MORE FROM Scott Rafferty

NBA community reacts to Carter's retirement

Over a remarkable 22-year career, Carter played alongside 261 teammates and squared off against a whopping 1,668 players. It's no surprise then that players, coaches and teams were quick to congratulate the NBA legend following his retirement announcement.

Scott Rafferty

•

Vince Carter announces his retirement

"I am officially done playing basketball professionally," the eight-time All-Star said on the "Winging It" podcast. Carter retires with career averages of 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

Scott Rafferty

•

Biggest playoff races entering the restart

When the NBA season resumes in Orlando, Florida next month, each team will play eight "seeding games" ahead of the playoffs. Eight games might not sound like much, but there's a lot that could change in those games, from where teams are seeded to which teams ultimately make the playoffs.

Scott Rafferty

•

Ranking the 22 starting centres in season return

Ahead of the NBA season resuming in Disney World, we're ranking the starters on all 22 teams that will take part in the "eight seeding" games ahead of the playoffs. First up is centre, which is a harder position to rank than you may think.

Scott Rafferty

•

DeRozan doubling down on what he does best

As the rest of the league trends away from the midrange, the four-time All-Star is doubling down and feasting on those same shots like never before. But while it's helped DeRozan turn in one of the best seasons of his career, has it actually had a positive impact on the Spurs?

Scott Rafferty

•

True or False: Curry deserved Finals MVP over Iguodala

Two members of our NBA.com Staff reignite the heated debate over the 2015 Finals MVP award that ultimately went to Andre Iguodala. Did voters get it right? Should Stephen Curry have gotten it over Iguodala? What does it mean for Curry's legacy?

Scott Rafferty

•

How Doncic defied the odds as a finisher

One of Doncic's supposed weaknesses entering the NBA? His athleticism. It was expected to be the reason he couldn't develop into a big-time finisher at the rim and yet that's exactly what he's become. Here's how the 21-year-old superstar has proven the skeptics wrong.

Scott Rafferty

•

How 22-team return impacts 76ers

Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and the 76ers have a lot to play for when the season resumes. With only two games separating them from the Heat, eight "seeding games" gives them an opportunity to move up in the Eastern Conference standings in the playoffs.

Scott Rafferty

•

Why Toppin is 'bust-proof'

Obi Toppin doesn't have as high of a ceiling as some other prospects in the 2020 NBA Draft, but he's considered to be one of the safest picks because of how well-suited his game is to today's NBA. To understand why, let's take a closer look at one of his plays from his breakout season at Dayton.

Scott Rafferty

•

Young celebrates Vince's 'mind blowing' career

Trae Young's tweet comes on the heels of Adrian Wojnarowski's report that the NBA season is expected to resume with 22 of the league's 30 teams, the Atlanta Hawks being one of the teams not included.

Scott Rafferty

•

Lopez should be getting more DPOY love

If he doesn't win it, Brook Lopez deserves to be a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year this season on the strength of his rim protection numbers and its impact on Milwaukee's historic defence.

Scott Rafferty

•

Where is Simmons in race for DPOY?

Ben Simmons leads the NBA in steals per game, but has his untimely injury derailed his chances for winning Defensive Player of the Year?

Scott Rafferty

•

You can't tell the story of the 1960s without...

Bill Russell's dominant championship run. Wilt Chamberlain's unbreakable records. Oscar Robertson's history-shattering triple-doubles. Let's take a look back at the 1960s and the moments, teams and players which defined the decade.

Scott Rafferty

•

Scoring the rivalry: Magic vs. Bird

Johnson and Bird played against each other 37 times in their NBA careers — 18 times in the regular season, 19 times in the playoffs. Who won more of those games and what were their stats?

Scott Rafferty

•

Four players who have become unrecognizable

These are the NBA's version of the transformers, the four players who have changed their game more than anyone right before our very own eyes.

Scott Rafferty

•

All-Decade Team for 2010s

10 years, five players, one impossible task. Aside from a couple of no-brainers, choosing the All-Decade Team for the 2010s proved tough. Kevin Durant or Kawhi Leonard? James Harden, Chris Paul or Russell Westbrook? And what about the centres? Our week-long decade-by-decade trip through NBA history kicks off with our first All-Decade Team.

Scott Rafferty

•

Building the perfect team around MJ using today's players

Imagine Michael Jordan in today's NBA. Now imagine you're tasked with building the perfect team around MJ with current players. Who are the ideal running mates? LeBron? Giannis? Kawhi? Now that all 10 episodes of "The Last Dance" have aired, we spun it forward to imagine what a team starring Jordan might look like in 2020.

Scott Rafferty

•

The Eastern Conference's Nikola Jokic

Bam Adebayo is known for his high-flying dunks and his defensive prowess, but he's quietly developed into the Heat's version of Nikola Jokic, a devastating passer at the centre position who they can run their offence through. The scary thought? Adebayo is only going to get better.

Scott Rafferty

•

Four players trending upwards before season suspension

In a span of three weeks back in February, Jayson Tatum outplayed LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, no small feat for any established superstar let alone a first-time All-Star who just turned 22. What does Tatum's emergence mean for the Celtics? And who else besides Tatum is trending upwards?

Scott Rafferty

•

Four stats to know about the ROY race

The Rookie of the Year debate was starting to heat up before the season was suspended, but is Ja Morant actually at risk of losing to Zion Williamson? Let's take a closer look at four stats to get an idea of how close the race actually is.

Scott Rafferty

•

Rockets have unleashed a terrifying version of Westbrook

Are the Rockets taking small ball to the extreme? Yes. Do the Rockets suddenly have the most dominant inside scorer in the entire league? Yes! The Rockets have doubled down on Russell Westbrook, and the former MVP is blossoming like never before.

