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Tag: Basketball

  • Ja’Kobi Gillespie’s Clutch Free Throws Lift No. 17 Tennessee to 76-73 Win Over No. 3 Houston

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    LAS VEGAS (AP) — Ja’Kobi Gillespie scored 22 points and made all six of his free throws in the final 35 seconds to lift No. 17 Tennessee to a 76-73 victory over No. 3 Houston in the Players Era Championship on Tuesday.

    Jaylen Carey added 13 points for the Volunteers (7-0) and Bishop Boswell scored 10, including two free throws with 25 seconds left.

    Kingston Flemings led Houston (6-1) with 25 points, and Milos Uzan had 17. Uzan, playing in his hometown, missed a halfcourt shot at the buzzer that would have sent the game into overtime.

    Houston guard Emanuel Sharp, who averages 17.7 points per game, was limited to 21 minutes because of foul trouble. He finished with eight points.

    These teams met in last season’s NCAA Tournament with a Final Four trip on the line. Houston won the Elite Eight game 69-50, eventually advancing to the championship before losing in the final minute to Florida.

    The rematch was quite different.

    Houston couldn’t get much to go down in the second half, enabling Tennessee to go on a 10-point run for a 51-46 lead with 9:42 left. The Cougars went 7:24 between points and 7:42 between field goals, and they missed 11 straight shots and 16 of 18.

    Tennessee remained in front the rest of the way, though the Cougars kept the game close. But the Volunteers held off Houston by converting free throws.

    Houston: Wednesday or Thursday against an opponent to be determined.

    Tennessee: Wednesday or Thursday against an opponent to be determined.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

    Photos You Should See – Nov. 2025

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  • How to Watch Lakers vs Clippers: Live Stream NBA, TV Channel

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    Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and the Los Angeles Lakers face James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and their cross-town rival, the LA Clippers, in this Tuesday night NBA matchup at Crypto.com Arena.

    How to Watch Lakers vs Clippers

    • When: Tuesday, November 25, 2025
    • Time: 11:00 PM ET
    • Live Stream: Peacock (watch now)

    The Lakers come into this game riding a hot streak. They’ve won their last four games, aligning with the return of LeBron James, and their offense has been clicking, led by Luka Dončić, who’s been putting up elite scoring and assist numbers. Even though center DeAndre Ayton is out with a knee contusion, the Lakers still have the firepower and depth to control tempo and exploit the Clippers’ defensive issues. Their transition game and ball movement could make this a comfortable night for the Purple & Gold if they can jump on the Clippers early.

    On the Clippers’ side, injuries continue to limit their upside. Bradley Beal is done for the season, and they could also be without Derrick Jones Jr. and Bogdan Bogdanović in this one. That puts more pressure on James Harden to continue to carry the offense, but luckily, he should have Kawhi Leonard by his side. Leonard has been dealing with an ankle injury, but is expected to be good to go. If the Clippers hope to pull off an upset, they’ll need contributions from their role players and a stronger defensive showing than we’ve seen lately.

    This is a great NBA matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.

    Live stream Lakers vs Clippers on Peacock: Start your subscription now!

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  • Arizona jumps to No. 2 behind Purdue in AP Top 25, Alabama into top 10; Kansas falls out of rankings

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    Purdue remained at No. 1 in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll, while Arizona jumped to No. 2 to continue its opening-month rise after another impressive win against a ranked opponent.

    The Boilermakers (6-0) earned 46 of 61 first-place votes in Monday’s poll to remain at the top after beating then-No. 15 Texas Tech by 30 to win the Baha Mar Championship in the Bahamas.

    The Wildcats (5-0) earned 11 first-place votes to jump two spots. That came after last week’s win at then-No. 3 UConn, part of run that began with a victory over reigning NCAA champion Florida in Las Vegas and a win against a ranked UCLA team in Los Angeles.

    Arizona was ranked No. 13 in the preseason AP Top 25, but jumped to No. 5 after the Florida win before inching up to No. 4 last week.

    The top tier

    Houston, which spent a week at No. 1 earlier this month, slid a spot to No. 3 to make room for the Wildcats, while Duke and UConn rounded out the top five.

    Louisville, Michigan, Alabama, BYU and Florida rounded out the top 10, with the Crimson Tide rising from No. 11 after its win against then-No. 8 Illinois in Chicago.

    Rising

    No. 11 Michigan State had the week’s biggest jump, climbing six spots after beating Kentucky in the Champions Classic.

    No. 17 Tennessee climbed three spots, while No. 16 North Carolina and No. 23 N.C. State each rose two spots.

    In all, 11 teams moved up from last week’s poll.

    Sliding

    Kentucky’s 17-point loss to the Spartans triggered the week’s biggest fall of seven spots to No. 19, while the 13th-ranked Illini and 20th-ranked Red Raiders each tumbled five spots.

    In all, six teams fell from last week’s poll.

    Status quo

    Six teams stayed locked in last week’s position, including five of the top 10 teams and No. 14 St. John’s.

    Comings and goings

    No. 24 Vanderbilt and No. 25 Indiana were the new additions to the poll, replacing Wisconsin (No. 23 last week) and Kansas (24th).

