NBA

2:56 AM ET Montrezl Harrell offered a sharp rebuff to the technical foul he received in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 123-120 loss at the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, calling the whistle a “soft” decision by the official. “I think some of the referees — and this is not bashing any referee in general — but

12:43 AM ET Andrew LopezESPN NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson was not happy with his performance in Wednesday’s 128-124 loss to the Chicago Bulls. Williamson had 28 points, nine rebounds and five assists and once again shot over 50% from the field. He even attempted a season-high 16 free throws. The

12:07 AM ET Toyota Center public address announcer Matt Thomas attempted to use the same tone and excitement Wednesday night when James Harden‘s turn came up in the starting lineup introductions as he did throughout the previous eight seasons. The circumstances, of course, were quite different. So was the reaction from Houston Rockets fans, who

12:35 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN After Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell was hit with technical fouls on two separate plays in the final minute of overtime and was ejected with 30.5 seconds to go in Utah’s 131-123 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, the All-Star said he’s tired of the Jazz being “screwed” by the referees,

10:25 PM ET NBA Insiders Wednesday night’s NBA slate of games includes numerous intriguing matchups, from the top team in the East facing the top team in the West, the drama of James Harden‘s return to Houston, All-Stars going up against each other with the Chicago Bulls‘ Zach LaVine facing the New Orleans Pelicans‘ Zion

9:01 PM ET Golden State Warriors swingman Kelly Oubre Jr. will not play in Wednesday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers because of a sprained left wrist. The injury took place during Tuesday’s practice in Los Angeles after Oubre went up for a dunk and landed awkwardly after falling from the rim. “He’s just out

2:08 PM ET Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic has been downgraded to doubtful for Wednesday night’s home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to low back tightness. A source told ESPN that Doncic is still expected to play in Sunday’s All-Star Game even if he sits out Wednesday, which is the Mavs’ final game

Mar 2, 2021 Eric WoodyardESPN Those behind this weekend’s All-Star Game in Atlanta view the event as something bigger than just basketball. To that end, as part of this year’s festivities, the NBA will provide more than $3 million in support to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF),

8:50 AM ET Eric WoodyardESPN Earvin “Magic” Johnson is proud of this generation of NBA athletes. They’re more versatile on the court and have used their platform to speak on issues of activism off the court. And like many of the players, Johnson continues to campaign for the hiring of more Black coaches and executives

6:58 AM ET James Harden isn’t worried about the details of his divorce with the franchise as he returns to Houston to face the Rockets on Wednesday night (7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN) for the first time since his trade request was finally granted. “They showed me mad love and respect, and I am just

3:13 AM ET LeBron James will miss his first game of the season when the Los Angeles Lakers play a road game against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday in their final game before the NBA All-Star break, the Lakers said. James did not accompany the team on its flight to Sacramento following a 114-104 loss

3:26 AM ET LOS ANGELES — After beating the Lakers 114-104 on Tuesday without their leading scorer and All-Star, Devin Booker, down the stretch, the Phoenix Suns said they put a stamp of legitimacy on their season. “I think Jae Crowder said it best: We got better tonight,” said Suns coach Monty Williams after the

2:25 AM ET Nikola Jokic continues to build an MVP case by doing things that no center has done since Wilt Chamberlain. On Tuesday, Jokic collected the 50th triple-double of his career with 37 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds to help the Denver Nuggets rout the Milwaukee Bucks 128-97 at the Fiserv Forum. Jokic’s

12:44 AM ET As James Harden prepares to face his former team for the first time since being traded to the Brooklyn Nets, the superstar guard reflected on his eight-year tenure with the Houston Rockets and said that when he enters Houston’s Toyota Center on Wednesday night (7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN), he hopes to

8:03 PM ET ESPN News Services The Toronto Raptors will have enough players to get back on the floor Wednesday, after a pair of games earlier this week were postponed for virus-related issues. But the Raptors will be seriously short-handed when they host the Detroit Pistons in Tampa, Florida, with starters Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam

8:28 PM ET Kawhi Leonard was ruled out of Tuesday night’s game against the Boston Celtics because of back spasms that hampered the LA Clippers All-Star forward during warm-ups. Leonard warmed up but left the TD Garden court shortly before tipoff with his back not feeling right. He was replaced in the starting lineup by

8:11 PM ET Associated Press Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Phoenix’s Devin Booker have been 3-point champions at NBA All-Star Weekend before, and they’ll try to win that trophy again Sunday. The league revealed the 15 players Tuesday who will be taking part in the other on-court events besides the All-Star Game in Atlanta, with

5:55 PM ET In an email sent to season ticket holders on Tuesday, the Oklahoma City Thunder announced they will not be hosting fans at home games at any capacity for the 2020-21 season, becoming the first NBA team to decide to go fanless for the entire season. “The decision was based on several factors,”