LEXINGTON, Ky. — Seventy hours.

Give or take a few minutes, that’s how long the Kentucky Wildcats had to wait for another shot at outside competition after they walked off the Madison Square Garden court Tuesday night, the scoreboard above them telling the tale of the embarrassment they had just endured.

How eager was Otega Oweh — the ...Read more

Based on some of the discourse in recent weeks, if you didn’t know better you’d think calamity was about to consume the Miami Heat.

After all, how will Tyler Herro’s imminent return from September ankle surgery impact what has a rejuvenating return to competitiveness by Erik Spoelstra’s team?

Um … by making a good team better?

Yes, ...Read more

The Sacramento Kings’ miserable eight-game losing streak is mercifully over.

They put together their best performance of the season Saturday night in Denver, beating the beat-up Nuggets 128-123 at Ball Arena to improve to 4-13 on the season.

The story of the night was the Kings’ offense. They matched their season high in assists when they ...Read more

The Sacramento Kings’ miserable eight-game losing streak is mercifully over.

They put together their best performance of the season Saturday night in Denver, beating the beat-up Nuggets 128-123 at Ball Arena to improve to 4-13 on the season.

The story of the night was the Kings’ offense. They matched their season high in assists when they ...Read more

The Hawks ended up splitting their two-game road trip. They picked up a win on Saturday over the Pelicans, who owe them a first-round pick in next year’s draft, after they lost to the Spurs on Thursday.

After a lethargic start to the night, the Hawks downed the Pelicans, 115-98. It was the first time this season that the Hawks have held an ...Read more

MILWAUKEE — After being sidelined for 10 months, Jaden Ivey returned to the lineup as the Detroit Pistons continued their four-game road trip against the Milwaukee Bucks. He played 15 minutes, notching 10 points and two assists, which helped the Pistons take a 129-116 victory Saturday night at Fiserv Forum.

The win extended the Pistons’ ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid is still experiencing soreness in his right knee, the Sixers said Saturday afternoon, though doctors do believe he is progressing following his most recent evaluation.

His status for Sunday afternoon’s home game against the Miami Heat will be more formalized on the NBA’s mandatory injury report released Saturday...Read more

ORLANDO, Fla. — The three security guards posted at the southeastern tunnel of Kia Center’s hardwood floors aren’t waving at Magic fans soaking in another home win. They’re covering their mouths, grinning, and waving at the Knicks fans — the traveling pack that shows up in every city, every night, rain or shine — as those fans head ...Read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — No one could have blamed Charles Lee if he kept rubbing his eyes Saturday afternoon, assuring what was transpiring was real and not a figment of his imagination.

When the Charlotte Hornets coach peered out onto the Spectrum Center court for a matinee with the LA Clippers, not long after pregame introductions concluded, he ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — You want effort?

Trent Perry followed one sneaky steal with another in a span of less than a minute.

You want defensive intensity?

Xavier Booker stepped in front of his man, rising to block a dunk.

You want offensive efficiency?

Skyy Clark blew by one helpless defender after another on the way to repeated driving layups.

...Read more

The Timberwolves had the game seemingly wrapped up — ahead by eight with 50 seconds left to play.

But a comedy of errors and missed free throws caused them to lose to the Suns, 114-113.

Collin Gillespie hit the winning shot for Phoenix with 6.4 seconds to play, and Julius Randle missed a potential winning 3 for the Wolves.

With the loss, ...Read more

BOSTON — It was a familiar situation for the Celtics: trailing in the fourth quarter against a Nets team that’s been one of the NBA’s worst this season.

Boston was able to climb out of that hole Tuesday night, rallying to win by double digits in Brooklyn. Friday’s finish was far more humbling.

The Celtics lost to the Nets, 113-105, at ...Read more

Challenges? This Miami Heat team seemingly can’t get enough.

Friday night, it was having to go without sidelined Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins and Nikola Jovic.

It also was having to win to stay alive in the NBA Cup in-season tournament.

And it was against an opponent that served as a reminder of failing to advance directly to the playoffs ...Read more

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Three nights after perhaps the lowest point of Mark Pope’s tenure as Kentucky’s head coach, his Wildcats came out like a team knowing it had something to prove.

The 12th-ranked Cats dominated Loyola (Md.) from the start and ultimately left Rupp Arena with an 88-46 victory Friday night. UK (4-2) was coming off an 83-66 ...Read more

DURHAM, N.C. — Mike Krzyzewski made another walk to midcourt Friday at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

The former Duke coach was back to welcome one of his former players, Greg Paulus, now in his seventh season as head coach at Niagara. Krzyzewski, Paulus and Duke coach Jon Scheyer then dutifully stood together for a round of photos and video.

It ...Read more

CHICAGO — Moments after offering John Paxson the job of a lifetime, Chicago Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf followed up with a warning.

He didn’t actually offer it to Paxson. Reinsdorf had come to Paxson’s home to finalize the details of hiring the former player to succeed Jerry Krause as general manager. Paxson’s then-teenaged sons, ...Read more

NEW YORK — The Liberty landed their next head coach — and he comes with serious championship pedigree.

Chris DeMarco, a longtime assistant for the Golden State Warriors, agreed to a deal to become the next leader of the Liberty, the New York Daily News confirmed.

Friday’s decision follows a nearly two-month search to replace Sandy ...Read more

NEW YORK — The Knicks probably should have listened to Rick Pitino.

Appearing on Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart’s “Roomates Show” podcast, the now-St. John’s head coach said he urged the Knicks in 2017 to draft Donovan Mitchell, whom he coached at Louisville.

The Knicks, who were run by Phil Jackson at the time, held the No. 8 pick in ...Read more