JR Smith being recruited when he was playing in China: God rest his soul, Kobe Bryant texted me. He’s like, ‘Yo, man. Like, I need you. What’s up, man? I need an alpha. I need an alpha.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, shit.’ Kobe started texting me and I’m like, ‘Oh, sh*t I might go to the … Read more
The Golden State Warriors had one pathway, and one pathway alone, to staying in their second-round series vs. Minnesota long enough for Stephen Curry to get back with a realistic chance to make a difference: Jimmy Butler had to step out of this so-called Robin role that he has so enthusiastically embraced and actually put … Read more
QUINN COOK: I think (Stephen Curry) is the greatest point guard of all time. I might be biased, but just to have somebody like that believe in me — it means a lot. HOST: Why do you think he’s the greatest? QUINN COOK: I only go off what I saw. Not YouTube. Not NBA Hardwood … Read more
NEW YORK — On the strength of a 39-point performance by Jalen Brunson, another fantastic fourth quarter from Mikal Bridges and by far their best offensive showing of the series, the New York Knicks took a 3-1 series lead against the Boston Celtics with a 121-113 win in Game 4 on Monday at Madison Square … Read more
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU Jalen Brunson Game 4 vs Celtics: 39 points, 14/25 FGs, 12 assists, 1 turnover Most career postseason games with 10+ FGs, 10+ assists, no more than 1 turnover Chris Paul: 7 LeBron James: 5 Michael Jordan, Dennis Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Jalen Brunson: 3 pic.x.com/2eLbWiDwNk – 10:17 PM
NEW YORK — When the final buzzer sounded at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, and the New York Knicks began soaking in their 3-1 lead over the reigning champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, captain Jalen Brunson made a point to calm some of his celebrating teammates down. Yes, the Knicks were … Read more
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU Celtics playoff injuries, Brown/Tatum era 2017: I. Thomas (hip) 2018: K. Irving (knee)/G. Hayward (leg) 2019: M. Smart (oblique) 2020: G. Hayward (ankle) 2021: J. Brown (wrist) 2022: R. Williams (knee) 2023: J. Tatum (Game 7 ankle) 2024: K. Porzingis (leg 🏆) 2025: J. Tatum (TBD) – 10:26 PM
If you’re a fan of chaos, you surely loved what went down in the NBA Draft Lottery on Monday night. The Dallas Mavericks, on just a 1.8% chance, secured the No. 1 pick. The San Antonio Spurs and the Philadelphia 76ers — who both were longshots to get top-three picks — followed at No. 2 … Read more
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU Celtics won Game 3 in New York despite: – 40% FGs from Jayson Tatum (8/20) – sub-40% FGs from Jaylen Brown (7/18) – another 0% from Kristaps Porzingis (0/3) Rest of Celtics: 25/42 FGs, 59.5% (13/23 3s, 56.5%) – 6:14 PM
Tim BontempsMay 12, 2025, 10:19 PM ET Close Tim Bontemps is a senior NBA writer for ESPN.com who covers the league and what’s impacting it on and off the court, including trade deadline intel, expansion and his MVP Straw Polls. You can find Tim alongside Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon on The Hoop Collective podcast. … Read more
In the high-stakes world of the NBA, where every second on the clock can be the difference between glory and defeat, the concept of “clutch” carries a weight that can define a player’s career. It’s the final moments of a closely contested game that separate the good from the great—the true clutch performers—capable of seizing … Read more
Cooper Flagg likely found his new home Monday as the NBA held its annual Draft Lottery in Chicago. After months of waiting, the stunning results are in: the Dallas Mavericks hold the No. 1 overall pick in June’s NBA Draft. The Mavs had just a 1.8% chance of winning the top pick after going 39-43 … Read more