8:00 AM ET The NBA slam dunk contest has for 35 years showcased the art of the jam. Hard-core and casual fans alike tune in to the event every year, looking to see something they have never witnessed before. With the rise of social media, creating something completely novel has gotten harder and harder, but
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2:11 AM ET BOSTON — For a brief moment, Lou Williams and the LA Clippers thought they might be able to escape Boston with what they thought could have been a four-point play. But after saying they saw one official count what they thought was a Williams 3-point shot with the foul with 23.6 seconds
1:36 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN BOSTON — Since Kemba Walker signed with the Boston Celtics last summer, he has repeatedly spoken about the potential Jayson Tatum possesses. And after Tatum turned in a master class performance Thursday night, finishing with 39 points and nine rebounds in just under 48 minutes in Boston’s 141-133 double-overtime victory
12:24 AM ET Eric WoodyardESPN CHICAGO — Chants of “M-V-P!” echoed throughout the University of Illinois-Chicago on Thursday, just as they have in Derrick Rose‘s recent returns to the United Center, as he appeared onstage inside Dorin Forum for an intimate panel discussion. In the lead-up to NBA All-Star Weekend, the Chicago native and Detroit
11:00 PM ET The Portland Trail Blazers say an MRI on star guard Damian Lillard confirmed a right groin strain, and he will be re-evaluated in one week. Lillard suffered the injury on a drive to the basket in Thursday night’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. He attempted a tough shot around Memphis big man
10:23 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN NEW ORLEANS — Alvin Gentry had seen enough. The players had seen enough. Management had seen enough. A change needed to be made. The night was Dec. 17. The New Orleans Pelicans were on the wrong end of a call that sent their game against the Brooklyn Nets into overtime.
9:32 PM ET BOSTON — The LA Clippers limp into the All-Star break with injury concerns after Paul George suffered a strained left hamstring again and was ruled out of Thursday night’s 141-133 double-overtime loss to the Boston Celtics. The Clippers announced George was out at halftime because of the same injury that cost him
5:14 PM ET The Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks head into the All-Star break as the favorites to win the NBA title at sportsbooks around the nation. The Lakers are +180 to win the title at Caesars Sportsbook, followed by the Bucks at +275. The LA Clippers, at +325, are the only other team
3:05 PM ET LA Clippers forward Paul George has been fined $35,000 for publicly criticizing officials for “home cooking” in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night, the league announced Thursday. “There was some home-court cooking tonight to say the least,” George said after a 110-103 loss to the Sixers. “I mean it
11:59 PM ET NBA All-Star Saturday featured three competitions that came down to the wire. Bam Adebayo set the tone with a close win over Domantas Sabonis in the skills challenge. Buddy Hield used his final attempt to knock off 2018 champion Devin Booker in the 3-point contest. And Derrick Jones Jr. needed a dunk-off