EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsON CHRISTMAS DAY, with his team down by three late in the third quarter, New York Knicks wing Mikal Bridges decided he wasn't going to be denied.Seeing teammate Deuce McBride launch a long jumper, Bridges ran to the block to get into position for a potential offensive board. After tapping McBride's miss back into the air to himself,…

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW ORLEANS -- CJ McCollum highlighted a 45-point performance with 3-pointers and reverse layups in the clutch.Dejounte Murray's relentless pressure on both ends of the court left him one rebound short of a triple-double.And the New Orleans Pelicans pulled off the largest comeback in franchise history.As injury-ridden, star-crossed and generally miserable as much of their season has been,…

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsChicago Bulls rookie forward Matas Buzelis and San Antonio Spurs rookie guard Stephon Castle have committed to two of the four spots in the slam dunk contest during NBA All-Star Weekend, sources told ESPN on Monday.The dunk contest, which will be held Feb. 15 inside San Francisco's Chase Center, will feature multiple rookies for the second straight year…

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- As Stephen Curry exited the game for good near the end of the third quarter, with the Boston Celtics up by 32 on their way to a 40-point blowout victory over the Warriors, he probably hadn't felt further away from Golden State's 2022 NBA championship than he did on Monday.After suffering the worst home defeat…