Nov 19, 2021 The NBA has suspended New Orleans Pelicans guard Didi Louzada 25 games without pay for violating the NBA/NBPA’s anti-drug program. Louzada tested positive for drostanolone and testosterone. In a statement to ESPN, Louzada, 22, described the source of unknowingly ingesting the banned substances as an offseason trip back to his Brazilian home

3:13 PM ET Associated Press DALLAS — The Mavericks are retiring Dirk Nowitzki’s No. 41 when Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors visit in January. NBA commissioner Adam Silver is expected to attend the Jan. 5 ceremony honoring the only player in league history to play 21 seasons with the same team. The ceremony

1:07 PM ET The Brooklyn Nets are holding Kevin Durant out on Friday against the Orlando Magic because of a right shoulder sprain that has “just been bugging him a little bit.” Nets coach Steve Nash made it clear, though, that Durant’s injury will not be something that will keep him out for multiple games.

1:29 PM ET Associated Press COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Isaiah Thomas is putting on the red, white and blue again. Thomas was announced Friday as an injury replacement for USA Basketball’s team that will open World Cup qualifying play this month in Mexico. The two-time NBA All-Star was added to the roster, along with Justin

Nov 17, 2021 Associated Press WASHINGTON — Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard has received a contract extension amid Washington’s fast start to the season. Monumental Sports & Entertainment announced Wednesday that Sheppard and Sashi Brown signed multiyear extensions and received promotions. Mike Thibault, coach and general manager of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, has also received

12:30 AM ET MILWAUKEE — After the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks 109-102 to fall to 8-8 this season, LeBron James opened the door to making his return from an abdominal strain on Friday in Boston. “I hope,” James told ESPN on Wednesday when asked if he would play against

Nov 17, 2021 Tim BontempsESPN BROOKLYN, N.Y. — After the Brooklyn Nets were routed by the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night on their home floor, losing 117-99 to fall to 0-4 this season against the Warriors, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks, Nets coach Steve Nash said his team doesn’t belong in the

Nov 16, 2021 Andrew LopezESPN New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson has been cleared to participate in contact drills, the team announced, the latest step toward his eventual return to the court. Williamson, who is in his third year, has missed every game this season because of a right foot fracture suffered in the summer.

4:30 PM ET DALLAS — Dallas Mavericks superstar guard Luka Doncic will miss Wednesday’s road game against the Phoenix Suns due to left knee and left ankle sprains, the team announced. The injuries are “not too serious,” a source told ESPN. The Mavs are optimistic that Doncic will not be sidelined for an extended stretch,

Nov 16, 2021 There’s growing optimism that Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James — who has been out two weeks with an abdominal strain — could make his return against the Boston Celtics on Friday, sources told ESPN. James has been making good progress, and Friday’s meeting with the Celtics (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) looms