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Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns face off in Western Conference finals

After both teams completed four-game sweeps in the Western Conference semifinals, the matchup between the Suns and Lakers in the West finals is expected to be a doozy.

Will LeBron James make a basketball decision or a personal one?

Will LeBron James make his free agent decision based on basketball factors or personal ones?

Back in uniform, Kevin Garnett is propelling the Celtics

BOSTON -- Kevin Garnett couldn't help the Boston Celtics defend their title last season with his game, as he was sidelined with a balky right knee. But through a seven-game victory over Chicago and a hard-fought series against Orlando that ended with the Magic advancing to the Eastern Conference...

LeBron James, Cavaliers showed they weren't ready in Game 6 vs. Celtics

They weren't ready to win a championship, as it turns out, not the great LeBron James and not the Cleveland Cavaliers. And now the city is left with another agonizing failure.

Landon Milbourne, Damian Hollis among 6 players at Wizards pre-draft workout

Both Maryland forward Landon Milbourne and George Washington forward Damian Hollis struggled to sleep on Wednesday night, the eve of their first workouts leading up to the NBA draft. Milbourne and Hollis participated in a workout Thursday morning for the Washington Wizards as part of a six-player...

Eastern Conference finals preview, Celtics vs. Magic

Why the Magic can win: Orlando is the NBA's hottest team, having gone 43 days without losing a game . It has won 14 in a row and run roughshod through the postseason, winning all eight of its games against Charlotte and Atlanta. Not only have the defending Eastern Conference champions been the best...

Celtics finish off Cavaliers, 94-85

BOSTON -- It didn't matter that they were NBA champions just two years ago; that they have a lineup that features three aging but still productive future Hall of Famers and one of the best young point guards in the league; or that they had been the better team for all but 1 1/2 games. For most o...

Until LeBron James wins a title, Kobe Bryant reigns

Toying with the city of Cleveland's fragile psyche, calling the NBA 's reigning MVP "Le Gone " James would just be piling on, rubbing in salt. Besides, that would be predicated on LeBron first being somewhere.

Boston Celtics beat Cleveland Cavaliers in Eastern Conference semifinals

BOSTON -- One of the most poorly kept secrets of this season has been Rajon Rondo's emergence as the best player on the Boston Celtics. Rondo, a slight but speedy player with an unorthodox game, had his doubters during the Celtics' championship run in 2008 but in less than two years, he has alre...

2010 NBA playoffs: Cleveland's LeBron James reaches a level no one else can touch

LeBron James had easily the single best performance of these playoffs his last time out. He has curbed the panic in Cleveland and shown why he's the best player in the NBA.

Cavaliers rout Boston, 124-95, in Game 3 of playoff series

BOSTON -- Kendrick Perkins was the only person standing between LeBron James and the basket, so James pretty much knew what to expect as he charged ahead. Perkins barely let James get off the ground before delivering a shiver to James's right side, knocking James down and altering his bright yel...

Ricky Rubio and Theo Papaloukas lead their teams to Euroleague basketball final

Ricky Rubio, 19, and Theo Papaloukas, 33, two basketball stars with contrasting styles, will meet in the championship game of the EuroLeague.

Former NBA standout Josh Childress still adjusting to limelight in Europe

Former NBA standout Josh Childress is just one of many American basketball players who are playing major roles for the top club teams in the EuroLeague.

Boston Celtics are starting to defy old perceptions

WALTHAM, MASS. -- Coming into the playoffs, it was easy -- perhaps too easy -- to dismiss the Boston Celtics and their so-2008 trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce as also-rans playing on borrowed time. They were aging, injured and inconsistent and had gone just 27-27 after Christmas,...

'Los Suns' statement comes in a perfectly fine arena for politics

On the edict of their owner, the Phoenix Suns were scheduled to wear "Los Suns" jerseys in Game 2 of their playoff series with the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. Because this gesture is less about honoring Cinco de Mayo than standing in solidarity with Latinos and other people upset with...

Upstarts bring out the best in the NBA playoffs

Once upon a time, the big boys were never threatened in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Losing a single game in the opening round was a sign of weakness for Bird, Magic and Jordan. It was a sweat-breaker, a warmup, little more than the varsity beating down the JV.