    The Commodores spent one week at No. 24 last season, which before Monday stood as the only AP Top 25 ranking for the program since December 2015.

    It is the second straight year the Jayhawks, who lost to Duke in the Champions Classic last week, have fallen out of the poll at least once. Before last season, Kansas had been ranked in every poll but one — missing one week during the 2020-21 season played amid the COVID-19 pandemic — dating to the 2009-10 season.

    Conference watch

    The Southeastern Conference didn’t have a team ranked higher than eighth, yet posted the biggest overall haul of any conference with seven ranked teams, including No. 21 Auburn and No. 22 Arkansas.

    The Big Ten was next with six AP Top 25 teams, followed by the Big 12 with five, the Atlantic Coast Conference with four, the Big East with two and the West Coast Conference with one.

    ___

    Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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  • Iowa Hawkeyes and the Ole Miss Rebels play in Palm Desert, California

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    Ole Miss Rebels (5-0) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (5-0)

    Palm Desert, California; Tuesday, 9:30 p.m. EST

    BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Hawkeyes -2.5; over/under is 146.5

    BOTTOM LINE: Iowa faces Ole Miss in Palm Desert, California.

    The Hawkeyes are 5-0 in non-conference play. Iowa ranks fourth in the Big Ten with 20.2 assists per game led by Bennett Stirtz averaging 6.2.

    The Rebels are 5-0 in non-conference play. Ole Miss ranks third in the SEC allowing 65.0 points while holding opponents to 39.2% shooting.

    Iowa makes 57.6% of its shots from the field this season, which is 18.4 percentage points higher than Ole Miss has allowed to its opponents (39.2%). Ole Miss averages 8.4 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.0 more made shots on average than the 6.4 per game Iowa allows.

    TOP PERFORMERS: Stirtz is shooting 57.4% and averaging 17.6 points for the Hawkeyes. Alvaro Folgueiras is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers.

    Ilias Kamardine averages 2.0 made 3-pointers per game for the Rebels, scoring 15.8 points while shooting 45.5% from beyond the arc. AJ Storr is averaging 14.4 points.

    ___

    The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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  • Glass scores 26 off the bench, Washington State takes down DII Chaminade 90-85

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    LAHAINA, Hawaii — Reserve Aaron Glass scored 17 of 26 points in the second half and Washington State beat Division II-member Chaminade 90-85 on Monday.

    Glass shot 8 for 15 (3 for 6 from 3-point range) and 7 of 7 from the free-throw line for the Cougars (3-3). Rihards Vavers scored 25 points and added six rebounds. Eemeli Yalaho shot 3 of 5 from the field and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 10 points, while adding nine rebounds.

    Kent King led the way for the Silverswords with 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Nathan Medina added 15 points and four steals for Chaminade. Brandon Haddock also recorded 14 points and three steals.

    Chaminade led 52-41 at halftime.

    ___

    The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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  • Pistons Win 13th Straight to Tie Franchise Record, Beating the Pacers 122-117

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    INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Cade Cunningham had 24 points and 11 rebounds and the Detroit Pistons won their 13th straight game to tie the franchise record, holding off the Indiana Pacers 122-117 on Monday night.

    The Pistons matched winning streaks by their 1989-90 and 2003-04 championship teams, two seasons after losing 28 in a row to break the NBA season record and tie the overall mark. Eastern Conference-leading Detroit is 15-2.

    Down 18 early in the fourth quarter, the Pistons pulled as close as two points. Bennedict Mathurin missed a 3-pointer with a chance to tie it with 11 seconds left.

    Caris LeVert added 19 points for Detroit, and Jalen Duren had 17 points and 12 rebounds. Jaden Ivey scored 12 points in his second game back after breaking his left fibula in January.

    Pascal Siakam had 24 points for injury-ravaged Indiana. Jarace Walker added 21. The Pacers have lost 10 of 11 to fall to 2-15.

    Indiana has been lost without Tyrese Haliburton, the star guard who tore his right Achilles in the Pacers’ Game 7 loss to Oklahoma City in the NBA Finals.

    Detroit outscored Indiana 36-23 in the second quarter for a 71-55 lead, The Pistons shot 58.5% from the field in the half, hitting seven of 14 3-pointers.

    The Pistons led 101-88 after three quarters.

    Pistons: At Boston on Wednesday night in an NBA Cup game.

    Pacers: At Toronto on Wednesday night in an NBA Cup game.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

    Photos You Should See – Nov. 2025

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  • Former Lakers Star Rick Fox Enters Bahamian Politics

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    NEW YORK (Reuters) -Three-time NBA champion Rick Fox on Monday said he will run for a seat in the Bahamas’ House of Assembly in an election due to be held no later than October.

    “As a candidate and as a leader for the Bahamas I will demand transparency, honesty, integrity while demanding a level of excellence from all of us,” Fox wrote on social media.

    “This is bigger than party politics. This is the Bahamas versus the world. Imagine a nation where every Bahamian feels secure, safe, empowered, and proud.”

    Fox, who was born in Canada to a Bahamian father and Canadian mother, played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association as a forward for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics.

    Under the Bahamas’ parliamentary system, Fox will run to represent one of 39 constituencies but he did not specify which one.

