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

NEW YORK — The Liberty’s historic first-round upset became possible after effectively stopping Minnesota’s head of the snake: Olivia Miles.

Beginning in Sunday’s Game 1 of the second-round series against the Dream in Atlanta, the challenge shifts to a trio of backcourt players capable of wrecking a game: Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray and ...Read more

DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons were committed to keeping their All-NBA center Jalen Duren since the summer. Although negotiations stalled for four months, the Pistons ultimately succeeded.

Late Thursday night, Duren agreed to a fully guaranteed five-year, $200 million contract extension to remain with the Pistons.

"We are excited to have him ...Read more

NEW YORK — Tim Brosnan brought the business chops to the job of Big East Commissioner, as the search to replace Val Ackerman last summer began to bend toward professional sports experience.

This is how the nature and the challenge of the job has changed. Ackerman tended to focus on collegial, NCAA and legal issues, prominent during most of ...Read more

DETROIT — The standoff between Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons has concluded.

Late Thursday night, Duren agreed to a five-year, $200 million contract extension, a source confirmed the deal with The Detroit News. The agreement comes after months of disputes that caused Duren to miss the first two days of training camp.

Duren averaged 19.5...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — As the 76ers concluded practice Thursday and media came into their facility, Jaylen Brown was again the last one to leave the floor.

After working on some post-ups and back-to-the-basket moves on Wednesday, Brown was participating in small group workouts with members of the player development staff and players like Justin ...Read more

Point guard Luke Paul of Australia has made a commitment to play basketball at Duke, it was reported Thursday by ESPN.

Paul is considered by some observers a potential first-round NBA draft pick. The 6-6 guard will compete in the NBL Next Stars program in Australia this season, but made the decision to join the Blue Devils program for the 2027-...Read more

ARLINGTON, Texas — Kicking, abusing and mocking the WNBA has turned into the easiest, laziest layup topic for talk shows these days because it requires no effort, and the people talking don’t actually watch the games.

On Wednesday night at the College Park Center in Arlington, the Dallas Wings hosted the Golden State Valkyries in Game 2 of ...Read more

LAS VEGAS —A’ja Wilson will be on the court for Las Vegas’ decisive Game 3 on Thursday night against the Indiana Fever after the WNBA didn’t suspend or fine her following an incident with a fan during Game 2 of the series.

A person familiar with the ruling told the Associated Press the decision was made after officials did an in-game ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — The unraveling happened so jarringly it was as if the Minnesota Lynx vanished beneath a trap door. Their collapse, strangely, was simultaneously sudden and creeping. From magic to misery before anyone could halt the momentum.

Rarely does a No. 1 seed in the playoffs in any sport put forth such a feeble, uninspired effort.

Where...Read more

Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson said she apologized to her teammates for getting a technical foul late in a 98-89 playoff loss to the Indiana Fever on Tuesday night in Indianapolis.

But the four-time league MVP is not apologizing for her actions that led to the foul being called.

With about four minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Aces ...Read more