Michael Jordan is joining NBC Sports as a special contributor to its NBA coverage when the 2025-26 season begins.

NBC made the announcement on Monday morning during its upfront presentation at Radio City Music Hall previewing the networks offerings during the upcoming television season.

“I am so excited to see the NBA back on NBC,” Jordan said during a video message. “The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career, and I’m excited about being a special contributor to the project. I’m looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this October.”

NBC returns to carrying the NBA after a 23-year absence. It had NBA rights from 1990 through 2002 and carried all six of Jordan’s championships as a member of the Chicago Bulls.

This is the first time Jordan has joined a network. His appearances and comments during the 2020 “The Last Dance” documentary about his career and the end of the Bulls dynasty in 1998 created plenty of headlines.

“Michael’s legacy both on and off the court speaks for itself,” NBC Sports President Rick Cordella said. “We’re incredibly proud to have him join our coverage.”

NBC’s 11-year agreement with the NBA and WNBA begins in October. Peacock will exclusively stream games on Monday night while NBC/Peacock will have regional doubleheaders on Tuesday. NBC and Peacock will also launch “Sunday Night Basketball” in January.

Kings hire Woodson as associate head coach: The Sacramento Kings have hired longtime NBA and college head coach Mike Woodson as an associate head coach on Doug Christie’s new staff.

Christie announced the addition on Monday to bring Woodson back to the NBA after he spent the past four seasons as head coach of his alma mater, Indiana.

Woodson has extensive NBA experience, having played in the league for 11 seasons, including five seasons with the Kings franchise. He then coached from 1996-2021 as both an assistant and head coach before going back to college.

Woodson was an assistant on Detroit’s title-winning team in 2004 and has been a head coach for parts of nine seasons. He made the playoffs three times in six seasons with Atlanta and twice in three seasons with the Knicks. Woodson has a 315-365 career record as an NBA head coach.

Christie had a 27-25 record as interim coach last season for the Kings after replacing the fired Mike Brown in December before losing in the Play-In Tournament.

New general manager Scott Perry decided two weeks ago to keep Christie as the full-time head coach.

Cavs’ Mitchell questionable for Game 5: Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell is listed as questionable for Cleveland’s pivotal Game 5 of its second-round series against the Indiana Pacers after reaggravating a sprained left ankle on Sunday.

The All-Star guard had an MRI on Monday, which confirmed the sprained ankle. He did not play the second half of the Cavaliers 129-109 loss at Indiana after he appeared to experience pain while warming up during halftime.

His status for tonight’s game is likely to go down to game time.

Mitchell first suffered the injury on April 6 during the second half against the Sacramento Kings. He stepped on the foot of Sacramento’s Keon Ellis near midcourt before losing his balance and rolling his left ankle.

Mitchell missed the last four games of the regular season due to the injury. He finished with 12 points in 20 minutes as the top-seeded Cavs trailed 80-39 at halftime.

The No. 4-seeded Pacers, up in the series 3-1, can close it out Tuesday in Cleveland, where they’ve already won twice.

Mitchell is averaging 28.9 points during the playoffs, including five games with at least 30 points.

The Cavaliers have been beset by injuries during the postseason. Darius Garland missed four games due to a left big toe injury while De’Andre Hunter (right thumb) and NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley (left ankle) were out for Game 2 against the Pacers after being injured in the series opener.