Basketball

Raptors eye best player available with 19th pick in next week’s NBA draft

Abdulhamid Ibrahim, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 16, 2026

TORONTO - The message was clear from Dan Tolzman.

The Toronto Raptors will be sticking to the script in going for the best player available in next week's NBA draft.

With the deepest draft class in recent memory on offer, the team's assistant general manager shared some insight into a potential route to take at pick No. 19. The draft is taking place on June 23-24 in Brooklyn, N.Y.

"We've got a lot of really interesting bigs but I think everyone knows we don't (have) lob threats (and) shot blocking; that's probably the side of the bigs that we have lacked," Tolzman said.

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Basketball

After 53 years, the New York Knicks are NBA champions. And the wait sure seemed worth it

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 7 minute read Sunday, Jun. 14, 2026

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Knowing New York had waited 53 years to see the Knicks hoist the NBA championship trophy, owner James Dolan didn't even wait to be handed the 30-pound gold-plated prize.

He grabbed it and lifted it skyward with a yell.

“I want to say something to New York,” Dolan shouted. “Hey New York! I'm sorry it took so long! But here we are, and hopefully it won't take that long again!”

The New York Knicks are champions of the NBA for the first time since 1973, beating the San Antonio Spurs in five games for this title. The clincher came Saturday night in a 94-90 victory, the Knicks' fourth comeback win of the series.

Basketball

Brunson scores 45 and The Comeback Knicks are NBA champions after beating Spurs 94-90

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Brunson scores 45 and The Comeback Knicks are NBA champions after beating Spurs 94-90

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 5 minute read Sunday, Jun. 14, 2026

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Jalen Brunson and the Comeback Knicks did it again. And now they're the Champion Knicks.

For the first time in 53 years, New York rules the NBA. Brunson scored 45 points, including 13 straight for New York in the fourth quarter, and the Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night.

The Knicks won the series 4-1, rallying from double-digit deficits in all four of those victories. The deficit was 16 on Saturday night. Brunson and the Knicks were never fazed.

“I have no words,” Brunson, the NBA Finals MVP, said during the on-court celebration. “It's everything I ever dreamed of.”

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Sunday, Jun. 14, 2026

Basketball

James Harden is arrested in Houston on a misdemeanor charge of carrying a weapon in a motor vehicle

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

James Harden is arrested in Houston on a misdemeanor charge of carrying a weapon in a motor vehicle

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 2 minute read Saturday, Jun. 13, 2026

Cleveland Cavaliers player James Harden was arrested on Saturday in Houston on a misdemeanor charge of unlawful carrying of a weapon in a motor vehicle, according to the Harris County District Clerk’s Office.

Harden was arrested at 3:41 a.m. and booked just before 5 a.m., then posted $100 bond and was released from police custody, according to charging documents, which said he had a handgun in plain view that was not in a holster.

His arraignment is scheduled for June 22, according to the clerk’s office website. Harden is listed as a Houston resident in court documents.

“The Cleveland Cavaliers are aware of the arrest of James Harden this morning and are in the process of gathering additional information,” the team said in a statement. “We are in contact with James and his representation and will continue to monitor developments as they become available. At this time, we will have no further comment.”

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Saturday, Jun. 13, 2026

Basketball

El Ouali transfers to BU women’s hoops

By Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Preview

El Ouali transfers to BU women’s hoops

By Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 16, 2026

Aya El Ouali is joining the Brandon University Bobcats at a good time.

The Dawson College guard is making the jump to U Sports from CEGEP as one of the best shooters in Bobcats women’s basketball history, Piper Ingalls, moves on.

El Ouali joins Sanford Collegiate star Halle Penner in the rookie class.

“She can shoot it with range, handle the ball really well and play out of the pick and roll. Obviously we lost some shooting with some of the departures we had in Cali Yates and Piper Ingalls, so she fills that gap for us,” said Bobcats head coach Ilarion Bonhomme.

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Tuesday, Jun. 16, 2026

Basketball

New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) shoots between San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) and guard De'aaron Fox (4) during the first half of Game 4 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

OG Anunoby puts the Knicks on the verge of a title and himself in the discussion for NBA Finals MVP

Brian Mahoney, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

OG Anunoby puts the Knicks on the verge of a title and himself in the discussion for NBA Finals MVP

Brian Mahoney, The Associated Press 5 minute read Thursday, Jun. 11, 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — When OG Anunoby is introduced at Madison Square Garden, it sounds like a 20,000-person singalong.

The anticipation builds as the public address announcer begins to reveal the second starter, a 6-foot-7 forward from Indiana. When he finally reaches the player's name, the fans scream it right along with him.

“O! ... G! ... AN-UN-OBY!!!!”

