Ex-NBA player Jontay Porter pleads guilty in case tied to gambling scandal that tanked his career

Former NBA player Jontay Porter has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a federal criminal case. The charge is tied to the betting scandal that got Porter banned from the league. The former Toronto Raptors center entered the plea Wednesday at his arraignment in a New York federal court. Porter admits he agreed to withdraw early from games so that co-conspirators could win bets on his performance. He says he's undergone inpatient treatment for a gambling problem and remains in therapy. The former center is free on $250,000 bond while awaiting his sentencing Dec. 18.

Lynx beat Sparks 82-67 for their seventh straight victory in Los Angeles, 82-67

Bridget Carleton scored 16 points, Dorka Juhasz added 15 and the short-handed Minnesota Lynx beat the Los Angeles Sparks 82-67. Minnesota has won seven straight games in Los Angeles and 13 of the last 14 meetings with the Sparks overall. Minnesota took control early by making 11 of its first 16 shots, with points from nine different players, while Los Angeles was 3 of 12 from the field. The Lynx led 51-35 at halftime after shooting 54%, including 6 of 11 from 3-point range. Alissa Pili gave Minnesota a 25-point lead, 70-45, late in the third quarter. Kayla McBride and Cecilia Zandalasini each scored 11 points for Minnesota. Carleton made all four of her 3-point attempts to help Minnesota go 9 for 18, while Los Angeles was 3 for 20.

Klay Thompson believes he could be the missing piece for the Mavs after leaving the Warriors

Klay Thompson believes he could be the missing piece for the Dallas Mavericks after leaving his longtime NBA home in Golden State. Thompson is joining young superstar Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving after they led the Mavs to the NBA Finals. Dallas lost to Boston in five games. Thompson is a four-time champion after spending his first 13 seasons with the Warriors. The Mavs appeared to need a more dangerous third scoring option even as they advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since winning the franchise's only title in 2011.

Caleb Martin insists he's happy with $32M deal with 76ers after turning down $65M in Miami

Caleb Martin says he's happy after he rejected a big contract offer from the Miami Heat to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. Martin took a deal from the Sixers for a chance with a fresh start to chase a championship with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. Martin turned down a deal that would have paid him about $65 million over the next five seasons to stay in Miami and instead signed a four-year deal guaranteed for more than $32 million with the 76ers. He declined to get into many specifics as to why he spurned the Heat. Martin says "certain things didn't work."

Dejounte Murray, traded twice in 3 years, pledges to push Zion Williamson, Pelicans to higher level

Dejounte Murray says he aims to push superstar Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans to a higher level. Murray was traded for the second time in three seasons when the Atlanta Hawks dealt the 27-year-old point guard to the Pelicans in a deal that became official on Saturday. Murray says he understands that pressure to win in the NBA drives organizations to make tough choices that are more about the team than one player. Murray says he's focused on working hard, being a good person and controlling only what he can control. Murray was traded by San Antonio right after his first All-Star season in 2022. He averaged a career-best 22.5 points per game last season.

Pistons and Cunningham agree on $224M, 5-year deal that could be worth nearly $270M, AP sources say

Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons have agreed on a five-year contract extension worth at least $224 million, according to two people familiar with the situation. The deal could reach nearly $270 million if Cunningham becomes eligible for a supermax extension, according to the two people who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had yet to announce the agreement. ESPN was first to report the agreement, which starts with the 2025-26 season. Detroit drafted the former Oklahoma State star No. 1 overall in 2021. The 6-foot-6 point guard has averaged 20 points, 6.5 assists and five rebounds in his career.

Caitlin Clark leads Angel Reese in race for Rookie of the Year, according to panel of AP voters

Caitlin Clark leads Angel Reese in the race for WNBA Rookie  of the Year honors at the midpoint of the season, according to a national panel of voters who also rank the AP Power Poll each week. The duo have garnered national headlines with record-setting rookie seasons so it's no surprise that they're the leading candidates for the award. Clark is leading the WNBA in points accounted for (points plus points off assists) with 713 according to ESPN. Reese set the WNBA record for consecutive double-doubles with 13 and leads the league in rebounding with 11.9 a game. The panel also unanimously voted Las Vegas forward A'ja Wilson as the Player of the Year at the halfway point and Cheryl Reeves as Coach of the Year.

LA Sparks sign 5-year extension to play home games at Crypto.com Arena

The Los Angeles Sparks have signed a five-year extension to continue playing their home games at Crypto.com Arena through 2029. The deal with arena owner AEG was announced Tuesday. The Sparks have played at the downtown arena since 2001, winning three league championships. It's also where Lisa Leslie had the first dunk in league history. The team shares the arena with the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and NHL's Los Angeles Kings. The NBA's Los Angeles Clippers have left for their own new arena in nearby Inglewood. That's where the Sparks played from 1997-2000 at the Forum.