This week, The Long Two looks at how Jordan Poole could help fill in for Klay Thompson and whether the Knicks can replicate last year’s success. Given the variables at play, it’s nearly impossible, and certainly exhausting, to confidently project a likely outcome for the Golden State Warriors this season. Uncertainty over how Klay Thompson
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4:38 PM ET SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has long been an admirer of LeBron James, but he added an extra layer of praise to his famous foe’s accolades in advance of Friday’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers. When asked what it’s been like to play against James for
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 28: Trevor Ariza #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles as he speaks to the media during Los Angeles Lakers media day at UCLA Health Training Center on September 28, 2021 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Here’s how close Cardinals were to taking a lead of
7:00 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving will be able to practice at the team’s facility in Brooklyn, sources confirmed to ESPN, but still won’t be able to play in home games due to the city’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The change in Irving’s status is due to the city determining that the
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) The Golden State Warriors are a team with a lot of questions surrounding the team. Which ones weigh the most on the team heading into the season? It seems like forever ago that the Golden State Warriors were the quintessential star of
De’Aaron Fox is fast. But is he fast enough to outrun the chaotic legacy of the Sacramento Kings, and strong enough to carry his team with him? Plastic bullets fill the air. Bone claws slowly protrude from skinned knuckles. Jim Croce’s voice offers sad reservations about time and bottles. And there is De’Aaron Fox, at
8:00 AM ET With less than two weeks until the start of the regular season, the uncertainty around Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving continues to swirl. The Nets listed Irving, 29, as ineligible to play in Friday’s preseason game against the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks. New York City’s COVID-19 protocols allow only NBA players with
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. With the start of the season less than two weeks away, Ian Levy and Ben Ladner share their award predictions for NBA MVP, Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man
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 general, I tend to shy away from making preseason predictions about the NBA. I have no reason to think my insight or analysis is any more prescient than
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors. (Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports) UFC Vegas 39: Mackenzie Dern vs. Marina Rodriguez preview and prediction by Curtis Calhoun Alex Cora gives ominous update on Chris Sale before postseason by Scott Rogust Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry becomes one of the first victims of new NBA rule change. Monday
8:00 AM ET NBA Insiders Which NBA teams and players could disrupt the races for home-court advantage and awards during the 2021-22 season? After the New York Knicks‘ surprising run to the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference last season, could head coach Tom Thibodeau’s crew pull off that feat again in an improved East?
The NBPA released a memo to players informing them that they will not be subject to random tests for marijuana during this season. After the NBA season froze in March 2020, the league stopped testing NBA players for any types of drugs. But when players were brought back for the NBA Bubble restart in July
Will the Phoenix Suns’ run to the 2021 NBA Finals help propel Deandre Ayton into having a career year? Heading into the 2021 NBA playoffs, Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton was one of the league’s biggest wild cards. Fresh off a run to the NBA Finals, he now appears poised to cement himself as one
7:41 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets listed Kyrie Irving as ineligible to play in their home preseason game Friday, another strong indication he has not met New York’s vaccination requirement. Irving has not been with the Nets for any of their practices in New York, where professional athletes are required
Unvaccinated NBA players who break quarantine in Toronto may be subject to face criminal charges, including prison time and fines. In 2020, when the NBA resumed the season in the bubble, the proposed punishment for leaving the bubble was a mandated quarantine, more rigid COVID testing and a deduction in pay for any games missed.
The Indiana Pacers reportedly are still in the hunt to acquire Ben Simmons from the 76ers, this time they’ve offered Caris LeVert for the disgruntled 76ers star. The longer Ben Simmons remains on the Philadelphia 76ers roster, the more teams are presumably added to the mix as a potential trade partner. Through these rumors, however,
Philadelphia 76ers, Allen Iverson Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Buccaneers CB Carlton Davis III out a month with quad injury by Jaleel Grandberry Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson questions why the team hasn’t hired him for a position. It’s not the easiest task to be a professional athlete in the City of Brotherly Love.