    Prime Minister Philip Davis will decide the date of the election, which must occur within five years of the last election in 2021.

    Earlier in November, Fox announced he was forming the Good Neighbors Party with an agenda focused on regional integration in the Caribbean.

    He was not immediately available for comment on Monday.

    Fox won three NBA titles with the Lakers from 2000 to 2002 and retired in 2004.

    While in the NBA, he launched an acting career and has since starred in films and television shows like “Ugly Betty,” “Greenleaf” and “One Tree Hill.”

    Fox has continued to live in the Los Angeles area but has a home in the Bahamas, where he was appointed ambassador at large for sports in 2022.

    (Reporting by Jasper Ward in New York; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

    Copyright 2025 Thomson Reuters.

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    Reuters

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  • James Harden has 3-word message after setting Clippers record

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    On Saturday afternoon, the Los Angeles Clippers visited the Charlotte Hornets amid news of Chris Paul’s impending retirement, and former NBA MVP James Harden put on a record-setting performance in their team’s 131-116 win.

    Harden erupted for 55 points on 17-for-26 shooting, which also included him knocking down 10 three-pointers in the game. Along with that, the Clippers star had seven assists, three rebounds, and a steal. He outscored his fellow starters by 10 points and scored 24 more points than the Clippers’ reserve players.

    Following the Clippers’ victory over Charlotte, the NBA announced that Harden officially set the Clippers’ single-game scoring record. Before today’s new total, Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo and former Clippers star Charles Smith shared the record with their 52-point performances.

    Read more: Lakers’ JJ Redick Sends Strong Message on Chris Paul Retiring

    According to Statmuse, McAdoo scored that point total twice, while Smith achieved it once during his time with the Clippers.

    However, there is now one sole owner of the franchise record. In addition to Harden making a statement with his performance, the former Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets star made a few statements with his post-game messages.

    Taking to X, he shared a post-game video clip in which a reporter asked him to talk about how his “life behind the scenes off the court” helps him achieve these kinds of performances.

    “Basketball is life,” Harden stated before walking away from the interviewer to celebrate with his teammates.

    Along with that, he wrote “drops [microphone emoji]” with the hashtag “#Uno” on his social media post.

    Loading twitter content…

    A highlight reel of Harden’s shots from all over the place arrived on social media. In many of those clips, Hornets rookie Liam McNeeley was the one who drew the challenging task of trying to stop the former MVP.

    He hit jumpers from the lane and some dazzling shots from downtown, including a few four-point play attempts. The Clippers star unloaded on the Hornets for 35 points before halftime, en route to Saturday’s franchise record-setting performance.

    Loading twitter content…

    It’s certainly the types of performances the Clippers will need as they continue to compete in the stacked Western Conference. As of this writing, the team is a surprising 5-11 overall, despite having several of the NBA’s best players in Harden and Kawhi Leonard.

    Leonard didn’t participate in Saturday’s game due to an ankle injury, but is expected to return Sunday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. That might give Harden a slight break after putting up such incredible numbers, but the team may also want to keep riding the hot hand as they look to get more wins.

    Read more: LeBron James Gets Major Reality Check After Lakers Return

    For more about the Los Angeles Clippers and the NBA, visit Newsweek Sports.

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  • Lakers fire Joey Buss, Jesse Buss from front office positions after ownership change

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    LOS ANGELES (AP) — Joey Buss and Jesse Buss are no longer working in the Los Angeles Lakers’ front office after the franchise’s recent ownership change, a person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press on Thursday.

    The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Lakers didn’t publicly announce the firings of the two children of longtime Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who died in 2013. The Lakers are also overhauling the scouting staff that worked with the brothers.

    The Buss brothers confirmed their departure in a statement issued to ESPN, although both will retain their inherited minority ownership stakes under new controlling owner Mark Walter.

    Jesse Buss was an assistant general manager, while Joey Buss was the Lakers’ alternate governor and vice president of research and development.

    “We are extremely honored to have been part of this organization for the last 20 seasons,” Joey and Jesse Buss said in their statement. “Thank you to Laker Nation for embracing our family every step of the way. We wish things could be different with the way our time ended with the team. At times like this, we wish we could ask our Dad what he would think about it all.”

    Jerry Buss had at least seven children, and six of them worked for the Lakers at some point during his ownership.

    Jeanie Buss became the Lakers’ governor when their father died. Jim Buss was the Lakers’ executive vice president of basketball operations until Jeanie ousted her brother in 2017, also firing general manager Mitch Kupchak and turning over the basketball side of the business to Magic Johnson and current general manager Rob Pelinka.

    Walter finalized his purchase of a controlling stake in the Lakers three weeks ago in a sale initially announced in June and conducted with a $10 billion franchise valuation. Jeanie Buss will remain the Lakers’ governor for the foreseeable future, but the Lakers are now primarily owned by Walter, the billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

    Joey and Jesse Buss have been involved in the Lakers’ scouting and player development operations for many years, and they’ve been praised for their roles in the Lakers’ successful drafts and free-agent signings.

    Perhaps sensing the upcoming changes in the Lakers’ leadership structure following the decision to sell the team, the brothers launched an investment firm in September dubbed Buss Sports Capital.

