Basketball Insiders’ “Now What” series examines teams on the precipice of success. Some will succeed in their attempt to join the elite, while others will squander an opportunity or are simply out of time. Today, we’ll dissect the New York Knicks, their 2020-21 season and where they go from here. The New York Knicks had
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Los Angeles Lakers Anthony Davis, LeBron James Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports After LeBron James’ first-ever first-round playoff loss, the Los Angeles Lakers need to do these three things to please The King this offseason. The Los Angeles Lakers’ season didn’t pan out the way they hoped it would. They started strong, but injuries
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports The Los Angeles Lakers fanbase can dream all they want about landing these three players in a trade, but they are probably not happening. The Los Angeles Lakers‘ plans to repeat as champions were dashed in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs, courtesy of the Phoenix Suns. As it
4:59 PM ET As the competitive balance of the NBA playoffs is being compromised by a rash of injuries — with player health affecting just about every second-round series — Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James says he saw this coming. Before James offered his best wishes to Kawhi Leonard of the LA Clippers —
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images DraftKings U.S. Open picks 2021: Best PGA DFS lineup for Torrey Pines by Cody Williams LeBron James was in awe of Kevin Durant‘s historic Game 5 performance just like the rest of us. As he prepares himself to take on the Goon Squad later this summer, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James
John Calipari could potentially leave the Kentucky basketball program to return to the NBA. With many NBA head-coaching openings now available, could Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari be thinking about a return to professional ranks? Yahoo Sports’ Ben Rohrbach and Vincent Goodwill report Calipari is open to leaving Kentucky for the NBA. Though Calipari has won
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports Chris Paul goes into COVID health and safety protocols, out indefinitely by Ian Levy ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is reporting that Kawhi Leonard will not play in Game 5 against the Jazz because of a knee injury. His status for the rest of the series is in doubt. The Clippers have fought
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports The loss of Kawhi Leonard means tough things ahead for the Clippers, but they still have a chance if they make the following adjustments against the Jazz. Clippers nation woke up to some bad news on Wednesday, following the announcement Kawhi Leonard will miss Game 5 against the Jazz with a
11:02 AM ET Stan Van Gundy is out as the coach of the New Orleans Pelicans after just one season with the franchise, sources told ESPN on Wednesday morning. Van Gundy and Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin have been engaged in talks for weeks according to sources. New Orleans finished a
Nate Bjorkgren, Indiana Pacers. (Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports) Max Scherzer trade rumors heating up with hometown St. Louis Cardinals by Alicia de Artola The Indiana Pacers have parted ways with head coach Nate Bjorkgren after one season. It was a square peg in a round hole the whole time, as the Indiana Pacers
Chauncey Billups. (Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports) The Indiana Pacers have a great list of potential candidates to replace Nate Bjorkgren. All the Indiana Pacers needed to see out of Nate Bjorkgren was one year before parting ways with their former head coach. Indiana finished the 2020-21 NBA season with a sub-.500 record under Bjorkgren. They
1:30 AM ET When an all-time great player is having an all-time great game, especially in the NBA playoffs, there’s a feeling that starts to envelop an arena as people start to realize this is a time-and-place moment. The collective adrenaline forces perspective on the spectators — and it can include the players and coaches
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 15: James Harden of the Brooklyn Nets warms up before game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round against the Milwaukee Bucks at Barclays Center on June 15, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and
Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports The Houston Rockets posted the league’s worst record this season, and these three players will not be back next year. The Houston Rockets can take one point of solace from the 2020-21 season. It was only 72 games. It started with James Harden showing up out of shape, and
7:46 PM ET NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets star James Harden will play in Game 5 against the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The decision was made after he tested his right hamstring on the court before tipoff Tuesday night at Barclays Center. It will be the first time Harden has been available
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers slam dunks against Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz during the first half in Game Four of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Staples Center on June 14, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges
1989: Marques Johnson #8 of the Golden State Warriors looks to make a free throw during an NBA game in the 1989-90 season. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by: Ken
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors stands at the line to shoot a foul shot against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on May 16, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees
7:00 AM ET NBA Insiders While the Phoenix Suns put their feet up after an impressive sweep of MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, six teams continue to fight for the three remaining spots in the NBA conference finals. No matchup has more storylines than Brooklyn Nets vs. Milwaukee Bucks, which is locked at
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JUNE 14: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers grabs a rebound against Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at State Farm Arena on June 14, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,
12:20 AM ET ESPN Facebook Twitter Facebook Messenger Pinterest Email print With the LA Clippers trying to hit their stride in their second-round NBA playoff series with the Utah Jazz, Kawhi Leonard appeared to be at the height of his powers with a monstrous dunk late in the first half. LA entered Monday night’s Game
Basketball Insiders continues the “Now What” series with a look at the Indiana Pacers. A disappointing 34-38 record earned them a spot in the Play-In Tournament, where they crushed the Charlotte Hornets but were then destroyed by the Washington Wizards. They limped across the finish line, and now face an uncertain offseason that could be
Nikola Jokic was ejected from Game 4 after a frustration foul on Cam Payne. With their backs against the wall in Game 4 of their second-round series against the Phoenix Suns, the Denver Nuggets needed their MVP to have the game of his life to avoid the sweep. Unfortunately for the Nuggets and for Nikola
Credit: Nic Antaya/Getty Images After a dismal second-round exit from the playoffs, these three players won’t be back with the Denver Nuggets. The Denver Nuggets’ season ended Sunday night with a loss to the Phoenix Suns. A four-game second-round playoff sweep was completed, with MVP Nikola Jokic off the floor for them after being ejected
4:51 PM ET Nets star Kyrie Irving will miss Game 5 against the Bucks on Tuesday with a sprained right ankle, coach Steve Nash told reporters Monday. Irving, hurt in Game 4 on Sunday, had an MRI that showed the sprain. Nash added that he has “no idea” whether Irving will be able to return
Chris Paul has been instrumental for the Phoenix Suns all season, but his return to form as the Point God has them looking dangerous in the playoffs. Nobody is playing better basketball than the Phoenix Suns right now. Nobody’s playoff bandwagon is fuller at the moment, and perhaps nobody’s gotten Chris Paul closer to that
LA Clippers star Paul George has been raked over the coals for poor playoff performances, so don’t forget to credit him for a huge Game 3. In sports, you’re only as good as your latest performance. If that’s the case, then Paul George is worthy of the Playoff P nickname. George hasn’t completely shed his
The Dallas Mavericks are expected to give star guard Luka Doncic a supermax contract extension this summer. How much will he make? Luka Doncic is about to make a whole lot of money this offseason. The Mavericks star is expected to sign a supermax extension with Dallas after a third outstanding season in the NBA.
NBA executives reportedly were terrified by the possibility of Giannis Antetokounmpo signing with the Dallas Mavericks to join Luka Doncic. Forget LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Put aside the new Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden. What NBA executives really feared was the idea of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic pairing
10:06 PM ET With the Denver Nuggets on the brink of playoff elimination, league MVP Nikola Jokic was ejected from Sunday night’s game with a Flagrant 2 foul after taking a wild swing in frustration at Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne. After a lengthy review, Jokic was handed the Flagrant 2 and ejected from Game