Basketball news

• Kawhi Leonard’s future with Raptors comes into focus with whopping $115 million contract

  22-09-2026 22:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Kawhi Leonard’s future in Toronto has been revealed. The Raptors and Leonard agreed on a two-year, $115 million contract extension with a player option for the 2028-29 season. The Clippers traded Kawhi Leonard back to the Raptors. Getty ImagesJust in: Toronto Raptors All-NBA star Kawhi Leonard has agreed on a two-year, $115 million contract extension with the franchise, plus a player option for the 2028-29 season, his agent Harrison Gaines of SLASH Sports tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/naqrW8
  
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• Fever guard Ty Harris carried off court after sustaining ankle injury

  25-09-2026 04:13 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Indiana Fever guard Tyasha Harris exited Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Lynx with what appears to be a severe ankle injury.After going up for a layup in the third quarter of Thursday’s game, Harris went down, clutching her left ankle and clearly in a lot of pain. She had to be carried off the court by staff, who took her back into the locker room.Ty Harris needed to be carried to the locker room 😔 https://t.co/FVLymWnjDcpic.twitter.com/uy3tSop1HV— Kyle Ingram (@S
  
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• JJ Redick addresses Lakers starting lineup then drops viral quote

  25-09-2026 04:01 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The 2026-27 NBA season is quickly approaching, and Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick still has questions to answer before training camps begin Monday, Sept. 29.Redick and Rob Pelinka, the team's President of Basketball Operations, spoke reporters to address where things stand from a roster reconstruction standpoint within the organization.Redick was clear that guards Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves along with center Walker Kessler are all penciled in as starters for the upcoming season,
  
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• Lakers Rob Pelinka, JJ Redick confident in offseason roster changeover

  25-09-2026 03:38 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  El Segundo, Calif. — Training camp opening is always a time of unbridled optimism around the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers are no exception."I think with this group, probably for the first time in my three years here, I feel like the pieces actually fit together," Lakers head coach JJ Redick said Thursday, speaking to the media.The Lakers made a major roster overhaul this summer, with LeBron James taking his talents to Philadelphia and the Lakers looking for players who were more on star Luk
  
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• Bob Pettit, imposing Hawks great and first NBA MVP, dies at 93

  25-09-2026 03:21 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  NEW ORLEANS — Bob Pettit, an imposing scorer and rebounder for the St. Louis Hawks and winner of the NBA’s first Most Valuable Player award in 1956, has died. He was 93.Pettit’s alma mater, LSU, announced Thursday that he died a day earlier. The university did not provide a cause of death.Pettit was an All-American at LSU before going on to the NBA, where he was an All-Star for each of his 11 seasons, all with the Hawks. He led them to the 1958 championship over the mighty Bost
  
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• Knicks' Jalen Brunson says he's fully cleared after offseason surgery

  25-09-2026 02:37 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Good news, Knicks fans. Jalen Brunson is good to go for the start of the regular season.The Knicks guard told attendees at a live edition of his and teammate Josh Hart's Roommates Show, that he is healthy and ready for the regular season."As you guys know, I had surgery this offseason," Brunson told the crowd. "And I just wanted to tell you guys that I am fully cleared."Brunson underwent surgery back in July after playing through a good portion of the playoffs with it. At the time, SNY's Ia
  
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• Luka-led Lakers are younger, deeper and built on connectivity: ‘The best teams are the most connected teams’

  25-09-2026 02:16 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager, said Thursday that every season is a little bit like the “Odyssey.”“You launch a season, and there's things that happen throughout that you can't predict, but you have to stay together as a group and stay strong,” Pelinka continued.Third-year Lakers head coach JJ Redick, sitting alongside Pelinka for the preseason news conference, later referenced, more generally, the hero’s jour
  
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• Luka-led Lakers are younger, deeper and built on connectivity: 'The best teams are the most connected teams'

  25-09-2026 02:16 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager, said Thursday that every season is a little bit like the "Odyssey.""You launch a season, and there's things that happen throughout that you can't predict, but you have to stay together as a group and stay strong," Pelinka continued.Third-year Lakers head coach JJ Redick, sitting alongside Pelinka for the preseason news conference, later referenced, more generally, the hero's journey — a narrative in whi
  
