CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina had nearly stretched its early lead to double digits Saturday over South Carolina Upstate when, a few minutes before halftime, Caleb Wilson stole the ball and passed it ahead to Luka Bogavac. Wilson didn’t record a dunk in UNC’s last game — a win over Georgetown on Sunday — and that might as well have...Read more

ATLANTA — Nearly two months after Shaquille O’Neal’s new Range Rover made a pit stop near Dahlonega for customizations and then vanished in Atlanta while being transported to the NBA legend, a man linked to a phishing tactic has been charged.

The arrest in New York came after the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office executed 19 search ...Read more

ATLANTA — The Hawks are a little closer to seeing the return of four-time All-Star guard Trae Young.

The Hawks announced Saturday that Young has continued to increase his reconditioning activities. The Hawks expect him to return to practice next week and will update his status as appropriate.

Young sustained a right knee MCL sprain Oct. 29 ...Read more

Tom Izzo won’t be happy about that one.

In its first road game of the season Saturday against Penn State, No. 9 Michigan State trailed in the first half and at various points throughout the second in a turnover-marred outing. Though Penn State nearly pulled off the upset at its own Bryce Jordan Center, the Spartans clawed back for a 76-72 win...Read more

NEW YORK — While there’s plenty of season left, the Nets‘ odds at a top-three selection in the 2026 NBA draft have slipped a bit after a recent hot streak. Entering Friday, Tankathon had them picking sixth in a loaded draft class, with a 37.2% chance at a top-four selection and a 9% chance at the No. 1 overall pick.

Brooklyn took an NBA-...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors have spent the first portion of the season wandering through a congested schedule packed with back-to-backs and travel days.

So taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves with four days of rest buffering the Friday night matchup at Chase Center with Golden State’s Sunday victory in Chicago? That was ...Read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — During both phases of the $245 million renovation of Spectrum Center, the two-decade-old arena underwent several upgrades to enhance the experience.

Instead of adding sparkling new entryways, allowing patrons to be ushered into the festivities in a streamlined, expedited process, perhaps they should also have installed a ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Paul George is starting to live up to the hype.

Joel Embiid can still have lethal scoring nights.

VJ Edgecombe is back to playing at a high level, and he could do more if the 76ers keep him involved throughout.

Those three things stood out in the Sixers’ 115-105 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

George shows his worth

...Read more

HARTFORD, Conn. — The UConn men’s basketball team held off Texas to complete its nonconference schedule with a 71-63 win at PeoplesBank Arena Friday night.

Alex Karaban led the way with 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting, sending the fifth-ranked Huskies into Big East play with a 10-1 record. Tarris Reed Jr. scored 12 points with six rebounds, ...Read more

DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons played their first game in five days and proved that the mini-break was much needed. On Friday night at Little Caesars Arena, the Pistons won their third consecutive game in a 142-115 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

It was a collective effort for Detroit (20-5) as eight players scored in double figures. Isaiah ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Lakers star Austin Reaves has been diagnosed with a mild left calf strain and will be re-evaluated in approximately one week, the team said after practice Friday.

The guard is averaging 27.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists and has led the Lakers in total minutes played this season as the team weathered stretches without ...Read more

DURHAM, N.C. — Caitlin Clark caught an inbound pass on the K Center court and pointed to her defender. Kiki Iriafen stepped in with a screen and Clark burst past it, streaking upcourt in a five-on-five against a squad of male practice players. A defender finally matched her stride near the 3-point line. Clark pounded the dribble, slid sideways...Read more

MIAMI — For the first time since Terry Rozier was arrested in Orlando on Oct. 23 as part of a federal gambling probe, the Miami Heat will have a seat at a hearing regarding what comes next for the banished guard.

According to a source directly familiar with the process, the Heat will have representation at a Wednesday arbitration hearing in ...Read more

NEW YORK — A three-year stint at Iona will never be the headliner on Rick Pitino’s résumé, but coaching that small program in New Rochelle remains an important part of his story nonetheless.

When Iona hired him as head basketball coach in March 2020, Pitino was nearly three years removed from being fired at Louisville amid a federal ...Read more

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State’s longest tenured coach is getting a pay raise, as approved unanimously by MSU Trustees.

Izzo’s new contract, which renews annually, will pay him $7.2 million per year. That’s an increase of $1 million from the $6.2 million yearly value of his last contract, from September 2022.

Izzo's base salary ...Read more

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento Kings had no answer for three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets with starters and some key reserves out due to injuries.

Jokic put up 36 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Nuggets to a 136-105 victory over the Kings before an announced crowd of 16,307 at Golden 1 Center on Thursday...Read more

The Celtics’ five-game win streak stalled Thursday night in snowy Milwaukee.

Facing a scuffling Bucks team that was playing without two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, Boston went cold in the second half and lost, 116-101, at Fiserv Forum.

Antetokounmpo missed the game with a calf strain, but the Celtics could not corral the Bucks’ red...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO — Warriors coach Steve Kerr has spent the past two months striking a diplomatic tone.

He has emphasized that he enjoys coaching Jonathan Kuminga — the subject of a lengthy summertime contract negotiation that saw the fifth-year forward’s agent publicly criticize Kerr’s coaching methods before helping Kuminga sign a two-...Read more