As Cavs slide, a new No. 1 emerges in NBA Power Rankings
By virtue of Cleveland's three-game skid, there's a new leader in this week's league hierarchy. And how high can streaking Toronto and Oklahoma City climb?
By virtue of Cleveland's three-game skid, there's a new leader in this week's league hierarchy. And how high can streaking Toronto and Oklahoma City climb?
The Bulls suspended guard Rajon Rondo for one game, to be served Monday night, reportedly for a verbal altercation with an assistant coach.
Bucks coach Jason Kidd thinks Russell Westbrook can average a triple-double.
The New York City Police Department is looking to speak with Sacramento Kings forward Matt Barnes regarding an assault at a New York nightclub Monday morning, according to a police spokesperson.
The Grizzlies signed guard Toney Douglas on Monday to help fill the void created by point guard Mike Conley's absence.
The 2017-18 season is set to start in the Oct. 15 to Oct. 20 range -- up from Oct. 25 this season -- to reduce the number of back-to-backs and four-games-in-five-nights stretches.
Hall of Famer Magic Johnson is returning to ESPN as a studio analyst for NBA Countdown.
The Celtics' third-year guard is devoted to understanding the challenges of pediatric cancer after losing a brother and young friend to the disease.
Al Horford chose Boston during free agency, but Houston had an inside track that almost lured the big man.
The Raptors guard grew up in Kobe Bryant's shadow. Now, he's rising out of it to chase the Mamba's throne.
Does the Warriors' all-time offense have serious competition in Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and the Raptors? Kevin Pelton looks at how Toronto is scoring so well.
Masai Ujiri opens up about his work in Africa, the presidential election and his team's promising season.
Thunder guard Russell Westbrook recorded his fifth consecutive triple-double in Sunday's win, the longest streak of his career and the NBA's longest since Michael Jordan's seven straight in 1989.
New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis underwent an X-ray after a 101-92 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, according to league sources.
The Pelicans turned to Buddy Hield to help lighten the load on Anthony Davis. Hield couldn't Sunday, but the roar from the OKC crowd did spur him on.
Al Horford has been great in the 10 games he has played and has helped steady a Celtics team that has been inconsistent in the early going.
Porzingis throws down reverse slam
Griffin and DeAndre connect for the alley-oop
Westbrook's behind-the-head pass results in Thunder dunk
Ibaka protects the rim with two big blocks
Cousins goes hard for acrobatic layup and-1
Rose's slick moves fakes out Cousins for bucket
Kanter takes flight for Thunder
O'Quinn goes coast-to-coast for big one-handed dunk
Smith scores on the fancy reverse layup
Westbrook's athleticism takes full effect for Thunder
Does your fantasy basketball team need some work? Here are our top free-agent picks among players widely available on waivers in ESPN leagues.
The Warriors continue to find strong rim protection from Kevin Durant, rebounding from a double-overtime loss to the Rockets with a rout of the Suns.
Suns coach Earl Watson expressed concern that Steve Kerr's stance on marijuana use might be misinterpreted by some, and he stressed the importance of being "very careful" in discussing the drug.
Passing seemed to be a priority for Kevin Durant, and the Warriors reaped the benefits with the best-shooting game by any team this season.
The NBA Executive VP of Basketball Operations, Kiki VanDeWeghe, clarified the "unnatural act rule" Sunday, saying the league isn't targeting Draymond Green because "rules are for every player."
The Warriors' Draymond Green and Klay Thompson each said they support coach Steve Kerr, who admitted to using marijuana to help control his back pain.
After pressing his coach for more crunch-time minutes, Isaiah Thomas delivered 13 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter as the Celtics won at Philly.
Saturday's loss to the Mavericks once again exposed the Bulls' bench and the problems that forward Nikola Mirotic has had thus far this season.
Finding his legs -- and, perhaps more crucially, staying healthy -- has Derrick Rose in a good place 19 games into his first season with the Knicks.
Donatas Motiejunas signed a 4-year offer sheet worth $37 million with the Nets, sources said, but his history of back trouble led the Nets to structure the contract with a number of protections.
The Rockets have 72 hours to decide whether to match Brooklyn's offer to Donatas Motiejunas. Should they? And would Motiejunas help the Nets?
Larry Nance Jr. is a known high-flyer, but the Lakers forward didn't feel fully recovered from an ACL injury until one dunk against the Warriors.
In 40 minutes, Taj Gibson racked up 23 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal in arguably the most complete game of his career.
Some might not like the close bond LeBron and D-Wade share. Their response? "One day, we're going to stop dribbling this basketball. Life goes on way beyond this."
After an exhausting win over the Warriors and a short night's sleep, the Rockets capped a 4-1 road trip that showed they could be a real contender.
This may be the last, best chance for the Clippers to bury their cursed history as they look toward an uncertain future.
The Spurs know they aren't playing up to their capabilities yet, but they can take comfort that they're still winning games, as they did again Friday.
Prepare for the week ahead in fantasy hoops with matchup previews, schedule analysis and a look at which teams are more fantasy-friendly this season than last.
