Basketball – Winnipeg Free Press

FILE - Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga dribbles against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series May 10, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File)

Jonathan Kuminga gets going on the court with Warriors after three-month contract stalemate

Janie Mccauley, The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 5:18 PM CDT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jonathan Kuminga considered it a positive learning experience going through a lengthy contract negotiation to better understand the NBA's business side, and the fifth-year forward expressed a desire Thursday to stay with the Golden State Warriors for the long term.

He hopes that sentiment is mutual. Only time will tell.

"I would say so based on me being back here, official now," Kuminga said following his first practice with the Warriors since signing a two-year contract Tuesday that would pay him $46.5 million. “At the end of the day, let’s see where this takes us. My focus this year is pushing and actually helping us win.”

As a group, Golden State welcomed back Kuminga after months of uncertainty for both sides. Kuminga had received a qualifying offer in late June and had been weighing other multiyear options.

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Suns, Mercury announce $115M arena naming rights deal with owner Mat Ishbia’s mortgage company

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Suns, Mercury announce $115M arena naming rights deal with owner Mat Ishbia’s mortgage company

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 2:41 PM CDT

PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury have announced a $115 million, 10-year naming rights partnership with United Wholesale Mortgage that will rename the team's arena the Mortgage Matchup Center.

Mat Ishbia is the owner of the Suns and Mercury and is also the CEO of United Wholesale Mortagage. The 45-year-old took over the as CEO in 2013, guiding its transformation into one of the top mortgage lenders in the U.S.

“I’m extremely excited about this partnership as it represents two organizations that have natural alignment and a shared commitment to excellence," Ishbia said in a statement. “The Phoenix Suns and Mercury have a diverse, passionate and engaged fan base in sports that will allow us to make strong connections between mortgage brokers and consumers.”

The downtown arena hosts the home games for the Suns and Mercury, as well as other events like concerts. It will also host the 2026 NCAA Women's Final Four and 2027 NBA All-Star Game.

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Yesterday at 2:41 PM CDT

FILE - Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia looks on during an NBA basketball news conference, Feb. 16, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)

Josh Hart ejected from Knicks’ preseason game after slipping to court and throwing ball

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Josh Hart ejected from Knicks’ preseason game after slipping to court and throwing ball

The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 1:56 PM CDT

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Knicks forward Josh Hart was ejected from the opening game of the preseason Thursday after slipping to the court, then throwing the ball when a Philadelphia player tried to take it from him while he was on his back.

Hart had grabbed a defensive rebound early in the second quarter and was dribbling the ball upcourt when he fell in front of the 76ers bench. Philadelphia's Kennedy Chandler tried to steal the ball, and Hart turned away to protect it and threw it toward the other end of the court, earning the ejection.

Hart got up and limped off the court with what appeared to be lower back pain. The Knicks did not announce an injury.

The swingman came off the bench in the first game under new coach Mike Brown. Hart started last season until former coach Tom Thibodeau inserted center Mitchell Robinson into the starting lineup alongside Karl-Anthony Towns during the Eastern Conference finals loss to Indiana. Brown went with that look Thursday.

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Updated: Yesterday at 1:56 PM CDT

New York Knicks' Josh Hart reacts as he falls during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Canada’s RJ Barrett unfazed by trade rumours and evolving role with Toronto Raptors

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Canada’s RJ Barrett unfazed by trade rumours and evolving role with Toronto Raptors

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 5:00 AM CDT

RJ Barrett isn't fazed by his ever-changing role on the Toronto Raptors or even the rumours that he might be traded this season.

Barrett, from Mississauga, Ont., led the Raptors with 21.1 points per game in the 2024-25 campaign and was second on the team with an average of 5.4 assists over his 58 games. But with former NBA all-star Brandon Ingram joining the team this season and the rest of the starters all healthy as Toronto's training camp enters its third day, it can be expected that his responsibilities on the court will change.