    ___

    AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

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  • Rockets Fall to Nuggets in a close NBA Cup Matchup – Houston Press

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    The Houston Rockets fell to the Denver Nuggets with a close 112-109 loss at the Toyota Center Friday night. Reed Sheppard had a stellar night putting up a career high 27 points, but ultimately the Nuggets pulled out a narrow win with big contributions from Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic. (Photos by Cody Barclay)

    This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2025.

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    Cody Barclay

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  • Gone in 49.3 Seconds: Suns Erase 8-Point Deficit With Stunning Last-Minute Comeback

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    PHOENIX (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves had an eight-point lead with less than minute to go Friday night, talking a little smack to their opponents as a hard-fought, chippy game between Western Conference rivals came to a close.

    There was one problem: The Phoenix Suns weren’t done.

    Backup guard Collin Gillespie hit the go-ahead jumper with 6.4 seconds left and the Suns rallied to stun the Timberwolves 114-113 for their seventh win in eight games. The preceding minute was a masterclass in comeback moxie, with a no-name group of Suns putting together a wild win.

    “They were talking too early and I love that, when guys get too confident,” Suns forward Dillon Brooks said. “Once the pressure starts heating up, their eyes start getting big, they start getting scared.”

    Here’s how the unexpected happened: Minnesota pushed ahead 113-105 with after Donte DiVincenzo hit his second free throw with 1:09 left. Phoenix brought the ball up the court and Brooks’ 3-pointer was off the mark, but Royce O’Neale was there for the offensive rebound and putback, cutting it to 113-107 with 49.3 seconds left.

    A few seconds later, Gillespie stole the in-bounds pass and Brooks found Jordan Goodwin for a 3-pointer, slicing the lead to 113-110. There were still 43.4 seconds remaining.

    “We’re just super competitive, winners and want to play winning basketball,” Gillespie said. “I think you saw a little of that at the end of the game. Just no quit. Fight until there’s no time left.”

    Brooks stole Julius Randle’s pass on the next possession, Goodwin followed with a quick layup and it was suddenly 113-112 with 21.4 seconds. Edwards missed two free throws with 12.7 seconds, setting up a final shot for the Suns.

    “We lost our minds, poor execution, turnovers, obviously, and just didn’t stay locked-in during the last 90 seconds,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said.

    By that time, Brooks and star guard Devin Booker had fouled out for the Suns, leaving Gillespie as the team’s lead scoring option on the final possession.

    The third-year guard out of Villanova never hesitated, burying a contested 10-foot jumper for the 114-113 lead. Randle’s 3-pointer at the buzzer was off the mark, setting off a wild celebration as teammates mobbed Gillespie.

    “The person (Randle) who was talking too much had two turnovers — and missed a shot,” Brooks said. “We don’t give up. Anything’s possible in this league to win games and lose games.”

    Picked by many pundits to be one of the worst teams in the NBA, the Suns have a 10-6 record and are earning a reputation as a hard-nosed team that might be quite a bit better than expected.

    Phoenix was able to win despite a tough game for Booker, who finished with 16 points on 4-of-18 shooting and a season-high nine turnovers.

    “Just tough, gritty, competitive, together and selfless, that’s what we’ve seen from this group from day one,” first-year coach Jordan Ott said. “Whatever it takes, whenever takes, whoever is out there, just find a way to outscore the opponent.

    “These wins are big for our group and what we’re doing, but it doesn’t stop.”

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

    Photos You Should See – Nov. 2025

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  • Minnesota Timberwolves stunned by Phoenix Suns 114-113

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    The Minnesota Timberwolves were defeated by the Phoenix Suns on Friday night, 114-113, after Collin Gillespie made a go-ahead jumper with 6.4 seconds left in the game.

    Minnesota appeared to have a comfortable 113-105 lead with 1:09 left, but Phoenix rallied to cut it to 113-112 on Jordan Goodwin’s layup with 21.4 seconds remaining.

    Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards — who had 41 points — missed two free throws with 12.7 seconds to go, giving the Suns a chance at the win.

    Gillespie obliged, driving into the lane and hitting a contested 10-foot jumper for the lead and the last of his 20 points.

    Minnesota scrambled for the final shot, but Julius Randle’s 3-pointer at the buzzer was off the mark.

    The Timberwolves erased a 15-point halftime deficit less than five minutes into the third quarter after Edwards made a driving layup for a 69-68 advantage. Edwards — a three-time All-Star — had 19 points in the third on 7-of-9 shooting and Minnesota led 82-81 entering the fourth.

    It was a tough night for Suns star Devin Booker, who finished with just 16 points on 4-of-18 shooting and nine turnovers before fouling out. Turnovers have been a problem for the four-time All-Star — he came into the game with a league-high 57.

    Booker fouled out with more than three minutes remaining and earned a technical foul on his way off the floor. The Suns had 27 turnovers.

    Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 22 points before fouling out. Williams added 19.

    The Suns led by 18 points in the first half before settling for a 62-49 halftime advantage. Gillespie led the Suns with 16 points after making four 3-pointers. Edwards had 16 for the Wolves before the break.

