NBA

1:40 AM ET MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Brooklyn Nets swingman Ben Simmons called several of the whistles he received “bulls—” following a 134-124 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, noting that “refs make mistakes too.” While Simmons, who fouled out for the second time in three regular-season games, was frustrated with many calls, the

7:00 AM ET Kade Krichko PAOLO BANCHERO TWISTS his 6-foot-10 frame into a kids’ chair surrounded by atilt Lego towers. “Don’t Touch” signs adorn computer desks, child-scrawled warnings amid a makeshift cityscape of plastic. It’s hardly a scene where you’d expect to see the $50.16 million-deal-wielding budding star of the Orlando Magic. Banchero isn’t rocking

8:00 AM ET NBA Insiders The first week of the 2022-23 NBA season did not disappoint, delivering big-time performances, upsets and playoff-caliber matchups. Ja Morant and Paolo Banchero got off to strong starts as the Memphis Grizzlies star scored 49 points against the Houston Rockets on Friday night and the Orlando Magic player on Wednesday

8:32 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Pelicans lost both Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson to injuries on Sunday in a 122-121 overtime loss to the Utah Jazz. Williamson took a hard fall with 8:07 left in the fourth quarter when his dunk attempt was blocked by Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson.

10:31 PM ET ESPN News Services MIAMI — Toronto’s Christian Koloko and Miami’s Caleb Martin were both ejected in the third quarter of the Raptors-Heat game on Saturday night after they scuffled and ended up in the first row of baseline seats. It all started with 7:46 left in the third quarter, when Martin and

3:10 AM ET SACRAMENTO — LA Clippers star guard Paul George was in the middle of a big second quarter when he said a technical foul “turned my aggression up.” He proceeded to take his anger out on the Sacramento Kings. George exploded for 40 points to go with six rebounds and six assists to

9:39 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN MIAMI — Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes, the NBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year, was ruled out of Saturday night’s 112-109 loss to the Heat after suffering a sprained right ankle midway through the second quarter. Barnes had X-rays on his ankle, the Raptors said, which came back negative. Raptors

2:38 PM ET NBA commissioner Adam Silver, in recent comments to Phoenix Suns employees, addressed possible solutions for tanking while noting that he understands why teams would do it when a “once-in-a-generation player” is about to enter the league, according to sources who were present. Calling it a “serious issue” that has sparked “hundreds” of

12:06 AM ET NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash said he was “proud of” Ben Simmons for the way the talented swingman bounced back in Friday night’s 109-105 win over the Toronto Raptors after a poor showing in the Nets’ season opener. “A step up for Ben,” Nash said after seeing Simmons score

10:04 PM ET In comments to Phoenix Suns employees before the team’s season-opening win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver apologized multiple times on behalf of the league office for enduring years of workplace misconduct under Suns majority owner Robert Sarver, according to sources who were present. “I’m incredibly empathetic to

8:00 AM ET NBA Insiders NBA opening week is here, and a number of players returned after having not played since 2021, while the latest crop of rookies suited up for their first regular-season game. The return of Kawhi Leonard — off the bench for the time being — immediately made the Los Angeles Clippers

8:00 AM ET Kendra AndrewsESPN The Golden State Warriors had a certain glow as they entered training camp four weeks ago. It’s a glow you have after spending the summer celebrating a championship and preparing to defend it the next season. Klay Thompson was seen dancing on his boat. Stephen Curry had his jersey retired

8:02 PM ET Detroit Pistons assistant general manager Rob Murphy is on leave after the organization commenced an investigation into an allegation of workplace misconduct involving a female former employee, sources told ESPN on Thursday night. Murphy, 50, has been out of the Pistons’ offices for approximately a week on leave after management was made

12:59 AM ET Andrew LopezESPN NEW YORK — Despite praise from his teammates and coach, Zion Williamson called his regular-season return to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night just a “decent starter performance.” “It’s a lot of room for improvement,” he said. “I’m still learning my teammates. Now we get real in-game reps. I’m

3:19 AM ET PHOENIX — The first half of Wednesday night’s season opener conjured up the still-fresh painful feelings from last spring’s embarrassing playoff exit for the Phoenix Suns. Once again, the Suns were being dominated by Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks at home. That made the rally from a 22-point deficit for a

12:19 AM ET Jamal CollierESPN DETROIT — Orlando Magic rookie Paolo Banchero collected 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists in his NBA debut on Wednesday night, a 113-109 loss to the Detroit Pistons, making him the first rookie with 25-5-5 in his debut since LeBron James in 2003. “It means a lot, I guess,”

8:00 AM ET God Shammgod springs to his feet in front of the Dallas Mavericks‘ bench, a big smile on his face, as he discusses one of his favorite subjects: dribbling. Specifically, in this instance a couple of hours before an Oct. 7 home preseason game, Luka Doncic‘s dribbling. Shammgod, a Mavericks player development coach

11:14 PM ET Kendra AndrewsESPN SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors unveiled their 2021-22 NBA championship banner and rings Tuesday night ahead of their season-opening 123-109 win against the Los Angeles Lakers. “It takes resiliency to win a title, and resiliency is what defines this Warriors team,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said during the