Basketball

Basketball

Timeline: Kyle Lowry’s biggest moments with the Toronto Raptors

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 9:53 AM CDT

TORONTO - Kyle Lowry will have his jersey retired by the Toronto Raptors after a 20-year NBA career that included nine seasons with the franchise, six all-star selections and its first NBA championship.

Here is a look at some of the defining moments from Lowry's Raptors career.

July 2012: The Raptors acquired Lowry from Houston in a trade that sent Gary Forbes and a protected future first-round draft pick the other way. Then-general manager Bryan Colangelo described him as bringing "toughness, grit and playmaking" to Toronto.

May 4, 2014: He scored a game-high 28 points in Game 7 of Toronto's first-round series against Brooklyn, but Paul Pierce blocked his buzzer-beating attempt in a 104-103 loss. The image of Lowry lying on the Air Canada Centre court became one of the defining moments of his Raptors career.

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Basketball

Toronto Raptors to raise Kyle Lowry’s No. 7 to rafters in January retirement ceremony

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Toronto Raptors to raise Kyle Lowry’s No. 7 to rafters in January retirement ceremony

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:14 AM CDT

TORONTO - The Toronto Raptors will retire Kyle Lowry's No. 7 following their Jan. 10 game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Lowry will become the second player in franchise history to have his number raised to the rafters at Scotiabank Arena, joining Vince Carter.

The 40-year-old retired in July after signing a one-day contract with Toronto to end his 20-year NBA career as a Raptor.

“I’ve been looking forward to this moment for years. I always said that Toronto is home, and that I’d retire a Raptor, and to see my No. 7 go up in that building is going to mean everything to me,” Lowry said in a statement. 

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:14 AM CDT

Basketball

Reports: Canadian Mathurin signs two-year, US$16m deal with New Orleans Pelicans

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Reports: Canadian Mathurin signs two-year, US$16m deal with New Orleans Pelicans

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

NEW ORLEANS - Canadian guard Bennedict Mathurin is headed to the New Orleans Pelicans, according to multiple reports.

ESPN's Shams Charania was first to report Wednesday that the Montreal native has agreed to a two-year, US$16-million deal that includes a player option.

The 24-year-old averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 54 games with Indiana and the L.A. Clippers last season.

Mathurin was traded to the Clippers in February after spending his first three-and-a-half NBA seasons with the Pacers.

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Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Basketball

DeMar DeRozan agrees with Nuggets on 1-year deal for veteran minimum, AP source says

Patrick Graham, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

DeMar DeRozan agrees with Nuggets on 1-year deal for veteran minimum, AP source says

Patrick Graham, The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Aug. 21, 2026

DENVER (AP) — DeMar DeRozan has agreed to sign a one-year contract with the Denver Nuggets worth the veteran minimum of $3.9 million, a person with knowledge of the deal said Friday.

It will be DeRozan's fifth team in his 18th season for a six-time All-Star looking for his first championship. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement hasn't been announced.

The addition of DeRozan gives the Nuggets a veteran backcourt presence after sending young, versatile wing Peyton Watson to Cleveland as part of a four-team trade. The 23-year-old Watson started a career-high 40 games last season and averaged career bests in points (14.6), rebounds (4.9) and assists (2.1).

DeRozan, the ninth overall pick by Toronto in 2009, spent his first nine seasons with the Raptors, only to get traded to San Antonio for Kawhi Leonard as his former team won the title in Leonard's only season in 2018-19.

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Friday, Aug. 21, 2026

Basketball

Mavs buy out Klay Thompson, who could join Heat after Doncic trade wrecked Dallas tenure

Schuyler Dixon, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Mavs buy out Klay Thompson, who could join Heat after Doncic trade wrecked Dallas tenure

Schuyler Dixon, The Associated Press 3 minute read Friday, Aug. 21, 2026

DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks and Klay Thompson have agreed on a contract buyout, ending a two-year tenure that was wrecked by the shocking trade of Luka Doncic.

Thompson intends to sign with the Miami Heat once he clears waivers, according to a person familiar with the five-time All-Star’s plans. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because Thompson has yet to reveal that detail publicly. Assuming he is not claimed by another club, Thompson may be able to sign with the Heat as early as Sunday.

