INSIDER
Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever win 1st game of season, beat LA Sparks 78-73 in front of 19,103
Read full article: Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever win 1st game of season, beat LA Sparks 78-73 in front of 19,103Caitlin Clark had 11 points and 10 rebounds for her first WNBA double-double and the Indiana Fever beat the Los Angeles Sparks 78-73 to snap a season-opening five-game skid in front of a Sparks record crowd of 19,103 sprinkled with celebrities.
The Heat are headed to Boston after ousting the Bulls 112-91 in East play-in finale
Read full article: The Heat are headed to Boston after ousting the Bulls 112-91 in East play-in finaleTyler Herro scored 24 points and was an assist shy of a triple-double, rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 21 points and the Miami Heat grabbed the last spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, running away from the Chicago Bulls 112-91 in a play-in tournament elimination game.
Brunson carries Knicks into No. 2 seed in Eastern Conference, scores 40 points in OT win over Bulls
Read full article: Brunson carries Knicks into No. 2 seed in Eastern Conference, scores 40 points in OT win over BullsJalen Brunson capped one of the best regular seasons in franchise history with his 11th 40-point game, carrying the New York Knicks into the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 120-119 overtime victory over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.
DeRozan delivers in final minute, Curry goes down as Bulls beat Warriors 125-122
Read full article: DeRozan delivers in final minute, Curry goes down as Bulls beat Warriors 125-122DeMar DeRozan converted a three-point play with 26 seconds left after hitting a key jumper at the 43-second mark on his way to 33 points, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Golden State Warriors 125-122 after Stephen Curry limped off and went to the locker room in the closing minutes.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has 46 points, 16 rebounds in Bucks' 113-97 victory over Bulls
Read full article: Giannis Antetokounmpo has 46 points, 16 rebounds in Bucks' 113-97 victory over BullsGiannis Antetokounmpo dominated with 46 points and 16 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Chicago Bulls 113-97 on Friday night.
Joel Embiid returns with seventh career triple-double in 76ers' rout of Chicago Bulls
Read full article: Joel Embiid returns with seventh career triple-double in 76ers' rout of Chicago BullsJoel Embiid had 31 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in his return from a sprained right ankle and Tyrese Maxey scored 21 points to lead the Philadelphia 76ers past the Chicago Bulls 110-97 on Tuesday night.
NBA gets help from 'Sopranos' actor to promote in-season tournament
Read full article: NBA gets help from 'Sopranos' actor to promote in-season tournamentThe NBA enlisted an actor from โThe Sopranosโ and borrowed the central theme of the film โOceanโs Eleven," that being a Las Vegas heist, to hype the inaugural In-Season Tournament that begins Nov. 3.
Heat eliminate Bulls 102-91, will face Bucks in Round 1
Read full article: Heat eliminate Bulls 102-91, will face Bucks in Round 1Max Strus and Jimmy Butler scored 31 points apiece, and the Miami Heat got into the playoffs by rallying in the final minutes to beat the Chicago Bulls 102-91 in an Eastern Conference play-in game Friday night.
LaVine scores 39, Bulls beat Raptors 109-105 in play-in game
Read full article: LaVine scores 39, Bulls beat Raptors 109-105 in play-in gameZach LaVine scored 39 points, DeMar DeRozan had 23 against his former team and the Chicago Bulls overcame a 19-point deficit to beat the Toronto Raptors 109-105 in a play-in tournament game.
Bulls spoil LeBron's return with 118-108 win over Lakers
Read full article: Bulls spoil LeBron's return with 118-108 win over LakersLeBron James scored 19 points off the bench in his return from a monthlong injury absence, but Zach LaVine scored 32 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 118-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
LaVine scores 30, Bulls defeat Pistons 126-108 in Paris
Read full article: LaVine scores 30, Bulls defeat Pistons 126-108 in ParisWith Victor Wembanyama sitting courtside and watching some of the players heโll go up against next season, Zach LaVine scored 30 points and the Chicago Bulls never trailed in a 126-108 win over the Detroit Pistons at the NBA Paris Game.
