Inside Hornets' metamorphosis into the NBA's buzziest team The Hornets are two wins away from snapping the NBA's longest current playoff drought. Can Charlotte end the futility by advancing out of the play-in against the Heat?

A year ago, LaMelo Ball gave GM Jeff Peterson a breakdown of why he liked Kon Knueppel before the lottery took place. That assist helped Charlotte become perhaps the most fun team to watch.
“The world is starting to see how serious Hornets basketball is." www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

Sources: Porzingis out vs. OKC but nearing return Hawks center Kristaps Porzingis will not play at Oklahoma City on Monday but is nearing a return and will be listed as day-to-day moving forward, sources told ESPN.

Kristaps Porzingis remains out for Monday but is nearing a return and will be day-to-day moving forward, with ⁦‪@ShamsCharania‬⁩
www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

'I love it and hate it': Miracles, nightmares and more tales of NBA Christmas With NBA Christmas games on the horizon, stars and coaches share their stories and gripes about playing on the holiday.

Playing on Christmas is an honor. But from LeBron to Steph to Bronny, it’s a huge sacrifice. Draymond to ESPN: “As an NBA player, you want to be on that stage -- marquee games and everybody's watching. But as a human, it f---ing sucks, if I'm honest.” www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

'I love it and hate it': Miracles, nightmares and more tales of NBA Christmas With NBA Christmas games on the horizon, stars and coaches share their stories and gripes about playing on the holiday.

Until recently, Steph Curry’s Christmas memories weren’t so great. Steve Kerr relives his nightmare every Xmas. Bronny can’t remember Christmas without watching LeBron. Stars share what it’s like to play on Christmas w/ @mcten @JamalCollier www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

How Derik Queen became the Pelicans' future after a shocking draft-night trade Queen, the face of a controversial trade, is tasked with rescuing a franchise that is experiencing another difficult campaign

People still don’t grasp why New Orleans traded its unprotected first-round pick. But as Joe Dumars explains why he’s taking another leap of faith on a controversial big man draft pick, Derik Queen made history this week trying to prove he’s worth the risk www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

'He's already unlocked things': Why the Magic needed Desmond Bane Orlando is hoping its all-in approach for Desmond Bane will help stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner win a championship.

Desmond Bane scored 37 points to overwhelm Miami. The Magic are heading to Vegas and this run began with a buzzer-beating game-winner back in early November. This is why the Magic paid a steep price to get Bane and how he has unlocked things for Orlando: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

Harden passes Melo, up to 10th on scoring list Clippers star James Harden surpasses Carmelo Anthony for 10th on the NBA's career scoring list.

James Harden passes Carmelo Anthony to become10th all-time in scoring:

“You look at that list, it's like there's no way.”

www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

Harden 'just as shocked as you guys' by CP3 news Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden said Wednesday night they were both "shocked" when they learned earlier that morning Chris Paul would no longer be their teammate.

www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

Sources: CP3, Lue weren't on speaking terms Chris Paul was not on speaking terms with Clippers coach Ty Lue for several weeks before his stunning ouster from the team, sources told ESPN.

Behind Chris Paul's abrupt ending with the Clippers with @ShamsCharania

Ty Lue: “It wasn't a good fit for what he was looking for. Do I want to see CP go out like this? No... I didn't want to see it end like this.”
www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

'We're betting on ourselves': How Desmond Bane can jump-start Orlando's young stars Orlando is hoping its all-in approach for Desmond Bane will help stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner win a championship.

After a slow start, Desmond Bane’s first-ever buzzer-beater busted his slump and may have jumpstarted Orlando’s season. But before the shot, the Magic already were seeing flashes of why Bane may be the missing piece. Paolo: “He's already unlocked things.” www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

Sources: Hawks' Young (knee sprain) out 4 weeks Hawks star Trae Young sustained a sprained MCL in his right knee and will be reevaluated in four weeks, sources told ESPN on Saturday.

Trae Young underwent an MRI and multiple doctor reviews that revealed a sprained right MCL and that he had dodged major structural damage, sources told @ShamsCharania. Hawks will have to play without their star point guard for at least next month. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

Trae Young is ready to silence his haters The Hawks had a busy offseason that included surrounding Young with star power. Can he claim the wide-open East and prove he's worth a max deal?

With his best roster yet, Trae Young is looking to lead Atlanta to East contention, prove he’s worth a max extension and hush the haters: “There's a lot of misconceptions of me. They'll get changed over time. I feel a lot of it will get changed this year.” www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

The Atlanta Hawks have waived Charles Bassey and Lamont Butler, according to league sources. Center N’Faly Dante will make the regular season roster.

Trees are back: Timberwolves unveil KG-era throwback uniforms From 1998 to 2008, the Wolves wore this look -- making eight straight playoff appearances and a 2003-04 West finals run in that stretch.

As the Wolves look to make a third-straight conference finals, Alex Rodriguez told ESPN they’re bringing this Classic Edition jersey back by demand: “We polled the fans and very high was they wanted these jerseys that mean a great deal - the Black Trees.” www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

Beal's assist: Clips guard to give up No. 3 to CP3 When Chris Paul returns to the LA Clippers, he'll keep the only number he has ever worn in his two decades in the NBA, thanks to guard Bradley Beal, who will give up his No. 3 jersey to Paul.