    The Suns improved to 2-0 in the NBA Cup, while the Timberwolves fell to 2-1.

    Up next

    Timberwolves: At Sacramento on Monday night.

    Suns: Host San Antonio on Sunday night.

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  • WNBA’s latest CBA proposal would put max salary over $1.1M with revenue sharing, AP source says

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    NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA’s latest collective bargaining proposal would include revenue sharing with a maximum salary of more than $1.1 million available to more than one player per team growing each year, according to a person familiar with the negotiations on Tuesday night.

    WNBA officials updated the board on the latest proposal at meetings this week, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because ongoing negotiations are private. The new league minimum would be more than $220,000 with an average of more than $460,000.

    Those numbers would start in the first year of the deal for more than 180 players and increase over the length of the CBA.

    People familiar with the WNBA’s latest proposal described the plan to the AP as a highly lucrative package providing substantial increases over prior years and designed to bring negotiations to a quick conclusion.

    The current CBA was set to expire Oct. 31 when the WNBA and the players union agreed to continue negotiations to Nov. 30, allowing more time to negotiate a deal that would be revolutionary for the players in terms of salary.

    The players exercised their right to opt out of the current CBA last year with hopes of getting, among other things, increased revenue sharing, higher salaries, improved benefits and a softer salary cap. When the last CBA expired in 2019, both sides agreed to a 60-day extension with a CBA eventually ratified in January 2020.

    WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert was hopeful before the 2025 All-Star Game that everyone would be talking about how great the next CBA would be at the 2026 All-Star Game.

    “I’m still really optimistic that we’ll get something done that would be transformational,” Engelbert said in July.

    ___ AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

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  • Nikola Jokic is done yelling at refs: ‘I don’t even think about them. It’s great.’

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    HOUSTON — Nikola Jokic is determined to make this his season of zen.

    No more animated arguments with the officials. No more pleading for calls. No more of those exasperated full-body reactions to the whistle, those classic images of a 285-pound man tightly wound up, his arms and neck shrinking into his torso, his palms facing the ceiling in bewilderment, his eyes bugging out.

    Nope, no more of that. Jokic is chill with the referees now. He’s a go-with-the-flow kind of guy.

    “That’s my new thing this year,” he says. “I’m not gonna get stressed or yell at the refs or whatever. I’m just gonna try to comport my energy to the basketball place.”

    Jokic has waged a few wars against NBA officiating crews. He has 46 career technical fouls and nine ejections. He has made it clear in the past that he believes smaller players are allowed to get away with grabbing and shoving him an inordinate amount. He once received a rare one-tech ejection in Chicago for uttering a profanity that is considered fairly mundane in the context of professional sports — an incident so unusual that the opposing fans jeered the refs for depriving them of a superstar performance.

    But the three-time MVP claims to be turning over a new leaf now.

    “I feel so much better out there,” he said this week. “I don’t even think about them. It’s great.”

    An exception to the rule: Jokic is not forbidden from gesturing to Nuggets coach David Adelman when he thinks a challenge is warranted. If a tangible and productive result can be achieved by refuting a call, then it’s not a waste of energy, in Jokic’s view.

    He even signaled for a challenge one second into Denver’s game in New Orleans this week, after the opening jump ball was batted directly out of bounds by the Pelicans but was initially ruled to be last touched by Jokic.

    Other than that, he’s trying to shut up and play the game.

    Unfortunately for his new coach, that could mean heightened responsibility as a surrogate agitator.

    “Yeah, he’s in a better mood, and I’m in a worse mood, and it cost me whatever it cost me the other night,” Adelman joked, referring to a technical foul he picked up Monday when the Nuggets hosted Chicago.

    “I actually think it really is interesting how you approach that. … I do think certain guys, the way they react to the officials can help them, the way they interact. … In other ways, it hurts you. So if that’s the approach he’s taking, I trust him that he feels like it puts him in a better mental state. If it helps how he plays, how he feels daily, it’s a good thing.”

    One more exception to the rule: Jokic made sure to get in a full season’s worth of opinions on officiating back at Nuggets training camp, when he held court for at least 15 minutes with a trio of NBA referees brought in by the team to officiate a scrimmage.

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    Bennett Durando

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  • Longtime Warriors assistant DeMarco to lead WNBA’s New York Liberty: reports

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    SAN FRANCISCO — The WNBA’s New York Liberty tabbed one of the Warriors’ top assistant coaches to be their next head coach.

    Longtime Golden State assistant Chris DeMarco agreed to a midseason deal to become their head coach, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Friday morning. The New York Post’s Madeline Kenney first reported he was a leading candidate for the position on Tuesday.

    DeMarco, 40, who is also the head coach of the Bahamas men’s national team that stars current Warrior Buddy Hield, has been an assistant coach for all four of the Warriors’ recent titles.

    Following a Hall of Fame college playing career at Dominican University in San Rafael, he joined the organization as a video intern in 2012, becoming an advance scout in 2014 and advancing to becoming one of Kerr’s lead assistants this season.

    “Yesssirrr CD,” Draymond Green wrote in a post on Instagram. “(New York) got a great one!”