Scott Rafferty

•

Players who would have most to prove in playoffs

We still don't know if the 2020 NBA Playoffs will take place, but if they do, all eyes will be on Pascal Siakam, Russell Westbrook, Ben Simmons and Giannis Antetokounmpo as they each have something to prove.

Scott Rafferty

•

What was being said when Jordan retired, returned

On Oct. 6, 1993, Michael Jordan announced that he was retiring from the game of basketball. Less than two years later, he announced that he was coming back. Here's what was being said at the time of both historic announcements.

Scott Rafferty

•

Pick a sixth man for post-80s dream team

What if you were tasked with building the perfect team, but with the catch that you didn't know the actual identities of the players you were picking from? We took some of the best players from the last three decades, lined up their stats and removed the names. Up next is the sixth man.

Scott Rafferty

•

6 stats that define MJ wearing 45

19. 55. 1. 50. 13. 5. What do these numbers have in common? They help explain Michael Jordan's 1994-95 season, the one in which he played in only 17 regular season games and wore No. 45 instead of No. 23.

Scott Rafferty

•

Pick a C for post-80s dream team

What if you were tasked with building the perfect team, but with the catch that you didn't know the actual identities of the players you were picking from? We took some of the best players from the last three decades, lined up their stats and removed the names. Up next is the centre position.

Scott Rafferty

•

Pick a PF for post-80s dream team

What if you were tasked with building the perfect team, but with the catch that you didn't know the actual identities of the players you were picking from? We took some of the best players from the last three decades, lined up their stats and removed the names. Up next is the power forward position.

Scott Rafferty

•

Kukoč's game-winner shouldn't be a footnote

Everyone knows of Kukoč's game-winner against the Knicks in Game 3 of the 1994 NBA Playoffs because of how Scottie Pippen reacted to the play not being drawn up for him, which is a shame because it was a big-time shot from a player who became an integral part of Chicago's second three-peat of the decade.

Scott Rafferty

•

Every game-winning buzzer-beater of Jordan's career

Michael Jordan hit nine game-winning buzzer-beaters in his NBA career, which is the most all-time. Let's relive each one of them in chronological order.

Scott Rafferty

•

Pick a SF for post-80s dream team

What if you were tasked with building the perfect team, but with the catch that you didn't know the actual identities of the players you were picking from? We took some of the best players from the last three decades, lined up their stats and removed the names. Up next is the small forward position.

Scott Rafferty

•

Pick a SG for post-80s dream team

What if you were tasked with building the perfect team, but with the catch that you didn't know the actual identities of the players you were picking from? We took some of the best players from the last three decades, lined up their stats and removed the names. Up next is the shooting guard position.

Scott Rafferty

•

Pick a PG for post-80s dream team

What if you were tasked with building the perfect team, but with the catch that you didn't know the actual identities of the players you were picking from? We took some of the best players from the last three decades, lined up their stats and removed the names. Up first is the point guard position. Which player would you want to lead your team?

Scott Rafferty

•

There's more to Paxson's game-winner than meets the eye

John Paxson was the hero of Game 6 of the 1993 NBA Finals, as his 3-pointer in the closing seconds helped the Bulls win their third straight title. However, Paxson's shot was as much about him as it was Jordan even though Jordan didn't get credited for doing anything on the play. Here's why.

Scott Rafferty

•

The best one-on-one scorers right now

Who is the most efficient? Who is the most dominant? Who is the scariest? Let's take a closer look at the league's best one-on-one scorers from the 2019-20 season.

Scott Rafferty

•

Quiz on latest 'Last Dance' episodes

How many All-Star teams did Dennis Rodman make? What year did Phil Jackson join the Bulls? What's one of the "Jordan Rules"? Take this quiz to test your knowledge from the latest episodes of "The Last Dance."

Scott Rafferty

•

What you need to know about the 'Jordan Rules'

Before Jordan won his first championship, the "Bad Boys" Pistons served as his biggest roadblock. They didn't necessarily shut him down, but the Pistons were able to contain Jordan and the Bulls in a way no other team in the league could at the time.

Scott Rafferty

•

Breaking down Jordan's iconic fadeaway

It was the most unstoppable shot by the NBA's most unstoppable scorer. Here's why absolutely nobody had an answer for Michael Jordan's iconic fadeaway jumper.

Scott Rafferty

•

Rodman's dominance in one play

"The Last Dance" takes a closer look this week at Dennis Rodman who might be the greatest rebounder in NBA history despite standing only 6-foot-7. How did he do it? Here's one possession from the 1997-98 season that tells you everything you need to know about his relentless rebounding prowess.

Scott Rafferty

•

Embiid flirts with quadruple-double vs. Lakers

In a 115-109 win over the Lakers, Embiid led the way with a near quadruple-double of 46 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and seven blocks. Based on Game Score, it's the most productive game of his career to date.

Scott Rafferty

•

The incredible defensive versatility of Simmons

There are many ways to measure how valuable a player is defensively. For Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons, his defensive versatility rate does all the talking.

Scott Rafferty

•

The most underappreciated play of Jordan's career

Everyone remembers Michael Jordan's shot over Byron Russell from Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, but that shot wouldn't have been possible had Jordan not made an incredible defensive play only seconds before.

Scott Rafferty

•

How good was Jordan in 1997-98?

It isn't considered to be one of his best seasons, but Michael Jordan was still a force in 1997-98, both in the regular season and playoffs. Ahead of "The Last Dance," let's take a closer look at what he accomplished in his final season with the Bulls.

Scott Rafferty

•

What is the triangle offence?

The Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers ran the triangle during their championship runs in the 1990s and 2000s. What is the offence and what made it so special?

Scott Rafferty

•

Pippen's defensive dominance in one play

In Game 3 of the 1998 Finals, the Bulls held the Jazz to just 54 points, the fewest ever in a Finals game. Perhaps the biggest reason why? Scottie Pippen's incredible defence. This one play showcases the Hall-of-Famer's otherworldly combination of speed, length, size and IQ which made him the perfect sidekick to Michael Jordan.

Scott Rafferty

•

Favourites for HORSE Challenge

Thunder guard Chris Paul, WNBA legend Tamika Catchings and NBA legends Paul Pierce and Chauncey Billups are among the players hoping to upset Young.

Scott Rafferty

•

This season's best HORSE shots

Itching for some NBA shot-making magic? With news that Zach LaVine, Trae Young and Chris Paul are among the player who will participate in the NBA HORSE Challenge, we pored through the archives to find the craziest HORSE shots from this season. Behind the backboard. Off the backboard. 360s. From halfcourt. From the logo. There's something for everyone so join us in reliving the best, most ridiculous shots from 2019-20.

Scott Rafferty

•

What's the deal with Doncic's 3-point shooting?

Doncic doesn't have the reputation of being a bad 3-point shooter, but he's been one of the worst — if not the worst — high volume 3-point shooters in the league this season. Is that a cause for concern for Doncic and the Mavericks or the rest of the league?

Scott Rafferty

•

Why the NBA had no answer for Stockton and Malone

We're taking this week to look at the greatest duos in NBA history on NBA.com. They might not go down as the greatest of all-time, but there aren't many duos as iconic as Stockton and Malone. Not only because they're two of the greatest players of all-time, but because they formed arguably the most feared pick-and-roll combo in league history.

Scott Rafferty

•

Raptors, riddles and the Greek Freak

Kawhi Leonard's defence on the Greek Freak changed last season's Eastern Conference Finals. Would that same scheme work again on Antetokounmpo or has the reigning MVP since figured it out?

Scott Rafferty

•

Highest scoring April Fools' Day performances

James Harden leads the way, followed by Kevin Martin, LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Kemba Walker, but which one had the best April Fools' Day game?

Scott Rafferty

•

Nurse for Coach of the Year?

Who is the front-runner for Coach of the Year to this point of the NBA season? Two members of our NBA.com Staff believe it's Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors, but one disagrees.

Scott Rafferty

•

Why #NBATwitter loves Michael Porter Jr.

The rookie still hasn't cracked Denver's rotation, but we've already caught a glimpse of what he's capable of. If he ever reaches his full potential, the Nuggets might have a superstar on their hands.

Scott Rafferty

•

Jefferson compares Carter to Curry

"What Steph did to the 3pt line you did to dunking," Jefferson wrote about Carter on Instagram. "You pushed every athlete to see what they could do. Spinning opposite way, arm in the rim, and you made the dunk contest cool again."

Scott Rafferty

•

What we learned from third battle for LA

The Lakers and Clippers are ridiculous defensively, guards shouldn't challenge LeBron James at the rim, Paul George can still be the best player on the court and much more.

Scott Rafferty

•

Seven thoughts: Tatum cools off as Celtics fall to Jazz

Mike Conley had one of his best games of the season, leading the Jazz with 25 points on 9-for-16 shooting from the field. Here's what we learned from the game.

Scott Rafferty

•

Report: Nurkic to return next week

Nurkic has yet to play this season after sustaining compound fractures of his left tibia and fibula near the end of last season. Prior to his injury, Nurkic was averaging career-highs of 15.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.

Scott Rafferty

•

Giannis leads the pack in MVP race

Quite a lot has changed since the last time we checked in on the MVP race. The top two is the same, but there's a newcomer in the top-five and Russell Westbrook's emergence has impacted James Harden's MVP chances in a big way.

Scott Rafferty

•

Clippers make statement with impressive Rockets win

Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers to victory once again, this time with 25 points, six rebounds and five assists in 28 minutes of play. He should probably be getting some more MVP love.

Scott Rafferty

•

An impossible question: Luka or Zion?

One of them slings icy daggers and runs subzero under pressure. One of them hammers home ferocious finishes and erupts in a blaze without a moment's notice. Luka Doncic and Zion Williamson couldn't be more different on the floor yet each already has the remarkable ability to impose their will in any game. Even more impressive? The degree to which they've already captured the imaginations of NBA fans everywhere. Their first meeting already has us eagerly anticipating the future.

Scott Rafferty

•

Highest scoring quarters in NBA history

Caris LeVert's 26-point quarter against the Celtics was impressive, but he needed a few more to make the history books.

Scott Rafferty

•

LeVert explodes for 51 in wild win

"That 50 was beautiful, Vert. Thank you for that masterpiece," Kevin Durant tweeted after the game.

Scott Rafferty

•

Hornets shock Raptors in Powell's return

After missing nine straight games with a fractured finger, Powell scored 22 points in 36 minutes of action. It wasn't enough, however, as the Raptors fell to the Hornets.

Scott Rafferty

•

The most accomplished 21-year-old in basketball history?

Whether it's how many points he's scored or how many triple-doubles he's racked up, there aren't many players in NBA history who have done as much as the Slovenian guard before their 21st birthday. Throw in the smashing success overseas and he might just be the most accomplished 21-year-old in the history of the sport.

Scott Rafferty

•

The underappreciated beauty of Jokic's game

Is Jokic the most underappreciated player in the NBA right now? One recent play against the two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year shows why Jokic's combination of size, skill and IQ makes him a threat unlike anyone else in the entire league.

