After the Lakers lost in the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinal round, LeBron James didn't want to assess their chances of contending in the playoffs.

The Emirates NBA Cup Semifinals are set for Saturday in Vegas on Prime, with the Magic taking on the Knicks (5:30 ET) and the Spurs facing the Thunder (9 ET). The NBA Cup Championship will also be held in Vegas on Tuesday, Dec. 16 (8:30 ET), and it’s not too late to secure your seat. Grab tickets here for both the Semifinals and the Championship.

Oklahoma City, the reigning champs and a heavy preseason favorite to repeat, are a massive +125 favorite to win the NBA Finals for a second straight season.

Wild three-team Clippers trade idea involves 2025 NBA Finals opponents, Ivica Zubac originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The 6-18 Los Angeles Clippers ' abysmal 2025-26 NBA season might lead to an eventual fire-sale.

Paul Pierce predicts that if the Detroit Pistons add Anthony Davis they can make it to the NBA Finals immediately.

Jayson Tatum is teasing a potential return this year. One former NBA star believes the Celtics will win the East if he does.

The Boston Celtics (15-10) will reach the 2026 NBA Finals if Jayson Tatum joins the squad for a playoff run, predicts DeMarcus Cousins.

The Boston Celtics became 18-time NBA champions in 2024, led by the dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The Boston Celtics also put an end to their 16-year NBA Championship drought after lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy in 2024.

Seven entrepreneurs move on to the NBA All-Star 2026 Pitch Finals, showcasing local founders driving innovation and community impact.