On top of that, there's been speculation that Barrett — who has two seasons left on his current contract — might be trade bait. He was asked at Raptors media day on Monday about how he handles his ever-changing role and the trade rumours.

“I stay focused because I'm not just a one-dimensional player. I can do a little bit of everything. I think that's one of my superpowers," said Barrett at Hotel X in downtown Toronto. "Attacking and finishing, stuff like that, just different things. I want my game to be a little more improved than it was last year.

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Yesterday at 5:00 AM CDT

Toronto Raptors' Brandon Ingram, right, shoots the basketball as RJ Barrett looks on during opening day of training camp in Calgary, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Miami Heat, Nikola Jovic agree on 4-year extension, AP source says

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Miami Heat, Nikola Jovic agree on 4-year extension, AP source says

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Heat and forward Nikola Jovic have agreed on the framework of a four-year, $62.4 million extension, a person with knowledge of the talks said Wednesday night.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the contract has not been signed.

It's a significant commitment by the Heat to Jovic, who averaged 5.5 points as a rookie, 7.7 points in his second season and then 10.7 points last season. Jovic is coming off a strong summer working with the Serbian national team, and the Heat expect that his role is going to continue to grow this season.

“He’s becoming more mature, more professional," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said earlier this week at media day, when asked about Jovic and how his time with the Serbian team has helped in recent summers. "And if you’re hanging out with players much older than you, it just naturally happens. I’ve seen growth from him over three years because of that standard that they’ve had in that program.”

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Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

FILE - Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic dribbles during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Feb. 12, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings, File)

Warriors prepare for Jonathan Kuminga’s arrival after summer contract stalemate

Janie Mccauley, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Warriors prepare for Jonathan Kuminga’s arrival after summer contract stalemate

Janie Mccauley, The Associated Press 4 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — As soon as Jonathan Kuminga shows up to rejoin the Golden State Warriors, coach Steve Kerr plans an immediate conversation with the dynamic forward to make sure they are on the same page as the season begins.

Kuminga was expected to arrive in the Bay Area on Wednesday and be at Chase Center on Thursday to go through a physical and likely his first practice since signing a two-year contract Tuesday that could be worth up to $46.5 million.

“The first thing is a great conversation with JK. To me at the heart of any good team culture is communication,” Kerr said Wednesday, when the Warriors also signed 39-year-old center Al Horford. "We have to have a really good sit down."

Kerr said he reached out several times to Kuminga over the summer, as he keeps tabs with all his players, and said that “he and I have always gotten along well.”

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Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

Golden State Warriors' Al Horford, left, practices as guard Buddy Hield (7), assistant coach Jerry Stackhouse, second from right, and forward Jimmy Butler III, right, stand on the court at the NBA basketball team's facility in San Francisco, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Dorian Finney-Smith likely to miss Rockets’ season opener after ankle surgery

Kristie Rieken, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Dorian Finney-Smith likely to miss Rockets’ season opener after ankle surgery

Kristie Rieken, The Associated Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Rockets forward Dorian Finney-Smith is expected to miss the start of the NBA season while recovering from off-season ankle surgery.

Coach Ime Udoka was asked Wednesday after training camp if Finney-Smith would be ready for Houston’s opener against Oklahoma City on Oct. 21.

“No, probably not,” Udoka said.

He added that he didn’t know how long his debut with the Rockets would be delayed.

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Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

FILE - Houston Rockets' Dorian Finney-Smith poses for a photograph during an NBA basketball media day Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

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Pelicans’ trip to Australia for preseason games is a first for the NBA

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Pelicans’ trip to Australia for preseason games is a first for the NBA

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 4 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025

Australia has seen plenty of its players in the NBA over the years: Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Andrew Bogut, Ben Simmons, Luc Longley, Matthew Dellavedova and Josh Giddey, to name a few. Kyrie Irving was born there as well.

And now, an NBA team is going to play Down Under.

The New Orleans Pelicans made the nearly 10,000-mile trip this week for a pair of games — first Friday against Melbourne United, then Sunday against the South East Melbourne Phoenix. Both of those clubs are from Australia’s top league, the NBL. The Pelicans arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday.

