Ted Turner, media mogul and former owner of the Braves and Hawks, dead at 87

Ted Turner, former owner of the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks, died Wednesday, Turner Enterprises announced. He was 87.

The Braves confirmed Turner’s death in a social media post Wednesday.

The Hawks also issued a statement, in which principal owner Tony Ressler called Turner “a true original, a visionary, and a force of nature whose impact will be felt for generations.”

While Turner built quite a career and reputation in sports, he made his money in television and radio. After taking over his father’s advertising company, Turner eventually expanded to radio and television. His television station, WTCG, eventually acquired the rights to broadcast Braves and Hawks games, setting the stage for Turner’s future in sports.

After years of broadcasting Braves and Hawks games, Turner decided to buy both franchises. In 1976, he purchased the Braves. A year later, he bought the Hawks. Eventually, WTCG became WTBS and Turner had a platform to put Braves games in front of a national audience regularly. Given the state of television media at that point, the Braves were one of the few teams to have a consistent national audience, making them one of the most-watched clubs in the league.

Turner’s ownership of the Braves was not without its controversies. He almost immediately ran afoul of the league, and was suspended for a year in 1977 by then-commissioner Bowie Kuhn for violating the league’s free-agency rules to sign outfielder Gary Matthews. The team was also docked its first-round draft pick for Turner’s actions.

Neither punishment stuck, however, as Turner successfully appealed and had them overturned by Kuhn.

Turner wasn’t done making waves around the league in 1977. With the Braves on a 16-game losing streak that May, Turner actually managed the team for one game. He lost that contest and was told by then-National League president Chub Feeney that it was a conflict of interest for Turner to own the team and be its manager. Turner once again appealed the issue to Kuhn, but was denied this time around.

In the ‘80s, Turner took on a lesser role with the Braves. The team was eventually purchased by Time Warner in 1996 after it bought TBS. Time Warner eventually sold the Braves to Liberty Media in 2007.

During his tenure as the team’s owner, the Braves appeared in multiple World Series, winning one of them in 1995. Turner was not involved in day-to-day operations during the team’s fantastic run in the ‘90s and 2000s, but still owned the team when it won the World Series.

Turner’s ownership of the Hawks was less eventful. The team made the playoffs 15 times during his tenure. In 2004, the team retired a jersey in Turner’s honor.

Turner, who was responsible for founding TBS, TNT, CNN and Cartoon Network, announced in 2018 that he was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia.

With his ownership of TNT, Turner oversaw “Inside the NBA.” The long-running pregame show, which has since joined ESPN, honored Turner on Wednesday night.

“For those of us who work at TNT Sports, and that first T stands for Turner, his vision, his legacy of big swings and bold ideas, it’s a little more personal,” Ernie Johnson said, in part. “Ted was an architect of impact across the globe, broadcasting, journalism, philanthropy, and sports.”

New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers channel: Where to watch Game 2 tonight, tipoff time, series schedule and more

The Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks play Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals on Wednesday, here’s how to watch. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Al Bello via Getty Images

The New York Knicks took the lead in their second-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, racking up a 137-98 win on their home court at Madison Square Garden. Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, at 7 p.m. ET, and you can catch all the action on ESPN.

You can take an in-depth look at the most up-to-date playoff bracket, and check out the schedule below for all of this week’s upcoming games. Here’s everything you need to know so you won’t miss the Knicks vs. 76ers Game 2, or any other playoff games this week.  

Date: May 6, 2026

Time: 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

TV channel: ESPN

Streaming: ESPN Unlimited, DirecTV and more

Game 2 between the Knicks and 76ers tips off at 7 p.m. ET. 

The Knicks vs. 76ers Game 2 will be broadcast on ESPN.

NBA playoff games on ESPN are also streaming on ESPN Unlimited, as well as on streaming platforms like DirecTV and YouTube TV. 

All times Eastern

May 5

  • Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons: 7 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)

  • Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: 8:30 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)

May 6

  • New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers: 7 p.m. (ESPN)

  • San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)

May 7

  • Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons: 7 p.m. (Prime Video)

  • Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: 9:30 p.m. (Prime Video)

May 8

  • Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks: 7 p.m. (Prime Video)

  • Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs: 9:30 p.m. (Prime Video)

May 9

  • Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons: 3 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)

  • Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: 8:30 p.m. (ABC)

May 10

  • Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks: 3:30 p.m. (ABC)

  • Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs: 7:30 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)

May 11

  • Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons: 8 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)

  • Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: 10:30 p.m. (Prime Video)

May 12(if necessary)

  • New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers: TBD

  • San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: TBD

May 13 (if necessary)

  • Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons: TBD

  • Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: TBD

May 14(if necessary)

  • Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks: TBD

May 15(if necessary)

  • Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs: TBD

  • Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: TBD

May 16 (if necessary)

  • Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers: TBD

May 17(if necessary)

  • New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers: TBD

  • San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: TBD

  • Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: TBD

May 18 (if necessary)

  • Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: TBD

  • May 4: Conference Semifinals begin

  • May 19: Eastern Conference Finals begin on ESPN/ABC (can move up to May 17)

  • May 20: Western Conference Finals begin on NBC/Peacock (can move up to May 18)

  • June 3: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 1 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET

  • June 5: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 2 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET

  • June 8: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 3 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET

  • June 10: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 4 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET

  • June 13: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 5 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)

  • June 16: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 6 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)

  • June 19: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 7 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)

Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt leaves Game 1 loss to Thunder early after gruesome finger injury, considered day-to-day

The Los Angeles Lakers lost forward Jarred Vanderbilt early to a gruesome finger injury on Tuesday night.

