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NBArank 2022 – Ranking the best players for 2022-23, from 5 to 1

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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?

To get the final NBArank prediction, we asked our expert panel to vote on pairs of players: LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry vs. Ja Morant, Luka vs. Jayson Tatum … and the list goes on.

We asked, “Which player will be better in 2022-23?” Voters had to predict what they expected from each player during the season.

We’ve already revealed players Nos. 100-26, Nos. 25-11 and a surprising Nos. 10-6. Today, our rankings conclude with the league’s top five superstars.

Note: ESPN’s NBArank panel, composed of over 200 reporters, editors, producers and analysts, were asked to rank players based on their predicted contributions — quality and quantity — for the 2022-23 season only.

Golden State Warriors | PG

2021 NBArank: 5

If a Finals MVP was the piece of hardware missing from Curry’s argument as one of the all-time greats, that’s now taken care of, as Steph led the Warriors to their fourth title in six years en route to earning the elusive accolade. Sources told ESPN that, heading into training camp, Curry is looking in shape and primed to pick up where he left off.

Why his ranking was unchanged

Curry is in the same position he was in at the start of last season. After averaging 25.5 points per game on 43.7% shooting, Curry by no means had a subpar season — he was an early contender for MVP — but an ankle injury did keep him off the floor for the last month of the regular season. In his absence, his teammates stepped up and kept the Warriors afloat to secure the West’s No. 3 seed. Perhaps that — in addition to the rise of the MVP contenders below — is the reason he’s in the same spot in our rankings.

One huge question for 2022-23

Can Steph and the Warriors do it again? Despite the strength of their All-Star core and supporting cast, their title hopes rest mainly on Curry’s shoulders. As stated above, Curry is said to be ready to start this season as he ended the last. And despite rising conversations about Curry’s age (he’ll turn 35 before the end of the regular season) and how big his remaining window is, his performance suggests he could continue to play at this level for the foreseeable future.

Why he could end the season No. 1

Based on Curry’s 2021-22 campaign, there’s no obvious reason to believe he couldn’t end this season as the No. 1-ranked player in the league. Barring an extended absence, Curry should be able to put together a strong, complete season that could see him win another championship and possibly more individual hardware.

— Kendra Andrews

Philadelphia 76ers | C

2021 NBArank: 7

After two straight narrow second-place finishes behind Jokic in MVP voting, Embiid is again a favorite to claim the award as the anchor of what should be one of the better teams in the league.

Why he rose three spots

Embiid was dominant last season, averaging 30.6 points per game to lead the league in scoring for the first time in his career — the first time a center led the league in scoring since Shaquille O’Neal in 1999-2000 and the first time a center had averaged at least 30 points per game across an entire season since Moses Malone in 1981-82.

Embiid also averaged the fewest minutes of any player to win the scoring title with 33.8 per game, beating the 34.2 mark Curry set in both 2016 and 2021. He has become a complete player offensively, able to score at all three levels with ease, and is one of the league’s most imposing rim protectors.

One huge question for 2022-23

At this point in his career, the only question left for Embiid isn’t necessarily up to him: Can he make it through a postseason healthy?

To this point in his career, he has had one dose of bad injury luck after another, including a facial fracture and thumb sprain during Philadelphia’s playoff run in the spring. When Embiid is healthy and available, there might not be a more dominant player in the NBA today. After playing a career-high 68 games last season, Embiid is eyeing both a healthy regular season and playoffs this time around. If he does, the sky’s the limit.

Why he could end the season No. 1

After years of having to make up for the deficiencies of a flawed roster around him, this season is the first time Embiid will be surrounded by a team built to optimize his strengths. That will only increase Embiid’s chances of claiming that elusive MVP award and leading Philadelphia to the deep playoff run missing from his résumé.

If those things happen, he could vault to the top of this list.

— Tim Bontemps

Dallas Mavericks | PG

2021 NBArank: 4

After spending his offseason starring for the Slovenian national team, Doncic should report to training camp in game shape for the first time in a few years. When conditioning isn’t a concern, Doncic is one of the NBA’s most dominant forces.

Why he rose one spot

At 23, Doncic has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s in the top tier of superstars, a perennial All-NBA selection and an MVP candidate. He cemented that status last season, when he was the lone All-Star on a Dallas team that went to the West finals.

Despite a calf strain that sidelined him for the first three games of the first round, Doncic led Dallas in points, rebounds and assists 10 times during the playoffs — the most ever in a single postseason, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

He’s arguably the best offensive weapon in the NBA — a threat to win scoring and assists titles who picks apart defenses with a blend of power, skill and savvy. He’s also a ruthless competitor, as evidenced by his unforgettable Game 7 demolition of the top-seeded Suns, when he single-handedly matched Phoenix’s scoring total in the first half.

One huge question for 2022-23

How far can Doncic lead a team that doesn’t feature another All-Star? Dallas’ roster was dealt a significant blow when Jalen Brunson, the Mavs’ second-best player last season, bolted for New York in free agency. Mavs management is confident that Brunson’s scoring void can be filled by Tim Hardaway Jr.’s return from injury and Christian Wood’s arrival via trade.

But in a league loaded with star duos, Doncic carries as big of a burden as anyone. Doncic has led the league in usage rate the past two seasons, a trend that’s likely to continue into 2022-23.