Devin Booker scores 51 points in 3 quarters, Suns rout Bulls
Read full article: Devin Booker scores 51 points in 3 quarters, Suns rout BullsDevin Booker scored a season-high 51 points in just three quarters, Deandre Ayton had 30 points and 14 rebounds and the Phoenix Suns stretched their winning streak to six games with a 132-113 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.
Bucks rout Bulls 116-100 in Game 5, advance to face Celtics
Read full article: Bucks rout Bulls 116-100 in Game 5, advance to face CelticsGiannis Antetokounmpo had 33 points and nine rebounds and the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks routed the Chicago Bulls 116-100 on Wednesday night to finish off the first-round series in five games.
Allen scores 27, Bucks beat Bulls 119-95 to take 3-1 lead
Read full article: Allen scores 27, Bucks beat Bulls 119-95 to take 3-1 leadGrayson Allen set playoff career highs with 27 points and six 3-pointers, Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 17 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Chicago Bulls 119-95 to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round series.
Bucks rout Bulls 111-81, take 2-1 lead without Middleton
Read full article: Bucks rout Bulls 111-81, take 2-1 lead without MiddletonGrayson Allen made five 3-pointers and scored 22 points and the Milwaukee Bucks dominated the Chicago Bulls 111-81 on Friday night to take a 2-1 lead in the first-round playoff series without the injured Khris Middleton.
Bucks' Middleton out at least 2 weeks with knee injury
Read full article: Bucks' Middleton out at least 2 weeks with knee injuryMilwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is expected to miss at least two weeks after injuring his left knee Wednesday night in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series with the Chicago Bulls.
DeRozan scores 41 as Bulls beat Bucks 114-110 to tie series
Read full article: DeRozan scores 41 as Bulls beat Bucks 114-110 to tie seriesDeMar DeRozan scored 41 points for his career playoff high and the Chicago Bulls outlasted the Milwaukee Bucks 114-110 on Wednesday to tie their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at a game apiece.
Bucks bounce back after blowing big lead to beat Bulls 93-86
Read full article: Bucks bounce back after blowing big lead to beat Bulls 93-86Giannis Antetokounmpo had 27 points and 16 rebounds and the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks recovered after blowing a 16-point lead to beat the Chicago Bulls 93-86 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series Sunday.
Lopez scores 28, Bucks beat Bulls 127-106 to clinch Central
Read full article: Lopez scores 28, Bucks beat Bulls 127-106 to clinch CentralBrook Lopez scored a season-high 28 points and the Milwaukee Bucks overcame a rather quiet performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo to clinch their fourth straight Central Division championship with a 127-106 victory over the Chicago Bulls.
Suns rout Bulls, move closer to wrapping up top spot in NBA
Read full article: Suns rout Bulls, move closer to wrapping up top spot in NBADevin Booker scored 28 points and the Phoenix Suns moved closer to wrapping up the NBAโs best regular-season record, routing the Chicago Bulls 129-102 on Friday night.
Embiid has 43 points, 14 rebounds; 76ers thump Bulls 121-106
Read full article: Embiid has 43 points, 14 rebounds; 76ers thump Bulls 121-106Joel Embiid had 43 points and 14 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Chicago Bulls 121-106 in a showdown between two of the Eastern Conferenceโs top teams headed in opposite directions.
Joel Embiid scores 40 points, 76ers hold off DeRozan, Bulls
Read full article: Joel Embiid scores 40 points, 76ers hold off DeRozan, BullsJoel Embiid dominated with 40 points and 10 rebounds and the Philadelphia 76ers overcame DeMar DeRozanโs season-high, 45-point game for Chicago to beat the Bulls 119-108 on Sunday.
Durant, Harden lead Nets to 138-112 romp over Bulls
Read full article: Durant, Harden lead Nets to 138-112 romp over BullsKevin Durant scored 27 points, James Harden added 25 points and season-high 16 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets rolled to an easy win over Chicago, beating the Bulls 138-112 in a matchup between the Eastern Conferenceโs top two teams.