On Wednesday, head coach JJ Redick told reporters that Vanderbilt is considered day-to-day with the dislocation of his right pinky. Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder is scheduled for Thursday night, though Vanderbilt is initially listed as doubtful.

Vanderbilt went up to try to block Thunder star Chet Holmgren at the rim in the Lakers’ Game 1 loss, but he missed and ended up smacking his right hand hard against the backboard at the Paycom Center. As Holmgren went to celebrate the other way, Vanderbilt doubled over and screamed out in clear pain while holding his right hand.

Vanderbilt was quickly helped up and off the court. The Thunder bench’s reaction to his finger said it all.

Vanderbilt sustained a full dislocation of his right pinky finger, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said. He finished with two points and a rebound in six minutes. He’s averaged 4.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game this season.

It’s unclear how long Vanderbilt will be sidelined due to the finger injury, but it’s not a good sign for the Lakers as they get deeper in their Western Conference semifinals series. The Thunder surged ahead in the second half on Tuesday night to secure the 108-90 win. That gave them their sixth straight playoff win dating back to their NBA Finals victory last season, which matched a franchise record. 

Vanderbilt is just the latest injury the Lakers are dealing with this postseason. While they just got Austin Reaves back from an oblique injury, star Luka Dončić is still out with a hamstring injury and doesn’t sound close to a return.

2026 NBA Draft Lottery: odds, date, time, top prospects, how it works, future format

The NBA Draft Lottery is less than a week away. The Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets each have the highest odds — 14% — in the lottery to land the No. 1 pick in what is expected to be a loaded draft. Recent years also have seen a number of teams jump bottom of the lottery into the top three of the draft, including the Dallas Mavericks, who won the lottery last year and earned the right to take the future Rookie of the Year, Cooper Flagg.

The defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, who had the best record for the second season in a row, could even win the lottery. They own the Los Angeles Clippers’ pick courtesy of the Paul George trade.

This figures to be the final NBA Draft Lottery in its current format before the league likely puts a new system in place for next season in an effort to reduce teams tanking for better odds. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 including, the top prospects.

NBA mock drafts: 3.0 • 2.0 • 1.0 | NBA Draft combine participants

The lottery is at 3 p.m. ET Sunday, May 10. It will be at Chicago’s McCormick Place convention center and coincides with the draft combine.

It will be on ABC, ahead of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers.

The 14 teams that didn’t make the playoffs have a chance to land the No. 1 pick. The teams that finished with the three-worst records — Washington, Indiana and Brooklyn — each have the highest odds (14%) at winning the No. 1 pick.

Here are the odds for every team in the draft lottery, based on team records at the end of the regular season. Teams that finished the season with identical records had their draft order determined by a random drawing.

Record: 17-65
Odds for No. 1 pick: 14%

Record: 19-63
Odds for No. 1 pick: 14%

Due to the Ivica Zubac trade with the Clippers, if the Pacers’ pick lands between the 5-9 spots on lotto night, it will go to L.A.

Record: 20-62
Odds for No. 1 pick: 14%

Record: 22-60
Odds for No. 1 pick: 11.5%

Record: 22-60
Odds for No. 1 pick: 11.5%

Record: 25-57
Odds for No. 1 pick: 9%

Record: 26-56
Odds for No. 1 pick: 6.8%

The Pelicans owe their unprotected first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks as part of their 2025 draft-night trade.

Record: 26-56
Odds for No. 1 pick: 6.7%

Record: 31-51
Odds for No. 1 pick: 4.5%

Record: 32-50
Odds for No. 1 pick: 3%

Record: 37-45
Odds for No. 1 pick: 2%

Record: 42-40
Odds for No. 1 pick: 1.5%

The Clippers owe their 2026 first-round pick to the Thunder as part of the 2019 Paul George trade.

Record: 43-39
Odds for No. 1 pick: 1%

Record: 44-38
Odds for No. 1 pick: 0.5%

The draft lottery determines the order of the first 14 picks. It takes place in a private room with NBA officials, representatives of participating teams, select media and the accounting firm Ernst & Young, which oversees the drawings, in attendance.

For the drawings, 14 ping-pong balls (numbered 1 through 14) are dropped in a lottery machine. Before the lottery, 1,000 of a possible 1,001 combinations are assigned to the 14 participating lottery teams. A league representative randomly selects four balls, revealing a four-number combination.

