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New York Liberty basketball team honored with ticker-tape parade in Canyon of Heroes
Doug Feinberg, Associated Press | Updated Oct. 24 - 10:31 a.m. | Save Story
Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and their New York teammates were showered with confetti as the Liberty celebrated winning the WNBA title in the Canyon of Heroes in downtown Manhattan. New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined the thousands who lined the streets on Thursday. The Liberty won the franchise's first championship, beating the Minnesota Lynx in overtime in a decisive Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Sunday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Some veteran Liberty players from the early teams, including Teresa Weatherspoon, Vickie Johnson and Kym Hampton, attended the parade.
NBA opens investigation into Joel Embiid's playing status after 76ers star misses season opener
Tim Reynolds, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 24 - 8:43 a.m. | Save Story
The NBA is now investigating why Philadelphia center Joel Embiid did not play in the team's nationally televised season-opener against Milwaukee. The league confirmed the probe on Thursday. It was opened as part of the NBA's player participation policy that went into effect last season. Such a move was to be expected: The NBA has said that any time a star player misses a game an investigation can be opened to "promote compliance" with league rules and can include "independent medical review and related determinations regarding player availability."
WNBA outlook is promising after record-setting year, although the league has a few challenges ahead
Doug Feinberg, Associated Press | Updated Oct. 24 - 6:14 a.m. | Save Story
The WNBA outlook seems promising heading into the offseason following a banner season with record ratings, attendance and a first-time champion in New York. Soon after the confetti stopped falling on the sellout crowd at Barclays Center following Game 5 of the WNBA Finals, the league and its players turned their attention to 2025. It was less than 24 hours later the players' union opted out of the current collective bargaining agreement. The decision was expected with a new 11-year media rights deal worth approximately $200 million per year beginning in 2026. The players are looking for a bigger share of the revenue pie as well as pensions and higher salaries. The current CBA will still be in effect through next season.
Utah takes on conference rival Golden State
The Associated Press | Posted Oct. 24 - 12:03 a.m. | Save Story
Utah and Golden State will face off in a matchup of Western Conference opponents. Friday's matchup is the first this season for the two squads.
Ja Morant "excited to be back" after successful season debut, injury return in Grizzlies' win
John Coon, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 11:33 p.m. | Save Story
Ja Morant's ability to take over a game hasn't diminished. Morant didn't miss a beat in leading the Memphis Grizzlies to a 126-124 season-opening victory over the Utah Jazz. The two-time NBA all-star finished with 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting, 10 assists and five rebounds in only 28 minutes. His performance comes on the heels of a 2023-24 season marred by controversy and injury. The NBA suspended him for the first 25 games. Then, after appearing in just nine games, Morant suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Morant started the 2024-25 season off on the right foot.
Durant, Beal lead Suns to 116-113 OT victory over Clippers, spoiling LA's Intuit Dome opener
Joe Reedy, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 11:22 p.m. | Save Story
Kevin Durant scored 25 points, Bradley Beal added 24 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Clippers 116-113 in overtime Wednesday night, spoiling Los Angeles' Intuit Dome debut in the opener for both teams. James Harden had 29 points and 12 rebounds for the Clippers. He had a chance to send it to double overtime, but missed the second of two free throws with 4.8 seconds remaining. Jusuf Nurkic gave the Suns a three-point advantage with a pair of free throws. The Clippers had one last chance to send it to another extra session, but Grayson Allen forced a turnover near midcourt after the inbounds pass. Mike Budenholzer picked up the victory in his first game as Phoenix's coach
Curry leads Golden State Warriors in 139-104 season-opening rout of the Portland Trail Blazers
Anne M. Peterson, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 11:06 p.m. | Save Story
Stephen Curry had 17 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds before sitting for the fourth quarter, and the Golden State Warriors opened the season with a 139-104 rout of the Portland Trail Blazers. Buddy Hield had 22 points off the bench for the Warriors, who missed out on the playoffs last year. Portland was led by Scoot Henderson with 22 bench points. The Warriors led by as many as 37 points. Shaedon Sharpe missed the game with a shoulder injury.
