Basketball news

• The Clippers got the feds watchin’

  11-09-2026 17:42 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) It started with yelling about toilets. Steve Ballmer was so serious about turning the Los Angeles Clippers into a serious franchise for the first time in their existence that he wanted to make sure no fan ever waited in a long line to use the bathroom when the team opened its new arena. Ballmer’s drive to win eventually led the Clippers to courting Kawhi Leonard in free agency, fresh off leading the Toronto Raptors to a 2019 NBA championsh
  
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• How will the Hornets replace LaMelo Ball? Here's what Charlotte is betting on this season

  23-09-2026 15:46 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  LaMelo Ball seemed irreplaceable in Charlotte. When Ball shared the floor with Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, the Hornets posted a 130.3 offensive rating, which was the best of any three-man combo that appeared in at least 60 games last season. When Ball went to the bench, Charlotte's offensive rating plummeted to 110.6. LaMelo was the engine of the NBA's most devastating lineup. So now that he has been traded to Minnesota, how the hell are the Hornets supposed to replace him?There is no one o
  
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• College basketball world mourns Chris Spatola's death: 'All-time great dudes'

  23-09-2026 15:25 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  ESPN analyst Chris Spatola, 47, unexpectedly died on Monday, Sept. 21, leaving the college basketball world heartbroken. Spatola, who ranks 10th on Army's all-time scoring list, deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2002-07 following his four-year playing career. He returned to college basketball as a staff member at Duke under his father-in-law Mike Krzyzewski, one of the sport's greatest coaches, from 2007-12 before becoming a broadcaster.REQUIRED READING: Chris Spatola, ESPN per
  
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• Bucks reportedly being investigated by NBA for possible salary-cap circumvention in deal with Gary Trent Jr.

  23-09-2026 15:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  When the Milwaukee Bucks agreed to sign Gary Trent Jr. to a four-year, $64 million deal in July, red flags went up all around the league’s office. Days later, reports emerged suggesting the NBA was looking into the signing, though details of the league’s probe were scarce. The league apparently found enough that it decided to launch a full-on investigation, according to The Athletic. The focus of that investigation: Whether the Bucks used the contract as a way to circumvent the NBA s
  
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• Panic level for Giants, Bears amid rash of QB injuries; MLB postseason scenarios as Rays clinch AL East

  23-09-2026 15:02 via cbssports.com
  
  Plus Pete Prisco's Week 3 NFL Power Rankings
  
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• Ranking the Roster: Jericho Sims wrecks rims at 11

  23-09-2026 14:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 12: Jericho Sims #00 of the Milwaukee Bucks rebounds the ball during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 12, 2026 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. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images Jericho Sims had the best year of
  
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• NBA Trade Rumors: TJ Shannon’s Best Role is as a Trade Piece

  23-09-2026 14:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  So much of the coming season is uncertain for the Minnesota Timberwolves. They restructured their whole core and brought in a new star point guard in LaMelo Ball, and jettisoned cornerstones of the team’s past identity in Julius Randle, Naz Reid, and Mike Conley Jr. They even switched owners.Within that restructuring, there are many new roles being created for different players. It seems like only Anthony Edwards will slot back in where he was last year.Jaden McDaniels will suddenly be a f
  
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• It’s now or never for the Cleveland Cavaliers

  23-09-2026 14:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  NEW YORK, NY - MAY 21: Donovan Mitchell #45 and James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers look on during the game against the New York Knicks during Game Two of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on May 21, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, 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 NB
  
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• We let NBA 2k27 run wild on the next six seasons for the Mavericks — get a load of the results

  23-09-2026 13:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 24: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates during the game against the Washington Wizards on October 24, 2025 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images Wit
  
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• Open Thread: Dylan Harper rookie card sets auction sales record

  23-09-2026 13:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - DECEMBER 23: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on December 23, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images Dylan Harper may have not been crowned the 2026 Rookie of the Year, but he had some of the best stats from his draft class, not to mention making his way to the NBA Finals.Ata recent auction, his rookie card went for a whopping $320,860. The All-T
  
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• Is Cooper Flagg About To Hit A Whole New Level?

