National Basketball Association

Lakers center Kessler nears preseason debut after full practice https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/50161378/lakers-center-walker-kessler-finger-nears-preseason-debut Walker Kessler is closing in on making his preseason debut with the Lakers after he was a full participant in practice Sunday.

'Disappointed' Towns says Knicks tabling extension talks 'news to me' https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/50159713/karl-anthony-towns-disappointed-knicks-tabling-talks Karl-Anthony Towns responded to the Knicks' statement that they are tabling all extension talks until later in the season, saying he was "disappointed."

Kyrie makes long-awaited return, dazzles in Mavs' China preseason game https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/50157198/kyrie-irving-returns-mavs-dazzles-china-preseason-game Kyrie Irving dazzled in his return to the Mavericks, scoring 17 points in his first game in 586 days.

Kings' Raynaud avoids serious injury; reevaluated in 2 weeks https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/50159419/kings-c-maxime-raynaud-knee-reevaluated-2-weeks Kings second-year center Maxime Raynaud will be reevaluated in two weeks with a patellar subluxation in his right knee.

Kings lose center Raynaud to apparent serious knee injury https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/50153526/kings-lose-maxime-raynaud-apparent-serious-knee-injury Kings second-year center Maxime Raynaud suffered what appeared to be a serious right knee injury in Saturday's preseason game against the Warriors.

Haliburton hopes to finally fix Lillard relationship after stolen Dame Time celly https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/50141686/tyrese-haliburton-hopes-mend-fences-damian-lillard Tyrese Haliburton said he wishes his relationship with Damian Lillard could be repaired after the Pacers star stole Lillard's Dame Time celebration during the 2023 in-season tournament.

Warriors, Podziemski agree to 5-year, $110M extension https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/50148027/warriors-give-brandin-podziemski-5-year-110m-extension Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski has agreed to a five-year, $110 million extension, his agent told ESPN's Shams Charania.

WNBA Finals Pairs League’s Most and Least Valuable Teams https://www.sportico.com/leagues/basketball/2026/wnba-finals-golden-state-valkyries-atlanta-dream-values-1234947183/ The WNBA will crown a first-time champion this year, as the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries will contest the Finals beginning Oct. 17. The historic championship matchup will feature the W’s most and least valuable franchises, with the Valkyries topping Sportico’s latest rankings at $850 million and the Dream No. 13 at $280 […]

Player rankings, schedule grid and draft tips https://www.espn.com/fantasy/basketball/story/_/id/50134778/fantasy-basketball-player-rankings-schedule-grid-draft-tips-2026-2027 Here is all of our key fantasy basketball draft content -- rankings, sleepers, schedule grid and draft tips -- collected into downloadable/printable PDF cheat sheets.

Cheat sheet: All the names you need to know for your draft https://www.espn.com/fantasy/basketball/story/_/id/50134847/fantasy-basketball-guide-sleepers-busts-draft-tips-2026-2027 All the names you need to know from our 2026-27 fantasy basketball draft guide on a printable PDF cheat sheet

Tabled talk NYC: Knicks pause KAT, Hart deal discussions https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/50140136/knicks-tabling-karl-anthony-towns-josh-hart-contract-talks The Knicks have said they are tabling contract extension talks with Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart "until later in the season and will remain solely focused on preparing for the start of the season."

Retired Westbrook wants to carry torch for L.A. Olympics https://www.espn.com/olympics/basketball/story/_/id/50142422/russell-westbrook-wants-carry-torch-la-olympics Retired NBA player and Olympic gold medal winner Russell Westbrook said he wants to carry the torch when his native Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Games.

LeBron on 10-point Sixers debut: Still adjusting, but 'the game is the game' https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/50137673/lebron-james-scores-10-points-18-minutes-76ers-debut LeBron James, who joined the 76ers this summer, had 10 points, five assists and four rebounds in the first half of his debut with Philadelphia.

The Pistons need Jalen Duren, and Duren needs the Pistons. Now? The pressure is on https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/50118254/detroit-pistons-jalen-duren-new-contract After agreeing to a five-year, $200 million deal, how will Duren and Detroit move forward after a monthslong saga?

Fantasy basketball: How to ace your salary cap draft https://www.espn.com/fantasy/basketball/story/_/id/50134524/fantasy-basketball-how-ace-your-salary-cap-draft-2026-2027 Are you ready for your salary cap draft? Jim McCormick lays out helpful strategies and tactics you can use to ace draft day.

Embiid calls himself 'easy target' in wake of 'not true' LeBron report https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/50137826/76ers-embiid-calls-not-true-lebron-report-unfortunate Joel Embiid said a recent report about LeBron James getting on him about being late to practice "is not true" and caused him to wonder why he was targeted.

Thunder's SGA buys stake in LaLiga side Atlético https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/50134792/thunder-gilegous-alexander-buys-stake-atletico-madrid Two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has become a shareholder in Atlético Madrid, the Spanish club announced on Thursday.

NBA, FIBA say Europe push to continue without EuroLeague https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/50131848/nba-fiba-say-europe-push-continue-euroleague The NBA and FIBA say they are undeterred in moving forward with the NBA Europe plan after EuroLeague's team owners rejected a merger offer this week.

'Where's LeBron?': Sixers trio makes 'Abbott Elementary' cameo https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/50134809/abbott-elementary-season-six-premiere-sixers-cameo "Abbott Elementary" continues to embrace Philadelphia sports culture with its latest instance starring the 76ers.

Buss siblings formally file case against Jeanie over sale of Lakers shares https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/50128244/buss-siblings-formally-file-jeanie-lakers-sale The five Buss siblings attempting to sell the family's remaining shares in the Lakers officially filed their case against acting governor Jeanie Buss.