Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Kendrick Perkins
Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images

In wake of Kobe Bryant’s death, Kendrick Perkins seeks forgiveness from Kevin Durant

By Dan FeldmanJan 27, 2020, 12:08 PM EST
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Kevin Durant once called Kendrick Perkins his favorite teammate of all-time.

A couple weeks ago, they were beefing on Twitter,exchanging barbs that didn’t look as friendly as previously.

Kobe Bryant’s tragic death has Perkins reflecting.

Perkins:

Good for Perkins. Amid all the sorrow, Bryant’s death creates an opportunity for people to re-assess their priorities. Grudges almost always aren’t worth it.

Spurs, Raptors open game with shot-clock violations to honor No. 24 Kobe Bryant (video)

By Dan FeldmanJan 26, 2020, 4:47 PM EST
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A simple number retirement wasn’t enough to honor Kobe Bryant’s monumental career. The Lakers found the perfect solution, retiring both his No. 8 and No. 24.

Likewise, commemorating Bryant’s tragically short life warranted far more than a standard moment of silence. The Spurs and Raptors found a perfect solution, each team taking a shot-clock violation to open their game today in memory of Bryant, No. 24.

What a beautifully fitting tribute to an all-time great player.

Watch Kyrie Irving drop 45 points, lead Nets past Pistons in OT

Associated PressJan 26, 2020, 8:13 AM EST
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DETROIT — Kyrie Irving scored 17 of his 45 points in the third quarter to overcome a double-digit deficit and the Brooklyn Nets went on to beat the Detroit Pistons 121-111 in overtime Saturday night.

The franchises are among many sub-.500 teams in the Eastern Conference, likely vying for the last two spots in the playoffs.

Irving made free throws early in the extra period to put Brooklyn ahead and end a five-game losing streak.

The Nets went ahead 106-104 with 38.4 seconds left in regulation when Andre Drummond was called for goaltending. Derrick Rose had an unforced turnover on the ensuing possession, then made up for it with a tying layup with 1.9 seconds left.

Irving missed a 3-pointer just before the buzzer, sending it to overtime.

Brooklyn’s Jarrett Allen finished with 20 points and 15 rebounds.

Rose had 27 points for Detroit, scoring more than 20 for the 12th straight game to extend his career high.

Drummond had a double-double in the first quarter and finished with 20 points and 21 rebounds. He has an NBA-high eight games with 20 or more points and rebounds and 40 in his career, tying Bob Lanier’s franchise record.

Drummond had 11 points and 10 rebounds in the first quarter, which ended with the Nets ahead 26-25.

Irving took over in the third quarter, scoring eight consecutive points in the game and a total of 12 points in 2:02. His scoring surge helped the Nets go into the fourth quarter with an 80-77 lead.

Watch LeBron James pass Kobe Bryant for third on the all-time scoring list

By Kurt HelinJan 26, 2020, 2:19 AM EST
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LeBron James just passed a Laker legend.

Kobe Bryant may be No. 1 in the hearts of Lakers fans, but he is now No. 4 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list after LeBron James passed him with a layup with 7:23 left in the third quarter. The basket gave LeBron 33,644 points.

LeBron got a massive ovation from the Philly fans for his accomplishment.

Kobe Bryant Tweeted his congratulations.

LeBron now has Karl Malone (second) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ahead of him on the scoring list, and LeBron is 4,733 points back of Kareem, a number he could reasonably get to in a couple of seasons. Kareem was on SiriusXM NBA Radio this past week with Frank Isola and Brendan Haywood and said LeBron could pass him if he’s focused.

“I think it is up to LeBron. If he wants to do it, he’ll do it. He has the talent. He has the opportunity. So it’s just up to him as to how he wants to end his career. I certainly cannot be upset about it. The reason that they keep these records is so that we learn how we are improving. And we learn how to teach the game, taking note of the accomplishments of the great players. So, hey, it’s a natural progression. I don’t have any problem with it.”

Kyrie Irving gloats in LeBron James’ face about overturned call (video)

By Dan FeldmanJan 24, 2020, 12:43 PM EST
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Kyrie Irving and LeBron James sound like they’re on good terms now. There was even chatter last summer about Irving joining the Lakers before he ultimately signed with the Nets.

But they’re also not that far removed from their ugly breakup, Irving requesting and receiving a trade from the Cavaliers.

So, there was plenty of attention on their dynamic during the Lakers’ win over the Brooklyn last night.

In the second quarter, Irving got whistled for fouling LeBron. The Nets successfully challenged, and Irving sure let LeBron know about his clean strip.

Instead of LeBron getting free throws, Brooklyn won a jump ball. Irving’s Nets definitely bested LeBron’s Lakers in the call-reversal sequence.

But Irving is now just 2-10 career against LeBron.