With each passing day, it becomes more and more apparent how much pressure Deandre Ayton faces once he’s finally able to return for the Phoenix Suns. For a guy who hasn’t played since the team’s season opener, Deandre Ayton remains the hot topic of conversation among the Phoenix Suns fanbase. That’s typical for any No.
Nov 21, 2019 The Philadelphia 76ers mobbed Furkan Korkmaz after his winning buzzer-beater in Portland on Nov. 2, but what they have cherished more than the win is the night that unfolded afterward. Tobias Harris organized a gathering at a local club to celebrate. Every player on the trip came but Al Horford, who says
A month into the regular season, the race for Defensive Player of the Year remains fluid. Even as longtime contenders and preseason favorites further assert their will defensively, a group of position-less wings and dogged guards are making a major impact on that side of the floor, too. More or less, it comes down to
1:31 AM ET Eric WoodyardESPN MILWAUKEE — Triple-doubles are nothing new for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Thursday’s stood out as the Bucks beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 137-129. Antetokounmpo’s 24 points and 19 rebounds were impressive, but his career-best 15 assists most caught the attention of coach Mike Budenholzer on a night Antetokounmpo became the first
Pau Gasol was waived by the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday after being unable to return from foot surgery. Is this the end of his playing career? Future Hall of Famer Pau Gasol was waived by the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday afternoon after being unable to successfully recover from a surgical procedure to repair
The Boston Celtics had a crowded roster last year, but Marcus Smart and Brad Wanamaker have turned backcourt depth into a positive this time around. Last year, the Boston Celtics simply had too many mouths to feed. What was supposed to be the alpha team in the Eastern Conference — coming off a stunning 2018
9:29 PM ET When Nike took over as the NBA’s official jersey manufacturer three seasons ago, the company introduced the concept of “City” jerseys, new looks for each team that tied in to the local community in some way. Those jerseys have been refreshed every season (though there have been a couple exceptions), and this
As of this writing, James Harden is averaging 38.4 points per game. Yes, 38.4. He’s within striking distance of 40 – a number that would put him in the most rarified of air, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only other player in NBA history to accomplish this feat. Of course, Wilt averaged over 40 twice
Rookie Cam Reddish has not been shooting well. This is weird because he’s supposed to be good. I want to find out what’s up. Okay. Yeah. So, Cam Reddish is a rookie. He plays for the Atlanta Hawks. He shoots basketballs, and he’s not very good at doing it. This is a bad thing. Now
12:16 AM ET Eric WoodyardESPN CHICAGO — Derrick Rose wasn’t the only visitor to receive a big reception at the United Center on Wednesday during the Chicago Bulls’ 109-89 win against the Detroit Pistons. So did his former teammate, Luol Deng. Deng was celebrated on a night when the Bulls defeated the Detroit Pistons 109-89
TORONTO, CANADA – MAY 12: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers stretches before the game against the Toronto Raptors during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by
3:28 AM ET LOS ANGELES — The LA Clippers had to wait 138 days but they finally got to see what life is like with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on the court together. “That s— was fun as hell,” an amped Patrick Beverley said coming off the court. The Clippers needed to overcome a
A month into the regular season, the race for Defensive Player of the Year remains fluid. Even as longtime contenders and preseason favorites further assert their will defensively, a group of position-less wings and dogged guards are making a major impact on that side of the floor, too. More or less, it comes down to
7:55 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN PHILADELPHIA — It finally happened. After more than two seasons and in his 172nd NBA game, Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons made a 3-pointer. The moment Philadelphia fans have been waiting for came with 8:20 to play in the first quarter of Wednesday night’s game at the Wells Fargo Center
The Dallas Mavericks are still figuring out how their two stars fit together, which could be a terrifying prospect for the rest of the NBA. Integrating a second star, even one as unique as Kristaps Porzingis, into a system already so firmly tied to one player presents challenges skill alone can’t resolve. Featuring a big
