Expert basketball coverage from around the world
LeBron James said he went two months without cookies and wine, two of his favorite indulgences. Caitlin Clark reacted with a blunt line: she’d rather retire than give them up.
With roughly two months left in the 2025-26 NBA regular season, the league’s focus shifts to the biggest storylines still unfolding. Key matchups and awards races will help define the stretch run.
Mavericks star Kyrie Irving will not return this season as he continues his recovery from knee surgery. Irving underwent the procedure last March and remains sidelined.
A wave of Jalens — along with Jaylens, Jaylins and Jaylons — has become one of the NBA’s defining name trends. A new ranking stacks the 11 best single-season performances from players sharing the same first name and frames the idea of what a full “Jalens” roster might look like.
Sports memorabilia and collectibles companies are increasing monitoring for fraud and adjusting how they authenticate items. The industry is working to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated attempts to pass off fake or altered collectibles as legitimate.
Michigan opened the week by taking care of business against No. 7 Purdue. The victory reinforced the Wolverines’ standing as the nation’s top-ranked team.
UCLA coach Mick Cronin dismissed center Steven Jamerson II to the locker room after a flagrant foul late in Tuesday night’s lopsided loss to Michigan State. Jamerson fouled Carson Cooper from behind as Cooper attempted a dunk.
Kansas State never trailed Tuesday night, rolling past Baylor 90-74 at Bramlage Coliseum in interim coach Matthew Driscoll’s debut. The win moved the Wildcats to 11-15 overall and 2-11 in Big 12 play, days after Jerome Tang was fired.
No. 22 Miami of Ohio remained the last unbeaten team in Division I with an 86-77 win over UMass on Tuesday night. Peter Suder led the way with 23 points as the RedHawks pushed their winning streak to 26 games.
Texas Tech’s upset loss at Arizona State was overshadowed by an injury scare to star forward JT Toppin. Toppin appeared to hurt his right leg on a drive to the basket with 6:03 remaining.
Auburn guard Keyshawn Hall practiced and was not listed on Tuesday’s injury report. The Tigers’ leading scorer is set to play Wednesday night at Mississippi State.
Lakers center Deandre Ayton was briefly detained Tuesday at an airport in the Bahamas, according to his lawyer. The detention was tied to suspicion of possessing a “very small amount of marijuana.”
Mike Conley is back with the Minnesota Timberwolves just two weeks after being moved in a trade-deadline transaction. The team announced his return Tuesday.
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said her late father, Jerry Buss, would have approved of selling the franchise he helped turn into a global powerhouse. Buss pointed to the need for greater resources as a key factor in the decision.
Free agent center Mason Plumlee is signing a 10-day contract with the San Antonio Spurs. The short-term agreement gives San Antonio an experienced frontcourt option.
Doug Moe, the former Denver Nuggets coach known for engineering one of the NBA’s most dynamic offenses in the 1980s, has died at age 87. Moe’s up-tempo teams helped define an era of Nuggets basketball.
Utah Jazz forward Jaren Jackson Jr. had surgery Tuesday to remove a growth in his left knee. The team has not provided additional details beyond the procedure.
North Carolina added five-star Dylan Mingo to its 2026 recruiting class, giving Hubert Davis his second top-100 commitment in the cycle. Here’s how the latest pledge fits into the Tar Heels’ growing group of early commitments.
Dylan Mingo, a five-star senior and top-10 prospect in the 2026 class, announced his commitment to North Carolina. He revealed his decision during a Tuesday appearance on ESPN’s “First Take.”
Duke coach Jon Scheyer said he "could have said even more" in response to a local district attorney’s assertion that there was "zero evidence" supporting his claim that Duke staffers were punched during a recent court storming at UNC. The exchange stems from comments Scheyer made in the aftermath of the incident.
Mark Cuban says the NBA should “embrace tanking,” arguing that the fan experience should be the league’s priority. He also emphasized affordability as a key part of that equation.
As the NBA moves into its second half, attention shifts to the league’s biggest postseason and awards races. Andre Snellings and Eric Moody outline the wagers they consider most compelling, from playoff outcomes to the MVP conversation.
With Selection Sunday a month away, Jay Bilas has released an updated Bilas Index ranking the top 68 teams in men’s college basketball. The list offers a snapshot of the current pecking order as the postseason picture comes into sharper focus.
Cleveland’s championship odds improved following its trade for James Harden. Even with that movement, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets continue to stand out as the top favorites.
The Lakers made little noise at the trade deadline, but their summer outlook remains significant. With LeBron James’ future not fully settled, plus draft assets and meaningful cap flexibility, Los Angeles is positioned to be active once the offseason begins.
North Carolina star Caleb Wilson is adjusting to playing with a cast on his non-shooting hand as he works back from a fractured left hand. Wilson said he’s inching closer to returning “soon.”
Nate Heise drilled a go-ahead 3-pointer as No. 6 Iowa State edged Big 12 leader and second-ranked Houston 70-67 on Monday night. The moment came just hours after his sister, Taylor Heise, scored in the U.S. women’s Olympic hockey team’s 5-0 win over Sweden in Milan.
Philadelphia is set to bring back two-way forward Jabari Walker on a new two-year contract and add veteran guard Cam Payne for the remainder of the season, according to league sources. The moves address depth in the frontcourt and backcourt as the schedule continues.
Bill Donovan, a Boston College basketball standout whose playing career earned him a place in the school’s Hall of Fame, has died. He was the father of Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan.
Portland guard Damian Lillard sent a message to Stephen Curry about expanding the 2027 3-point contest field. Lillard specifically mentioned Klay Thompson, Devin Booker and “four more real shooters.”
