7:50 PM ET Kyrie Irving made a splash on Thursday night at the Boston Celtics‘ annual Fan Appreciation Night by announcing his intention to re-sign with them after season’s end. On Friday, he explained his decision further — casting light on the turnaround from his perceived indecision about whether to to stay in Boston. “I’m

7:25 PM ET Chris Paul has defended Carmelo Anthony and his addition to the Houston Rockets this season, saying Friday his good friend and 10-time All-Star has been a target of unwarranted criticism. “Obviously I’m a little biased because that’s one of my closest friends,” Paul said at training camp in Houston in an appearance

9:27 AM ET SHANGHAI — NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Friday that the league office is monitoring how the Dallas Mavericks are responding to allegations of improper workplace conduct that were not included in the investigative report released two weeks ago. The Dallas Morning News reported Friday, citing former female employees that spoke on the

1:01 AM ET LOS ANGELES — After he made history by becoming the first openly gay active male athlete in North America’s four major professional sports in 2014, Jason Collins thought there would be more professional gay male athletes to follow him. Our NBA experts answer the big questions as the season approaches. LeBron James

5:39 PM ET OAKLAND, Calif. — Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry will not travel to Friday night’s preseason game in Seattle against the Sacramento Kings. “Steph practiced,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Thursday. “There’s just a personal matter; he’s going to stay home.” All-Star forward Draymond Green (sore left knee) did not practice for

8:50 AM ET NBA InsidersESPN.com Which NBA teams and players are making the biggest early impressions? Who will be in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ best five-man lineup? Our NBA experts answer the big questions as the regular season approaches. 1. What are you watching most closely in the preseason? Jackie MacMullan, ESPN: I reserve the

11:38 PM ET Adrian WojnarowskiESPN The Miami Heat were pushing the Minnesota Timberwolves to accept a revised trade offer on Wednesday for All-Star forward Jimmy Butler, league sources told ESPN. Discussions have been ongoing for two weeks, but no trade was close or imminent late Wednesday night, league sources said. Jimmy Butler has told the

6:36 PM ET OAKLAND, Calif. — Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green had an MRI on his sore left knee and did not practice for the second straight day Wednesday as he continues rehabbing an injury that flared up after a scrimmage during Monday’s practice. Warriors coach Steve Kerr didn’t sound too concerned about the

2:27 AM ET SHANGHAI — Dirk Nowitzki’s availability for the Dallas Mavericks‘ season opener is in significant doubt as he continues to slowly recover from April ankle surgery. The 40-year-old face of the franchise has yet to practice with the Mavericks this preseason and will not do so during the team’s weeklong China trip. “This

1:38 PM ET Malika Andrews When the Milwaukee Bucks made Jabari Parker the No. 2 pick in the 2014 draft, the Chicago native assumed his move north would be long-lasting. But after just four seasons, Parker signed with his hometown Bulls this summer, and he returns to Milwaukee for a preseason game Wednesday night as