Brandon Ingram scores 33, and the Pelicans beat the Bulls 123-111 without Zion Williamson
Brett Martel, Associated Press | Updated Oct. 23 - 10:35 p.m. | Save Story
Brandon Ingram scored 33 points, icing the game with a baseline turnaround jumper with 1:46 to go. The New Orleans Pelicans overcame Zion Williamson's absence to defeat the Chicago Bulls 123-111 in the regular season opener for both clubs. Newly-acquired point guard Dejounte Murray had 14 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds for the Pelicans, but injured his left hand in the fourth quarter. CJ McCollum scored 23 for New Orleans. Williamson was ruled out shortly before the game because of an illness. Zach LaVine scored 27 points, and Nikola Vucevic had 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulls.
Dejounte Murray injures his hand in his Pelicans debut and his timeline for returning is uncertain
Brett Martel, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 10:33 p.m. | Save Story
Pelicans point guard Dejounte Murray injured his left hand during the fourth quarter of New Orleans' season-opening 123-111 victory over the Chicago Bulls and his timeline for returning is uncertain. Murray did not speak with media after Wednesday night's game, during which he had 14 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds while turning the ball over only once. He was scheduled to undergo imaging on Thursday to determine the extent of the injury and how long it might sideline him. New Orleans plays next on Friday night at Portland.
Ja Morant has 22 points and 10 assists in return, leads Grizzlies to season-opening win over Jazz
John Coon, Associated Press | Updated Oct. 23 - 10:28 p.m. | Save Story
Ja Morant had 22 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in his return to action to power the Memphis Grizzlies to a 126-124 victory over the Utah Jazz. Morant appeared in just nine games last season after serving a 25-game league suspension before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Santi Aldama scored 27 points, and Desmond Bane added 24 for the Grizzlies. Lauri Markkanen tallied 35 points and nine rebounds for Utah. Jordan Clarkson chipped in for 17 points and seven assists off the bench. Walker Kessler had 16 points and 14 rebounds. Jay Huff had 13 points.
Healthy LaMelo Ball shines in 1st game since January, scoring 34 points in Hornets' win
Kristie Rieken, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 9:59 p.m. | Save Story
LaMelo Ball looked like the superstar that nagging ankle injuries have kept him from being for most of the last two seasons in Charlotte's opener Wednesday night. Playing in a regular-season game for the first time since Jan. 26, Ball had 34 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds to lead the Hornets to a 110-105 win over Houston. Ball made four 3-pointers and all 10 of his free throws to help Charlotte to the victory.
Ball has 34 points and 11 assists in return from ankle injury to lead Hornets over Rockets 110-105
Kristie Rieken, Associated Press | Updated Oct. 23 - 9:52 p.m. | Save Story
LaMelo Ball had 34 points and 11 assists in his return from an ankle injury and Grant Williams made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 40 seconds left to give the Charlotte Hornets a 110-105 win over the Houston Rockets Wednesday night. Jalen Green made five quick points to tie it before Williams put the Hornets on top with his step-back 3 to make it 106-103. Ball, who was playing in his first regular-season game since Jan. 26, added two free throws after that to secure the victory.
Atlanta's No. 1 pick Risacher hits 1st NBA shot, vows to get 'better and better and better'
Paul Newberry, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 9:40 p.m. | Save Story
For Zaccharie Risacher, it was the perfect start to an NBA career of such promise. A wide-open look from outside the 3-point stripe, Nothing but net. But the French teenager quickly learned what a steep learning curve he faces in his rookie season with the Atlanta Hawks. Risacher, the league's No. 1 draft pick, missed his next six shots and finished Wednesday night with seven points on 2-of-8 shooting. Still, he was all smiles after the Hawks held on for a 120-116 victory in the season opener. He called it an "amazing" experience and vowed to get "better and better and better" as he gains experience.