Why he could end the season No. 1

Doncic has finished fourth, sixth and fifth in MVP voting the past three seasons, respectively. This could be the season that Doncic climbs to the top of the ballots, especially if he gets off to a strong start and Dallas claims a top-four spot in the competitive West.

The Mavs went 32-12 — a 60-win pace — with Doncic in uniform after he returned from a three-week absence to heal his sprained ankle and work on his conditioning.

— Tim MacMahon

Denver Nuggets | C

2021 NBArank: 6

Despite Jokic averaging 31.0 points, 13.2 rebounds and 5.8 assists, the Nuggets were no match for Golden State in the first round. But with Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. expected back this season, Denver hopes to be back in contention, led by its two-time reigning MVP.

Why he rose four spots

How did Jokic follow up an MVP season? He got better. Jokic became just the 13th player in NBA history to win back-to-back MVP awards and did so with a historic campaign. He’s the first player to average 25 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists in a season and the first to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and field goal percentage.

Jokic beat out Embiid for MVP by recording the highest PER (32.8) in a season in NBA history. Jokic collected 19 triple-doubles — most by a center since Wilt Chamberlain — and led Denver to one more win than the previous season despite missing Murray and Porter Jr.

One huge question for 2022-23

The Nuggets are whole again, but can Jokic and a new-look roster recapture the form that helped Denver reach the West finals in the 2020 bubble? Murray missed all of last season due to a torn ACL, and Porter Jr. was out since early November due to back surgery.

The Nuggets welcome both back but also went through some changes in the offseason, namely adding Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown and trading Monte Morris to the Washington Wizards to clear playing time for emerging second-year point guard Bones Hyland.

Why he could end the season No. 1

If he was able to put together a historic season without Murray and Porter Jr., what can he do with them back on the court? Jokic was double-teamed 191 times on post-ups last season, the most in the league. With a full complement of contributors around him, Jokic won’t face the same type of defensive attention.

While his scoring might dip, assists and other categories could increase this season. And if he can three-peat as MVP, Jokic would pull off what only Larry Bird, Chamberlain and Bill Russell have accomplished — that sounds like a recipe to become the No. 1 player in the league.

— Ohm Youngmisuk

Milwaukee Bucks | PF

2021 NBArank: 2

As Antetokounmpo enters his age-28 season, his list of accolades already makes him one of the most decorated winners in league history. So the question remains how he will add to that list. Can he win a third NBA MVP? The Bucks will be among the favorites to win another NBA championship, but can Antetokounmpo secure another Finals MVP? The expectations are high each season, but Antetokounmpo usually finds a way to exceed them.

Why he rose one spot

From the pure consistency and the reliable dominance each night from Antetokounmpo, his claim on the status as best player in the world has only been strengthened in the past year. Arguably no player in the league can match his impact on both ends of the floor.

To follow up winning his first Finals MVP, Antetokounmpo challenged for the scoring title, averaging 29.9 points (third in the NBA), while grabbing 11.6 rebounds, dishing out 5.8 assists with 1.1 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. Even though Milwaukee was without its second best player, Khris Middleton, during their second-round playoff series against Boston, the Bucks extended the series to seven games on the will of Antetokounmpo, who averaged 31.7 points, 14.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists in the postseason.

One huge question for 2022-23

What new skill will Antetokounmpo bring to the table? After each offseason, Antetokounmpo emerges with a new skill in his arsenal. Over the years, he has refined his vision as a passer, has improved an outside jumper that keeps defenses guessing and has become more unstoppable attacking the paint and in the post. Is it possible for Antetokounmpo to get even better?

— Jamal Collier

NBArank 2022: Nos. 100-26 | Nos. 25-11 | Nos. 10-6 | Nos. 5-1

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EuroBasket 2022 – Ranking the top 25 players, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic

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Who are the top players to watch at FIBA EuroBasket 2022?

The action begins Thursday in the Czech Republic, Italy, Georgia and Germany — an 18-day tournament culminating with the final stage in Berlin, and some of the NBA’s top superstars are hoping to lead their countries to the title.

Most notably, the winners of the past four MVPs and a young phenom poised to win a few of his own will be in action: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic. The Dallas Mavericks guard led Slovenia to the title in 2017 — can he do it again?

The star power doesn’t end there, with a host of NBA players taking part, including All-Stars Rudy Gobert and Domantas Sabonis and one player who moonlights as a movie star.

Who will shine brightest in the battle for European hoops supremacy? NBA Insiders Jonathan Givony and Kevin Pelton are breaking down their 25 picks — draft style.

Watch every EuroBasket 2022 game live on ESPN+

1. Nikola Jokic, Serbia

It’s not an easy choice picking between Jokic, Antetokounmpo and Doncic, but in the end I gave the nod to the two-time reigning NBA MVP whose fit in the FIBA game is a little cleaner than Antetokounmpo, who also has a better supporting cast.

Jokic was phenomenal in Serbia’s two FIBA World Cup qualifiers last week, including an overtime win against Antetokounmpo and Greece, during which Jokic posted 29 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. He has being used similarly with Serbia as with the Denver Nuggets, equally devastating operating with his back to the basket, in dribble handoffs and as a pick-and-roll finisher. Jokic has been playing with strong intensity defensively while representing his home country.

