7:25 AM ET You’ve heard the maxim before: The NBA is a make or miss league. But it’s never been more true than in these playoffs. As the best basketball league in the world leans further and further into 3-point shooting, success from beyond the arc is increasingly deciding who wins the highest-stakes games to
NBA
6:27 AM ET Before sports’ megastars won their 100th match on center court at Flushing Meadows (and she’s still on the quest for Grand Slam No. 24), made their NBA debut at age 19 after a stellar freshman season at Duke, signed the biggest contract in the history of sports (Hint: A 10-year extension with
9:03 PM ET Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan won’t be returning to the Thunder next season, sources tell ESPN. Donovan’s contract expired at season’s end and the sides have decided against pursuing an extension. Discussions between OKC management and Donovan were described as collaborative and realistic. The reality of Oklahoma City’s eventual transition toward a
11:56 PM ET The Miami Heat are headed to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2014. After finishing off a 103-94 series-clinching Game 5 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night, All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler sent a warning signal to the rest of the league as the upstart Heat continue to
10:33 PM ET Marc J. Spears Milwaukee Bucks forward Marvin Williams told ESPN’s The Undefeated that he is retiring. Williams voiced the decision on Tuesday after earning 11 points and eight rebounds in the Bucks’ 103-94 season-ending loss to the Miami Heat in Game 5 of a second-round series. The former University of North Carolina
6:09 PM ET Eric WoodyardESPN Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is inactive for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Tuesday against the Miami Heat because of a sprained right ankle. Antetokounmpo clearly tried to get himself ready for Game 5. He was on the court about two hours before game time, getting some shots
7:14 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The top three vote-getters for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award — Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis and Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert — headline this year’s All-Defensive teams, which were announced by the league Tuesday night.
5:51 PM ET When Doc Rivers watches Nikola Jokic, the LA Clippers coach sees the best passing big man ever, combined with the moves and smarts of two other Hall of Fame big men. “He has a little bit of everybody,” Rivers said Tuesday when asked if Jokic compares to anyone. “He has all the
7:37 PM ET Associated Press INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The LA Clippers have received final approval from Inglewood’s city government to begin construction on their new arena next summer. The Clippers announced the approval from the city council Tuesday, along with a joint deal to buy the publicly owned property on the arena site for $66.25
9:30 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The scream sliced through a largely empty arena and put a dagger in the Milwaukee Bucks‘ season. Giannis Antetokounmpo had been on a tear to begin Game 4 of the Bucks’ Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Miami Heat, scoring 19 points in 11 minutes,