As Minnesota sports fans know, when it comes to big games, you never want to leave with regrets.

The other team plays better and you lose? That’s part of high-level athletics. You lose because of a silly mistake, a strategical error, a lack of nerve, or because you didn’t play the way you’re capable of playing? Those losses haunt, but ...Read more

It was difficult not to think of last year’s Game 4 of the WNBA Finals while watching Sunday’s Game 4 of the semifinal round.

Last year, Breanna Stewart came up short — 3-of-17 in that elimination game — and went into the offseason with the weight of disappointment on her shoulders.

And Sabrina Ionescu was limited while dealing with a ...Read more

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The Connecticut Sun bounced back from an ugly Game 3 loss to keep their season alive in the WNBA semifinals with a 92-82 win over the Minnesota Lynx at Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday.

The series now returns to the No. 2 Lynx’s home court in Minneapolis for a win-or-go-home Game 5 on Tuesday. No. 3 Connecticut has reached at...Read more

MIAMI — The buzz for the Miami Heat to play Bam Adebayo alongside another center has grown louder in recent years.

At the start of this past offseason, Heat vice president of basketball development and longtime team captain Udonis Haslem added to that noise during an ESPN appearance.

“I think Bam can play the four [power forward] and move ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James and Anthony Davis will make their preseason debut Sunday against the Phoenix Suns at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., the two Lakers stars ready to join their team after resting Friday during a preseason-opening loss to Minnesota.

"I think we want to carry over with what we did today at practice," James said ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — In discussing how newly-acquired Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo were going to fit on this season’s roster, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch also dropped in an interesting comment. He wanted to make certain fans knew that one of the reasons the Wolves traded Karl-Anthony Towns was to ensure they can mold and re-mold the roster...Read more

LAS VEGAS — The Aces beat the New York Liberty, 95-81, in Game 3 of their WNBA semifinal series Friday at Michelob Ultra Arena.

It was the Aces’ first win against the Liberty this season, cutting the series lead to 2-1.

Game 4 will return to Michelob Ultra Arena at noon Sunday.

Aces coach Becky Hammon said pregame that she was waiting for...Read more

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Because the Lynx found their offensive rhythm without losing their defensive resolve, they are one victory away from their first WNBA Finals appearance since 2017.

The unquestioned star of their 90-81 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Friday night was Napheesa Collier. The former University of Connecticut standout had 26...Read more

ATLANTA — Hawks rookie forward Zaccharie Risacher knows that he will have an adjustment period when he makes his NBA debut when the regular season begins. But he’s setting himself to make the transition to the league go as smoothly as possible.

The 19-year-old already has put on over 20 pounds from the pre-draft process as he gets ready for...Read more

ATLANTA — Perhaps his former head coach said it best.

“The world is a better place because of Dikembe Mutombo.”

That sentiment was shared by many who knew the man, including that of former Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens, who recently reflected on his former player and friend.

Yes, Mutombo was a great basketball player. The list of his on-...Read more

NASSAU, Bahamas — The rivalry between the 76ers and New York Knicks is one of the most storied in NBA history. And it may have gone up a notch after the Knicks acquired four-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday in a three-team blockbuster trade, which included the Charlotte Hornets.

After re-signing OG...Read more

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Patrick Ewing is coming home.

The Knicks announced the franchise legend will be joining the franchise in a newly-appointed position of basketball ambassador Friday afternoon. Ewing will assist with both basketball and business operations.

“As I said the day my number 33 jersey lifted into the rafters at MSG, I will ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Bronny James is ready for his NBA preseason debut. And like every other basketball game he's ever played, LeBron James will be watching.

The Lakers' 39-year-old star will not play in the team's preseason opener Friday against Minnesota at Acrisure Arena in the Palm Springs area, according to people familiar with the decision not...Read more

Caitlin Clark’s rookie season in the WNBA has come to a close, and it’s safe to say that few athletes have experienced the intensity of both adulation and criticism that she did in her first year as a pro.

Former UConn star and WNBA legend Sue Bird spoke about Clark, and the various narratives that have emerged surrounding her on both ...Read more

NASSAU, Bahamas — Joel Embiid has yet to scrimmage at 76ers training camp.

The 2022-23 NBA MVP reiterated that he’ll be more proactive in managing his health this season after he was asked about playing with Paul George.

“I haven’t played,” Embiid said Thursday after the morning practice at Atlantis Paradise Island. “I’ve just ...Read more

LAIE, Hawaii — Andrew Wiggins missed his third straight day of training camp with an illness and won’t play in Saturday’s preseason opener against the Clippers in Honolulu.

“Still sick, unfortunately,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said of Wiggins. “I’m not worried about Wiggs because he’s been here the past couple of weeks and...Read more

CHARLESTON, S.C. — This was the day the Knicks had been waiting for. The next chapter of their ambitious blueprint had finally begun.

Karl-Anthony Towns, the crown jewel of their blockbuster trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, was on the floor. After nearly a week of delays and salary-cap hurdles, Towns was finally donning a Knicks ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — D’Angelo Russell, the Lakers’ repentant point guard who has vowed to be more engaged this season, answered some questions Thursday as drama-free as possible.

“The main goal is basketball. I think I do that,” he said. “Obviously a lot of people get distracted from that and everything else matters but basketball. For me,...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — If there was a theme to emerge from the Timberwolves’ official introductions of their new players, it was just how much Julius Randle enjoyed playing for Wolves coach Chris Finch.

That was six years ago, and it was only for one season while Randle was in New Orleans when Finch was an assistant for the Pelicans.

But at a ...Read more