From the NBA:

The drawing process occurs in the following manner: All 14 balls are placed in the lottery machine and they are mixed for 20 seconds, and then the first ball is removed. The remaining balls are mixed in the lottery machine for another 10 seconds, and then the second ball is drawn. There is a 10-second mix, and then the third ball is drawn. There is a 10-second mix, and then the fourth ball is drawn. The team that has been assigned that combination will receive the No. 1 pick. The same process is repeated with the same ping-pong balls and lottery machine for the second through fourth picks.

If the same team comes up more than once, the result is discarded and another four-ball combination is selected. Also, if the one unassigned combination is drawn, the result is discarded and the balls are drawn again.

After the first four picks are determined, the remaining picks are based on regular-season records, in reverse order.

FIRST ROUND NOS. 15-30

15. Portland (to Chicago)

16. Phoenix (to Memphis)

17. Philadelphia (to Oklahoma City)

18. Orlando (to Charlotte)

19. Toronto

20. Atlanta (to San Antonio)

21. Minnesota (to Detroit)

22. Houston (to Philadelphia)

23. Cleveland (to Atlanta)

24. New York

25. Los Angeles Lakers

26. Denver

27. Boston

28. Detroit (to Minnesota)

29. San Antonio (to Cleveland)

30. Oklahoma City (to Dallas)

Dybantsa could become one of the NBA’s most unstoppable shot-creators. At 6-foot-9, he has a special blend of athletic tools with the way he bends, shifts, and explodes with the ball in his hands. Dybantsa led the nation with 25.5 points per game while breaking Danny Ainge’s 48-year-old BYU freshman scoring record with a 43-point eruption. He gets to the rim at will, cooks in the midrange, draws fouls at a high rate, and displays point-forward potential. What will determine his upside is whether he can become a knockdown 3-point shooter, as well as a more impactful defender to take full advantage of his physical tools. But the native of Brockton, Massachusetts, has a tremendously high floor with his scoring skill alone. — Kevin O’Connor

He’s a do-it-all offensive talent who can post up, run pick-and-rolls, set screens, spot up and crash the boards. He doesn’t need to rely on bully ball to make an impact as a scorer or passer. Defensively, some of the questions about Boozer popped up in Duke’s Elite Eight loss to UConn: He wasn’t big enough to defend Tarris Reed, and he got smoked by Alex Karaban on a key 3-pointer on the perimeter. But he plays hard and has improved at every weakness in his game so far. — O’Connor

He can pull up from anywhere and get to his spots. Plus he’s 6-6 and plays with a fluidity that just screams superstar. Not to mention he’s a defensive playmaker with the tools to guard multiple positions and the approach to impact the game even if he’s not scoring. Between the cramping saga, the missed time, the lack of apparent athletic pop, and the stretches where he played heavy minutes but struggled to produce offensively, there’s a lot to be concerned about. But the pre-draft period could answer any questions. — O’Connor

Wilson is the most gifted athlete in the draft class. He’s 6-10 with springs for legs. When he’s flying above the rim, finishing through contact, and chasing down every shot in his area code, he looks like a future franchise cornerstone. But the conversation changes when you watch his jumper because he hasn’t shown any consistency as a shooter at any level. Still, even without the jumper, he has star upside. — O’Connor

Acuff is not the biggest guard or the most explosive athlete, but he reads defenses like someone who’s been in the league for a decade. He emerged as a freshman as a skilled, low-turnover playmaker. And that’s not even what he’s best at. Acuff is a wiry scorer who can get a bucket from anywhere on the floor with a quick trigger, slippery handle, and a feel for manipulating defenses. He has a knack for clutch moments too. The question that follows every undersized guard into the draft is whether the brilliance survives contact with bigger, longer, faster defenders. — O’Connor

The 2026 NBA Draft will again be two days: Tuesday, June 23 for the first round; and Wednesday, June 24 for the second round. Both rounds are in Brooklyn, New York.

ABC/ESPN will broadcast the first round, and the second round will be on ESPN.

Almost certainly. NBA commissioner Adam Silver wants to curb the wide-spread tanking teams engaged in ahead of this season’s draft.

The league reportedly will put forth a new 3-2-1 format for a vote by team owners on May 28. The new format will create a system where each team gets a certain number of ping-pong balls to win the No. 1 pick. Here’s how it looks in reverse order of the standings and then play-in game participants:

  • No. 1-3: two ping-pong balls (5.4%)

  • No. 4-10: three ping-pong balls (8.1%)

  • Teams in 9-10 play-in games: two ping-pong balls (5.4%)

  • Losers of 7-8 play-in games: one ping-pong ball (2.7%)

The league hopes non-playoff teams will be incentivized to stay competitive late in the season. It also provides the No. 8 seeds in the East and West at least one shot at the top pick.

In addition, the league will not allow teams to win the top pick in back-to-back seasons or win a top-five pick in three consecutive seasons.