NEW YORK — Tom Thibodeau is out. Mike Brown is in. A new era is underway at Madison Square Garden — and it comes with sky-high expectations.

Brown, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year who most recently won the award in 2023, inherits a Knicks team fresh off its first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years. On paper, it’s a group ...Read more

DENVER — Current morning routine for Nuggets, Avs and Broncos fans: wake up, pinch self.

Current morning routine for Rockies fans: wake up, punch self.

Even as Jonas Valanciunas weighs whether to be a gyro for Panathinaikos or a hero for the Nuggets, there has never been a better time to be a fan of three of Colorado’s professional sports ...Read more

MIAMI — It is time for the Miami Heat to consider dealing Bam Adebayo.

No, this is not about the naysayers more concerned about Adebayo’s contract or muted scoring impact. He has earned his fair share and he has offered ample offense in support of his accomplished defense.

In fact, at the moment it is less about Adebayo than about his team...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Just under five minutes remained in the third quarter. The Lynx, who had led by as many as 10, had fallen behind by two points to a Golden State team that seemed unable to miss.

It was at that point, apparently, when the Lynx decided enough was enough.

Over the course of the next nine minutes the Lynx outscored the Valkyries by...Read more

Here are three takeaways and notes from the Golden State Warriors' 89-84 win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

Rookies missing, Bronny James a healthy scratch

Warriors fans who made the trip to Chase Center on Saturday hoping for a glimpse of recent second-round picks Alex Toohey and Will Richard...Read more

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