8:00 AM ET NBA Insiders The first week of the 2022-23 NBA season did not disappoint, delivering big-time performances, upsets and playoff-caliber matchups. Ja Morant and Paolo Banchero got off to strong starts, as the Memphis Grizzlies star scored 49 points against the Houston Rockets on Friday night and the Orlando Magic player on Wednesday
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The New York Knicks made a big splash when they signed Jalen Brunson to be their new point guard. Can he help guide them back to the playoffs? The expectations in New York were sky-high for the 2021-22 season for the New York Knicks after their shocking 41-31 record earned them the fourth seed in
7:00 AM ET Kade Krichko PAOLO BANCHERO TWISTS his 6-foot-10 frame into a kids’ chair surrounded by atilt Lego towers. “Don’t Touch” signs adorn computer desks, child-scrawled warnings amid a makeshift cityscape of plastic. It’s hardly a scene where you’d expect to see the $50.16 million-deal-wielding budding star of the Orlando Magic. Banchero isn’t rocking
9:42 PM ET LOS ANGELES — Lakers coach Darvin Ham benched Russell Westbrook for the final three possessions of L.A.’s 106-104 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, and Ham was unflinching when asked if he’d have to manage any fallout with the point guard from his decision. “We don’t have time for feelings
8:32 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Pelicans lost both Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson to injuries on Sunday in a 122-121 overtime loss to the Utah Jazz. Williamson took a hard fall with 8:07 left in the fourth quarter when his dunk attempt was blocked by Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson.
10:31 PM ET ESPN News Services MIAMI — Toronto’s Christian Koloko and Miami’s Caleb Martin were both ejected in the third quarter of the Raptors-Heat game on Saturday night after they scuffled and ended up in the first row of baseline seats. It all started with 7:46 left in the third quarter, when Martin and
Micah Parsons and Marcus Smart are helping a teen facing some high school bullies. It’s always cool when the big shots stand up for the little guy. On Saturday on social media, that’s what Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons and Boston Celtics star Marcus Smart did. Videos surfaced of a teen with special needs that
3:10 AM ET SACRAMENTO — LA Clippers star guard Paul George was in the middle of a big second quarter when he said a technical foul “turned my aggression up.” He proceeded to take his anger out on the Sacramento Kings. George exploded for 40 points to go with six rebounds and six assists to
9:39 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN MIAMI — Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes, the NBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year, was ruled out of Saturday night’s 112-109 loss to the Heat after suffering a sprained right ankle midway through the second quarter. Barnes had X-rays on his ankle, the Raptors said, which came back negative. He
2:38 PM ET NBA commissioner Adam Silver, in recent comments to Phoenix Suns employees, addressed possible solutions for tanking while noting that he understands why teams would do it when a “once-in-a-generation player” is about to enter the league, according to sources who were present. Calling it a “serious issue” that has sparked “hundreds” of
Can the Los Angeles Clippers finally achieve their championship aspirations? Since acquiring Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in 2019, the Los Angeles Clippers have had championship aspirations. In 2020, the Clippers blew a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets in the bubble. In 2021, they had their best season in franchise history under head coach
Charles Barkley showed no mercy to the Los Angeles Lakers in a scorching yet humorous take. Charles Barkley is known for being bald, brash, and brutally honest. That doesn’t change when it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers. Following the purple and gold’s loss to the Clippers 103-97, Barkley offered his perspective, and it was
12:06 AM ET NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash said he was “proud of” Ben Simmons for the way the talented swingman bounced back in Friday night’s 109-105 win over the Toronto Raptors after a poor showing in the Nets’ season opener. “A step up for Ben,” Nash said after seeing Simmons score
With just a handful of NBA games played, we’re already seeing a baseline emerge for trends like the Lakers spacing, Cavs defense and more. With most teams only having one or two games under their belt, it’s difficult to say anything for certain. So, to avoid any brash generalizations, we will offer a few observations
10:04 PM ET In comments to Phoenix Suns employees before the team’s season-opening win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver apologized multiple times on behalf of the league office for enduring years of workplace misconduct under Suns majority owner Robert Sarver, according to sources who were present. “I’m incredibly empathetic to
Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports Despite finishing with one of the worst records in the NBA last season, there is some reason for optimism for the 2022-23 Houston Rockets. We all know who is going to dominate the national spotlight in the Western Conference t may be time for the networks to shift away from their
8:00 AM ET Kendra AndrewsESPN The Golden State Warriors had a certain glow as they entered training camp four weeks ago. It’s a glow you have after spending the summer celebrating a championship and preparing to defend it the next season. Klay Thompson was seen dancing on his boat. Stephen Curry had his jersey retired
From one era reaching an end to the next that has the potential to be just as strong, Jordan Poole seems primed to connect Golden State’s present to its future. Jordan Poole of the Golden State Warriors comes from a long line of overachievers. For the Warriors, the dynasty that no one saw coming, have
Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson bashed a supposed rumor that he might retire after the 2024 season. Klay Thompson’s contract with the Warriors expires after the 2024 season. Thus, some have suggested that he could retire, rather than seek another deal in Golden State or elsewhere. Thompson refuted those suggestions in a press conference
3:32 AM ET LOS ANGELES — The Lakers can’t hit outside shots. That much is clear after L.A. shot 9-for-45 from 3 in Thursday night’s 103-97 loss to the Clippers. That total somehow managed to be even worse than the Lakers’ 10-for-40 clip from deep in their opening-night loss to the Golden State Warriors. Yet
It may have only been one game this NBA season, but fans are already handing the Rookie of the Year award to the Orlando Magic’s Paolo Banchero. The Orlando Magic won the NBA Draft lottery, and the right to choose one of the top prospects in the class. Come June 23, the Magic opted to
8:02 PM ET Detroit Pistons assistant general manager Rob Murphy is on leave after the organization commenced an investigation into an allegation of workplace misconduct involving a female former employee, sources told ESPN on Thursday night. Murphy, 50, has been out of the Pistons’ offices for approximately a week on leave after management was made
The Brooklyn Nets’ 2022-23 campaign did not get off to a great start, as they were blown out by the New Orleans Pelicans. The Brooklyn Nets had quite the offseason. There was discussion of Kyrie Irving opting out of his contract, and Kevin Durant demanding a trade to a new team. Despite that, both stars
8:00 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN INSIDE MCALISTER FIELDHOUSE on The Citadel’s campus in Charleston, South Carolina, all eyes are fixed on a conversation between Joel Embiid and P.J. Tucker. For the second straight day of training camp in late September, the new Philadelphia 76ers teammates engaged in a long — and loud — discussion over
Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden crossed up Boston Celtics defensive stalwart Marcus Smart, and social media had some fun at their expense. Had James Harden converted his crossover into a made three-point field goal, then perhaps he could’ve avoided becoming a part of this meme. Yet, a wide-open shot hit nothing but the side rim,
3:19 AM ET PHOENIX — The first half of Wednesday night’s season opener conjured up the still-fresh painful feelings from last spring’s embarrassing playoff exit for the Phoenix Suns. Once again, the Suns were being dominated by Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks at home. That made the rally from a 22-point deficit for a
The Cleveland Cavaliers have young talent, depth a new star and all the positive momentum they built last season. How long can they ride it? If you were to make a list of the most likable players in the NBA, several Cleveland Cavaliers would make an appearance. There’s Jarrett Allen with one of the biggest
The Golden State Warriors celebrated their 2021-22 NBA Championship on Tuesday’s opening night getting their rings and hanging the championship banner. Some four months after Stephen Curry captured his fourth career NBA Championship with the Golden State Warriors, the team helped to tip off the 2022-23 season with a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers.
9:17 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN TORONTO — Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star guard Darius Garland suffered a left eye injury late in the second quarter of Wednesday night’s season-opening 108-105 loss to[ the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena and did not return. Garland was inadvertently hit in the face by Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. and fell
Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images To celebrate the return of NBA basketball, we take a look at one reason to watch every team this season. The 2022-23 NBA regular season officially tipped off on Tuesday night, commencing a nearly six-month journey for 30 teams. The stakes of this season for those 30 teams vary drastically.