— Givony

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece

From one back-to-back MVP to another, Antetokounmpo’s ongoing quest to translate his individual brilliance to Greek national team success continues in EuroBasket. Greece finished fifth in the event in 2015 but hasn’t broken through since Antetokounmpo emerged as arguably the world’s best player.

The matchup with Serbia and Jokic in World Cup qualifying last month was emblematic of Antetokounmpo’s plight. He had 40 points on 14-of-25 shooting, along with 8 rebounds and 5 assists, yet Greece still fell 100-94 in overtime. No wonder people might believe implausibly dominant pretend Antetokounmpo box scores.

— Pelton

3. Luka Doncic, Slovenia

I gave serious thought to taking Doncic No. 1, so picking him here was somewhat of a no-brainer after averaging 28.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game last season with the Dallas Mavericks. Despite being 23, Doncic has considerable experience in tournaments of this nature, winning the last iteration of EuroBasket in 2017 at age 18 and leading Slovenia to a fourth-place finish in the Tokyo Olympics last summer.

As a 6-foot-7 point guard and pick-and-roll maestro who can make any pass and is a threat to pull up from anywhere, Doncic could be the most impactful player in this tournament, even though his conditioning isn’t trending in the best direction.

— Givony

4. Rudy Gobert, France

There’s a slight drop-off from the tier of MVP candidates to Gobert, merely a perennial All-NBA pick on one of the top EuroBasket contenders. Gobert helped France to the gold-medal game in Tokyo last year, nearly averaging a double-double (12.2 PPG, 9.3 RPG) while supplying his typically dominant rim protection.

As compared to Gobert’s time with the Utah Jazz prior to this summer’s trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves, France has done a better job of making opponents pay for switching smaller defenders on Gobert in the paint.

— Pelton

5. Franz Wagner, Germany

Coming off an outstanding debut campaign, which netted him a spot on the NBA’s All-Rookie team, Wagner has displayed an even higher level to his game, evolving into a featured role on the German national team this summer. He was outstanding in a pair of blowout wins in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers last week, including a 19-point performance in a blowout win over Doncic and Slovenia.

Having turned 21 earlier this week, Wagner isn’t anywhere near his peak but continues to make impressive strides physically and is showing noticeably higher confidence as a ball handler and pull-up shooter. Wagner is already an elite cutter, off-ball defender and passer who does myriad little things that impact winning.

— Givony

6. Dario Saric, Croatia

Although Saric is undoubtedly not the best player remaining at this point, he’s the most interesting to me because of his comeback from an ACL tear suffered in the 2021 NBA Finals. That injury sidelined Saric for all of 2021-22 as his Suns posted the league’s best record before being upset by Doncic and the Mavericks in the conference semifinals.

Phoenix suffered in part from difficulty matching up with Dallas’ small frontcourts, and Saric could help change that if he’s back to the versatile backup 5 role he played for the Suns before his injury.

— Pelton

7. Domantas Sabonis, Lithuania

Sabonis has never hesitated to heed the call from Lithuania — he will play in his 10th FIBA event since 2012, despite being 26 years old. Lithuania has arguably the strongest frontcourt in EuroBasket with Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas providing serious muscle in the paint, and quite a bit of offense will flow through Sabonis and his outstanding passing ability. Lithuania went 9-0 in August in exhibition and FIBA qualifying play, raising considerable hope for a gold-medal run behind its NBA frontcourt stalwarts.

— Givony

8. Bojan Bogdanovic, Croatia

Will Bogdanovic still be a member of the Jazz by the conclusion of EuroBasket? As Utah pivots into a rebuild after trading Gobert, and perhaps eventually co-star Donovan Mitchell, Bogdanovic looms as an obvious candidate for a deal to a contender. At 33, Bogdanovic is heading into the final season of a reasonable contract that pays him $19-plus million. He fits just about anywhere, and while Bogdanovic’s value is well established ahead of EuroBasket, a strong showing could be useful to teams hoping to win the news conference as well as a trade.

— Pelton

9. Lauri Markkanen, Finland

Markkanen, coming off a strong season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, takes his game to an entirely different level when he puts on a Finland jersey. He scored 129 points in 158 minutes in five exhibition and qualifying games — all wins — to help Finland earn a berth in next summer’s World Cup.

Markkanen plays more as a stretch-5 than as a small forward like he does in Cleveland, which opens up his game significantly. In a wide-open group, Finland has hopes to advance to the quarterfinals of a FIBA event for the first time since 1967.

— Givony

10. Evan Fournier, France

Like Bogdanovic, Fournier heads to EuroBasket after dealing with trade rumors this summer. In Fournier’s case, he could head the opposite direction as part of a New York Knicks deal for Mitchell, though New York extending wing RJ Barrett complicates the possibility of a trade. After an underwhelming first season with the Knicks as part of a four-year, $73 million contract signed last summer, Fournier could help rebuild his value during EuroBasket.

— Pelton

11. Jonas Valanciunas, Lithuania

No player in basketball has proven more committed to his national team than Valanciunas, who has represented Lithuania in a remarkable 16 FIBA events dating back to 2007, when he was 15 years old. Valanciunas continues to improve, posting career-high scoring and assist numbers for the New Orleans Pelicans while even incorporating a semi-reliable 3-point shot (hitting 35% of 2 attempts per game) to his arsenal.