Chris Paul will return in his familiar No. 3 Clippers jersey with an assist from Bradley Beal. But Paul’s role will be a new one with his former team — one that James Harden and Kawhi Leonard think Paul is best to fill. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

Sources: Dubs pick up options on Post, Santos The Golden State Warriors exercised the team options for center Quinten Post and forward Gui Santos on Sunday.

Warriors exercise team options on Quinten Post and Gui Santos www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

Sources: Harden to sign $81.5M deal with Clips James Harden is declining his $36.3 million player option and intends to sign a two-year, $81.5 million contract to return to the Clippers, sources told ESPN.

Clippers and James Harden agree to a new deal that gives the All Star a raise and allows the Clippers to maintain flexibility to improve www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

'The secret sauce': Inside the closets of superstars SGA and Tyrese Haliburton From clutch performances to fashion icons, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's and Tyrese Haliburton's closets contain the magic.

From Russ to SGA, OKC is the NBA’s fashion capital. Russ used to sew his own clothes (where’s Russ’ photographer vest?) and SGA has walked the Paris runway: “You get these young dudes who are just absolutely dripping and it happens to be in Oklahoma City.” www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

Ohm Youngmisuk on X: "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton have delivered in the Finals where they’ve also brought a Paris feel to a small market clash. Before Game 5, two of the most fashionable stars will continue what Russ helped start: “OKC is a legendary tunnel.” https://t.co/fQQt82ZIVu" / X Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton have delivered in the Finals where they’ve also brought a Paris feel to a small market clash. Before Game 5, two of the most fashionable stars will continue what Russ helped start: “OKC is a legendary tunnel.” https://t.co/fQQt82ZIVu

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton have delivered in the Finals where they’ve also brought a Paris feel to a small market clash. Before Game 5, two of the most fashionable stars will continue what Russ helped start:

“OKC is a legendary tunnel.”

x.com/notoriousohm...

Dubs value Kuminga, but return 'a 2-way street' The Warriors' Mike Dunleavy and Steve Kerr expressed interest in bringing Jonathan Kuminga back, but said his return is "a two-way street."

Mike Dunleavy will try to bring back Jonathan Kuminga. If he’s back, Steve Kerr says he will certainly want to see Kuminga on floor together with Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green early in the season
www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

Steph 'excited' about returning with Butler, Green Stephen Curry says he is excited about returning in the fall and playing a full season with Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler.

After playing three months of playoff-level basketball with Jimmy Butler, Steph Curry says of two-year contention window: “We want this ride to last as long as possible.” www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

Warriors had title shot if Curry healthy, Kerr says The Warriors credited the Wolves and avoided excuses but acknowledged the impact of injuries to Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler as their season ended.

The Warriors didn’t want to take anything away from the Wolves. But it was hard not to think what could’ve been had Stephen Curry been healthy. Steve Kerr: "I don't even have to think what [if]. I know we had a shot. I know we could have gone the distance” www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

Warriors officially rule out Curry for Game 5 The Golden State Warriors will officially be without Stephen Curry when they face elimination in Wednesday's Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Warriors will try to keep their season alive without Steph Curry in Game 5 www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

Curry (hamstring) doesn't expect to play Game 5 Warriors star Stephen Curry, who is rehabbing a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, does not expect to be available for Game 5 on Wednesday, he told Andscape's Marc J. Spears.

Stephen Curry doesn’t expect to be able to return from his strained left hamstring with season on the line in Game 5, he told @MarcJSpears. Also Jimmy Butler was feeling ill on Monday according to Draymond Green. Warriors have a day to recover. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

Curry calls injury a 'gut punch,' won't rush return Calling the situation "a gut punch," Stephen Curry said he knows he has to be careful and can't rush his return given the "tricky" nature of hamstring injuries.

Stephen Curry isn't sure how long it will take to return from his first ever hamstring injury. He said hamstrings can be tricky and can fool you into thinking you're ready. He called it "a gut punch" because there might not be many more opportunities left www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

'He's our leader': Without Steph Curry, the Warriors look to Draymond Green To get past the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Warriors will need their veteran star.

Draymond Green has played his best the last two games with composure. It took 48 hours of recalibrating, listening to Jodeci, heart to hearts with loved ones like Izzo and helping organize the biggest meeting of the year. Without Steph, Draymond must lead with poise: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

Warriors credit meeting for sparking Game 7 win A day after an emotional players-only meeting, Buddy Hield became an unlikely playoff hero for the Warriors, leading the team early in Game 7 against the Rockets before Stephen Curry took over late.

Draymond Green, Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler organized a players meeting on Saturday night. Draymond vowed to set right tone, Jimmy said he’d instill confidence and Steph discussed controlling what you can control. That sparked Warriors onto Minnesota www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

Talking and shooting at Warriors shootaround

Steve Kerr wore a “Thanks Pop” t-shirt at his pregame press conference. The shirt was just given to him by Warriors head PR man @DoubleR_PR