Early Thursday morning, fans again chanted Anunoby's name, this time in a bar outside the arena as they celebrated one of the most memorable moments in New York Knicks history.

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Thursday, Jun. 11, 2026

Basketball

The Spurs are still believers, but it’s the Knicks who are 1 game from winning the NBA title

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 5 minute read Thursday, Jun. 11, 2026

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama surely knew he was overstating the obvious, when he pointed out that there are two possible outcomes for Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night.

— San Antonio wins and extends the series.

— New York wins and becomes NBA champions.

That's it. It's one or the other. After 1,321 games — 1,230 in the regular season, 84 in the playoffs, six more in the play-in tournament and one between the Spurs and Knicks that decided the NBA Cup — it really is that simple. If Wembanyama and the Spurs win in San Antonio, the season lives for at least one more game. If the Knicks win, all that'll be left in this season will be a parade.

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Baseball

Sam Rempel is leaving Neelin High School as the Spartans male athlete of the year. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Rempel, Desjardin Neelin’s athletes of year

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Rempel, Desjardin Neelin’s athletes of year

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 9, 2026

Sam Rempel didn’t know what to expect when he transferred to Neelin from a tiny Edmonton school, one that made the smallest high school in Brandon look massive.

It turned out to be the exact push he needed to thrive in his senior year.

Rempel was named Neelin’s varsity boys athlete of the year on Tuesday, while Layla Desjardin earned the varsity girls’ honour.

“It’s incredible,” Rempel said. “Showing up at the volleyball team, I really didn’t know anything. To the point I’m at now, playing on a team like the (Brandon Volleyball Club) team, high in even the Canada rankings, being able to contribute, is awesome.”

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Tuesday, Jun. 9, 2026

Basketball

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks as New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) looks on during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Monday, June 8, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Victor Wembanyama carries Spurs to 115-111 win that cuts Knicks’ NBA Finals lead to 2-1

Brian Mahoney, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Victor Wembanyama carries Spurs to 115-111 win that cuts Knicks’ NBA Finals lead to 2-1

Brian Mahoney, The Associated Press 5 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 9, 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — Victor Wembanyama has his first NBA Finals win — and the New York Knicks suddenly have a lot of work left to end their 53-year championship drought.

Wembanyama had 32 points, eight rebounds and six assists, carrying the San Antonio Spurs to a 115-111 victory Monday night that cut the Knicks’ lead to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

San Antonio is trying to make a first-of-its-kind NBA Finals comeback, and the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama, with his array of skills, makes anything look possible.

“I’m sure Victor has numerous sources of motivation,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “I don’t think any of us are surprised or expect anything different than a strong performance.”

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Tuesday, Jun. 9, 2026

Basketball

Toronto Raptors general manager Bobby Webster speaks to media during a press conference in Toronto, Friday, September 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Raptors extend general manager Webster, promote him to executive vice president

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Raptors extend general manager Webster, promote him to executive vice president

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Monday, Jun. 8, 2026

TORONTO - The Toronto Raptors have signed general manager Bobby Webster to a multi-year extension and promoted him to executive vice president, the NBA club announced Monday.

The Raptors also extended contracts for key front office members Dan Tolzman, Keith Boyarsky and Tyla Flexman.

Webster, 41, is entering his 10th season as the Raptors' general manager. Terms of the extension were not disclosed.

He assumed full leadership of the Raptors' basketball operations in August 2025, weeks after former president Masai Ujiri was fired.

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Monday, Jun. 8, 2026

Basketball

San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, right, and New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) battle for the ball during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Friday, June 5, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Wemby misses at the end, Knicks beat Spurs 105-104 for 2-0 lead in NBA Finals

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Wemby misses at the end, Knicks beat Spurs 105-104 for 2-0 lead in NBA Finals

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 3 minute read Friday, Jun. 5, 2026

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Go crazy, New York. Or, perhaps more accurately, crazier.

The red-hot Knicks are going home, two wins away from an NBA championship that the capital of the world has been waiting to see for generations.

Jalen Brunson hit a go-ahead free throw with 9.5 seconds left after a turnover by Victor Wembanyama moments earlier, then Wembanyama missed a jumper at the end of New York’s 105-104 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night for a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Brunson and Mikal Bridges each scored 20 for the Knicks. They have won 13 straight, the second-longest streak by any team in NBA playoff history.

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Friday, Jun. 5, 2026

Basketball

Hall of Famer Rick Adelman, who won more than 1,000 games and took 2 teams to NBA Finals, dies at 79

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Hall of Famer Rick Adelman, who won more than 1,000 games and took 2 teams to NBA Finals, dies at 79

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 5 minute read Monday, Jun. 1, 2026

Rick Adelman, a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee who played for seven NBA seasons before becoming one of the game's all-time winningest coaches, has died, the National Basketball Coaches Association announced Monday.