    He has handled skill development and has been lauded for his work as a defensive coach. He will now join a Liberty team with championship aspirations following a disappointing first-round exit this September.

    The Liberty fired coach Sandy Brondello despite her leading the franchise to the 2024 title.

    DeMarco will inherit a roster that expects to return perennial MVP candidates in Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Walnut Creek native Sabrina Ionescu.

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    Joseph Dycus

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  • The week in photos captures NC through the lens of News & Observer journalists

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    An oak leaf in the afternoon sunshine, takes on an autumnal glow, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 along Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. in Durham, N.C.

    An oak leaf in the afternoon sunshine, takes on an autumnal glow, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 along Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. in Durham, N.C.


    Robert Willett

    rwillett@newsobserver.com

    Here’s a curated selection of moments across North Carolina as captured through the lens of The News and Observer visual journalists. This feature can be seen in Sunday’s newspaper, as well as in our online Edition. See it at eedition.newsobserver.com.

    A Border Patrol agent gives a man a thumbs up after checking his identification on Fox Ridge Drive in Southeast Raleigh, N.C. Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. The man was not taken into custody.
    A Border Patrol agent gives a man a thumbs up after checking his identification on Fox Ridge Drive in Southeast Raleigh, N.C. Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. The man was not taken into custody. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com

    More than 100 Durham School of the Arts students stage a walkout Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, to protest recent immigration enforcement arrests carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Durham. The walkout lasted less than an hour.
    More than 100 Durham School of the Arts students stage a walkout Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, to protest recent immigration enforcement arrests carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Durham. The walkout lasted less than an hour. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com

    A security guard operates an automatic sliding door while watching the parking lot outside the International Foods grocery on New Hope Church Road in Raleigh on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, after federal immigration enforcement agents were seen circulating the area in unmarked SUVs. Immigrant rights groups said federal agents detained at least 12 Triangle residents on Tuesday, including in Raleigh, Durham and Cary.
    A security guard operates an automatic sliding door while watching the parking lot outside the International Foods grocery on New Hope Church Road in Raleigh on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, after federal immigration enforcement agents were seen circulating the area in unmarked SUVs. Immigrant rights groups said federal agents detained at least 12 Triangle residents on Tuesday, including in Raleigh, Durham and Cary. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com

    Visitors tour the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival during a preview event at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary on Friday evening, Nov. 14, 2025. The festival opens to the public Nov. 15 and runs nightly through Jan. 11, featuring more than 40 new handcrafted lantern displays created by visiting Chinese artisans. Highlights include a 164-foot floating installation on Symphony Lake and interactive designs celebrating the festival’s 10th year.
    Visitors tour the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival during a preview event at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary on Friday evening, Nov. 14, 2025. The festival opens to the public Nov. 15 and runs nightly through Jan. 11, featuring more than 40 new handcrafted lantern displays created by visiting Chinese artisans. Highlights include a 164-foot floating installation on Symphony Lake and interactive designs celebrating the festival’s 10th year. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com

    N.C. Central head coach LeVelle Moton calls a time-out as he steps away from North Carolina guard Jonathan Powell (11), who reacts after sinking a three-point basket in the first half on Friday, November 14, 2025 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
    N.C. Central head coach LeVelle Moton calls a time-out as he steps away from North Carolina guard Jonathan Powell (11), who reacts after sinking a three-point basket in the first half on Friday, November 14, 2025 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

    N.C. State’s Tre Holloman defends VCU’s Nyk Lewis during the first half of the Wolfpack’s game on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C.
    N.C. State’s Tre Holloman defends VCU’s Nyk Lewis during the first half of the Wolfpack’s game on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer

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    Scott Sharpe

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  • Memphis Grizzlies send Sacramento Kings to 8th straight loss, 137-96

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    Santi Aldama scored 29 points, Jock Landale added 21 and the Memphis Grizzlies built a big first-half lead and sent the Sacramento Kings to their eighth straight loss, 137-96 on Thursday night.Cedric Coward scored 19 points and Zach Edey finished with 16 points as Memphis snapped a five-game losing streak. Vince Williams had a career-best 15 assists, part of the Grizzlies setting a franchise record with 42 assists.Zach LaVine led the Kings with 26 points, connecting on 10 of 17 shots. Maxine Raynaud finished with 12 points. Russell Westbrook and Keegan Murray, making his season debut, scored 11 points each. Murray had been out of action since a left thumb injury in the preseason.The Kings have lost all eight in the skid by double digits. Four of the losses have come by at least 27 points. The 41-point setback Thursday was their largest of the season.Before the game, the Kings announced that an MRI revealed a partial meniscus tear in the left knee of starting center Domantas Sabonis. The team said he will be reevaluated in three to four weeks. He suffered the injury in Sunday’s loss at San Antonio.With Sabonis out of the middle, Memphis worked inside with Edey and Landale. The tandem missed only one of their 13 shots in the firsts half, Edey scoring 16 points, Landale adding 13. Memphis shot 54% in the first two quarters, and the Grizzlies scored their most points in a half this season for a 75-47 lead at intermission.The Grizzlies stretched the lead to 37 — 113-76 — entering the fourth.Up nextKings: Close out five-game trip at Denver on Saturday night.Grizzlies: At Dallas on Saturday night.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    MEMPHIS, Tenn. —

    Santi Aldama scored 29 points, Jock Landale added 21 and the Memphis Grizzlies built a big first-half lead and sent the Sacramento Kings to their eighth straight loss, 137-96 on Thursday night.

