basketball
SportYahoo SportsPelicans arrive in Dallas less than 7 hours before facing Mavericks due to weather issues
The Pelicans won't have long to prep for their game against the Mavericks.
SportAustralian Associated PressBreakers surge to second with comeback NBL win at Hawks
The New Zealand Breakers are just one win away from a second-place finish in the NBL and an automatic semi-final berth, after overcoming a 16-point deficit to defeat the last-placed Illawarra Hawks 91-81 in Wollongong.The Breakers are now second on the standings on points percentage after winning their 17th game of the season to share a 17-10 record with Cairns.
SportAustralian Associated PressAussie NBA product Landale critical of NBL pride snub
Jock Landale has criticised Cairns' decision not to wear the NBL's inaugural pride jersey and encouraged the NBA to follow the Australian league's lead.The Taipans copped fierce backlash when they opted not to wear the one-off jersey last month that featured a small rainbow-coloured sponsor's logo designed to champion the inclusivity of the NBL and "give thanks to the LGBTQI community".
SportAustralian Associated PressCeltics destroy Nets, Detroit game postponed in NBA
Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics have posted a thrashing of division rivals Brooklyn to strengthen their position on top of the NBA's Eastern Conference standings.The Celtics led 46-16 after the first period at TD Garden on Thursday (AEDT), with Tatum contributing 18 points to outscore the visitors on his own.
SportYahoo SportsFantasy Basketball Drops: It's time to move on from these fringe starters
It's time to let these guys go in fantasy basketball leagues.
SportYahoo SportsNBA postpones Pistons-Wizards due to Dallas ice storm travel issues
Weather issues in Dallas are causing major headaches for several NBA teams that need to enter or leave the city via plane.
SportAustralian Associated PressLeBron, Davis lead Lakers to thrilling win at Knicks
LeBron James has moved to within 89 points of breaking the NBA's career scoring record, and climbed into fourth place on the assists list, finishing with a triple-double as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the New York Knicks 129-123 after overtime.James had 28 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds on Tuesday night, with the points giving him 38,299 for his career.
NewsAustralian Associated PressFlames release Shyla Heal after unexplained absence
The Sydney Flames have released former WNBA first-round draft pick Shyla Heal, but still won't reveal why father Shane is barred from coaching the team.Neither father nor daughter have lined up for the Flames since January 15, with Shyla's three-game absence put down to "personal reasons" but Shane's left unexplained.
SportYahoo SportsTwo real-life NBA trades that could shake up the fantasy basketball landscape
Fantasy basketball analyst Dan Titus reveals why he wants these two players on different teams come the NBA trade deadline.
SportYahoo SportsFantasy Basketball Trade Tips: Take action if you’re at the bottom of the standings
This week's players to target in trades bring risk, but if your fantasy team is struggling, they also offer the type of upside to help you rebound.
SportAustralian Associated PressKings forward Cooks won't get hopes up for MVP award
Past experience is reminding Sydney Kings forward Xavier Cooks not to get his hopes up after being shortlisted for the NBL's MVP award.Cooks was in contention for All-NBL First Team honours last season as the Kings made a charge into the play-offs but lost out to Perth Wildcats forward Vic Law and instead featured in the All-NBL Second Team.
SportAustralian Associated PressNo Simmons, but Mills stars as Nets beat Lakers
Patty Mills has produced a match-winning display in the absence of his high-profile teammates to help lift Brooklyn to a 121-104 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.The Nets entered the clash missing Australian Ben Simmons (knee) and Kevin Durant (knee), while superstars LeBron James (ankle) and Anthony Davis (foot) were absent for the Lakers.
SportYahoo SportsLeBron James ruled out for Monday's game vs. Nets, remains 117 points away from NBA scoring record
LeBron James will rest his left ankle after playing 44 minutes against the Celtics on Saturday.
SportYahoo SportsPacers coach Rick Carlisle says Myles Turner isn't getting traded: 'He's off the trade block'
Myles Turner signed a 2-year, $60 million extension with the Pacers on Saturday.