Scott Rafferty

•

Doncic ties Kidd in Mavs record books

There's a huge gap between Doncic and Kidd at the top. Michael Finley has the third-most triple-doubles in Mavericks history with six, followed by Dirk Nowitzki, Mark Aguirre, Dennis Smith and Antoine Walker.

Scott Rafferty

•

Embiid leaves with shoulder sprain

Embiid has been Philadelphia's leading scorer this season 23.8 points per game. He's also leading the team in rebounding (12.0) and blocks (1.4).

Scott Rafferty

•

The genius of Wade in one play

If you could pick just one play to articulate D-Wade's greatness, what would it be? Here's one under-the-radar example of what makes Wade one of the greatest shooting guards of all-time and why his jersey is set to hang forever from the rafters in Miami.

Scott Rafferty

•

The Bucks are unstoppable... or are they?

They might win 70 games. They might finish with the best scoring margin in NBA history. They have a 25-year-old reigning MVP who is likely going to win it again. So why aren't the Bucks prohibitive favourites to win it all?

Scott Rafferty

•

Simmons among biggest risers in best players list

For the third time this season, our NBA.com Global Staff joined forces to rank the best players in the league. Ben Simmons is among the biggest risers this time, going from being ranked 25th to 15th.

Scott Rafferty

•

Jackson plans to sign with Clippers, reports say

Jackson has dealt with injuries this season, resulting in him playing in only 14 games, but he gives the Clippers another playmaker off the bench if he can remain healthy.

Scott Rafferty

•

The key to Tatum's All-Star rise

The knock on Tatum coming into this season was his shot selection. It's clearly something he took to heart because he's completely changed his shot profile for the better.

Scott Rafferty

•

Zion is more than just a dunker

As much attention as Williamson gets for his high-flying dunks, he's starting to show that there's a lot more to his game. Case in point? In addition to setting a new career-high with 31 points against the Blazers this week, he tied his career-high with five assists.

Scott Rafferty

•

NBA announces Lillard replacement

Booker is averaging 26.4 points, 6.3 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game on 49.6 percent shooting from the field and 35.8 percent from 3-point range this season.

Scott Rafferty

•

Siakam's superstar growth in one play

Siakam had it rolling in Toronto's win over Minnesota on Tuesday, scoring 34 points on 6-for-8 shooting from 3-point range. One of those 3-pointers showed how much he has grown as both a shooter and playmaker this season.

Scott Rafferty

•

Notable players being bought out or waived

Isaiah Thomas, Darren Collison and Marvin Williams are among the players reportedly available on the buyout and free agency market now that the trade deadline has come and gone.

Scott Rafferty

•

Why Clippers adding Morris could swing LA battle

Marcus Morris is having a career year with an average of 19.6 points per game, but it's what he's capable of doing on the other end of the floor that could give the Clippers the edge over the Lakers in a series.

Scott Rafferty

•

Can Warriors unlock Wiggins' full potential?

The Warriors made one of the biggest moves at the trade deadline in acquiring Andrew Wiggins from the Timberwolves for D'Angelo Russell. Did the Warriors make a mistake or is there a path towards Wiggins becoming the missing piece of their revival?

Scott Rafferty

•

Analysis of the biggest trade deadline deals

The 2020 NBA Trade Deadline has come and gone. Here is some instant analysis on the day's biggest reported deals.

Scott Rafferty

•

Players react to the trade deadline

"Wig about to thrive in golden state," Zach LaVine tweeted after news broke that the Warriors are acquiring Andrew Wiggins. "That’s a great fit."

Scott Rafferty

•

Report: Knicks to hire Rose as next president

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Tuesday that the Knicks were parting ways with team president Steve Mills.

Scott Rafferty

•

Raptors set franchise record with thrilling win

The Raptors have now won 12 straight games, setting a new franchise record. Here are some quick thoughts from a wild game.

Scott Rafferty

•

NBA players react to reported Iguodala trade

Dwyane Wade, CJ McCollum and Jared Dudley are among those who took to Twitter to react to the report that the Grizzlies have traded Iguodala to the Heat.

Scott Rafferty

•

Report: Heat acquire Iguodala

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski added that Iguodala has agreed to a two-year, $30 million extension with the Heat.

Scott Rafferty

•

All-Star Mock Draft

Two of our writers drafted for Team LeBron and Team Giannis and we have to say ... one can only hope the actual All-Star teams are this crazy.

Scott Rafferty

•

Report: Knicks parting ways with team president

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news that the Knicks are reportedly parting ways with team president Steve Mills, adding that the franchise has Raptors president Masai Ujiri in mind to "ultimately oversee New York’s operations." Ujiri is under contract with the Raptors through 2020-21.

Scott Rafferty

•

Trade destinations for Capela

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets are "actively discussing" trade scenarios involving Capela ahead of the trade deadline. Which teams make sense for the 25-year-old?

Scott Rafferty

•

The ridiculousness of Zion

Williamson is averaging 27.6 points and 11.2 rebounds per 36 minutes through five games in his NBA career. The hype is real, folks.

Scott Rafferty

•

Nurse to coach Team Giannis

Nurse joins Dwane Casey as the only head coaches in franchise history to represent the Raptors at the All-Star Game.

Scott Rafferty

•

Seven thoughts: Siakam dominates as Raptors win 10th straight

Siakam came out on fire and finished with a game-high 30 points to lead the Raptors to their 10th straight victory. Here are some thoughts from the game.

Scott Rafferty

•

Report: Dinwiddie changing number for Kobe

Bryant is "by far" Dinwiddie's favourite player of all time, prompting the Nets guard to change his jersey number from 8 to 26 following the 18-time All-Star's shocking death.