  23-09-2026 13:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  DALLAS, TX - APRIL 5: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 5, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Gett
  
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• Cavs season preview: Nae’Qwan Tomlin – Can he find a role?

  23-09-2026 13:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 10: Nae'Qwan Tomlin #35 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes to the basket for a dunk against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on April 10, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Paras Griffin/Getty Images) | Getty Images The NBA game forces players into boxes.
  
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• Thirty-Third and Thriving

  23-09-2026 12:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Let us rewind for a moment. It is June 18, 2026. The New York Knicks are finally NBA Champions, parading through the Canyon of Heroes amongst an expansive sea of orange-and-blue faithful. Jalen Brunson takes the microphone, holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy over his head, ready to address a fanbase that has waited for this moment since 1973. When he speaks, he rightfully takes the time to acknowledge his teammates and thank his coaches. But he doesn’t stop there. He also takes time to
  
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• Ramp to Camp: Who will be the Celtics' X-factor this season?

  23-09-2026 12:03 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Ramp to Camp: Who will be the Celtics' X-factor this season? originally appeared on NBC Sports BostonWhich member of the Boston Celtics is most likely to elevate the ceiling of the team based on their play during the 2026-27 season?In the latest installment of our Ramp to Camp series, we asked our panel to predict the one player — not named Jayson Tatum — who might emerge as the biggest X-factor in Boston’s overall success this season.The way we look at it: Tatum sets a high fl
  
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• Rockets 2026-2027 player previews: Bruce Thornton and Oscar Tshiebwe

  23-09-2026 11:51 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 18: Bruce Thornton #2 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2026 NBA Summer League Semifinals game on July 18, 2026 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mike Kirsc
  
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• Denver Nuggets season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

  23-09-2026 11:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Just three seasons removed from an NBA championship and the Denver Nuggets suddenly feel like a team whose window to win is closing.Yes, they have all-world center Nikola Jokić, and yes, they have Jamal Murray and plenty of other talented pieces. But key role players struggled to develop, and a debilitating salary cap situation have left the Nuggets in a precarious position.So, while the Nuggets finished third in the West last season, they’ll need those role players to ease some of th
  
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• Boston Celtics season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

  23-09-2026 11:48 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  For a team that has been at or near the top of the Eastern Conference for much of the past decade, this was something of a tumultuous offseason for the Boston Celtics.Gone is Jaylen Brown, a mainstay All-Star who spent 10 seasons with the Celtics, his most recent being one in which he recorded a career-high 28.7 points per game. And in his place is veteran Paul George, which ushers in a new era for Boston, one in which star forward Jayson Tatum becomes the unquestioned face of the franchise.None
  
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• Milwaukee Bucks season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

  23-09-2026 11:46 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The Milwaukee Bucks begin their first season without Giannis Antetokounmpo still dealing with the fallout of their drawn-out separation.The franchise could match or improve upon last year's record thanks to the players it gained by trading Antetokounmpo this offseason and eliminating the distraction his uncertain future caused during the 2025-26 season. But the next era for the Bucks remains largely undefined in the immediate aftermath of Antetokounmpo's departure and the team's current salary c
  
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• Phoenix Suns season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

  23-09-2026 11:44 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The Phoenix Suns enter their second season with coach Jordan Ott at the helm.Ott led the team to a playoff appearance in his first season but was swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. It wasn’t the playoff run they were expecting after making it through the play-in tournament with a 1-1 record, after losing to the Portland Trail Blazers and beating the Golden State Warriors.Devin Booker remains the focal point for the Suns, after leading the team in points (26.1) and rebou
  
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• Charlotte Hornets season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

  23-09-2026 11:42 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Kon Knueppel made 273 3-pointers as a rookie in the 2025-26 season – more than anyone else in the league – and no rookie had ever led the NBA in that category before. He nearly stole Rookie of the Year honors from Cooper Flagg. Charlotte won 44 games last season, up from 19, in its best season since 2015-2016. Then the front office blew it up.The Hornets sent LaMelo Ball to Minnesota for Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round draft pick, three pick swaps and three second-rounders.
  