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• Lakers' new era opens with a thanks for the LeBron James era

  25-09-2026 01:09 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Rob Pelinka, the Lakers' general manager and president of basketball operations, addresses the media with coach JJ Redick to his right. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)The news conference Thursday began with Lakers president of operations Rob Pelinka saying he wanted to “express gratitude” to LeBron James for the eight years he spent playing for Los Angeles before departing to Philadelphia as a free agent over the summer.It didn’t take long for Pelinka to pivot into
  
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• The Spurs’ Keldon Johnson conundrum

  25-09-2026 01:01 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 18: Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts before Game One of the NBA Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on May 18, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Spurs got to the Finals
  
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• Where the Celtics roster stands heading into training camp

  25-09-2026 00:58 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Boston, MA - October 4: Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard at practice at the Auerbach Center on October 4, 2025. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images There was a point this summer when keeping track of the Celtics roster started to require an unreasonable amount of concentration.Jaylen Brown is in Philadelphia. Paul George and Mitchell Robinson are in Boston. Mike Conley is somehow beginning Year 20 in a Celtics uniform. Chris Cenac Jr.
  
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• Marcus Smart turned down more money from Lakers to sign with Rockets, said offer was ‘disrespectful’

  25-09-2026 00:49 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Houston Rockets guard Marcus Smart poses for a photo during Rockets Media Day in Houston, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (Photo by Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images) While the Los Angeles Lakers added a bevy of guards and wings this offseason, they’ll certainly be hard-pressed to replace Marcus Smart, whose defense and playmaking on both ends of the floor were integral to their success last year. Smart agreed to a two-year, $12.4 million deal with the Houston Rockets during free ag
  
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• NBA's first MVP Pettit dies aged 93

  25-09-2026 00:28 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Bob Pettit was named an All-Star in all 11 of his NBA seasons [Getty Images]Bob Pettit, the first man to receive the NBA's MVP (most valuable player) award, has died aged 93. Pettit won the award twice, in its first year in 1955-56 and again in 1958-59, when he topped the scoring charts in both seasons. He was also named an NBA All-Star in all 11 of his seasons and was the first player to reach 20,000 points.Having starred for Louisiana State University, Pettit was signed by Milwaukee Hawks in t
  
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• The Celtics training camp roster is set

  25-09-2026 00:22 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 30: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game during Round One Game Six of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE
  
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• Bob Pettit, basketball Hall of Famer and NBA's first Most Valuable Player, dies at 93

  25-09-2026 00:22 via cbssports.com
  
  Pettit won the NBA's first MVP award in 1956 and was the first player to eclipse 20,000 points in league history
  
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• Bob Pettit, Pro Basketball Hall of Famer and two-time MVP, dies at 93

  24-09-2026 23:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Hall of Famer Bob Pettit, the first NBA player to reach 20,000 points and one of five players to make the All-Star team in each season of his career, died Wednesday, Sept. 23. He was 93.The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Pettit's passing in a post on social media, but did not provide any additional details."The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame mourns the passing of Bob Pettit, a sleek, skilled big man who revolutionized the forward position during his career," the post read.
  
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• Lakers make bold statement about LeBron James era

  24-09-2026 23:31 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  After opening media availability with a moment of silence for Lawrence Tanter, the Lakers thanked LeBron James for his eight seasons in Los Angeles. “I thought it would be appropriate, at the front, just to express gratitude for the LeBron era here,” general manager Rob Pelinka said to open Thursday’s news conference.“Clearly, new team, new players, and that’s what we’re going to talk about today, but we just as an organization are so grateful for the run that
  
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• Karl-Anthony Towns contract negotiations show how difficult it will be for Knicks to keep title core together

  24-09-2026 23:19 via cbssports.com
  
  Towns, a centerpiece of the Knicks' championship run, is entering the final guaranteed year of his deal
  
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• NBA Hall of Famer Bob Pettit dies at 93

  24-09-2026 23:07 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Bob Pettit, one of the NBA’s earliest stars and once the league’s all-time leading scorer, has died, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Thursday. He was 93 years old.No cause of death was provided for Pettit.The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame mourns the passing of Bob Pettit, a sleek, skilled big man who revolutionized the forward position during his career. The 11-time NBA All-Star and 2-time MVP retired as the all-time leading scorer in NBA history and left an endurin
  