This week's edition of the fantasy basketball Insider cheat sheet looks at the Warriors' potential for regression, how to replace Mike Conley and the Timberwolves' struggles.
When Shaq-a-Claus comes to town, he brings holiday gifts to kids -- even snow in L.A.
Joakim Noah had two points and five rebounds in 24 minutes in his first game back following a 2-game absence due to an ankle injury. "I feel better but I still have a lot of work to do. Can't get frustrated with the process," he said. "Our team is definitely playing a lot better basketball right now. So just keep focusing on the positive and just keep focusing on my improvement." Noah remains confident that he will get healthy and be more productive as the season progresses. "It's going to come… no question," he says. He adds: "I know that I'm better than what I'm doing right now."
Through 20 games, Knicks are scoring 113 points per 100 possessions but allowing 119/100 possessions with Derrick Rose & Brandon Jennings on the floor, per NBA.com. Still, the Rose-Jennings pairing puts particular stress on a defense, as Rose notes:
"Basketball is Jazz; Stories and Lessons from a Basketball Lifer" will be published in the spring of 2017.
I'm looking for an artist to design a cover for my book "Basketball is Jazz". Interested? Send me a DM and I will email you.
Welcome back! Magic Johnson will re-join NBA Countdown as a studio analyst this season: es.pn/2g3cOlc
Sources tell ESPN that Mavs have no immediate intention to shop C Andrew Bogut, as their focus for now is trying to salvage their season. However, Mavs management recognizes that Bogut has significant value in the trade market as a proven championship-caliber complementary piece in a contract year and could become motivated to move him if and when it becomes clear that the Mavs have no hope of making the playoffs this season. Several league sources said the Mavs should be able to get a first-round pick from a contender for Bogut.
DeMar DeRozan grew up analyzing every move in Kobe's arsenal. Now that blossoming midrange game is lifting Toronto… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…
The Knicks will be looking to win their third straight game on Tuesday against Miami and will be up against a banged-up Heat team. Miami will be without Dion Waiters (groin), Justise Winslow (wrist) and James Johnson (rotator cuff). The Knicks hope to have starting SG Courtney Lee (ankle) back in the lineup after a two-game absence.
🚨For the first time this season we've got a new No. 1 atop @ESPNSteinLine's Power Rankings.🚨 es.pn/2haUqvK
?Kevin Durant on his Paul George, who he faces tonight: "He's my favorite player in the league."?
Taj Gibson was singing Rajon Rondo's praises after Friday's win. Less than 24 hours later Rondo gets suspended for conduct detrimental to the team. "He's like a quarterback," Gibson said after Friday's win over the Cavs. "Even though I never really played any contact football -- he always gathers the huddle. He always sees what's going on in the game. He's always encouraging. Like "Come on, let's go. Let's go." He's always pushing it. But he's just a great teammate. I know he got a lot of criticism before the year, a lot of people talk about the negatives that's in him, but he's been showing me nothing but great stuff on and off the court. He's a great player and he's a great leader."
Back to what we intro'd Friday: Word is the 2017-18 NBA season will start in the Oct. 15-20 range with the exhibition slate reduced slightly
DeMar DeRozan grew up in the shadow of Kobe Bryant. Now, he's rising out of it to chase Bryant's throne. cards.twitter.com/cards/fms5q/2r…
According to a fresh statement from Matt Barnes' attorney Alex Spiro, Sacramento's Barnes "is cooperating" with the NYPD's investigation."
Monday will have two of the better left-handed players in the game in Houston's James Harden against Boston's Isaiah Thomas facing off. "Lefties are just weird," Harden said. "We're just weirdos. The majority of players are right-handed, just catching defenders off guard, they're not used to guarding left handers especially left handers who are very crafty. (Thomas) is crafty. He gets to the paint and uses his body and he's always in attack mode." What makes lefties weird? "I can't tell you about that," Harden said with a smile. "Next question."
Lakers guard Jose Calderon (right hamstring strain) is expected to be sidelined for 2-4 weeks, the Lakers say. He suffered the injury in Saturday's loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Anthony Davis is listed as probable for tonight's home matchup vs Memphis with a right foot sprain. ESPN reported on Sunday night that Davis underwent an X-ray after a 101-92 loss in Oklahoma City. Tyreke Evans (right knee/left calf) is listed as out, marking the third game since general manager Dell Demps said Evans' return from a 10-month absence would be "sooner rather than later."
.@Raptors GM Masai Ujiri opens up about his work in Africa, the election and his team's promising season. undf.td/2g06KPe
Rajon Rondo has been suspended 1 game for violating team rules. Its the 7th time since Feb. 2012 that he's faced su… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…
The Raptors are second in the East at 14-6 and riding a six-game winning streak. Do they finally have the Cavs attention? "Nah, they've had our attention," said LeBron James. "They've had our attention for the last couple years. I think they've had the NBA's attention. You don't need them playing well, us not playing well, or us playing well, them not playing well to get their attention. I think it's there."
Saturday night, Draymond Green added another kick to his reel in the last six months. pic.twitter.com/iEetk0yJKW