1:37 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN MIAMI — The Boston Celtics exited their locker room at halftime Tuesday night in control of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. But then the third quarter happened. And, after the Miami Heat demolished the Celtics, outscoring them 39-14 and using their physicality to send Boston into a death … Read more
6:03 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN MIAMI — Boston Celtics starters Marcus Smart (midfoot sprain) and Al Horford (health and safety protocols) missed Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat in Miami on Tuesday night. The team made the announcement about two-and-a-half hours before tipoff. Smart suffered the sprain in Game 7 against … Read more
12:13 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. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’re probably privy to the fact LeBron James and the Los … Read more
OK, so… now what? The Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns met in the NBA Finals last season, and each squad had high hopes of being back there this June. Instead, they both lost seventh games on Sunday and head into the offseason with some lingering structural questions. In some respects, this is normal. The reality … Read more
PHOENIX — The first time it felt like the Suns could be in serious trouble was only a little over two minutes into the game. At that point, Dallas held what was an insignificant 5–3 lead when Luka Dončić dribbled the ball up the middle of the floor across halfcourt. After calling Deandre Ayton into … Read more
9:38 PM ET jamal necklaceESPN BOSTON — To successfully defend their NBA championship, the Milwaukee Bucks knew they needed a combination of strong player performances, health and, perhaps, a little bit of luck. But the absence of forward Khris Middleton loomed wide throughout their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Boston Celtics and was ultimately … Read more
Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic have been stellar in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. All three enter Game 7s on Sunday. Oh, and the team with the best record in the NBA, the Phoenix Suns, is also fighting for its playoff life. There’s a lot to like about Sunday’s NBA doubleheader. … Read more
Which NBA contenders will join the Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors in the conference finals? Sunday’s Game 7s feature two series that could not be more different. The Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) have each bruised their way into their finale, each winning classics on the opponent’s floor behind superstar … Read more
PHOENIX — On the plane ride back home after losing in blowout fashion to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals, Suns star Devin Booker joined a card game with teammates Chris Paul and Jae Crowder and discussed their Game 7 challenge ahead. Paul has played in seven Game 7s before, … Read more
4:10 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN CAMDEN, NJ — The Philadelphia 76ers announced that forward Danny Green tore the anterior cruciate ligament and lateral cruciate ligament in his left knee in Philadelphia’s season-ending loss in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Miami Heat on Thursday night. Green was injured when 76ers superstar Joel … Read more