7:00 AM ET LUKA DONCIC CROSSES the half-court line and surveys the defense, setting up a high ball screen on the right wing by using a nifty crossover and hesitation dribble to leave the defender on his heels. Time for a highlight. It is Nov. 11 and the Dallas Mavericks are trailing by five points
Before the season, Basketball Insiders pinpointed five statistics that could be worth watching in the 2019-20 season. These statistics each helped tell the story of last season and could be vital in determining the standings of the current campaign. A month into the season, here’s an update on how those five statistics, and the impact
1:05 AM ET LOS ANGELES — LeBron James completed his triple-double collection on Tuesday. With 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 112-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar became the first player in league history to log a triple-double against all 30 NBA teams, according to the
In an amusing clip, Robin Lopez and Wesley Matthews of the Milwaukee Bucks show off their wrestling skills before taking the floor. No NBA player finds themselves drawn into more high jinks than the Bucks‘ Robin Lopez. Whether it is fighting seemingly every single mascot in the NBA or being fooled into signing a document
8:27 PM ET Associated Press AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Former Washington Wizards guard Glen Rice Jr. pleaded not guilty to a single charge of injuring with intent when he appeared in an Auckland court on Wednesday. The son of three-time NBA all-star Glen Rice was released on bail and is to appear in court again
Before the season, Basketball Insiders pinpointed five statistics that could be worth watching in the 2019-20 season. These statistics each helped tell the story of last season and could be vital in determining the standings of the current campaign. A month into the season, here’s an update on how those five statistics, and the impact
The Portland Trail Blazers have been searching for another piece to complement their star-studded backcourt. Anfernee Simons might be exactly what they’re looking for. For the past few seasons, Portland has been all about the guard duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Those two have become legitimate stars, but the Trail Blazers but they’ve
12:41 PM ET Australia is finalizing an agreement with Philadelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown for him to return as the Aussies’ national team coach, sources told ESPN. Brown will coach the Aussies in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on a roster that could include Sixers All-Star Ben Simmons. The Australian team includes several NBA players, including
The NBA season is roughly a month underway. Let’s see where everybody stands compared to different cereal tiers. Cereal, much like basketball, is delicious. Also much like basketball, cereals bridge the entire spectrum of various caliber and quality. Tier 1: The half bowl of soggy Rice Krispies you left on the counter and forgot about.
Frank Kaminsky was one of the biggest bright spots of the preseason for the Phoenix Suns, but will that momentum carry over to the regular season? After spending most of the 2018-19 campaign on the Charlotte Hornets’ bench, Frank Kaminsky was in need of a change of scenery. Ironically enough, he found it by heading
The Phoenix Suns are the biggest pleasant surprise in the NBA, but it’s time to start taking them seriously as a team that could contend for a playoff spot. The Phoenix Suns are 5-2 to start the 2019-20 NBA season, and the question that’s on everyone’s minds — the one fans are terrified to ask,
3:31 AM ET LOS ANGELES — Paul George knows the narrative used to be that he isn’t clutch. That hasn’t been true of late, and on Monday, the All-Star swingman proved that for the first time as a member of the LA Clippers. In his third game back from offseason surgeries on both of his
Over the last few weeks, Basketball Insiders has highlighted the biggest surprises of the young NBA season. And, breaking down each division, there seemed to be a fantastic story about to unfold around every corner. But, now, has reality finally started to settle in? The pleasant surprises throughout the season are always welcome, but there
8:25 PM ET EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The doors to the Los Angeles Lakers‘ practice court swung open Monday and as reporters trickled into the gym, a team spokesman joked that “our new free agent” was at the far basket, getting up shots. Dave Chappelle, welcome to the Lakers. The comedian and actor, whose recent
Year four of the Kenny Atkinson era in Brooklyn was not supposed to start like this. Why are the Nets struggling? Six years removed from that infamous trade with the Boston Celtics for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, the Brooklyn Nets completed an incredible rebuild with a “clean sweep” this offseason, signing Kyrie Irving, Kevin