The Houston Rockets should be one of the top teams in the Western Conference again next year, but there are signs of turmoil heading into the offseason. When the Golden State Warriors lost Kevin Durant to a calf injury, the door was wide open for the Houston Rockets to beat them in the second round
10:23 PM ET ESPN news services Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was hospitalized Sunday after experiencing stroke-like symptoms, according to a statement released by Quicken Loans, the company Gilbert founded and chairs. The company’s statement did not indicate where Gilbert was hospitalized, but The Detroit News reported the 57-year-old was admitted to Beaumont Hospital, Royal
The Toronto Raptors never stopped fighting, closing out the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 6 to head to the first finals in franchise history. Toronto never gave up. Even after falling behind 0-2 in the series and in a 15-point hole in Game 6. The Bucks came into Toronto on Saturday reeling off its first three-game
When the 2015-16 season began, the Golden State Warriors were defending champions, but they did not yet seem like a juggernaut. There were still those who questioned the bona fides of a “jump shooting team,” and there were grumblings that they only won the Finals due to the absence of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love.
OAKLAND, CA – MAY 8: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Houston Rockets during Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using
2:05 AM ET Malika AndrewsESPN TORONTO — Giannis Antetokounmpo vowed that with his team’s backs against the wall, the Milwaukee Bucks wouldn’t fold. The Bucks had just suffered a disappointing Game 5 loss to the Toronto Raptors and for the first time in the 2019 post season, were facing elimination. Antetokounmpo said then that he
TORONTO, ONTARIO – MAY 25: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors reacts during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks in game six of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Scotiabank Arena on May 25, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this
As the NBA’s postseason continues and the crowning of a champion in the Finals draws nearer, the rest of the league’s attention is set on June 20, the date of the 2019 NBA Draft. Last Tuesday in Chicago, the results of the draft lottery determined the first-round order of the top selections in the field.
3:13 AM ET TORONTO — There’s very little about Kawhi Leonard that screams “mindfulness guru,” but as the Toronto Raptors gathered on the bench during a timeout in the midst of the team’s big 26-3 run in the second half, he told his teammates, “Enjoy the moment, stay here, stay together, we’re good,” according to
After a wild lottery night and an interesting week at the NBA Draft Combine, we break down where things stand in our latest 2019 NBA Mock Draft. Bruno Fernando C, Maryland Fernando was smart to participate in some drills at the combine, as he was able to flash a legit 3-point shot from NBA range
Giannis Antetkounmpo was not feeling up to answering the press’ questions following Game Six. So, he decided to bounce on the last question. We really can’t fault Giannis Antetkounmpo for not being up to answering questions from the press after a tough loss. I mean, who would really want to answer questions as to why
2:50 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN TORONTO — After the confetti fell on the Raptors, fresh off of their 100-94 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals Saturday night that sent Toronto to the NBA Finals for the first time in history, president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri was asked
Each week, four of Basketball Insiders’ top writers will break down the latest news and notes surrounding the 2019 NBA Draft. With every new version, you’ll see an updated mock draft that reflects how each writer sees the draft landscape based on the latest news, workouts, and information from the pre-draft process as well as
11:28 PM ET In a move that could disrupt some types of betting on the Finals, the NBA plans to cut off unauthorized sportsbooks from accessing the league’s official data feed starting next week. Sportradar, an authorized data distributor for the NBA, sent a letter Thursday notifying sportsbook operators that the league was forcing it
The best high salary and value picks for DraftKings fantasy basketball on Saturday, May 25. Saturday’s DraftKings slate 8:30 p.m. ET: Toronto at Milwaukee My favorite plays of the day can be found on the following slides in FanSided’s DraftKings daily picks. Each day in order to offer a variety of price points at each position,
8:20 AM ET The Toronto Raptors are one win away from advancing to their first NBA Finals in franchise history. What do Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks need to do to force a Game 7 and potentially advance to the next round? What’s the key for Toronto in Saturday’s Game 6? Does Kawhi Leonard
Rui Hachimura is a projected lottery pick, but sits at No. 41 on our big board. The answer why is his lack of feel for the game. “Feel for the game” is one of the most important traits needed to survive in the NBA. To compete against the top level of basketball athletes in the
Each week, four of Basketball Insiders’ top writers will break down the latest news and notes surrounding the 2019 NBA Draft. With every new version, you’ll see an updated mock draft that reflects how each writer sees the draft landscape based on the latest news, workouts, and information from the pre-draft process as well as
11:50 PM ET Denver Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic is taking his talents to the world stage. The 24-year-old announced on Friday that he will be playing in the FIBA World Cup for his native Serbia. “I am very pleased with everything I did in the NBA this season, I had a great year in
Now that the offseason has officially hit for most players in the NBA, players such as LeBron James are in full recruiting mode. With all the controversy surrounding Magic Johnson’s fallout with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James continues to be focused on making sure he is able to bring superstars to his team. Although
With all five starters officially making WNBA rosters, Notre Dame women’s basketball team establishes a first in the sport. When Jackie Young’s name was called as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft in April, it was just the start of what was eventually a huge night for Notre Dame women’s basketball.
With the shadow of Kemba Walker’s impending free agency cast over their offseason, who should the Charlotte Hornets be targeting in the NBA Draft? The biggest questions for the Hornets this summer is whether they’ll be able to convince Kemba Walker to re-sign with the team in free agency. Unfortunately, he’ll make that decision after
6:47 PM ET OAKLAND, Calif. — Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant said he is “doing better every day” but acknowledged that he isn’t sure when he’ll be able to return as he continues to recover from a strained right calf. Speaking to reporters for the first time since suffering the injury on May 8,
Each week, four of Basketball Insiders’ top writers will break down the latest news and notes surrounding the 2019 NBA Draft. With every new version, you’ll see an updated mock draft that reflects how each writer sees the draft landscape based on the latest news, workouts, and information from the pre-draft process as well as
8:21 AM ET It has been a popular parlor game among league executives all season: How good will the Golden State Warriors be if Kevin Durant leaves? You can’t draw a direct line from the 73-win Warriors — the last pre-Durant version — to the theoretical 2019-20 team. Harrison Barnes is gone. Andre Iguodala, dunking
It seems that the first two picks in the NBA Draft are set, which leaves plenty of possibilities for R.J. Barrett. Where would he fit best? R.J. Barrett came into his freshman year as one of the most highly touted recruits in the country. His impressed in several areas during his one season at Duke
After the most convincing win and significant momentum shift of the Conference Finals, the Toronto Raptors look the part of an NBA Finalist. When the Raptors fell behind 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals, all evidence from the regular season looked to have been confirmed. The Bucks were the best team in the NBA all
MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 03: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics in action against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on April 03, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the
2:53 AM ET MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks had been shading Kawhi Leonard for days, taking away the largest, strongest and most decisive right hand in basketball. But with his Toronto Raptors trailing by a bucket inside of nine minutes remaining in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals that’s knotted at 2-2, Leonard got
Each week, four of Basketball Insiders’ top writers will break down the latest news and notes surrounding the 2019 NBA Draft. With every new version, you’ll see an updated mock draft that reflects how each writer sees the draft landscape based on the latest news, workouts, and information from the pre-draft process as well as