It’s official: we’re entering the regular season’s endgame. Every game from here on out will have much bigger consequences, a statement even truer in 2021 than perhaps any other season thanks to the NBA’s new play-in tournament. If you’re not familiar, the play-in tournament will consist of two matchups within each conference. The seventh and
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Julius Randle, New York Knicks. (Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports) NCAA basketball: Ranking every national champion this century: Is Baylor the best? by Cody Williams Julius Randle was inspired by the late Kobe Bryant to take his game to the next level. During the Los Angeles Lakers‘ game vs. the New York Knicks, a
The New York Knicks proved they are a legitimate playoff contender with their win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. If we had told you a year ago that the New York Knicks would be in a playoff position in the final month of the 2020-21 season, you probably would’ve called us crazy. But
7:00 AM ET A few quality wins have propelled the Philadelphia 76ers back into our No. 1 spot. Joel Embiid and the 76ers have won four straight, with the past three coming against playoff teams in the LA Clippers, Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks. The Utah Jazz, meanwhile, have dropped two of their past four
Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant named the top five teammates he’s ever played with in his NBA career. Kevin Durant has been in the NBA for nearly 15 seasons, spanning across the Seattle SuperSonics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors and now the Brooklyn Nets. Considering the amount of talent Durant has played with on
Zion Williamson had nothing but nice things to say about playing in Madison Square Garden following the New Orleans Pelicans’ loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday. The New York Knicks are the talk of the city, and that is more evident than ever with the Yankees struggling at the start of the MLB
11:54 AM ET The NBA has instructed teams to be vigilant about the impact of a verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial for the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis this week, including the possibility of game postponements, sources told ESPN. The looming specter of possible protests, civil unrest and team reactions in the aftermath
It’s official: we’re entering the regular season’s endgame. Every game from here on out will have much bigger consequences, a statement even truer in 2021 than perhaps any other season thanks to the NBA’s new play-in tournament. If you’re not familiar, the play-in tournament will consist of two matchups within each conference. The seventh and
The Minnesota Timberwolves are about to have a new owner, and that guy is Alex Rodriguez. It is a new dawn of a new day for Minnesota Timberwolves basketball, as former MLB All-Star and three-time AL MVP Alex Rodriguez is about to become one of the owners of the moribund franchise. Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic reports
4:07 PM ET Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant suffered a left thigh contusion in the first quarter Sunday against the Miami Heat and has been ruled out for the remainder of the game. Durant appeared to get tangled with Miami’s Trevor Ariza when he drove toward the basket for a layup in the first quarter.
Mychal Thompson tried his best to get Klay Thompson to join the Los Angeles Lakers, as evidenced by a childhood photo. Mychal Thompson spent the better part of five seasons of his 13-year playing career with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won two NBA championships. His son, Klay Thompson, was selected by the Golden
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Kike Hernandez blasted his first HR for the Red Sox (Video) by Braulio Perez Yermin Mercedes’ hot start with White Sox continues with outrageous blast (Video) by Alicia de Artola The Bucks are once again without star Giannis Antetokounmpo Thursday night as he continues to deal with soreness. The
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 15: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks in action against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 15, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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
1:50 AM ET Golden State Warriors star guard Stephen Curry scored 47 points on Saturday night, becoming the first player since Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant to score at least 30 or more points in 10 straight games at age 33 or older. Curry, in his 12th NBA season, acknowledged this is one of
The seventh edition of The Defensive Player of the Year Watch for Basketball Insiders is here! In this week’s ranking, there’s not much change beyond the addition of the formerly-injured Philadelphia 76ers star, Joel Embiid. It’s impossible to leave him off of this list and it should come as no surprise if he ends the
