Kawhi Leonard's status still uncertain day before Clippers' playoff opener
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue remains cautious but optimistic about Kawhi Leonard's availability for Game 1 against the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference playoffs. [ more ]
Kawhi Leonard will return for Game 2 of the LA Clippers' first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks after missing multiple games due to knee inflammation. [ more ]
Clippers still unsure if Kawhi Leonard will play Game 1: 'Very unpredictable'
Kawhi Leonard is questionable for Game 1 of the playoffs due to knee inflammation, with his return dependent on reducing inflammation for functional basketball movements. [ more ]
Kawhi Leonard's availability for Game 1 against the Dallas Mavericks is in question due to persistent inflammation in his surgically-repaired knee. [ more ]
Depleted Clippers lose to Suns one day after routing them
Kawhi Leonard has missed six consecutive games due to right knee inflammation, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming playoffs.
Despite missing key players like Paul George, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Ivica Zubac, the Clippers showed resilience in a game against the Suns. [ more ]
Clippers analyst off on what LA can get in Jaylen Brown trade with Boston Celtics
Should the Boston Celtics bow out of the Eastern Conference Finals, Jaylen Brown will be a name bandied about the rumor mill every single day - and at times, the price the Cs would ask for him will vary from analyst to analyst.Clipperholics' Iliyan Lakhani believes the price for Brown in a trade involving Los Angeles could involve Paul George, which is correct, but also believes - likely incorrectly in this writer's opinion - that the Celtics would need to be the team including draft capital in a potential deal.
WATCH: DeMar DeRozan Admits To Wanting To Join Clippers
DeMar DeRozan was born and raised in Compton, California, just a handful of miles away from the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.There has been a recent influx of native southern Californians who have made their way back to LA to play for their hometown teams, and DeRozan was apparently almost one of them.
Kurtenbach: Andrew Wiggins' absence from the Warriors is too big to ignore anymore
Andrew Wiggins' absence isn't the sole reason the Warriors lost to the Clippers in Los Angeles.Nor is it the reason the Warriors haven't won a road game since January.But the Dubs' wing has been on an excused absence for family issues for 13 games now, and the team has no idea when he might return.And my goodness, they could have used him Wednesday.
Steph Curry drops 50 points but Warriors lose again on the road
LOS ANGELES Stephen Curry draped a towel over his head as he sat on the bench with about a minute left of action Wednesday night.His second 50-point performance of the season was spoiled by a 134-126 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.With 12 games and only 3 1/2 weeks remaining in the regular season, the Warriors still don't have answers for their road issues.
Knicks get much-needed win to avoid a winless west coast trip
After two straight losses to start the four-game West coast road trip, the New York Knicks got a nice win against the Los Angeles Lakers.The win moved the Knicks to 40-30 and tied them with the Brooklyn Nets for the Eastern Conference's fifth seed.The win ensured New York won at least one game on their road trip.
Proposed Jaylen Brown blockbuster brings Boston Celtics back future star
If Jaylen Brown is set to be a goner this offseason or next, one proposal concocted by Sir Charles in Charge's Micheal Saenz would be a near-best-case scenario for the Boston Celtics in the short and long term.Saenz's proposal would see Brown reunite with former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka, hired by the Rockets on April 24, with the Cs bringing back a future star in Jalen Green, forward Jae'Sean Tate, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, and a 2028 first-round pick.
NBA GM has horrifying update on potential departure of Boston Celtics star
An anonymous NBA general manager gave a horrifying update on the potential departure of Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown to Heavy's Sean Deveney - calling into question whether No. 7 wants to play with the franchise's cornerstone star, Jayson Tatum."You know, just last year, everyone was asking, 'Can Tatum and Brown play together, can these guys co-exist?'" the GM said.
6 takeaways as Celtics beat Timberwolves in controversial finish
Celtics The Celtics got a huge game from Jaylen Brown and a victory on Wednesday.The Celtics claimed a hard-fought - and somewhat controversial - win over the Timberwolves on Wednesday, holding off a fourth-quarter charge for a 104-102 victory.Here are the takeaways.1.In 10 games since the All-Star break, Jaylen Brown has been the Celtics' best player, averaging 28.1 points and shooting 50 percent from the field.
LA Clippers star Paul George was ruled out for the second half of the game against the Sacramento Kings due to a sore left groin.
