Expert basketball coverage from around the world
Cleveland and New York opened their first-round series with convincing performances, putting early pressure on their opponents. The first day of Eastern Conference playoff action offered clear takeaways as the bracket got underway.
UConn guard Braylon Mullins will remain in Storrs for another year rather than enter the NBA draft. Mullins is ranked No. 17 on ESPN’s latest NBA draft big board and will look to improve his position with a second season at UConn.
Jamal Murray delivered a flawless performance at the free-throw line, going 16-for-16 to help Denver take Game 1 over Minnesota. His steady scoring helped offset a quiet first half from Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon.
Kevin Durant will not play in the Houston Rockets’ Game 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a knee contusion. The Rockets will open their postseason without one of their key stars.
The New York Knicks host the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 as the series gets underway at Madison Square Garden. Follow along for live coverage and key moments as the opener unfolds.
Jamal Murray scored 30 points as Denver took Game 1 in its Western Conference first-round series. The latest round of West playoff action offered early storylines as the opening games got underway.
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets meet again as their rivalry returns for Game 1. Follow along for live coverage as the matchup tips off.
Gregg Popovich, the Hall of Fame former coach, spoke to the Spurs ahead of their playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers. Popovich continues to rehabilitate after a stroke.
Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley did not play in Game 1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Toronto opened the series with a loss while remaining without the veteran guard.
LeBron James and Kevin Durant have met three times in the postseason, with each series carrying major stakes. Here’s a concise revisit of their playoff history and why each matchup stood out.
Oklahoma City remains the clear betting favorite to win the NBA title again at +110. The Spurs (+500) and Celtics (+550) are the next most-backed teams among bettors.
A full-market guide to wagering on the 2026 NBA playoffs, from championship and Finals MVP futures to series prices and game-to-game angles. The breakdown also includes best-bet selections for every first-round matchup.
Steve Kerr said his future with Golden State is uncertain after the Warriors’ season-ending loss to the Phoenix Suns. The coach noted that NBA jobs can come with “expiration dates” and that change can follow the end of a run.
The Phoenix Suns ended the Golden State Warriors’ season with a 111-96 win Friday night. The victory secured Phoenix the Western Conference’s No. 8 seed and a first-round matchup with the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
Kevin Durant is listed as questionable for Game 1 after suffering a right knee contusion in practice this week. Houston remains optimistic the injury won’t be a significant issue as the Rockets begin their first-round series against the Lakers.
Orlando stormed out to a massive first-half advantage and never looked back in a 121-90 play-in win over Charlotte on Friday night. The victory sends the Magic into a first-round playoff series against the Detroit Pistons.
Orlando welcomes Charlotte in a play-in tournament matchup with postseason stakes. Follow along for live updates as the Magic and Hornets battle for advancement.
Oscar Schmidt, a Basketball Hall of Famer revered in Brazil as the “Holy Hand,” died Friday. He was 68.
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank reiterated the franchise’s long-term commitment to Kawhi Leonard. Speaking at his end-of-season news conference Friday, Frank said the organization’s goal remains to win with Leonard.
Andrej Stojakovic is set to return to Illinois, rejoining a roster that brings back five of its top seven scorers. The Illini are coming off a Final Four appearance and retain much of the core that powered that postseason run.
Notre Dame and Villanova will open the basketball season with a men’s and women’s doubleheader on Nov. 1 in Rome. The event will feature both programs facing off to start their respective campaigns.
Hornets guard LaMelo Ball said he was relieved Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo wasn’t more seriously hurt following a second-quarter run-in. Ball emphasized there is no rift between the two players.
Guard Kayden Mingo is transferring to Baylor following a strong freshman season at Penn State. The move comes as Baylor is also involved in the recruitment of his brother, five-star prospect Dylan Mingo.
Dillon “The Villain” Brooks has built a reputation as one of the NBA’s most polarizing figures. Behind the edge, his teammates have embraced his presence as he’s helped spark turnarounds in two franchises.
Orlando made an aggressive move for Desmond Bane, aiming to accelerate its rise around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. The Magic believe Bane has already brought new dimensions to what their top stars can do as they chase the franchise’s next title run.
Victor Wembanyama’s season featured a steady stream of momentum-shifting moments on both ends of the floor. From emphatic finishes to rim-protecting rejections and late-game daggers, these 10 plays capture the range of his impact.
With several races described as too close to call, Tim Bontemps has released his official ballot for the NBA’s major individual honors. The ballot spans MVP, Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, All-NBA and more.
The NBA will stage a regular-season matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers in Mexico City on Nov. 7. The league announced the international date Thursday.
LeBron James said he’s looking forward to sharing the floor with his son, Bronny James, in the playoffs. The Lakers are set to face the Houston Rockets in their upcoming postseason matchup.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Thursday that Hornets guard LaMelo Ball shouldn’t face any further punishment following his fine for tripping Miami center Bam Adebayo. Spoelstra indicated the league’s action was sufficient moving forward.
