INSIDER
Ex-Duke star Kyle Singler draws concern from basketball world over cryptic Instagram post
Read full article: Ex-Duke star Kyle Singler draws concern from basketball world over cryptic Instagram postFormer Duke star Kyle Singler’s cryptic Instagram post saying he fears for his life has drawn an outpouring of concern and support from former teammates and others.
Karl-Anthony Towns scores 44 points, Knicks rally in 2nd half to beat Heat 116-107
Read full article: Karl-Anthony Towns scores 44 points, Knicks rally in 2nd half to beat Heat 116-107Karl-Anthony Towns had 44 points and 13 rebounds, Jalen Brunson scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half and the New York Knicks rallied to beat the Miami Heat 116-107 on Wednesday night.
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.
Thompson scores 28, Golden State runs away in 2nd half to top Miami 113-92
Read full article: Thompson scores 28, Golden State runs away in 2nd half to top Miami 113-92Klay Thompson scored 28 points, Jonathan Kuminga added 18 and the Golden State Warriors pulled away in the second half to beat the still-shorthanded Miami Heat 113-92.
Jimmy Butler, Naji Marshall are among 5 players suspended after Heat-Pelicans incident
Read full article: Jimmy Butler, Naji Marshall are among 5 players suspended after Heat-Pelicans incidentMiami’s Jimmy Butler and New Orleans’ Naji Marshall have both been suspended for one game for instigating an on-court altercation that happened during the Heat-Pelicans game on Friday night.
Heat's Jimmy Butler, 3 others, ejected after scuffle with Pelicans
Read full article: Heat's Jimmy Butler, 3 others, ejected after scuffle with PelicansMiami’s Jimmy Butler was among four players ejected after a scuffle early in the fourth quarter in the Heat’s 106-95 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
Brunson scores 32 points, Knicks win 6th straight and send Heat to 6th loss in a row, 125-109
Read full article: Brunson scores 32 points, Knicks win 6th straight and send Heat to 6th loss in a row, 125-109Jalen Brunson had 32 points and eight assists and the New York Knicks beat Miami 125-109 on Saturday, winning their sixth straight and sending the Heat to a sixth consecutive loss.
Jokic and Murray both have triple-doubles, Nuggets beat Heat 109-94 for 2-1 lead
Read full article: Jokic and Murray both have triple-doubles, Nuggets beat Heat 109-94 for 2-1 leadNikola Jokic and Jamal Murray became the first teammates in NBA Finals history to both record triple-doubles, and Denver’s two stars made sure the Nuggets reclaimed the lead in the series by beating the Miami Heat 109-94 in Game 3 on Wednesday night.
Bucks' Antetokounmpo exits game with lower back bruise
Read full article: Bucks' Antetokounmpo exits game with lower back bruiseMilwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo landed hard on his backside after a drive to the basket and was ruled out of his team’s Eastern Conference playoff series opener against the Miami Heat with a bruised lower back.
Wolves beat Cavaliers 129-124 despite 51 points from Garland
Read full article: Wolves beat Cavaliers 129-124 despite 51 points from GarlandD’Angelo Russell had season highs of 30 points and 12 assists, Karl-Anthony Towns scored 29 points, and the Minnesota Timberwolves held off the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers 129-124.
Garland scores 29 in return, Cavs edge Celtics 114-113 in OT
Read full article: Garland scores 29 in return, Cavs edge Celtics 114-113 in OTDarius Garland scored 29 points in his return after missing five games with an ugly eye injury and Donovan Mitchell added 25, leading Cleveland to a 114-113 overtime win over Boston.
Young's 38 lift Hawks past Cavs for No. 8 playoff seed
Read full article: Young's 38 lift Hawks past Cavs for No. 8 playoff seedTrae Young scored 32 of his 38 points in the second half and the Atlanta Hawks overcame losing center Clint Capela to a knee injury to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 107-101 in the play-in and earn the Eastern Conference’s No. 8 playoff seed.
