Baxter Holmes
@baxterholmes.bsky.social
LA-based (and James Beard Award-winning) Senior NBA Writer for ESPN. ex-Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe. Signal: baxterholmes.01 Baxter_holmes@protonmail.com
A special feature on the Thunder’s 2025 NBA Championship rings honors the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. It’s a poignant reminder of the Thunder’s deep connection to the Oklahoma City bombing 30 years ago and the recovery efforts that followed: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
October 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM
A special feature on the Thunder’s 2025 NBA Championship rings honors the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. It’s a poignant reminder of the Thunder’s deep connection to the Oklahoma City bombing 30 years ago and the recovery efforts that followed: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
NEWS: Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg, whose former company is embroiled in an NBA scandal involving the LA Clippers, formally pled guilty to two counts of wire fraud in federal court in downtown Los Angeles on Monday. He declined comment after the hearing. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Aspiration co-founder pleads guilty to wire fraud
Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg, whose former company is embroiled in an NBA scandal involving the Los Angeles Clippers, formally pled guilty to two counts of wire fraud in federal court in downt...
www.espn.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:28 AM
NEWS: Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg, whose former company is embroiled in an NBA scandal involving the LA Clippers, formally pled guilty to two counts of wire fraud in federal court in downtown Los Angeles on Monday. He declined comment after the hearing. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
NEWS: The New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors agreed to voluntarily dismiss a 2023 lawsuit involving the alleged theft of thousands of confidential files, according to a court filing Friday that was obtained by ESPN. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Knicks, Raptors agree to voluntarily dismiss lawsuit
The Knicks and Raptors agreed to voluntarily dismiss a 2023 lawsuit involving the alleged theft of thousands of confidential files, according to a court filing Friday that was obtained by ESPN.
www.espn.com
October 10, 2025 at 10:22 PM
NEWS: The New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors agreed to voluntarily dismiss a 2023 lawsuit involving the alleged theft of thousands of confidential files, according to a court filing Friday that was obtained by ESPN. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
NEW: The Thunder are built upon a tragedy that seared their city 30 years ago. When Sam Presti arrived in 2008, he was so inspired by the recovery that he built his team in its image, forging bonds with those whose lives forever changed on April 19, 1995. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
How the Thunder helped heal Oklahoma City 30 years after unimaginable terror
For 30 years, the Oklahoma City bombing -- the most devastating act of homegrown terrorism in history -- has been seared into the identity of the city. Since 2008, the Thunder have been trying to hono...
www.espn.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:43 PM
NEW: The Thunder are built upon a tragedy that seared their city 30 years ago. When Sam Presti arrived in 2008, he was so inspired by the recovery that he built his team in its image, forging bonds with those whose lives forever changed on April 19, 1995. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
NEWS: The Phoenix Suns, while facing several lawsuits from current and ex-employees, told employees this spring that in order to retain their jobs they needed to sign an agreement limiting their ability to sue the team, team sources told ESPN. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Sources: Suns told employees not to sue team
The Phoenix Suns asked employees to sign agreements limiting their ability to sue the team in order to keep their jobs, multiple sources told ESPN
www.espn.com
September 23, 2025 at 6:57 PM
NEWS: The Phoenix Suns, while facing several lawsuits from current and ex-employees, told employees this spring that in order to retain their jobs they needed to sign an agreement limiting their ability to sue the team, team sources told ESPN. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
NEW: The Clippers have won three playoff series with Kawhi Leonard. They've also faced a string of lawsuits, fines and investigations -- now leading to owner Steve Ballmer. "At some point," one ex-staffer says, "Steve has got to get out of the Kawhi business." www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
'They're done building around him': Inside the tumultuous Kawhi Leonard era in Los Angeles
Just weeks after the Clippers shocked the NBA world by signing the 2019 NBA MVP, a feeling percolated across the organization: fear.
