Basketball

The odds to win the NBA’s regular-season MVP have tightened, with the top two betting favorites — Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver’s Nikola Jokic — at risk of not qualifying for the award

In late 2002, Nike began creating a global campaign featuring the black mamba — and presented it to an NBA superstar. That star was not Kobe Bryant.

The Lakers lost to the Magic 110-109 on Tuesday after a botched sidelines out-of-bounds play between LeBron James and Luka Doncic in the final seconds failed to produce a quality shot.

New Lakers president of business operations Lon Rosen made it clear that GM Rob Pelinka will remain in his role and be flanked by Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi.

After the Cavaliers beat the Knicks on Tuesday night, coach Kenny Atkinson noted the “renewed confidence” the addition of James Harden has brought to his team.

Jonathan Kuminga, after months of riding the bench in Golden State, shined in his debut for the Hawks.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said the NBA did not speak with team doctors or players before issuing a $100K fine for violating the league’s player participation policy, a claim the NBA has disputed.

Hawks All-Star forward Jalen Johnson played only 5½ minutes before leaving Tuesday’s win over the Wizards with a left hip flexor injury.

Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe was diagnosed with a stress reaction of the left fibula and will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks, the team said Tuesday.