Irving, Durant lead Nets past Cavs in play-in for No. 7 seed
Read full article: Irving, Durant lead Nets past Cavs in play-in for No. 7 seedKyrie Irving had 34 points and 12 assists, Kevin Durant added 25 points and 11 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets took the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-108 in the play-in opener.
Cavs blast Bucks backups 133-115 to earn No. 8 play-in seed
Read full article: Cavs blast Bucks backups 133-115 to earn No. 8 play-in seedKevin Love made eight 3-pointers and scored 32 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers took the No. 8 play-in spot — and a matchup against Brooklyn — with a 133-115 win over Milwaukee.
Garland scores 24 points, Cavaliers beat Pistons 113-109
Read full article: Garland scores 24 points, Cavaliers beat Pistons 113-109All-Star point guard Darius Garland had 24 points and 12 assists, Evan Mobley had his NBA rookie-high 20th double-double, and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistons 113-109.
Cavaliers rally from 20-point deficit, beat Pacers 98-85
Read full article: Cavaliers rally from 20-point deficit, beat Pacers 98-85Cedi Osman scored 22 points and Kevin Love had 19 as the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied from 20 down to beat Indiana 98-85, shortly after agreeing to acquire shooting guard Caris LeVert from the Pacers.
Nets drop first game without Durant, fall to Cavs 114-107
Read full article: Nets drop first game without Durant, fall to Cavs 114-107Darius Garland strengthened his All-Star case with 22 points and 12 assists, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 114-107 win over the Brooklyn Nets, who began a stretch without injured superstar Kevin Durant.
Antetokounmpo scores 27 on 27th birthday, Bucks win 112-104
Read full article: Antetokounmpo scores 27 on 27th birthday, Bucks win 112-104Giannis Antetokounmpo came back from a two-game absence and scored 27 points on his 27th birthday to help the Milwaukee Bucks defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-104.
Curry scores 20 of 40 points in 4th, Warriors beat Cavs
Read full article: Curry scores 20 of 40 points in 4th, Warriors beat CavsStephen Curry scored 20 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter, hitting three straight 3-pointers, and the NBA-leading Golden State Warriors overcame a 13-point deficit to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 104-89 on Thursday night.
Wizards beat Cavaliers 120-105, clinch East play-in spot
Read full article: Wizards beat Cavaliers 120-105, clinch East play-in spotRussell Westbrook got his first triple-double since passing Oscar Robertson and becoming the NBA's career leader earlier in the week and Washington beat Cleveland 120-105 to clinch a spot in the East play-in tournament.
Curry scores 33, Warriors roll to 119-101 win over Cavaliers
Read full article: Curry scores 33, Warriors roll to 119-101 win over CavaliersStephen Curry scored 33 points — topping 30 for a career-best ninth consecutive game — as the Golden State Warriors pulled away for a 119-101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
USA Basketball picks 57 players for men's Tokyo Games pool
Read full article: USA Basketball picks 57 players for men's Tokyo Games poolUSA Basketball is a step closer to choosing the team that will play in this summer’s rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, releasing the names Thursday of 57 players who are part of the pool to fill the squad. It’s also already drawing major interest from some NBA stars who have yet to taste Olympic gold. USA Basketball will pare the list to a 12-person Olympic team by early summer. Jordan, who now plays for Brooklyn, is also a newcomer to the pool even though he was on the 2016 Olympic team. “But for USA Basketball to receive the commitment of so many outstanding players remains an indicator of the great honor of representing your country means to these men.”
Murray scores historic 50 as Nuggets down crumbling Cavs
Read full article: Murray scores historic 50 as Nuggets down crumbling CavsDenver Nuggets' Jamal Murray (27) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers' Cedi Osman (16) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)CLEVELAND – Not himself of late, Jamal Murray got a lecture from Nuggets coach Michael Malone about being more aggressive and not passing up open shots. Following the game, Murray was unaware that he had done something unique. “With the exception of Murray, we took some steps in the right direction,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. They made their first 12 shots, opened a 22-point lead in the second half and then let Murray close out the Cavs.
