player comparisons provide unrealistic evaluations, and they put a ton of pressure on young players. Meanwhile, top prospects are mostly under 20-years-old and – more often than not –
7:49 AM ET HIS FINISHING MOVE was probably unnecessary, but Trae Young knows he wouldn’t be here watching the play otherwise. Young, his Atlanta Hawks jerseys on display all around him, is sitting in a folding chair inside the locker room of the team’s shimmering, new practice facility. The Hawks call this area their “flex
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 01: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks over Robin Lopez #42 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Fiserv Forum on January 01, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to
12:12 AM ET ESPN News Services Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Kevin Porter Jr. exited Sunday’s 118-103 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves early with a left knee injury. The 30th overall pick in last year’s draft was injured in the third quarter when his knee buckled awkwardly while he tried to change directions. The slender guard immediately
11:31 PM ET NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets are sliding. After holding a 16-point first-half lead, the Nets lost to the Toronto Raptors 121-102 on Saturday night at Barclays Center. It was Brooklyn’s fifth consecutive loss and sixth in its past seven games. Brooklyn’s overall record fell to 16-18. On Saturday, the Nets were
Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac is expected to miss at least eight weeks secondary to a severe knee sprain and bone bruise. It all began as a routine fastbreak for Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac. The lanky 6-foot-11 defensive menace out of Florida State gathered a loose ball and attempted to bypass his defender, Bradley
12:21 AM ET ESPN News Services CLEVELAND — Kevin Love has been the subject of trade speculation all season, and the Cleveland Cavaliers star showed his frustration several times during Saturday night’s 121-106 loss to Oklahoma City. Earlier in the day, Love yelled at Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman over a recent fine, according to
Lottery picks are viewed through rose-colored lenses in the NBA. As the draft approaches, teams, fans and the media alike increasingly overvalue top players and picks. Player comparisons provide unrealistic evaluations, and they put a ton of pressure on young players. Meanwhile, top prospects are mostly under 20-years-old and – more often than not –
12:47 AM ET SAN FRANCISCO — As speculation regarding his future abounds, Pistons big man Andre Drummond reiterated that he wants to spend the rest of his career in Detroit. Drummond, who has spent his entire eight-year career with the organization, did not hesitate when asked why he would like to stay in Detroit. “I’m
Yes, the Phoenix Suns are experimenting with Deandre Ayton and Aron Baynes in the starting lineup. Is Ayton at the 4 viable or even survivable? In the 3-point heavy, pace-and-space NBA, traditional positions of old are fading into legend. Switchability is king, seven-footers who can do more than just post up are labeled as mythical
5:54 PM ET ESPN News Services NEW YORK — Washington Wizards guard Isaiah Thomas was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Saturday for making inappropriate contact with a game official. Thomas received a technical foul and was ejected early in the Wizards’ 122-103 home loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night. Thomas was
Lottery picks are viewed through rose-colored lenses in the NBA. As the draft approaches, teams, fans and the media alike increasingly overvalue top players and picks. Player comparisons provide unrealistic evaluations, and they put a ton of pressure on young players. Meanwhile, top prospects are mostly under 20-years-old and – more often than not –
2:36 AM ET LOS ANGELES — Two words came to mind for Dwight Howard when he was asked to compare Anthony Davis‘ first game against his former team five weeks ago to Davis’ performance Friday in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 123-113 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. “No stress,” Howard said. It’s a phrase Lakers
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1:17 AM ET HOUSTON — Coach Brett Brown attempted to take a positive approach after the Philadelphia 76ers‘ 118-108 loss to the Houston Rockets on Friday night. It was the 76ers’ fourth consecutive loss, their longest losing streak since December 2017, but Brown said he liked the way his team competed by pulling within five
Lottery picks are viewed through rose-colored lenses in the NBA. As the draft approaches, teams, fans and the media alike increasingly overvalue top players and picks. Player comparisons provide unrealistic evaluations, and they put a ton of pressure on young players. Meanwhile, top prospects are mostly under 20-years-old and – more often than not –