SEATTLE — Nearing the midpoint of the WNBA’s 44-game season, the Storm have shown signs of being a legit championship contender.

They’re tied for fourth in the standings at 11-7, and they’re the only squad that’s beaten the top four teams.

And yet, Seattle just might be the most polarizing team in the league considering a couple of ...Read more

DETROIT — It’s everywhere in sports, in the endless commercials, in the constant scroll of betting odds during broadcasts, in the occasional gasp or cheer when a meaningless last-second basket turns out to be financially meaningful for someone.

Gambling has always been a lure and a challenge for the sports world. From the 1919 Black Sox ...Read more

NEW YORK — Drake Powell’s sky-high defensive ceiling makes him a standout boom-or-bust prospect in the Brooklyn Nets’ 2025 draft class. While Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf impressed with their skilled ball-handling and playmaking throughout the scouting process, Powell stood out as the superior athlete, with a clear ...Read more

MIAMI — For all that the Miami Heat hasn’t done yet amid a quiet offseason without many roster moves, one thing the Heat has done is stand by 21-year-old center Kel’el Ware.

The Heat essentially made Ware off-limits in trade discussions with the Phoenix Suns for 15-time All-Star forward Kevin Durant last month, leading the Suns to ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Bronny James stood with his back to the wall with both hands buried in his workout shorts, his practice with the Lakers summer league team complete, his voice sounding more confident now that he's entering his second season in the NBA.

He had to endure the outsized pressure and criticism of playing last season with his superstar...Read more

ORLANDO, Fla. — Moe Wagner has agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal to return to the Magic, a league source told the Orlando Sentinel.

Wagner, who was in the middle of a career-best year this past season before suffering a torn left ACL in late December, became an unrestricted free agent last Sunday after Orlando declined his $11 million ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Former St. Frances basketball star Derik Queen was the latest Baltimore area standout to be drafted in the NBA, landing with the New Orleans Pelicans through the 13th pick of the draft. New Orleans acquired the pick for Atlanta to select the former Maryland standout.

Immanuel Quickley (John Carroll/Toronto Raptors), Bub Carrington...Read more

LOS ANGELES — The Lakers found their next starting center, and they didn't have to give up Austin Reaves to land him.

There's a reason why.

As athletic and skilled as Deandre Ayton is for a 7-footer, he's better known at this stage of his career for his shortcomings.

His maddening inconsistency. His uninspired defense. His lack of ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Following the February trade deadline, 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said that “I know you have to squint a little, but we feel like this group” is still capable of winning a championship.

That proclamation was never close to realized, of course. Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey all missed ...Read more

With all due respect, I’m glad none of you out there in NBA fandom is in possession of the keys to the kingdom.

Truly, I’m relieved that you impatient keyboard GMs are operating from wherever you call for shots to be called — bed, basement, front porch, it’s better than in somebody’s front office.

Especially the Lakers’.

Because I...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Jabari Walker is joining the 76ers.

The small forward has agreed to sign a two-way contract with the team on Thursday. His addition gives the Sixers three two-way players, the maximum number that a team can carry. The squad announced the signing of Hunter Sallis on Tuesday. And Alex Reese was a holdover from last season.

...Read more

The Aces lost to the Indiana Fever, 81-54, on Thursday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

It was the Aces’ first loss to the Fever since 2019, ending a 16-game winning streak.

A’ja Wilson had 29 points for the Aces (8-9), who didn’t have another player in double figures.

The Aces trailed from start to finish, falling into a 22-...Read more

The Storm began their three-game road trip with an improbable 80-79 win against the Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday night.

Seattle trailed by a point with 11.4 seconds when coach Noelle Quinn called timeout to draw up one last play.

The Storm gave the ball to Skylar Diggins, who darted to her left around a screen and dashed ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Maybe the first quarter Thursday night was some sort of basketball hangover.

The Minnesota Lynx offense looked a little disjointed, much like it did in Tuesday’s Commissioner’s Cup loss to Indiana. Minnesota struggled to defend inside.

And then: Enough.

In a 92-75 victory over Washington on Thursday at Target Center, the ...Read more

DENVER — David Adelman has found his David Adelman.

The Nuggets are hiring Jared Dudley as their top assistant coach on Adelman’s inaugural staff, a league source told The Denver Post. Dudley, who turns 40 this month, met with the Nuggets in Denver this week after they secured permission to interview him from the Dallas Mavericks, where he ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — The Lakers and free-agent center Jaxson Hayes have agreed up on a one-year contract for him to return to the team, according to people not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

With Hayes, the Lakers now have a backup center after they agreed to a two-year deal with Deandre Ayton.

Hayes became the Lakers’ starting ...Read more

ORLANDO, Fla. — Mavericks assistant coach God Shammgod has agreed to join the Magic staff as an assistant coach under Jamahl Mosley, a league source told the Orlando Sentinel on Wednesday night.

Shammgod has worked for the Mavericks since 2016 as a player development coach while serving as the head of player culture.

A deal to head to ...Read more

NEW YORK — The Knicks have built a championship-caliber roster. Now they need to add the finishing touches.

The Knicks kept the core fresh off the franchise’s first conference finals run in 25 years intact, then added much-needed bench depth by agreeing to deals with former Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson and French national team ...Read more

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Former Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore has been found guilty of rape.

A jury in Clackamas County, Ore., on Thursday found McLemore, 32, guilty of first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and one count of second-degree sexual abuse. He was acquitted of another charge of sexual abuse, according to ...Read more

DENVER — When Nikola Jokic sat on the bench, Michael Malone held his breath. Now, he must be throwing up in his mouth.

In the span of 24 hours, the Nuggets got rid of Michael Porter Jr.’s contract in exchange for a similar player in Cam Johnson, reunited with Bruce Brown, landed Tim Hardaway Jr., and added Jonas Valanciunas while discarding...Read more