Scott Rafferty

•

The key to LeBron's climb up the scoring list

When LeBron James first came into the league, his jump shot was seen as his greatest weakness. It took him a while to turn it into a strength, but it helped him reach his peak and prolong his career, to the point where he's still among the league's leading scorers at age 35.

Scott Rafferty

•

Siakam shines as Raptors record sixth straight

One day after being named an All-Star for the first time in his career, Pascal Siakam stepped up with 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists to help the Raptors record their sixth straight win.

Scott Rafferty

•

Report: Mavericks trade for Cauley-Stein

Cauley-Stein is averaging 7.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game so far this season. He has the potential to complement Luka Doncic well on offence as a screener and roller.

Scott Rafferty

•

Zion already has superstar-like gravity

Even before he went off in the fourth quarter of his debut on Thursday, Zion Williamson showed signs of his superstar potential in more subtle ways. Here is one example.

Scott Rafferty

•

The genius of Toronto's D in one possession

There was one possession in Toronto's win over Philadelphia that showed how the Raptors have been able to build the second-best defence in the league despite losing two elite defenders in Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green in the offseason.

Scott Rafferty

•

Are you ready for Zion's debut?

Zion Williamson is finally ready to make his long-awaited regular season debut. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft stole the show in preseason with 23.3 points per game on 71 percent shooting from the field. But how sustainable is that four game showing, especially after undergoing surgery on his knee?

Scott Rafferty

•

Powell catches fire in comeback win over Hawks

It wasn't pretty, but thanks to a huge fourth quarter from Norman Powell, the Raptors came back to defeat the Hawks on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Here are some takeaways from the game.

Scott Rafferty

•

Which players are reportedly available for trade?

This season's trade deadline is quickly approaching. Here are some of the players who are reportedly available ahead of Feb. 7.

Scott Rafferty

•

VanVleet helps Raptors overcome Wiggins triple-double

Fred VanVleet returned following a five-game absence to score a game-high 29 points on 7-for-8 shooting from 3-point range. He helped the Raptors overcome a triple-double from Andrew Wiggins, the first of his career.

Scott Rafferty

•

Nurse: Gasol has 'a little bounce back'

Gasol set a new season-high with 20 points in Toronto's win over Washington. The big man did so while draining six of his seven 3-point attempts.

Scott Rafferty

•

Gasol turns back the clock in commanding win

Marc Gasol stole the show in Toronto's 140-111 win over Washington by setting a season-high with 20 points and tying his career-high with six made 3-pointers.

Scott Rafferty

•

Takeaways from third fan vote returns

Ben Simmons remains in eighth place among Eastern Conference guards, but Joel Embiid no longer has the second-most votes among frontcourt players in the Eastern Conference.

Scott Rafferty

•

Doncic's absurd vision in one possession

Doncic dished out a career-best 17 assists against the Kings on Thursday. One of those assists serves as a perfect example of his other-worldly vision.

Scott Rafferty

•

Report: Ball's season is over

Ball played in 12 games with averages of 17.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists in 31.0 minutes.

Scott Rafferty

•

DeRozan joins Robinson in Spurs record books

DeRozan has now scored 25-plus points on 50 percent shooting in seven straight games, tying him with David Robinson for the longest such streak in franchise history. To say he's been on a roll lately would be an understatement.

Scott Rafferty

•

The secret to CP3's resurgence

Last season appeared to be the start of a sharp decline for Chris Paul, but the nine-time All-Star is back to his Point God ways. Here's how he's been able to do it.

Scott Rafferty

•

Morant continues to prove doubters wrong

The biggest criticism of Morant coming into the NBA? His jump shot. It's still early in his career, but his biggest weakness is quickly turning into a strength — something the Rockets learned the hard way.

Scott Rafferty

•

Jazz inch closer to franchise record

Having won 10 straight games, the Jazz are now five wins away from tying the longest streak in franchise history. What are the odds of them breaking that record?

Scott Rafferty

•

Kyrie to return today vs. Hawks

Irving has been sidelined since Nov. 17 with a right shoulder impingement. Prior to the injury, he was averaging career-highs of 28.5 points, 7.2 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game.

Scott Rafferty

•

Harden makes history with 20,000th point

Harden scored the 20,000th career point of his career in the first half of Houston's matchup with Minnesota. Only six players have reached that figure at a younger age.

Scott Rafferty

•

Morant puts star potential on display in win

DeMar DeRozan continued his strong play with 36 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, but Ja Morant's 22-point, 14-assist double-double powered the Grizzlies to victory.

Scott Rafferty

•

What has and hasn't changed in second fan vote returns

Ben Simmons remains in the top-10 in voting among Eastern Conference guards, but Kyle Lowry's rise has knocked him down a couple of spots.

Scott Rafferty

•

Is Houston's Westbrook gamble paying off?

The Rockets took a gamble in the offseason when they traded Chris Paul for Russell Westbrook. How is the gamble paying off? It's early, but Westbrook is taking the steps needed to make his latest partnership with James Harden work.

Scott Rafferty

•

Who should start in the All-Star Game?

Can Pascal Siakam hold off Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler? Could Ben Simmons snag a guard spot? There's plenty to debate in race to see who will start in the All-Star Game. Here's how one member of our NBA.com staff filled out his ballot.

Scott Rafferty

•

Oladipo targeting end of January for return

Oladipo has been sidelined since Jan. 23, 2019 with a ruptured quad tendon. He said that his return is going to be a "very, very emotional night."

Scott Rafferty

•

Griffin undergoes knee procedure

Griffin has appeared in only 18 games this season. He's averaging 15.5 points and 4.7 rebounds on 35.2 percent shooting from the field, all of which are the lowest marks of his career.

