NEW YORK — The New York Knicks’ inactive list for Sunday night’s regular-season finale against the Charlotte Hornets featured four starters and two key rotation players.

Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby were among those who sat out. Mikal Bridges joined them on the bench 23 seconds into the first quarter after ...Read more

MIAMI — No, not something you necessarily shout loud and proud.

But for the Miami Heat, it is what resonates after the regular season for a second consecutive year: We’re No. 10.

And that they are, off to Charlotte for a play-in game against the Hornets, with the loser finished for the season and the winner going on the road for an all-or-...Read more

INDIANAPOLIS — In early October, as the Detroit Pistons began training camp, coach J.B. Bickerstaff was impressed by the team's performance during five-on-five play. Observing their efforts gave him confidence that there were no limits to what his team could achieve in the 2025-26 season.

The Pistons went on to deliver one of the most ...Read more

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics had as many players in street clothes as in uniform Sunday — yet still finished the 2025-26 regular season with a signature victory.

Having already clinched the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, head coach Joe Mazzulla opted to sit all of Boston’s biggest names against the Orlando Magic and field an eight-...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 126-106 in the final game of the regular season, setting the stage for the NBA play-in tournament matchup against the Orlando Magic.

With the Magic’s loss to the Boston Celtics, the Sixers officially earned the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference, and will host that play-in ...Read more

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Doug Christie’s future as head coach of the Sacramento Kings has been the subject of speculation throughout the season, but there will be no uncertainty as the team heads into the offseason.

League sources told The Sacramento Bee the Kings will bring Christie back next season despite their struggles this season, as ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Lynx boss Cheryl Reeve has won the WNBA Executive of the Year award twice, in 2019 and 2024.

In 2019, she won it largely because of who she drafted.

In 2024, she won it largely by proving she didn’t need draft picks.

Reeve is the greatest coach in league history, and one of the greatest coaches in any sport. As a ...Read more

HARTFORD, Conn. — No one is in Braylon Mullins’ head, or in his heart. The decision he is soon to make, or maybe given the current vagaries of the rules will not have to make so soon, is his alone. He can listen to and take advice from whoever he chooses.

None of us can know what it’s like to be 19, from a small town in Indiana, and have ...Read more

MIAMI — A better record. A similar play-in seed.

But at least less drama, so there’s that.

A year ago, when assessing a 37-45 season that delivered the Heat to the No. 10 and final play-in seed, the thought was of a net gain in escaping a half season of Jimmy Butler drama.

Now, when assessing a record assured of finishing on the plus side...Read more

NEW YORK — The New York Liberty got the team’s engine back while replacing one Sabally for another.

The team agreed to multiyear deals with returning star Jonquel Jones and free-agent Satou Sabally, according to reports.

Jones, the Liberty’s 6-6 cog on both sides of the floor, has spent the last three seasons with the Liberty after the ...Read more

HARTFORD, Conn. — Ten-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner confirmed via Instagram on Saturday that she is signing with the Connecticut Sun for the 2026 season.

Griner is a six-time All-WNBA selection, a three-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA and helped lead the Phoenix Mercury to a WNBA championship in 2014. As a proven winner with 12 ...Read more

NEW YORK — The Toronto Raptors brought the double-team. Karl-Anthony Towns made them pay.

It’s the opening possession of the Knicks’ 112-95 victory over the Raptors on Friday, and Towns has the size advantage on the low block over Toronto’s Scottie Barnes. Mikal Bridges cuts from the top of the 3-point line under the rim, forcing the ...Read more

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan coach Dusty May led the Wolverines to the national title and the winningest season in program history.

His reward? A new five-year deal for the second time in as many years.

During Michigan’s national title celebration event at Crisler Center on Saturday, athletic director Warde Manuel announced that he and May ...Read more

College sports’ pivot to athlete compensation and free agency has prompted several power conference basketball programs to create advisory positions for renowned alumni. Steph Curry at Davidson, Jayson Tatum at Duke, Elizabeth Kitley at Virginia Tech, Trae Young at Oklahoma and Gordon Hayward at Butler are among the headliners.

Blessed with ...Read more

It began on an airport tarmac in New York two years ago, when Dusty May’s cellphone rang. It was his agent relaying a message from the Michigan athletic director. He wanted to meet. Soon. Like, how about 8 a.m. the next day?

“I was exhausted,” said May, recalling the moment. “I told him I can’t do it. I’m not gonna get home until 3 ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — The ball is back in LeBron James’ hands, and he is thriving in his “new” role as the Los Angeles Lakers’ primary caretaker.

James is in this position in the wake of injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. He had been the third option behind Doncic and Reaves, and he shifted back to a role he has been very accustomed ...Read more

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Only three minutes had elapsed in the Kings-Warriors game at Golden 1 Center when Steph Curry fell to the ground in pain.

Sacramento Kings guard Devin Carter stole the ball from Curry at midcourt, and it appeared that Carter banged knees with Curry. It looked as if Curry also twisted his ankle in the Golden State Warriors...Read more

CHICAGO — It took more than a half of action, but the Magic eventually found their footing against the Bulls on Friday night.

Jalen Suggs (12 points) knocked down four 3-pointers in the third quarter, Franz Wagner scored 25 points in 23 minutes and Orlando won its fifth game in a row, 127-103, over Chicago inside the United Center.

Magic ...Read more

Tyson Etienne gave the Nets a reason to believe, at least for a quarter. Milwaukee Bucks gave them too many 3s to survive.

Etienne erupted for 15 points and four 3-pointers in the opening quarter Friday night at Fiserv Forum, his most points in any quarter or half, and finished with a career-high 23 points and six 3-pointers. It still wasn’t ...Read more