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Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle gestures during the first half in Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Carlisle steps down as Mavericks’ coach, one day after GM departs

By Tim Reynolds - Associated Press

$In this May 13, 2021, file photo, Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball brings the ball up against the Los Angeles Clippers during an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C. Ball’s versatility as a passer, scorer and rebounder earned him NBA Rookie of the Year honors Wednesday, June 16, despite his missing 21 games with a fractured wrist. Ball beat out finalists Anthony Edwards from the Minnesota Timberwolves and Tyrese Haliburton from the Sacramento Kings to win the award, which was determined by a global panel of 100 writers and broadcasters who cover the league. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman, File) **FILE**$

Hornets’ LaMelo Ball selected NBA Rookie of the Year

By Steve Reed - Associated Press

Washington Wizards' Bradley Beal, left, drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks' Donte DiVincenzo during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Finally: Bradley Beal earns third-team All-NBA selection

By Matthew Paras - The Washington Times

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots over Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Monday, June 7, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) **FILE**

Nuggets’ Jokic becomes lowest draft pick ever to win MVP award

By Arnie Stapleton - Associated Press

Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic reacts after scoring and drawing a foul against Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard in the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Los Angeles, Calif. (Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP)

NBA ratings jump dramatically with playoffs, return to 2019 levels

By Matthew Paras - The Washington Times

Washington Wizards head coach Scott Brooks reacts to an official's call during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors Thursday, May 6, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

LOVERRO: Wizards will be a hard sell for potential Brooks replacements

By Thom Loverro

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) touches his right side after he fell on the court during the first half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Washington Wizards, Monday, May 31, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) **FILE**

Joel Embiid to miss Game 5 against Wizards with meniscus tear in knee

By Dan Gelston - Associated Press

Danny Ainge, Boston Celtics president of basketball operations, watches from a sideline seat during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic in Boston, in this Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, file photo. The Boston Celtics are beginning their offseason with a shakeup of the front office and coaching staff, with team president Danny Ainge stepping down and coach Brad Stevens moving into the front office, a person with direct knowledge of the moves said Wednesday, June 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File) **FILE**

Stevens replacing Ainge as team president in Celtics shakeup

By Tim Reynolds - Associated Press

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) goes up high to dunk the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

NBA counts on playoffs to reverse ratings slump

By Matthew Paras - The Washington Times

Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference Play-in game, Tuesday, May 18, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) **FILE**

Wizards look to overcome inexperience in big spots to save season

By Matthew Paras - The Washington Times

Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook dribbles the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Friday, May 14, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) **FILE**

Wizards and optimism? They’ve absolutely earned it

By Thom Loverro

Villanova head coach Jay Wright celebrates after the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball championship game against North Carolina, Monday, April 4, 2016, in Houston. Wright is among those announced Sunday, May 16, 2021 as the 2021 class for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, file) **FILE**

Chris Bosh, Chris Webber, Jay Wright named to 2021 Basketball Hall of Fame class

By Tim Reynolds - Associated Press

Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook (4) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35), forward Mfiondu Kabengele (27), center Jarrett Allen (31) and guard Collin Sexton (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, May 14, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Wizards beat Cavaliers 120-105, clinch East play-in spot

By Bobby Bancroft - Associated Press

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant speaks with members of the media ahead of a basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Philadelphia, in this Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, file photo. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) ** FILE **

The Big 3: Hall of Fame night awaits Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant

By Tim Reynolds - Associated Press

Washington Wizards' Bradley Beal (3) shoots against Indiana Pacers' Domantas Sabonis (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, May 8, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) **FILE**

Bradley Beal to miss third straight game with hamstring injury

By Matthew Paras - The Washington Times

Washington Wizards' Russell Westbrook (4) walks off the court with the game ball at the end of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, May 10, 2021, in Atlanta. Westbrook recorded his 182nd career triple-double, passing Oscar Robertson for the most in NBA history. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Wizards have flair for dramatic with tons of close games

By Matthew Paras - The Washington Times

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, right, reaches for a rebound over Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, May 9, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Davis takes charge in Lakers’ emphatic 123-110 win over Suns

By DAN GREENSPAN - Associated Press

Washington Wizards' Russell Westbrook goes to the basket against Indiana Pacers' Caris LeVert (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, May 8, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Russell Westbrook ties Robertson’s triple-double record

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, upper left, shoots as Toronto Raptors forward Stanley Johnson, lower left, and guard Rodney Hood defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, May 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) **FILE**

‘We can’t worry’: At No. 7 in West, Lakers may face play-in

By TIM REYNOLDS - Associated Press