Basketball news from around the world
With the fantasy postseason approaching, managers are shifting focus from long-term upside to immediate production. Here’s what to monitor around the league as playoff matchups near.
Spurs star Victor Wembanyama took a post–All-Star break trip to Alaska to see the northern lights. He described the experience as “the best thing I’ve ever seen.”
Philadelphia rookie VJ Edgecombe will sit out Wednesday’s game against Utah after suffering a low back bruise. The injury occurred on a hard fall in Tuesday night’s game.
Steve Kerr and Doc Rivers were among several prominent basketball coaches who signed a public letter released Wednesday. The letter argues that political interference in universities could undermine college athletics.
Spurs star Victor Wembanyama said he was “so happy” after learning a longtime friend who had gone missing in Chicago has been located. He also thanked the public for helping in the search.
The Western Conference has set the NBA’s pace in recent seasons, shaping the league’s playoff narrative. But an examination of the numbers suggests the Eastern Conference has more strength than it’s often credited for entering the postseason.
With roughly six weeks remaining before the postseason, every franchise has a handful of matchups that could define its final stretch. Here’s a team-by-team look at the most compelling games still on the schedule across the league.
UConn’s attempt at a three-peat was undone by the weight of expectation. Now, a renewed focus on process over perfection has the Huskies back in the championship conversation.
With the college basketball transfer portal set to open soon, UCLA coach Mick Cronin is pushing for schools to be allowed to exceed the new revenue-sharing cap. Cronin said added flexibility would help programs retain players amid increased roster movement.
No. 5 Florida closed its home schedule with a win Tuesday despite being without leading scorer Thomas Haugh. The victory secured the Gators’ first SEC regular-season championship since 2014.
Lakers coach JJ Redick dismissed a heated-looking bench exchange with Luka Doncic as a normal in-game moment. Redick said he didn’t understand why the interaction gained widespread attention online.
No. 19 Miami (Ohio) edged Toledo 74-72 on Tuesday night to extend its season-opening winning streak to 30 games. The victory left the RedHawks one win away from completing a perfect regular season.
Federal prosecutors said they expect to offer formal plea agreements to 12 of the 31 defendants in a case involving allegedly rigged poker games. The investigation has included references to Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones.
Spurs forward Harrison Barnes missed a game for the first time since 2021 after waking up from a pregame nap with a sore left ankle. The absence snapped one of the league’s longer active streaks for consecutive games played.
Top-10 senior Bruce Branch III has committed to BYU. The pledge gives coach Kevin Young a five-star recruit in three straight recruiting classes.
Kentucky announced athletic director Mitch Barnhart will retire in June after more than two decades leading the Wildcats’ athletic department. Barnhart, who has held the position since 2002, will move into a new role at the university.
Tennessee Tech has fired men’s basketball head coach John Pelphrey following the program’s seventh consecutive losing season. The Golden Eagles also failed to qualify for the Ohio Valley Conference tournament.
Each week, fantasy managers can find available players who help cover roster needs. Here are the top pickups to consider for the week ahead, including Dejounte Murray and Precious Achiuwa.
The men’s national championship picture has narrowed to a small group viewed as legitimate contenders. For everyone else in the 365-team field, the path to a title is framed as out of reach this season.
A report has detailed Chauncey Billups’ connections to Mafia-affiliated poker games and illegal gambling. Here is what has been reported so far, following his Hall of Fame NBA career.
No. 2 Arizona clinched the outright Big 12 regular-season title Monday night, beating No. 6 Iowa State 73-57. After the win, coach Tommy Lloyd addressed what he described as a “soft” narrative surrounding his team.
Miami (Ohio) athletic director David Sayler pushed back on comments from former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl, saying Pearl’s dismissal of the RedHawks was disrespectful. Pearl had said Miami (Ohio) doesn’t deserve a spot in the NCAA tournament.
Villanova will be without starting forward Matt Hodge for the remainder of the season. The program announced Hodge has a torn ACL in his right knee.
Tennessee will be without freshman Nate Ament on Tuesday against South Carolina due to a leg injury. Ament was forced out of the Volunteers’ loss to Alabama on Saturday.
Top-ranked Duke powered past NC State on Monday night to lock up the ACC regular-season title outright. Freshman Cameron Boozer led the way as the Blue Devils overwhelmed the Wolfpack.
Miami (Ohio) coach Travis Steele has been fined $2,500 by the Mid-American Conference and must replace an arena DJ’s equipment he damaged during Friday’s game at Western Michigan. The RedHawks won the contest 69-67.
Trae Young is expected to make his Washington Wizards debut Thursday night at home against the Utah Jazz. The guard was traded from the Atlanta Hawks in early January and hasn’t appeared in a game since Dec. 27.
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected back in the lineup Monday night against the Boston Celtics. It will be his first game in more than five weeks after a strained right calf.
Denver has added free agent veteran point guard Tyus Jones as it looks to bolster its backcourt depth. The move provides the Nuggets with another experienced option at the point guard spot.
With the 2025-26 NBA postseason a little more than six weeks away, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the first team to officially secure a playoff spot. Here’s the latest on which teams have clinched as the race continues.