Scott Rafferty

•

Trade destinations for Drummond

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pistons have talked to several teams about trading Andre Drummond ahead of this season's trade deadline. Which teams make the most sense for the two-time All-Star?

Scott Rafferty

•

Takeaways from the first fan vote returns

Luka Doncic is the league's leading vote-getter while Ben Simmons ranks sixth among guards in the Eastern Conference.

Scott Rafferty

•

Seven thoughts from a dominant Raptors win

The month of December has been a struggle for OG Anunoby, but he got back on track in Toronto's win over Cleveland with 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Scott Rafferty

•

Report: Zion could make debut in January

The Pelicans announced on Oct. 21 that Williamson underwent arthroscopic surgery to address a torn right lateral meniscus. The original timetable for his return was estimated to be six-to-eight weeks.

Scott Rafferty

•

Siakam, Gasol, Powell still 'a ways away'

Nurse provided an update of sorts prior to the team's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on New Year's Eve. Siakam, Gasol and Powell each suffered injuries in Toronto's win over Detroit on Dec. 18.

Scott Rafferty

•

Which teams should trade for Dedmon?

Dedmon has confirmed that he would like to be traded from the Kings. Which teams make the most sense for the 30-year-old centre?

Scott Rafferty

•

Eight thoughts from an impressive Raptors win

Kyle Lowry stole the show with 30 points in Toronto's win over Boston, but the Raptors had a number of players step up in the victory, including Oshae Brissett, who has spent most of this season in the G League with the Raptors 905.

Scott Rafferty

•

The decisive factors in Lakers-Clippers

Who will guard LeBron James? Will the Lakers go big when the Clippers go small? What does Paul George's return mean? Here are the biggest storylines going into the Christmas Day matchup between the Clippers and Lakers.

Scott Rafferty

•

Harden makes history with another 40-point game

The only players in NBA history with more 40-point games than Harden are Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain.

Scott Rafferty

•

Dinwiddie adds to All-Star case

The Nets are now 12-6 this season in games Spencer Dinwiddie has started at point guard. His averages in those games? 26.1 points, 7.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds.

Scott Rafferty

•

Love reacts to Morant's epic dunk attempt

In jumping over Kevin Love, many were quick to compare Morant's attempt to Vince Carter's iconic dunk over Frederic Weis. Fortunately for Love, Morant's dunk didn't end in the same way Carter's did.

Scott Rafferty

•

Nine thoughts from a thrilling Raptors win

Without Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell and Marc Gasol, the Raptors held off Bradley Bradley Beal and the Wizards thanks to a team performance that saw six players score in double figures.

Scott Rafferty

•

Trade destinations for Jrue Holiday

According to Marc Stein of The New York Times, Holiday is no longer untouchable. Which teams make sense for the one-time All-Star?

Scott Rafferty

•

Checking in on the wild MVP race

Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, James Harden and Luka Doncic are each having historic seasons, but which one would be the league's MVP if the season were to end today?

Scott Rafferty

•

LeBron has brought Cavs' playbook to Lakers

The 3-pointer Anthony Davis hit late in the Lakers' win over the Heat? It came on a set former Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue used to run for LeBron James and Kevin Love when they were teammates in Cleveland. Here's why it's so effective.

Scott Rafferty

•

Why today is an important date

This season's trade deadline is still a couple of months away, but there's a reason why you might start hearing more trade rumours starting next week.

Scott Rafferty

•

Streaking Bucks have real shot at history

The Bucks have now won 18 games in a row. How long can they keep this streak alive? The Mavericks, Lakers, Pacers and 76ers will have a big say in it in the coming weeks.

Scott Rafferty

•

Harden drops 50 — again

Harden followed up his 55-point performance against the Cavaliers with a 54-point outburst against the Magic. He's now averaging 39.3 points per game on the season.

Scott Rafferty

•

Kawhi talks decision to leave Raptors

In leaving the Raptors for the Clippers in the offseason, Kawhi Leonard made history by becoming the first player in NBA history to join a new team in free agency after winning Finals MVP.

Scott Rafferty

•

Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Game Preview, TV channel, start time

Toronto held Joel Embiid scoreless in the first meeting between the two teams this season. Will Marc Gasol and the Raptors continue to be his kryptonite or will the two-time All-Star finally crack the code?

Scott Rafferty

•

Which teams should trade for Love?

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cavaliers are ready to listen to trade offers for Kevin Love. Which teams make sense for the five-time All-Star?

Scott Rafferty

•

Butler spoils Lowry's return

It was a tough game for Toronto's stars, as Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry combined to score 46 points on 12-for-48 shooting from the field.

Scott Rafferty

•

Will defensive-minded Jazz end Raptors streak?

Following their win over the Magic, the Raptors are now sole owners of the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. The Jazz enter Monday's contest having split their last eight games.

Scott Rafferty

•

Embiid after scoreless game: 'I can’t have this type of production'

For the first time in his NBA career, Joel Embiid failed to score a single point. The Raptors held the two-time All-Star scoreless on 0-for-11 shooting from the field.

Scott Rafferty

•

VanVleet, Siakam combine for 49 points in Raptors win

Fred VanVleet set the tone for the Raptors with 24 points and eight assists in their win over the 76ers.

Scott Rafferty

•

Doncic can get even better. Here's how.

There's one thing that Luka Doncic already does better than almost everyone. The catch? He rarely does it. This is the secret to the second-year star taking the next step on his pathway to superstardom.

Scott Rafferty

•

NBA players react to LaVine's historic game

LaVine scored a career-high 49 points in a win over the Charlotte Hornets, doing so on 13-for-17 shooting from 3-point range.

