Damian Lillard ended the NBA All-Star Game in typical style by drilling a half-court shot to give Team LeBron the 170-150 victory over Team Durant. They don’t call it Dame Time for no reason, even when a clock isn’t running. Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard hit the game-winning shot in the 2021 NBA All-Star
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. One of the strangest All-Star weekends in recent memory ended with an incredibly familiar sight — Damian Lillard hitting a contested and wildly clutch shot. The NBA All-Star Game
2:31 PM ET Blake Griffin will make his debut with the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday against the Washington Wizards. Griffin said that he will be on a minutes restriction. Griffin last played on Feb. 12 against the Boston Celtics when he was still a member of the Detroit Pistons. After agreeing to a buyout with
Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens has had enough with the Indiana rumors. The Boston Celtics are currently in a three-way tie with the New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets for the sixth-seed in the Eastern Conference. Even with the team likely to make the playoffs, there has been buzz as of late that head
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James made it clear how absurd it is to him that Devin Booker didn’t make the All-Star Game roster. On Tuesday, the reserves for the NBA All-Star Game were officially announced, and there’s no question there were some big-time snubs who were left off. For starters, how in the world
4:42 AM ET Denver Nuggets guard Monte Morris has joined the Brooklyn Nets‘ Spencer Dinwiddie in committing to playing for Nigeria internationally as a naturalized player, head coach Mike Brown has confirmed to ESPN. Multiple reports in local media emerged on Friday that Morris would be playing for the African nation at the Olympics. The
The New York Knicks, led by head coach Tom Thibodeau, are playing .500 basketball through 40+ games. Let that sink in. Their best player, Julius Randle, leads the league in minutes played (1547), and their second-leading scorer, RJ Barrett, is fifth (1410) despite his inexperience; Barrett is just 20-years-old. Neither Randle nor Barrett have shown
The Philadelphia 76ers star avoided a major knee injury, but will miss the next few weeks. Friday night was supposed to be a momentous occasion, as Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid returned to the court or the first time since the All-Star break. But during the third quarter against the Washington Wizards, Embiid went
Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers. (Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports) UFC Vegas 22: Derek Brunson vs. Kevin Holland preview and prediction by Thomas Albano Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons shared the love with former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz over Twitch. Even though Carson Wentz does not play for the Philadelphia Eagles anymore, he still has
1:20 AM ET Eric WoodyardESPN The Bucks have won 11 of their last 12 games thanks to Saturday night’s 120-113 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Milwaukee. But the national hype hasn’t been the same around this year’s group compared to the past two seasons, when it finished atop the league standings. And for
Brandon Boston Jr. is the latest one-and-done Kentucky basketball player as the Wildcats freshman will enter the NBA Draft after an underwhelming college career. One day after Terrance Clarke declared for the NBA Draft, Brandon Boston Jr. followed his Kentucky basketball teammate to declare his intentions for the draft. Boston will sign with an agent,
Kentucky basketball guard Terrence Clarke is heading for the NBA Draft after an injury-riddled season in college. How much has his stock been harmed? Terrence Clarke won’t run it back with Kentucky basketball after a difficult 2020-21 campaign. The former five-star guard is heading for the NBA. On Friday, Clarke posted his fair well message
4:53 PM ET LOS ANGELES — LeBron James exited the Lakers’ game against the Atlanta Hawks in the first half on Saturday after Solomon Hill collided with James’ right ankle. James, 36, knocked over a chair in frustration on his way to the locker room. Hill was called for a foul with 10:50 remaining in
The NBA trade deadline is one week away and several organizations are looking to make a splash before the regular season hits the home stretch. Some teams need to facilitate a deal more than others as they prepare for the postseason. Sellers will be just as active as they turn their attention to reshaping their
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 10: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) George Hill #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 10, 2021 in New York City. The Thunder defeated the Nets 120-116. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using
3:40 PM ET LA Clippers All-Star Paul George was fined $35,000 by the NBA for critical comments he made about officiating following Wednesday’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Frustrated over not getting foul calls after repeatedly drawing contact in the paint, George characterized his conversations with officials as “just a bunch of lies” when he
The Villanova Wildcats have lost their All-American point guard and don’t really have a replacement — do they have any hope in the Tournament? Collin Gillespie has been the heart and soul of Villanova over the past two seasons. The senior guard started every game since his sophomore year and finished first and second on
New York Knicks wing R.J. Barrett is a much better player in year two, thanks to some improvements in his approach and a breakthrough as a shooter. For many prospects, especially those not considered stone-cold locks for stardom, that which can tip the scales between success and disappointment is context. Roster construction, schematics, coaching, geographical
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. A traveling call on Julius Randle with 3.2 seconds left in the game robbed the New York Knicks of a chance to force overtime against the Brooklyn Nets. Randle
7:14 PM ET Golden State Warriors star guard Stephen Curry will not play Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies and is doubtful for Saturday’s game as he continues to recover from a tailbone contusion. “Steph is still pretty sore,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said before Friday’s game. “Frustrated he wants to be going tonight, but will
All eyes will be on the 2021 NCAA Tournament, including those of scouts with thoughts of the NBA Draft. Which prospects can give their stock a huge boost in March Madness? One of the biggest mistakes that NBA Draft scouts and talent evaluators can make when it comes to prospects is overreacting to the NCAA
The NBA trade deadline is one week away and several organizations are looking to make a splash before the regular season hits the home stretch. Some teams need to facilitate a deal more than others as they prepare for the postseason. Sellers will be just as active as they turn their attention to reshaping their
Jaxson Hayes ended Reggie Jackson with this brutal poster dunk. It’s hard to see anything topping Anthony Edwards’ detonation over poor Yuta Watanabe in this year’s Dunk of the Year category, but bless Jaxon Hayes for trying his damndest. In the New Orleans Pelicans‘ Sunday evening rout over the LA Clippers, the young big man
Lonzo Ball, New Orleans Pelicans. (Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports) Wisconsin basketball: Badgers spoof ‘Full House’ intro for March Madness hype video by Bre’ana Singleton Lonzo Ball is reportedly interested in joining the New York Knicks in his restricted free agency. New Orleans Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball will be hitting restricted free agency this summer.
2:52 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — Gary Payton II is following in his father’s footsteps when it comes to elite defense. Payton II was announced Friday as the G League’s Defensive Player of the Year — a trophy that comes 26 years after his father, Basketball Hall of Famer Gary Payton, won the
Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports With the NBA trade deadline approaching, these five teams are expected to be buyers on the market. The 2021 NBA trade deadline is just over a week away, which means trade season (and NBA rumors in general) are heating up! As the March 25 deadline approaches, teams typically fall
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 16: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a basket during a 137-121 Lakers win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on March 16, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves. (Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports) Is Micah Parsons’ upside higher than Devin White? by Cole Thompson Patrick Mahomes impressed by Anthony Edwards’ dunk of the year candidate by Gerald Bourguet Anthony Edwards took Yuta Watanabe’s soul after the dunk of the 2020-21 NBA season. Who cares if the Minnesota Timberwolves are terrible?
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 27: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on February 27, 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
3:14 AM ET LOS ANGELES — LeBron James has been awarded the NBA’s MVP award four times in his career, tied with Wilt Chamberlain for the third most all time, but one of his teammates, Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma, says James should have double that. At least. “The NBA MVP is a very