Basketball News
Greetings, Panthers fans. Welcome to the weekend.
Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.
You know the drill.
This is now an open thread
We don’t know who the Cleveland Cavaliers will be facing in the first round of the NBA playoffs. But there’s a good chance that it will be the Atlanta Hawks — a team that they defeated on Wednesday and will be taking on again on Friday evening.
Earlier this week, we asked fans who would win a possible first-round series between the Cavs and Hawks and in how many games it would be. An overwhelming majority believe that the Cavs will win the series (74%), but they’re split on the length of the series. Fifty percent of fans believe the Cavs will win in six or seven games, while just 24% believe they will do so in five or fewer.
It’s also worth noting that the community believes it could be a longer series. A total of 71% of those surveyed think that this will go six or seven games.
There’s some things to be sorted out in the Eastern Conference standings between spots five through 10 before we know exactly who the Cavs will face in the first round. As of now, it’s possible the Cavs could match up with the Hawks, Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, or the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round.
FanDuel believes in the Cavs’ chances in the playoffs. They give the Cavs the second-best chance to win the Eastern Conference at +310 behind only the Boston Celtics (+160). The Detroit Pistons (+480) and New York Knicks (+490) trail both. FanDuel lists the Cavs as having the fifth-best chance at winning the NBA Finals at +1200.
Just two games remain in the NBA regular season, and the playoff bracket is still muddled, especially in the Eastern Conference, where the only seed that has been officially locked up is the Detroit Pistons at No. 1.
But the slate on Friday, April 10 could go a long way toward clearing up the picture. The Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors can clinch playoff berths with wins (or losses by teams ranked below them), while the Boston Celtics can clinch the Atlantic Division with a win or a loss by the New York Knicks.
Out West, we know the six teams that have clinched the playoff berths – and the four that are in the play-in tournament – but the order of the No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 seeds is still up for grabs, with the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets all battling for position.
All 30 teams are in action Friday night, and there are plenty of intriguing games to watch. Here are the current NBA standings and what the NBA postseason and play-in tournament would look like if the season ended today:
All times Eastern
(Through Thursday, April 9)
*- clinched conference; d- clinched division; x-clinched playoff berth
The Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards have been eliminated from postseason contention.
(Through Thursday, April 9)
c- clinched conference; d- clinched division; x-clinched playoff berth
The New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Kings and Utah Jazz have been eliminated from postseason contention.
(Through Thursday, April 9)
(Through Thursday, April 9)
The NBA Play-In Tournament begins Tuesday, April 14 and finishes Friday, April 17.
The NBA playoffs begin the very next day, Saturday, April 18, featuring eight teams in each conference after two teams from both the East and West are eliminated in the Play-In Tournament.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals will be on Wednesday, June 3.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA playoff bracket picture, standings, clinch scenarios, schedule
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Jeremy Fears, who led Michigan State in scoring and the nation in assists per game, will declare for the NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility, he announced on Instagram on Friday.
Fears was an Associated Press All-Big Ten first-team selection and an AP All-America second-team pick after averaging 15 points and 9.4 assists per game in his third season with the Spartans.
“This is an important step in my journey and I’m looking forward to learning, growing and competing against the best as I continue to develop my game,” he wrote. “I’m grateful for Coach (Tom) Izzo, the Michigan State staff, my teammates and my family for their continued support and belief in me.”
Underclassmen can maintain their eligibility by applying to the NBA’s undergraduate advisory committee by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. The committee provides feedback on players’ draft prospects to help them decide whether to remain in the draft. Players who choose to return to school must withdraw from the draft by May 27 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
A player would lose his eligibility if he hires an NCAA-certified agent before applying to the advisory committee or at any point if he hires an uncertified agent.
Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.
The Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs face off for the fourth and final time, and the home team will look to complete the season sweep in the “Battle of Texas” at Frost Bank Center.
