1:07 AM ET MEMPHIS — After the Los Angeles Lakers squandered an early lead against an undermanned Grizzlies team in Thursday’s 108-95 loss, Anthony Davis said L.A.’s identity is far from the championship contender it’s supposed to be. “These guys already feel like they’re the underdogs when they’re coming in, especially when they’re without their
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Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant defends notion that he needs less minutes as he comes off a day of rest sitting out against the Houston Rockets. Truth be told, the the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference likely didn’t take the No. 13 team in the Western Conference all that seriously. When the Brooklyn
The boxing broadcast of the Gervonta Davis and Isaac Cruz fight mistook a ringside Kevin Garnett for Dwight Howard — and didn’t even notice Paul Pierce. Getting spotted in the crowd at a Staples Center event is practically a Los Angeles tradition. While it usually takes place at Lakers and Clippers games, there were celebrities
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
7:37 PM ET Toronto Raptors vice-chairman and president Masai Ujiri has tested positive for COVID-19, he said in a statement released by the team Thursday. Ujiri said he is fully vaccinated and has received a booster shot. He was present at a Giants of Africa event Sunday and later learned of “positive COVID-19 tests among
DALLAS, TX – DECEMBER 7: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball as Dorian Finney-Smith #10 of the Dallas Mavericks defends in the first half at American Airlines Center on December 7, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph,
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
11:58 AM ET Evidence exists that this works: For a span of 1 minute, 39 seconds, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook flashed that they can be the two-headed, turbocharging, floor-commanding, do-everything duo that motivated the Los Angeles Lakers to overhaul their roster in the offseason. Trailing the Cleveland Cavaliers late in the second quarter on
As the Portland Trail Blazers take on the Golden State Warriors, Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard addressed rumors about his unhappiness in Portland. There’s been a lot of talk surrounding Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers this week, and Lillard has heard enough of it. As the 11-14 Trail Blazers prepare to take on the
1:52 AM ET ESPN staff The Golden State Warriors notched an NBA-best 21st win and Steph Curry pulled within 10 3-pointers of becoming the all-time leader in career triples in beating the Portland Trail Blazers. Although Curry and Co. were at the forefront, there was plenty of action across the league Wednesday night. 1 Related
James Harden returned to Houston on Wednesday night to face the Rockets, his former team, and there was a mutual showing of love prior to tip-off. Though it feels like an eternity ago, it was just last season that James Harden all but forced the Houston Rockets to trade the superstar guard and former NBA
Myles Turner trades are being shopped by the Pacers as Indiana looks to rebuild and this Hornets trade that would land the big man could be perfect. The Charlotte Hornets dropped their second game in three nights to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night, dropping the franchise to 14-13 on the season and the No.
10:44 PM ET LA Clippers star swingman Paul George was ruled out before Wednesday night’s game against the Boston Celtics with a right elbow contusion. George was originally listed as questionable and went through pre-game warmups before he was ruled out. Veteran forward Nicolas Batum returned after missing nine straight games and replaced George in
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. Since the season began, any NBA trade rumors or fantasies have mostly been built around Ben Simmons and the ongoing fiasco in Philadelphia, or lingering pessimism about the Blazers’
8:42 PM ET ESPN News Services Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum has been diagnosed with a pneumothorax in his right lung, the team announced Tuesday night. A pneumothorax is a collapsed lung, and it was discovered Tuesday after the veteran underwent a CT scan. On Saturday, in the fourth quarter of a game against
Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum suffered a collapsed right lung according to CT scans, and there is no timeline for return. Fans often talk about Damian Lillard’s loyalty to the Portland Trail Blazers, but a fellow starter drafted a year later has been just as devoted to Rip City. Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum
12:10 AM ET DALLAS — Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant understands the concern over his increased minutes, given his lengthy injury history that includes a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered two and a half years ago. He just doesn’t want to hear about it. “I know people might be concerned about my minutes and I got
With news breaking that the Indiana Pacers anticipate a rebuild, the Los Angeles Lakers could be one of the teams positioned to take advantage of trades. Although December is early for most NBA teams, for some, a sense of direction is decided in less than 30 games into the season. That seems to be the
Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers. (Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports) Mets: Max Scherzer makes choice for manager brutally obvious by Braulio Perez With the Indiana Pacers heading towards a rebuild, here are three trade pieces Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers can send to Indianapolis for star big man Myles Turner. Myles Turner could be had off 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. 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
11:41 PM ET DALLAS — Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic acknowledged that his conditioning has “got to be better.” Doncic’s weight and conditioning were a frequent subject on the TNT broadcast of the Mavs’ 102-99 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night. Analyst Reggie Miller, a Hall of Fame shooting guard, criticized Doncic, saying he
Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers. (Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports) Can Lakers make a trade to take advantage of Pacers’ rebuild? by Aryanna Prasad Daryl Morey has plenty of pathways towards striking a deal with the Indiana Pacers to get Ben Simmons off the books for the Philadelphia 76ers. Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey
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
Damian Lillard wants to be paid substantially to stay with the Portland Trail Blazers, a move that will force Portland to return their loyalty to Lillard. Damian Lillard denied reports earlier this week that he isn’t happy in Portland, but his recent contract expectations show that Lillard wants to be paid what he believes he
10:56 AM ET Any unvaccinated NBA player with temporary visa status who leaves the country will be unable to reenter the United States, according to a memo obtained by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Tuesday. For example, a player who is not vaccinated against COVID-19 would be unable to reenter the United States after playing in
The Houston Rockets make sports history across four major North American sports after recent six-game win streak. The 1-16 Houston Rockets were the worst team in the NBA. Now, the 7-16 Rockets are the third-worst team in the Western Conference — and they just made major sports history for their recent spate of wins. According
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. Last week, just before a short holiday hiatus, we took a traditional approach to power rankings, focusing on the best teams in the league. Today, we’re going to put
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, the Phoenix Suns stretched their win streak to 17 games but picked up what was clearly their most important win of the season. By knocking off
11:56 PM ET ESPN News Services Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler aggravated a tailbone injury that had kept him out four games in his return to the court on Monday, a 105-90 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Butler favored his back after a hard fall on a missed driving layup early in the first quarter.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 26: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the second quarter against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on November 26, 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