You didn’t need to see Game 7 to know how this series was going to end.

You just needed to watch Game 6 on Friday night at Kia Center.

That was the night the lights went out in Orlando; the night everything changed – the series, the confidence level and perhaps even the future of the head coach and the front office. Up 3-1. Up 24 points in...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — The conventional thinking over the last few days was the Minnesota Timberwolves were going to need to buy some time for Anthony Edwards to get back from a bone bruise that he suffered when he hyperextended his left knee in Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets.

But if any athlete can defy that wisdom and return sooner than ...Read more

DETROIT — After nearly 20 years, the Detroit Pistons have successfully advanced past the first round of the NBA playoffs. They achieved the milestone with a 116-94 victory in Game 7 against the Orlando Magic on Sunday at Little Caesars Arena.

The victory marked the Pistons' first playoff series win since 2008. However, it wasn't without its ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers lost to the New York Knicks in six games in the 2024 NBA playoffs, and it’s clear part of that experience has stuck in the craw of Joel Embiid.

The star big man decided to make an unprompted plea to Sixers fans during his postgame media session, imploring them to keep their tickets and turn down the ...Read more

BOSTON — Though Jayson Tatum returned to the Boston Celtics’ lineup two months ago, his body has yet to fully recover from the Achilles surgery he underwent last May.

That rehab process, he said, still is ongoing. This weekend, it hit its first setback at “the worst possible time.”

Stiffness in Tatum’s left knee — the opposite leg ...Read more

BOSTON — The mob in the hallway outside the Sixers’ locker room, collectively worth billions, felt like a million bucks.

“We slayed the dragon! In Boston!”

“We finally won a [bleeping] Game 7! In Boston! About [bleeping] time!”

It was hard to tell just who was saying what, but the gang was all there: managing partner Josh Harris, ...Read more

MIAMI — Of all of Pat Riley’s recent postseason media sessions, Monday’s was arguably as on point as any in years. Riley recognized the need for clear, coherent reasoning regarding where he stands as Heat president and where his team stands after failing to make the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons.

For an hour, the typical ...Read more

BOSTON — Joel Embiid shook his coach’s hand and pumped his fist and then half-walked, half-limped toward midcourt and wrapped his arms around Jaylen Brown. He pulled the Boston Celtics superstar in close and whispered something into his ear. Soon, his son was in his arms, and the cameras were all around him and he was smiling and shrugging ...Read more

BOSTON — The Celtics’ 2025-26 season ended Saturday the way it began: with a home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers that Jayson Tatum watched from the bench.

With Tatum, whose early-March return from Achilles surgery was supposed to elevate Boston from impressive overachievers to true title contenders, a late scratch due to left knee tightness...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — As everyone said for the past six months, the Minnesota Timberwolves blew it during the regular season.

Just not in the way that the team’s coaches and fans expected.

What the Wolves proved during their six-game victory over the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA playoffs was that they didn’t coast enough. They ...Read more

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics added Jayson Tatum to their injury report hours before Saturday’s must-win game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The team officially ruled Tatum out Saturday afternoon for Game 7 of the first-round playoff series at TD Garden with left knee stiffness.

Tatum dealt with what he described as stiffness in his left ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — The Nuggets had delusions of adequacy.

They aspired to choke. They never led long enough to gag.

Instead, they spent Thursday night at the Target Center desperate and dismantled.

They blew a prime opportunity to force a winner-take-all cagematch Saturday in Denver by blowing chunks in the biggest game of the season.

The ...Read more

HOUSTON — LeBron James knew what was at stake in this first-round playoff series and that it was on his shoulders to meet the moment and have his teammates follow his lead.

James simply elevated his play like he has so many times over his illustrious 23-year NBA career, playing with a purpose and willing the Los Angeles Lakers to a 98-78 win...Read more

ORLANDO, Fla. — Desmond Bane scored on an up-and-under layup to open the third quarter. His basket gave the Orlando Magic a 24-point lead (62-38). At the time, it appeared the Magic were on the trajectory of a blowout victory, but the Detroit Pistons refused to surrender.

They picked up their production on both ends to open the third quarter....Read more

Caitlin Clark says she's "good" after a brief injury scare during a preseason game Thursday.

"I feel good," the Indiana Fever guard said after the 95-80 loss against the Dallas Wings. "I just landed on my kneecap really hard."

The two-time All-Star was visibly in pain after being fouled and falling to the floor early in the third quarter. ...Read more

The tallest player in college basketball history plans to take his long strides from Gainesville, Fla., to Orange County.

Olivier Rioux, who is 7-foot-9 yet seldom played at Florida, has committed to UC Irvine, he announced on Instagram. His move likely was prompted by the near certainty that he wouldn't crack the Gators' starting lineup next ...Read more

For the second consecutive year, the Golden State Valkyries have been named Sportico’s most valuable WNBA franchise.

The Valkyries have far and away exceeded their Sportico evaluation from last year. Valued at $500 million in 2025, Golden State’s 2026 season valuation has come in at $850 million — a 70% increase.

Entering their second ...Read more