He has been a rock inside the paint for Lithuania this summer, posting gaudy scoring and rebounding numbers (85 points and 55 rebounds in 136 minutes) on impressive efficiency. Lithuania hasn’t medaled in a FIBA event since 2015.

— Givony

12. Jusuf Nurkic, Bosnia and Herzegovina

When we last saw Nurkic stateside, he was helping the Portland Trail Blazers win their final four games before the All-Star break after trading starters Robert Covington, CJ McCollum and Norman Powell. Nurkic averaged 21.5 points per game and 14.0 rebounds per game during that stretch but was shut down after the break because of plantar fasciitis. Nurkic has shown no ill effects in World Cup qualifying, posting 21 points and nine boards in a double-overtime win against France on Saturday.

— Pelton

13. Vasilije Micic, Serbia

Micic is currently the best non-NBA player in European basketball, a two-time EuroLeague champion and Final Four MVP who led the league in scoring this past season. He’s an NBA-caliber player who simply hasn’t been able to come to terms with the teams holding his rights — most recently the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are on a different timetable than the late-blooming 28-year-old.

With Micic’s NBA window rapidly closing, this tournament provides a platform against the world’s best players, something that has eluded him; Serbia did not qualify for the Tokyo Olympics last summer. Injuries have hampered Micic through much of his career, and he might not be at 100% health at EuroBasket because of an ankle sprain he suffered last week.

— Givony

14. Dennis Schroder, Germany

Still unsigned as an NBA free agent, Schroder has seen his reputation take a hit since finishing second in Sixth Man Award voting in 2019-20 with the Thunder. Schroder has played for three teams in the past two seasons, finishing last season with the lottery-bound Houston Rockets.

A strong effort in EuroBasket could boost Schroder’s chances of finding a landing spot before training camp. He averaged 20.3 PPG in four World Cup qualifiers, albeit on just 34% shooting.

— Pelton

15. Alperen Sengun, Turkey

Sengun had a productive rookie season with Houston — and he is arguably the most skilled post player at this tournament besides Jokic — but has struggled to find chemistry with a star-studded Turkish roster. The team has lost four consecutive exhibition and FIBA qualifying games leading into EuroBasket, as defense has been a consistent issue, especially with Sengun anchoring the paint.

Despite its poor play in preparation games, Turkey will lean on three NBA players — Cedi Osman and Furkan Korkmaz the others — as it eyes a run to the quarterfinals, something the country has done just once in a FIBA tournament since 2009.

— Givony

16. Simone Fontecchio, Italy

After dealing Gobert, the Jazz made Fontecchio their only addition in free agency, signing the Italian guard to a two-year contract worth more than $6 million. Fontecchio was an effective role player in EuroLeague, most recently with Baskonia, but becomes more of a scorer with the Italian national team.

He averaged 19.3 PPG in last year’s Olympics and will need to carry more of the load with Danilo Gallinari sidelined by a meniscus injury suffered in World Cup qualifying.

— Pelton

17. Guerschon Yabusele, France

Selected 16th in the 2016 NBA draft, Yabusele underperformed for the Boston Celtics, playing just 547 minutes before being waived. He has since turned his career around, becoming arguably the best offensive player in the EuroLeague for Real Madrid: a 40% 3-point shooter who is also nearly unstoppable in the paint.

Yabusele has garnered significant NBA interest but elected to stay in Spain, but at 26 years old, he likely won’t stop getting offers considering how versatile he is offensively. A strong showing at EuroBasket could accelerate interest around the league, providing an excellent platform for him against NBA-level competition.

— Givony

18. Deni Avdija, Israel

A role player with the Washington Wizards, averaging 8.4 PPG off the bench last season, Avdija gets more of a chance to show his shot creation ability playing for Israel. He had 25 points in an exhibition last month against Auburn. Since returning from an illness that sidelined him for two World Cup qualifiers, Avdija hasn’t been as effective, totaling 21 points on 7-of-21 shooting in two games.

— Pelton

19. Cedi Osman, Turkey

Osman, 27, has been a consistent stalwart for Turkey from a very young age, as he’s participating in his 12th FIBA event since 2011. He’s coming off his best season in the NBA with the Cavs, scoring efficiently while providing energy and passing versatility. Osman is asked to shoulder a bigger role for Turkey than he does in the NBA, which has led to some impressive scoring exploits this summer. His ability to emerge as a two-way force will play a major role in Turkey’s success at this event.

— Givony

20. Goran Dragic, Slovenia

Dragic retired from international basketball after leading Slovenia to the 2017 EuroBasket title as MVP, but he has returned to the national team this summer to support Doncic. In four World Cup qualifiers, Dragic has averaged 16.8 PPG while making more than 60% of his 2s, far better than the 47% he shot inside the arc last season in the NBA.

— Pelton

21. Ivica Zubac, Croatia

Fresh off a three-year, $33 million extension with the LA Clippers, Zubac will play in his first major international FIBA event since the U-19 World Cup in 2015. In 2021-22, Zubac started 78 games and posted career highs in every major category, proving to be a consistent inside two-way presence for a Clippers team that has NBA title ambitions next season.

— Givony

22. Juancho Hernangomez, Spain

Hernangomez, who portrayed Bo Cruz in Netflix’s “Hustle,” has taken a back seat to brother Willy in the two World Cup qualifiers he has played thus far, averaging just 6.0 PPG. Hernangomez will hope to use a strong EuroBasket showing as a springboard to a breakthrough campaign after signing with the Toronto Raptors as a free agent this summer.

