But coach Paul Goriss says there are no excuses for poor performance in a new-look WNBL format.

Rachel Jarry got through two games in three days unscathed to open Canberra's WNBL campaign.

Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman has no qualms if his impressive side loses players to the NBA.

Melbourne United held strong to fight out a memorable game against Oklahoma City Thunder.

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Two blocks from Josh Heustis stopped Melbourne United from claiming the upset win over Oklahoma City.

Jordan Hooper led the Capitals to a thrilling 84-77 win over Abby Bishop's Adelaide Lightning.

On the surface Oklahoma City superstar Russell Westbrook doesn't have too much regard for NBL club Melbourne United ahead of their game in OKC on Monday morning. But the NBA MVP is also known for his joking around.

Australian guard Dante Exum was aiming for a breakout NBA season, now he is facing another break and it could be a long one.

A weary Sydney Kings suffered a second-half fade-out to lose their NBL season-opener 105-96 to the Adelaide 36ers at Qudos Bank Arena.

Abigail Wehrung was rocked when she found out Adelaide coach Chris Lucas had cancer.

Carmelo Anthony jokes he is ready for a bruising encounter but the Thunder could use their regular season rotation when they play Melbourne United on Monday morning.

Former Capitals star Michelle will join husband Simon for a WNBL family debut on Sunday.

Perth coach Trevor Gleeson admits his team will be entering the unknown when they begin their NBL title defence on Saturday night against Brisbane.

Paul Goriss set his side the goal of defending home court and his side ticked the first box.

It's one thing to have the skills, it's another to have the confidence to use them and now Dante Exum finally has both.

Melbourne United will be without star guard Chris Goulding for three weeks as he recovers from an appendectomy.

Melbourne overcame a sluggish start to defeat Adelaide 99-97 in a gripping NBL season opener on Thursday night.

New year, new players, new court. What can we expect from the Canberra Capitals this year?

The Canberra Capitals have a message for the doubters.

Ben Simmons has made a successful return to competitive basketball from a year- long injury absence in Philadelphia's NBA pre-season game against Memphis.

Melbourne United star Chris Goulding has fallen to the "Adelaide Appendicitis" curse just hours before his team's NBL season-opener in Adelaide on Thursday night.

Tai Wesley has turned a season of frustration into a preseason of growth as he shapes as a key player for Melbourne United.

Championship favourites Melbourne United will start the NBL season when they face Adelaide 36ers on Thursday. Roy Ward looks at how all eight teams are stacking up for season 2017-2018.

The NBL will enter its new season with a "whopper" of a naming-rights sponsor with Hungry Jack's signing on.

The Capitals, Meteors and Canberra United want to ignite women's sport in the capital.

Dandenong Rangers and Melbourne Boomers tip off the WNBL season at Dandenong Stadium on Thursday night. Roy Ward runs the rule over all eight teams.

Nat Hurst is the only player to have been involved in every Capitals WNBL championship.

It wasn't the big stadiums, the bright lights or the luxury cars that stood out for the Sydney Kings. It was the size of the athletes.

National pride, not boyhood dreams, proved the defining motivation as the Sydney Kings played in the NBL's first NBA pre-season game on Tuesday.

Star Perth Wildcats import Bryce Cotton says his team can't afford to get caught up in the growing hype about their chances of landing a rare Championship three- peat.

The Sydney Kings won't be taking any backward steps when they become the first NBL side to play in an NBA pre-season game.

After his years away in America, teenage NBL rookie Isaac Humphries plans to make an impact for the Sydney Kings.

Reigning NBA MVP Russell Westbrook has signed a contract extension to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team's Executive Vice President Sam Presti said on Friday.

Perry Ellis planned to use his time at the Sydney Kings as a springboard for the NBA, but he didn't plan on it arriving this soon.

Former Capitals duo Carrie Graf and Lucille Bailee will be honoured at a Basketball Australia function.

Australian Aron Baynes is relishing the task of helping NBA stars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward do their thing at Boston.

Former Boomers star Shane Heal was a foundation student, which made his Shyla's decision a "no brainer".

The Sydney Kings will bring a hugely physical style to the court when they take on the Utah Jazz next week.

​Ben Simmons feels like an unknown kid from Australia all over again as he prepares to make his NBA debut, a year later than expected.