www.espn.com
September 17, 2025 at 12:52 PM
NEW: The Clippers have won three playoff series with Kawhi Leonard. They've also faced a string of lawsuits, fines and investigations -- now leading to owner Steve Ballmer. "At some point," one ex-staffer says, "Steve has got to get out of the Kawhi business." www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
NEWS: A pair of Phoenix Suns minority owners who were holdovers from the Robert Sarver regime are suing the team, alleging that current Suns owner Mat Ishbia has refused access to internal records. It's the sixth lawsuit against the team since Nov. 2024. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Suns sued by minority owners over records access
Suns minority owners Andy Kohlberg and Scott Selding have filed a lawsuit against the team, alleging that owner Mat Ishbia has refused access to internal records.
www.espn.com
August 28, 2025 at 2:39 AM
NEWS: A pair of Phoenix Suns minority owners who were holdovers from the Robert Sarver regime are suing the team, alleging that current Suns owner Mat Ishbia has refused access to internal records. It's the sixth lawsuit against the team since Nov. 2024. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
NEWS: The Suns have fired an employee who is suing the team for discrimination, harassment and retaliation, ESPN has learned. All told, there have been five civil lawsuits filed in federal court against the organization by current or former employees in a 10-month span. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Employee suing Suns for retaliation fired by team
The Phoenix Suns have fired an employee who is suing the team for discrimination, harassment and retaliation, ESPN has learned.
www.espn.com
July 28, 2025 at 8:56 PM
NEWS: The Suns have fired an employee who is suing the team for discrimination, harassment and retaliation, ESPN has learned. All told, there have been five civil lawsuits filed in federal court against the organization by current or former employees in a 10-month span. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
NEWS: A judge sentenced Ben McLemore to more than eight years in state prison Wednesday after the former NBA guard was found guilty for raping and sexually assaulting a 21-year-old woman at a Lake Oswego house party in 2021: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Ex-NBA player McLemore gets prison sentence
A judge sentenced Ben McLemore to more than eight years in Oregon state prison after the former NBA guard was found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a 21-year-old woman in 2021.
www.espn.com
July 10, 2025 at 12:41 AM
NEWS: A judge sentenced Ben McLemore to more than eight years in state prison Wednesday after the former NBA guard was found guilty for raping and sexually assaulting a 21-year-old woman at a Lake Oswego house party in 2021: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
NEW: "We never even considered that the impossible could happen on May 12," one Mavericks source tells ESPN. "I'm not sure there has ever been a more abrupt reversal of fortune.” How Cooper Flagg and the Mavs responded to a shocking NBA draft lottery: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
How Cooper Flagg and the beleaguered Mavericks responded to a shocking NBA draft lottery
The presumptive No. 1 pick of the 2025 draft and the organization, still reeling from trading away Luka Doncic, might just be made for each other -- at exactly the right time.
www.espn.com
June 24, 2025 at 12:47 PM
NEW: "We never even considered that the impossible could happen on May 12," one Mavericks source tells ESPN. "I'm not sure there has ever been a more abrupt reversal of fortune.” How Cooper Flagg and the Mavs responded to a shocking NBA draft lottery: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
NEWS: The Suns are being sued by a current employee, the fourth suit against the team since November. In this one, a staffer says he was demoted after raising security concerns and that the Suns failed multiple arena audits, with handguns & knives making it inside: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Suns again sued by employee for discrimination
A current employee has sued the Suns, citing allegations of discrimination, harassment and retaliation, according to a copy of the complaint obtained by ESPN.
www.espn.com
May 15, 2025 at 10:27 PM
NEWS: The Suns are being sued by a current employee, the fourth suit against the team since November. In this one, a staffer says he was demoted after raising security concerns and that the Suns failed multiple arena audits, with handguns & knives making it inside: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
NEW: On Boston's Jrue Holiday, the long lineage of his defensive prowess (which dates back more than 50 years in a family defined by its remarkable athletic success) and his philosophy today.
www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
May 7, 2025 at 11:37 PM
NEW: On Boston's Jrue Holiday, the long lineage of his defensive prowess (which dates back more than 50 years in a family defined by its remarkable athletic success) and his philosophy today.
