SAN FRANCISCO — Russell Westbrook said he “absolutely” believes that Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham’s decision to bring him off the bench in L.A.’s preseason finale could have caused the hamstring strain he suffered that night. “I’ve been doing the same thing for 14 years straight,” Westbrook said following the Lakers’ 123-109 loss to … Read more
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers will be limited at point guard for their opener against the Golden State Warriors, but that didn’t stop Anthony Davis from planning a statement performance to start the regular season. “Our first two games are against two title contenders,” Davis said Monday, referring to Tuesday’s opener on … Read more
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook will be reevaluated Saturday after exiting Los Angeles’ 133-86 loss to the host Sacramento Kings on Friday night with a left hamstring injury. Westbrook exited the court in the first quarter, but it was unclear how he suffered the injury. Coach Darvin Ham said after the game that Westbrook told him … Read more
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — After several videos went viral making it appear Russell Westbrook was intentionally distancing himself from teammates during the Los Angeles Lakers‘ preseason loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, the veteran guard offered context to debunk any signs of discord. In one video, shot on a phone by Instagram user Michael … Read more
NBArank is back for its 12th season counting down the best players in the league. Where are MVP candidates such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic? What about rookies and young stars ready to take the leap into the upper tier of NBA players? Where is LeBron James, who is entering … Read more
The NBA’s two biggest offseason questions — the futures of Kevin Durant and Donovan Mitchell — have been answered. But while the Brooklyn Nets seem on track to run it back with their current core intact, the drama at Barclays Center is far from over. Will the Durant-Nets partnership survive the rest of the season … Read more
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Patrick Beverley still was sweating from a workout at the Los Angeles Lakers‘ practice facility when Russell Westbrook delivered an assist. Westbrook interrupted Beverley’s introductory news conference with reporters to toss him a towel, making sure his new backcourt teammate looked good. “Love that brother,” an appreciative Beverley said. “First dime … Read more