The Clippers have had their healthiest start to a season in the Kawhi Leonard and George era, with both players playing in all 23 games so far. [ more ]
Clippers rout Pelicans with a lineup that is paying big dividends
The Clippers' starting lineup of Harden, Mann, Leonard, George, and Zubac has played the most minutes together since Leonard and George joined the team in 2019.
The Clippers' improved performance and dominance on the court may be attributed to the stability and continuity of their starting lineup. [ more ]
James Harden powers Clippers past Warriors for their sixth consecutive win
The Clippers' stars, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George, have been consistent in starting together in all 18 games since Harden's arrival via trade.
Harden proved his value by leading the Clippers to a victory against the Golden State Warriors, contributing 11 assists and 28 points. [ more ]
LA Clippers star Paul George was ruled out for the second half of the game against the Sacramento Kings due to a sore left groin.
The Clippers have had their healthiest start to a season in the Kawhi Leonard and George era, with both players playing in all 23 games so far. [ more ]
LA Clippers star Paul George was ruled out for the second half of the game against the Sacramento Kings due to a sore left groin.
The Clippers have had their healthiest start to a season in the Kawhi Leonard and George era, with both players playing in all 23 games so far. [ more ]
Kawhi Leonard scores 34 as Clippers edge Portland to extend winning streak
The Los Angeles Clippers achieved their aim of staying focused and playing the full 48 minutes, resulting in a 132-127 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 34 points and five assists, while Paul George contributed 20 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. [ more ]
This tenured NBA vet could fit right in with the Washington Wizards
While he may not be the elite two-way wing he once was with the San Antonio Spurs, Danny Green is still an effective role player for any team with playoff aspirations.He proved that down the final stretch of the season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.This makes him the perfect target for the Washington Wizards.
All signs point to a rebuild for the Washington Wizards
Now that Michael Winger is officially named the president of Monumental Basketball overseeing all aspects of operations for the Washington Wizards, the focus is now on what direction the organization is going to take.Despite no official statement yet one way or the other, signs point to a roster overhaul and rebuilding.
The first two rounds of the NBA playoffs are complete.It's been one of the best and most entertaining postseasons I can recall, though in fairness I've been watching only since 1978.The conference finals are:
Eastern Conference: 8 seed Miami Heat vs. 2 seed Boston Celtics Western Conference: 7 seed Los Angeles Lakers vs. 1 seed Denver Nuggets
This major NBA executive reportedly linked to Wizards' GM position
As reported by Steve Bulpett of Heavy, an anonymous NBA general manager who has worked with the Toronto Raptors claims that Masai Ujiri is growing frustrated with his team and that there is friction between him and star point guard Fred VanVleet.According to that same GM, the Washington Wizards are once again ready to pursue the man who helped lead the Raptors to their first championship.
Gabe Vincent's NBA Finals MVP odds surging after Game 2
Jun 1, 2023; Denver, CO, USA; Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent (2) controls the ball wdb/ Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) during the fourth quarter in game one of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena.Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports Prior to the start of the NBA Finals, it was nearly assumed that if the Miami Heat won the NBA Finals that star Jimmy Butler would win the league's Finals MVP award.
Raptors passing on Nikola Jokic during 2014 Draft still stings
The Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets are two franchises trending in two different directions right now.While Toronto looks to reboot its roster and try to compete with a new head coach, Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets have made the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.Jokic remains one of the more improbable success stories in the NBA.
5 Pascal Siakam trades the Toronto Raptors may need to consider
Since winning the NBA Finals in 2019, the Toronto Raptors have lived in the middle of the pack.Obviously, Kawhi Leonard left for the LA Clippers, but they still had a solid core in place.The trio of Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby has led the team since then, but they haven't had much success to show for it.
Could Nick Nurse join a huge Raptors rival after latest firing?
The Toronto Raptors had one of the most disappointing seasons in the NBA, so much so that they parted ways with head coach Nick Nurse after the end of their 41-41 campaign.The Philadelphia 76ers managed to follow suit, firing Doc Rivers after yet another poor postseason performance.The 76ers' initial coaching list appears to focus almost entirely on former head coaches with postseason experience.
3 reasons Raptors would be fools not to hire Monty Williams
The Toronto Raptors might need to put all of their coaching plans on hold until they get a chance to sit down with former Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams.Who would have thought that he would end up being available at this point in the season after winning Coach of the Year so recently?Williams was canned after his Suns were knocked out of the postseason picture by the Denver Nuggets.