Adelman, the father of Denver Nuggets coach David Adelman, was 79. The cause of his death was not immediately announced.

“The Denver Nuggets were extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Hall of Fame Head Coach Rick Adelman,” the Nuggets said Monday night. “Our thoughts are with head coach David Adelman, the entire Adelman family and the many friends and loved ones that were lucky enough to know Rick.”

Rick Adelman won 1,042 games as an NBA coach, 10th-most in league history. Only four other coaches — Pat Riley, Gregg Popovich, Jerry Sloan and George Karl — coached more games and had a better winning percentage than Adelman, who took the Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals twice and also was head coach in Sacramento, Houston, Minnesota and Golden State.

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Monday, Jun. 1, 2026

Basketball

Wembanyama, Spurs win the West, topple Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 to head to NBA Finals

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Wembanyama, Spurs win the West, topple Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 to head to NBA Finals

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 3 minute read Saturday, May. 30, 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs started the Western Conference finals with a win in Oklahoma City, then ended the series the same way.

The champions are dethroned. Wembanyama and the Spurs are headed to the NBA Finals.

Wembanyama scored 22 points, Julian Champagnie got 18 of his 20 off of 3-pointers and the Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 on Saturday night — bucking heavy odds to win a Game 7 on the road.

“This feeling, I can't explain it,” Wembanyama said. “It's so powerful.”

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Saturday, May. 30, 2026

Basketball

Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) shoots against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) in the second half of Game 6 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series, Thursday, May 28, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Spurs-Thunder will be record-tying 5th Game 7 in the NBA so far in these playoffs

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Spurs-Thunder will be record-tying 5th Game 7 in the NBA so far in these playoffs

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 4 minute read Friday, May. 29, 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — It is the year of Game 7.

For the fifth time in this year's playoffs, a series is coming down to the ultimate game. San Antonio will visit Oklahoma City on Saturday night in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals.

The others this season: Philadelphia beat Boston on the road in Round 1, Cleveland beat Toronto in Round 1, Detroit beat Orlando in Round 1 and Cleveland beat Detroit on the road in Round 2.

The five Game 7s this season tie the most in a single postseason. There also were that many in 1994, 2014 and 2016. And there have never been three instances of Game 7 road winners in the same season; the Spurs will aim to change that on Saturday.

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Friday, May. 29, 2026

Basketball

Game 7 awaits Spurs and Thunder, with NBA Finals berth against Knicks going to the winner

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Game 7 awaits Spurs and Thunder, with NBA Finals berth against Knicks going to the winner

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 5 minute read Friday, May. 29, 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The last time Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder played a Game 7 it was the ultimate game of ultimate games, one that decided last season's NBA championship.

And that's why, as the NBA's two-time Most Valuable Player spoke about the Game 7 that looms against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night to decide the Western Conference title, it might have seemed mildly surprising that he said these five words: “Biggest game of my career.”

“It's the next game,” he quickly added. “And if I lose, my season's over.”

Simple as that. Game 7. Spurs vs. Thunder. The winner goes to the NBA Finals to play the New York Knicks starting on Wednesday night, the loser goes home to lament what might have been. The Thunder went 2-0 in Game 7s last season on their way to the NBA title, while Spurs star Victor Wembanyama will be making his maiden appearance on the Game 7 stage.

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Friday, May. 29, 2026

Basketball

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) shoots against San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) in the second half of Game 6 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series, Thursday, May 28, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Wembanyama, Spurs send the West finals back to Oklahoma City for Game 7, routing the Thunder 118-91

Raul Dominguez, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Wembanyama, Spurs send the West finals back to Oklahoma City for Game 7, routing the Thunder 118-91

Raul Dominguez, The Associated Press 3 minute read Thursday, May. 28, 2026

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama had 28 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks and the San Antonio Spurs sent the Western Conference finals back to Oklahoma City for Game 7, routing the Thunder 118-91 on Thursday night.

Game 7 is Saturday night in Oklahoma City, with the winner hosting the New York Knicks on Wednesday night to open the NBA Finals.

Wembanyama and the Spurs responded to a listless 127-114 loss in Game 5 on Tuesday night with their most energized outing of this see-saw series.

“(Playing with desperation) just feels like it erases kind of all the little mistakes that we do that are human nature, whether it’s in the regular season or previous games,” Wembanyama said. “Just got to fight that all the time and put your backs against the wall. It feels like it’s the best opportunity to be able to play.”

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Thursday, May. 28, 2026

June 21, 2026

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