11:32 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN WASHINGTON — As the media session for Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. wound to a close Tuesday morning, amid trade talks and infighting among his teammates, he was thrown a lifeline by a reporter. For as bad as things are now, with the Wizards being 5-11 entering Tuesday night’s

6:35 PM ET ESPN News Services Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love said Tuesday that he expects to remain out until “sometime after the new year.” Love underwent toe surgery Nov. 2, and the Cavs said at the time that he would be out at least six weeks. Six weeks from the surgery would be Dec.

5:53 PM ET Associated Press WILMINGTON, N.C. — Michael Jordan returned to his hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina, and met with some hurricane victims who benefited from his $2 million donation. Stephanie Parker, her husband and four young children spent nearly months living in shelters provided by the American Red Cross, which Jordan helped fund.

5:43 PM ET Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for directing inappropriate language toward a fan during a recent game in Dallas. According to the league, the exchange occurred during the first quarter of the Warriors’ 112-109 loss to the Mavericks on Saturday. The incident capped a

2:27 PM ET Adrian WojnarowskiESPN The NBA has hired Rod Strickland as program manager for its G League professional path program. Strickland, a 17-year NBA veteran and former college assistant, will evaluate elite prospects, as well as educate and mentor them on the new initiative that offers select high school prospects the option to bypass

2:22 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN WASHINGTON — In the wake of multiple stories detailing infighting within the Washington Wizards, outbursts at practices last week and the possibility of trading any player on the roster — including star guards John Wall and Bradley Beal — the franchise attempted to put a brave face on the situation

1:20 PM ET In the wake of JR Smith saying the Cleveland Cavaliers are tanking, he is not with the team as it works on a trade, sources told ESPN’s Brian Windhorst Tuesday. The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 7. When LeBron James left for the Los Angeles Lakers this past offseason, the Cavaliers put

11:38 AM ET Philadelphia 76ers point guard Markelle Fultz will be out until he sees a shoulder specialist early next week, Fultz’s agent, Raymond Brothers, told ESPN. The news was first reported by The Athletic. Fultz, the 2017 No. 1 overall draft pick, missed most of his rookie season with a shoulder injury. Fultz was

9:44 AM ET When LeBron James left for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Cleveland Cavaliers put on a brave face and said the plan was still to make the playoffs. JR Smith isn’t buying it. A loss to the Pistons Monday dropped the Cavs to 2-13, the worst record in the league. “I don’t think

12:46 AM ET Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Buddy Hield made three consecutive 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter and scored 25 points, Marvin Bagley III had his first career double-double and the Sacramento Kings beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-113 on Monday night to spoil Russell Westbrook‘s return. Iman Shumpert scored 21 of his