8:08 AM ET Tim Bontemps Dave McMenamin Close ESPN Staff Writer Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN. Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09. LEBRON JAMES IS well-known for his uncanny ability to recall specific moments from any point throughout

3:00 AM ET LOS ANGELES — Already missing three starters in LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Lonnie Walker going into the game and seeing a fourth player, Troy Brown Jr., exit early because of a left quad strain, Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham felt the need to protect Dennis Schroder from himself after the

Jan 3, 2023 Jamal CollierESPN A day after a historic 71-point game from All-Star Donovan Mitchell, the Cleveland Cavaliers were issued tests for performance-enhancing drugs Tuesday afternoon, the team confirmed to ESPN. Players are typically subject to four random tests for PEDs during the season and two during the offseason, according to the collective bargaining

2:50 PM ET Detroit Pistons forward Marvin Bagley III has suffered a right hand injury and is expected to miss extended time, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Bagley, who injured the hand in Monday’s 135-106 loss to Portland, is undergoing further evaluation to determine the next steps on the injury, sources said. Bagley has averaged

5:20 PM ET Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Hornets guard Kelly Oubre Jr. will undergo surgery Thursday to repair a torn ligament in his left hand. The team said in a statement Tuesday that “updates on the procedure and his rehabilitation status will be provided when appropriate.” It isn’t clear how long he’ll be

1:33 AM ET Kendra AndrewsESPN SAN FRANCISCO — Before the Golden State Warriors tipped off against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night, Klay Thompson had a conversation with Dominique Wilkins. They discussed how Wilkins’ return from an Achilles tendon tear decades ago has made him an inspiration to Thompson, as the Warriors guard has been

Jan 2, 2023 ESPN News Services The Sunday night game between the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets was a matchup of the NBA’s Eastern and Western conference leaders, as well as top MVP contenders Jayson Tatum and Nikola Jokic. But the showdown was overshadowed by a bent rim that caused a delay of about 35

10:41 PM ET ESPN News Services CLEVELAND — Already an All-Star, Donovan Mitchell added his name to one of the NBA’s most rarefied lists Monday night. Mitchell set a Cleveland record with 71 points, most by an NBA player in 17 years, and the Cavaliers rallied from 21 down to beat the Chicago Bulls 145-134

7:59 PM ET Associated Press DENVER — Boston Celtics interim coach Joe Mazzulla returned to the bench Sunday after missing two games with an eye injury sustained in a pickup game. Mazzulla said he is part of regular, late-afternoon games at Boston’s TD Garden and got hit in the face Tuesday before the Celtics faced

Jan 1, 2023 Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo missed Sunday night’s 118-95 loss to the Washington Wizards with left knee soreness. Antetokounmpo was a late addition to the injury report after participating in shootaround earlier Sunday. The Bucks are already without Jrue Holiday (non-COVID illness) and Khris Middleton (right knee soreness). Antetokounmpo is coming off