Scott Rafferty

•

Siakam shines in comeback win over Hawks

Siakam scored 22 of his 34 points in the second half to lead the Raptors in a comeback win over the Hawks. Trae Young recorded a 30-point triple-double in the loss.

Scott Rafferty

•

League Pass Game of the Day: Butler returns to Philly

Short-lived as Butler's time with the 76ers was, he helped the franchise push the Raptors to seven games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. On Sunday, he returns to Philadelphia for the first time since joining the Miami Heat.

Scott Rafferty

•

Walker released from hospital

Walker is leading the Celtics in scoring this season with 22.6 points per game. He also ranks second on the team with 4.8 assists per game.

Scott Rafferty

•

Davis hitting 3s is a scary sign

Davis hasn't been an efficient 3-point shooter in his NBA career, but he went 4-for-7 from the perimeter in the Lakers' win over the Thunder. If that's a sign of what's to come, watch out.

Scott Rafferty

•

Report: Vucevic (ankle) out four weeks

Vucevic suffered a right ankle injury in Orlando's loss to the Raptors. The one-time All-Star is averaging 17.1 points and 11.6 rebounds on the season.

Scott Rafferty

•

Injury update on D'Angelo Russell

Russell suffered the injury in Golden State's loss to Boston on Saturday. The Warriors are now down to nine healthy players, ESPN's Bobby Marks tweeted.

Scott Rafferty

•

Lillard 'all for' Blazers signing Melo

The Blazers are 4-8 and have lost a couple of key players to injuries, most notably starting power forward Zach Collins. Can Carmelo Anthony get them back on track?

Scott Rafferty

•

George on debut: 'I thought I was terrible'

George scored a team-high 33 points on 10-for-17 shooting from the field, but he committed four turnovers in the fourth quarter when the game was still within reach.

Scott Rafferty

•

Report: Middleton to miss extended time

Middleton suffered the injury in the third quarter of Milwaukee's win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday.

Scott Rafferty

•

What PG13's return means for the Clippers

They're arguably the best team in the NBA and they're about to add a MVP and Defensive Player of the Year finalist. Here's an in-depth look at how Paul George could fit in alongside Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers.

Scott Rafferty

•

George ruled out vs. Raptors

Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said earlier in the weekend that it was a possibility that Paul George would make his debut against the Raptors, but he's since been ruled out for Tuesday's game.

Scott Rafferty

•

Injury update on Kyle Lowry

The team announced that Lowry sustained a "fracture of the distal phalanx of his left thumb" in Toronto's win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Scott Rafferty

•

Is Wiggins starting to figure it out?

Wiggins dished out a season-high seven assists in Minnesota's win over Golden State on Saturday, but there was one particular pass he made that didn't end in an assist that stood out because of what it means for his long-term development.

Scott Rafferty

•

LeBron makes history with another 20-point game

LeBron James joins Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players in NBA history with 1,000 career 20-point games in the regular season.

Scott Rafferty

•

The secret to Dwight's resurgence

Howard's day of being an All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year candidate might be over, but the 33-year-old is showing clear signs of buying into his new role, and it is propelling the Lakers to new heights.

Scott Rafferty

•

Carmelo '2000 percent' sure he still wants to play

Anthony hasn't played in the NBA since Nov. 9, 2018, when he made his return to Oklahoma City as a member of the Houston Rockets.

Scott Rafferty

•

Breaking down Doncic's LeBron-like vision

LeBron James and Luka Doncic took part in a mesmerizing duel last weekend. But prior to that jaw-dropping matchup, one play in particular stands out for why many compare Doncic's otherworldly vision to that of the four-time MVP.

Scott Rafferty

•

Anunoby, Siakam come up big in Raptors win

The two forwards combined for 41 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists, three blocks and two steals in a 124-120 win over the Sacramento Kings.

Scott Rafferty

•

Report: George to make Clippers debut soon

George has yet to suit up for the Clippers after undergoing two should procedures in the offseason.

Scott Rafferty

•

6 stats from Doncic's historic triple-double

After going off for 31 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds in a loss to the Lakers, Doncic led the Mavericks to victory over the Cavaliers with 29 points, 15 assists and 14 rebounds. He made some history in the process.

Scott Rafferty

•

LeBron, Dwight shine in Lakers win

James got some help from Dwight Howard, who provided a big boost off the bench with a double-double in only 20 minutes of play.

Scott Rafferty

•

LeBron passes Kobe on all-time steals list

The only active player with more steals in their NBA career than LeBron James is Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul.

Scott Rafferty

•

Curry out at least three months

A return in the first week of February means the injury could cost Stephen Curry close to 50 games.

Scott Rafferty

•

Players react to Curry's injury

The Golden State Warriors announced that Curry suffered a broken left hand in Wednesday's loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Scott Rafferty

•

Siakam puts superstar potential on display in big win

Pascal Siakam's fingerprints were all over the third quarter, when he scored 19 of his game-high 30 points. He did it in every which way.

Scott Rafferty

•

Ranking the best centres in the NBA

Is Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic at No. 1? Did Al Horford crack the top 5? Who just missed out? Our NBA.com Staff ranks the best centres in the NBA entering the 2019-20 season.

Scott Rafferty

•

Westbrook passes Magic in history books

Russell Westbrook now has 139 triple-doubles in his NBA career, the second-most all-time.

Scott Rafferty

•

Anunoby shines in big Raptors win

Anunoby was Toronto's leading scorer through three quarters of play against Chicago. He finished with 17 points, six rebounds and four blocks in 25 minutes of play.

