NBA: Dwight Howard, Anthony Davis downplay confrontation in Lakers' loss to Suns
Dwight Howard and Anthony Davis both say their physical confrontation on the Los Angeles Lakers' bench was a momentary disagreement that has already been resolved.
NBA: From Rockets' young roster to Raptors' homecoming, biggest talking points of upcoming season
The first practices of the season in the NBA are here, with teams set to hit the floor on Tuesday to formally begin getting ready for the 2021-22 campaign. A six-pack of things to watch as things get started:
NBA: LeBron James fueled by snub in best player poll ahead of new season
An ESPN survey of 10 NBA executives and scouts was evenly split between US Olympic hero Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets and Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Tokyo Olympics 2020: Kevin Durant named in Team USA squad missing LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Steph Curry
The squad contains only three players — Phoenix's Devin Booker and Milwaukee duo Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday — currently playing in the NBA playoffs.
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James blasts the league as playoff injuries mount
James said, the injuries were due to the "lack of rest" before play restarted in December - just 72 days after the Lakers locked up the title with a victory over the Miami Heat in the quarantine bubble in Orlando, Florida.
NBA: Anthony Davis says injuries 'a big factor' for Los Angeles Lakers' title defence unravelling
Anthony Davis missed half of the 72-game regular season because of a string of injuries. LeBron James, who missed more than 20 games this season with a high right ankle sprain.
NBA: LeBron James, Anthony Davis remain 'pillars' of Lakers despite first round playoff exit
Suns series defeat marked the first time in 15 playoff appearances that James - a four-time NBA champion - was eliminated in the first round.
NBA: Phoenix Suns defeat leaves LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers on brink of playoffs exit
Phoenix took full advantage of the injury absence of the Lakers' Anthony Davis to dominate the defending NBA champions from early in the first quarter before romping to a comfortable win.
NBA: LeBron James-Stephen Curry clash to be highlight of play-in round as teams jostle for playoff spots
LeBron James and Stephen Curry have squared off four times for championships, back in the days of those Warriors-Cleveland matchups in the NBA Finals being annual events. They’ll square off on Wednesday for a slightly different prize — the No 7 seed in the West playoffs.
NBA: Andre Drummond stars as Lakers beat Nets; Jazz overpower Sacramento to continue winning streak
The Lakers entered the game missing their two best players, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but they overcame that with energetic play, strong perimeter shooting and a lockdown defence.
NBA: Lakers hang on for narrow win over Magic; Devin Booker powers Suns to victory against Hornets
CJ McCollum starred late for Portland, scoring seven of his 23 points in the last two minutes as the Trail Blazers beat the Toronto Raptors 122-117.
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James out with ankle sprain as NBA All-Star Game looms
LeBron James will stay in Los Angeles for treatment and miss his first game of the 2020-21 season on Wednesday when the Lakers play at Sacramento.
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers down Golden State Warriors; Giannis Antetokounmpo guides Milwaukee Bucks to victory
In Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 17 of the Bucks' last 22 points in a 105-100 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
NBA: Tim Hardaway Jr, Luka Doncic star in Dallas Mavericks win; Washington Wizards beat Los Angeles Lakers
Dallas were playing for the first time in eight days after two postponements because of a wintry weather blast in Texas. Kristaps Porzingis didn’t play after showing up on the injury report the day of the game with back stiffness.
NBA: James Harden, Joe Harris star as Nets rout Lakers; Raptors hand Bucks fifth consecutive loss
Kyrie Irving had 16 points and seven rebounds as Brooklyn easily won this matchup of NBA title contenders and improved to 4-0 on a five-game West Coast trip with Kevin Durant missing his third straight game with a strained left hamstring.
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis faces injury layoff despite scan boost
Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis faces a lengthy injury layoff despite a scan revealing he had not suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon
NBA: Anthony Davis scores 27 points as Lakers end losing streak with win over Celtics; Trail Blazers edge past Bulls
Jayson Tatum scored 30 points and pulled down nine rebounds for the Celtics and Jaylen Brown added 28 points.
NBA: Kevin Durant stars as Nets hold on to beat shorthanded Heat; Steph Curry passes Reggie Miller on 3-point list
Kevin Durant scored a team-high 31 points as the new-look Brooklyn Nets solved some of their defensive woes on Saturday to hold on and beat the shorthanded Miami Heat 128-124.
NBA: LeBron James scores 34 as Los Angeles Lakers win eighth straight away game
LeBron James scored a season-high 34 points as the Los Angeles Lakers won their eighth straight road game to start the season with a 113-106 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks
Year in Review 2020: Firstpost’s sports writers pick their favourite sporting moment of 2020, what they hope for 2021
Firstpost's sports writers weighed in with their favourite sporting moment of 2020, and what they're looking forward to in 2021: