Basketball news from around the world
Jayson Tatum admitted he felt anxious in his first game in 298 days, but settled in as the Celtics beat the Mavericks 120-100. The Boston star finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.
Victor Wembanyama said he had “zero left” physically after San Antonio erased a 25-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 116-112 on Friday night. Despite the exhaustion, the Spurs star was all smiles following the rally.
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray left Friday night’s game against the Knicks with an ankle injury. He is scheduled to undergo testing on Saturday.
Miami (Ohio) closed the regular season as Division I men’s basketball’s lone unbeaten team. The RedHawks edged Ohio 110-108 in overtime Friday night to finish 31-0.
Former North Carolina A&T men’s basketball players Ryan Forrest and Landon Glasper have been ruled ineligible. The decision follows allegations they did not cooperate with an NCAA investigation into gambling.
President Donald Trump said Friday he plans to write an executive order within a week aimed at addressing the future of college sports. He described the planned action as “all-encompassing” and said it would “solve all of the problems” raised during a White House meeting on the issue.
Celtics center Nikola Vucevic fractured the ring finger on his right hand during Friday’s win over the Mavericks. He is expected to be sidelined for approximately a month.
Little Rock has fired head coach Darrell Walker after eight seasons leading the program. The school will move forward with a coaching change following his tenure on the Trojans’ sideline.
The Lakers will be shorthanded Friday against the Indiana Pacers, with LeBron James and two frontcourt players unavailable. Deandre Ayton and Maxi Kleber are also out, the team announced.
North Carolina will be without freshman standout Caleb Wilson as the season’s biggest games approach, including the UNC-Duke matchup. The absence raises the immediate stakes for the Tar Heels while leaving his longer-term outlook in focus.
North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson will miss the remainder of the season after breaking his right thumb in practice, the school announced. The injury will require surgery and ends his year.
Jayson Tatum has been cleared to play and is officially available for Boston’s home game Friday night against the Dallas Mavericks. The Celtics star is set to return less than 10 months after suffering a torn right Achilles tendon during the playoffs.
A new round of fantasy basketball stock checks highlights Reed Sheppard and Precious Achiuwa trending upward. Meanwhile, Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan are among the notable names sliding, raising lineup questions for managers.
Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks was arrested early Friday morning in Scottsdale, Arizona, on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to police. The incident comes during the NBA season as the Suns navigate their schedule.
Brian Windhorst, Vincent Goodwill and King McClure used the latest episode of “The Hoop Collective” to break down top draft prospects. The conversation centered on the developing battle to be selected No. 1 overall.
Cameron Boozer has built a reputation as a title-winning centerpiece at every stop of his basketball journey. Now the highly touted freshman brings that same standard to Duke, where the spotlight follows his pursuit of the next trophy.
Kristaps Porzingis has not played since making his Warriors debut on Feb. 19. Golden State acquired the big man at the trade deadline on Feb. 4, but an illness has kept him out of the lineup.
Deandre Ayton left Thursday night’s loss to the Denver Nuggets after injuring his knee. After the game, LeBron James said his elbow was sore and indicated he wasn’t sure if he would play Friday against the Indiana Pacers.
Pistons forward Ausar Thompson left Thursday’s game against the Spurs in the first quarter and did not return. The team said he suffered a sprained right ankle as Detroit fell to San Antonio.
LeBron James added another milestone Thursday night, converting the 15,838th field goal of his career. The basket moved him past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most made field goals in NBA history.
Trae Young’s first appearance in a Wizards uniform delivered immediate energy for the home crowd, even in a loss. In limited minutes, he scored 12 points as Washington fell 122-112 to Utah.
Golden State pulled out an overtime win in Houston on Thursday night despite being without Stephen Curry. Curry, sidelined for the game, sent Draymond Green a message of encouragement in the hours before tipoff.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant will remain sidelined for at least two more weeks. He is continuing to recover from a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow.
Providence has informed men’s basketball coach Kim English that he will be fired, according to multiple reports. English is expected to remain on the sideline through the end of the season.
North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson has increased his practice workload as the Tar Heels prepare to visit No. 1 Duke. However, Wilson has not yet been cleared for 5-on-5 action while recovering from a fractured hand.
Five-star recruit Jaxon Richardson has committed to Alabama. Richardson is the son of former NBA standout Jason Richardson and the brother of Orlando guard Jase Richardson.
Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg has been cleared to return after missing eight games with a left midfoot sprain. The team announced the update Thursday.
A federal judge in New York issued a $1 million civil judgment against NBA free agent Malik Beasley on Thursday. The ruling stems from a contract dispute with his former agency.
Jayson Tatum is closing in on a return to Boston following a devastating Achilles injury. With only weeks left in the season, his status has become a major late-season storyline.
Boston is expected to have Jayson Tatum available Friday night when it hosts the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. The matchup would mark Tatum’s first appearance of the 2025-26 season.