— Pelton

23. Shane Larkin, Turkey

Larkin, the No. 18 pick in the 2013 NBA draft, didn’t make enough shots to stick in the NBA through two separate stints but has turned himself into arguably the best American player in Europe over the past few seasons. He has won back-to-back EuroLeague titles while converting 41% of his 3-pointers on significant volume.

Turning 30 in October, and standing 5-foot-11, Larkin’s NBA window might have closed, but he’s still capable of playing a role on the right team as a prolific scoring backup. In the meantime, he has received a Turkish passport, allowing him to play in his first FIBA tournament.

— Givony

24. Jan Vesely, Czech Republic

It has been eight years since Vesely wrapped up an underwhelming, three-year career with the Wizards as a lottery pick. Back in Europe, Vesely has established himself as a strong contributor in the paint, winning EuroLeague MVP in 2019. EuroBasket allows us to check in on both Vesely and fellow former Wizard Tomas Satoransky, who signed with FC Barcelona this summer after six NBA seasons.

— Pelton

25. Tyler Dorsey, Greece

Dorsey, the No. 41 pick in the 2017 NBA draft, headed to Europe after two inefficient seasons in the NBA. He has evolved quite a bit since then, becoming one of the best scorers in the EuroLeague and improving as a playmaker and defender. Dorsey will play an essential role for Greece, relieving pressure from Antetokounmpo with his shot-making ability.

Dorsey surprised many by betting on himself in turning down huge financial offers in the EuroLeague to sign a two-way contract with the Mavericks but has looked like a potentially excellent complement for Doncic.

— Givony

Other players to watch:

The EuroBasket talent level doesn’t end at 25, as we excluded quite a few players who are either in the NBA or are NBA- caliber, such as Willy Hernangomez (Spain), Furkan Korkmaz (Turkey), Mike Tobey (Slovenia), Nick Calathes (Greece), Kostas Sloukas (Greece), Usman Garuba (Spain), Sasha Vezenkov (Bulgaria), Elie Okobo (France), Goga Bitadze (Georgia), Rokas Jokubaitis (Lithuania), Georgios Papagiannis (Greece), Sertac Sanli (Turkey), Sandro Mamukelashvili (Georgia) and Yam Madar (Israel).

NBA teams will be out in droves scouting this event.

— Givony



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As playoff run ends, Luka Doncic says improving his defense can take Dallas Mavericks ‘to the next level’

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SAN FRANCISCO — Luka Doncic’s initial reaction to the end of the longest playoff run of his young NBA career was to express disappointment in himself.

“I don’t like losing, especially like this,” Doncic said after the Dallas Mavericks were eliminated Thursday night with a 120-110 Game 5 loss to the Golden State Warriors. “I played terrible.”

Doncic finished his final game of the season with 28 points, nine rebounds and six assists, but it was a performance that fell far short of his high standards, especially in potential elimination games. He was only 10-of-28 from the floor, including 3-of-13 from 3-point range, and frequently failed to get back on defense after his misses.

Doncic scored 15 points as the Mavs rallied in the third quarter, but Dallas couldn’t overcome a deficit that swelled to 25 points in part due to his poor performance in the first half, when he was just 2-of-12 from the floor with three turnovers.

Nevertheless, it was the 10th time in these playoffs that Doncic led Dallas in points, rebounds and assists, breaking the record set by LeBron James in 2013 for the most such outings in a single postseason. He averaged 31.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists to lead the Mavericks, who had last won a playoff series during the franchise’s 2011 championship run, to the Western Conference finals.

“If we talk about our season, I’m really proud of this team — everybody, every player, every staff member,” Doncic said. “Nobody had us here. But I promise we fought until the end. Congratulations to Warriors. They were obviously the better team. But I’m really proud of this team.”

Warriors coach Steve Kerr described Doncic as “impossible to guard.” At 23, Doncic has already proven to be a historically elite offensive threat in the playoffs, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to average at least 30 points per game in each of their first three postseasons, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Doncic said he’s confident that the Mavs are “on a great path” to become a championship team, but he said he needs to make significant strides defensively for the team to reach those heights.

“I think defense has got to be way better for me,” said Doncic, who was frequently targeted by playoff opponents. “Honestly, I think I made a huge step this year defensively, but there’s so much room for improvement. I’ve got to be way better there. I think that’s one spot that can take us to the next level.”

Doncic also discussed the “great relationship” he developed with first-year Mavs coach Jason Kidd, a Hall of Fame point guard whose on-court leadership played a key role in the Mavs’ lone title. He emphasized his trust of Kidd, who publicly challenged Doncic on a few occasions this season, such as calling him out for arguing with referees instead of running back on defense and challenging him to “participate” on defense.

Doncic earned his third consecutive first-team All-NBA selection despite having to play his way into shape. He reported to training camp weighing more than 260 pounds for the second consecutive season, and he didn’t perform like an MVP candidate until after taking three weeks off in December to recover from recurring ankle sprains and work on his conditioning.

Kidd didn’t specifically mention Doncic when relaying the postgame message that he delivered to the Mavs in the locker room, but it seemed to be intended for the superstar, who will spend much of the offseason playing for the Slovenian national team.