Embiid drawing criticism for sitting out 76ers' opener as part of health plan to reach the playoffs
Dan Gelston, Associated Press | Updated Oct. 23 - 9:19 p.m. | Save Story
Joel Embiid's absence from the Philadelphia 76ers' season opener against Milwaukee is simply part of the team's plan to keep the two-time NBA scoring champion on track for a healthy season. The 76ers hope Embiid will make it the playoffs healthy for the first time in his career. Embiid was ruled out against Milwaukee as part of what the Sixers call left knee management. The 2023 NBA MVP seems poised to sit out road games Friday at Toronto and Sunday at Indiana. Embiid was received plenty of criticism for sitting out opening night.
Clippers honor the late Jerry West with video tribute and memorial seat during opener against Suns
Joe Reedy, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 8:56 p.m. | Save Story
The Los Angeles Clippers honored the late Jerry West with a video tribute midway through the first quarter of their opener against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. The Basketball Hall of Famer was a consultant for the franchise from 2017 until his death in June at age 86. The Clippers are also honoring West at Intuit Dome, their new arena, with a memorial seat behind the basket and a court decal with West's initials near midcourt.
Mobley scores 25, Mitchell adds 21 as Cavaliers rout Raptors 136-106 in season opener
Ian Harrison, Associated Press | Updated Oct. 23 - 8:52 p.m. | Save Story
Evan Mobley scored 25 points, Donovan Mitchell had 21 and the Cleveland Cavaliers routed the Toronto Raptors 136-106. Caris LeVert shot 8 for 9 and scored 19 points, and Jarrett Allen had 14 for the Cavs, whose biggest lead was 33. Cleveland won for the first time in five season-opening meetings with Toronto. Raptors forward Scottie Barnes shot 3 for 14 and scored nine points in a disappointing debut. Toronto turned the ball over 19 times, leading to 30 Cleveland points. Immanuel Quickley went down in the second quarter and didn't return due to a right pelvic contusion.
Young scores 30, Okongwu adds career-high 28 as Hawks open with 120-116 win over Nets
The Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 8:38 p.m. | Save Story
Trae Young had 30 points, Onyeka Okongwu added a career-high 28 and the Atlanta Hawks opened the season with a 120-116 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Young sealed it with a pair of free throws with 2 seconds remaining. Okongwu made 11 of 12 shots from field and all six of his free throws to eclipse his previous best of 22 points. Cam Thomas led the Nets with 36 points, but it wasn't enough to prevent a loss for Jordi Fernández in his NBA head coaching debut. Atlanta's Zaccharie Risacher, the first overall pick in the draft, made his first shot from 3-point range but finished with just 7 points.
Lillard and Antetokounmpo power Bucks past short-handed 76ers 124-109
Anthony Sanfilippo, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 8:33 p.m. | Save Story
Damian Lillard scored 30 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo added 25 and the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 124-109 in the season opener for both teams. Lillard scored 15 points in the third quarter and finished with six 3-pointers, nine rebounds and five assists. Tyrese Maxey scored 25 points and Andre Drummond had 13 points and 11 rebounds for Philadelphia, which was without injured stars Joel Embiid and Paul George, who are sidelined due to knee injuries.
Banchero scores 33, Magic roll in 2nd half to beat Heat 116-97 on opening night
Tim Reynolds, Associated Press | Posted Oct. 23 - 8:21 p.m. | Save Story
Paolo Banchero scored 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Franz Wagner scored 23 and the Orlando Magic rolled past the Miami Heat 116-97 in the opener for both teams. Gary Harris added 18 for Orlando, all on 3-pointers. The Magic were 18 of 49 from 3-point range. Terry Rozier scored 19 for Miami, which celebrated "Pat Riley Court" night with a halftime ceremony. Nikola Jovic scored 15 and Tyler Herro added 14 for the Heat. Orlando led by as many as 32 in the second half.
