NBA NewsThursday, Apr 23, 2026

Rogers Communications, majority owner of the Toronto Raptors through its 75% stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, announced plans Wednesday to complete its full acquisition of MLSE and consolidate its sports holdings into a single entity valued at more than $18.25 billion. CEO Tony Staffieri confirmed on the company's first-quarter earnings call that Rogers expects to purchase the remaining 25% MLSE minority interest, held by Larry Tanenbaum's Kilmer Sports Ventures, in the second half...

ESPN's Shams Charania reported that San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was able to participate in cardio work on Wednesday as he recovers from a concussion suffered in Game 2, though his status for Friday's Game 3 against the Portland Trail Blazers remains in jeopardy. "Victor Wembanyama was able to participate in cardio work ... his symptoms didn't worsen, he wasn't feeling worse than he did when he suffered the concussion. As of right now, my understanding is he is hopeful that he'l...

A fierce halftime speech from J.B. Bickerstaff sparked the Detroit Pistons as they had a 30-3 third-quarter run to defeat the Orlando Magic 98-83, leveling the first-round series at 1-1 on Wednesday night. The victory ended Detroit's NBA-record 11-game home playoff losing streak. The Pistons' last home postseason win had come on May 26, 2008, against Boston in the Eastern Conference finals. "He really got on us in the locker room," said Tobias Harris. "[His message was] there is no more of 'm...

Less than 48 hours after being diagnosed with a concussion as the result of a hard fall in Game 2 vs. Portland, Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama appears to be trending in the right direction. Appearing on Inside The NBA late on Wednesday night (Twitter video link), Shams Charania of ESPN said that Wembanyama’s symptoms […]

Optimism within the Golden State Warriors organization about Steve Kerr's return has dimmed in recent weeks, multiple team sources told The Athletic. Staffers have begun preparing for a potential coaching change, though sources stressed no decision is final until Kerr meets with owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy. ESPN reported Monday that the Warriors would require Kerr to sign a multi-year extension if he returns. One team source neither confirmed nor denied that detail. Spec...

Karl-Anthony Towns has expressed a strong desire to remain with the New York Knicks long-term, according to a source close to the big man. However, his postseason performance and fit within coach Mike Brown's system are drawing sharp scrutiny around the league. "He so badly wants things to work here," a source close to Towns told ESPN. "He wants to be a Knick for life." Despite that desire, rival executives warn Towns faces significant pressure. The Knicks, under a direct mandate from owner J...

Celtics guard Derrick White has won the Sportsmanship Award for the 2025/26 season, the league announced today (Twitter link). It marks the second straight year in which a Boston guard has claimed the award, with Jrue Holiday taking it home a year ago prior to being traded to Portland. The NBA’s Sportsmanship Award has been […]

Jalen Johnson was the Hawks‘ lone All-Star and most valuable player during the regular season, but it was guard CJ McCollum who led the team to a Game 2 victory over the Knicks on Monday in New York, writes Michael Cunningham of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (subscription required). While most of the Hawks’ young players had […]

For the rest of the regular season and postseason, Hoops Rumors is taking a closer look at players who will be free agents – or could become free agents – during the 2026 offseason. We’ll consider whether each player’s stock is rising or falling due to his performance and several other factors. Today, we’re focusing […]

Among the known candidates for the Bulls‘ open head of basketball operations job, Timberwolves general manager Matt Lloyd is the “obvious frontrunner,” reports Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune (subscription required). Lloyd has been a “top target” for the Bulls since they began their front office search, according to Poe, who writes that the veteran […]

The contrast between the on-court and off-court vibes surrounding the Trail Blazers is stark, according to Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden Report (Substack link), who notes that the timing of new ownership’s cost-cutting efforts couldn’t be worse. Competing in the playoffs for the first time in five years, Portland will be looking to take […]

Plenty of players in the EuroLeague get checked in on by NBA teams during the course of the season, but two were particularly close to moving to the United States this season, according to Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews: Isaac Bonga and Alpha Diallo. Bonga, who plays for Partizan Belgrade in Serbia, had a desire to […]