2025-06-30 06:00:30.137

LeBron James is officially returning to the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2025-26 season, exercising his $52.6 million option. This decision marks a historic moment, as it will make James the first NBA player to ever play 23 seasons. The news was initially reported by ESPN and The Athletic, and later confirmed by an anonymous source speaking to the Associated Press. James, who recently recovered from a knee injury, previously stated his intention to return for training camp in late September. His decision pushes his career on-court earnings to approximately $580 million. The upcoming season will be James's first full year playing alongside Luka Doncic, who was traded to the Lakers in February. Despite reaching the postseason as the Western Conference's No. 3 seed, the Lakers were eliminated in the first round by Minnesota. At 41 years old, James continues to defy expectations, having been an All-NBA pick in 21 of his 22 seasons. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists last season. With 1,562 regular-season games played, James is just 49 games away from surpassing Robert Parish's all-time record of 1,611 games.

2025-06-29 18:00:45.065

LeBron James is exercising his $52.6 million option with the Los Angeles Lakers for 2025-26, confirming he will become the first player in NBA history to play a 23rd season. James, who recently recovered from a knee injury, told the AP earlier this month that he expected to be ready for training camp, hinting at his return. This decision pushes his career on-court earnings to about $580 million. The upcoming season will be his first full year with Luka Doncic as a teammate. James turns 41 in December and has been an All-NBA pick in 21 of his 22 seasons. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists last season. If healthy, he'll likely break Robert Parish's record for most regular-season games played.

2025-06-23 06:00:56.059

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals to claim their first NBA championship since relocating to Oklahoma City. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, already the regular season MVP, earned Finals MVP honors with a game-high 29 points. The game took a dramatic turn in the first quarter when Pacers' star point guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered an apparent Achilles injury, forcing him to leave the game. Despite this setback, the Pacers, led by Pascal Siakam, managed to take a narrow 48-47 lead into halftime. However, the Thunder dominated the second half, unleashing a series of three-pointers and tightening their defense. They outscored the Pacers significantly in the third and fourth quarters, building an insurmountable lead. The Thunder's victory marks a significant milestone for the franchise and cements Gilgeous-Alexander's status as a superstar. The game also highlighted the resilience of both teams, with the Pacers battling despite the loss of their key player, and the Thunder showcasing their defensive prowess and offensive firepower.

2025-06-22 06:00:35.815

Game 6 of the NBA Finals is over, and the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder are focused on the upcoming Game 7. The series has been a back-and-forth battle, with Indiana leading 1-0 and 2-1, and Oklahoma City leading 3-2. Game 7 will be the first winner-take-all NBA Finals game since 2016. Both teams acknowledge the privilege of playing in a Game 7, and understand that the better team will win. Historically, home teams have an advantage in Game 7s, but recently, road teams have been more successful. Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton is playing despite a strained calf, thanks to his family's support. The Thunder, despite being heavy favorites, lost Game 6 due to a strong Indiana run. For the Thunder, winning Game 7 means securing the championship, while a loss would mark them as one of the best regular-season teams to fail to win a title. Both teams are confident heading into Game 7, and are prepared for a final showdown.

2025-06-06 18:01:10.792

Tyrese Haliburton hit a game-winning shot at the buzzer to give the Indiana Pacers a stunning 111-110 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The Pacers overcame a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter, fueled by two 12-2 runs, to snatch the win. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 38 points, but Haliburton's clutch shot silenced the Paycom Arena crowd. The Thunder dominated much of the game, forcing 24 Indiana turnovers, and led by as much as 15 points in the fourth quarter. Despite the Thunder's strong defense and Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP-caliber performance, the Pacers' resilience and Haliburton's heroics secured an improbable victory. The Pacers' comeback was punctuated by key contributions from players like Pascal Siakam and clutch three-pointers throughout the game. The series continues with Game 2 on Sunday.

2025-04-09 06:03:04.941

Luka Doncic's night ended early during the Lakers' 136-120 loss to the Thunder on Tuesday. Referee JT Orr issued a second technical foul, believing Doncic had directed inappropriate comments towards him. However, Doncic maintains he was responding to a courtside fan. The incident occurred with 7:40 left in the fourth, after Doncic hit a key jumper, putting the Lakers ahead 108-107. Doncic stated he's never had a fan ejected but always responds when spoken to. LeBron James also commented on the situation, suggesting the referee took Doncic's words personally. Crew chief Tony Brothers claimed Doncic used vulgar language directed at an official. This was Doncic's second technical foul; his first came in the third quarter. With 14 technical fouls this season, he's two away from an automatic one-game suspension. The ejection significantly impacted the Lakers, contributing to the Thunder's 28-11 game-ending run.