Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate with Lu Dort Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports Matthew Judon threatens reporter with leaked photos over free agency story by Alicia de Artola Chris Godwin reveals the Tom Brady secret to success in Tampa Bay by Alicia de Artola Lu Dort’s is rapidly developing into a three-and-d type, rather than just
1:04 AM ET Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic has inspired comparisons to legends such as Larry Bird and Magic Johnson less than two and a half seasons into his NBA career. Among active superstars, Doncic’s game might be most similar to perennial MVP candidate James Harden, who acknowledged Saturday night that he considers those comparisons
Atlanta Hawks, Oklahoma City Thunder. (Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports) A collective jersey debacle made the first half of the Atlanta Hawks vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder game on Friday night completely unwatchable. The Atlanta Hawks and the Oklahoma City Thunder proved to the world once again that red uniforms and orange uniforms do not
James Dolan, New York Knicks. (Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports) Devin Booker wasn’t worried about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s potential game-winning jumper (Video) by Gerald Bourguet Not even James Dolan can hurt the New York Knicks’ overall franchise value. Forbes has released its most valuable NBA franchises for 2021. Not surprisingly, but still somehow shockingly, the New York
3:07 PM ET NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving will miss Saturday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks for what the team has said is “right shoulder injury recovery.” The Nets were already without Kevin Durant, who has been ruled out through the All-Star break as he rehabs a hamstring strain. Irving had surgery
In our first 2021 NBA Mock Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers jump the lottery to land the No. 1 pick and make a big swing for elite big man Evan Mobley. The adjusted NBA schedule means the 2021 NBA Draft is still a long way off but the holes in every roster are becoming more and
As the All-Star break approaches, the Orlando Magic find themselves in an all-too-familiar position. They are the basketball equivalent of a treadmill. Hell-bent on moving full steam ahead, they continue to squeeze out wins but, in the end, they are going nowhere. There are a variety of reasons why Orlando continues to dwell in the
Pelicans star Zion Williamson would be a huge draw for the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2021. Will the All-Star forward take part in it? The 2021 edition of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest is on the horizon and one of the league’s brightest young big men is an obvious choice to participate. Will Zion
10:24 AM ET A day after a league official told ESPN’s Marc J. Spears that the G League is investigating a claim made by Jeremy Lin that he was called “coronavirus” during a game, Lin tweeted that he’s “not naming or shaming anyone.” “I know this will disappoint some of you but I’m not naming
While the Boston Celtics try to figure out how to save their season, Danny Ainge is still reflecting on trades that almost happened. The Boston Celtics have very obviously regressed since their bubble experience last season. Many NBA fans expected the team to be championship contenders at the season’s start but just over a week
Jeremy Lin took to Facebook to open up against racism in America. Amidst a wave of anti-Asian and anti-Asian-American attacks against community elders in the United States, NBA guard Jeremy Lin has spoken up about the ugly bigotry he’s seen lately — and throughout his life. Taking to Facebook, Lin — the first American of
The Minnesota Timberwolves have fired head coach Ryan Saunders and immediately found his replacement. It was only a matter of time before a drastic change was needed, and the Minnesota Timberwolves have officially seen enough. After Sunday’s loss to the New York Knicks, the Wolves made the decision to fire head coach Ryan Saunders, according
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 22: Malik Beasley #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks during the game at Target Center on January 22, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Hawks defeated the Timberwolves 116-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or
11:27 AM ET Zlatan Ibrahimovic has courted controversy throughout his career. MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images AC Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic criticized LeBron James and others on Thursday for their activism in what the former LA Galaxy star called “politics.” Speaking in an interview for UEFA for Discovery+ in Sweden on Thursday, the outspoken striker said
There’s one big question surrounding the Sacramento Kings this season: what, exactly, will become of head coach Luke Walton? Walton, in the second year of a four-year deal he signed back in 2019, has often headlined the group of coaches that are thought most likely to be let go next. Brought in by the previous
3:48 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN Brooklyn Nets star forward Kevin Durant will remain out until after the All-Star break due to a left hamstring strain he suffered earlier this month, the team announced Friday. After a follow-up MRI, the Nets determined Durant “will require an additional recovery period” that will keep him out through the
Knicks forward Obi Toppin. Mandatory Credit: John Minchillo/POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY Sports Mike Shildt notes absence of Lou Brock and Bob Gibson from Cardinals camp by Scott Rogust Knicks forward Obi Toppin had a memorable reaction when a foul during a dunk attempt threw him hard onto the court. He knocked out a couple of push-ups.
