LeBron James still has it after all these years: ‘His body’s never stopped moving’ In his 293rd career playoff game, 41-year-old LeBron James had 19 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds and was in complete control.

Marveling at LeBron James’ middle-aged magic, and how he somehow has the Lakers in position to stun the Rockets here, @theathletic.com

Come for the injury report on yours truly. Stay for the insightful convo on LBJ with Marcus Smart.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

LeBron James still has it after all these years: ‘His body’s never stopped moving’ In his 293rd career playoff game, 41-year-old LeBron James had 19 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds and was in complete control.

“There’s no way a guy at 41 should still be moving and doing the things at that level that he does it at, right?”

@samamick.bsky.social on LeBron James' command in the Lakers' Game 1 win over the Rockets ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

Donovan Mitchell believes these playoffs — with James Harden — are his ‘best shot’ at a title

Donovan Mitchell Unplugged: Reading material for the breaks in this (one-side) Cleveland-Toronto game, at
@theathletic.com

* His long history with James Harden

* Behind the scenes on the Harden-Garland deal

* Updated view of his Cleveland future

www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

Sacramento Kings expected to retain head coach Doug Christie: Sources The Kings are expected to keep Christie, who signed a three-year deal last summer, despite a 22-59 record.

Sources: Despite the Kings’ brutal season, and amid league-wide speculation that they might make a coaching change, Doug Christie is safe.

Why the Kings chose to keep him at the helm for next season, and where they go from here, at @theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

Steph Curry is close to returning for the Warriors, and we should all be thankful Curry, who has been out since Jan. 30 with a knee injury, is aiming to come back for the 10th-place Warriors this weekend.

Why the discussion about Steph Curry sitting for the rest of the season, while the Warriors go tanking, was always so silly, at @theathletic.com

Anyone who saw the reaction to his pregame routine on Wednesday night at Chase Center would see that much.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

Steph Curry, Warriors targeting Sunday return after successful workout Tuesday

Sources: After a successful scrimmage on Tuesday, Warriors star Steph Curry is targeting Sunday's game against Houston for his possible return.

More here, at @theathletic.com (w/ Nick Friedell)

www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

Wemby’s MVP campaign is tough to argue, plus all signs point to Giannis-Bucks divorce OK, I was wrong about the 65-game rule, though Adam Silver insists that it is working.

Wemby vs. SGA and the great MVP debate, my read on Giannis vs. the Bucks and the 65-game rule discussion rages on, at @theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

NBPA calls for 'arbitrary' 65-game rule for awards to be 'abolished or reformed'

The @thenbpa.bsky.social wants the 65-game rule gone.

Story here on the union's strong statement about Cade Cunningham's disqualification from awards and the many top-tier players still in danger of being ineligible (w/ @joevardon.bsky.social) @theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

The Lakers are better off with this version of LeBron James

Why the resurgent Lakers, with Luka dominating and LeBron beaming ear to ear, are back in the contender conversation, at @theathletic.com

A look at how they got here, what it might mean for LBJ’s future, and more (free link)

www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

Wolves survive Warriors, turn focus to 'great challenge' of their matchup with Thunder

On the (unimpressive) week that was for the Jekyll-and-Hyde Timberwolves, who played with their food in a win against the Warriors, and why this won’t work against the best of the best (like OKC on Sunday).

@theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...

Why Bam Adebayo and the Heat should have stopped at matching Kobe Bryant’s 81 points (Gift Article) What Adebayo did Tuesday was remarkable in its own right, but here's why he should have called it a night a little bit sooner.

Why Bam Adebayo and the Heat should have stopped at 81 - just like the broadcast said - rather than taking Kobe’s mark, @theathletic.com

(Free link)

www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander nears Wilt’s record, Kon Knueppel’s ROY case and more (Gift Article) Plus, more on the Warriors' Kristaps Porziņģis, his mysterious health history and his impending free agency.

Monday morning musings, at @theathletic.com

* On SGA catching Wilt in the 20-plus club, and why it warrants a pause in the officiating conversation

* ROY race: Cooper returning & Kon’s (compelling) candidacy

* The Warriors’ Porzingis problem

(Free link)

www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

Timberwolves making sure they’re part of the conversation in crowded West Minnesota beat Denver then beat the Nuggets to the airport. Can the Wolves find themselves ahead when it matters most?

On the Timberwolves’ race to pass the Nuggets in the West standings, and on the way to the local airport, en route to the title-contending conversation, at @theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Debate, confusion and a 'message' sent: Inside the NBA's call with GMs on tanking

‘He sounded more like Stern than Silver.’ Debate, confusion and a ‘message’ sent: Inside the NBA’s call with GMs on tanking w @samamick.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

Adam Silver tells teams NBA plans to make anti-tanking rule changes

Additional details from the GM meeting where the anti-tanking discussion was in full force, including messages sent by NBA commissioner Adam Silver and (adviser) Mike Krzyzewski, at @theathletic.com

“We’re all to blame,” one GM said.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

What I’m hearing about the Clippers investigation, Giannis, LeBron and more There has been a significant upswing in league-wide speculation that the NBA’s hammer is likely to fall on the LA Clippers.