“Now it’s about, what is our appetite come next season?” Kidd said. “Are we going to tiptoe into the season or are we going to be hungry? Then, are we going to train this summer to understand what it means to play into May and June? Because it’s a long season.”

Doncic has made steady improvements since his Rookie of the Year campaign, such as adding a Dirk Nowitzki-esque one-legged fadeaway and polishing his floater. Mavs management anticipates that Doncic will return to Dallas with even more.

“That’s what the great ones do,” Mavs governor Mark Cuban said. “He’s a top-three, top-one, top-two player in this league, and he’ll continue to get better. Some guys, who they are is who they are. That’s not Luka. Luka will continue to get better.”

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NBA playoffs 2022 – ‘OMG WIGGS,’ sports world reacts to Andrew Wiggins’ monster dunk over Luka Doncic

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      Tory Barron is a Bristol-based writer and editor for ESPN.com. After retiring from playing lacrosse at UConn, the DC native decided to try her hand at writing about people playing sports.

Dunk of the postseason? Dunk of the postseason. The 2022 NBA playoffs rolled on Sunday night with the Golden State Warriors defeating the Dallas Mavericks 109-100 to take a 3-0 series lead in the Western Conference finals. But the story of the night was centered solely around Andrew Wiggins.

More specifically, Wiggins’ preposterous dunk over Luka Doncic. Wiggins, who scored a playoff career-high 27 points, took flight over Doncic midway through the fourth quarter for what was originally ruled an offensive foul. Golden State challenged, and the ruling was Wiggins’ elbow to Doncic was incidental contact, giving the Warriors a 93-83 lead.

The sports world immediately turned to Twitter to react to Wiggins putting Luka on a poster. Here’s what everyone from Magic Johnson to Terrell Owens had to say about the moment. We also included an old Joel Embiid tweet that didn’t age particularly well, because we’re petty like that.

Basketball world …

NFL stars of past and present …

An old take exposed …



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LeBron James Twitter Q&A – Still planning to play with Bronny; names Luka Doncic as his favorite player

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12:13 AM ET

  • Tory BarronESPN Editor

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      Tory Barron is a Bristol-based writer and editor for ESPN.com. After retiring from playing lacrosse at UConn, the DC native decided to try her hand at writing about people playing sports.

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’re probably privy to the fact LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t make the playoffs. It’s an outcome the 37-year-old — who has made the postseason in 15 of his 19 seasons — vowed will never happen again during his NBA career.

LeBron’s current “early offseason” status means the four-time NBA champion has a little extra time on his hands at the present moment. For that reason, it shouldn’t be entirely shocking that the four-time NBA MVP is seizing the opportunity to vacation with his family (private island in the Maldives — must be nice), watch a lot of basketball and, being a man of the people, conduct a wide-ranging Twitter Q&A with his fans.

Does LeBron still intend to play with his oldest son, Bronny? Which of his former teammates would he want by his side if he had to take on Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen? Who is his favorite player under 25 years old? What are his top five hip-hop albums? Could he take Tom Brady in an ice hockey shootout?

We told you the questions were wide-ranging. Here’s what King James had to say in response to the Twitterverse’s burning inquiries on Monday night:

LeBron is focused on longevity

OK, so it wasn’t exactly the detailed or definite answer we were looking for in regards to how much longer LeBron will play, but he doesn’t sound like someone who intends to call it quits any time soon.

He plans on playing with Bronny

The Lakers star has been consistent on this front. Anybody ask if Bronny is cool with this plan?

Also, for those wondering if Bronny has managed to get the better of his old man yet, it seems like a rematch is imminent.

He’s got love for Luka

LeBron gave Luka Doncic a serious endorsement the night after the Mavericks star’s huge Game 7 performance (35 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in 30 minutes) in Dallas’ critical win over the Phoenix Suns .

It’s official, Luka is your favorite player’s favorite player.

He’s going GOAT vs. GOAT

LeBron was clearly factoring in his Team USA days when selecting his former teammates. To be fair, if LeBron has to take on MJ and Pippen it only feels right he would want to do it alongside Kobe Bryant. Props to Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, too.

Hall of Famers in Bron’s book

LeBron to Orlando? Also, nobody tell him Tracy McGrady got inducted into the Hall of Fame a few years back.

He has respect for the postseason talent

LeBron is clearly a believer in Game 6 Klay.

He’d best Brady on the ice

It’s uncertain why this was Tom Brady’s question, but maybe these are the things seven-time Super Bowl champions contemplate.

Rooting for the home team

When asked for his Champions League Final prediction, LeBron went with the club for which he is a shareholder, Liverpool FC.

He appreciates greatness

Legendary MLB outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. is never the wrong answer.

Big Dr. Dre guy

Lest you think all of the questions were sports-related, LeBron was also asked to list his top five hip-hop albums.

Never let it be said he favors one coast over the other.



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Jason Kidd says Mavericks need players besides Luka Doncic to step up with Dallas in 2-0 hole against Phoenix Suns

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PHOENIX — Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd has delivered a similar message after both games so far in the Western Conference semifinals: Luka Doncic needs a lot more help against the top-seeded Phoenix Suns.