    Cedric Coward scored 19 points and Zach Edey finished with 16 points as Memphis snapped a five-game losing streak. Vince Williams had a career-best 15 assists, part of the Grizzlies setting a franchise record with 42 assists.

    Zach LaVine led the Kings with 26 points, connecting on 10 of 17 shots. Maxine Raynaud finished with 12 points. Russell Westbrook and Keegan Murray, making his season debut, scored 11 points each. Murray had been out of action since a left thumb injury in the preseason.

    The Kings have lost all eight in the skid by double digits. Four of the losses have come by at least 27 points. The 41-point setback Thursday was their largest of the season.

    Before the game, the Kings announced that an MRI revealed a partial meniscus tear in the left knee of starting center Domantas Sabonis. The team said he will be reevaluated in three to four weeks. He suffered the injury in Sunday’s loss at San Antonio.

    With Sabonis out of the middle, Memphis worked inside with Edey and Landale. The tandem missed only one of their 13 shots in the firsts half, Edey scoring 16 points, Landale adding 13. Memphis shot 54% in the first two quarters, and the Grizzlies scored their most points in a half this season for a 75-47 lead at intermission.

    The Grizzlies stretched the lead to 37 — 113-76 — entering the fourth.

    Up next

    Kings: Close out five-game trip at Denver on Saturday night.

    Grizzlies: At Dallas on Saturday night.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • LeBron James begins season No. 23, marking longest career in NBA history

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    (CNN) — As Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James took to the court at Crypto.com Arena Tuesday night to begin his 23rd season in the NBA, the 40-year-old added yet another record to his illustrious resumé – the longest career in league history.

    Prior to Tuesday, James shared the accolade with Vince Carter, who played 22 NBA seasons from 1998 to 2020.

    “It was just fun to be out there with the guys, man. It’s been rough mentally for me,” the four-time NBA champion said after the game, “this is the first time I’ve started a basketball season and not played since I’ve started playing basketball, like nine years old, I’ve never missed the beginning of a basketball season.”

    Sporting his famed No. 23 jersey, James was on the hardwood for the opening tip against the Utah Jazz.

    The public address announcer in the arena announced James’ achievement to a short ovation from the Lakers’ faithful during the first quarter. The future Hall of Famer acknowledged the crowd with a wave.

    The Lakers got off to a slow start, trailing by as many as 11 points early on. James was held scoreless in the opening quarter of play as the Jazz led 36-27 after 12 minutes.

    James knocked down a three-pointer from the wing early in the second quarter for the first points of his history-making season.

    As James heated up, so did the Lakers team. Los Angeles closed the gap in the second quarter and pulled away in the second half, winning comfortably, 140-126.

    James finished with a double-double, scoring 11 points and dishing out 12 assists in the game. The 21-time All-Star has now scored in double digits in a mind-boggling 1,293 consecutive games played.

    Lakers coach JJ Redick said postgame: “Just thought he played with the right spirit. Very unselfish all night. Was a willing passer, didn’t force it, took his drives and his shots when they were there.

    “The defense is going to pay attention to him, particularly when he has the ball in the post, particularly when he’s putting pressure on the rim, and I just thought he made a lot of great decisions tonight. Really good to have him back.”

    The 21-time All-Star played 30 minutes in the game, on par with the rest of the LA’s starters as the Lakers eased him back into action. James had been concerned about his stamina ahead of Tuesday’s season debut.

    “The pace tested me, but I was happy with the way I was able to go with the guys. As the game went on, my wind got a lot better. Caught my second wind, caught my third wind,” James said. “Rhythm is still coming back, obviously. First game in almost seven months, so everything that happened tonight was to be expected.”

    James missed the Lakers’ first 14 games of the 2025-26 campaign due to sciatica – a nerve issue causing pain that originates in the spine and radiates down the back of the leg.

    The NBA’s all-time leading scorer returned to Lakers’ practice this week after being absent from the team since the opening of training camp in early October due to what head coach JJ Redick said is a nerve irritation in his glute.

    Retirement rumors swirled around James over the course of the past year, but in June, the four-time league MVP reportedly picked up his $52.6 million option to return for an eighth season with the Lakers.

    Last year, playing in his record-tying 22nd season, James continued to display astounding productivity, averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists while appearing in 70 games.

    James had scored a record 42,184 regular-season points and 50,473 with the regular season and playoffs combined ahead of Tuesday night’s debut.

    The Akron, Ohio, native entered the NBA to much fanfare as an 18-year-old after being selected No. 1 in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He turns 41 in December.

    CNN’s Jacob Lev contributed to this report.

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  • Atlanta Hawks lose a ‘tough test’ to Detroit Pistons 120-112

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    A pair of free throws from Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander Walker (at line) cut the Piston lead to four points with just under two minutes remaining in the game. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    On Tuesday night, the Atlanta Hawks hosted the Detroit Pistons, the Eastern Conference’s best team. They lost, but might have learned some valuable lessons along the way. Final score: 120-112.