Both teams are playing at less than 100%, and my Mavericks vs. Spurs predictions expect points to come at a premium tonight.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this Southwest Division showdown on Friday, April 10.
With just two games remaining, the San Antonio Spurs have locked up the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. With no chance of its status changing, San Antonio will have no motivation to play its starters for big minutes. Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama are banged up and questionable.
For the Dallas Mavericks, it’s Cooper Flagg or bust - more so than it has been for most of the season. The Mavs will be without most of their frontcourt rotation and several key starters and reserves. Dallas was eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago, so the team’s energy may be low.
Dallas’ offensive rating of 109.9 ranks 28th on the season, and San Antonio sports a top-5 defense. The potential absence of Wemby could make it easier for the Mavs to score, but with so few available players, Dallas is going to struggle.
The Spurs are 16-22 to the Under at home, while the Mavericks are 13-26 to the Under on the road. San Antonio has hit the Under in three straight home games, and Dallas has done so in four straight road games.
With both teams dealing with injuries and neither playing for much of anything tonight, I expect the offenses to stall out, leading to a low-scoring contest.
Mavericks vs Spurs same-game parlay
With nothing to play for, it’s going to be tough to keep the Spurs engaged as they look ahead to the playoffs. The Mavericks are a healthy 11-5 ATS as 10-point dogs, and I like them to keep this one competitive as they try to avoid a season sweep by their in-state rivals.
The Mavericks might struggle to score, but Cooper Flagg will have to be the one to do it. He’s reached the 25-point threshold in three of his last four and five of his last nine games while averaging 27.2 points. The Spurs’ defense will be solid tonight, but Flagg has been on a tear and should be taking a lot of shots.
Dallas is running on empty to close out the season, but the Rookie of the Year favorite is still going strong. Over his last 10 games, Flagg has averaged 7.3 rebounds and five assists.
He’s grabbed 7+ rebounds six times and handed out 5+ assists five times in that span. I expect another strong showing tonight against a Spurs team with nothing to gain.
The Dallas Mavericks have hit the Game Total Under in 18 of their last 24 away games (+11.40 Units / 43% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Spurs.
| Location | Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX |
| Date | Friday, April 10, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | MavsTV, KENS 5 |
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.
The Atlanta Hawks will look to solidify their playoff position as they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.
Cleveland is resting a couple of its key players to prepare for the postseason, and I’m expecting Atlanta to take full advantage at home in my Cavaliers vs. Hawks predictions.
Read on to see why I like the Hawks to cover in my free NBA picks for Friday, April 10.
The Cleveland Cavaliers delivered an impressive statement win against the Atlanta Hawks at home on Wednesday. But with the action now shifting to Atlanta, the Cleveland lineup has changed significantly, and the rematch will be a very different game.
With the Cavs having little to play for over their last two games, they’re planning to sit some of their stars to ensure they’re healthy for the postseason. Most significantly, both Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen are out of the lineup tonight, with Thomas Bryant and Sam Merrill also ruled out for this game.
Normally, I might still worry about Cleveland putting out a competitive lineup. James Harden is still in the game and is capable of taking over on any given night, while Evan Mobley presents a difficult matchup for Atlanta, given that Jock Landale is out with an ankle sprain, leaving the Hawks thin at center.
But there’s no guarantee that Cleveland will even play Mobley or Harden as normal. Both may well be limited in the number of minutes they’re on the court to give head coach Kenny Atkinson a better look at his other rotational options heading into the postseason.
Atlanta has been outstanding in the second half of the season, with the Hawks winning 18 of their last 22 games. Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker have been outstanding, and this is a talented team that has blown out plenty of less talented teams.
They should have no trouble covering tonight against a depleted Cavaliers lineup.
Jalen Johnson has been the difference-maker for the Hawks all season long. To go along with taking Atlanta to cover, I like Johnson to pick out a double-double for the seventh straight game.
