NBA 101

J. Cole breaks down why LeBron James was carrying his latest ‘The Fall-Off’ vinyl

The Los Angeles Lakers star brought the vinyl for the rapper to sign while James met Cole’s children.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver backs 65-game rule: 'I think it is working'

NBA commissioner Adam Silver backed the league’s 65-game rule during the board of governors meeting on Wednesday. The 65-game rule was implemented in the 2023-24 season, which requires NBA players to play at least 65 games to be eligible for awards such as MVP, All-NBA and Defensive Player of the Year.

“I’m not ready to say it’s not working,” Silver said. “It is working. I’m not ready to say because there is a sense of unfairness for one player, that the rule doesn’t work.”

Silver’s response comes after the National Basketball Players Association’s statement about Cade Cunningham’s award eligibility status on Tuesday. The union’s full statement read:

“Cade Cunningham’s potential ineligibility for postseason awards after a career-defining season is a clear indictment of the 65-game rule and yet another example of why it must be abolished or reformed to create an exception for significant injuries. Since it’s implementation, far too many deserving players have been unfairly disqualified from end-of-season honors by this arbitrary and overly rigid quota.”

Cunningham played 61 games and was expected to be in contention for All-NBA and MVP before going down Thursday with a collapsed lung. He will be reevaluated in early April. Cunningham has to play 4 more of the Detroit Pistons remaining 11 games to be eligible for awards.

This story will continue to be updated.

NBA votes to mull Vegas, Seattle expansion bids

The NBA’s board of governors has approved a vote for the league to explore bids and applicants for expansion teams exclusively in Las Vegas and Seattle.

Wemby states MVP case: Want to leave no debate

Victor Wembanyama is making it clear: He wants to win the NBA’s MVP Award this season.

OKC’s Williams returns: Wrist finally 100%, too

Jalen Williams made his return to the Thunder lineup Monday after missing 26 of the prior 28 games with a hamstring strain and said the time off helped his surgically repaired wrist as well.

Warriors’ Moody stretchered off with knee injury

Warriors wing Moses Moody suffered a noncontact left knee injury late in Monday night’s OT win in Dallas, exiting the floor on a stretcher.

🏀 Ranking best, worst moves since last summer

Bradley Beal to the Clippers? Jared McCain to the Thunder!? We ranked the best and worst moves since last offseason.

Lakers laud resiliency in losing effort to Pistons

The Lakers failed to extend their nine-game winning streak but still lauded their effort in rallying from a 16-point deficit in the second half.

‘Four more to go’: KD passes MJ on scoring list

Kevin Durant passed Michael Jordan for fifth on the NBA’s career scoring list after finishing with 27 points in a win over the Heat.