3:13 AM ET SAN FRANCISCO — Memphis Grizzlies star rookie guard Ja Morant is not lacking confidence as he continues to leave his imprint on the NBA. After missing the last four games because of back spasms, the 20-year-old made his return to the lineup a big one by scoring 26 points and dishing out
The NBA season is now a quarter of the way through and the sample size is nearly large enough to make meaningful assessments of players and teams. This sample size is especially important when evaluating the Most Improved Player, as an early-season hot streak could prove to be fool’s gold by Christmas. Two weeks ago,
Dec 8, 2019 Tim BontempsESPN The Boston Celtics are getting Gordon Hayward back on the floor. The star forward, who has been out since breaking a bone in his left hand against the San Antonio Spurs on Nov. 9, went through Monday morning’s shootaround and is available to play Monday night, coach Brad Stevens said.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 02: Terry Rozier #3 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on November 02, 2019 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting
Try This Trade Trade Exceptions: Add a Second Team Projected Record Note:Projected records are based on the PER of the players in each team’s post-trade rotation. Taking into account the players traded and the ability of their replacements, it is possible for each team in a trade to have a better projected record, or for
Head coach Nate McMillan entered this season fully aware that he would be without his superstar guard for several months. He was cognizant of the roster turnover and understood that the team chemistry was going to take some time. He also knew that the Indiana Pacers had a soft schedule to start the year and
2:54 AM ET PORTLAND, Ore. — Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Chris Paul says the officiating crew in Sunday night’s 108-96 win over the Portland Trail Blazers “got me back” after assessing Paul and the Thunder two delay-of-game-violations in the first half. The calls resulted in a technical foul two nights after Paul pushed to
CLEVELAND, OHIO – NOVEMBER 17: Collin Sexton #2 talks with head coach John Beilein of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 17, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The 76ers defeated the Cavaliers 114-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or
6:19 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN The Boston Celtics are on the verge of getting Gordon Hayward back on the floor. The star forward, who has been out since breaking a bone in his left hand late in the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs on Nov. 9, told reporters after Sunday’s practice at the
Remember when Carmelo Anthony was out of the NBA? That seems so long ago now even though his stint in Portland started less than a month ago. Let’s go back to that time. In ‘Melo’s almost one-year exodus from the NBA, fans, media, and even players alike were begging for his return. To be fair,
9:35 AM ET Nick DePaulaESPN Already this season, we’re seeing players take themselves less and less serious with their custom sneaker themes, perhaps none more than the first week of December. After launching his own “LG9” signature shoe with upstart brand Q4 Sports a year ago, Detroit Pistons shooting guard Langston Galloway has been wearing
Portland Trail Blazers’ wing Rodney Hood ruptured his left Achilles tendon Friday night. He will likely miss at least 9-12 months. It happened with 3:30 remaining in the first quarter. Portland Trail Blazers‘ wing Rodney Hood had just gathered a rebound off an errant LeBron James fade-away when he turned to push the ball in
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images David Fizdale has finally been fired as head coach of the New York Knicks after eight consecutive losses. Here are the five best candidates to replace him. The New York Knicks were always going to fire head coach David Fizdale. Barring some miraculous turnaround, the Knicks’ 2-8 start and an impromptu
Becky Hammon will get an opportunity to be an NBA head coach at some point, and she is reportedly interested in the New York Knicks’ job. To the surprise of precisely no one, the New York Knicks fired head coach David Fizdale on Friday. Where a search will go for a permanent replacement looking to
11:22 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN PHILADELPHIA — What would Brett Brown like for Christmas? One 3-point shot per game from his All-Star point guard. After his Philadelphia 76ers routed the hapless Cleveland Cavaliers 141-94 at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night, Brown was asked about Ben Simmons taking — and making — his second