There's a historical aspect, in being the first NBA team to go to Australia, and there's also a slew of other perks that can bring a team together on such a trip, Pelicans coach Willie Green said. NBA players have competed in Australia before, including on United States teams during the 2000 Sydney Olympics and ahead of the 2019 Basketball World Cup, but this is the first time a franchise has traveled there together.

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Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025

New Orleans Pelicans forward Christian Shumate poses for New Orleans Times Picayune newspaper photographer Chris Granger, during the team's NBA basketball media day in Metairie, La., Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Kuminga reaches 2-year deal with Warriors, ending contract stalemate

Janie Mccauley, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Kuminga reaches 2-year deal with Warriors, ending contract stalemate

Janie Mccauley, The Associated Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jonathan Kuminga agreed to a two-year contract with the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday that could be worth up to $46.5 million if the team exercises its option for 2026-27.

The Warriors announced Kuminga's new deal late Tuesday. A person with knowledge of the contract provided details, speaking on condition of anonymity because terms weren’t made public.

Kuminga has had a $7.9 million qualifying offer in hand since June 29 but was also weighing other options. He had until Wednesday night to accept the qualifying offer.

Kuminga missed media day Monday and Day 1 of training camp Tuesday, but many of his teammates expressed support and confidence that the high-flying forward would show up ready to work and help the team win.

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Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025

LeBron misses Lakers’ first practice of training camp due to minor injury, focus on long-term health

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

LeBron misses Lakers’ first practice of training camp due to minor injury, focus on long-term health

The Associated Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — LeBron James sat out of the Los Angeles Lakers' first practice of training camp with a minor injury Tuesday.

James has “a little bit of nerve irritation in the glute," coach JJ Redick said after the workout at the Lakers' training complex.

James will become the first player in NBA history to play 23 seasons when the Lakers open the regular season on Oct. 21 against Golden State. That game is the target for James and the Lakers, who will work together to manage the 40-year-old superstar's workload against injuries and exhaustion, particularly during training camp.

While the top scorer in NBA history still might play during the preseason, Redick said the Lakers are "playing the long game with LeBron.”

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Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James shares a laugh with a reporter during the NBA basketball team's media day in El Segundo, Calif., Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Steve Kerr content coaching Warriors in a contract year, waiting on negotiations until after season

Janie Mccauley, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Steve Kerr content coaching Warriors in a contract year, waiting on negotiations until after season

Janie Mccauley, The Associated Press 4 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Steve Kerr insists he is perfectly content coaching the Golden State Warriors in a contract year without worrying about negotiations or what's next until the season is done.

He trusts owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy to have those discussions when the time is right for everybody, whether that ends up being during the season or once it's over many months from now. Kerr doesn't anticipate having those discussions for a while.

“I'm very comfortable just going into this season with a year left. I'm so aligned with Mike and Joe that we talked about this. There's no reason for discussion, concern, this is kind of a point in our relationship. Let's just see how it is at the end of the year,” Kerr said Tuesday. “I love my job, I love what I'm doing every day, can't wait to get to the building. Hopefully I'm here for another few years but I think it makes sense for the organization and for me just to see where this thing is at the end of the year, where they are, where I am. Hopefully that means we run it back, we keep going with this group, and that'd be awesome.”

Kerr, who turned 60 on Saturday, begins his 12th season leading the Warriors having won four NBA titles and now with son Nicholas as an assistant coach on his bench, too, after being promoted from the G League Santa Cruz Warriors.

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Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025

FILE - Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks towards Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (15) and Golden State Warriors center Quinten Post (21) during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, May 14, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)

Top draft pick Cooper Flagg flying at Dallas Mavericks training camp

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Top draft pick Cooper Flagg flying at Dallas Mavericks training camp

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025

BURNABY - When Cooper Flagg stepped on the court Tuesday, he found himself shooting baskets alongside some of the NBA players he grew up idolizing.

Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson were all present alongside Flagg — the No. 1 pick in June's draft — as the Dallas Mavericks opened training camp at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C.

"It's incredible," the 18-year-old rookie said of his new teammates. "I mean, I can learn so much just from being on the court and watching them play and just feeling out the spacing and the different things that they do. So it's been incredible being on the court with the guys like that."

Flagg fit right in as Dallas started its pre-season prep, Thompson said.

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Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025

Dallas Mavericks' Dwight Powell shoots during a training camp session at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic says team must ‘win for all’ this season

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic says team must ‘win for all’ this season

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025

TORONTO - Darko Rajakovic's mission has changed heading into his third season as head coach of the Toronto Raptors.

Expectations had been low for him and the Raptors his first two years patrolling the sideline, as then-president Masai Ujiri had signalled the franchise was in rebuild mode. But now, barring any midseason moves to gear up for a deep playoff drive, Toronto's roster appears to be deep and more or less complete.

That means Rajakovic's primary focus is no longer developing young players, but earning the Raptors their first post-season berth since a first-round exit in 2022.

"Entering this season, a big slogan for me is going to be ‘win for all,’" said Rajakovic on Monday at Toronto's media day. "Not just to win games, but to win for the community, to win for this country, to win for each other, to win for the man next to you.

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Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025

Head Coach Darko Rajaković speaks to the media at the Toronto Raptors media day in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Prime Video will have a variety of interactive features for its NBA coverage

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Prime Video will have a variety of interactive features for its NBA coverage

The Associated Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prime Video will bring many of its interactive features from “Thursday Night Football” and NASCAR to its NBA coverage.

Prime will have key moments and rapid recap, allowing viewers to catch up on the game if they tuned in at some point. There will also be a way to access the team and individual stats via a traditional box score or advanced stats.

Something new for NBA coverage will be an opt-in personalized bet tracking with FanDuel. Viewers will be able to link their Prime Video profile to their FanDuel account and track their bets. There will also be updated odds and lines during the game. However, the bet tracking feature does not offer the ability to place bets directly on Prime Video.

Some of the regional sports networks in recent seasons have done alternate broadcasts tied to betting.

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Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025

Magic have high expectations after upgrading strong roster with addition of Desmond Bane

Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Magic have high expectations after upgrading strong roster with addition of Desmond Bane

Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press 4 minute read Monday, Sep. 29, 2025

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — There’s a new vibe and plenty of buzz surrounding the Orlando Magic after a splashy offseason.

It’s been a while since they were considered championship contenders.

The Magic are favorites to repeat as Southeast division champions, have the third-best odds to win the Eastern Conference and are eighth-best to capture an NBA title, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

“There’s nobody outside of that locker room that should have higher expectations for ourselves than us,” fifth-year coach Jamahl Mosley said Monday. “There’s going to be a lot of people saying what we should or could do but our standard is high and what we know we’re capable of doing. It starts with our everyday work, getting better every single day. It’s the daily habits that we have to approach as a group and it’s the standard and accountability we have to hold each other to.”

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Monday, Sep. 29, 2025

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero poses for a photo during the NBA basketball team's Media Day, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Expectations are great for Trail Blazers rookie Yang Hansen in Portland and back home

Anne M. Peterson, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Expectations are great for Trail Blazers rookie Yang Hansen in Portland and back home

Anne M. Peterson, The Associated Press 4 minute read Monday, Sep. 29, 2025

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — While rookie Yang Hansen prepares for his first NBA season, the Portland Trail Blazers are readying for the onslaught of attention their Chinese big man will bring the team.

Expectations are high for the 20-year-old who has faced the inevitable comparisons to fellow countryman and former NBA great Yao Ming.

Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said the 7-foot-1 center will be “right there in the mix” when it comes to Portland's plans this season.

“I think Hansen’s done a really good job these last couple months just trying to get situated, trying to understand what we’re doing. He’s definitely going to play,” Billups said.

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Monday, Sep. 29, 2025

October 3, 2025

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