Sam Amico
Sam Amico has covered the NBA for 20 years, previously for SI.com, FOX Sports, CBS Sports, Amico Hoops and the Boston Herald.
Rockets’ 5-0 start comes with encouraging news for Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant doesn’t have to do everything for the Rockets. Five games into the season, that might be the most encouraging thing about them.
Houston...
Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla using AI to question his own coaching habits
Joe Mazzulla has found another way to review his work. Basically, he’s asking artificial intelligence whether he spent practice doing what he said the...
NBA Notes: Raptors, Kawhi Leonard, Nets, Egor Demin, Lakers
Raptors
The Raptors have a better idea of how long they’ll be without Kawhi Leonard. It still amounts to a considerable stretch.
The expectation is that...
Sixers granted $1.7 million exception after Ariel Hukporti injury
The Sixers have received the extra spending flexibility they requested after losing Ariel Hukporti. Finding the right way to use it is the next...
Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards has knee surgery, return date still uncertain
Anthony Edwards’ knee procedure is complete. The Timberwolves now begin the considerably less enjoyable part of waiting for their best player to return.
Edwards underwent...
Trail Blazers pick up options on Donovan Clingan, Yang Hansen
The Trail Blazers’ new backcourt is getting plenty of attention. They’re also keeping a couple of investments in the middle.
Portland exercised its 2027-28 team...
NBA Notes: Jazz, Darryn Peterson, Lakers, Collin Sexton, Warriors
Jazz
Darryn Peterson scored 18 points against the Spurs. When the game needed deciding, though, the Jazz rookie was watching.
Will Hardy pulled the No. 2...
Jaylen Brown pushes back on Brian Scalabrine: ‘None of that is true’
Jaylen Brown is trying to get started with the Sixers. He keeps having to explain how things ended with the Celtics.
This time, Brown addressed...
Cavs’ Evan Mobley on 3-point barrage: ‘I feel like it’s sustainable’
CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers beat the Wizards on Wednesday because they buckled down on defense.
But Evan Mobley hitting five threes sure didn’t hurt.
Mobley finished...
Clippers make roster move
The Clippers need healthy bodies and Blake Wesley needs another opportunity. For the next 10 days, they can help each other.
Los Angeles signed Wesley...
Dribbles: Cavs win again, but sure take the scenic route
CLEVELAND — Random dribbles from the Cavaliers' 121-111 win over the visiting Wizards on Wednesday night at Rocket Arena.
1. I've come to the conclusion...
Cavs get wake-up call, then take care of Wizards
CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers apparently needed a reminder that these aren't the same old Wizards.
Coach Kenny Atkinson delivered it at halftime Wednesday, and the...
Celtics’ Jayson Tatum starting to feel like himself: ‘Something in my mind clicks’
Everybody saw Jayson Tatum’s game-winner against the Nets. Some of the moments that meant the most to him were considerably less obvious.
A cut. An...
Thunder need Isaiah Hartenstein to do more than clean up the glass
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can create plenty of offense. The Thunder’s growing injury list makes it increasingly important that he doesn’t have to create all of...
Lawson Lovering gives Lakers another option where they need help
Lawson Lovering isn’t arriving with the expectation that he’ll solve the Lakers’ frontcourt problems. But a young center who can rebound and contest shots...
Suns’ early problem goes beyond getting Devin Booker better shots
The Suns need to get their offense organized. They also need to stop giving opponents a second turn with the ball.
Through Phoenix’s first three...