There are three teams listed as reported trade destinations for Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry. This season, the Toronto Raptors were expected to be contenders in the Eastern Conference, especially after they retained Fred VanVleet on a long-term deal. Instead, the Raptors sit in fifth place in the conference standings with a 16-17 record, where
Jan 1, 2018; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks guard Jason Terry (3) watches from the bench at an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports Adam Silver apologizes to Raptors president Masai Ujiri by Braulio Perez Jason Terry talked about the time he got viciously dunked on
6:49 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN Minnesota Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley has been suspended for 12 games without pay in the wake of pleading guilty to a felony count of threats of violence as a result of an incident last September, the NBA announced Thursday evening. “As an organization, we fully support today’s decision by the
As the All-Star break approaches, the Orlando Magic find themselves in an all-too-familiar position. They are the basketball equivalent of a treadmill. Hell-bent on moving full steam ahead, they continue to squeeze out wins but, in the end, they are going nowhere. There are a variety of reasons why Orlando continues to dwell in the
1:22 AM ET NEW YORK — One day after posting on social media that he would like to see the NBA logo changed from Jerry West’s silhouette to Kobe Bryant’s, Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving reaffirmed his stance and said he’s OK if he’s a leader of the conversation. “We want to set a standard
Anthony Davis casts a long shadow over the Pelicans’ current rebuilding efforts but so far they’re doing just fine by Zion Williamson. In the short legacy of the New Orleans Pelicans, Anthony Davis looms large. Technically drafted as a Hornet — a title he held for just one season before the franchise re-branded to more
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 Lakers were dominated by the Utah Jazz in a 25-point loss Wednesday night, stretching their losing streak to four straight games and making them losers of five of
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered their fourth straight loss last night to the Utah Jazz and LeBron James has a message for their doubters. The Los Angeles Lakers were routed last night by the Utah Jazz 114-89 in what was their fourth straight loss. The Jazz hit a ridiculous 22 3-pointers and shot 46 percent from
11:39 AM ET When you think of teams with multiple All-Stars, you think of dominance — the Jazz, the Lakers, the Nets. The Celtics have two All-Stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but after Wednesday night’s blowout loss to the Hawks, Boston is in last place in the Atlantic Division. Team president Danny Ainge
As the All-Star break approaches, the Orlando Magic find themselves in an all-too-familiar position. They are the basketball equivalent of a treadmill. Hell-bent on moving full steam ahead, they continue to squeeze out wins but, in the end, they are going nowhere. There are a variety of reasons why Orlando continues to dwell in the
Kawhi Leonard is creating for his teammates with the same ruthless efficiency he scores with, and it could be what takes the Clippers to the next level. We know Kawhi Leonard as a mid-range assassin who uses his strength and ball-handling to get to his spots; a multi-positional defender with one of the best steal
3:09 AM ET As if the Los Angeles Lakers weren’t already struggling enough, down two starters heading into Wednesday’s game against the Utah Jazz, a blowout 114-89 loss only highlighted the rut the defending champions are in. With Anthony Davis (right leg) and Dennis Schroder (health and safety protocols) sidelined, the Jazz jumped all over
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports 3 surprise cuts the Colts could make this offseason by Brad Berreman The Dallas Mavericks continue to struggle this NBA season and it looks like the organization may be shopping around Kristaps Porzingis. NBA fans had to be excited to see the growth of the Dallas Mavericks this season after the