DeRozan leads Bulls over Lakers 115-110 in team's return
Read full article: DeRozan leads Bulls over Lakers 115-110 in team's returnDeMar DeRozan scored 38 points after missing two weeks in the NBAโs health and safety protocols to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 115-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Rockets beat Bulls 118-113 to end 15-game losing streak
Read full article: Rockets beat Bulls 118-113 to end 15-game losing streakDanuel House Jr. had 18 points, Christian Wood added 16 points and 10 rebounds and the Houston Rockets ended their losing streak at 15, beating the Chicago Bulls 118-113 on Wednesday night.
Grizzlies end Spurs' season, advance to face Warriors
Read full article: Grizzlies end Spurs' season, advance to face WarriorsDillon Brooks scored eight of his 24 points in the fourth quarter to help put Memphis ahead to stay and the Grizzlies eliminated the San Antonio Spurs 100-96 on Wednesday night in the first Western Conference play-in game.
Burks scores 30, rallies Knicks past Spurs, 102-98
Read full article: Burks scores 30, rallies Knicks past Spurs, 102-98Alec Burks scored a season-high 30 points in his return from a three-game absence and the New York Knicks kept up their chase of home-court advantage in the playoffs by rallying to beat the San Antonio Spurs 102-98.
Spurs' record-setting 1st half ends Bucks' streak, 146-125
Read full article: Spurs' record-setting 1st half ends Bucks' streak, 146-125DeMar DeRozan had 23 points and the San Antonio Spurs set a franchise record for points in the first half while rolling to a 146-125 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Celtics rally from 32-point deficit, top Spurs 143-140 in OT
Read full article: Celtics rally from 32-point deficit, top Spurs 143-140 in OTJaylen Brown hit a 3-pointer with 16.7 seconds remaining in overtime, Jayson Tatum scored a career-high 60 points and the Boston Celtics rallied from a 32-point deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 143-140.
Jokic leads Nuggets to 8th straight win by beating Spurs
Read full article: Jokic leads Nuggets to 8th straight win by beating SpursNikola Jokic had 26 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds, and the Denver Nuggets held off the San Antonio Spurs for a 121-119 win when DeMar DeRozanโs shot attempt at the buzzer rolled out.
Harden's triple-double helps Nets escape in OT against Spurs
Read full article: Harden's triple-double helps Nets escape in OT against SpursBrooklyn Nets' James Harden, left, and San Antonio Spurs' Patty Mills chase the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 1, 2021, in San Antonio. โI thought they were great,โ San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. All five starters scored in double figures for San Antonio. San Antonio is still without Rudy Gay, Keldon Johnson, Derrick White, Devin Vassell and Quinndary Weatherspoon, who are sidelined due to the leagueโs health and safety protocols. Spurs: The Spurs announced fans can return to the AT&T Center beginning March 12 against Orlando.
Spurs, short-handed and reeling, get back on practice floor
Read full article: Spurs, short-handed and reeling, get back on practice floorSan Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, right, talks to San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)The San Antonio Spurs are still dealing with a coronavirus outbreak, their state is reeling from the aftereffects of a deadly icy blast that has affected millions of Texans, and one of their best players is mourning the death of a parent. Given all that, basketball seems secondary to the Spurs right now. They will be without at least six players when they return to the court Wednesday at Oklahoma City. The NBA initially said last week that four Spurs players had tested positive for COVID-19, without identifying any by name.
DeRozan has 30 as Spurs hold on for 111-106 win over Rockets
Read full article: DeRozan has 30 as Spurs hold on for 111-106 win over RocketsSan Antonio Spurs forward DeMar DeRozan (10) drives to the basket in front of Houston Rockets forward Jae'Sean Tate, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)(AP) โ DeMar DeRozan scored 30 points and the San Antonio Spurs held off a late charge from the Houston Rockets for a 111-106 victory Saturday night. John Wall made a layup for Houston with less than 30 seconds left, but Patty Mills hit two free throws for San Antonio to extend it to 109-104. Tucker made two free throws for Houston after that, but Rudy Gay made two for San Antonio to secure the victory. A 3-pointer by David Nwaba got Houston within eight in the third, but the Spurs scored the next five points to push it to 82-69.