10:56 AM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — Eighteen former NBA players have been charged with defrauding the league’s health and welfare benefit plan out of about $4 million, according to an indictment Thursday in New York. Federal prosecutors planned a news conference for noon ET Thursday to describe the case that was brought in
Federal prosecutors announced an enormous fraud case Thursday morning, which included the arrest of 18 former NBA players. The final days before the NBA season finally starts are usually filled with injury updates, glowing assessments of preseason games and optimistic goals for the upcoming season. Oh, and accusations of massive, collaborative insurance fraud. On Thursday,
1:50 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN Los Angeles became the third NBA city to pass a sweeping COVID-19 vaccine mandate that will impact its NBA teams, joining New York and San Francisco. The ordinance, which was both passed by the Los Angeles City Council and was signed by Mayor Eric Garcetti Wednesday, will go into effect
Russell Westbrook, Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports Giants: Second-half stats back up Gabe Kapler’s pitcher choices for NLDS by Alicia de Artola Los Angeles Lakers’ Russell Westbrook reveals that Pau Gasol was his favorite player growing up. Pau Gasol officially announced his retirement from professional basketball on Tuesday,
11:00 PM ET PHOENIX — Trevor Ariza will be sidelined about two months after having surgery on his right ankle, the Los Angeles Lakers announced Wednesday. Ariza, one of 11 new players added in the offseason, underwent an arthroscopic debridement procedure Wednesday. He has missed most of training camp because of the ankle. The Lakers
After receiving a hefty fine for missing the 76ers first preseason game, Ben Simmons might be reconsidering his holdout. Last week, Ben Simmons liked an Instagram post with a graphic detailing the fines he could receive for missing out on the Philadelphia 76ers practices and games. But the fine he received after missing the 76ers
Mitchell Robinson has carved out a niche with the New York Knicks with insane highlights and absurd numbers. Now he’s ready for more. There can be beauty in simplicity. Catch ball. Dunk ball. Stand here. Jump. Swat ball. That’s not to call Mitchell Robinson’s basketball responsibilities simple. He is often playing as the defensive anchor
5:57 PM ET Kevin Durant said he’s still envisioning Kyrie Irving being a part of the Nets’ championship pursuit but he also acknowledges that it will be “hard to duplicate what he brings” if he can’t play home games in Brooklyn. Irving missed his second straight day of practice in Brooklyn as New York City’s
Ben Simmons listed his Ritz-Carlton residence for sale, furthering his stance that he will never play for the Philadelphia 76ers again. Time is ticking between the Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons. The organization’s No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA draft has made it clear that he refuses to step on the court for Philadelphia
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports Mike Zimmer finally said something nice about Kirk Cousins after Seahawks win by Josie Rohach Tyron Woodley finally got the Jake Paul tattoo and its hilarious (Photo) by Curtis Calhoun New Orleans Pelicans superstar Zion Williamson is apparently recovering from foot surgery. Third-year superstar Zion Williamson, of the New Orleans Pelicans,
Brandon Ingram is just five years into his NBA career but once again finds himself in the unfortunate position of being defined by his relationship to others. Brandon Ingram has established a healthy NBA resume. He’s averaged 23.8 points per game for two consecutive seasons. He’s made an All-Star team and won Most Improved
11:24 PM ET ESPN News Services MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Milwaukee Bucks‘ preseason game at the Memphis Grizzlies was suspended at the conclusion of the third quarter due to a fire alarm issue at FedExForum, the league announced Tuesday night. After a lengthy delay, the league, in consultation with the Bucks and Grizzlies, decided not
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports NFL Week 5 2021 full schedule by Josie Rohach LSU football: 3 big names to target to replace Ed Orgeron by John Buhler Los Angeles Lakers guard Malik Monk continues to impress his teammates after the team’s first preseason game. The Los Angeles Lakers made a lot of offseason acquisitions, and