The Lakers were, again, the Lakers — the version from early this season that made optimism seem nothing like foolishness.

For two-and-a-half quarters Sunday night against Memphis, they completely shed the baggage of the past two weeks. The long road miles, the stagnant offense, the physical bruises from losses to bigger, tougher teams all ...Read more

The New York Knicks better get used to winning games like this — especially if physicality becomes the blueprint for opposing teams and officiating stays as lenient as it’s been.

They faced such a challenge on Sunday against the Orlando Magic, a scrappy team determined to avenge a blowout loss at Madison Square Garden nearly two weeks prior...Read more

Sunday night in San Antonio the Minnesota Timberwolves played very good defense for all but one quarter.

Turns out three out of four was more than enough.

Up 18 early in the third, up just three late in that same quarter, the Timberwolves put the game away in the fourth quarter, taking a 106-92 victory over the Spurs.

Minnesota (14-11) has ...Read more

The Boston Celtics took care of business against the NBA’s worst team Sunday night, cruising to a 112-98 win over the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena.

Boston now faces new questions about the health of Kristaps Porzingis, however, after the big man left the game with a heel injury during the second quarter.

Jayson Tatum led the ...Read more

LEXINGTON, Ky. — My take from Kentucky basketball’s 93-85 win against Louisville on Saturday: The rivalry is in good hands.

These two coaches get it. Kentucky’s Mark Pope gets it. Louisville’s Pat Kelsey gets it. Doesn’t matter that they’re first-year coaches at their respective schools. Doesn’t matter that as a former Wildcat, ...Read more

CHICAGO — The primary calling card for new Chicago Sky coach Tyler Marsh is a depth of experience learning from the best in the business.

Before landing the job in Chicago, Marsh was best known as an integral part of Becky Hammon’s two-time WNBA champion staff in Las Vegas. Before that, Marsh learned under two of the most respected coaches ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The 76ers received devastating news this weekend.

Jared McCain, who had been an NBA Rookie of the Year frontrunner, reported left knee soreness following Friday night's 121-107 loss to the Indiana Pacers.

An MRI on Saturday revealed a lateral meniscus tear to his left knee. The injury will require surgery, and the guard is out...Read more

NEW YORK — Liam McNeeley made himself at home in Madison Square Garden Saturday night as UConn fans stuffed the building they call “Storrs South” for a high-level matchup against No. 8 Gonzaga that lived up to the hype.

The Huskies’ touted freshman lived up to his own hype as well, engaging with the crowd as he led the 18th-ranked UConn...Read more

Here’s the thing with “Strength in Numbers.”

You need numbers.

And lately, the Golden State Warriors have been lacking in that department.

De’Anthony Melton’s season-long injury and the NBA’s endemic string of absences left the Warriors running a — gasp — nine-man rotation in recent games.

This team needed reinforcements, and...Read more

LOS ANGELES — The Lakers have upgraded LeBron James ahead of Sunday’s game with Memphis, giving clarity to his absence from the team this past week.

James, who has been listed as questionable with “left foot injury management,” missed the Lakers’ last two games and wasn’t with the team.

The Lakers called the excused absence “...Read more

LAS VEGAS — The Atlanta Hawks’ run in the NBA Cup came to an end on Saturday when they fell to the Milwaukee Bucks 110-102 in the semifinals at T-Mobile Arena.

Here are five observations:

1. The Hawks had plenty of opportunities in the fourth quarter to advance to the finals. They fought hard but the more-seasoned Bucks team got the better...Read more

The Warriors are reportedly at the doorstep of making their first trade of the season.

Golden State, per multiple reports, is finalizing a deal to acquire Dennis Schroder from the Brooklyn Nets. ESPN’s Shams Charania, The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, Marc Stein and others reported details of the trade first.

The Warriors are likely to send ...Read more

PHOENIX — There was some comforting familiarity Saturday afternoon in a rivalry renewed amid unusual circumstances.

UCLA and Arizona engaged in another classic.

In a sequence that seemed as bizarre as the fan shown drinking a beer out of a shoe on the video board, the Bruins stormed back from what looked like certain defeat.

A flurry of ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Austin Reaves paused as he held a microphone in his hand, the Minnesota cold waiting for him as he got ready to try to answer for his team's lousy offense.

Had the Lakers stunk all season on that side of the ball, had they been a stagnant mess from Day 1, maybe the answers would be clearer. But the Lakers used to be able to ...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO — Sunday night at the Chase Center will be a test of how many people held onto their commemorative Klay Thompson captain’s hats or sold — at wild profit margins on eBay — them.

The Warriors were supposed to get only two home games against the Dallas Mavericks, Thompson’s new team after 13 years in Golden State. But ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — About 90 minutes before tipoff, Dalton Knecht approached the assistant coach sitting on the bench of the Los Angeles Lakers. The coach who once played menacing defense on the court and later strode the sideline with a steely stare, now seems more relaxed as the gray and white specks have shown up in his goatee.

“What up O.G.!?...Read more