www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
NEW: Adam Silver, Mike Krzyzewski, Steve Kerr, Jerry Colangelo, Larry Brown and Hank Egan, who coached Gregg Popovich in college, all weigh in on the legacy of the legendary coach. "He impacted more people in our game than anybody," Krzyzewski tells ESPN. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
'Job well done': Inside Gregg Popovich's unparalleled NBA legacy
Friends, colleagues, players and confidantes all agree: Popovich has impacted more people across the game than perhaps anyone in history.
www.espn.com
May 6, 2025 at 3:26 PM
NEW: Adam Silver, Mike Krzyzewski, Steve Kerr, Jerry Colangelo, Larry Brown and Hank Egan, who coached Gregg Popovich in college, all weigh in on the legacy of the legendary coach. "He impacted more people in our game than anybody," Krzyzewski tells ESPN. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Dispatch from Boston, where the Celtics ousted the Magic in style, posting the biggest win by any team trailing at halftime in playoff history. Along the way, the Celtics proved that they can find ways to win even when a team takes away what they do best: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Celts pounce after Banchero sits, oust Magic in 5
The Celtics broke open Tuesday night's game after Paolo Banchero went to the bench with his fifth foul and rolled to a 120-89 victory to close out the series in five games.
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April 30, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Dispatch from Boston, where the Celtics ousted the Magic in style, posting the biggest win by any team trailing at halftime in playoff history. Along the way, the Celtics proved that they can find ways to win even when a team takes away what they do best: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Dispatch from Orlando, where Jayson Tatum’s 37 points — including 16 in the fourth quarter — and a new celebration involving his injured right wrist gives the Celtics a chance to close out the bruising Orlando Magic back in Boston: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Tatum again leads C's, features wrist in celebration
Jayson Tatum scored 37 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, to give the Celtics a 3-1 series lead over the Magic -- and showcased a new celebration featuring his injured right wrist.
www.espn.com
April 28, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Dispatch from Orlando, where Jayson Tatum’s 37 points — including 16 in the fourth quarter — and a new celebration involving his injured right wrist gives the Celtics a chance to close out the bruising Orlando Magic back in Boston: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Dispatch from Orlando, where Jaylen Brown says of the Celtics' first-round series vs. Orlando, "There might be a fight break out or something because it's starting to feel like it's not even basketball and the refs are not controlling their environment." www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Celts vent after loss: Refs not controlling play
Through three games of this first-round series, the seventh-seeded Magic have displayed a physical style of basketball that the defending champion Celtics say they believe is over the line.
www.espn.com
April 26, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Dispatch from Orlando, where Jaylen Brown says of the Celtics' first-round series vs. Orlando, "There might be a fight break out or something because it's starting to feel like it's not even basketball and the refs are not controlling their environment." www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Dispatch from Boston, where Kristaps Porzingis laughed off a bloody forehead gash, fired up the TD Garden crowd and said the Celtics "won't let anybody punk us." Said Boston HC Joe Mazzulla: "I like watching him bleed on the court. I think it's important." www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Bloodied KP fires up C's: Won't let teams 'punk us'
Kristaps Porzingis laughed off a bloody gash on his forehead late in the third quarter of Boston's Game 2 win, saying he knew his reaction would fire up the Celtics crowd.
www.espn.com
April 24, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Dispatch from Boston, where Kristaps Porzingis laughed off a bloody forehead gash, fired up the TD Garden crowd and said the Celtics "won't let anybody punk us." Said Boston HC Joe Mazzulla: "I like watching him bleed on the court. I think it's important." www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
NEW: Five years ago today, Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, and the NBA shut down, signaling to many the start of the pandemic in America. After dozens of interviews with those directly involved, Tim MacMahon and I reconstructed the events of that day: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
'He's got it': An oral history of the NBA's COVID-19 shutdown -- and how it changed sports forever
On the fifth anniversary of the night the NBA shut down, ESPN reveals how it happened, down to the minute -- told by the players, executives, politicians, doctors and journalists who were there.
