MINNEAPOLIS — There is one way the Minnesota Timberwolves can absorb the 33.3 points per game the offense is missing as Anthony Edwards had surgery on his right knee on Thursday.

Play better defense.

That did not happen on Wednesday during their 119-114 loss to Golden State. In fact, the Wolves were miserable in the first half as they fell ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Steve Kerr fumed after the Warriors’ second loss of the season last Friday, a close defeat to the visiting Memphis Grizzlies that saw his team called for four moving screens, including one on Draymond Green that nullified what could have been the go-ahead basket by Steph Curry with 13 seconds remaining.

He derisively noted ...Read more

CHICAGO — Hours before tipoff of Game 6 of the WNBA Finals on Thursday, a temporary sign was hoisted above the front door of Babe’s Sports Bar on Armitage Avenue.

“Babe’s Cafe. Fueled by caffeine. And rage.”

The sign signaled a quick pivot for the Logan Square establishment, which opened at 9 a.m. — seven hours earlier than usual ...Read more

If you’re planning to catch the Golden State Valkyries’ do-or-die final game of 2026 on Saturday night, you’d better bring your checkbook.

Golden State’s Halloween Game 7 of WNBA Finals at Chase Center – dubbed Boohalla for the occasion – will have some frightful prices for those interested in attending. It’s no surprise given the...Read more

DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons are off to a pretty good start this season.

But oddly enough, it took an ugly win over Charlotte on Wednesday night for J.B. Bickerstaff to feel better about a team that is once again perched atop the Eastern Conference standings.

After running a gauntlet and raining 3s in wins over a couple of the East’s ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — They fly around the court, Luka Magic to AR to that new guy who dunks.

These joyous new Lakers have wings.

LeBron James would have grounded them.

They gesture to the crowd, point to each other, fill the postgame interviews with jokes and laughter and connection.

LeBron James would have silenced them.

Barely a week into the ...Read more

If you’re a Golden State Valkyries fan who missed Game 6 of the WNBA Finals because it tipped off just after 9:30 a.m. in America’s finest time zone, count your blessings.

You didn’t miss much, because the Atlanta Dream didn’t miss much of anything from the opening tip.

If you did, in fact, ditch work to watch that unmitigated disaster...Read more

CHICAGO — Northwestern men’s basketball coach Chris Collins expected there would be some roster turnover this spring beyond the departure of star forward Nick Martinelli to the NBA — though maybe not to the extent the Wildcats experienced.

Collins has taken pride in the development of some of the players who have stuck with the program ...Read more

The Knicks got into the win column for the first time this season by overcoming a 13-point deficit in Tuesday’s home victory against the Detroit Pistons.

A day later, on the back end of a home-road back-to-back, New York overcame a bigger deficit for win No. 2.

This time, the Knicks overcame a 19-point hole on the heels of a second-half ...Read more

Nikola Jokic made more history, Trevon Brazile made more headlines, and the Nuggets bounced back from an ugly home stand with a 104-91 win over the Pelicans on Wednesday night in New Orleans.

Jamal Murray led the team with 23 points. Four rotation players remained out, including Cam Johnson, who has a right ankle injury. Here are three ...Read more

TORONTO — The Magic gave up 103 points through three quarters and couldn’t keep up with the Raptors inside Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night.

Playing without Paolo Banchero (right low-grade high ankle sprain) and Jalen Suggs (mild right knee bone bruise), Orlando had a difficult time taking care of the ball (20 turnovers), cleaning up the...Read more

LAS VEGAS — Former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry said his Las Vegas NBA expansion bid group is still in the mix, despite reports stating that they were out.

Lasry was on CNBC on Wednesday clearing the air, stating he and his partner, Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos, were still one of the finalist groups vying for a Las Vegas ...Read more

ATLANTA — The start of something big when it comes to the Miami Heat’s Giannis Antetokounmpo era? For now, just a start.

Finally breaking into the win column after an 0-4 opening week in the wake of their offseason superstar addition, the Miami Heat did it on a record-setting night.

With Bam Adebayo setting the Heat’s career rebounding ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Ernie Johnson, the bow-tie-wearing, peace-keeping host of “Inside the NBA,” is leaving the show after 37 years.

“It’s just time,” the 70-year-old broadcaster said in a video posted Wednesday on social media.

“So why now? Total honesty here. I’ve always prided myself on my preparation, the hours I put in every day ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — The NBA tracks a statistic known as “gravity.” This measures how much attention a player commands from the defense, with and without the ball. It’s a metric that demonstrates a player’s influence on opening things up for teammates.

Anthony Edwards posted the NBA’s second-highest gravity rating last season, behind only ...Read more

Lamar Odom is setting up shop on OnlyFans, making him the first former NBA player to publicly join the platform.

“I’ve lived a lot of my life in the public eye, but trust me, there’s still a side of Lamar Odom you haven’t seen,” he said in a statement to People. “Joining OnlyFans gives me a chance to connect with my fans on a whole ...Read more

NEW YORK — Basketball announcer Ernie Johnson is stepping away from “Inside the NBA” after almost 37 years behind the anchor desk.

The 70-year-old broadcaster says that the current NBA season will be his last one working alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith. Johnson said health is part of the reason for his ...Read more