NBA sets records for attendance, sellouts

Attendance was up 1.4% in the NBA this season, with the league setting a slew of records for ticket sales and sellouts.

The total attendance in the regular season was 22,536,341, the league announced Monday — the second consecutive season in which the NBA set that record. Other records set this season included 872 sellouts, 71% of games selling out and the average attendance of 18,322.

The previous marks in those categories: 22,234,502 for total attendance, 791 sellouts, 63% of games selling out and average attendance of 18,077. All were set in the 2022-23 season.

In all, the league said arenas were filled to 98% capacity, another record.

Part of the reason for the attendance boost was the success of the In-Season Tournament, which was held this season for the first time in November and December. The NBA’s average attendance for those November games around the league was 18,208, another record.

There were 10 teams — the Celtics, Cavaliers, Mavericks, Nuggets, Warriors, Heat, Timberwolves, 76ers, Suns and Kings — that sold out every game.

„ Suns G Grayson Allen agreed to a four-year, $70 million extension that includes a player option, his agents told ESPN. The deal keeps Allen out of unrestricted free agency this summer and rewards him for a careerbest season with the Suns. Allen started 73 games and averaged 13.4 points, 3.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 33.5 minutes per game. The 28-year-old shot a leaguebest 46.1% on 3-pointers this season.

College basketball:

Kentucky freshman D.J. Wagner, a former top-five recruit in the 2023 class, entered the transfer portal. Wagner, a 6-foot-4 guard, averaged 9.9 points and 3.3 assists in his season with the Wildcats.

NHL: The Panthers promoted GM Bill Zito to also its team’s president of hockey operations. The promotion came with a multi-year contract extension.