Cavaliers sitting Drummond while pursuing trade for center
Read full article: Cavaliers sitting Drummond while pursuing trade for centerDenver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap, left, fights for position for a rebound with Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)CLEVELAND – Andre Drummond is on the trade block — and the bench. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said the decision to sit Drummond, one of the NBA's leading rebounders at 13.5 per game, was difficult. Drummond will continue to stay on the sideline while the team tries to find a trade partner. But with the NBA's focus on shooting 3-pointers, a player like Drummond — a prototypical center — can be viewed as a liability.
Cavaliers F Nance out up to 6 weeks with broken left hand
Read full article: Cavaliers F Nance out up to 6 weeks with broken left handMinnesota Timberwolves' Josh Okogie, left, drives around Cleveland Cavaliers' Larry Nance Jr. (22) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)CLEVELAND – Cavaliers versatile forward Larry Nance Jr. could miss six weeks with a broken left hand, a tough blow for a Cleveland team sliding after a strong start. Nance, who has missed recent games with a sprained right wrist, broke the fourth metacarpal in his hand during the first quarter of Saturday night's 124-99 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. The team did not say if Nance will need surgery. He can play down low and on the perimeter and Nance, who is in his fourth season with Cleveland, ranks second in the league with 1.9 steals per game.
LeBron scores 46, Lakers beat Cavs to stay perfect on road
Read full article: LeBron scores 46, Lakers beat Cavs to stay perfect on roadLos Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers' Dylan Windler (9) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)CLEVELAND – Back home, LeBron James kept the Lakers perfect on the road. When James was short with a 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter, the unidentified Cavs executive celebrated. It was only James' second trip back to Cleveland since he left the Cavs for the second time as a free agent after the 2018 season. “It's more of a somber-tone-type-of-day.”The Lakers are spending the night in Cleveland before flying to Philadelphia — Bryant's hometown — on Tuesday.
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 — a program the league calls Mind Health was launched nearly three years ago — 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. “All this is a little bit like the Twilight Zone,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said when asked about the mental strain of playing amid a pandemic. “The usage of mental health tools and support platforms has increased as have the modalities to assist those in need.
Cavaliers' Love to miss extended time with calf injury
Read full article: Cavaliers' Love to miss extended time with calf injuryCleveland Cavaliers' Kevin Love, right, passes against Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)CLEVELAND – Cavaliers forward Kevin Love could miss more than a month with a right calf injury he aggravated Sunday night in a game against Philadelphia. The 32-year-old’s injury is a setback for the Cavs, who are off to their first 3-0 start since 2016. The five-time All-Star made his season debut and played 38 minutes in the Cavaliers' double-overtime win at Detroit on Saturday. Love is in his seventh season with Cleveland, which is counting on him to lead a young team showing early signs of growth this season.
Back to work: NBA's non-Disney clubs start team workouts
Read full article: Back to work: NBA's non-Disney clubs start team workoutsThe teams that didn't qualify for the restart of the NBA season at Walt Disney World could begin voluntary workouts Wednesday, Sept. 23, to start preparing for their next game whenever that is. Karl Anthony-Towns got to work in Minnesota and his old coach started to mold his new team in New York. After six months without one, it felt so good for some NBA teams to practice again that even Allen Iverson might've enjoyed it. “It gives us some sense of continuity, some sense of togetherness,” said Love, who didn’t want to miss the voluntary workouts. Coaches who didn't know what to expect were pleasantly surprised by the level of play they saw.
The ESPYS focus on honors, pandemic and racial justice
Read full article: The ESPYS focus on honors, pandemic and racial justiceLove received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the ESPY Awards on Sunday, June 21, 2020, for sparking a national conversation about mental health. The focus of Sunday night's show on ESPN was hope and inspiration in the time of coronavirus. Two years ago, he wrote an online essay detailing his struggles with mental health, including having a panic attack during a game. As a result, other athletes and fans began sharing details of their own mental health challenges and sharing resources on how to get help. During the COVID-19 crisis, he's shared tips on how to cope with the stress and isolation caused by the pandemic.