4:03 AM ET LOS ANGELES — Long before Russell Westbrook was benched down the stretch of Wednesday’s 111-104 loss to the Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel was given assurances that the organization would support him in taking a hard line while coaching the star, sources told ESPN. Over the past week and
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10:50 AM ET Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball may need arthroscopic surgery on his left knee for a meniscus tear and a decision on the procedure is expected to come this week, sources told ESPN on Thursday. The scope would sideline Ball for four to six weeks, sources said. The Bulls and Ball’s agent —
8:00 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN MADISON SQUARE GARDEN had just played host to one of the season’s most thrilling comebacks. It was Jan. 6, and New York Knicks fans had witnessed a ridiculous buzzer-beating bank shot 3-pointer by RJ Barrett that capped a 24-point rally and win against the Boston Celtics. It was the Knicks’
10:14 PM ET ESPN News Services PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid tied his career high with 50 points in just 27 minutes, leading a dominant third quarter that carried the Philadelphia 76ers to a 123-110 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. Embiid also had 12 rebounds and three blocks while making 17 of 23
1:55 AM ET Associated Press DENVER — Nikola Jokic had 49 points, 14 rebounds and fed Aaron Gordon for a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds left in overtime for his 10th assist, giving the Denver Nuggets a 130-128 victory over the LA Clippers on Wednesday night. Jokic drew a double-team, then whipped a pass across
10:37 PM ET LOS ANGELES — Just 15 months removed from guiding the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA championship, coach Frank Vogel once again found himself answering questions about his job security on Wednesday night. “I don’t feel like I’m under siege,” Vogel said before the Lakers hosted the Indiana Pacers. “It’s not hard
11:59 PM ET WASHINGTON — Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving says he is embracing the pressure that comes with trying to carry the team’s offense amid Kevin Durant‘s absence due to a left knee injury. “I like the pressure,” Irving said after scoring 30 points in 38 minutes during a 119-118 win over the Washington
8:12 PM ET Jamal CollierESPN Chicago Bulls guards Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball will not travel with the team for its upcoming road trip while each recovers from his respective knee injury, coach Billy Donovan said prior to Wednesday night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It will leave the Bulls without their starting backcourt for,
3:11 AM ET Kendra AndrewsESPN SAN FRANCISCO — Klay Thompson knew he needed to use the same patience he learned over the past 2½ years and apply it to his shot coming back. And for the most part, it looked to have paid off in the Golden State Warriors‘ 102-86 win over the Detroit Pistons
7:36 PM ET The Utah Jazz placed shooting guard Donovan Mitchell in the concussion protocol Tuesday. The Jazz said Mitchell took a hit before halftime in Monday night’s 101-95 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers and began experiencing symptoms after the game. Mitchell will miss at least Wednesday’s game against the Houston Rockets. Mitchell had