Remember when Carmelo Anthony was out of the NBA? That seems so long ago now even though his stint in Portland started less than a month ago. Let’s go back to that time. In ‘Melo’s almost one-year exodus from the NBA, fans, media, and even players alike were begging for his return. To be fair,
5:03 PM ET Associated Press DALLAS — Luka Doncic scored 28 points in 26 minutes, leading Dallas in a rout of New Orleans 130-84 on Saturday. The Mavericks’ 46-point win wasn’t the largest margin of victory this season — they outscored the Golden State Warriors by 48 last month. Dallas (18-8) has won five in
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images To no one’s surprise, the Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly open to listening to Kevin Love trade offers. Here are five potential deals that would make sense. When Kevin Love agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension in 2018, the clock began ticking. Heading into the 2019-20 campaign, the Cleveland Cavaliers
After years of playing a retrograde style of basketball, Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves have finally moved into the modern NBA. As the NBA sprinted into the age of analytically-minded shot selection and spacing-oriented offenses, the Timberwolves lagged behind the curve for years. The Jimmy Butler and Tom Thibodeau era was fraught with strategic
7:25 PM ET The New York Knicks fired head coach David Fizdale Friday, continuing the revolving door of coaches for the franchise in recent years. While assistant Mike Miller (not that one) will take over in the interim, one former Knicks player has already begun his campaign to get the full-time job: Metta World Peace.
Remember when Carmelo Anthony was out of the NBA? That seems so long ago now even though his stint in Portland started less than a month ago. Let’s go back to that time. In ‘Melo’s almost one-year exodus from the NBA, fans, media, and even players alike were begging for his return. To be fair,
2:41 AM ET MILWAUKEE – On any given night, Giannis Antetokounmpo succeeds at suspending fans’ disbelief and completing the unthinkable. Antetokounmpo has levitated on blocks. He has spiked balls into the Fiserv Forum stands with superman strength. On Friday night, Antetokounmpo came as close to flying as a human can get – soaring over LA
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 16: Head Coach David Fizdale in action against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2019 in New York City. Charlotte Hornets defeated the New York Knicks 103-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is
Just one year after the Sixers traded for Jimmy Butler, he is in Miami and the long term effects of the deal appear to few for all teams involved. Player movement is the new normal in the NBA. Even stars, many of who would have been deemed irreplaceable by their former teams in the past,
6:35 PM ET Associated Press CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers star forward Kevin Love is sick and will miss Friday night’s game against the Orlando Magic. Love has been ill the past two days, and Cleveland coach John Beilein is hoping another day’s rest will help his best player recover. Beilein said Love could rejoin
Remember when Carmelo Anthony was out of the NBA? That seems so long ago now even though his stint in Portland started less than a month ago. Let’s go back to that time. In ‘Melo’s almost one-year exodus from the NBA, fans, media, and even players alike were begging for his return. To be fair,
7:00 AM ET ON AN OVERCAST Tuesday in downtown Los Angeles, Carmelo Anthony strides along a sidewalk in sneakers, black sweatpants and a black hoodie pulled over his head. He’s heading toward the Ritz-Carlton hotel, where the Portland Trail Blazers are staying, after making the short trek from shootaround at nearby Staples Center. His teammates
Killian Hayes is an interesting 2020 NBA Draft prospect due to his size and pedigree. But is he really best suited at the point guard position? Killian Hayes is one of the more interesting top ten prospects in the 2020 NBA Draft. Born in Florida but growing up in France, Hayes has long been an
11:55 PM ET ESPN News Services Things didn’t get any better for the New York Knicks and embattled coach David Fizdale on Thursday night as they dropped a 129-92 decision to the Denver Nuggets at Madison Square Garden. It was the eighth straight loss for the 4-18 Knicks. The Knicks trailed by 43 points in
Remember when Carmelo Anthony was out of the NBA? That seems so long ago now even though his stint in Portland started less than a month ago. Let’s go back to that time. In ‘Melo’s almost one-year exodus from the NBA, fans, media, and even players alike were begging for his return. To be fair,