Lakers

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: 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: Brad Stevens replacing Danny Ainge as president of basketball operations in Boston Celtics shakeup

Danny Ainge, Boston Celtics' president of basketball operations, retired and coach Brad Stevens will move up to the front office to replace him. The moves came about 12 hours after the 17-time NBA champions lost to the Brooklyn Nets in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series

NBA: Eastern Conference champions no more, Miami Heat start to look to what's next

There was no run to the NBA Finals this year for the Miami Heat, not even a single playoff victory. With the Heat entering a crucial offseason, here's what to watch for:

Firstpost Explains: LeBron hates it, Doncic doesn’t understand it, but NBA’s play-in concept might stay

LeBron James wants whoever thought of the NBA’s play-in tournament to be sacked. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and superstar Luka Doncic are no fans of the addition either. So what is the NBA's play-in tournament? Firstpost explains.

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: With two days left for end of regular season, there's much left to decide

The play-in field isn’t quite set. And nobody knows who’ll play anybody yet. Welcome to the final weekend of the NBA’s regular season

NBA superstar LeBron James' tweet about policeman who shot teen sparks uproar on US right-wing

LeBron James took down his tweet hours later, explaining his post was "being used to create more hate". Conservative pundits accused him of racism and irresponsible behaviour over the tweet which was about the shooting of 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant by a policeman.

NBA: New Orleans Pelicans say some staff, players have received COVID-19 vaccine

On Tuesday, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards encouraged anyone 16 years or older with medical conditions that put them at a higher risk of contracting coronavirus, including asthma, hypertension and being overweight, to get vaccinated.

NBA: Even the trade deadline has a different feel in coronavirus pandemic-dominated year

As the NBA trade deadline approaches this year, there will be buyers. What’s unclear is how many teams will be willing sellers by 25 March.