Let’s also place a bet on Nickeil Alexander-Walker to score Over 21.5 points, as he’s been scoring in bunches lately, averaging 28.5 ppg over four games in the month on April.
It’s been a while since Jalen Johnson has added to his triple-double total – he has 13 on the season – but this is as good a night as any to bet on him to get there again against a weakened Cleveland lineup.
I’m also taking Dyson Daniels to make at least one three-pointer, something he’s done in five straight games. I also like Alexander-Walker to hit the Over on his threes prop at 3.5 makes from beyond the arc, as he’s exceeded that total in each of his last four games.
The home team is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings between Cleveland and Atlanta. Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Hawks.
| Location | State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA |
| Date | Friday, April 10, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Prime Video |
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
With the Western Conference a tight-knit race yet again this season, this series will look at the standings and games to watch across the league as the Lakers look to secure home court and move up the standings.
The Western Conference playoff race is beginning to look clear. The Thunder have secured the top seed, the Spurs are second and the Wolves will be sixth. After that, it’s a log-jam featuring the Lakers, Nuggets and Rockets all battling for the third, fourth and fifth seed.
Here’s a look at the current playoff standings in the middle of the conference:
3. Nuggets — 52-28, 12 GB
4. Lakers — 51-29, 13 GB
5. Rockets — 51-29, 13 GB
The Nuggets have been far and away the best team from this trio. They have won 10 straight games and remain ahead of their competition.
Still, if the Lakers win the rest of their games and Denver loses just once, then LA can finish as the third seed.
This is possible because the Lakers own the tiebreaker over the Rockets and Nuggets, so if they take care of business and the right teams lose, they will be, at worst, a top-four seed in the West.
That would be remarkable and is something even head coach JJ Redick had stopped believing was an option.
Before LA lost OKC, Redick said that “seeding is out the window” after Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves had been ruled out for the season.
Let’s take a look at the big games to watch around the league for the next couple of days and who Lakers fans should be rooting for.
Thunder at Nuggets — Typically, this would be a good scenario for the Lakers. They need Denver to lose, and OKC is the best team in the NBA.
But the Thunder are locked in as the No. 1 seed, so they have nothing to play for. OKC is a deep team, so maybe the players who suit up can shock everyone and pull off an upset, but that’s unlikely.
Wolves at Rockets — This is a similar situation to the Nuggets-Thunder game. The Lakers need a Wolves win, but they have nothing to play for. If Houston comes out on top, that’ll put pressure on the Lakers to keep winning so they don’t drop to the fifth seed.
Nuggets at Spurs — This is a game that the Nuggets could lose. Victor Wembanyama is an MVP candidate and needs to play 65 games to be eligible for end-of-season awards. He must play in both remaining Spurs contests to qualify.
Assuming Wemby plays, even at a limited capacity, San Antonio will have a good chance of beating Denver and helping Los Angeles.
Grizzlies at Rockets — Memphis is tanking and has lost six straight games. They have zero incentive to compete, so if Houston wants the win, it’s theirs.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
With Joel Embiid’s appendicitis has sidelined the star center for the foreseeable future, effectively killing off any optimism surrounding how this season could end for the Philadelphia 76ers. Yet, there are still at least a handful of games to be played, and moves to be made, one of which the Sixers’ front office conducted today, per Tony Jones of The Athletic.
With the Sixers on the second leg of a back-to-back tonight against Indiana, they’ll need plenty of fresh bodies. Per Adam Aaronson’s tracking, Terry only had one game of two-way availability remaining.
Converting him to a standard deal will allow head coach Nick Nurse to have Terry available both tonight and in the regular season finale against Milwaukee, should he so choose. The 23-year-old, 6-foot-6 Terry has already appeared in 13 games for the Sixers this season while under a two-way contract, averaging 4.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists across 13.0 minutes. He appeared in 34 games for Chicago this season before joining the Sixers.
Meanwhile, Cam Payne recently suffered a hamstring injury that had him sidelined for the rest of the season, unless the Sixers made a significant playoff run (something that appears increasingly unlikely given recent events). Payne made for a fun story in his return to Philadelphia, particularly his 32-point performance against Memphis when he went 8-of-8 from three. Sadly, given the injury and the state of the team at the moment, using his roster spot to get an extended look at Terry these last couple games makes sense.
The Sixers will be back on the court in Indianapolis tonight at 7:30pm ET.
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Jeremy Fears, who led Michigan State in scoring and the nation in assists per game, will declare for the NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility, he announced on Instagram on Friday.
Fears was an Associated Press All-Big Ten first-team selection and an AP All-America second-team pick after averaging 15 points and 9.4 assists per game in his third season with the Spartans.
“This is an important step in my journey and I'm looking forward to learning, growing and competing against the best as I continue to develop my game,” he wrote. “I'm grateful for Coach (Tom) Izzo, the Michigan State staff, my teammates and my family for their continued support and belief in me.”
Underclassmen can maintain their eligibility by applying to the NBA's undergraduate advisory committee by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. The committee provides feedback on players' draft prospects to help them decide whether to remain in the draft. Players who choose to return to school must withdraw from the draft by May 27 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
A player would lose his eligibility if he hires an NCAA-certified agent before applying to the advisory committee or at any point if he hires an uncertified agent.
___
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.
The Houston Rockets have seemingly become an afterthought in the Western Conference race, but they bring an eight-game win streak into tonight’s matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
While Minnesota is locked into the No. 6 seed, Houston still has a path to climb the standings, and my Timberwolves vs. Rockets predictions expect Amen Thompson and Co. to roll past the shorthanded visitors.
Take a closer look at this April 10 clash with my free NBA picks.
The Houston Rockets look a tier below the true title contenders, but if there’s one wildcard who could close the gap, it’s Amen Thompson.
With a 19.6 ppg average so far in April, after a 19.8 ppg mark in March, he’s taken some of the scoring burden off Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun, and I see Thompson sparking a ninth straight win for Houston tonight.
Despite largely giving up on three-pointers, Thompson has gone past this points prop O/U in three of his last four outings, and he’s shot 50% or better from the field in 13 of his last 14 contests.
Plus, the Minnesota Timberwolves have already turned its attention to protecting postseason health. The visitors will be without Rudy Gobert as a paint deterrent, while Anthony Edwards is listed as questionable.
If Chris Finch largely leans on his backups here, it should just fuel Thompson and a Rockets offense that’s posted 117+ points four times already this month.
Sitting second in the NBA in minutes per game (37.3), Thompson won’t be short of opportunities, even on the second night of a back-to-back set. He finished with 19 points in 42 minutes last night, and I don’t expect Ime Udoka to cut back on the third-year guard’s workload here.
Thompson is averaging 19.3 ppg against Western Conference opponents this season, and the arrow is pointing up for his evolving offensive skill set.
I’ll double down on a big night for Thompson by pairing the Overs for his points and rebounds. He’s grabbed 8+ boards in six of his past nine games – and a rough shooting night for the undermanned T-Wolves should provide ample work on the glass.
The Rockets moneyline rounds out my SGP, with the hosts boasting a 29-10 record at home this season. Minnesota is just 2-5 SU in its last seven contests, and the visitors are thin in the frontcourt without Gobert and possibly Julius Randle and Naz Reid, too.
Minnesota is vulnerable on the glass whenever Gobert sits, so the Rockets are poised to feast tonight.
I’m taking the rebounding Overs for Thompson, Sengun and Josh Okogie, with the T-Wolves likely to struggle against a Houston defense that allows 109.8 ppg, fourth-fewest in the NBA.
The T-Wolves are 17-23 ATS on the road this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Rockets.
| Location | Toyota Center, Houston, TX |
| Date | Friday, April 10, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | Prime Video |
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
A x-factor in sports is a player who’s able to unpredictably change the outcome of a game or series, positively or negatively, in a large fashion. While injuries to Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić impacted the ceiling of this team this season, that x-factor for the Lakers has continued to be Deandre Ayton since the day he was signed.
In the team’s final road game of the regular season, LA dominated the severely shorthanded Golden State Warriors on Thursday, playing without superstar Steph Curry. The purple and gold notched their 51st win, the most since the 2019-2020 championship season.
Leading by as many as 27 points, they cruised to the finish line with multiple players contributing with productive nights. Ayton got the team’s offense started, going right at the smaller but stocky Draymond Green for the Lakers’ first two points. He initially lost the handle on the catch but stabilized and hit one of his patented fading jumpers.
He continued that aggressive play to begin the second half. He gave the purple and gold a massive size advantage in the paint against the small-ball Warriors. Watch below as he dribbles up the court while attempting to quickly hand the ball over to Luke Kennard. Draymond Green falls, Kennard hits Ayton in stride, and he finishes a straight-line drive to the basket.
His chemistry with LeBron James has improved tremendously throughout the season. It’s become immensely more crucial now with the injuries sustained to the backcourt.
Watch below as they work off each other while LeBron operates in the post. LeBron receives a post entry with help coming over from Green. Ayton timely flashes to the middle of the paint to throw in a hook shot over the smaller defender.
“The third quarter, he was just dominant,” head coach J.J. Redick said postgame. “A lot of that was very targeted because we were playing through the post and Draymond was going to overhelp and [Ayton] had had his proper spacing. That touch shot for him at eight to ten feet is, it’s just a high efficiency shot for him.”
These “touch shots” mainly consist of shots in the paint outside the restricted area. He finished 3-4 on these shots in the game and shoots 55% for the season.
The Lakers are a completely different team when they get an aggressive Ayton, or “Dominayton.” He finished 9-11 from the field with 21 points, five rebounds, and a block. LA now moves to 12-1 in games when Ayton has 20 or more points.
“Running the floor, rolling hard, setting good screens and punishing mismatches,” Ayton said postgame. “Just trying my best to stay around the rim eight to ten feet where it’s comfortable for me at. That’s high efficiency for the team.”
Even with the sporadic play, Ayton is having the most efficient field goal percentage season of his career. LA is counting on that efficiency to be an x-factor this year to keep them alive, and, depending on what happens this summer, possibly take into next season.
You can follow Raj on X at @RajChipalu
With the playoffs around the corner, questions and hypotheticals surrounding potential matchups have been a hot topic.
While there are still a few potential outcomes, tonight’s matchup between the Knicks and Raptors could end up playing a large role in deciding who New York plays in the first round. So let’s break it down.
If the Knicks win tonight, it would ensure that they are no lower than the third seed, with a potential move up to the second seed being unlikely, but still mathematically possible. A win against the Raptors wouldn’t automatically decide who they play in the opening round, but it would make a Knicks vs. Raptors first-round series more likely.
If the Knicks lose tonight, the Raptors’ road to the fifth seed becomes much clearer, and there’s a very good chance that leads to the Knicks likely facing the Hawks in the first round.
If the Hawks beat the Cavaliers tonight, their hold on the fifth seed will become stronger. That may seem like a tough task, but the Cavaliers are sitting Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen, making their quest a bit easier. If that happens, though, we might have to wait another day to know where all the dominoes fall, depending on the Knicks-Raptors outcome.
If the Hawks lose, though, that would yield a clearer scenario where Atlanta becomes the likely Knicks’ first-round opponent.
So to sum it up:
Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.
There are a ton of games on the NBA slate for Friday, but tonight's high-stakes clash between the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers carries the most meaning.
The Trail Blazers are trying to catch the Clippers for the 8-seed to avoid having to win two games in the play-in tournament. Los Angeles only holds a one-game lead, and this is a critical head-to-head matchup. That means we should see elevated minutes for Portland’s starters, which is why I’m building a same-game parlay around Deni Avdija's and Jrue Holiday's points prop.
Best of all, my SGP has been BOOSTED by our friends at bet365 from +290 to +325. Find out why I'm high on the Blazers below.
Trail Blazers moneyline
Deni Avdija 25+ points
Jrue Holiday 15+ points
Los Angeles Clippers vs 
Portland Trail BlazersThe Clippers have several talented defenders, but they don’t match up particularly well with Deni Avdija’s style of play, which is why he's at the center of my NBA picks. Kris Dunn is too small, and while Derrick Jones Jr. has the length, he’s too lean to handle Avdija’s physical, downhill approach.
The decision to back Jrue Holiday’s points prop is tied not only to the elevated minutes in an important game, but also to the matchup with Brook Lopez at center for the Clippers. Lopez prioritizes a deep drop coverage because it’s what allows him to be effective defensively. At this stage of his career, he doesn’t have the mobility to consistently step up and defend on the perimeter—it’s simply not his style. That defensive approach opens up a ton of above-the-break three-point opportunities and mid-range jumpers in pick-and-roll situations for the ball handler.
This is a perfect fit for how Holiday prefers to score. Holiday also knocked down seven three-pointers in their previous meeting a couple of weeks ago, which further highlights the upside in this matchup.
Get even more value tailing Jon's parlay by betting the boosted version at bet365!
Click on the parlay below to go to bet365, and join in on the action now!
Eligible U.S. locations only. 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
In this week’s Tuesday Tracker and SB Nation Reacts poll, we asked you about Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. the Bucks, in the wake of their disagreement about his health and whether or not he should play. Whose side are you on? Are you done with him and want him traded? Here are the highlights:
Thanks again for voting! Check back on Tuesday for another slate of questions.
Check out FanDuel, the official sportsbook of SB Nation.
Mark Jones has been an on-air staple on ESPN since the first Bush administration — as in George H.W. Bush, who served from 1989 to 1992.
So, yeah, it's been a long time.
And now, Jones says, "it's time to move on."
Jones' final ESPN broadcast will be Sunday, when he will serve as the play-by-play announcer for the Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics game on the final day of the NBA's regular season. It could very well be the last time the phrase "hotter than fish grease" is uttered on the network.
Read more:Stephen A. Smith explains his 'NBA Countdown' exit: 'I didn't want to be on the show'
"It's been a memorable journey these decades with the ABC/ESPN family, but I have decided that it's time to move on," Jones wrote in a statement posted Friday on Instagram. "From the day Dennis Swanson hired me in 1990 and working with the best producer in the business, Kim Belton, until today I will forever be grateful for the many friends and colleagues along the way."
Jones, 64, started at ESPN in 1990. As a play-by-play announcer, he is best known for calling NBA games but he has also covered college football, men’s and women’s college basketball, the WNBA and UFL. On June 2, 2022, Jones, Mark Jackson and Lisa Salters were the first all-Black crew to call an NBA Finals game on TV.
In addition, Jones has hosted the "NBA Today" studio show and been an anchor and reporter on "SportsCenter."
Read more:Tim Legler replaces Doris Burke on ESPN's lead NBA team; Burke inks contract extension
"Mark has made an enduring impact at ESPN since 1990, serving as a signature voice primarily within our NBA and college football coverage and across nearly all of our platforms," ESPN said in a statement. "We’re grateful for Mark's countless contributions and we wish him continued success."
Separate from his work at ESPN, Jones has also been the primary TV play-by-play announcer for the Sacramento Kings since 2020.
Jones hasn't indicated what he'll be doing next, but he ended his announcement with a big prediction for the future — and threw in his signature phrase for good measure.
"As I move on to my next chapter I believe my best work is yet to come," he wrote. "I'll be out there cookin' hotter than fish grease!"
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