Raptors interview JJ Redick for coaching vacancy in wild turn of events
The Toronto Raptors haven't necessarily made a ton of progress in their head coaching search following the departure of Nick Nurse.Names have popped up every now and again, but there hasn't been one favorite that has proven themselves to be a particularly exceptional candidate.The Raptors appear to have put an emphasis on player development and offensive excellence with some of the candidates they have interviewed.
O.G. Anunoby named to NBA All-Defensive second team
Hallelujah, they're finally paying attention.After years of inexplicably being ignored by voters for the NBA's All-Defensive team, O.G. Anunoby - one of the most effective, dogged, and versatile defenders in the league - was finally selected for the league's All-Defensive second team.Anunoby started the year on a defensive tear, right from opening night, when he grabbed three steals; that set the tone for his season, where he ended up with a league-high 128 thefts and led the league in steals per game (1.91), too.
As NBA coaching carousel turns, Tyronn Lue is said to be seeking security with Clippers
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
As the NBA descended upon Chicago this week for the league's scouting combine, five teams arrived without a head coach.The Clippers are not among that group, which includes Milwaukee, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Toronto and Detroit, because what was said on the final day of the Clippers' first-round exit in April, remains true now.
A Eulogy for the 2022-23 Toronto Maple Leafs Season
The Toronto Maple Leafs season has once again ended in disappointment.For the first time in the Auston Matthews Era, the Toronto Maple Leafs won a playoff round, but ultimately finished with a below .500playoff winning percentage.A 5-6 record is simply not good enough as another season has come and gone.
With Kawhi Leonard sitting out home game, Clippers lose to the Magic
The news that Kawhi Leonard wasn't playing Saturday afternoon for the Clippers against the Orlando Magic because of right knee injury management was already a blow with so few games left in the regular season and L.A. jockeying for playoff position in the topsy-turvy Western Conference.Then after the Clippers lost 113-108 to the Magic at Crypto.com
How Victor Wembanyama Could Fit on the San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4 dynamic forward who is this year's most prized N.B.A. prospect, cheered with his family in France as the San Antonio Spurs won the 2023 draft lottery Tuesday night.In San Antonio, fans, perhaps understandably, celebrated like they had won a championship, yelling in bars and honking car horns.
Alabama's Tumultuous Season Ends With Loss to San Diego State
LOUISVILLE, Ky.It was a reasonable question: With the cloud hanging over the Alabama basketball team from a deadly shooting earlier this season, Coach Nate Oats was asked, had he and his players been able to enjoy their run to the second weekend of the N.C.A.A. men's basketball tournament.Yeah, we're having a blast, Oats said of his team, which had garnered the top seed in the tournament.
NBA rumors: Wizards eyeing Raptors Masai Ujiri once again
The Toronto Raptors' recent decade of success coincides perfectly with the arrival of Masai Ujiri into the team's plans.After years of mismanagement, Ujiri helped turn them around and make them a champion for the first (and, to this point, only) time in franchise history.Rather than deciding to pluck some of his top acolytes in an attempt to replicate the magic Toronto has had in the last few seasons, teams have been trying to convince Ujiri to leave the Raptors.
DeMar DeRozan says he would have won a title with Raptors
The Toronto Raptors' treatment of DeMar DeRozan is well known by the general basketball public at this point.He is a franchise legend who remains the all-time leading scorer in club history, but the team hit a ceiling with him as the featured offensive option.After being traded to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard, DeRozan had to watch as all his old teammates won a title on the back of Leonard's dominant postseason.
Mike Lupica: How good are Tom Thibodeau's Knicks? We're about to find out vs. rival Heat
The back story with the Knicks and Heat is tremendous, without question, and not just because of the shadow of Pat Riley over the whole thing.But the bigger story, at least around here, is this, and in the form of a question: Just how good are the Knicks?Of course, all of the stuff from the time machine is big fun, about big memories.
The New York Knicks advanced to the second round of the playoffs after a 106-95 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Ohio Wednesday night.The win began much earlier than that.The Knicks won this series on September 25, 2017, the day trading Carmelo Anthony outta town went down.The biggest return New York received from Oklahoma City appeared to be Enes Kanter, but they also acquired a second-round pick owed by a lousy Chicago team that figured to be in the low-to-mid 30s, the sweet spot to take a shot on a project.
