4:59 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN Zion Williamson was cleared Thursday to return to team activities. The New Orleans Pelicans forward missed Wednesday night’s game against the LA Clippers because of inconclusive COVID-19 test results and because the results of subsequent testing weren’t going to come back until after the game. The Pelicans received word Thursday

2:46 AM ET As up and down as the first 12 games of the Golden State Warriors‘ new season have been, no contest has underscored the difference between Stephen Curry‘s past and present basketball reality more than Thursday’s 114-104 loss to the Denver Nuggets. As much as both Curry and coach Steve Kerr tried to

11:39 AM ET ESPN News Services The Boston Celtics expect their unplanned weeklong hiatus because of coronavirus-related issues to end Friday, when they’re scheduled to play host to the Orlando Magic. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge, in a radio interview Thursday, said, “It looks like we’re moving in the right direction.” Boston had three games

11:39 AM ET ESPN News Services Three additional NBA games were postponed Wednesday as the league continues to grapple with COVID-19. Wednesday’s matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and host Phoenix Suns was postponed, and the league later did the same to Friday’s matchups between the Washington Wizards and host Detroit Pistons, and the Golden State

3:55 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN Zion Williamson did not play in Wednesday night’s 111-106 loss to the LA Clippers because of the league’s health and safety protocols, the New Orleans Pelicans announced Wednesday afternoon. It is unclear whether Williamson will miss more than one game. “He had inconclusive [COVID-19 test] results and the timing became

Jan 12, 2021 As the NBA tightened coronavirus protocols to try to preserve a season teetering amid positive tests, thinning rosters and game postponements, the league made a dramatic change that most franchises had wanted all along: the closing off of rooms to non-team guests in road hotels. The NBA and National Basketball Players Association

11:31 PM ET Disgruntled superstar James Harden said the Houston Rockets are “just not good enough” after the team’s second consecutive blowout loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, adding that he doesn’t believe the team can improve enough to be a contender. “I love this city. I literally have done everything that

12:13 AM ET The Los Angeles Lakers were rolling, already up 21 points on the Houston Rockets in the second quarter on Tuesday, when LeBron James took the display of domination to another, ridiculous level. After catching a feed in the corner in front of the Lakers’ bench, James used a pump fake to line

5:02 PM ET The NBA continues to grapple with COVID-19-related and contact-tracing issues. The league’s health and safety protocols have sidelined players; games have been postponed; and teams have been forced to take the court with the minimum eight active players. Amid thinning rosters and growing concern across the league, the NBA has no plans

LaMelo Ball remains the biggest mystery in this year’s NBA draft After forgoing his college eligibility to play professionally overseas, LaMelo Ball has yet to take the court for a significant game in the United States. For the latest edition of ESPN Cover Story, reporter Tim Keown charts Ball’s unusual global journey