NBA 101

Garland’s debut fuels Cavs’ season-best scoring

With Darius Garland directing the offense after missing the first seven games, the Cavs scored a season-high 132 points in Wednesday’s victory over the Sixers.

🏀 Debating four early-season storylines

ESPN national analysts Zach Kram and Kevin Pelton debate the biggest early-season questions about Victor Wembanyama, Austin Reaves, Cooper Flagg and more.

Lindsey Harding, an incredible journey to the Lakers’ bench and an unprecedented next step

She was the No. 1 pick in the 2007 WNBA draft. She has played all over the world and coached through triumph and horror. Now, Harding is not only a leading voice for JJ Redick, LeBron and the Lakers, but is on the short list for future NBA head coaches.

Jazz C Kessler set for season-ending surgery

Jazz center Walker Kessler will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Magic’s Bane tossed after firing ball at Okongwu

Desmond Bane was ejected Tuesday after committing a hard foul on Onyeka Okongwu and firing the ball at the Hawks’ center while he fell to the floor.

NBA officials reportedly meeting with U.S. Congressional committee following gambling arrest of Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier

NBA officials reportedly met with a U.S. Congressional committee Wednesday following the FBI arrests of Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier for alleged illegal gambling, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The meeting was meant to serve as a briefing covering the league’s partnerships with sportsbooks. It was also supposed to cover measures aimed at preventing “illegal use of non-public information,” per Charania.

Billups, Rozier and former Cleveland Cavaliers player and assistant coach Damon Jones were among the 30+ individuals arrested by the FBI in October in connection with two separate, but related, gambling probes.

In the wake of those arrests, the NBA’s partnerships with sportsbooks have come under scrutiny, especially after Rozier and Jones were accused of sharing inside information with bettors who used that information to place — and win — wagers. 

Rozier was accused of telling a co-conspirator how long he would play in a specific game so that co-conspirator could place wagers on Rozier’s unders in that contest. 

Jones was accused of giving inside information on the status of injured NBA players to bettors. In one such instance, it’s believed Jones may have informed bettors that Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James would miss a contest due to an ankle injury.

Billups was accused of knowingly participating in an illegal, rigged poker game involving the Mafia.

Billups — who was coaching the Portland Trail Blazers — and Rozier — a member of the Miami Heat — were placed on leave by the NBA shortly after their arrests. With Billups on leave, the Trail Blazers announced Tiago Splitter would take over as the team’s interim coach.

At the time of that announcement, the NBA stated it would “continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities.” Wednesday’s meeting could be the next step in that process, though it’s unclear if the briefing will lead to immediate action by either side. 

This story will be updated.

Morant mum on feelings after return from ban

Grizzlies star Ja Morant returned from his one-game suspension and had 18 points and 10 assists in a loss to the Pistons.

C’s Brown irate at apparent no-call: ‘Unacceptable’

Celtics star wing Jaylen Brown was irate after an apparent no-call late in Monday’s 105-103 loss to the Utah Jazz that he said “cost us the game.”

Sources: Kings, Achiuwa agree to one-year deal

The Kings have agreed to a one-year veteran minimum deal with center Precious Achiuwa, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.