NBA

5:26 PM ET MILWAUKEE — Brooklyn Nets swingman Ben Simmons knows that criticism will find him wherever he goes. After years of dealing with verbal barbs from fans — both in person and on social media — the 26-year-old understands that the type of ire he faces comes with being one of the best players

11:22 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN MIAMI — New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson understands the microscope he’s under when it comes to injuries. It’s why when he left Wednesday night’s 120-103 preseason loss to the Miami Heat with left ankle soreness, he knew what to expect on social media before he even looked at his

11:59 AM ET Detroit Pistons forward Marvin Bagley III is expected to miss three to four weeks after suffering a bone bruise and sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee, it was announced Wednesday. Bagley, who needed help to leave the court in the first minute of Tuesday night’s preseason loss to the Oklahoma

12:46 AM ET Kendra AndrewsESPN SAN FRANCISCO — Warriors forward Draymond Green will rejoin the team Thursday, coach Steve Kerr said after Golden State’s preseason win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night. Green has been away from the team since an altercation with teammate Jordan Poole last Wednesday. He has been fined but

4:36 PM ET ESPN News Services Charlotte Hornets All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball is expected to miss one to two weeks because of his sprained left ankle, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Tuesday. The Hornets had earlier announced that an MRI confirmed that Ball has a sprained ankle and his return to full basketball

8:00 AM ET It’s time for our silliest preseason tradition: The 11th (how???) annual League Pass Rankings, a watchability scale to help you avoid wasting time on things like, “Wait, has this team actually ordered its players to tie their shoes together as part of its Lose-A-Rama for Victor Wembanyama campaign?” These are not power

9:16 PM ET Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Hornets All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball sprained his left ankle in the third quarter of a 116-107 preseason loss against the Washington Wizards on Monday night when his foot was stepped on while he was driving to the basket. The Hornets announced Ball would not return

8:49 PM ET EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Dennis Schroder said he harbors a feeling of “unfinished business” after completing his first practice of his second stint with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday. While the 29-year-old point guard stated his goal is to win bigger than Los Angeles did during his first year with the

8:00 AM ET Jamal CollierESPN As long as the Milwaukee Bucks have star Giannis Antetokounmpo in his prime, they begin every NBA season with championship expectations. Despite losing Khris Middleton, arguably their second-best player, for the final 10 games of the 2022 playoffs with a sprained MCL in his left knee, the Bucks took the

3:37 AM ET LOS ANGELES — Paul George set aside any ego and made it clear that Kawhi Leonard is the LA Clippers‘ No. 1 option and that he is the second star in the All-Star duo’s pecking order. As they enter their fourth season together with championship expectations, George was asked if there are

6:45 PM ET Associated Press WASHINGTON — Bradley Beal has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols and will miss the Wizards‘ preseason game at Charlotte on Monday night. The Wizards announced Beal’s status Sunday. Washington opens the regular season at Indiana on Oct. 19, so Beal has over a week to get himself cleared

7:32 PM ET EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — As the Los Angeles Lakers attempt to integrate a new coach, rebound from one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history and maximize what’s left in LeBron James‘ brilliant career, they have reaffirmed their faith in Rob Pelinka to lead the franchise through it. Pelinka, the Lakers’

2:53 PM ET NEW YORK — As the Brooklyn Nets embark on the 2022-23 campaign, they do so hoping they can change the narrative surrounding their team and put the focus back on the floor instead of making headlines off of it. “We want to erase everything that was said about our team the last

6:51 PM ET Associated Press UVALDE, Texas — The smallest gesture can have a huge impact. That was reaffirmed to the San Antonio Spurs when the team held an open practice and community fair in Uvalde, Texas. It was 137 days ago that the small town, 88 miles southwest of downtown San Antonio, was the

2:19 PM ET Kendra AndrewsESPN SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green publicly apologized Saturday and announced he will step away from the team for a few days after an altercation between him and teammate Jordan Poole. “No. 1, I was wrong for my actions,” Green said. He added that he has apologized

8:25 PM ET Associated Press PARIS — Top NBA draft prospect Victor Wembanyama will join France’s national team next month for a pair of World Cup qualifying games. The French federation made the announcement Friday. The 7-foot-3 Wembanyama is among 12 players selected for a road game at Lithuania on Nov. 11 and a home

3:47 PM ET Ramona Shelburne Close ESPN Senior Writer Senior writer for ESPN.com Spent seven years at the Los Angeles Daily News Adrian Wojnarowski Close Senior NBA Insider Host of The Woj Pod Joined ESPN in 2017 The Golden State Warriors are taking “every legal course of action” to discover how video of Draymond Green

8:00 AM ET The LA Clippers enter the 2022-23 season — Year 4 of the Kawhi Leonard–Paul George era — with enormous expectations. They have a superstar two-way duo. They have perhaps the deepest roster in the league. They are loaded with veteran experience and interchangeable players at almost every position. And they have a