www.espn.com
March 11, 2025 at 5:05 PM
NEW: Five years ago today, Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, and the NBA shut down, signaling to many the start of the pandemic in America. After dozens of interviews with those directly involved, Tim MacMahon and I reconstructed the events of that day: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
NEWS: Nate Robinson first learned nearly 20 years ago, when he was playing for the New York Knicks, that his kidneys weren't functioning properly and that he would one day need a transplant. Today, after a successful surgery, he has a new kidney. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Ex-Knick Robinson's kidney transplant successful
Ex-NBA guard Nate Robinson had a successful kidney transplant Friday at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle.
www.espn.com
February 8, 2025 at 4:32 AM
NEWS: Nate Robinson first learned nearly 20 years ago, when he was playing for the New York Knicks, that his kidneys weren't functioning properly and that he would one day need a transplant. Today, after a successful surgery, he has a new kidney. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
NEW: As a child, Payton Pritchard dreamed of making the NBA, even if others suggested a backup career. Now, he’s the king of half-court heaves, a fourth-quarter dynamo and a front-runner for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year. On the highs and lows of his journey: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
The heave-making fourth-quarter star the Celtics need to make a repeat title run
Last season's star-turn in the NBA Finals was a decade in the making for Payton Pritchard, who says a meeting with a six-time All-Star set him a path to NBA success and championship glory in Boston.
www.espn.com
January 28, 2025 at 5:33 PM
NEW: As a child, Payton Pritchard dreamed of making the NBA, even if others suggested a backup career. Now, he’s the king of half-court heaves, a fourth-quarter dynamo and a front-runner for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year. On the highs and lows of his journey: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
NEW: On lineage and legacy, fathers and sons and what it means to be a Sabonis. "He is a warrior," Arvydas tells ESPN of Domantas. "Like me." www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
An NBA All-Star, a legendary father and the enormous weight of legacy
Beyond quietly dominating like Wilt and trying to lift a woebegone franchise to contention, Domantas Sabonis is chasing something even bigger: finishing an evolution his iconic dad began 40 years ago.
www.espn.com
December 12, 2024 at 4:27 PM
NEW: On lineage and legacy, fathers and sons and what it means to be a Sabonis. "He is a warrior," Arvydas tells ESPN of Domantas. "Like me." www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
On the 20-year anniversary of the “Malice at the Palace,” my story from 2016 on Metta World Peace lamenting how that event defined his time in Indy: “That’s something that I can never, ever forgive myself for.” www.espn.com/blog/los-ang...
Back in Indy, Metta World Peace laments how it all went wrong
Returning to face his former team, Metta World Peace talks candidly about how he believes he won't ever recover from how his Pacers tenure ended.
www.espn.com
November 19, 2024 at 8:51 PM
On the 20-year anniversary of the “Malice at the Palace,” my story from 2016 on Metta World Peace lamenting how that event defined his time in Indy: “That’s something that I can never, ever forgive myself for.” www.espn.com/blog/los-ang...
New ESPN feature story from earlier this week, with reporting from Las Vegas, Maine and North Carolina -- on the improbable rise of Cooper Flagg and the legendary 1980s NBA team that helped shape him: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
'There's disbelief about him because he's just that good': Inside Cooper Flagg's improbable rise
From grade school, Flagg has faced test after test -- all designed to define his ceiling. He has passed them all, fueled by lessons from one of the greatest teams in NBA history.
www.espn.com
November 14, 2024 at 7:26 PM
New ESPN feature story from earlier this week, with reporting from Las Vegas, Maine and North Carolina -- on the improbable rise of Cooper Flagg and the legendary 1980s NBA team that helped shape him: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
NEWS: Ex-Phoenix Suns staffer sues team, claiming racial discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination, according to lawsuit obtained by ESPN. The lawsuit also alleges racial, sexual and financial misconduct among current and former Suns executives. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Former employee files civil lawsuit against Suns
Andrea Trischan, a former Suns employee, seeks what the team said is $60 million in damages after filing a civil lawsuit against them, alleging discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination.
www.espn.com
November 14, 2024 at 3:43 AM
NEWS: Ex-Phoenix Suns staffer sues team, claiming racial discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination, according to lawsuit obtained by ESPN. The lawsuit also alleges racial, sexual and financial misconduct among current and former Suns executives. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...