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.’ There are just nine days left in the NBA season and plenty of things still need to work themselves out. To break down some of the biggest questions in
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Doug Pensinger /Allsport These five legends are known for their incredible play on different teams, but here we take a look back at their time with the Brooklyn Nets The Brooklyn Nets, formally known as the New Jersey Nets, are composed of superstars. From the sharpshooting Kevin Durant to Kyrie Irving, who possesses handles that
Kevin Durant expects for the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors organizations to retire his No. 35 jersey shortly after he calls it a career. While Kevin Durant is one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history, his exits from both the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors were not exactly smooth. Now
10:19 PM ET LOS ANGELES — Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis will return to the lineup for the Lakers‘ crucial game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, the team announced. James missed the past two games with a sprained left ankle and was cleared to play after undergoing an on-court workout about an
With six regular-season games left, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo could win his first ever scoring title. Fresh off surpassing the iconic Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most points scored in Milwaukee Bucks history, Giannis Antetokounmpo stands a real chance at winning his first ever scoring title. The two-time MVP and reigning NBA champion is averaging 30.1 points
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 20: Draymond Green #23 and head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors reacts when Green was ejected from the game after receiving his second technical foul against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at Chase Center on March 20, 2022 in San Francisco, California. The Warriors
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 23: Robert Williams III #44 of the Boston Celtics rebounds during the second quarter of the game against the Utah Jazz at TD Garden on March 23, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to
With their most important player out for at least a month, it’s worth wondering whether the Celtics are still the same threat they were before Rob Williams’ injury. The harshest reality in the NBA is that a team could spend months furiously coalescing into a juggernaut, only to be undone by a poorly-timed injury while
4:01 PM ET Adrian Wojnarowski Close Senior NBA Insider Host of The Woj Pod Joined ESPN in 2017 Kendra Andrews Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry will have his left foot sprain re-evaluated in a week, but both he and the team are confident that the recovery timeline will allow for him to be back
LeBron James had Los Angeles Lakers fans panicking after his April Fool’s Day tweet. After ruining Space Jam, LeBron James backed up his Razzie Award-winning performance as a fictionalized version of himself by sending Los Angeles Lakers fans everywhere into a full-blown panic. It may have been April Fool’s Day, but nobody is laughing. How could they
8:00 AM ET New Los Angeles Lakers are typically brought to owner Jeanie Buss’ second-floor office overlooking the practice floor at the team’s training facility. And with good reason: On a specially designed credenza under a wide window sit 11 Larry O’Brien trophies — the centerpieces of the building and the sources of constant motivation
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 Rookie of the Year race has tightened and it seems likely that Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham and Scottie Barnes will finish 1-2-3 in some order. While there may
1:28 AM ET NEW YORK — Giannis Antetokounmpo became the Milwaukee Bucks‘ all-time leading scorer on Thursday night by delivering the type of unbelievable performance that has defined his star-studded career. Antetokounmpo broke Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar‘s franchise mark of 14,211 points, scoring 44 points on Thursday to move his total to 14,216. As
If LeBron James doesn’t make it back in at least some of the season’s remaining games, he may not win the scoring title after all. As the NBA season approaches a close, certain unknowns come into focus. There’s still a battle among big men for the MVP candidacy, and there are a few teams battling
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 23: Head coach Ime Udoka of the Boston Celtics talks with Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter of the game against the Utah Jazz at TD Garden on March 23, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and
8:00 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart, the leading defender on the NBA’s leading defense, believes he is the Defensive Player of the Year. So, too, does Mikal Bridges, the Phoenix Suns‘ fourth-year wing and the franchise’s top NBA All-Defensive candidate. But, based on the award’s history, it’s unlikely either of the
Joel Embiid has put the Philadelphia 76ers on his back and earned MVP-caliber recognition as an all-around player—but he nearly left the NBA back in 2014. Sixers big man Joel Embiid is being able to shine in a way he hasn’t for years. There are various factors—he’s watched tape to improve as an all-around player,
4:34 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN When asked directly within the past 24 hours if their teams are fully vaccinated, both the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers declined to comment to ESPN — opening the possibility that both teams could potentially be missing players in road games of a first-round playoff series against the Toronto Raptors.
The Brooklyn Nets are eighth in the Eastern Conference. But they still may have a chance at a magical run, thanks to the play-in tournament. The NBA regular season is coming to an end and lower-seeded teams are gearing up for the play-in tournament, with hopes of keeping their season alive. Teams who finish in the
12:07 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN The top of the NBA’s Eastern Conference couldn’t be much more compact. Entering Tuesday’s action, four teams — the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers — were within a single loss of one another. And, in serendipitous timing, all four were set to face off, with the
Illinois basketball career now entering the rearview, star big man Kofi Cockburn is eyeing his NBA future and perhaps a Fighting Illini reunion. Kofi Cockburn wants to play basketball in the state of Illinois next year. Ideally, it will be in Chicago with the NBA Bulls alongside his former college teammate at Illinois, Ayo Dosunmu.
5:02 PM ET ESPN Facebook Twitter Facebook Messenger Pinterest Email print The Los Angeles Lakers have listed LeBron James as out and Anthony Davis as doubtful for Thursday’s game at the Utah Jazz. Both didn’t play in Tuesday’s 128-110 blowout loss to the Dallas Mavericks. James has been dealing with a left ankle sprain since
Amid big roster changes for the Los Angeles Lakers this week, there’s some uplifting news: Anthony Davis is expected ti finally return to the court. After experiencing another loss on March 29, the Lakers are in need of their biggest stars. On that front, NBA insider Chris Haynes was able to offer some updates on
8:27 AM ET After undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee Wednesday morning, Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III is expected to return within four to six weeks — a timetable that could land him back in the lineup as soon as the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, sources told
Elsa Hasch /Allsport The Miami Heat have a history of growth and have seen some NBA legends stick around. Some legends, however, have made appearances so quickly you may have forgotten they played for the Heat. Some extremely talented NBA players have played for the Miami Heat, including current forward Jimmy Butler and future Hall-of-Famers
Every team is looking for a sharp jersey to rally their fans. But no one topped the Phoenix Suns, who won Best Costume Design at the FanSided Sports Oscars. The late French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent once said, “Fashions fade, style is eternal.” If YSL were still with us today he’d doubtlessly have much
12:33 AM ET DALLAS — For the first time since the first week of the regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves on the outside of the play-in tournament looking in after Tuesday night’s 128-110 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Playing without LeBron James (left ankle sprain) and Anthony Davis (right mid-foot sprain), the
Kareem Abudul-Jabbar penned a response to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony. Even for those who did not watch the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday, March 27, they were made aware on the news or on their social media feeds of one particular moment. During the ceremony, Will Smith
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports Meet Sam Gordon, the girl changing football for good by Aryanna Prasad Last week, Joel Embiid was a guest speaker on Draymond Green’s podcast. The two had some strong words to exchange. Joel Embiid and Draymond Green are no strangers to a little bit of healthy trash talking. Last June, Green
6:01 PM ET After missing three months with an elbow injury, LA Clippers All-Star guard Paul George is expected to return to the lineup against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night, sources told ESPN. George, who hasn’t played since Dec. 22, completed rehab on a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, was upgraded