The buyout announcement comes after the Mavericks missed the playoffs in both of Thompson’s seasons, which came after Doncic led Dallas to the NBA Finals in 2024.

Thompson joined Dallas in a sign-and-trade with Golden State, giving the Mavericks one of the league's all-time great 3-point shooters to complement Doncic and another high-scoring guard in Kyrie Irving.

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Friday, Aug. 21, 2026

Basketball

James Harden agrees to 3-year, $97-million contract to remain with Cavaliers, AP sources say

Joe Reedy, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

James Harden agrees to 3-year, $97-million contract to remain with Cavaliers, AP sources say

Joe Reedy, The Associated Press 2 minute read Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026

James Harden agreed to a three-year, $97 million contract to remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers, two people close to the situation told The Associated Press on Thursday.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced. It includes a player option for the 2028-29 season as well as a trade kicker.

Harden declined his $42.3 million player option for the upcoming season, but he indicated after the Cavaliers were swept in four games by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals that he would like to return. He also wanted to wait until the Cavaliers were done making a couple moves before his new agreement was in place.

The 36-year-old Harden will be going into his 18th NBA season. He averaged 10.7 points and 1.7 turnovers for the Cavaliers in 26 regular-season games after being acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers for Darius Garland on Feb. 4. 

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Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026

Basketball

Toronto Raptors sign second-year guard Malachi Smith ahead of training camp

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Toronto Raptors sign second-year guard Malachi Smith ahead of training camp

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Monday, Aug. 17, 2026

TORONTO - The Toronto Raptors signed free agent guard Malachi Smith on Monday.

Smith averaged 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 23.9 minutes in 15 games (four starts) with the Brooklyn Nets last season. 

He shot .485 from the field, including .435 from three-point range, and scored in double figures six times with one double-double. 

Smith recorded a season-high 19 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds on April 10 at Milwaukee. 

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Monday, Aug. 17, 2026

Basketball

NBA disputes ESPN article on investigation of Clippers owner Steve Ballmer

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

NBA disputes ESPN article on investigation of Clippers owner Steve Ballmer

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Monday, Aug. 17, 2026

The NBA is disputing claims made in an ESPN article about the league's investigation of Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.

ESPN published a story Monday morning citing three sources that said the NBA found no evidence showing that Ballmer funnelled money through team sponsors to pay Kawhi Leonard in order to circumvent the salary cap.

The article alleged that the NBA is instead focused on if the team's introduction of Leonard to team sponsors constitutes a violation of the league's rules prohibiting salary cap circumvention.

NBA spokesman Mike Bass issued a statement Monday afternoon that send the ESPN article "contains numerous and significant inaccuracies."

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Monday, Aug. 17, 2026

Basketball

Josh Kushner moves into spotlight after stunning purchase of Lakers with partner Bob Iger

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Josh Kushner moves into spotlight after stunning purchase of Lakers with partner Bob Iger

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 5 minute read Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026

LOS ANGELES (AP) — For a billionaire and a tech investor who also has one of the U.S.' best-known surnames, Josh Kushner has managed to stay off the front pages and out of the world's broader discourse to a remarkable degree.

That's all changed this summer, at least in the parts of the world with a passion for sports.

The 41-year-old Kushner and his partner, former Disney CEO Bob Iger, reached a stunning agreement this week to buy the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter at a valuation of $12.5 billion — the highest ever for a team sports sale.

It's been a wild two weeks for the 41-year-old Kushner, who followed up his failed attempt to purchase a stake in future World Cup profits in a much-criticized plan orchestrated by FIFA President Gianni Infantino by acquiring the glamorous Lakers in a shockingly swift deal.

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Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026

Basketball

Raptors to open season against visiting Bulls, host Knicks on back-to-back nights

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Raptors to open season against visiting Bulls, host Knicks on back-to-back nights

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026

TORONTO - The Toronto Raptors will open the upcoming NBA season at home for the 14th time in 15 years.

The NBA announced its full 2026-27 schedule on Thursday, and the Raptors will kick things off Oct. 21 against Chicago at Scotiabank Arena.

Toronto's first road game comes two days later at Washington.

Notable home games include back-to-back matches against the reigning champion New York Knicks on Nov. 15 and 17, and a visits from Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 10 and Canadian star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 10.

