PHILADELPHIA — One problem with analytics, or the application of them, is that they treat things that cannot be quantified as things that do not exist. That’s not a criticism of the science. More so, it’s a criticism of the manner in which the science is frequently applied. Any time there is gap between a player’s perceived performance ...Read more

Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn’t the problem for the Heat on Wednesday as they were obliterated by the Timberwolves 131-106.

Pretty much everyone else on his team was the problem. Which underscores the problem with trading for Giannis.

And quite possibly makes the Wolves thankful that they didn’t end up trading for him eight months ago, even ...Read more

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Denver Nuggets got smacked in the face with a litmus test right out of the gate.

An Oklahoma City Thunder squad thirsty for vengeance on the world after a disappointing playoff exit. In Oklahoma City.

“They’re definitely a challenge for every team in the NBA,” Nikola Jokic said before Denver’s season opener, “so...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Just before tipoff, LeBron James poured powder onto his hands, cameras gathered around and the crowd erupted as he did his trademark powder toss. Even after beating the Knicks two nights ago, that moment felt like an unofficial start of this season for the 76ers.

And, well, the Sixers came out and played — at first — as if ...Read more

Starting over has to start somewhere, and so the Clippers got on with it Wednesday.

While Kawhi Leonard got an NBA Finals hero's welcome upon his return up north in Toronto, the Clippers did what they could to entice fans back to Intuit Dome.

Not with superstars or championship aspirations. But with the promise of free parking, a jersey trade-...Read more

President Donald Trump posted a video on his Truth Social platform on Thursday criticizing Sixers forward LeBron James for pregame stretching during the national anthem before Tuesday’s Sixers-Knicks season opener at Madison Square Garden.

“While listening to our national anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country!” Trump wrote. “I ...Read more

The WNBA might be only 30 years old — nascent by sports league standards — but its championship formula is tried and true.

You win titles in the paint.

You can fall in love with the perimeter all you want. You can let modern analytics whisper sweet nothings about the power of the 3-point shot and what space will do for your half-court sets...Read more

ORLANDO, Fla. — In the weeks and days leading up to opening night of the 2026-27 NBA season, Magic players and coaches expressed excitement about starting a new era under first-time head coach Sean Sweeney on the right foot.

The Hawks, however, had other plans.

On a night that saw 22 lead changes and both the Magic and Hawks lead by double ...Read more

TORONTO — For the first quarter of Wednesday’s season opener against the Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls announcer Adam Amin was flying solo on the CHSN airwaves.

Amin called the first quarter in Toronto on his own to honor his former broadcast partner Stacey King. King died on June 7 at age 59.

The Bulls will honor King’s life and legacy...Read more

MIAMI — The Giannis Antetokounmpo part was a given. And the Miami Heat’s prime offseason addition gave a prime-time performance.

The question when it came to a potential season of contention was the remainder of the roster.

That remained in question after Wednesday night’s 131-106 season-opening loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves at ...Read more

NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets acquired Julius Randle to be the tone-setter for a new era of Brooklyn basketball, so it was only fitting that the veteran power forward took the first shot of their season.

On Wednesday night’s opening possession, Randle sized up Charlotte Hornets forward Naz Reid, took two dribbles to his left, then drilled a ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams are the final pieces to the Lakers’ much-anticipated starting lineup.

The free-agent acquisitions will join guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves and center Walker Kessler in the Lakers’ first starting lineup of the new season Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Kristaps Porzingis will be away from the Warriors as he continues to deal with undisclosed health issues, the team announced on Wednesday afternoon.

“We are not anticipating Kristaps being around the team in the immediate future,” a team statement read on the day Golden State will open its season against the Lakers in Los ...Read more

The Golden State Warriors didn’t just bungle their post-dynasty transition; they delivered a masterclass on organizational self-sabotage. And now, once again, they’re paying the price for falling in love with their own ideas and sense of greatness.

The Warriors are tipping off their season Wednesday, and by the time you’re reading this, ...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO — Yaxel Lendeborg gleefully pressed “record” on the camcorder. Forget living in the moment: The Warriors‘ rookie wanted to capture the bombast of his mentor for social media.

Draymond Green strutted in front of the lens, belting out a hearty “BOOM” after knocking down a 3-pointer. Lendeborg cackled behind the camera, ...Read more

DALLAS — Kyrie Irving is only 34, which doesn’t make him old, but he’s been in the NBA since he was 19, and his assessment of the league is not some “get off my lawn” ramblings of a bitter old man, even if it sounds like it.

Two days before the Dallas Mavericks started their regular season, on Wednesday in Houston, Irving was ...Read more

NEW YORK — Before facing the giant amoeba of media materializing around his Madison Square Garden locker late Tuesday night, Jaylen Brown dressed in an ensemble that came as close as clothing can to being a blank slate: black socks, black pleated dress pants, a thick black T-shirt. If his aim was to create the impression that he was beginning ...Read more

SEATTLE — The NBA is playing a dangerous game.

I’m not talking about the basketball, which is more foul-friendly and less physical than it’s ever been. I’m not talking about the parade of 3-pointers, tanking teams, deteriorating defense and healthy-scratch stars that threaten to consume the sport. I’m not talking about Tuesday’s ...Read more