Lance Stephenson brought his antics back, and Indiana loved it

Lance Stephenson rejoined the Pacers last week and promised his return to Bankers Life Fieldhouse would compare favorably to Michael Jordan’s return to the United Center.

I think he actually pulled that off.

The man affectionately known as Born Ready led a Pacers comeback against the Raptors on Tuesday, fueling Indiana’s energy and providing some throwback plays.

In the waning seconds, with the shot clock off and Indiana handily ahead, he took an open layup instead of running out the clock. Toronto didn’t like this. A scuffle ensued, with Lance claiming to be oblivious as to the cause.

Three years ago when Lance was becoming a free agent, Paul George was reluctant to endorse the Pacers keeping Stephenson, largely due to his antics. After lamenting Indiana’s fire earlier this season, P.G. heralded Lance’s impact on Tuesday.

You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. And suddenly the Pacers look a little more dangerous heading into the playoffs, thanks to a dude who was flitting around the edges of the league all year.

BKN 141, PHI 118
CHA 111, WAS 118
ORL 102, CLE 122
TOR 90, IND 108
DEN 134, NOP 131
MIL 79, OKC 110
CHI 91, NYK 100
MEM 89, SAS 95 (OT)
POR 87, UTA 106
MIN 107, GSW 121
DAL 87, SAC 98

Russell Westbrook tied Oscar Robertson’s ancient record for most triple-doubles in a season with 41. Westbrook has 41 triple-doubles this season. RUSSELL WESTBROOK HAS 41 TRIPLE-DOUBLES THIS SEASON!

Speaking of which, Paul Flannery and I debate the debate over the impossible NBA MVP vote. I don’t have an official ballot, but Westbrook has become my pick. But a vote for any of the four top contenders is totally defensible in my book.

You can tell Stephen Curry is truly feeling himself once again because he pulled off this incredible behind-the-back pass after an outrageously blatant double dribble and like no one but me and a handful of crusty fellow highlight truthers cared. (By the way, read Dan Devine on Steph’s rediscovery of ultimate fun.)

The Cavaliers and Celtics meet on Wednesday with first place on the line. LeBron could not care less.

In the understatement of the year, Nike’s Phil Knight called the $1 billion asking price for a Lonzo Ball endorsement contract “a little steep.”

The Kings, who are quite bad at tanking, gave their social media reins to a celebrity cat with a record deal.

You can tell Curry has a young daughter because of the total confidence with which he belts out these Disney jams on Carpool Karaoke.

Jonathan Abrams on the making of Kawhi Leonard.

A very early college basketball top 25 for next season.

Ricky O’Donnell on North Carolina’s redemption.

Kara Lawson says she tried to be Becky Hammon 13 years ago: While working as a Kings studio analyst in the WNBA offseason, she requested to sit in on practices to further her basketball education in the hopes of someday becoming a coach or athletic director. She was rebuffed multiple times due to concerns over her becoming a distraction. (This was when Geoff Petrie and Rick Adelman ran the team.)

Frank Vogel had a chat with Aaron Gordon about that whiteboard photo indicating the Magic wanted to trade A.G. for Dario Saric.