SPORTS

JAZZ ACQUIRE JAREN JACKSON JR. IN BLOCKBUSTER SEVEN-PLAYER TRADE WITH GRIZZLIES

Photo Credit:Getty Images

The Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to trade star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz in a seven player deal, according to sources who spoke with ESPN’s Shams Charania.

LEBRON JAMES EMOTIONAL AS CAVALIERS HONOR HIM IN POTENTIAL FINAL HOMECOMING GAME

Photo Credit:Automation

LeBron James fought back tears on Wednesday night as the Cleveland Cavaliers honored him in what could prove to be the final hometown appearance of his storied NBA career.

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL, CHARLES BARKLEY SKEPTICAL OF PAUL GEORGE'S MENTAL HEALTH CLAIM AFTER SUSPENSION

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Philadelphia 76ers superstar Paul George was recently suspended for 25 games by the NBA for violating the league’s Anti-Drug Program. While this is undoubtedly a controversial matter, the statement released by George following his suspension has raised some eyebrows.

SPURA’ VICTOR WEMBAYAMA SAYS HE IS “HORRIFIED” BY FATAL SHOOTINGS IN MINNESOTA

Photo Credit:Getty Images

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has said he feels deeply disturbed following two fatal shootings involving immigration agents in Minnesota, describing his reaction as one of horror after learning of the deaths.

STEVEN ADAMS TO MISS THE REST OF THE SEASON DUE TO ANKLE INJURY, TEAM CONFIRMS

Photo Credit:Getty Images

Houston Rockets center Steven Adams will miss the rest of the NBA season after surgery on his left ankle, the team said Wednesday.

The 32-year-old New Zealander, who was drafted 12th overall in 2013 by the Oklahoma City Thunder, was injured in a January 18 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, coming down awkwardly after rising to guard Zion Williamson at the basket.

“Adams is expected to make a full recovery but will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season,” the Rockets said in a statement.

Adams was enjoying a resurgent season after recovering from a knee injury that hindered him over the three prior campaigns. He averaged 5.8 points and 8.6 rebounds in 32 games this season, helping the Rockets establish themselves as the league’s top-rebounding team with 49 per game.

The Rockets will now turn to Clint Capela to back up star center Alperen Sengun.

The Rockets had already lost guard Fred VanVleet to a torn knee ligament in September.

They go into their game against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday with a 28-16 record, fourth in the Western Conference but just two games behind the second-placed Spurs.

DETROIT PISTONS ENJOYING RISE BACK TO THE TOP OF THE NBA STANDINGS AFTER YEARS OF STRUGGLE

Photo Credit:Alex Slitz/Getty Images

After years sputtering at rock bottom, the resurgent Detroit Pistons have motored back to the top of the NBA’s Eastern Conference.

MAXEY AND EMBIID STAR AS 76ERS DOWN ROCKETS IN OVERTIME THRILLER

Photo Credit:AFP

The Philadelphia 76ers, fueled by 36 points from Tyrese Maxey and a triple-double from Joel Embiid, beat the Houston Rockets 128-122 in an NBA overtime thriller on Thursday.

The Cameroonian big man Embiid scored 32 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and handed out 10 assists, posting the ninth triple-double of his career to help the Sixers end the Rockets’ three- game winning streak.

Rockets star Kevin Durant scored 36 points, and Amen Thompson added 17, but Thompson was scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Even so, the Rockets led by nine midway through the final frame, Maxey tying it at 115-115 with 40.1 seconds left.

Durant missed a potential go-ahead basket, then blocked a Maxey shot as they went to overtime, the Sixers arguing for a goaltending call that would have sealed a win for them, but didn’t come.

Philadelphia opened the extra session with five straight points and held on for a win punctuated by a Maxey dunk.

“We locked in,” Embiid said. “Obviously, it starts on defence. We played faster; we didn’t walk the ball up. At the end of the fourth and overtime, we executed.”

Embiid said Philadelphia did a better job guarding Durant in the second half.

“Obviously, it’s KD,” he said.

“I told the guys at half-time in the first half, it was too easy for him.

“I just told them we needed to lock in and kind of shrink the floor, and then we did a better job of that in the second half.” In Dallas, Naji Marshall scored 30 points and handed out nine assists to lead the Mavericks to a fourth straight victory, 123-115 over the Golden State Warriors.

Rookie Cooper Flagg and Max Christie added 21 points apiece for the Mavericks, who withstood a 38-point performance from Warriors star Stephen Curry, including eight three- pointers.

The Warriors have lost two straight since losing Jimmy Butler for the season with a torn knee ligament.

Jonathan Kuminga, pressed into service due to Butler’s injury, scored 10 points for the Warriors before departing in the second quarter after hyperextending his left knee.

There is more uncertainty for the Warriors and Kuminga, who had reportedly demanded a trade after being benched for 16 games by coach Steve Kerr. The Chicago Bulls welcomed the return of Australian point guard Josh Giddey with a 120-115 victory over the Timberwolves in Minnesota.

Giddey, sidelined since December 20 with a hamstring injury, came off the bench to score 21 points.

Julius Randle led all scorers with 30 points for Minnesota as T’Wolves star Anthony Edwards finished with 20, connecting on just nine of his 25 attempts from the field.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER FINALLY COME OUT ON TOP OVER SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder snapped a three-game losing streak against the San Antonio Spurs with a 119-98 victory over their Western Conference rivals on Tuesday.