NBA

3:56 AM ET LOS ANGELES — After eyebrow-raising comments made by LeBron James leading up to the trade deadline and continuing through All-Star weekend caused the basketball world to speculate about his future with the Los Angeles Lakers, James made a few things very clear on Friday night. To begin with, he wants the Lakers

12:42 AM ET The final verdict on the Philadelphia 76ers trade for James Harden won’t come for months — maybe even years. Until then, every moment Harden and Philadelphia’s MVP-frontrunner Joel Embiid spend on the court together will be something of a Rohrsarch test. Some will see chemistry, others calamity — sometimes both will be

10:43 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN MINNEAPOLIS — The curtain raised for the first time on the Joel Embiid–James Harden partnership with the Philadelphia 76ers Friday night at Target Center as they took on the Minnesota Timberwolves. And, after two weeks of buildup and anticipation for what these two superstars would look like together, opening night

9:54 PM ET LOS ANGELES — Paul George‘s torn ligament in his shooting elbow is “feeling better” and progressing, but the LA Clippers star guard will “need more time” to recover, according to coach Ty Lue. George underwent an MRI on the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on Friday. Lue said George

6:57 PM ET In the aftermath of LeBron James‘ public comments on a possible return to Cleveland and media reports describing his agency’s displeasure with the organization, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul met with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka on Tuesday, insisting that there’s no movement underway to seek management changes

5:02 PM ET ESPN News Services Cleveland Cavaliers guard Rajon Rondo will be out approximately two weeks with a sprained right big toe, the team announced Friday. Rondo, who is averaging 5.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists this season, suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s 106-103 loss to the Detroit

6:53 PM ET There is optimism that Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo could make his season debut within the next two weeks, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Friday. Oladipo, ramping up after offseason quad tendon surgery, joined the Heat on their current six-game road trip and could be ready to play as soon as

5:00 PM ET New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose was set to undergo a minor procedure on his right ankle Friday, the team said. A timeline for his return has not yet been established, according to the Knicks. There had been optimism that Rose would return for Friday night’s game against the Miami Heat, ESPN’s

12:56 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN MINNEAPOLIS — As the Philadelphia 76ers prepare to finally see James Harden take the court in their uniform for the first time Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, 76ers star Joel Embiid said Harden has been far different than the person he heard about before his arrival. “I mean, it’s

The ESPN fantasy and betting cheat sheet is your pregame destination for our best intel and data to help you make smart fantasy and wagering decisions. NBA game odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook and fantasy advice is based on ESPN 10-team leagues. Double Trouble: The Timberwolves opened as one-point favorites over the 76ers, but

9:00 AM ET LOS ANGELES — Trayvon Martin was just 17 — the same age LeBron James‘ oldest child, Bronny, is now — when he was shot and killed by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman 10 years ago this week. James’ response to Martin’s death — including a famous tweet of the Miami Heat with

6:00 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN Shortly after James Harden was introduced as the newest member of the Philadelphia 76ers, the superstar guard was asked the question dominating the NBA world after the blockbuster trade deadline swap with the Brooklyn Nets for Ben Simmons: How will this partnership with Joel Embiid work? “I think we complement

10:47 PM ET The Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets held a moment of silence and linked arms in solidarity with Sacramento center Alex Len and his home country of Ukraine ahead of Thursday’s game at the Golden 1 Center. Len and Toronto Raptors wing Svi Mykhailiuk, the two Ukrainian players in the NBA this season,

9:18 PM ET Associated Press WASHINGTON — Joe Johnson scored 18 points and the United States overcame a 10-point first-half deficit to beat Puerto Rico 93-76 on Thursday night in World Cup qualifying. The Americans (2-1) only need to avoid finishing last in their four-team group to advance to the next round of qualifying, and

6:39 PM ET ESPN News Services Caris LeVert will be sidelined approximately one to two weeks with a sprained right foot, the Cleveland Cavaliers announced Thursday. In addition, the Cavaliers announced that All-Star guard Darius Garland will undergo treatment and rehabilitation for a sore lower back over the next couple of days. The team said

3:00 PM ET NEW YORK — As Ben Simmons begins a new chapter in his career with the Brooklyn Nets, questions about the divorce he experienced with the Philadelphia 76ers linger. But as those questions about how he’ll fit with a new team after such a spectacular exit with an old one continue to filter

6:33 AM ET The ESPN fantasy and betting cheat sheet is your pregame destination for our best intel and data to help you make smart fantasy and wagering decisions. NBA game odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook and fantasy advice is based on ESPN 10-team leagues. Jump ahead: Game of the night | Picks and

6:51 AM ET It was a fundamental, two-hand chest pass from Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine to DeMar DeRozan in the third quarter of a Feb. 9 game in Charlotte. Big bucks were at stake, and the NBA’s most-invested fans were watching closely. DeRozan caught the pass from LaVine on the move, took a dribble