Victor Oladipo, Miami Heat. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) LeBron James hints at impending return with ominous Instagram warning by Ian Levy Miami Heat fans are concerned after Victor Oladipo hurt his knee vs. the Los Angeles Lakers. Even though the Miami Heat won on Thursday night, it was not without a price, as shooting guard
PORTLAND, OREGON – APRIL 11: Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat takes a shot in the second quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on April 11, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the
1:15 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN BOSTON — After Celtics star Jayson Tatum scored 44 points to lead his team to a 119-114 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, overcoming a spectacular 47-point performance from Stephen Curry in the process, Tatum said it was a thrill for him to go toe-to-toe with the future
According to one report, many around the NBA expect Zach LaVine to turn down a contract extension with the Chicago Bulls. Zach LaVine’s focus coming into the 2020-21 NBA season was getting the Chicago Bulls to the playoffs. They’re technically on the precipice, sitting in the final play-in spot in 10th place in the Eastern
5:57 PM ET LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers will not visit President Joe Biden at the White House to celebrate their 2020 NBA championship when the team travels to Washington, D.C. for a game against the Wizards later this month, a source with knowledge of the situation told ESPN. Scheduling challenges and continued
The seventh edition of The Defensive Player of the Year Watch for Basketball Insiders is here! In this week’s ranking, there’s not much change beyond the addition of the formerly-injured Philadelphia 76ers star, Joel Embiid. It’s impossible to leave him off of this list and it should come as no surprise if he ends the
From one legend to another, Michael Jordan will do the honors of presenting Kobe Bryant at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on May 15. The late Kobe Bryant is set to receive one of basketball’s highest honors, and who better to present him than one of the greatest (arguably, the greatest)
Outstanding news has arrived for the Los Angeles Lakers, as superstar Anthony Davis is on the verge or returning to action. Injuries have unfortunately had a negative impact on the Los Angeles Lakers this season. In addition to LeBron James‘ high-ankle sprain, the group has been without fellow standout Anthony Davis since Feb. 14. Missing
9:55 AM ET An MRI on the right ankle sprain of Donovan Mitchell revealed no structural damage, but the Utah Jazz guard is expected to miss several games before he is cleared to return, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Mitchell suffered the injury during the third quarter of Friday’s 119-111 win over the Pacers when
On an ESPN podcast, Joel Embiid said he believes he should win the NBA’s MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards. Joel Embiid is nothing if not confident. It’s why his trademark celebration is raising his arms in front of the crowd, Gladiator-style, as if to ask: “Are you not entertained?” The Philadelphia 76ers has
Even though the LA Clippers are on a four-game winning streak, ‘Inside the NBA’ analyst Charles Barkley is not buying them as contenders. The LA Clippers had a huge 113-103 win over the second-place Phoenix Suns on Thursday. As of this writing (following their win over the Houston Rockets on Friday), the Clippers are in
With a versatile perimeter defense, lethal 3-point shooting, and two stars at their peaks, the L.A. Clippers have become the team to beat in the West. Due to both the emergence of new faces in the West and the weight of their own postseason failures last summer, the L.A. Clippers seem to be flying under
1:59 AM ET DALLAS — Tom Thibodeau, the notoriously gruff first-year New York Knicks head coach, cracked a hint of a grin when asked about his demeanor following a 117-109 win Friday night over the Dallas Mavericks. It was New York’s fifth consecutive victory, marking the franchise’s longest winning streak in seven years. The Knicks,
The seventh edition of The Defensive Player of the Year Watch for Basketball Insiders is here! In this week’s ranking, there’s not much change beyond the addition of the formerly-injured Philadelphia 76ers star, Joel Embiid. It’s impossible to leave him off of this list and it should come as no surprise if he ends the
Indiana Pacers’ player Myles Turner did a mother a strange but endearing favor by signing her baby’s head. Talladega Nights, anyone? The sports world has its fair share of crazy (but mostly well-intentioned) fans, whether it’s a Cleveland Cavaliers supporter preemptively getting a “2015 NBA Champs” tattoo or parents who named their newborn child “ESPN.” In