PHILADELPHIA — From the first day of practice, the 76ers talked about how such a star-studded group was going to generate outside noise that the team has to put up with throughout the course of the season.

It has not taken long for that to boil up, with one of the first instances coming during Monday’s preseason win over the New York Knicks...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — You catch more teammates with honey than with vinegar. That’s how the saying goes, right?

For Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, that’s the plan.

The noted health-food advocate harvests honey from bees on his property, a hobby he has had for about five years. He has endured stings, including in the face. But the pain is worth...Read more

MIAMI — After years of looking inferior to its Western brethren, the NBA’s Eastern Conference is enjoying a renaissance, galvanized by a steady influx of talent and the relocation of star players to new teams.

The Knicks’ championship generally extinguished perceptions that the West had the two best teams (the Thunder and Spurs). But ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — It was one thing to hear Wolves players and head coach Chris Finch talk for the past week about good vibes that have permeated the offseason and training camp, as well as big plans for pushing the ball up and down the court with a more dynamic pace-based offense.

Seeing was believing in Monday’s preseason opener, a 116-97 win ...Read more

Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham caused a stir this summer by speaking out against transgender women participating in women's sports.

Now she seems to have expanded her message beyond sports — without saying a word.

On Saturday, Cunningham appeared at her alma mater Missouri's homecoming football game wearing a hat that read, "No Cis ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Olivia Miles didn’t know where she’d land in the 2026 WNBA draft. But she knew how she wanted to present herself. So, in the leadup to her big night, she reached out to an old friend: Meg Lee, former associate director of brand development and social media at Notre Dame.

“Bro, come work with me. Can you shoot my draft ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns said he and the Knicks remain separated in discussions regarding a contract extension to keep him in New York beyond this season.

“Simply put, I want to do something that can keep the team together and that can work with the Knicks, but also values me,” Towns said after morning shootaround...Read more

DENVER — Motivation arrived in the mail for Alpha Diallo. He was home in New York City for the summer, trying to figure out his next move. Despite a successful first season of professional basketball, he was a man without a team.

“I got a little check,” he told The Denver Post, “for a buyout from a team that I never played for. Never ...Read more

The Atlanta Dream defends with hands in the opponent’s jerseys, force turnovers and score fast — really fast.

So fast that the Liberty began the third quarter with a three-point lead and fell behind by as many as 14 points in a blink of an eye in a third period the Dream dominated, 32-15.

“They upped their defensive pressure,” Sabrina ...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO — Natalie Nakase is back on the bench for the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday for their series opener against the Las Vegas Aces after a scary episode two nights prior.

The Valkyries’ coach collapsed to the floor during a timeout with 1:40 left in Golden State’s dramatic 77-73 comeback win over the Dallas Wings on Friday ...Read more

MIAMI — There are times, even with the expectation of riches, where NBA salaries can be sobering.

One such example for the Miami Heat came during the 2016 offseason, when Tyler Johnson acknowledged being overwhelmed by the reality that he had just received a four-year, $50 million contract.

“I threw up a couple of times when I heard the ...Read more

DENVER — Nikola Jokic is growing up as the Nuggets’ roster is aging out.

Media days rarely offer insight, instead providing a stream of clichés ready-made for Nickelback’s next album.

Then came Monday.

The answers created pause, raised eyebrows, jolted observers with the recognition that this Nuggets’ team is actually different. That...Read more

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Trent Noah’s best game in two seasons as a Kentucky Wildcat came Jan. 31 at the expense of “Woo Pig Calipari.”

In UK’s 85-77 road upset of Arkansas last season, Noah, the former Harlan County High School star, came off the bench to contribute nine points and seven rebounds to Kentucky’s 85-77 vanquishing of the 15th...Read more

What mattered most in Saturday night’s exhibition opener against the Toronto Raptors in Quebec City arguably came during the opening jump — with Giannis Antetokounmpo for the first time in a Heat uniform in game action.

As for the rest of the night at Videotron Centre, more of a tease than anything substantive, as Erik Spoelstra’s team ...Read more

ORLANDO, Fla. — Vooch?

Really?

He’s back?

Five years ago, when the Orlando Magic traded Nikola Vucevic, I wrote a column that began with three anguished questions:

“Vooch?

“Really?

“Why?”

Today, there’s only one question:

How perfect is this?

How wonderfully, beautifully, ridiculously poetic is it that Nikola Vucevic — ...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO — One of the most remarkable comebacks in WNBA history has sent the Golden State Valkyries to the WNBA semifinals.

The Valkyries overcame a 16-point second-half deficit to author a stunning 77-73 comeback win that advanced them to face the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA’s second round.

Gabby Williams’ 17-foot pull-up with 1:17 ...Read more