Just when the Perth Wildcats week couldn't get any stranger following the delisting of Jaron Johnson and the departure of Andre Ingram, Johnson is back in the line-up announcing his return with the help of the Lord of the Rings.

Melbourne United's struggles without Chris Goulding continued as they fell to Cairns Taipans in Cairns on Thursday night.

​Callie Bourne was stunned when her Canberra Capitals coach Paul Goriss called her name to play her first minutes in Perth last Saturday.

A little more than a week after Perth axed import Jaron Johnson, his replacement Andre Ingram has now requested to return home to the United States immediately.

Ben Simmons hasn't set a timetable for his return from a broken bone in his right foot after his Philadelphia coach Brett Brown last week said he hoped the Australian would make his NBA debut in January.

Critics have lashed Golden State for shipping Australian centre Andrew Bogut to the Dallas Mavericks after the Warriors were crushed in the season opener.

If Melbourne United's clash with Cairns Taipans comes down to the last shot, you can be assured United star Cedric Jackson will get his side a good shot.

Kyrie Irving scored 19 of his 29 points in a decisive third quarter as the Cleveland Cavaliers began the defence of their first NBA championship with a 117-88 win over the New York Knicks in the season opener.

Matthew Dellavedova watched on TV as his former Cleveland Cavaliers raised their NBA championship banner, now his Milwaukee Bucks open their season and the chase for their own piece of history.

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Melbourne United coach Dean Demopoulos was surprised forward Tai Wesley avoided a one-game ban for allegedly whacking Perth centre Jameel McKay on Sunday.

A question about the age of Sydney's latest NBA import, Steve Allen, was delicately put to their coach ahead of his anticipated arrival on Thursday.

Patty Mills puts contract future aside to focus on helping usher in a new San Antonio era, declaring 'I will play my heart out for the Spurs' when the season starts on Wednesday.

No-consent trades common in American sports should be considered by the AFL, according to Australian NBA star Andrew Bogut.

Key off-season signings Kevin Lisch and Brad Newley sparked the Sydney Kings to a 90-73 rout of arch rivals Illawarra on Monday night at Qudos Bank Arena.

Australian centre Andrew Bogut is set for a big season in Texas and could cash in during free agency next year, if he can have a big campaign in Dallas.

Perth Wildcats stood tall in the finish to claim a scrappy win over Melbourne United in a bruising encounter at Hisense Arena

Women's basketball will slide further behind rival sporting codes if a TV deal is not done, Paul Goriss says.

Basketball writer Roy Ward previews every NBA team ahead of the new season which tips off on Wednesday (Australian time).

By Joshua Paterson

Melbourne Boomers are coming off a win and Bendigo Spirit a loss but both clubs want a win from their clash on Sunday.

Dante Exum may be the most eager player in the NBA ahead of the new season which tips off on Wednesday.

The Sydney Kings have moved quickly to replace import Michael Bryson, signing NBA journeyman Steve Blake as their third import.

Next man up is the phrase going around Melbourne United this weekend and Ramone Moore is as as talented a next man as you could hope for.

The Perth Wildcats have escaped another close call at the Perth Arena, beating the Illawarra Hawks 80-73 in Friday's NBL clash.

Dandenong Rangers and Townsville Fire faced off at Dandenong on Friday night with the Rangers winning 92-65.

Marianna Tolo opens up on her sliding doors moment.

Australian Boomers leader Patrick Mills says the new-look San Antonio Spurs have bought into the club's team-first culture as they begin a post-Tim Duncan era.

Ally Malott has traded Washington DC for Dandenong Rangers and just at the right time as the WNBL season is heating up.

Melbourne United star Chris Goulding has been ruled out of Sunday's home clash with Perth Wildcats but is hopeful of a quick return from his ankle injury.

Melbourne United welcomed Brisbane Bullets to Hisense Arena on Thursday night winning 78-70 but losing Chris Goulding.

It was supposed to be Mika Vukona's night, but clearly no-one told Andrew Gaze's Sydney Kings.

Houston Rockets point guard Patrick Beverley has blasted a survey of NBA general managers that rated Australia's Matthew Dellavedova tougher than him.

Jurors cleared NBA star Derrick Rose and two friends in a lawsuit that accused them of rape.

Melbourne United star Chris Goulding says he will take the wins and ignore the barbs after criticism about his shot selection and decision-making on offence this season.

Canberra Capitals coach Paul Goriss says his team won't be bogged down by history, adamant the demons of the club's worst season in history have already been buried and forgotten about.

Perth Wildcats import Jaron Johnson has been cut by the club - just three games into the season and only a little more than a week after a clutch three-point shot that helped deliver an overtime winner over Cairns.

Cameron Bairstow made a strong start to his NBL career for the Brisbane Bullets, but the presence of the Australian Boomers forward was not enough to stop a Jerome Randle led Adelaide 36ers from claiming victory in overtime 96-93 on Sunday night.

Rangers thrash Lynx at Dandenong Stadium, while Melbourne Boomers sweat on return of injured import Chante Black.