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• New Orleans Pelicans season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

  23-09-2026 11:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The New Orleans Pelicans enter the 2026-27 NBA season as perhaps the league's most confounding team. A year after trading a future first-round pick to move up and draft Derik Queen, the Pelicans largely stood pat this offseason after another disappointing record that left them outside the Western Conference postseason picture. The franchise has won just two playoff series since coming to New Orleans in 2002.There will have to be significant internal improvements for that to change under former O
  
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• Ryan Nembhard Is in Search of New NBA Home

  23-09-2026 03:48 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Ryan Nembhard #9 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on July 11, 2026 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Get
  
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• For Kawhi Leonard, things are looking pretty good. For Clippers, not so much

  23-09-2026 03:08 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Right now, things are looking pretty good for Kawhi Leonard. He agreed to a two-year, $115 million contract extension with the Raptors on Tuesday, including a player option for the 2028-29 season. The 35-year-old, who’s now under contract for three years, is expected to finish his career with the Raptors, according to ESPN. Meanwhile, the Clippers — and their fans — have pretty much had a limb amputated. LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard reacts on the c
  
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• Chris Spatola, ESPN personality and son-in-law of Mike Krzyzewski, suddenly dies at 47

  23-09-2026 03:03 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Chris Spatola, a former Duke staffer from 2007 to 2012 and the son-in-law of legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski, died suddenly at age 47 on Monday, Sept. 21, Duke and ESPN confirmed in separate statements.Spatola, who was also a college basketball analyst for ESPN and SiriusXM for more than a decade, played college basketball at Army, where his father-in-law got his coaching start. Spatola was a four-year starter who served in the Army upon his graduation before joining Coach K's staff. The Blue De
  
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• Hawks acquire Finney-Smith for Hield, Nembhard

  23-09-2026 02:19 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 29: Dorian Finney-Smith of Rockets warms up before the NBA playoffs game 5 between Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets at the Crypto.com Arena on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images This trade has been rumored about extensively, as I detailed earlier this week.Now, the final details have come in with the Hawks adding in a player they acquired earlier this offseason for mo
  
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• MONTH TO GO! Brooklyn Nets fans can start 2026-27 season countdown

  23-09-2026 01:29 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 09: Head Coach Jordi Fernandez of the Brooklyn Nets instructs his team against the Chicago Bulls in the second half at Barclays Center on February 09, 2026 in New York City. 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 Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images What marks the first day of autumn on most people&rs
  
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• The Suns might have six starters after all

  23-09-2026 01:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 22: Collin Gillespie #12 and Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns look on after the game against the Toronto Raptors on March 22, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images Many
  
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• Lakers ‘Iron Man’ will land surprising starting 5 nod amid roster overhaul

  23-09-2026 00:54 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  When it comes to the Lakers’ lineup rotation for 2026-27, it’ll look a lot different for the team and coach JJ Redick compared to when the 2025-26 season ended just a few months ago. After an offseason roster reconstruction, over half of the players on the Lakers’ roster (nine players) will be new faces.And that doesn’t include younger players looking to fight for more playing time, such as second-year forward Adou Thiero and third-year guard Bronny James. While
  
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• NBA division rivals make a deal. Who the Hawks, Hornets traded

  22-09-2026 23:52 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  NBA training camps are just days from opening up, but that didn’t stop a minor deal from being completed — and one between division rivals.The Charlotte Hornets are shipping forward Dorian Finney-Smith to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for guards Buddy Hield and Ryan Nembhard, a person with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed Tuesday, Sept. 22 to USA TODAY Sports.The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because the trade had not been publicly announced.Finney-Smith, 33,
  
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• Detroit Pistons enlist DAZN as streaming platform partner

  22-09-2026 23:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 01: The DAZN logo is seen on a microphone prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) | Getty Images I know we are all rejoicing that we never have to listen to the awful ambient crowd noise interstitial during commercial breaks that was a key, heinous feature of the FanDuel Sports Network app. That is dead in a ditch. But what is taking its plac
  
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