Heading into tonight’s Western Conference Finals Game 5 between the Warriors and Mavericks, there have been 35 second- and third-round games in the 2022 NBA playoffs. Those 35 games have featured a grand total of 29 minutes played in “clutch” situations (when the score is within five points with five minutes or fewer remaining in … Read more
9:09 PM ET Kendra AndrewsESPN DALLAS — Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr did not want to talk about basketball in his pregame news conference heading into Game 4 of the Western Conference finals against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night. Basketball, he said, didn’t matter. “Since we left shootaround, 14 children were killed, 400 … Read more
DALLAS — Steph Curry had just invited another scrambling double-team and sent another laser-beam pass through a dying Dallas defense. It nailed Draymond Green for Curry’s 11th assist. The Green layup put the Warriors up 11 as the clock ticked under two minutes. The game and the Mavericks’ legitimate chances of winning the series were … Read more
1:03 AM ET Tory BarronESPNEditor Close Tory Barron is a Bristol-based writer and editor for ESPN.com. After retiring from playing lacrosse at UConn, the DC native decided to try her hand at writing about people playing sports. Dunk of the postseason? Dunk of the postseason. The 2022 NBA playoffs rolled on Sunday night with the … Read more
“Wrong guy!” This was a favorite taunt of Warriors coaches and bored bench players a few seasons ago. Here’s the scenario: Kevon Looney, finally past the two hip surgeries that stalled his early career, had nudged his way into the rotation. Opposing scorers viewed him as a target. It made sense. Looney is a center … Read more
DALLAS – The Dallas Mavericks world giggled and celebrated recently when coach Jason Kidd framed a supposed difference between his style and that of predecessor Rick Carlisle. “I trust my guys,” coach Jason Kidd said last week before a Game 7, Round 2 win at Phoenix. “”There’s nothing to get tight about. … The previous … Read more
Jordan Poole is turning into a soaring 16-game player right before the Warriors’ eyes. In front of the Mavericks’ eyes, too, though they are probably less enthusiastic about the development. The “16-game player” appellation, of course, is this franchise’s own shorthand for one and only one kind of guy: somebody who can tangibly help the … Read more
2:25 AM ET Kendra AndrewsESPN SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors have a history of big third quarters. No one exactly knows why. Maybe Warriors head coach Steve Kerr gives the best halftime speech around. Maybe it takes them 24 minutes to fully assess how their opponent is approaching the game. Maybe they need … Read more
Pregame fashion has become woven into the fabric of the NBA, with some players building a reputation for their wardrobe selections. 1 Related The postseason has provided entertaining hoops on the court and eye-catching fits from players off it. Stars have shown up in various attires like boxing dresses, vibrant coats and sweaters. Suits, stuffed … Read more
8:38 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo highlighted the 2021-22 NBA All-Defensive teams, which were announced on Friday night. Smart, the league’s 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year, earned his third first-team nod. He was joined at the guard spot by … Read more