6:05 PM ET NEW YORK — As the Brooklyn Nets wait for Ben Simmons to recover from a back issue that he is dealing with as he prepares to play in an NBA game again for the first time in nine months, veteran guard Patty Mills remains convinced that Simmons will be able to help
NBA
3:51 PM ET DALLAS — Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic has been ruled out of Saturday afternoon’s game against the Sacramento Kings due to a left toe sprain. Sources told ESPN that the injury is “no concern” as far as lingering long term. Doncic, a first-team All-NBA selection the past two seasons, is averaging 27.8
2:49 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson has returned to the city after spending nearly two months in Portland rehabbing his injured foot away from the team, sources told ESPN on Saturday. Williamson, who fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during the summer, is set to rejoin the team
1:11 AM ET Jamal CollierESPN CHICAGO — Fans at United Center may have reveled in Bulls forward Derrick Jones Jr.’s flagrant foul on Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen on Friday night, but Jones insisted afterward that the foul was not intentional and denied being a dirty player. Jones was given a flagrant foul 1 in
7:37 PM ET Jamal CollierESPN CHICAGO — Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez has been cleared to be a full participant at practice for the first time since undergoing back surgery in December, coach Mike Budenhozler said prior to Friday’s game against the Bulls. Lopez went through a light workout on the court Friday at the
11:34 AM ET The lawyers leading the NBA’s investigation into the Phoenix Suns are preparing to interview Robert Sarver regarding the accusations against the team and its majority owner, sources close to the investigation told ESPN. Sources said more than 300 people have been interviewed as part of the investigation, which the league launched in
12:47 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff was fined $20,000 by the NBA on Friday for his behavior while being ejected from a game this week. Bickerstaff received two technical fouls and was tossed — for the first time as Cleveland’s coach — by referee Natalie Sago in the
8:00 AM ET Kendra AndrewsESPN “DUB NATION, are you ready?” The crowd roared its affirmation as the lights dimmed to announce the Golden State Warriors‘ starting five. Draymond Green‘s name was called first, followed by Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney and Stephen Curry. Curry’s name is usually announced last, but the night of Jan. 9 was
3:32 AM ET LOS ANGELES — After the Los Angeles Lakers were crushed by the rival Clippers on Thursday night, Russell Westbrook said he still is trying to figure out his role with the team, which he said has “changed every single night.” The Clippers embarrassed their hallway neighbors 132-111 to sweep the season series
12:09 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN BOSTON — When Celtics guard Marcus Smart sees Jayson Tatum get going the way the All-Star forward did in the fourth quarter Thursday night against the Memphis Grizzlies, he said his approach becomes a simple one. “Make sure I’m staying out of his f—ing way,” Smart said. “Let him do