PHILADELPHIA — When Kevin Slaughter heard the news that the WNBA will add a franchise in Philadelphia in 2030, the Universal Audenried Charter girls’ basketball coach immediately thought of his former player, Shayla Smith, having the opportunity to play professionally for her hometown.

“Shayla Smith will be coming out of Penn State,” ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Kyle Lowry has agreed to return to the 76ers on a one-year contract, a source confirmed to The Philadelphia Inquirer on Monday evening.

Lowry, the North Philly native and former Villanova star, will play his 20th NBA season and continue with his hometown team after joining the Sixers off the buyout market in February 2024. This...Read more

DENVER — As aggressive as the Nuggets have been with roster changes this offseason, one of their most intriguing and mysterious additions will be someone who was already on the team.

DaRon Holmes II won’t have any injury-related limitations on his minutes when he returns from a torn right Achilles tendon this week, Nuggets Summer League ...Read more

ORLANDO, Fla. — Magic forward Paolo Banchero agreed to sign a five-year, $239 million rookie max extension on Monday, a league source told the Orlando Sentinel.

The contract could be worth as much as $287 million, ESPN first reported, as Banchero is eligible to earn 30% of the team’s salary cap should he get voted to an All-NBA team this ...Read more

CHICAGO — The WNBA is about to be bigger than ever.

The league announced a major expansion last week, bringing in new teams in Philadelphia, Cleveland and Detroit — in addition to already announced teams in Toronto and Portland — over the next five seasons.

For players such as Chicago Sky center and WNBPA secretary Elizabeth Williams, ...Read more

MIAMI — The Miami Heat won Monday’s three-team NBA trade with the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz, and it isn’t open to debate. Pat Riley sat at the poker table (picturing him in dark shades) and never smiled once until he stood up with all of the chips and a needed reminder of that familiar old mojo.

The godfather is still around, ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — The Clippers have traded guard Norman Powell to the Miami Heat and have acquired forward John Collins from the Utah Jazz in a three-team, multiplayer deal that also includes a draft pick, according to people with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak on the matter.

The Clippers will send a 2027 second-round pick to ...Read more

DENVER — Mike Rodriguez needed to find 10 hoopers, and fast.

It was Easter Sunday, 2014. Rodriguez was the boys basketball coach at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School outside of Pittsburgh, and one of his pupils had an unexpected new suitor reaching out: University of Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon.

“He just happened to be flying out ...Read more

HARTFORD, Conn. — The Dan Hurley, Rick Pitino rivalry has leveled up every year since their initial meeting in the first round of the 2023 NCAA tournament, when Hurley was looking for his first tournament win at UConn and Pitino’s Iona team was hoping for an upset.

UConn won that game, 87-63, and started its record streak of 13-consecutive ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Justin Edwards is a testament to hard work enabling people to overcome obstacles.

The former Kentucky standout went undrafted last summer. Yet Edwards finished the 2024-25 season as one of the 76ers' most dependable young players. He was rewarded for that Sunday as he signed a new three-year contract.

“Going undrafted, I ...Read more

ATLANTA — Nickeil Alexander-Walker will officially suit up for the Hawks.

The team made the sign-and-trade agreement to bring Alexander-Walker to Atlanta official in an announcement on Sunday.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Nickeil to our program,” Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh said in a statement. “He brings a blend of defensive ...Read more

ATLANTA — The Hawks joined several teams in an NBA-record seven-team trade.

Atlanta partnered in a deal that centered on the Phoenix Suns sending Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, the teams announced Sunday.

Along with the Hawks, the full deal included the Rockets, Suns, Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and ...Read more

DENVER — The Nuggets intend to hold Jonas Valanciunas to his NBA contract commitment despite his reported interest in an offer to return to the EuroLeague, a league source confirmed to The Denver Post on Sunday.

Denver is set to acquire Valanciunas from the Sacramento Kings in a trade that was agreed on last Tuesday but hasn’t been ...Read more

CHICAGO — Angel Reese will be the Chicago Sky’s sole representative at WNBA All-Star weekend after her second consecutive selection as a reserve.

Reese leads the league in rebounding with 12.6 per game while also averaging 12.4 points and 3.8 assists. Her average of 1.8 steals per game is the fifth-highest in the WNBA.

This has been a ...Read more

NEW YORK — Tom Thibodeau is out. Mike Brown is in. A new era is underway at Madison Square Garden — and it comes with sky-high expectations.

Brown, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year who most recently won the award in 2023, inherits a Knicks team fresh off its first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years. On paper, it’s a group ...Read more

DENVER — Current morning routine for Nuggets, Avs and Broncos fans: wake up, pinch self.

Current morning routine for Rockies fans: wake up, punch self.

Even as Jonas Valanciunas weighs whether to be a gyro for Panathinaikos or a hero for the Nuggets, there has never been a better time to be a fan of three of Colorado’s professional sports ...Read more

MIAMI — It is time for the Miami Heat to consider dealing Bam Adebayo.

No, this is not about the naysayers more concerned about Adebayo’s contract or muted scoring impact. He has earned his fair share and he has offered ample offense in support of his accomplished defense.

In fact, at the moment it is less about Adebayo than about his team...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Just under five minutes remained in the third quarter. The Lynx, who had led by as many as 10, had fallen behind by two points to a Golden State team that seemed unable to miss.

It was at that point, apparently, when the Lynx decided enough was enough.

Over the course of the next nine minutes the Lynx outscored the Valkyries by...Read more

Here are three takeaways and notes from the Golden State Warriors' 89-84 win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

Rookies missing, Bronny James a healthy scratch

Warriors fans who made the trip to Chase Center on Saturday hoping for a glimpse of recent second-round picks Alex Toohey and Will Richard...Read more