Author: Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY

Ainge stepped down in June as the Boston Celtics’ president of basketball operations, but it was expected he would return to an NBA team eventually.

The NBA has postponed the Bulls’ next two games — Tuesday against Detroit and Thursday against Toronto — due to 10 Bulls players in COVID protocols

At 14-13, the Lakers are an average team in every sense of the word. That won’t allow them to compete for a title in the Western Conference.

Once a model of stability, the Trail Blazers have through a tumultuous period during the past several months.

A Blazers team already missing Damian Lillard will be without C.J. McCollum for the foreseeable future after he was diagnosed with a collapsed lung.

Any non-fully vaccinated player who fails to provide his services for a game in Canada is subject to pay reduction, a fine or suspension.

Assistant GM Joe Cronin was promoted to interim GM, and the Portland Trail Blazers said they will conduct a search for a permanent replacement.

LeBron James missed just one game with what the NBA said was a false positive test and should be back Friday when the Lakers play the Clippers.

While the Lakers did not say whether he tested positive for COVID-19, Lakers teammate Anthony Davis said James told him he was asymptomatic.

The Miami Heat are a major contender in the Eastern Conference, and Kyle Lowry is a major reason why in his first season in Miami.