The NBA’s uniform aesthetic has been moving towards a trimmer fit. Jerseys are tighter, shorts are shorter, everything accentuates the frame underneath. But not Pascal Siakam. Like a time-traveler from 2003, his everything about his uniform hangs loosely, with enough extra fabric to smuggle Patrick McCaw onto the court without anyone noticing. Every drive he
After a slow start, the Raptors regained their focus defensively and closed the game in dominating fashion, blowing out Orlando and moving one step closer to advancing in their pursuit of a title. Things looked promising for the Magic early on in Sunday’s Game 4 in Orlando. Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon were hitting shots,
7:48 AM ET IN OKLAHOMA CITY’S locker room on April 5, Russell Westbrook took his usual place in front of a blank whiteboard for his postgame media availability. He had his new favorite postgame prop with him — a cup of ice water — and answered questions about the Thunder‘s much-needed win over the Detroit
Damian Lillard and company have answered every challenge from the Thunder, taking Game 4 and giving the Trail Blazers control of this series. The Thunder seemed to have stolen momentum in Game 3, getting a big night from Russell Westbrook and trolling Damian Lillard throughout their first win of the series. The Trail Blazers bounced
DENVER, CO – APRIL 16: Patty Mills (8) of the San Antonio Spurs defends Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets at mid court during the first half on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. The Denver Nuggets hosted the San Antonio Spurs during game two of their first round NBA playoffs series at the Pepsi Center.
The San Antonio Spurs were led by Derrick White’s 36 points to put the Denver Nuggets, the second-seeded team in the Western Conference, in a deep hole they might not climb out of. There was no dramatic comeback this time, no moment of redemption for the Nuggets. Denver needed late-game heroics to win Game 2
2:45 AM ET OKLAHOMA CITY — With their starters heading to the bench with 40 seconds left, Game 4 in hand and a 3-1 series lead in their pocket on the way back home, the Portland Trail Blazers had an opportunity to bask in their 111-98 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder a little. But
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 21: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball against Jerome Robinson #10 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER:
When LeBron James missed out on the postseason for the first time in 14 years, he left a massively large hole in the proceedings. After all, James had dragged his squad to the NBA Finals in eight consecutive seasons, dating back to his inaugural season alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh down in Miami. Without
The Sacramento Kings have given Vlade Divac full control of basketball operations and his first move was to fire Dave Joerger. You don’t have to be a Sacramento Kings insider to know that Vlade Divac wanted full control of the basketball side of the operation. Up until recently, he’s had to share the GM duties
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 09: Luke Walton coaches the last basketball game of the season between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on April 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) UFC 236: Conor McGregor predicts ‘stoppage victory’ for Dustin Poirier by Thomas Albano
9:51 PM ET LOS ANGELES — The text landed a little after 9 on Friday night. The Golden State Warriors players had decided — of their own volition — to move practice up from 11 a.m. to 9 a.m. the following morning. “I got the text at night, 9:15 or so, and it was like,
With colleges almost sure not to touch him, Rick Pitino may actually get another chance in the NBA. After being fired in disgrace by Louisville in September of 2017, Rick Pitino seemed sure to never coach again. But he came up as a candidate at St. John’s after Chris Mullin resigned, and according to NBA
PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 14: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts during play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first quarter at Moda Center on April 14, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) Breanna Stewart appears to suffer serious leg injury in Euroleague title game by Ian Levy
Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum were too much for the Thunder, pushing the Trail Blazers to a blowout Game 2 win. Through two games, the series between the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder has been sketched in by the stars. Paul George, with a bum shoulder, and Russell Westbrook have traded off having
1:13 AM ET Malika AndrewsESPN DETROIT — The sea of blue and red erupted each time Blake Griffin thundered toward the basket, stepped back for a 3-pointer or sprung upward to snatch a rebound. Detroit Pistons fans had yet to see their franchise power forward check in this postseason, and they knew he was their
When LeBron James missed out on the postseason for the first time in 14 years, he left a massively large hole in the proceedings. After all, James had dragged his squad to the NBA Finals in eight consecutive seasons, dating back to his inaugural season alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh down in Miami. Without
4:06 AM ET SALT LAKE CITY — James Harden claimed he had no clue that he missed his first 15 field goal attempts in Saturday’s Game 3, the most consecutive misses from the floor in any game of his career. It certainly didn’t impact the reigning MVP’s confidence. Harden scored 14 of his 22 points
“Playoff Kevon” might be a thing. The designation is made available only to role players with a proclivity to take their game to another level in the postseason. See: “Playoff Rondo.” In the shadow of superstar DeMarcus Cousins and the happy reunion of Andrew Bogut, Kevon Looney has quietly been the Golden State Warriors’ best
SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 20: Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets awaits the San Antonio Spurs before the first quarter on Saturday, April 20, 2019. The Denver Nuggets and the San Antonio Spurs faced off for game four of their first round NBA playoffs series at the At&T Center. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews
Brooklyn Nets forward Jared Dudley had an eventful Game 4 vs. the Philadelphia 76ers, culminating in a third quarter ejection. The Eastern Conference first round playoff series between the Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers has been chippy from the start, but it reached a whole new level in Game 4 Saturday, as Jared Dudley
BROOKLYN, NY – APRIL 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2019 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using
8:25 PM ET SAN ANTONIO — Spurs star DeMar DeRozan was ejected with 5:01 remaining in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game against the Denver Nuggets for throwing the ball in the vicinity of official Scott Foster. With the Spurs down 110-92, DeRozan drove to the hoop and was called for a charge on Nuggets
The first round of the NBA Playoffs provides infrequent upsets – especially since 2003 when the first round was extended to a best-of-seven series (from a best-of-five). Per the usual, this year has its share of favorites in the driver’s seat. For example, it’s a fair assumption that the Celtics, Rockets, Trailblazers and Bucks will
TORONTO, CANADA – APRIL 16: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball against the Orlando Magic during Game Two of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or
ORLANDO, FL – APRIL 19: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic during Game Three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2019 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this
9:45 AM ET What James Harden has done to the Utah Jazz through two blowouts goes back to his greatest humiliation — Harden’s meltdown, and Houston’s collective disintegration, against the San Antonio Spurs in the 2017 conference semifinals. Harden eviscerated the Spurs in Game 1 of that series — a 27-point Rockets win that seemed
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – APRIL 19: Gordon Hayward #20 and Kyrie Irving #11 help up Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics during Game Three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers on April 19, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees
PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 16: Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder talks with Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers during Game Two of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by
A duel between Russell Westbrook and Damian Lillard favored the Oklahoma City Thunder at home, who won, 120-108, to keep their 2019 NBA Playoffs hopes alive. The nature of basketball says teams generally go as far as your best player take them but rarely do such top-heavy groups test that truism as aggressively as Portland