The New York Knicks and Julius Randle have been such a phenomenal fit this season. Julius Randle is about to get paid big time, and the New York Knicks are well aware of this. Randle signed a three-year deal with the Knicks during 2019 NBA free agency worth $62.1 million. In the midst of his breakout
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SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – MARCH 18: Luca Vildoza of Baskonia during the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague match between Zenit St Petersburg and TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz at Sibur Arena on March 18, 2021 in Saint Petersburg, Russia (Photo by Anatolij Medved/BSR Agency/Getty Images) First Pitch: Francisco Lindor and the endless pressure of playing in New York
3:53 PM ET With the addition of play-in games to the 2021 NBA playoffs, the scramble for seeding is wilder — and more important — than ever, with almost every game down the stretch having significant postseason implications. Here’s a breakdown of all the key games from Saturday and what the results mean for the
With the NBA season winding down, there is limited left time for rookies to make their cases for the Rookie of the Year award. In all, three rookies are leading the charge and will likely be named the top three rookies of the season. Without further ado, let’s take a look at how the race
David Griffin, New Orleans Pelicans. (Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports) Why did Chicago Sky suspend Gabby Williams for entire WNBA season? by Josh Hill David Griffin believes how Zion Williamson has been officiated led to his injury. The New Orleans Pelicans will be without Zion Williamson indefinitely with a broken finger, and executive vice
Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans. (Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports) Jordan Love’s people hyping him with Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers comparisons by Cole Thompson The New Orleans Pelicans will be without phenom forward Zion Williamson indefinitely. With a shot at the play-in tournament on the horizon, the New Orleans Pelicans suffer a brutal blow in
7:36 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN ON OPENING NIGHT in Indianapolis, New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett stood wide open in the left corner before taking a crosscourt pass and gathering for the shot. Despite Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Holiday closing hard, Barrett rose and fired a high-arching shot that hit all net and gave the
Lakers forward Anthony Davis. (Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports) Bellator 258: Michael “Venom” Page destroys Derek Anderson’s nose for doctor stoppage victory (Video) by Adam Stocker The Los Angeles Lakers can breathe a sigh of relief thanks to the latest injury update on Anthony Davis, whose back spasms won’t keep him out long. Injuries haven’t been
Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat. (Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports) Are the Dallas Cowboys still the most valuable sports franchise? by John Buhler Jimmy Butler ripped Karl-Anthony Towns to shreds with his latest smack-talking episode. Jimmy Butler made Karl-Anthony Towns the latest victim of his one-of-a-kind smack talk. As Butler’s Miami
12:42 AM ET With the addition of play-in games to the 2021 NBA playoffs, the scramble for seeding is wilder — and more important — than ever, with almost every game down the stretch having significant postseason implications. Here’s a breakdown of all the key games from Saturday and what the results mean for the
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) The Los Angeles Lakers will to have to run the gauntlet in the postseason one way or another. Defending their NBA championship will be easier said than done for the Los Angeles Lakers. Injuries have really slowed down LeBron James and company this year. The
With the NBA season winding down, there is limited left time for rookies to make their cases for the Rookie of the Year award. In all, three rookies are leading the charge and will likely be named the top three rookies of the season. Without further ado, let’s take a look at how the race
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. Matchups are key in any playoff series but, as we saw Sunday, the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets might present the most interesting array of possibilities in the Eastern
NBA news for Wednesday morning, includes LeBron James needing to miss more time, the Nets suddenly look vulnerable, Tyrese Haliburton is out for the year and Damian Lillard is big mad. The NBA season is in the homestretch of the regular season and playoff positioning is heating up, especially in the Western Conference with the Los
6:50 PM ET Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell will miss at least one more week after having his sprained right ankle re-evaluated by the Jazz’s medical staff Friday, the team announced. Utah said Mitchell “continues to make progress towards a return” and would be re-evaluated in one week. Mitchell suffered the injury April 16 against
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors. (Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports) Kansas City Royals: 1 prospect to call up, 1 veteran to demote by Brad Berreman Shaquille O’Neal could not be more impressed by what Stephen Curry is doing leading the Golden State Warriors this season. Despite the Golden State Warriors likely bound for the play-in tournament, Shaquille
Miami Heat standout Bam Adebayo came up huge for the Miami Heat on Sunday by drilling a buzzer-beater to take down the Brooklyn Nets. There is simply no one happier for Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo right now than Jimmy Butler. With the game on the line against the Brooklyn Nets, Adebayo, with ice in
Jimmy Butler had off-the-chart levels of confidence (and sass) about the Miami Heat’s upcoming games and roasted one sorry reporter on Sunday night. Even if the Miami Heat were dead-last in the NBA standings, Butler would probably still think he could make the playoffs. That’s how much confidence he had when he was asked about
4:25 AM ET In what’s too early to call a complete collapse but too stunning to label a mere stumble, the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers are now slated to compete in the NBA’s play-in tournament with a little more than a week remaining in the regular season. Friday’s 106-101 loss to the Portland Trail
De’Anthony Melton’s improvements as a shooter and ball-handler in year three, when paired with his stout defense, make him invaluable to the Grizzlies. De’Anthony Melton will not win Most Improved Player this season. He does not deserve the award. That honor is Julius Randle‘s. But Melton is, nonetheless, among the crop of vastly improved players
10:02 PM ET With the addition of play-in games to the 2021 NBA playoffs, the scramble for seeding is wilder — and more important — than ever, with almost every game down the stretch having significant postseason implications. Here’s a breakdown of all the key games from Friday night and what the results mean for
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 Los Angeles Lakers are cratering toward a place no one expected even two months ago. Coming off a title run in the Orlando bubble and a start to the
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers. (Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports) Nick Saban will make Jimbo Fisher regret poking the bear by John Buhler Anthony Davis suffered yet another injury playing for the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. After missing two months’ worth of action for the Los Angeles Lakers, big man Anthony Davis had
Los Angeles Lakers fans are freaking out after Anthony Davis left Thursday’s game against the Clippers. The Los Angeles Lakers were already dealing with the news of star LeBron James sitting out after returning prematurely from his high right ankle sprain. With the team trying to avoid the Western Conference’s play-in round, the last thing
5:13 PM ET New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson is out indefinitely with a fractured left ring finger, the team announced on Friday. Williamson underwent a CT scan on Thursday that revealed the injury. A treatment plan and timetable for his return will be determined after further evaluation. The Pelicans (30-36) entered Friday’s game against
With the NBA season winding down, there is limited left time for rookies to make their cases for the Rookie of the Year award. In all, three rookies are leading the charge and will likely be named the top three rookies of the season. Without further ado, let’s take a look at how the race
Patrick Beverley’s fractured hand could disrupt the LA Clippers’ rhythm heading into the playoffs. The LA Clippers have been struggling to get healthy all season. Unfortunately, they were dealt yet another blow on the injury front on Friday. According to the team, point guard Patrick Beverley suffered a fracture of the fourth metacarpal bone in
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 06: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers handles the ball defended by Norman Powell #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on April 06, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is
7:00 AM ET IT WAS NOV. 5, 2017, game nine for the newly formed superteam in Oklahoma City. After a bumpy 4-4 start, the Thunder were in Portland to take on a division rival. Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts had taken his spot in the narrow hallway of the Moda Center pregame to talk with
The Phoenix Suns were founded in 1968, and their simple nickname has a very simple reason. The Phoenix Suns nickname history stretches back 53 years to when the team was first introduced into the NBA. In the 1968-69 season, the Suns joined the NBA alongside the Milwaukee Bucks. At the time, the Suns were the