Basketball
Kawhi late scratch vs. Celtics with back spasms
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard warmed up but left the court shortly before tipoff Tuesday night against the Celtics with his back not feeling right. His status for Thursday’s game against Washington is now in question.
McMillan: Balked at Hawks job, swayed by Pierce
Nate McMillan reluctantly agreed to serve as the Atlanta Hawks’ interim coach and only accepted the position after conferring with Lloyd Pierce following Pierce’s firing on Monday.
Curry, Booker look to repeat as 3-point champs
There will be no shortage of stars in the NBA’s 3-point contest this weekend in Atlanta, starting with Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Phoenix’s Devin Booker.
Lakers play host to Suns without Gasol, Kuzma
Riding a two-game winning streak since the return of Dennis Schroder, the Lakers were again short-handed as they hosted the Suns on Tuesday, with Marc Gasol and Kyle Kuzma out of the lineup.
Sources: Two-way contracts to be more flexible
The NBA is set to allow players on two-way contracts to play more than 50 games and to be eligible for the playoffs, sources told ESPN.
Raptors to return Wed. minus 5 players, Nurse
The Toronto Raptors will be without three starters and two reserves but will have enough players when they return to action Wednesday against the Detroit Pistons.
AP source: NBA planning to remove restriction on two-way deals
The NBA has moved closer to a deal where players on two-way contracts could appear on the active roster for as many games as their teams would like.
What’s wrong with the Celtics?
Boston has two under-25 All-Stars. So why does the team seem so far away from hanging an 18th championship banner?
‘He was a basketball genius’: How a 17-year-old Kobe wowed Jerry West and the Lakers
In 1996, Jerry West and the Lakers hosted a slapdash workout for a 17-year-old from Philly. Twenty-five years later, it’s become one of the best decisions, and stories, in NBA history.