Ted Leonsis has another rebuilding project in the Wizards

More than 100 years ago, one of my favorite Irishmen wrote, "When the gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers." Oscar Wilde came up with the line, but Meryl Streep -- who played Karen Blixen, who wrote as Isak Dinesen -- immortalized a very similar version in "Out of Africa."

Taking ownership of the Washington Wizards is just the latest reckoning for Ted Leonsis

Ted Leonsis has come to be seen as one of the better owners in sports, and now the popular, fan-friendly Washington Capitals owner is set to take on the Wizards and Verizon Center as well.

Ted Leonsis reaches deal to buy Washington Wizards from Pollin family

The Pollin family Tuesday said it has reached a deal to sell its majority share of the Washington Wizards and Verizon Center to Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, giving the former AOL mogul control over one of the few trifectas in sports: two major franchises and their home arena.

Chat Rewind D.C. Sports Bog's Dan Steinberg

Blog excerpt from washingtonpost.com/discussions

After 46 years, the Pollin family will likely sell the Wizards during the offseason

About 30 people, many of them longtime friends and associates of the late patriarch of the Washington Wizards, gathered at his familiar luxury suite on Wednesday at Verizon Center. Abe Pollin had hosted dignitaries and luminaries in that space from the time the arena opened in 1997 until a rare b...

LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are on a collision course to meet in the NBA finals

Every now and then something truly shocking happens in the NBA playoffs, such as Golden State tossing top-seeded Dallas in the very first round three years ago. But a looming threat of the great surprise isn't what drives professional basketball's second season. It isn't like the Stanley Cup...

Wizards lose lottery tiebreaker to Warriors

PRO BASKETBALL The Washington Wizards' chances of winning the NBA draft lottery on May 18 got slightly worse on Friday when they lost a tiebreaker to the Golden State Warriors in a random drawing.

Luck of the draw

The NBA draft lottery will take place May 18, and the Wizards currently have about a 10 percent chance of getting the No. 1 pick in the June 24 draft. A look at the bottom five teams from this season:

Washington Wizards have a number of free agents to target

The Wizards could have about $18.7 million in cap space to use on free agents this summer. With only five players under contract and three of the top 36 picks in the NBA draft, the Wizards would have to use that money to acquire at least four more players through trades or signings. Here are some of...

Wizards' season of low points comes to a close

When the Washington Wizards gathered in Richmond last September, Coach Flip Saunders wanted his players to believe in the improbable. He brought in a hypnotist, handed out iPods containing the playbook and a schedule made out through June, and distributed T-shirts emblazoned with a new motto: "Our...

Washington Wizards move in a new direction, freeing up money as NBA free agency looms

GM Ernie Grunfeld's moves got the Wizards below the luxury tax line this season -- and created a situation in which the team has nearly $18.7 million in salary cap space to become a major player in free agency this summer.

In road finale, Washington Wizards fall to New York Knicks

With Andray Blatche in foul trouble in the fourth quarter, the Wizards can't slow the New York Knicks and fall, 114-103, in their road finale.

Though the season's been trying, some Washington Wizards aren't ready for the end

The celebration begins with Nick Young and Andray Blatche crouching down and slapping five, and ends with the two friends forming their fingers into the shape of a telephone and having a mock conversation.

Washington Wizards fall to Atlanta Hawks

Shaun Livingston spotted Jamal Crawford open behind the three-point line and lunged toward him, but he was a tad too late. And in an attempt to contest, Livingston smacked Crawford's elbow and Crawford fell on his backside as his shot splashed through the net. Crawford then stepped up to the foul...

Blatche, Wizards rock Celtics, 106-96

Andray Blatche leads the way with 31 points and 11 rebounds as Washington parlays a 32-4 run into a huge early lead and holds on to beat the Celtics in Boston.

Wizards forward Andray Blatche says he will resist urge to 'woof' at Kevin Garnett

Andray Blatche intends to take a different approach against Kevin Garnett when the two cross paths again in Boston.

Wizards get crushed by steamrolling Magic, 121-94

ORLANDO -- Fabricio Oberto thought Mike Miller was open near the foul line, so he didn't have any problem lobbing a pass his direction with only two seconds left in the third quarter. What seemed like a harmless outlet pass quickly turned into a deflating mishap for the Washington Wizards, when...

Washington Wizards keep Warriors Don Nelson from career wins record

The Washington Wizards have had several humiliating moments over the course of this dismal season, but they had no desire to also become a footnote in NBA history with the Golden State Warriors in town and Don Nelson needing one more victory to break Lenny Wilkens's record for career coaching wins.

