The Thunder, already reeling from Jalen Williams horrific injury, suffer another serious injury, this time to Cason Wallace. Potentially season-altering news here @TheAthletic (unlocked and free to read) nytimes.com/athletic/77277…

The New York Knicks released a statement Friday saying that using championship rings as a simulation of a phishing attack was “an unfortunate mistake,” and they will provide more than 275 rings to “players, coaches, employees and other members of the Knicks family.”
nyti.ms/3Ulr02f

The Luka Doncic debate: On the night that a rookie declared a lack of respect for the Lakers star, and a week after GMs left him off their (top five) MVP predictions, I went deeper on this topic with Draymond Green and Austin Reaves, at @TheAthletic

nytimes.com/athletic/77134…

New tonight out of New York: Knicks coaches didn’t get rings on ring night. And that’s not the only jewelry related affront to some MSG employees, @TheAthleticNBA nytimes.com/athletic/77158…

For a couple hours Wednesday, all was right in Portland. Damian Lillard was back in the court, making 3s. How Lillard’s return highlighted balance, perspective and togetherness. Free to read.

nytimes.com/athletic/77133…

Yaxel Lendeborg told Luka Dončić he “sucks,” says he lost all respect for him because of his whining during the Lakers’ 127-105 win Wednesday night. (Free to read) nytimes.com/athletic/77130…

Giannis Antetokounmpo, on the Brewers making the World Series: "It's incredible...I love what (Pat Murphy) said. 'They might have had a lot of Hall of Famers, but we had a lot of gamers.' That's a quote that will last forever."

At @TheAthletic: nytimes.com/athletic/live-…

What a fun start to this NBA season.

My quick two cents here on the riveting action in these first three games, on our live blog, at @TheAthletic

nytimes.com/athletic/live-…

Nick Nurse was out playing a few holes at the hometown golf club he rescued in tiny Carroll, Iowa, when his phone began buzzing.

That call? It marked maybe the biggest twist in a career filled with em. And put Nurse center stage in the NBA's biggest show.
nytimes.com/athletic/77027…

🧵The PBWA is pleased to announce the results of the 2026 Blumenthal Memorial Writing Contest.

Congrats to 1st-place winners @jwquick,@Baxter, @billoram, @SbondyNBA and everyone else who placed.

Full results: probasketballwriters.org

Bookmark alert: We have a live blog feature for the NBA season at @TheAthletic now, just in time for tipoff for the 2026-27 campaign ahead (t-minus three hours).

Our entire loaded staff providing intel, insights, video, analysis et al in one place 👀👀👀

nytimes.com/athletic/live-…

Stephen Curry appeared to tweak his right knee during Sunday’s open practice at Chase Center.

Here’s what happened, read for free:

nytimes.com/athletic/77028…

My look at the upcoming NBA season, through the prism of the 10 most interesting stars and their spicy situations.

From KAT to LeBron and Wemby, down to Ja, LaMelo and more, at @TheAthletic

nytimes.com/athletic/76950…

This is the deepest roster of contenders for the East title that we’ve seen in ages, writes @johnhollinger.

Seven teams can make a plausible case for at least a conference finals run, if not more. Full analysis: nyti.ms/4ysPyV4

The NBA’s labor agreement with players goes til 2030, with a 29 opt out, which has to be triggered in 28. That’s…a long time. So why is the players’ union already preparing for a work stoppage? @TheAthleticNBA nytimes.com/athletic/76957…

Thunder spokesperson on the status of rookie Aday Mara: “Aday last played three years of NCAA college basketball and therefore, as advised by the NBA, no clearance from the Spanish team is required for him to play in the NBA.”

I remember the first time I saw Sheryl Swoopes’ signature sneaker. Now women’s signatures are some of the most popular performance shoes out.

The rise of women’s basketball footwear reflects the influence of the athletes themselves.

my latest:

nytimes.com/athletic/76726…

The NBA and sportsbooks it works with have implemented new gambling restrictions ahead of the 2026-27 season. That includes restricting bets on certain events, low-minutes players, and high payout under parlays. This will apply for 2027 WNBA season too.
nytimes.com/athletic/76940…

Sandro Mamukelashvili made one famous fan “Bring the Noise” in Las Vegas - so I had to find out why. My story about @FlavorFlav and Mamu’s friendship is here (free to read)
nytimes.com/athletic/76889…

Since he arrived in Minnesota, no executive has been more active than Tim Connelly. Fueled by Baltimore swagger and Catholic guilt, he has remade the Wolves over and over in pursuit of the title he left behind in Denver.

(Free read)

nytimes.com/athletic/76850…