Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton addressed reporters for the first time. Since he ruptured his Achilles in the Game 7 of the NBA Finals during Pacers media day on Monday. “It’s coming along. I feel like I’m right on cue, right where I’m supposed to be at this point,” Haliburton said. “Just taking it one day at a time. It’s a monotonous thing of everyday it feels like you’re doing the same thing over and over.” Haliburton, 25, was key in the Pacers’ historic playoff run, hitting multiple circus shots while leading Indiana to its first Finals in 25 years. Haliburton described his summer as “a drag.” “He’s right on pace where he needs to be,” Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan told reporters during Pacers front office media availability last Thursday. “He’s going through the typical rehab procedure with an Achilles, which can be kind of monotonous and tedious, but it’s part of the long-term growth of getting yourself back healthy.”

There was no gloom from LeBron James at Lakers media day — quite the opposite. The 40-year-old superstar, who hinted at uncertainty about his Lakers future back in June, appeared relaxed and cheerful, joking with reporters and carrying his giant energy drink jug like a rookie excited for his first day. For the Lakers, that positive attitude matters. Their title hopes hinge on James buying in and performing at his elite best. Despite the smiles, James made no retirement announcement, leaving the door open to play beyond this season. His contract situation remains tricky: the Lakers declined to offer an extension, keeping their cap space flexible for future moves, while James opted into the final year of his deal — the first time in his 23-year career he’s been in such a position. The roster has changed, with Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, and Jake LaRavia joining alongside Luka Doncic and coach J.J. Redick. Asked if he’s confident in the team’s direction after his agent’s earlier concerns, James simply said: “Yeah, I’m excited about getting to work and I’m excited about what we can do.” For now, his future remains fluid, hinging on how the season unfolds. James, entering year 23, said he’s humbled to still play at a high level: “I love to play the game… age is just a number, but it’s reality too. Not many guys at my age have played at this level. I just try not to take it for granted and give the game as much as I can.”

Lawrence Moten, Syracuse’s all-time leading scorer and a founding member of the Vancouver Grizzlies, has died at 53. A Syracuse spokesperson said He passed away at his home in Washington, D.C.. The cause of death has not yet been announced. Nicknamed “Poetry in Moten,” the 6-foot-5 guard scored 2,334 points for Syracuse between 1991 and 1994 — still the school record. His 1,405 Big East points stood as a league record until 2020. Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, who recruited and coached Moten, called it “a tragic day for the Syracuse basketball family.” “Lawrence was one of our greatest players and one of the best in the history of the Big East,” Boeheim said. Moten was selected in the second round of the 1995 NBA Draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies, playing two seasons there and later appearing in eight games for the Washington Wizards in 1998.