12:04 PM ET Associated Press MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman has been named NBA Basketball Executive of the Year, the youngest ever to win the award. Kleiman, 33, is the second Grizzlies executive to receive the honor. Jerry West won the award for the 2003-04 season while working with the Grizzlies.
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8:00 AM ET Maya A. Jones It’s a Monday afternoon at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, and Suns center Deandre Ayton is locked in. He’s not focused on his team’s upcoming game against the Los Angeles Lakers the next day, thinking ahead to a playoff run, or worrying about his contract negotiations with the Suns.
10:00 AM ET All odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook. What you need to know for today’s playoff games Collaborative Creation: Kyle Lowry has been ruled out for Game 6 in Philadelphia, meaning Jimmy Butler could flash serious passing potential as the Miami’s lead distributor. Butler paced the team with 38 passes in Game 5.
8:00 AM ET PHOENIX — Fifteen minutes remain before tipoff inside Phoenix’s Footprint Center, and Deandre Ayton is on all fours outside the locker room, barking like a dog. “I’m the big dog,” Ayton specifies. “Without the leash.” But before Ayton can complete his center-to-canine transformation, a chaotic yet beautifully orchestrated few minutes ensue inside
9:39 PM ET The Los Angeles Lakers have been granted permission to interview Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson for the franchise’s coaching job, sources told ESPN on Wednesday. The Lakers have been methodically meeting with candidates in recent weeks and plan to talk with Atkinson in the near future, sources said. Atkinson built a
3:26 AM ET MEMPHIS — Moments after the Grizzlies pummeled the Golden State Warriors to keep their season alive, Ja Morant started a chant that gained some steam among his teammates. The injured Morant repeatedly chanted, “Grizz in seven,” after Memphis routed Golden State 134-95 in Game 5 on Wednesday night to send the Western
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
12:45 AM ET Brianna Williams The Golden State Warriors entered Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals up 3-1, with a chance to end the Memphis Grizzlies‘ playoff run. Ahead of the potential series closer, Stephen Curry gave Kendra Andrews some insight on Golden State’s mentality, saying: “Whoop that trick! That is our game plan.”
1:32 AM ET 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
7:54 PM ET Brianna Williams Some players spend their offseasons in Cancun, Mexico. Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, who officially won a second straight NBA Most Valuable Player trophy, goes to Sombor, Serbia. Despite Denver’s first round playoff loss to the Golden State Warriors, the 27-year-old Serbian native put together an impressive season, leading the