Scott Rafferty

•

Siakam agrees to max extension with Raptors

Pascal Siakam is coming off of a breakout season with the Toronto Raptors that saw him average 16.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

Scott Rafferty

•

Report: Zion out a 'period of weeks' with knee injury

Williamson had a spectacular preseason with the Pelicans, in which he averaged 23.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He's considered to be the runaway favourite to win Rookie of the Year this season.

Scott Rafferty

•

Report: Beal commits to Wizards

Beal is coming off of the best season of his young career, posting averages of 25.6 points, 5.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game while leading the league in minutes played.

Scott Rafferty

•

What to make of Zion's first week

Zion Williamson has now played in four preseason games with the New Orleans Pelicans. He's dominated the competition to the tune of 23.3 points per game on 71.4 percent shooting from the field, but is it at all sustainable?

Scott Rafferty

•

Davis leaves preseason game with thumb injury

Davis will reportedly get his thumb tested when the Lakers return to Los Angeles on Sunday.

Scott Rafferty

•

Will the Clippers win it all?

The Clippers assembled a title contender this summer, but their success in 2019-20 hinges on Kawhi Leonard and Paul George being the players they were last season.

Scott Rafferty

•

How much can the Magic improve?

The Magic didn't make any significant changes to their roster this offseason, but they still have a number of young players primed to breakout in Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac, Mo Bamba and Markelle Fultz, plus one-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic. Can they build off of last season or are they destined for another first-round exit?

Scott Rafferty

•

76ers head coach thinks Simmons can be the best defensive player in the NBA

Simmons received only two votes for the All-Defensive Second Team last season, but he's proven to be one of the more versatile defenders in the league.

Scott Rafferty

•

Ranking the best small forwards in the NBA

Kawhi Leonard. LeBron James. Paul George. Jimmy Butler. Luka Doncic. Jayson Tatum. The NBA's small forward position is in good shape entering the 2019-20 season.

Scott Rafferty

•

Will Rockets reach new heights with Westbrook?

The Rockets made a bold move this offseason in trading Chris Paul for Russell Westbrook. Will it pay off?

Scott Rafferty

•

Best quotes from Ben Simmons at 76ers media day

Simmons covered a lot of ground at Philadelphia's media day, from his personal goals this season, the defensive potential of the new-look 76ers and — yes — his intentions to shoot more 3-pointers.

Scott Rafferty

•

Harden interested in playing in 2020 Olympics

Harden joins a growing list of NBA All-Stars interested in representing Team USA at the 2020 Olympics.

Scott Rafferty

•

Trade destinations for Iguodala

The Grizzlies are reportedly exploring trades for Andre Iguodala. Which teams should be interested in the three-time NBA champion?

Scott Rafferty

•

The scariest pick-and-roll duo in the NBA

What happens when the single-most versatile offensive player in NBA history becomes teammates with the single-most versatile big man in today's game? The presence of AD could unleash LeBron as a pick-and-roll puppet master the likes of which we've never seen.

Scott Rafferty

•

Nets aren't expecting Durant to play this season

There was a rumour this week that Durant could return from tearing his Achilles this season as opposed to next season. Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks pushed back on it in a news conference on Tuesday.

Scott Rafferty

•

Can Griffin lead the Pistons to the playoffs again?

The Pistons aren't projected to make the playoffs next season, but Blake Griffin proved in his first full season in Detroit that any team with him leading the way shouldn't be counted out.

Scott Rafferty

•

What Australia needs to do to beat France

Australia has already beaten France once this tournament. If the Boomers can do it again on Sunday, they'll win their first medal in international competition.

Scott Rafferty

•

Team USA finishes in 7th place

Team USA took down Poland to finish in 7th place and Serbia outlasted the Czech Republic to finish in 5th.

Scott Rafferty

•

Shaun Livingston announces retirement

Livingston retires as a three-time NBA champion.

Scott Rafferty

•

Semi-finals scores and highlights

Spain and Australia went into double overtime while Luis Scola propelled Argentina to victory with another monster double-double.

Scott Rafferty

•

The best offseason move nobody is talking about

Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Paul George, Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Jimmy Butler, Al Horford, Mike Conley... and Jerami Grant? The newest Nugget is neither flashy nor a household name. But he could wind up just as impactful, the missing piece for a Nuggets team on the verge of legitimate title contention.

Scott Rafferty

•

USA suffers second straight loss

The USA, Serbia, Czech Republic and Poland will be back in action on Saturday to determine which teams will finish the tournament ranked 5-8.

Scott Rafferty

•

Day 2 recap of World Cup

Canada, Australia, USA, Greece and Lithuania all made their 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup debut on Day 2 of the tournament.

Scott Rafferty

•

Day 1 recap of World Cup

The first day of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup was headlined by Nikola Jokic and Bogdan Bogdanovic suiting up for Serbia and a wild finish between Puerto Rico and Iran.

Scott Rafferty

•

Report: Eric Gordon agrees to $75.6 million extension

Gordon was set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2020.

Scott Rafferty

•

Canada announces final World Cup roster

Despite not being with the team in Australia, Cory Joseph is one of the 12 players on the final roster for the upcoming World Cup.

Scott Rafferty

•

Lin signs with CBA's Beijing Ducks

Lin split the 2018-19 season in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors. He averaged 9.6 points, 3.1 assists and 2.4 rebounds over 74 regular season games with the two teams.

Scott Rafferty

•

How does Howard fit with the Lakers?

With DeMarcus Cousins likely to miss all of next season with a torn ACL, the Lakers have reportedly signed Dwight Howard to a non-guaranteed deal. How does the eight-time All-Star fit in Los Angeles?

Scott Rafferty

•

Report: Lakers to work out Noah, Howard, Speights

The Lakers are also considering veteran centre Marcin Gotat, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

Scott Rafferty

•
Newer Latest News Older