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

NEW YORK — If April, May or June had gone differently, LeBron James very well may have been playing for the Knicks — not against them — in Tuesday night’s 2026-27 season opener.

James acknowledged last month that he envisioned joining the Knicks and finally calling his beloved Madison Square Garden home — until they won an NBA ...Read more

NEW YORK — Before the 2026 NBA champion New York Knicks received their championship rings, and before Madison Square Garden raised its first championship banner since 1973 into the rafters, coach Mike Brown erred on the side of caution.

This night, he knew, was undoubtedly going to be one for the ages, and instead of forcing his team into the...Read more

NEW YORK — Jalen Brunson’s desperation 3-pointer hit nothing but air, and a packed Madison Square Garden began to empty out.

In the debut of the Philadelphia 76ers’ revamped roster featuring the shocking additions of all-time great LeBron James and All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown, their defense propelled them to a 106-100 victory Tuesday night ...Read more

ORLANDO, Fla. — Jalen Suggs says he’s sorry.

And you know what?

Apology accepted.

Now, Jalen, can you and your Orlando Magic teammates please do us all one gigantic favor?

Stay freaking healthy.

Seriously, is that too much to ask?

At Magic Media Day a few weeks ago, Suggs offered a heartfelt apology to Orlando fans for last season’s ...Read more

Yes, this is the busiest and most diverse sports market on the planet, as we’ve pointed out here before. But there are two constants, two teams that tower above the rest when it comes to popularity and interest in Southern California.

One was just knocked out of its sport’s postseason less than a week ago. The other begins its own quest —...Read more

MIAMI — For Giannis Antetokounmpo, it now is championship visions squared.

In his new home, his second NBA act formally begins with the Miami Heat’s 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Kaseya Center.

From his previous existence as Milwaukee Bucks icon, there is the ownership stake he acquired in the ...Read more

DETROIT — When the NBA released its 2026-27 schedule in August, promotional ads featuring the Detroit Pistons highlighted Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson. This is fitting, as all three are considered core members of the franchise. However, coach J.B. Bickerstaff has consistently acknowledged that the Pistons' improvement over ...Read more

DETROIT — In his introductory news conference last month, Paul George said he didn’t blame any fan who hated the trade that brought him to Boston.

Given how popular Jaylen Brown was during his decade with the franchise, and how unpopular the decision to deal him to Philadelphia for George and four future draft picks was, the incoming ...Read more

SEATTLE — The new NBA season begins Tuesday. The New York Knicks are reigning champs and will raise a banner for the first time in more than 50 years. The San Antonio Spurs, coached by a born-and-raised Seattle kid and with the current best player on the planet leading them on the floor, are the preseason favorites to win the championship. The...Read more

MIAMI — For the past few seasons, outside expectations have been met by the Miami Heat. That was the problem, with little expected.

Now, center Bam Adebayo said, it’s time to step up to the reality of a new moment.

“We have expectations,” he said, as the Heat continue to work through preparations ahead of Wednesday night’s season ...Read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Brandon Miller will be a Charlotte Hornet for the foreseeable future.

A league source confirmed to The Charlotte Observer that Miller — a former No. 2 draft pick — has agreed to a five-year, $209 million rookie-scale contract extension.

Miller, 23, will begin his fourth year in the NBA this season. He has averaged 20.2 ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers waived former first-round pick Dalton Knecht on Monday to reach the NBA’s maximum roster requirements before the season begins this week.

The 17th overall pick in the 2024 draft had fallen out of the rotation in the last two seasons but had a chance to prove himself during training camp and the preseason...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Their face is gone, LeBron James getting kicked to a Philly curb.

Their voice is gone, longtime public address announcer Lawrence Tanter dying last month at age 76 after more than four decades of dulcet downtown tones.

A big piece of their heart is also gone, Jeanie Buss mired in an ugly court fight to maintain her last ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Nick Nurse has long prided himself on being a morning person.

Somebody the Philadelphia 76ers coach knows he can text — and get a response — at that time of day? LeBron James.

“He’s in here [at the facility] very early,” Nurse said, “and he’s got his set: straight to the weight room when he gets in, and then he�...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Ben Simmons' comeback attempt with the Sacramento Kings generated more than one blip on the basketball radar during the preseason before it came to an abrupt end Sunday when he suffered a torn Achilles tendon during practice.

Injuries had restricted the former No. 1 overall draft pick to appearing in only 107 games the last five...Read more

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Todd Golden’s Florida Gators unsurprisingly earned the nation’s preseason No. 1 ranking, the same spot Florida ended 2025 as the school’s third national champion.

“It’s cool,” Golden said earlier this month, “but we’ve been No. 1 before. That’s what I want our program to expect.”

Yet, the 41-year-old ...Read more