MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MAY 02: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets during a game at Fiserv Forum on May 02, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to
1:55 AM ET The big stage and bright lights of the 2021 NBA playoffs didn’t prove to be too much for several young stars making their playoff debuts Sunday, as they did everything from hitting game-winning shots to setting franchise records. Using data from the ESPN Stats & Information group, here’s an All-Star team of
Video: Listen to how loud MSG got during Knicks-Hawks first playoff game by Scott Rogust Trae Young sent a message to Knicks fans at MSG after hitting a game-winner in Game 1. The New York Knicks return to the playoffs was truly nostalgic. If we all had a nickel for the amount of times we’ve
Lakers foward LeBron James. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports) Here’s the official poster for Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor 3 (Photo) by Zain Bando NBA fans did not buy it when LeBron James appeared to hurt his shoulder as the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Playoffs. When NBA fans
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 18: Jayson Tatum #0 and Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics react during the second half of a game in the play-in tournament against the Washington Wizards at TD Garden on May 18, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or
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 Western Conference play-in games kick off tonight with the Grizzlies and Spurs starting at 7:30 p.m. ET and the Warriors and Lakers at 10:00 p.m. ET. Whoever wins
4:40 PM ET Chris Paul returned in the second quarter of the Phoenix Suns‘ first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday after suffering a right shoulder contusion. With the Suns up 11 in the second quarter, LeBron James leaped over Paul for an offensive rebound and putback layup, drawing L.A. within 38-29 with
1:04 PM ET The NBA is eager to restart the conversation with its teams and the players’ association about adding a midseason tournament to the league’s calendar, sources told ESPN. Commissioner Adam Silver, a proponent of the idea, has gained optimism that the success of the play-in tournament could drive momentum to reengage teams on
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 22: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics fouls Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets in the second quarter during Game One of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on May 22, 2021 at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User
The Washington Wizards clinched the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with a dominant blowout victory over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. Here are three takeaways from the game. Thursday night was a must-win situation for both the Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers. Whoever secured the victory would clinch the 8-seed in the Eastern
Wizards guard Russell Westbrook celebrated Washington’s play-in game victory over the Pacers by giving his shoes to a young fan before it was even finished. One lucky fan at the Wizards play-in game against the Pacers had a great night. First, he was on hand as Washington stormed their way into the playoffs with an
12:51 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Ever since the Brooklyn Nets put together their Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden four months ago, the basketball world has waited to see what these Nets would look like in the playoffs. While it took a bit for the show to get
Paul George, LA Clippers, Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Bruno Silva demolishes Victor Rodriguez with first-round knockout at UFC Vegas 27 (Video) by Curtis Calhoun When “Pandemic P” is already trending on Twitter after one half of LA Clippers playoff basketball, you know Paul George is having himself a bad time. Twitter
Expect this to be a quiet offseason for the Detroit Pistons. General manager Troy Weaver said as much when speaking with local media on the heels of their last game of the season: “I don’t anticipate having too many roster spots available,” said Weaver. “The answers for the Pistons moving forward are all in-house.” The
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports The Utah Jazz are set to clinch one of the top-two seeds in the Western Conference, but there are five particular reasons why they can win the NBA title this summer. The NBA is entering the final week of the regular season, and it is carrying an NFL
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 Spurs have had some incredible offensive performances under Gregg Popovich but nothing tops last night’s 146-125 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. At an offensive rating of 142.3 points
9:21 PM ET For a player still seeking his first playoff series victory, Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic has assembled an extraordinary list of postseason performances. Doncic added to it with his 31-point, 10-rebound, 11-assist afternoon to lead the Mavericks to a 113-103 win over the LA Clippers in Saturday’s Game 1 at Staples Center.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (Photo by Brandon Dill/Getty Images) 4 key offseason moves Golden State Warriors absolutely must make by Mark Powell Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was watching Warriors-Grizzlies like the rest of us, and he was impressed by Ja Morant. Just days after beating
12:50 PM ET After a second surgery in 28 months to repair his right quadriceps tendon, Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo could be cleared to return to full-contact basketball as soon as November, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Glashow told ESPN. Glashow performed the procedure on May 13, and he expressed surprise that Oladipo had even
If it still hasn’t sunk in just yet, it bears repeating: the New York Knicks are making their first trip to the NBA Playoffs since 2012-13. Naturally, it’s understandable that most Knicks-centered articles are examining their ceiling this season. Alas, according to Kanye West, the present is the past – so, like Yeezy, we’re looking
Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks. (Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports) Tyler Seguin still has a challenging road ahead by Mark Carman Celtics fans aim NSFW chant at Kyrie Irving ahead of Nets playoff matchup (Video) by Braulio Perez NBA Twitter went all caps crazy when Dillon Brooks put an exclamation point on the Memphis Grizzlies’ hot start
NBA fans saw an up-and-down battle Wednesday night that ultimately ended with the Memphis Grizzlies taking care of business and eliminating the San Antonio Spurs. Wednesday night’s game between the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs got off to an ugly start. The Spurs fell behind by 20 points early, but the comeback was on
1:15 AM ET Brianna Williams Facebook Twitter Facebook Messenger Pinterest Email print Ja Morant was “on his grizzly” as he led the Memphis Grizzlies to a playoff spot with a win over league MVP finalist Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. Read more: Lessons from the wildest NBA season on record The 21-year-old 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. The Washington Wizards really only needed three quarters to eliminate the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night, locking in a first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Wizards used the
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports The Whiteboard: What to watch for in each Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs by Ian Levy John Tavares released from hospital after scary hit to head: Maple Leafs captain out indefinitely by Dave Stevenson A Los Angeles Lakers veteran gives a ton of praise to the Golden State Warriors after their
SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 31: Luke Walton head coach of the Sacramento Kings talks to his team during the game against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at AT&T Center on March 31, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using
9:56 PM ET LOS ANGELES — Friends since their high school days and former USA Basketball teammates and NBA Players Association leadership members together, LeBron James and Chris Paul are about to go against each other in the playoffs for the first time in their storied careers. “It’s going to be comparable to playing against
In our third 2021 NBA Mock Draft, the Houston Rockets land the No. 1 pick and a chance to grab a future star to build around. Since our last NBA Mock Draft, both the NBA and NCAA seasons have concluded locking in the non-lottery draft order and giving us one final look at some top
Ahoy, ahoy Bball junkies! Upon resuming Basketball Insiders’ Now What? Series, we now take a look at the post-LeBron Cleveland Cavaliers 2.0 in Year 3. Because of these new play-in guidelines, the Cavaliers were technically in the playoff hunt for most of the season. Even if there’s a solid argument that calling their season a
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) landed on the floor after he was fouled by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) as he goes up for a basket in the fourth quarter of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports The Whiteboard: Lakers need to bench their bigs, Grizzlies