SportYahoo SportsFantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Go add Jeremy Sochan in every league he's available
The Spurs forward leads Dan Titus' fantasy basketball waiver wire pickup options for Week 16!
SportAustralian Associated PressCleveland clutch as 36ers edge Taipans
The Adelaide 36ers have shaken up the race for the NBL playoffs with a hard fought 99-96 win over the Cairns Taipans to snap a five-game losing streak.Antonious Cleveland came alive in the fourth quarter with 11 points as the 36ers held on in a frantic finish at the Cairns Convention Centre on Monday night to blow the race for second on the ladder and an automatic semi-final berth wide open, as well as keeping their playoff aspirations alive.
SportAustralian Associated PressAntetokounmpo scores 50 for Bucks in NBA
Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has scored 50 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as his Milwaukee Bucks trounced New Orleans 135-110.Antetokounmpo collected 29 points and 10 boards in the first half alone, helping the Bucks (33-17) build a big lead early, and they never trailed in Sunday's home match.
SportAustralian Associated PressCooks, Creek, Cotton up for NBL MVP award
Xavier Cooks, Mitch Creek and Bryce Cotton have been announced as the three nominees for the NBL's most valuable player award.The winners of the MVP trophy and the league's other accolades will be announced on February 7, in the lead-up to the play-offs.
SportAustralian Associated PressKings hold off Phoenix, seal top spot
The Sydney Kings have survived a late scare to seal top spot on the NBL ladder with a 111-106 win over South East Melbourne Phoenix at Qudos Bank Arena.After leading at every change on Sunday - and by as many as nine points in the fourth quarter - the Kings fell behind with little more than a minute to play before holding their nerve in the clutch.
SportAustralian Associated PressJackJumpers vault past Wildcats in NBL
An inspired 22-6 closing run has virtually guaranteed the Tasmania JackJumpers a second finals berth in as many seasons of their existence, in a vital 102-94 NBL win over the Perth Wildcats at MyState Bank Arena.After a bright start in Hobart on Sunday afternoon, the JackJumpers were progressively outplayed across the middle terms, falling behind by nine points before steamrolling the Wildcats down the stretch.
SportAustralian Associated PressEmbiid bests MVP rival Jokic in NBA
Joel Embiid has won the battle of NBA MVP candidates with 47 points and 18 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers extended their winning streak to seven games with a 126-119 win over Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.For a second straight game Embiid started after being listed as a game-time decision with left foot soreness but it did not slow his scoring in Saturday night's clash in Philadelphia.
SportAustralian Associated PressCairns continue push for top two NBL spot
Cairns Taipans have maintained their stranglehold on second in the NBL and clinched a playoff spot with an important 94-87 win over state rivals Brisbane.Adam Forde's side is now one win ahead of New Zealand in the standings, after the Breakers thwarted a late comeback in Saturday's earlier game against Melbourne United.
SportAustralian Associated PressNBL Breakers clinch play-offs, beat United
New Zealand Breakers have punched their ticket to the NBL play-offs for the first time since 2017-2018 and are in the hunt for an automatic semi-final berth with just two games remaining following a second-half blitz against Melbourne United.The Breakers trailed for the majority of Saturday's contest in Auckland but frequently found their way to the free-throw line in the back end of the match and ultimately snapped United's five-game winning streak with an 80-74 victory.
SportAustralian Associated PressGilgeous-Alexander, Giddey lift Thunder
Young Australian Josh Giddey played another crucial supporting role as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander blew away the Cleveland Cavaliers with a dominating performance for Oklahoma City in the NBA.Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points, his fourth consecutive total of at least 30, as the Thunder beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-100 on Friday night.
SportYahoo SportsFantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Lakers-Wizards trade creates pickup opportunities
While the Lakers-Wizards trade was far from a blockbuster, it improved the fantasy stock of some players on this week's list of priority adds.