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• Spurs legend Gregg Popovich marries former assistant coach's ex-wife

  24-09-2026 22:23 via yahoo.com
  Gregg Popovich coaches the San Antonio Spurs in a preseason game against the Houston Rockets on Oct. 18, 2023. (Darren Abate / Associated Press)Gregg Popovich coached the San Antonio Spurs from 1996 to 2025, winning a league-record 1,390 regular-season games, 170 postseason games and five NBA championships.For four of those championships and quite a few of the other victories, one of Popovich’s assistant coaches was his new wife’s ex-husband.Popovich, 77, married Mary Barth Bude
  
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• Boston Celtics Daily Links 9/24/26

  24-09-2026 22:12 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 17: The sneakers worn by Max Shulga #29 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 17, 2025 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellw
  
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• Can the Knicks afford to play hardball with Karl-Anthony Towns?

  24-09-2026 22:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 10: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks walks off the court after the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Four of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 10, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Adam Pantozzi
  
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• How will the Sixers use their bench?

  24-09-2026 20:30 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 30: Anfernee Simons #4 of the Boston Celtics shoots over Dean Wade #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter at Rocket Arena on November 30, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images In his first real move running the Sixers, new pres
  
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• Cavs announce training camp roster

  24-09-2026 20:23 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 27: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates during the first quarter against the Miami Heat at Rocket Arena on March 27, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images We are just two weeks away from the Cleveland Cavaliers’ first presea
  
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• Is this finally the season Luka Dončić wins MVP?

  24-09-2026 20:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA - 2026/08/23: Luka Doncic arrives with members of the Los Angeles Lakers delegation during the team's visit. (Photo by Andrej Tarfila/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Welcome to our Lakers Season Preview Series! For the next several weeks, we’ll be writing columns every weekday breaking down the biggest questions we have about every player the Lakers added this offseason. Today, we look at Luka Dončić.Luka Dončić keeps playing at a ridiculou
  
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• KOC's Preseason Power Rankings for 2026-27 NBA season + the latest on Jalen Duren

  24-09-2026 20:04 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Subscribe to The Kevin O'Connor ShowApple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTubeKevin O'Connor reveals his Preseason Power Rankings for the 2026-27 NBA season, with every move, surprise and question mark across the league dissected. From the fall of Giannis’ Bucks to the upside of the young Utah Jazz, KOC shares insights into rebuilding teams, superstar trades and headline-making contract drama.Later, Tom Haberstroh joins to challenge Kevin's rankings, digging into team chemistry, roster depth and w
  
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• Jalen Duren and the Pistons: A relationship beyond repair?

  24-09-2026 19:29 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 09: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons waits during the fourth quarter of Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on May 09, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 116-109. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jas
  
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• Five takeaways from Wizards GM Will Dawkins’ presser

  24-09-2026 19:17 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 25: General Manager Will Dawkins talks to the media during the Washington Wizards introductory press conference for AJ Dybantsa on June 25, 2026 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Washington,DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images
  
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• Luka Dončić, Jeanie Buss react to legendary Lakers PA announcer’s death

  24-09-2026 19:15 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The Lakers lost one of its longest-tenured employees. Lawrence Tanter died at 76 after spending more than 40 years as the Lakers public announcer. Tanter, known as LT by fans, retired in June after suffering a stroke late in the regular season and missing the team’s final six home games plus the postseason. Luka Dončić posted the Lakers’ tribute to Tanter on his Instagram story. Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic (77) reacts on the court during the third quarter of a gam
  
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• Five players facing the most pressure this season, including James Harden, Joel Embiid

  24-09-2026 19:11 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The NBA is a pressure-packed league and everyone feels it in one form or another: Championship pressure, legacy pressure, financial pressure, now-or-never pressure. For most players, it's simply "make sure I stick in the league and keep getting paid" pressure.For the players on this list, the pressure is bigger picture — legacy and championship questions. How will we remember them? For these players, a lot hinges on this season. Here are five players under the most pressure this season.Jam
  
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