Spurs end 4-game home skid, top short-handed Rockets 103-91
Read full article: Spurs end 4-game home skid, top short-handed Rockets 103-91Jae'Sean Tate #8 of the Houston Rockets is tied up by Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs #3 and LaMarcus Aldridge #12 at AT&T Center on January 16, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. SAN ANTONIO โ San Antonio couldnโt match the intensity of the short-handed Houston Rockets for three quarters, yet a strong finish by the Spurs was enough to snap a four-game home losing streak. โWe played our best defense in the fourth quarter,โ Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. He had 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes during Houstonโs 109-103 victory on Thursday. Spurs: Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon remains out, along with reserve center Drew Eubanks, due to the leagueโs health and safety protocols.
Rockets rally past Spurs 109-105 in 1st game without Harden
Read full article: Rockets rally past Spurs 109-105 in 1st game without HardenKenyon Martin Jr. #6 of the Houston Rockets drives for two over Jakob Poeltl #25 of the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center on January 14, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)SAN ANTONIO โ Christian Wood had 27 points and 15 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets rallied to beat the San Antonio Spurs 109-105 on Thursday night in their first game since trading away franchise cornerstone James Harden. Spurs veteran DeMar DeRozan missed a 15-footer with 0.4 seconds left, and San Antonio fouled P.J. The teams meet again Saturday at the AT&T Center in the finale of a two-game set in San Antonio. Spurs: San Antonio is 6-3 with LaMarcus Aldridge in the lineup.
They love LA: Spurs snap Lakers 4-game winning streak
Read full article: They love LA: Spurs snap Lakers 4-game winning streakSan Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge, left, defends against Los Angeles Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)LOS ANGELES โ A trip to Los Angeles proved to be just what the San Antonio Spurs needed to snap out of an early-season slump. Two nights after beating the Clippers to snap a four-game losing streak, the Spurs picked up another win at Staples Center on Thursday, this time defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 118-109. ... Los Angeles was 43 of 86 from the floor, marking the first time in 36 games it has lost when shooting at least 50%. The Lakers scored 66 points in the paint, marking the second time this season they have scored at least 60 points inside.
NBA updates mental health policies amid ongoing pandemic
Read full article: NBA updates mental health policies amid ongoing pandemicThe NBA is urging teams to make increased commitments toward providing mental health resources to players and staff, releasing updated guidelines Wednesday to reflect the challenge of playing amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The NBA has mandated that teams offer access to mental health professionals in recent seasons โ a program the league calls Mind Health was launched nearly three years ago โ but that obviously predates the pandemic and how countless aspects of day-to-day life has changed in recent months. Those are a few of the ways the NBA has changed amid the virus. โAll this is a little bit like the Twilight Zone,โ Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said when asked about the mental strain of playing amid a pandemic. โThe usage of mental health tools and support platforms has increased as have the modalities to assist those in need.
Davis, James lead Lakers' late rally over Spurs, 109-103
Read full article: Davis, James lead Lakers' late rally over Spurs, 109-103Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis, right, keeps the ball from San Antonio Spurs' Rudy Gay, left rear, and Drew Eubanks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)SAN ANTONIO โ Anthony Davis had 35 points and 11 rebounds and LeBron James added 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied to beat the San Antonio Spurs 109-103 on Friday night. The Lakers closed the game with a 9-0 run for their second win against the Spurs in three days. Keldon Johnson had a career-high 26 points and added 10 rebounds and DeMar DeRozan had 23 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for San Antonio. Johnson blocked Jamesโ layup attempt, but Kyle Kuzma tipped in the follow to give the Lakers a 105-103 lead with 53.9 seconds remaining.
