8:00 AM ET In a first for a high-profile ex-professional athlete, North Carolina A&T freshman golfer J.R. Smith — a retired 16-year NBA guard — has signed with Excel Sports for NIL representation, agent Lance Young told ESPN. Smith, 36, is beginning his second semester for the Aggies and his emergence as perhaps the most
NBA
2:59 AM ET Kendra AndrewsESPN SAN FRANCISCO — Much of the conversation surrounding the Golden State Warriors heading into the season was about how they’d be a title contender once Klay Thompson returned. Instead, the Warriors hit a skid after Thompson’s highly anticipated debut Jan. 9, experiencing some of the growing pains they’d skipped over
7:21 AM ET AT THE HEIGHT of protest over the May 2020 police murder of George Floyd, one of retired NBA star Dwyane Wade’s Twitter accounts posted: “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” The tweet from an athlete celebrated for his social justice advocacy was perfectly in character. The account that
8:42 PM ET It’s almost time for the NBA’s midseason showcase. The 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend is set for Feb. 18-20 in Cleveland, and as of Thursday, the starters and captains are now known. LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) and Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets) again will be the captains of the two teams in this
7:26 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN LeBron James and Kevin Durant again will be the captains of the two teams in this year’s All-Star Game, as the NBA on Thursday night announced the starters for its annual midseason showcase to be held Feb. 20 in Cleveland. James, who has now been a captain in each of
8:46 PM ET Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO — Draymond Green is going into TV. The Golden State Warriors star has received an exclusive multiyear agreement to join Turner Sports as an active player, set to make appearances with the network’s “Inside the NBA” program among other content opportunities with Turner Sports and Bleacher Report. So,
2:24 PM ET PHILADELPHIA — Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James won’t play Thursday night against the 76ers due to left knee soreness, coach Frank Vogel said about 90 minutes before tipoff. The coach said James woke up with some soreness in his left knee. The team had listed him as questionable earlier Thursday before
3:05 PM ET Portland Trail Blazers forward Nassir Little — one of the breakout young players in the league this season — will likely be out for the rest of the season with a left shoulder labral tear, sources told ESPN on Thursday. The Blazers announced the injury without a timetable for his return, but
2:24 PM ET PHILADELPHIA — Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is questionable to play Thursday against the 76ers because of left knee soreness, the team announced. James has played in 25 straight games for L.A. after missing 12 of the first 23 games of the season because of right ankle soreness, a suspension and
1:47 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — The NBA has announced Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington and Toronto Raptors forward Justin Champagnie have been fined $15,000 apiece for their roles in an on-court altercation on Tuesday. On the play before the confrontation, Washington knocked Champagnie to the floor with a hip check. On the