6:54 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN NEW ORLEANS — Houston Rockets guard James Harden missed his first game of the season Sunday night with a toe sprain. “He probably could [play], but given the circumstances it’s better that he doesn’t,” coach Mike D’Antoni said before the game. “He’s banged up a little bit.” With Russell Westbrook
NBA
7:38 AM ET Party in the city where the Heat is on! Welcome to No. 2, Miami. Jimmy Butler & Co. have the league’s longest active win streak at five games, a run bookended by two tight victories over the Philadelphia 76ers. Miami’s rise coincides with some shaky play from the Staples Center roommates, as
1:37 PM ET Associated Press He left Cleveland for Miami, finally became a champion, went back to his beloved northeast Ohio, delivered on another title promise, then left for the Los Angeles Lakers and the next challenge. He played in eight straight finals. No NBA player won more games or more MVP awards over the
3:31 AM ET PORTLAND, Ore. — It was just more than a week ago when Kyle Kuzma sat out in Milwaukee and could only watch as the Los Angeles Lakers mustered a season-low four bench points in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks without him. That was fifth straight game he missed, as he, in
3:10 AM ET LOS ANGELES — Clippers point guard Patrick Beverley injured his right wrist in Saturday night’s 120-107 loss to the Utah Jazz, and although X-rays revealed there was no break, head coach Doc Rivers remained concerned about his status. Beverley immediately took himself out of the game after taking a spill on his
9:51 AM ET Nick DePaulaESPN As the regular season continued after an entertaining slate of Christmas Day games, all eyes were on Luka Doncic and his return to the court Thursday. Not only was Doncic returning after a four-game hiatus for an injured right ankle, he was also officially debuting as the newest member of
2:01 AM ET SAN FRANCISCO — Anything seems possible on a nightly basis for the Dallas Mavericks when guard Luka Doncic is on the floor. The latest star turn for the 20-year-old came in Saturday’s 141-121 win over the Golden State Warriors, as the Mavericks phenom racked up his ninth triple-double of the season on
9:49 PM ET PORTLAND — LeBron James overcame a groin contusion to record 21 points and 16 assists Saturday to help the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 128-120, James, who aggravated the issue in the Lakers’ Christmas Day loss to the LA Clippers, was listed as questionable coming into the game. The
11:47 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN BOSTON — Three days ago, the Toronto Raptors were soundly beaten at home on Christmas Day by the Boston Celtics. Saturday night, however, the Raptors turned the tables, and beat the Celtics 113-97 here at TD Garden, in a game Toronto led wire-to-wire. So, what changed? “We’ve got pros,” Raptors
9:49 PM ET PORTLAND — LeBron James is available to play Saturday against the Portland Trail Blazers, according to the Los Angeles Lakers. James, who aggravated a right groin contusion in the Lakers’ Christmas Day loss to the LA Clippers, was listed as questionable coming into the game. The 17-year veteran reported feeling improvement with