BOSTON – Everything Jrue Holiday does on defense is done with a purpose. “What’s the point of trying to steal the ball if you’re just going to hit it out of bounds?” Holiday asked The Athletic in March. When Holiday dropped that musing in the middle of an in-depth 30-minute conversation about his defense, the … Read more
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The characteristics of the past championship teams have just been imputed onto this edition of the Warriors. Largely because the three best players – Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson are still in the core – it is often concluded this is a continuation of the dynastic era of three titles … Read more
It’s do or die time for Joel Embiid and the Sixers.Image: Getty Images Joel Embiid’s MVP-caliber season could come crashing down tonight if he can’t lead his Philadelphia 76ers to a win over the Miami Heat. If Philly gets sent packing in the semifinals again, this will be the fourth time in five years that’s … Read more
Phoenix’s first trip to Dallas during its second-round series against the Mavericks was an eventful one. Before the team flew out last Thursday for Game 3, the Suns were grounded in Arizona for an hour due to storms in Dallas. The delay forced them to practice late in the evening upon arrival and scurry out … Read more
BOSTON – What happened? No, really—what just happened? The Bucks beat the Celtics 110–107 on Wednesday, seizing a 3–2 lead in the series. And, seriously—how did that happen? “We beat ourselves,” said Boston guard Marcus Smart. Said coach Ime Udoka, “We know we gave up a golden opportunity tonight.” Added forward Jaylen Brown, “We gave … Read more
1:13 AM ET Jamal CollierESPN BOSTON – The Milwaukee Bucks leaned on their championship pedigree in Game 5 on Wednesday night, rallying from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to escape Boston with a 110-107 victory against the Celtics and take a 3-2 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The winner of Game 5 in a … Read more
BOSTON – The relationship between Giannis Antetokounmpo and teammate Khris Middleton, now nine years in, is well-known for its depth and trust. But about that Jrue Holiday relationship … “It’s blooming, it’s blooming!” Antetokounmpo said after the Milwaukee Bucks finished off a jaw-dropping display of clutch play in stealing a 110-107 Game 5 victory over … Read more
DENVER – Nikola Jokic plays for Denver. And for Serbia. Both places can once again make the same claim: For the second consecutive season, they’re home to the NBA’s Most Valuable Player. The league announced Wednesday night that Jokic had won back-to-back MVP awards. The Nuggets ‘big man is the second consecutive international player to … Read more
Bob Lanier, the left-handed big man who muscled up beside the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as one of the NBA’s top players of the 1970s, died Tuesday. He was 73. The NBA said Lanier died after a short illness. The Hall of Famer had worked for the league as a global ambassador. The Athletic reported … Read more
Bob Lanier, the left-handed big man who muscled up beside the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as one of the NBA’s top players of the 1970s, died Tuesday. He was 73. The NBA said Lanier died after a short illness. The Hall of Famer had worked for the league as a global ambassador. The Athletic reported … Read more