Great regular seasons don't cement NBA legacies. Great playoff runs do. These six stars -- featuring one MVP and a likely one -- need a deep playoff run to secure their place in the game.
From MVP hopefuls to postseason heroes, we're counting down the top 50 players who will decide the playoffs.
Here's what has stood out from the latest playoff games of the Eastern Conference's first round.
Warriors star Jimmy Butler suffered a pelvis contusion that forced him out of the Game 2 loss to the Rockets.
Jimmer Fredette, a star at BYU who went on to become an NBA lottery pick and then played for the U.S. in 3x3 basketball at last year's Paris Olympics, announced his retirement Wednesday.
Hall of Fame defensive tackle Steve McMichael, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2021, died Wednesday at age 67, the NFL announced.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Tuesday the Cowboys are working on "pretty substantive trades" ahead of the NFL draft.
The Browns and Giants are fielding trade inquiries for their early picks in the NFL draft, sources told ESPN.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis confirmed Wednesday that Derek Carr has an issue with his shoulder and said the team is hoping for more clarity in the future.
Patrick Mahomes is hopeful that a healthy Chiefs team can have the big-play passing game in 2025 that it lacked last season.
Inter Miami CF traded forward Robert Taylor to Austin FC for $750,000 in allocation money, the two clubs announced Monday.
Former USMNT coach Bruce Arena has criticized the appointment of current head coach Mauricio Pochettino, saying that a non-American lacks the necessary understanding of the country's culture.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has scolded Endrick after his missed goal-scoring opportunity in Wednesday's 1-0 LaLiga win at Getafe.
Jamie Vardy will leave Leicester City at the end of the season, the Premier League club confirmed on Wednesday.
Arsenal are confident they will make Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi their first major summer signing despite interest from Real Madrid, sources have told ESPN.
Another change at the top of the list and an NL-heavy top 10 dominate our rankings four weeks into the 2025 season.
Every ace wants to add something filthy to his arsenal. Sometimes it just doesn't work out.
Edwin Diaz said he was feeling better postgame, having left the Mets' 4-3, extra-innings win over the Phillies on Wednesday with left hip discomfort.
Kody Clemens was designated for assignment on Wednesday by the Phillies while manager Rob Thomson said left-hander Cristopher Sanchez felt normal, one day after he was removed from a start with forearm tightness.
The Twins say Tony Oliva had "a series of mini strokes" over the past month but is expected to make a full recovery, and Kent Hrbek suffered a minor stroke following knee surgery in early April and is recovering at home.
Both clubs are down 0-2 heading into Game 3. Plus, it's Game 2 of the Battle of Florida! Here's what to know.
Longtime New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck announced his retirement from the NHL on Wednesday after 17 seasons.
Florida forward Matthew Tkachuk made his long-awaited return to the lineup, scoring twice in the second period, as the Panthers handled the rival Tampa Bay Lightning, 6-2, in their Eastern Conference first-round series opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday.
Boston Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs vowed that his team would return to the playoffs next season despite finishing in last place and trading away several players at the deadline.
The Rangers agreed to a multiyear extension with GM Chris Drury, keeping him in charge of their hockey operations moving forward after missing the playoffs.
Rodriguez led West Virginia to prominence when he was its head coach in the aughts. Can he work his magic again in 2025?
The Rose Bowl Game will start an hour earlier than its traditional window and kick off at 4 p.m. ET as part of a New Year's Day tripleheader of College Football Playoff quarterfinals on ESPN.
Mike Patrick, who spent 36 years as a play-by-play commentator for ESPN and was the network's first NFL voice for "Sunday Night Football," has died at age 80.
With Steve Angeli having entered the transfer portal, Notre Dame's QB competition is down to CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey.
North Carolina transfer defensive end Beau Atkinson announced his commitment to Ohio State Tuesday night.
Rutgers freshman Ace Bailey, the projected No. 3 pick in this year's NBA draft, is going pro, saying he is "nowhere close to reaching my potential" and "can take a good team to a better level."
The judge overseeing the multibillion-dollar settlement has delayed final approval until the deal is modified to address concerns about roster limits.
Arkansas freshman Boogie Fland will entered the transfer portal ahead of the midnight deadline, sources told ESPN's Jeff Borzello. The former five-star prospect is focused on the draft, but is keeping his options open.
USC junior Desmond Claude entered the transfer portal, sources told ESPN, becoming one of the best available guards just hours before the window closed Tuesday night.
Cincinnati transfer Dillon Mitchell has committed to St. John's, sources told ESPN.
Here's what has stood out in the Lakers' Game 2 win and more from Western Conference playoff action.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Tuesday the Cowboys are working on "pretty substantive trades" ahead of the NFL draft.
Former NFL kicker Jay Feely is leaving the broadcast booth after a decade and entering the political arena, telling ESPN's Josh Weinfuss on Tuesday […]
Florida forward Matthew Tkachuk made his long-awaited return to the lineup, scoring twice in the second period, as the Panthers handled the rival […]
Mike Patrick, who spent 36 years as a play-by-play commentator for ESPN and was the network's first NFL voice for "Sunday Night Football," has died […]
The Thunder have outscored the Grizzlies by a combined 70 points, the second-highest point differential through two games of a series in playoff […]
"We don't like them, they don't like us and that's just what it is," Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said after Indiana took a 2-0 lead in the series […]
The Lakers were motivated by a JJ Redick tirade after their lead slipped in the third quarter, closing out a 94-85 win over the Timberwolves to even […]
Rutgers freshman Ace Bailey, the projected No. 3 pick in this year's NBA draft, is going pro, saying he is "nowhere close to reaching my potential" […]
The Titans filled their biggest need at quarterback with the No. 1 pick, but which team was next to take a QB?
Who are the best players in the class? Which teams need a QB? Here's our one-stop guide to the draft.
Peter Schrager's debut piece for ESPN is a Round 1 mock draft based on what he's hearing from his sources around the NFL.
The seven-on-seven soccer teams led by Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo, Ali Krieger, Luis Nani, Miguel Layún, Sergio Agüero and other stars learned their […]
South African footballer Sinamandla Zondi died on Tuesday after collapsing in the warm-up before a second-tier match, his club Durban City said.
Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has spoken for the first time about his sale of the club in a book that will be released this summer.
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino emphasized the importance of selecting players with a strong mentality heading into the Gold Cup this summer.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola scoffed at suggestions that his team could look back on this season as a special one if they clinch a Champions […]
Previews and key stats for a pair of Game 2s and a pivotal Game 3 on the docket on Wednesday night.
What have we learned from the beginning of Round 1? And what does it mean for the rest of the postseason?
What really went down in Nico Iamaleava's split with Tennessee and move to UCLA? We go inside the drama months in the making.
As an Olympic gold medalist and Champions League winner, Almuth Schult was one of the top goalkeepers in women's soccer. She believes her career […]
Bay FC will play the Washington Spirit in a National Women's Soccer League match at Oracle Park, home of baseball's San Francisco Giants.
The twins, who were drafted No. 4 and No. 5 in 2023, have been a major part of the Rockets' and Pistons' playoff berths.
Here's what has stood out from the latest playoff games of the Eastern Conference's first round.
Marcus Rashford is open to returning to Manchester United he does not believe he has the chance of first-team football while Ruben Amorim remains, a […]