Dallas wasted another brilliant offensive performance by Doncic in Wednesday’s Game 2, when he scored 35 points on 13-of-22 shooting in a 129-109 loss as the Suns seized a 2-0 series lead. The Suns repeatedly targeted Doncic defensively while scorching the Mavs for 71 points in the second half.

“He had a great game, but no one else showed,” Kidd said. “We’ve got to get other guys shooting the ball better. We can’t win with just him out there scoring 30 a night — not at this time of the year. And we’re playing the best team in the league, so we’ve got to get other guys going.”

Kidd specifically mentioned that the Mavs need much more production from guards Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie, who have combined for only 41 points on 32.6% shooting in the two losses at the Footprint Center. It’s an especially stark contrast to the previous series for Brunson, who starred in the first-round victory over the Utah Jazz, averaging 27.8 points in the six-game series.

Chris Paul and Devin Booker, the Suns’ All-Star guard, dominated Wednesday night in part by relentlessly hunting Doncic. That was particularly the case in the second half, when Booker scored 21 of his 30 points and Paul scored 20 of his 28.

“Tough matchup to guard,” Booker said of Doncic, “but he’s going to have to guard a bit.”

According to Second Spectrum tracking, Doncic was the screener defender on 19 on-ball screens in the second half, which is the third most in any half in his career. The Suns averaged 1.81 points per chance on those possessions. That is the highest efficiency allowed by a single defender involved in at least 15 direct picks over the past three seasons.

“I’ve just got to play better defense,” Doncic said. “That’s it.”

The Suns blew the game open in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, stretching their lead from six to 15 as Paul took over the game, exploding for 14 points and two assists during that span. Paul exploited Doncic on switches for a pair of layups and a pull-up jumper, as well as finding Cameron Johnson for a 3-pointer, during the deciding 21-7 run.

“We need to do a better job of helping him,” Kidd said of the Suns’ targeting Doncic. “They’re bringing him up into everything. We knew that coming into the series. We knew that in the last series. We did a better job of protecting one another, not just Luka. We’ve got to get back to protecting one another for Game 3 back at home.”

It was a historically efficient offensive performance by Booker, Paul and the Suns. Phoenix set a franchise playoff record by shooting 64.5% from the floor, including 84.2% in the fourth quarter. The Suns had a 75.7% true shooting percentage. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, that ranks second all time in a playoff game, trailing only the LA Clippers’ 77.8% in a Game 5 win over the Mavericks in the 2020 first round.

Paul, who also had eight assists, was especially masterful. He went 11-of-16 from the floor, including 9-of-10 in the second half. Booker went 11-of-19 from the floor and 5-of-8 from 3-point range, with all of his 3s coming after halftime.

“When you look at CP and Book, they took turns,” Kidd said. “One took the third quarter, the next one took the fourth quarter, and we had no answers. … They got the shots that they wanted. CP got to his spots and he made layups and made jump shots. Book made 3s. They’re really good. They understand the situation. They’ve seen it all. We’ve just got to be better.”

The Mavs, who are playing in the second round for the first time since the franchise’s 2011 championship run, will search for solutions as they fly home to Dallas on Thursday.

“A lot of players, it’s the first time in this situation,” Doncic said. “We believe, man. They’ve got to win four, so it’s not over yet.”

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Pessimism significant around return of Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic for Game 3 vs. Utah Jazz, sources

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3:07 PM ET

  • Adrian Wojnarowski

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    Senior NBA Insider
    • Host of The Woj Pod
    • Joined ESPN in 2017

  • Tim MacMahon

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    ESPN Staff Writer
    • Joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009
    • Covers the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks
    • Appears regularly on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM

SALT LAKE CITY — Despite progress in the rehabilitation of a left calf strain, there’s still significant pessimism surrounding the possibility of Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic playing in Game 3 vs. Utah on Thursday night, sources told ESPN.

Doncic missed Games 1 and 2 with the calf injury, but has progressively increased his workload on the practice floor in recent days.

“We’ll see how he feels at game time,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said after shootaround, adding that he expected Doncic to go through his normal pregame warm-up routine.

Doncic stayed at Vivint Arena after most of his teammates left Thursday morning to go through an extensive on-court workout under the guidance of Mavs player health and performance director Casey Smith. The workout included running, ballhandling and shooting.

“Feeling great,” Doncic told ESPN as he was leaving the arena.

The Western Conference first-round series is tied as it shifts to Salt Lake City.

The average absence due to calf strains for NBA players this season has been 16 days, according to information compiled by InStreetClothes.com. Mavs reserve guard Frank Ntilikina returned from a calf strain in 12 days earlier this season. Game 3 will be 11 days after Doncic was injured.

“He is a player that has so much ahead of him in his future, so him being smart about it is key,” said Mavs guard Jalen Brunson, whose career-high 41 points keyed the Game 2 win. “I think it just shows the trust that he has in us as well. He trusts us. He’s just making the best decision for himself. As teammates, we respect that.”

Doncic, who suffered the injury in the April 10 regular-season finale, has been gradually ramping up basketball activities and made explosive moves off of his left leg for the first time during the recovery process in an individual workout Tuesday. He was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, fueling cautious optimism that his return was on the horizon.

“If there’s going to be risk, I don’t think I’m going to play,” Doncic said Wednesday. “But like I say, yesterday and today we did some good things. If it’s not risk, I don’t want to play limited minutes because I’ll be nervous. I want to be out there the most time as possible, but like I say, I’m going to see how I feel and we’re going to talk to the medical staff.