Hammon first woman to direct NBA team; Lakers beat Spurs
Read full article: Hammon first woman to direct NBA team; Lakers beat SpursHammon became the first woman to direct an NBA team, taking over the Spurs after coach Gregg Popovich was ejected in a 121-107 loss to the Lakers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)SAN ANTONIO โ Becky Hammon would have preferred a victory over history after becoming the first woman to direct an NBA team. The Lakers took their first double-digit lead at 35-25 on Kyle Kuzmaโs 3-pointer with 1:14 remaining in the first quarter. Lakers coach Frank Vogel did not elaborate on Carusoโs status. Spurs: Popovich said the Spurs will monitor Aldridgeโs knee soreness on a day-to-day basis.
Spurs keep playoff hopes alive with 123-105 win over Rockets
Read full article: Spurs keep playoff hopes alive with 123-105 win over RocketsKeldon Johnson had 24 points and 11 rebounds, and San Antonio kept alive its chances of becoming the first team in NBA history to make 23 consecutive playoff appearances with a 123-105 victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday. San Antonio has won three straight and five out of seven since arriving in the Florida bubble. A total of seven Spurs reached double figures. San Antonio built a 19-point lead in the first half. WIN-WINRegardless of whether the Spurs make the playoffs, Popovich is proud of how his young players have stepped up in during their time in the bubble.
Spurs help playoff chances, top Pelicans, Zion 122-113
Read full article: Spurs help playoff chances, top Pelicans, Zion 122-113A win by the Trail Blazers over Philadelphia would eliminate New Orleans from postseason consideration. Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry called it a Game 7-type game beforehand but stayed with the plan of playing Williamson in short bursts. In the fourth, Gentry took Williamson out with 6:53 left, putting him back in for the last-ditch try about two minutes later. Williamson scored the next eight points by himself, kick-starting what became a 28-12 run by the Pelicans to end the quarter. DeRozan scored inside on the next San Antonio possession, and a late 8-0 spurt by the Spurs sealed the deal.
In the NBA bubble, the race for No. 8 out West is quite wild
Read full article: In the NBA bubble, the race for No. 8 out West is quite wildThe best race in the bubble is the race for the No. 8 seed in the West:Memphis Utah (Wednesday), Oklahoma City (Friday), Toronto (Sunday), Boston (Aug. 11), Milwaukee (Aug. 13). Portland Denver (Thursday), L.A. Clippers (Saturday), Philadelphia (Sunday), Dallas (Aug. 11), Brooklyn (Aug. 13). Phoenix Indiana (Thursday), Miami (Saturday), Oklahoma City (Monday), Philadelphia (Aug. 11), Dallas (Aug. 13). Sacramento New Orleans (Thursday), Brooklyn (Friday), Houston (Sunday), New Orleans (Aug. 11), L.A. Lakers (Aug. 13).
James' layup late lifts Lakers past Clippers, 103-101
Read full article: James' layup late lifts Lakers past Clippers, 103-101Anthony Davis scored 34 points, James had the go-ahead basket with 12.8 seconds left and the Lakers moved closer to clinching the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs by topping the Los Angeles Clippers 103-101 on Thursday night in the second game of the NBAs re-opening doubleheader. James had 16 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists to help the Lakers move 6 1/2 games ahead of the Clippers in the West with seven games remaining. The Clippers got that lead after a 26-5 run; the Lakers immediately rebutted with a 36-14 run to reclaim control. It was a good game," Leonard said.
As Florida virus numbers rise, NBA arrivals draw closer
Read full article: As Florida virus numbers rise, NBA arrivals draw closerA person with knowledge of the situation says Jokic has tested positive for the coronavirus and is quarantining in his native Serbia. With 351 players tested through June 29, the league had 25 positives for a 7.1% rate. Among 884 team staff tested between June 23 and June 29, the rate was minuscule the 10 positives equate to a mere 1.1% positive rate. The arenas that will play host to games are being set up for NBA needs, and some staff were getting set to arrive to begin their quarantines. I know the NBA and Adam Silver talked about doing as much as they can to keep the bubble as safe as possible.