Taking on five top-of-mind topics as we head down the home stretch of this NBA season: Clippers investigation, Rockets' descent, Giannis/LeBron futures and...tanking, at @theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

Mat Ishbia sank the Suns by chasing superstars. Then he turned Phoenix into winners The Phoenix Suns owner realized he was going to get criticized regardless. So now, "I'm unapologetically Mat Ishbia."

Inside the Suns' surprise season, and Mat Ishbia's choice to overhaul the organization his way, at @theathletic.com

"I'm unapologetically Mat Ishbia."

The Suns owner unpacks it all: The unorthodox GM hire, coaching changes, Durant, regrets and much more...

www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

For Giannis, Bucks stick to Plan A(ntetokounmpo), but it’s about to get complicated

Why the Bucks, who still believe they can compel Giannis to stick around, stuck with Plan A(ntetokounmpo) at the trade deadline, at @theathletic.com

It’s about to get complicated - again.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

What we’re hearing about Karl-Anthony Towns’ Knicks future, plus more NBA trade intel With the Knicks floundering, would they really consider trading Karl-Anthony Towns? Plus more on Lamelo Ball, Ja Morant.

What I’m hearing about the Knicks’ struggles and the Karl-Anthony Towns questions, a look at the LaMelo Ball situation and what Charlotte might do at the trade deadline, Kings corner and much more, at @theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

Warriors’ Jimmy Butler tears ACL, expected to miss the rest of the season: Source The Warriors' star wing suffered the injury after coming down awkwardly in the third quarter of Monday night's win over the Heat.

Story with Nick Friedell on the Warriors' devastating loss of Jimmy Butler, whose torn ACL is expected to cost him this entire season, and what it means, at @theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...

What we’re hearing about Ja Morant’s tepid trade market, plus more deadline buzz Ja Morant's trade saga underscores the difference between teams simply showing interest in a player and legitimately pursuing him in a deal.

Weekly roundup of of our NBA trade buzz, at @theathletic.com, including my read on the Ja Morant situation and why what he wants (Miami) isn’t what matters most here.

A boo-bird/Bucks watch on the Giannis front, Kuminga, AD, Timberwolves and more…

www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...

How Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors drifted apart — and why a split maybe isn’t imminent With Kuminga now trade eligible, the Warriors' front office faces a defining decision.

It’s Jonathan Kuminga day - and he’s still on the Warriors.

An inside look at this broken relationship and why, even with Jan. 15 finally arriving, a resolution still isn’t in sight, with @thompsonscribe.bsky.social and Nick Friedell, at @theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...

Great seeing you, John!

Why Grizzlies put Ja Morant on the trade market and which teams could be interested Morant is now at the center of the NBA trade market solar system, and he might be leaving Memphis sooner than later.

From Sacramento to the Clippers, Wolves, Miami, Toronto, Brooklyn and beyond, the one and only @johnhollinger.bsky.social weighs in on the Ja Morant market in Memphis, at @theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...

Giannis says he will never ask for trade from Bucks: ‘That’s not in my nature’ In an exclusive interview with The Athletic, Antetokounmpo reiterated his commitment to Milwaukee but noted it's "as of today."

Well this is a hell of an interview that @samamick.bsky.social had with Giannis. Not gonna spoil it but Giannis made a lot of strong declarative statements about his present and future in Milwaukee www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...

Giannis says he will never ask for trade from Bucks: 'That's not in my nature'

A late-night discussion with Giannis Antetokounmpo, who tells me he’ll never ask for a trade out of Milwaukee.

“It’s…not…in…my…nature, ok?” the Bucks big man said.

Much more here on his superstar saga, from the loading dock, at @theathletic.com

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What we’re hearing about Anthony Davis and a possible trade from the Mavericks With Dallas struggling to hold down a Play-In Tournament spot, will the team look to deal its star big man before the Feb. 5 trade deadline?

The latest on Anthony Davis, why his camp wants him traded before the Feb. 5 deadline, and the difficult dynamics Dallas is dealing with among suitors, at @theathletic.com (w/ @christianclark3.bsky.social)

www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

Will Giannis or Trae Young be moved? Our experts debate biggest NBA trade deadline questions It's not only the stars that could make a difference with the trade deadline coming in one month.

Talking NBA trade season, with @johnhollinger.bsky.social and @joshrobbins.bsky.social, at @theathletic.com

Weighing in on Giannis, AD, Trae, LaMelo, Ja et al...

www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...

Jamal Murray is walking tall as the Nuggets' last starter still standing

Jamal Murray’s choice to take a basketball break last summer sparked his start. We talked in camp about the welcome difference from his (Olympic) offseason.

Little did he know he’d be doing this w/out Joker, AG, Cam, Christian or Jonas 🤦‍♂️

@theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...

Jamal Murray is walking tall as the Nuggets' last starter still standing

On this brutal challenge facing the battered Nuggets and why Jamal Murray - whose All-Star drought should come to an end this year - is the key to surviving it, at @theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...