Carmelo Anthony’s return to the NBA last month caused a major divide among viewers. When he signed with the Portland Trail Blazers, optimists believed that Carmelo never really got a fair shot when he was with the Houston Rockets last season and would thrive in a different scheme. Pessimists believed that Carmelo’s struggles both with
12:52 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers entered Wednesday night as the only unbeaten team at home in the NBA. It turned out, however, the Miami Heat had just the thing to trip the Sixers up: zone defense. Miami employed the zone liberally Wednesday night, using it on 39 possessions, per Second
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 1: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks on March 1 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to
8:53 PM ET OKLAHOMA CITY — Initially, the last time Steven Adams could remember wearing proper pants — non-sweatpant division — he was about to be drafted into the NBA. That was in 2013. But though Adams later remembered putting on a suit in 2016 for Russell Westbrook‘s Oklahoma Hall of Fame event — “That
As the regular season nears its two-month mark, several top-tier defenders have clearly separated themselves from the pack of others who also deserve consideration for All-Defense honors. And unsurprisingly, the same names who dominated the voting for Defensive Player of the Year last season are likely to again a year later. Bi-weekly checkups on the
7:11 AM ET NBA Insiders Who is the favorite for MVP — LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, Luka Doncic or another contender? Who is winning the Finals: One of the Los Angeles teams or the field? We polled the ESPN Forecast panel of experts for their votes about a third of the way through
The Phoenix Suns are still well ahead of where many expected, but could be even better if not for injuries, suspension and brutal growing pains. How this young team handles adversity will define what comes next. The Phoenix Suns are better than their 11-15 record. They just might have a tough time proving it as
2:02 AM ET INDIANAPOLIS — Asked to look back at the team that arrived at Bankers Life Fieldhouse last February and imploded with a 42-point loss, Indiana Pacers coach Nate McMillan was diplomatic. “LeBron [James] had some injuries and a lot was going on with the Lakers last year,” McMillan said before the Lakers played
It is no secret that over the past several seasons Russell Westbrook’s offensive efficiency has been an issue. So far, during the current season in Houston, this trend has not changed. Westbrook’s field goal and three-point percentage have taken a hit again, falling to 42.5% and 23.3% respectively, while his free-throw percentage of 75.9% is
6:14 PM ET Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, who missed 17 games because of a sprained left ankle, returned to action Tuesday night against the Charlotte Hornets. Fox, who came off the bench, finished with a team-high 19 points, 8 assists and 2 rebounds in 30 minutes. Fox was averaging 18.2 points, 7.0 assists and
Anthony Edwards has asserted himself as a true No. 1 pick prospect on the back of his elite scoring profile. How does he find so much success, and can it translate to elite NBA scoring? Georgia’s Anthony Edwards has been the star of the college basketball season so far. While other names like Myles Powell
Jaren Jackson Jr. has stayed on the court more consistently lately, and his shooting and scoring are adding up to an offensive onslaught in December. The Memphis Grizzlies are in a hurry. “Towels? Anyone got towels?” Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies’ prized sophomore and NBA breakout stud of December, traipses out of the shower with
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ hot start has faded quickly into familiar, unwelcome territory. Is this just part of the ebb and flow of a long season or something more concerning? Karl-Anthony Towns‘ preseason proclamations about people sleeping on the Minnesota Timberwolves looked pretty good in the first few weeks of the season. The Wolves were 7-4, Andrew
The pregame warm-up is an integral component of game day in the NBA and across all sports. The activities that occur during this time are important for preventing injury and helping the athlete achieve a proper frame of mind. It’s a frigid, clear Friday night in Minneapolis and every seat in the Target Center is
12:06 PM ET The NBA has announced that former commissioner David Stern remains in serious condition following emergency surgery Thursday to address a sudden brain hemorrhage. “He is receiving great care and surrounded by his loved ones,” the league said Tuesday as part of a statement. Stern was admitted to a New York City hospital
It is no secret that over the past several seasons Russell Westbrook’s offensive efficiency has been an issue. So far, during the current season in Houston, this trend has not changed. Westbrook’s field goal and three-point percentage have taken a hit again, falling to 42.5% and 23.3% respectively, while his free-throw percentage of 75.9% is
1:26 AM ET Eric WoodyardESPN MILWAUKEE — Inside the Milwaukee Bucks’ locker room following Monday’s 120-116 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, players were not hanging their heads. They don’t have time to. Their 18-game win streak was snapped, two wins shy of matching the franchise record of 20 set during the 1970-71 championship season. But
Kendrick Nunn was no lock to make the NBA. But he’s making the most of his opportunities and has earned a starting spot for the Miami Heat. Kendrick Nunn may be the most surprising player in the NBA this season. The 24-year-old rookie started one game in the G-League last season for the Santa Cruz
7:58 PM ET MILWAUKEE — After suffering a moderate ankle sprain Saturday, Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic already has shed his crutches and walking boot, coach Rick Carlisle said. “He is responding well to treatment,” Carlisle said before the Mavericks game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night. “He is progressing well.” Carlisle said that
It is no secret that over the past several seasons Russell Westbrook’s offensive efficiency has been an issue. So far, during the current season in Houston, this trend has not changed. Westbrook’s field goal and three-point percentage have taken a hit again, falling to 42.5% and 23.3% respectively, while his free-throw percentage of 75.9% is
PHOENIX, AZ – DECEMBER 11: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots the ball against the Phoenix Suns on December 11, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions
10:22 AM ET The National Basketball Players Association is meeting with G League players this week to discuss further a plan to unionize the NBA’s minor league system, league sources told ESPN. The NBPA sent an email to player agents on Monday morning to “continue that conversation” with players at the G League Showcase in
The young Dallas Mavericks’ star injured his ankle over the weekend and is expected to be out at least two weeks. However, don’t be surprised if the recovery takes longer. A mere two minutes had elapsed during the contest between two of the NBA’s most pleasant surprises — the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat —
1:19 AM ET SAN FRANCISCO — The Sacramento Kings set a an NBA season high with 29 turnovers but still managed to overwhelm the Golden State Warriors 100-79 on Sunday night. The two teams combined for 50 turnovers and countless mental errors leaving both players and coaches on both sides searching for answers. “We made
A point guard with the rap sheet that Chris Paul has does not deserve an anticlimactic ending. Now that he’s being paid almost $40 million in his mid-30’s to lead an average team in a Western Conference that won’t accept anything less than elite, it sure seems like his career is headed that way. It’s
6:05 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday has seen his fair share of losing streaks. So when he was asked on Sunday afternoon following New Orleans’ 130-119 loss to the Orlando Magic — setting a new record for franchise futility with 12 consecutive defeats — Holiday remembered back
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – APRIL 06: Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts in the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum on April 06, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions
1:16 PM ET Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic might be able to return within a couple of weeks after suffering a moderate right ankle sprain, league sources told ESPN on Sunday. Doncic injured the ankle early in Saturday’s 122-118 loss to the Miami Heat when he stepped on Heat guard Kendrick Nunn‘s foot while driving
The early portion of the NBA season is fun for lots of reasons – namely, it helps determine which teams are contenders and those that aren’t. Additionally, it allows teams to gauge and grade their rosters. And on December 15, when newly signed players can be traded, the NBA season shifts gears from fun to
12:00 AM ET Associated Press DENVER — Breaking out of a mini-slump, Nikola Jokic is reasserting himself as the centerpiece of the Denver Nuggets’ offense. Jokic had 28 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists for his fourth triple-double of the season, leading the Nuggets past the Oklahoma City Thunder 110-102 on Saturday night. Jokic now