NBA on ESPN Preview: Two playoff-contender matchups are slated for Wednesday night.
Wednesday's ESPN doubleheader is tonight!I pray you weren't caught off-guard.There's some serious conference-rival basketball on the docket, homie.First, the Philadelphia 76ers (45-22) take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (43-27), and then the NBA champion Golden State Warriors (36-33) visit the LA Clippers (36-33).
Letters to Sports: Curses! Clippers fans are fed up with failure
Say what you will about Russell Westbrook, but at least he plays.The same can't be said for Kawhi Leonard or Paul George.What good are "superstars" if they don't play?It's probably too late, but how about going from "day to day," to "night after night?" :: As a long-suffering Clippers fan, my suggestion to ending the "Clippers Curse" as mentioned by Bill Plaschke is: change their name!
Yesterday, Patrick Beverley made sure to let Lebron know that he's too small.Tonight the Bulls are staying in LA to face the Clippers at Crypto.comArena in the second night of a back-to-back for Chicago.Is Pat Bev going to bring that same energy against Kawhi Leonard and another one of his former teams?
Clippers take control second half to beat Thunder without Paul George
(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
The image that returned Wednesday from the scan of Paul George's injured right knee provided about as good of news as the Clippers could have hoped: George's awkward land Tuesday after grabbing a rebound did not damage any ligaments - and the All-Star forward is not expected to need surgery, either.
CloseOhm Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets and the NFL since 2006.Prior to that, he covered the Nets, Knicks and the NBA for nearly a decade.He joined ESPNNewYork.comafter working at the New York Daily News for almost 12 years and is a graduate of Michigan State University.
Paul George injured late as Clippers fall short against Thunder
(Ringo H.W. Chiu / Associated Press)
Four years ago, in the afterglow of one of the most transformative nights in Clippers franchise history, there were some within the organization who found themselves as excited by the additions of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard as they were mournful over the cost.
Clippers put scouting report on Damian Lillard to good use in win over Portland
When the Clippers arrived here late Saturday, they were without their winning streak and their coach.After coaching Saturday in a loss to Orlando in Los Angeles that ended the Clippers' turnaround at four consecutive wins, Tyronn Lue did not join the team on its flight to Oregon while recovering from what the team called a non-COVID-19 illness.
Western Conference Standings Watch: Rubber meets the road
It was the best of times and the worst of times for the Lakers on Sunday.After experiencing the high of a surprise return from LeBron James, the team came out flat against the Bulls and dropped the first of a pair of consecutive contests against Chicago.The return trip on Wednesday kicks off a five-game road trip for the Lakers that is going to go very far in determining their postseason fate.
Raptors start crucial homestand, host Pacers: Preview, start time and more
With only 11 games remaining in the Toronto Raptors' very weird and pretty disappointing 2022-2023 season, the time to lock in, if it weren't already, is nigh.Sitting at 9th in the Eastern Conference, Toronto is set to take on the back-sliding Indiana Pacers who could be without their best player, and one of the best pure point guards in the league, in Tyrese Haliburton.
Just when it looked like Toronto Raptors star OG Anunoby was finally going to start getting the respect he deserves from the larger NBA media as a whole, he has once again dipped back into the realm of perpetual anonymity.This comes at a time when his defense has been as good as ever.While Anunoby, once a trade chip, has long been underrated due to the fact he doesn't excel in the traditional counting box score stats that voters love so much, the fact that he came into this week leading the league in steals per game is a terrific arrow to have in his quiver.
Clippers survive Stephen Curry's 50-point game in big win vs. Warriors
Slipping down a San Francisco baseline past Phoenix's Chris Paul late Monday, Stephen Curry claimed a basket and the final word."This ain't 2014 no more," the Golden State star told his longtime combatant as cameras rolled.Paul later claimed he didn't know the reference, but on his podcast, Curry's Warriors teammate Draymond Green explained its laden meaning - that it had been that long since Paul could be considered the better player.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George power Clippers past Knicks for third win in a row
They are building momentum again, each win by the Clippers just a little more impressive than the previous.Along the way, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are showing why they are one of the NBA's top duos, and why the Clippers still hold championship aspirations.Leonard was outstanding again in scoring 38 points, with his left-handed dunk late in the fourth quarter providing the finishing touches on the Clippers' 106-95 victory over the New York Knicks on Saturday at Crypto.com