Los Angeles Lakers

Around the world, sports teams and businesses are thriving. Leagues such as the English Premier League, NBA, and NFL are now attracting international attention, while tennis, F1, and golf have found devoted fans across every continent. As a result, viewership numbers are skyrocketing, participation has never been higher, and sponsorship deals are reaching astronomical figures.

Retired NBA stars Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade and Pau Gasol and legendary San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich were among those inducted on Aug. 12 into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

LeBron James refused to concede defeat on May 20 after the Los Angeles Lakers slumped to a playoff loss to Denver that leaves them needing to rewrite history to reach the NBA Finals.

Anthony Davis and LeBron James powered the Los Angeles Lakers in a rout of defending champion Golden State on May 6 while Jimmy Butler returned from an ankle injury to spark Miami's romp over New York in the NBA playoffs.

Davis scored 25 points and grabbed 13 rebounds while LeBron James added 21 points to lead the host Lakers over the Warriors 127-97.

The Boston Celtics edged the Los Angeles Lakers 125-121 in an overtime battle tinged by controversy on Jan. 28 as Philadelphia 76ers big-man Joel Embiid out-dueled Denver's Nikola Jokic as NBA rivalries took center stage.

The league-leading Celtics came out on top in a game that featured 19 lead changes, snapping a three-game skid.

Slovenian NBA star Luka Dončić has made the starter roster for the All-Star game for the second time. This will also be his fourth appearance at the All-Star tournament in his five seasons at the NBA.

Turkish center Alperen Şengün had the best performance of his young career against the Los Angeles Lakers yesterday, posting a career-best 33 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and four blocks for the Houston Rockets, but failed to prevent a 140-132 loss.

Sotheby's estimates that a jersey worn by US basketball legend Kobe Bryant, who died almost three years ago in a tragic helicopter accident, will sell for up to $7 million next month.

Jayson Tatum scored 34 points, including a go-ahead basket with 33.7 seconds remaining on Jan. 7 as the Boston Celtics escaped San Antonio with a 121-116 NBA victory over the tenacious Spurs.

While the Celtics followed up their dominant victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 5, the Mavs bounced back with a 127-117 victory over the

NBA All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell received an excited welcome to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sept. 3 as his trade from Utah became official while the Jazz thanked him for incredible performances.