11:58 PM ET DALLAS — As soon as Danilo Gallinari‘s difficult buzzer-beater attempt clanked off the rim, Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young ripped out his mouthpiece and stomped toward referee Josh Tiven to protest a critical no-call on the final possession of a 118-117 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Young had been knocked to the
After being traded for practically nothing last season, Andre Drummond has become a much-desired trade chip. What’s changed? With several teams trying to increase their odds of hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy this summer, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Andre Drummond is becoming a much-targeted player. They seem to hope his rebounding, rim protection, and ability to
Bradley Beal looked fed up in the first half of Sunday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets. Things have not been going swimmingly for the Washington Wizards this season. Not only did they have to deal with injuries, but they also had a plethora of players placed in the NBA’s COVID-19 protocol. Despite all of that,
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 31: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards shoots a free throw during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena on January 31, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to
2:04 PM ET One day after Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban confirmed that his team had stopped playing the national anthem before games, the NBA on Wednesday issued a statement saying that wouldn’t be the case. “With NBA teams now in the process of welcoming fans back into their arenas, all teams will play the
When the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets completed their Gordon Hayward sign-and-trade, it netted Boston a $28.5 million traded player exception, the largest such exception in NBA history. While they are unable to use the exception in its entirety, as they are hard-capped due to the addition of Tristan Thompson via the mid-level exception, Danny
Utah Jazz head coach Quinn Snyder played his college ball at Duke. What are the chances he ends up replacing his mentor Mike Krzyzewski as the next head coach of Duke basketball? Replacing a legend like Mike Krzyzewski will be tough sledding for even the best basketball coaches. However, he does have a proven protege doing great work in
In this week’s NBA Power Rankings, the Pistons are inexplicable, the Kings have a small ball answer and the Utah Jazz are about to run the gauntlet. Our new look NBA Power Rankings are back, a non-traditional structure for a non-traditional era of professional basketball. The world is no longer just about wins and losses
9:28 PM ET The Dallas Mavericks have stopped playing the national anthem before home games at the direction of owner Mark Cuban, he confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday. The Mavericks do not plan to resume the tradition to play the national anthem before games in the future. Cuban, who declined further comment, made the decision
Former Lakers and Houston Rockets center Demarcus Cousins. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports Aaron Rodgers rumors: Packers teammate has great news for Green Bay by Mark Powell Tom Brady shared his Super Bowl highlight moments on Instagram by Amy Kaplan Demarcus Cousins is getting a championship ring from the Lakers even though he didn’t
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. It’s been a frustrating start to the season for the Toronto Raptors but last night’s scoring explosion by Fred VanVleet was an indisputable ray of sunshine. Coming into
Mar 31, 2018; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) and guard DeMar DeRozan (10) leave the court after their 110-99 loss to the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports Paul George explains how hard it is to defend the new-look Brooklyn Nets by Bre’ana Singleton Michigan State
1:45 AM ET Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr watched Michael Jordan drop in so many impossible shots over the years that he had to chuckle when asked whether Stephen Curry made a behind-the-head circus shot late in the first quarter of Tuesday night’s 114-91 win over the San Antonio Spurs reminded him of
With the NBA G League season tipping off on Wednesday, Feb. 10, Basketball Insiders will take a look at some of the stars that headline the bubble. Several two-way contract players and NBA assignees like Dennis Smith Jr. and Kevin Porter Jr. will play, but there are many that will make their cases to join
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) Dak Prescott giving Cowboys fans heart attacks with latest Instagram activity by Amy Kaplan NHL fans are roasting John Tortorella for benching yet another star player by Scott Rogust Draymond Green had a long walk back to the locker room in San Antonio. The
10:23 AM ET Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Safety investigators say the pilot of Kobe Bryant’s helicopter flew through the clouds in an apparent violation of federal standards, and likely became disorientedjust before the helicopter crashed and killed Bryant and eight others. Robert Sumwalt, chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, said Tuesday that pilot
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. After a disastrous 2-8 start, the Toronto Raptors are finally starting to look like the fringe contenders they were assumed to be at the start of the season.
With the NBA potentially getting ready to host the All-Star Game this season, Sacramento Kings star De’Aaron Fox couldn’t be more against the idea. Believe it or not, the NBA All-Star Game could be coming to your television sets in early March. While it would certainly be great to see the best players in the
7:00 AM ET Andrew LopezESPN THE ONLY THING standing between Zion Williamson and the rim was Steven Adams. It was the fourth quarter of Williamson’s 10th career NBA game, and the No. 1 overall pick had just caught the ball at the elbow. Adams waited just above the restricted circle, ready for contact. Someone was
The NBA Draft is an annual opportunity for many. It’s a hugely profound moment for young prospects, as well as front offices hoping to revitalize a franchise and establish their own reputations. For decades, most teams have understood the value of a first-round pick, and especially lottery picks. Those that didn’t – like the Isiah
1:50 AM ET After a 105-100 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night that again saw Stephen Curry on the bench for half of the fourth quarter, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he will not extend the star guard’s minutes to “chase wins” this season. Kerr noted coming into the season
Feb 6, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Josh Jackson (20) and center Mason Plumlee (rear) defend Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) as he looks to make a pass in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports Tom Brady cashed in with a
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images Orioles’ Alex Cobb trade further proves MLB needs a salary floor by Steven Kubitza LeBron James’ response to heckling fans proves why he’s the GOAT by Scott Rogust Devin Booker missed time with a hamstring injury, but NBA teams beware: He’s back. Booker had a conservative 24 points on Monday
The Phoenix Suns may be starting Frank Kaminsky and Deandre Ayton together for the time being. On Friday night, the Phoenix Suns opted to go big against the Detroit Pistons’ frontcourt of Blake Griffin and Mason Plumlee, which meant starting Frank Kaminsky next to Deandre Ayton. It was somewhat understandable; the Suns had squandered a
6:25 PM ET Indiana Pacers assistant coach Bill Bayno has resigned his job, citing mental health issues, sources told ESPN on Monday. Bayno, 58, began a leave of absence two weeks ago and worked through terms of a departure with the organization in recent days. Bayno has privately described a need to step away from
If you thought Dwight Howard would go quietly into that good night, then you don’t know Dwight Howard. He’s saying he still has a lot more basketball in him. Dwight Howard may be a long way from his peak but that doesn’t mean he’s slowing down at all. Last season, he was a key reserve
Philadelphia 76ers fans will be keeping their eyes on Team Australia in the next Olympics with both Ben Simmons and Matisse Thybulle joining the roster. The Philadelphia 76ers have had a tremendous season so far. They’re currently two games ahead of the Brooklyn Nets for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and their
7:01 AM ET The Milwaukee Bucks have won four straight games and are back within striking distance of the Eastern Conference’s best record — a mark they’ve owned in each of the past two seasons. Meanwhile, the top two teams in the Western Conference, the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers, are on four-game win
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 13: Derrick Rose #25 of the Detroit Pistons moves the ball up court against the New York Knicks in the second half of an NBA game at Little Caesars Arena on December 13, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using
12:27 AM ET LOS ANGELES — Lakers All-Star big man Anthony Davis is listed as questionable for Monday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder with tendonosis of his right Achilles tendon, the team announced. A league source told ESPN it is “very likely” Davis will miss the Thunder game as a precaution and Davis, 27,