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Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026

Basketball

Neepawa hoops community grows through immigration

Thomas Friesen 7 minute read Preview

Neepawa hoops community grows through immigration

Thomas Friesen 7 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026

NEEPAWA — Robinson Roa thought he left his entire life behind when he moved to Brandon from the Philippines in 2021.

Six years after getting married, Roa took the leap of faith when Maple Leaf Foods — now Canada Packers — was recruiting butchers through the temporary foreign worker program. He just knew he wanted a better life for his wife and young children.

Though Roa was on the other side of the world, he found a small piece of home in the Brandon Ballers basketball team.

Every weekend throughout the winter — as long as the pork processing plant isn’t working overtime — Roa and his Filipino teammates carpool north on Highway 10 to play in the Neepawa Ballers league.

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Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026

Basketball

Raptors grouped with Magic, Bucks, Pistons and Nets in NBA Cup

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Raptors grouped with Magic, Bucks, Pistons and Nets in NBA Cup

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026

TORONTO - The Toronto Raptors will open their 2026 NBA Cup schedule against the Orlando Magic in a matchup of two group winners.

The NBA released the schedule for its annual in-season tournament Wednesday. All games except the final count in the regular-season standings.

The Raptors will host the Magic when the fourth edition of the tournament opens Oct. 30. 

Toronto will then visit Milwaukee on Nov. 6 and Detroit on Nov. 20 before hosting Brooklyn on Nov. 27.

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Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026

Basketball

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers are being sold to businessmen Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for a record-breaking price, the second such sale in a year.

This sale agreement is $12.5 billion, according to a person familiar with the terms who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because neither side revealed specific details.

ESPN first reported that Kushner and Iger are buying the NBA's most valuable franchise, which was valued last year at $10 billion when Mark Walter purchased a controlling stake from the Buss family. The two businessmen had been involved in trying to get an expansion team for Las Vegas.

By buying the Lakers, Iger and Kushner simply don’t have to wait for that decision. Expansion, if it happens, could take place in the 2028-29 season.

Basketball

Don Nelson, second-winningest NBA coach who won 5 titles as a Celtics player, dies at 86

John Raby, The Associated Press 4 minute read Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026

Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history who won five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics, died Sunday. He was 86.

Nelson’s death was announced by the Golden State Warriors, one of the teams he coached. They did not release details.

Nelson is one of two coaches in NBA history to have at least 250 wins with three different franchises — Milwaukee, Dallas and Golden State — also serving as general manager for all three franchises. He was a three-time coach of the year and made the playoffs 18 times in 31 seasons. He went to the conference finals three times with the Bucks and once with the Mavericks, never winning a title.

Nelson introduced what is now known as the point forward, and his up-tempo style of offense created a buzz. He said the idea of shifting from the dominant big men of the 1970s to an offense focused on speed and the fast break came from his playing days under Celtics Hall of Fame coach Red Auerbach.

Basketball

Bobcats add well-travelled guard Lupetu

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Preview

Bobcats add well-travelled guard Lupetu

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026

Kevin Lupetu hoped this day would come, but certainly didn’t anticipate the detours before signing with a U Sports men’s basketball team.

The 24-year-old is joining the Brandon University Bobcats for the 2026-27 Canada West season later than he hoped, but he’s grateful nonetheless.

“I feel super, super excited because I’ve been praying for this for a long time,” Lupetu said. “It’s a good feeling when one of your prayers is being answered. I can’t wait to get on campus, see the guys and the coaching staff and everything.”

The six-foot-two guard said he talked to BU coach Gil Cheung three years ago, while he played for Montmorency in Quebec’s CEGEP Division 2.

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Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026

Basketball

Suns forward Dillon Brooks agrees to $73 million, three-year extension, AP sources say

David Brandt, The Associated Press 1 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026

PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns and veteran forward Dillon Brooks agreed to a $73 million, three-year extension on Wednesday that will keep him with the team through 2030, according to two people familiar with the deal.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been announced.

The 30-year-old Brooks, from Mississauga, Ont., averaged a career-high 20.2 points last season, his first with the Suns. He provided scoring and a hard-nosed defensive personality that helped the team make a surprise run to the playoffs.

Brooks is entering the final season of an $86 million, four-year deal he signed with the Houston Rockets in 2023.

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