    Earlier that afternoon, The Atlanta Voice asked what kind of test playing the Pistons would be this early in the season. Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week, said it would be much more than just another regular-season game.

    The Atlanta Hawks and forward Jalen Johnson (above) are on a five-game win streak. Tuesday night’s game against the Detroit Pistons at State Farm Arena is more just a regular season game, says Johnson. ” Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    “I think it’s going to be a good test. They are a great team; they have been hot. We just have to come in with a chip on our shoulder.”

    Johnson averaged 24 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, and two steals during the four games he played last week. He said the Hawks have been playing well lately, but needed to continue building on the things that have helped them achieve a five-game win streak. That starts again tonight.

    “It’s a new game tonight, we have to protect home court,” Johnson said.

    Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, second in the league in steals (2.3) behind Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (2.4), brother of Hawks reserve point guard Keaton Wallace, was looking forward to a rare early-season big game. 

    Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (above) said games like the one against Detroit on Tuesday night were what good teams want to be a part of. “These are the games you want to play,” he said. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    “These are the games you want to play,” said Daniels. “It’s going to be a tough test, but we’re up for it. The guys are ready to go.” 

    Daniels and Johnson were correct; it was a tough test. Detroit went ahead early and, other than two ties in the second quarter, maintained a lead throughout the first half. Piston star guard and an early All-NBA candidate, Cade Cunningham, was averaging 27.5 points per game coming into the contest. Cunningham was held to four points late in the first half before scoring the Pistons’ final six points of the half. 

    Midway through the third quarter, the Hawks would seize some of the momentum, cutting the Pistons’ lead to five points on a three-pointer from Onyeka Okongwu. Cunningham scored four straight points and found his teammates, mainly forward Jalen Duran, for layups. 

    With a minute remaining in the third quarter, Atlanta gave up four unanswered points to Pistons reserves to go down 94-78. Four consecutive points from Johnson cut the Pistons’ lead to 12 points, 94-82, at the end of the quarter.

    The fourth quarter began with the home team slicing Detroit’s lead to eight points after Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Okongwu scored five unanswered points. A Daniels floater brought the crowd to its feet, and a tip-in by Mouhamed Gueye on the following possession made the score 97-93 with eight minutes to play. Daniels hit another floater in the late to bring Atlanta within a point, 99-98, and force a Pistons timeout. Hawks All-Star guard Trae Young could be seen cheering his teammates on from the bench. Young is expected to be out through November.

    Consecutive Atlanta turnovers gave Detroit time to get its act together and extend its lead to six points with less than five minutes to play. A dunk down the middle of the lane by former OTE star Ausar Thompson was one of the Pistons’ second-half highlights.

    With the score 108-104 and just under two minutes on the clock, Alexander-Walker drove to the basket and drew a foul. He made both free throws to pull Atlanta to within two points for the first time since the game began.

    Atlanta wouldn’t seriously threaten Detroit again.

    The Hawks, now 9-6 overall and 7-2 on the road this season, will play consecutive road games before returning to State Farm Arena to host the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. Atlanta will travel to San Antonio to play the Spurs on Thursday and the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. Ironincally, that will be the same weekend the Atlanta Hawks will play the New Orleans Saints in the Caesars Superdome in what has been deemed a must-win-or-else game for head coach Raheem Morris. 

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    Donnell Suggs

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  • How to Watch Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs Live Online Without Cable With Sling TV

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    If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.

    Although San Antonio and superstar Victor Wembanyama are on the rise in the NBA‘s Western Conference, the team faces an uphill battle against powerhouse, like the Oklahoma City Thunder, L.A. Lakers, Denver Nuggets and others.

    However, the Grizzlies are on the decline with superstar player Ja Morant uninterested with his role on the team with new head coach Tuomas Iisalo. Can San Antonio continue the upswing, or will Memphis find some life and get past their off-court drama?

    On Tuesday, Nov. 18, you can watch NBA Cup matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Tipoff starts at 8 p.m.ET/5 p.m. PT, while the NBA game broadcasts on NBC.

    Want to watch the game online? NBC is a network available via Sling Blue.

    Right now, Sling Blue goes for $50.99/month, while the streaming package comes with NBC for the Memphis vs. San Antonio game. Sling Blue also comes with other networks, like ABC and Fox (in select markets), as well as Bravo, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, E!, Fox Sports, FX, Fox News, MSNBC, NFL Network, National Geographic, SYFY, TLC, USA Network, A&E, AMC, BBC America, BET, CNN, Comedy Central, Food Network, Fuse, HGTV, History Channel, IFC, Lifetime, Nick Jr., QVC, TBS, TNT, Travel Channel, Vice and many other channels.

    Please note: Prices and channel availability depends on your local TV market. Learn more about Sling subscription prices here.

    All Sling plans have live TV over the internet, on-demand movie and TV shows, 50 hours of cloud DVR storage and up to three streams across devices — such as smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, laptops and web browsers — at the same time.

    On Tuesday, Nov. 18, you can livestream the Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs, with a start time of 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC with Sling Blue, below:

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    Rudie Obias

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