Basketball Page 368 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights
New arena, same issues for Clippers ahead of opener vs. Suns
The Los Angeles Clippers will embark on a new era while still dealing with the same lingering problems when they host the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams., ,After sharing a downtown Los Angeles arena with the Lakers for 25 years, the Clippers are moving into their own s...
Familiar narratives when Grizzlies, Jazz open season
The Memphis Grizzlies and the host Utah Jazz will be dealing with some familiar issues when they open the 2024-25 NBA season on Wednesday in Salt Lake City.,A youth movement will be the Jazz's central theme for another season, while injuries are once again affecting the Grizzlies.,Though Memphis wel...
Promising foundation in place, Rockets focus on pace vs. Hornets
The Houston Rockets turned the debilitating loss of burgeoning star center Alperen Sengun, who missed the final 18 games last season with knee and ankle injuries, into a period of discovery that propelled an unexpected pursuit of a playoff berth and reshaped their philosophy offensively.,With Sengun...
Heat hope for bounce-back season ahead of opener vs. rising Magic
Despite making the NBA Finals two seasons ago, the Miami Heat are expected by some to have a down year in 2024-25. ESPN, for example, ranked Miami 18th out of 30 teams in its season preview on Monday.,The Heat will aim to invalidate those dull expectations this season, which begins on Wednesday agai...
Overachieving Pacers open vs. Pistons with another run in mind
The Indiana Pacers won 47 regular-season games last year and made a surprising playoff run to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pacers, who open their season at the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, didn't lose any starters or key reserves during the offseason.,Yet the oddsmakers and bettors don'...
Hawks focused on defense entering opener vs. rebuilding Nets
Since making a surprise run to the Eastern Conference finals in the 2020-21 season, the Atlanta Hawks have seen their defense gradually regress no matter how productive star guard Trae Young is.,Last season, Young and the Hawks were tied for 28th in scoring defense, allowing 120.5 points per game, a...
Cavs, Raptors head toward season opener with injury concerns
Injury concerns will be at the forefront when the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Toronto Raptors in the season opener for both teams on Wednesday.,The Cavaliers will try to fill the void of Max Strus, who will be out at least six weeks due to a sprained ankle.,The Raptors listed RJ Barrett (shoulder)...
Liberty-Lynx draw most-watched WNBA Finals game since 1999
The New York Liberty's title-clinching victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday was the most watched WNBA Finals game since 1999.,The Game 5 thriller, won by the Liberty 67-62 in overtime, had a 1.1 rating with 2.15 million viewers on ESPN. The previous high was the deciding Game 3 of the 1999 WNBA...
Determined Bucks to take on short-handed 76ers
The Milwaukee Bucks and 76ers each failed to meet expectations last season, but a new opportunity begins Wednesday when the teams meet in Philadelphia in the season opener for both squads., ,It is the third straight season in which Milwaukee and Philadelphia have met in their respective season opene...
Joel Embiid, Paul George out for Sixers' season opener
The Philadelphia 76ers will be without stars Joel Embiid and Paul George when they take the court for their season opener at home Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks.,Both players are dealing with knee injuries.,Embiid is expected to be out for the remainder of the week, which includes road games ...
Trends reveal why public is behind Celtics on banner night
Distractions are part of the pomp and circumstances surrounding NBA banner night, a celebratory opening game for the reigning champions taking place in Boston on Tuesday. ,The Celtics don't seem to mind the shimmery peripherals that surround ring night. They're 15-2 in the first game of the season f...
Let's Get The Bronny James Los Angeles Lakers Debut Over With
Bronny James and LeBron James will likely share an NBA regular season court for the first time on Tuesday night vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves, and let's get that moment over with....
NBA season-preview capsules: Northwest Division
1. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER,Predicted 2024-25 record: 62-20,Last season: 57-25, 1st in NBA Western Conference. Lost 4-2 to Dallas Mavericks in conference semifinals.,Last time ... the Thunder won 60 games in a season was 2012-13, when Kevin Durant helped Oklahoma City post a 60-22 record. The franchise...
Report: Nuggets give Aaron Gordon 4-year, $133M extension
Locking up a frontcourt starter for the long term, the Denver Nuggets agreed to a four-year, $133 million extension with Aaron Gordon on Monday, the forward's agents told ESPN.,Per the report, Gordon, 29, accepted his $23 million option for the 2025-26 season, with the new pact linking him to the Nu...
Lights on LeBron, Bronny James as Lakers open vs. Wolves
Two teams with every expectation that they will be in the mix come the spring will open the season against each other Tuesday when the Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves.,The Lakers will try to squeeze another quality season out of a veteran duo in LeBron James and Anthony Da...
Reports: Rockets give Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green lucrative extensions
The Houston Rockets had a bounce-back year in 2023-24 thanks in large part to their 2021 draft class. Now, the Rockets are locking up their core for the immediate future.,The Rockets awarded center Alperen Sengun with a five-year, $185 million rookie extension and signed guard Jalen Green to a three...
Hawks extend F Jalen Johnson, reportedly for $150M
The Atlanta Hawks signed forward Jalen Johnson to a multi-year contract extension on Monday.,The team did not disclose the deal's terms, but ESPN reported the extension is for five years and $150 million -- fully guaranteed.,"Jalen Johnson embodies the characteristics we look for as an organization,...
Reports: Rockets G Jalen Green inks 3-year, $106M extension
Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green signed a three-year rookie contract extension worth $106 million on Monday, ESPN and The Athletic reported.,The third year of the extension features a player option. Per ESPN, Green, 22, is the first NBA player to land a 2-plus-1 rookie extension worth at least $100...
Report: Magic G Jalen Suggs gets 5-year, $150.5M contract extension
Guard Jalen Suggs and the Orlando Magic have agreed on a five-year, $150.5 million extension to his rookie contract, ESPN reported Monday.,The 23-year-old Suggs, who signed a four-year, $30 million deal in 2021 that will pay him $9.1 million this season, was voted to the NBA All-Defensive second tea...
Wizards F Corey Kispert agrees to 4-year, $54M extension
Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert agreed to a four-year, $54 million rookie contract extension.,Agents Mark Bartelstein and Andy Shiffman of Priority Sports confirmed the details Monday with ESPN.,Kispert, 25, is heading into his fourth season since the Wizards drafted him 15th overall in 202...