“I don’t know if I’m going to be 100 percent. I think that’s tough right now. But if I’m ready and there’s no risk of [aggravating the] injury, I’ll be out there.”

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Luka Doncic ‘uncertain’ for Game 3, source says, but Dallas Mavericks hopeful return is near

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DALLAS — Mavericks superstar guard Luka Doncic’s recovery from a strained left calf has progressed to the point that there is legitimate hope he will be able to return as the team’s first-round series with the Utah Jazz shifts to Salt Lake City this week, sources told ESPN.

One source told ESPN that Doncic’s status for Thursday’s Game 3 was “uncertain,” saying the guard was “day to day.” Another source said while there is hope that Doncic could return for Game 3, it is “not a sure thing.”

The Mavericks were off Tuesday, but Doncic continued his rehabilitation work, which has included gradually ramping up basketball activities. How Doncic’s calf responds to Tuesday’s workout and Wednesday’s practice, in which his participation is to be determined, will be critical to his chances to return this week.

Dallas evened the series with Monday’s 110-104 home win, led by guard Jalen Brunson’s career-high 41 points as Doncic enthusiastically cheered.

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said before Monday’s game that Doncic was “definitely going in the right direction.”

“He’s doing more each day. As I’ve said from the start, he’s in a great place, I think, mentally. He’s been happy, he’s been joking, he’s been himself,” Kidd said. “… He’s doing everything he can do up to this point, and hopefully he can play soon, but if he can’t play, we’ve got to play without him.”

Doncic suffered the calf strain during the Mavericks’ regular-season finale April 10.

The average absence for a calf strain for NBA players this season has been 16 days, according to information compiled by InStreetClothes.com. Mavericks reserve guard Frank Ntilikina returned from a calf strain in 12 days earlier this season. Game 3 will be 11 days after Doncic was injured.

“I know he’s dying to get out there soon, but he’s got to take his time,” Brunson said after Monday’s win. “I know he’s doing everything in his power to not let his team down, but he has to make the decision that’s best for him. Not necessarily knowing where he is [in the recovery process], but I just know that he’s a competitor and he wants to be out there. We’re trying to hold it down for him.”

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Luka Doncic leaves Dallas Mavericks’ regular-season finale after suffering left calf strain in win

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DALLAS — Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic suffered a left calf strain and left the team’s regular-season finale against the San Antonio Spurs late in the third quarter.

There is initial optimism that it is not a significant injury, a source told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

“We’ll know more tomorrow, and we’ll go from there,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said after the 130-120 win Sunday. “Hopefully, it’s not too serious.”

Doncic, who did not speak to the media because he was receiving treatment postgame, grabbed his calf briefly after jumping to throw a pass and asked for a timeout with 2:24 remaining in the third quarter. After a brief discussion with Mavericks Director of Player Health and Performance Casey Smith, Doncic hobbled to the locker room.

The Mavs, the fourth seed in the Western Conference, will face the Utah Jazz in the first round. The series will open at 1 p.m. ET Saturday in Dallas, the opening game of the postseason.

“For some reason, I feel like he’ll be ready to go,” Mavs guard Jalen Brunson said. “Knowing the competitor that he is, I feel like he’ll be ready. It’s unfortunate, but a competitor like that you can’t keep down for long.”

Doncic, a first-team All-NBA selection the past two seasons, averaged 28.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game this season. Even with the short night, he finished with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists in 29 minutes of Dallas’ 130-120 victory over the Spurs.

Doncic would have been suspended for the regular-season finale after being called for his 16th technical foul of the season in Friday’s rout of the Portland Trail Blazers. However, the NBA office rescinded the technical foul on Saturday after a review.

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Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic gets 16th technical foul of season, faces 1-game ban

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DALLAS — Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic will be suspended for Sunday’s regular-season finale unless the NBA office rescinds the technical foul called against him after the first quarter Friday night.

It was officially Doncic’s 16th technical foul of the season, triggering an automatic one-game suspension. Doncic had one other technical this season that was rescinded after a routine review by the league office.

Sunday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs could determine whether the Mavs get the third or fourth seed in the Western Conference. Dallas entered the night a game behind the Golden State Warriors and own the tiebreaker.

Doncic was upset that a foul wasn’t called on his half-court heave at the end of the first quarter, when the Mavs had a 36-13 lead over the Portland Trail Blazers. Doncic was undercut from behind by Portland’s Elijah Hughes on the play and pleaded his case to referee Tom Washington while on his back.

After getting up, Doncic walked across the court to talk to crew chief Tony Brothers, although Dallas forward Dorian Finney-Smith attempted to hold him back. Brothers called Doncic for a technical seconds later.

“I asked him, ‘How is that not a foul? How is that not a foul?'” Doncic said, offering an explanation to a Mavs official sitting on media row. “He T’d me up. That’s unfair. That’s unfair.”

Brothers ejected Mavs coach Jason Kidd in Dallas’ road loss to the Washington Wizards on April 1, calling Kidd for two quick technicals.

“Tony, he’s thrown me out as a player and now he’s thrown me out as a coach,” said Kidd, who had not been ejected this season. “What I said to him was, ‘Whose ball is it?’ And he took that personal, unfortunately, and threw me out. It happens.”

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