Randy Foye maintains balance despite topsy-turvy season

When Randy Foye was selecting a cast to protect his season-ending left wrist injury , he had a choice between a black, white or other. The black cast was too boring and the white cast would've meant dealing with the hassle of people wanting to sign it, so Foye selected a more distinctive color...

Washington Wizards beat New Jersey Nets, 109-99

Andray Blatche threw his arms up, rolled his eyes and helplessly looked toward the roof. He was flustered over yet another missed opportunity in a season filled with them.

Revolving-door roster forces Wizards to get to know an influx of players

Cedric Jackson agreed to sign a 10-day contract with the Washington Wizards while the team was on a two-game trip, and the quick turnaround didn't give team equipment manager Rob Suller enough time to have a jersey prepared for him. So when Jackson dressed for a game in New Orleans on Wednesday, he...

Wizards lose ninth straight home game

The Wizards score just 12 points in the fourth quarter as they fall to the Bulls and set a franchise record with their ninth straight loss at home.

Wizards can finally exhale after ending franchise-record losing streak

After snapping a franchise-record losing streak that spanned the number of games in an NFL regular season, the Washington Wizards didn't exactly douse each other with champagne or have a Gatorade toast in the visitors' locker room at New Orleans Arena.

Washington Wizards put an end to 16-game losing streak

NEW ORLEANS -- Mike Miller curled around a screen from Andray Blatche, cut down the middle of the lane and scooped in a bank shot over New Orleans forward Morris Peterson. As he ran back on defense, Miller looked at Coach Flip Saunders, smiled and shouted, "I made a layup!"

Wizards extend franchise-worst losing streak to 16 with loss to Houston Rockets

HOUSTON -- Andray Blatche got fouled and leaned to his left as his fall-away jumper banked off the backboard. After watching his shot fall, Blatche whirled around, pumped his fist, kicked out his leg and screamed. He later made the free throw to give the Washington Wizards a five-point lead over...

Washington Wizards press forward, without Randy Foye and Alonzo Gee

About an hour after the Washington Wizards completed an abbreviated, non-contact practice, Josh Howard emerged from an elevator and hobbled down the hallway near the locker room on crutches. Asked how he was doing after undergoing season-ending surgery two weeks ago , Howard smiled and said, "I'm...

Wizards drop 15th in a row, 103-87 to Utah Jazz

When the Washington Wizards set a franchise record for futility in Charlotte on Friday, Coach Flip Saunders succinctly explained his team's recent struggles by stating, "We just don't have enough."

Wizards lose 14th straight, 107-96 to Bobcats

CHARLOTTE -- Gilbert Arenas may have reached closure and dodged jail time in his felony gun possession case on Friday, but the remaining ragtag collection of leftovers for the Washington Wizards continues to be trapped in this dreadful campaign -- and will have to wait a little longer before bri...

Arenas, Wizards must now put on a happy face and reunite

Gilbert Arenas is the Wizards' greatest asset. So what to do with and about him is a true dilemma. Since spending $40 million or more to buy him out isn't likely, the Wizards are going to have to put on a happy face while taking him back.

Arenas news met with relief among Wizards teammates

CHARLOTTE -- Nick Young spoke on the telephone with Gilbert Arenas early this week, knowing that his suspended teammate was under extreme stress facing sentencing for felony gun possession. Young, one of the funniest people on the Washington Wizards, attempted to lighten the mood.

Amid all the chaos, the Washington Wizards march on

Amid the tumult surrounding them, the Washington Wizards try to avoid the franchise record for consecutive losses Friday at Charlotte.

Washington Wizards' Andray Blatche just doesn't get it

Blog excerpt from washingtonpost.com/wilbon We now know Andray Blatche is a liability. It doesn't matter that he can get you 30 points, 12 rebounds and a half-dozen assists in a game and at times look like the next Kevin Garnett. It doesn't matter that he's 6 feet 11 and only 23 years old. Just t...

History is repeating itself, to the chagrin of the struggling Wizards

On April 9, 1995, the Washington Bullets lost their 11th straight game, tying the longest stretch of failure since they'd moved to Washington. They weren't even buoyed by a postgame visit from draft prospect Jerry Stackhouse.