CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With “Protect the Hive” shirts scattered across Spectrum Center on Tuesday, the Hornets furthered their quest to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

In a battle that came down to the final 9 seconds of overtime — in front of a record 19,698 fans — Charlotte bested the Miami Heat, 127-126, ...Read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The play-in magic is gone. And so are the Miami Heat.

After navigating the treacherous play-in round the past three years to make it to the playoffs, and even the NBA Finals in 2023, the Heat’s run of six consecutive seasons in the playoffs is over.

Next stop? The May 10 NBA draft lottery, where the Heat will face even ...Read more

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Even with his team’s season on the line, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr is not willing to risk his players’ health for a better chance at winning.

After Sunday’s regular-season finale, Kerr said that Steph Curry, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis would not be asked to play 40 minutes in the play-in game at ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Rebounding was not a strength of the Lakers over the course of the regular season. Rebounding was a strength of the Houston Rockets during the 2025-26 campaign.

So, on their first day of practice Tuesday for Game 1 of the first round Saturday at Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers worked diligently on rebounding drills, knowing full ...Read more

CHICAGO — The Chicago Sky were always waiting on Gabriela Jaquez.

Weeks before they selected the guard with the No. 5 pick in the 2026 WNBA draft on Monday, general manager Jeff Pagliocca and head coach Tyler Marsh had already landed on Jaquez as their preferred pick.

There are plenty of obvious reasons why the guard appealed to the Sky. ...Read more

The Golden State Warriors lost to the Los Angeles Clippers in Sunday’s regular-season finale.

Big deal. This team lost all the time this season.

The Dubs were locked into the 10-seed, whether they bothered to show up in Inglewood or not.

So go ahead and ignore the fact that they tried — really tried — until Los Angeles took their lunch ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Maybe it’s better this way.

Nobody has to pretend.

For the first time in more than a decade, the Sixers will enter a postseason expected to lose. Maybe not right away. But shortly thereafter.

Whenever it happens — likely within the next couple of weeks, when the Celtics or Pistons make quick work of them — there will be...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Chris Finch had just been hired as Minnesota Timberwolves coach in February 2021 and was getting ready for his introductory news conference. A team employee gave him a Wolves shirt to hold for the traditional photo opportunity.

“Somebody snatched it out of my hands at the last moment,” Finch recalled.

Apparently, the shirt ...Read more

Just one week after leading UCLA to its first NCAA championship, two-time All-American center Lauren Betts was selected by the Washington Mystics as the fourth overall pick of the 2026 WNBA draft Monday evening.

“I’ve grown so much,” Betts said during ESPN’s live broadcast. “My confidence – I feel like I’ve just finally owned who ...Read more

South Carolina center Madina Okot was selected by the Atlanta Dream with the No. 13 pick in the first round of the WNBA draft on Monday night.

Okot was the second Gamecock selected in the 2026 draft. She is also the program’s first post player to be selected in the first round of the WNBA draft since Kamilla Cardoso in 2024.

Okot played just...Read more

LOS ANGELES — After years of battling cancer, legendary college basketball announcer Dick Vitale said in a statement that he has melanoma in his lung and liver cavity and will be starting immunotherapy soon.

“I plan on winning this battle,” the 86-year-old broadcaster said. “I’ve beaten melanoma. I’ve beaten lymphoma. I’ve beaten ...Read more

NEW YORK — Azzi Fudd made history on Monday night when she was selected by the Dallas Wings with the No. 1 overall pick in 2026 WNBA draft.

Decked out in a custom gold sequined gown designed by Coach at The Shed in Manhattan, Fudd became the second straight UConn women’s basketball player drafted first into the WNBA after Paige Bueckers ...Read more

TCU star guard Olivia Miles was selected by the Minnesota Lynx with the No. 2 pick in the first round of the 2026 WNBA draft Monday in New York City.

It’s the second season that TCU coach Mark Campbell has produced a first-round pick after Hailey Van Lith was selected No. 10 last year by the Chicago Sky.

Miles would’ve been a top-five pick...Read more

The Seattle Storm used the first of their two first-round picks — No. 3 overall — in the WNBA draft Monday to select Awa Fam Thiam, the 19-year-old center from Spain.

Seattle has three additional picks at Nos. 14, 16 and 39.

The Dallas Wings used the No. 1 overall pick on UConn sharpshooter Azzi Fudd and the Minnesota Lynx selected TCU ...Read more

MIAMI — The Miami Heat had one final wish in the final moments of their regular season Sunday night and sat in their locker room watching, and hoping, it happened. But there’s no need for suspense here.

Their wish wouldn’t come true. It’s a familiar story in that regard, like so many larger hopes this season from avoiding the play-in ...Read more

DALLAS — Billy Donovan has a decision to make: Will he stay or will he go?

After Chicago Bulls ownership fired executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas and general manager Marc Eversley last week, this decision will serve as the first domino in a critical period of change. But Donovan won’t make a call until he...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Luka Doncic will be back for the beginning of the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff run. Just not on the court.

The Lakers’ superstar will rejoin the team by Friday after traveling to Spain to receive specialized treatment on his Grade 2 hamstring strain, a source familiar with the situation confirmed to The Los Angeles Times, but...Read more

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — UNC forward Jarin Stevenson will stay in Chapel Hill for the 2026-27 season, he announced Monday afternoon, giving North Carolina an experienced, versatile role player heading into Year 1 under Michael Malone.

The 6-foot-10 junior from Chapel Hill started 25 games in his first season at North Carolina after transferring ...Read more