#nba

#nba

PHILADELPHIA -- 76ers center Joel Embiid returned to game action for the first time in three weeks Sunday night against the Atlanta Hawks as he, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey played together for the first time this season. Yet the fact those details became a footnote spoke to the strangeness of the game, won 142-134 by the Hawks in double overtime.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 37 points and 12 rebounds, Jalen Brunson scored 27, and the New York Knicks beat the Brooklyn Nets 113-100 at Barclays Center on Monday night. Towns shot 14 for 20 from the field and made each of his six free throws to lead the Knicks to their 12th consecutive victory over Brooklyn. New York's last loss to the Nets was Jan. 28, 2023, when they were defeated 122-115.

With a current FanDuel offer, new users who sign up can place a qualifying moneyline bet on any team to win, and if that bet is successful, they will receive bonus bets. This means you could place a $5 wager on the Knicks to win their matchup against the Magic, and if they do, you'll get your cash profit from the bet plus an extra $150 in bonus bets.

LA Clippers guard Chris Paul is retiring after this season -- his 21st campaign in the NBA, sources told ESPN on Saturday.

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.

Part 1, which you can find below, was in theory dedicated to the question of which teams this season are cool. I say in theory because we had to first get through an extended Luka Garza segment, a lengthy appreciation of Tyrese Maxey and V.J. "MJ Edgecombe" Edgecombe, and a brief look at the dire state of the New Orleans Pelicans.

The NBA has instituted yet another new format for the All-Star Game, one that will ensure there are eight international All-Stars no matter what. That could provide a way for RJ Barrett to make his first ever All-Star Game - a brand new loophole, if you will, for the Canadian wing to skate right through. The Toronto Raptors did not have an All-Star last season as they stumbled their way through a lost year.

Landing a premiere talent, who proved to be one of the most dynamic scorers in the NBA at his peak seemed like a can't lose situation for the Clippers, especially considering the discounted price they landed him at. Beal joined the Western Conference contenders with the chance to not only prove he had plenty left in the tank, but that the Suns could be to blame for his career falling off the rails over the last few season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's scoring average across 12 games this season is 33.2, third best in the league. The Thunder's hot start, despite Jalen Williams missing every game and several other rotation players missing chunks, can be credited to their unusual depth. But everything is riding on the continued greatness of the league's most consistent scorer. Gilgeous-Alexander won the scoring title a season ago, producing 32.7 points per game and has upped that output early in his eighth season. It appears he's getting better. -- Anthony Slater

The Thunder are rolling to start the 2025-26 season. Oklahoma City currently boasts the best record in the NBA at 11-1 with an average point differential of plus-14.4. It strung together eight straight wins to start the season, tied for the sixth-longest win streak by a defending champion to begin a season in NBA history and longest since the Golden State Warriors in 2015-16. The hot start from the Thunder comes on the heels of a 68-win season and an NBA title. Oklahoma City will look to continue its strong run against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night (9:30 ET, ESPN), further establishing its place on a list of the best starts to a season by a defending champion.

They've been buddies forever, but this was the first time Jokić paid attention to how his friend makes a living. Pavkov was in constant motion, going from his phone to his customers in the front of his shop to the back, where he oversaw a paint job for one of Jokić's sulkies, the two-wheeled, chariot-like vehicles that attach to Jokić's horses as they race around his track down the street.

You have moments where it's like-obviously, you play this game and you're trying to win-but this was just a cool day as a whole for me. And obviously, to have the night I had was definitely special as well. But I wouldn't put the game I had based on the court. This kid pissed me off today, I was playing 2K. I had been playing 2K for like two hours, and I told him, too, I said 'Just wait.'

During the first half of Wednesday night's 122-112 loss to the Denver Nuggets, the Miami Heat were dealt a massive blow with Bam Adebayo exiting the game with a left foot injury. Adebayo was injured after taking a step during a pitch back to guard Norman Powell in transition. He hobbled off the court and headed to the locker room and did not return. Adebayo played just eight minutes, finishing with two points and one rebound, making one of his five shot attempts.

A United States congressional committee is meeting with NBA officials Wednesday in Washington, D.C., in wake of the indictments of Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier and Damon Jones, sources tell ESPN's Shams Charania. The meeting is considered an informational sit-down for members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and will include conversations about the league's partnerships with sportsbooks and measures to prevent illegal use of non-public information, the sources said.

Singler was charged Tuesday in Haskell County with one misdemeanor count of assault and battery in the presence of a child. Singler's girlfriend told a sheriff's deputy that Singler grabbed her by the head and shoved her to the ground, according to an arrest affidavit. Deputy Mitch Dobbs also reported that he could observe finger outlines on the woman's face and marks on her arm.

"Well, it shouldn't be needed, first and foremost," Jordan said. "You know, I never wanted to miss a game because it was an opportunity to prove. It was something that I felt like the fans are there that watch me play. I want to impress that guy way up on top who probably worked his [butt] off to get a ticket or to get money to buy the ticket."

Even though his salary will still count against the Miami Heat's salary cap books, they will not be paying Terry Rozier while he's on leave of absence, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania and AP's Tim Reynolds first reported Wednesday. According to Charania, his paycheck - as well as Chauncey Billups' - will be "withheld and placed in escrow, pending outcome of FBI cases."