NBA

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Flip Saunders has been hospitalized for testing and treatment following a setback in his fight with cancer, leaving his leadership roles with the Minnesota Timberwolves indefinitely to focus on his health and recovery. The Timberwolves confirmed assistant Sam Mitchell will take over as interim coach for Saunders, who...

AP Basketball WriterLeonard has been brilliant, but Raptors know they must helpBy TIM REYNOLDSToronto gave Kawhi Leonard plenty of help in the regular season.The Raptors need to start doing that in the postseason - or else.Leonard is a free-agent-in-waiting, someone who will have a huge decision to make this...

AP Sports WriterTimberwolves retain Ryan Saunders, 33, as head coachBy DAVE CAMPBELLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Timberwolves have chosen Ryan Saunders as their full-fledged head coach - and the first millennial to hold the job in the NBA.The team announced Monday that the 33-year-old Saunders will stay in the...

The Latest: G League well represented at NBA FinalsOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) The Latest from the NBA Finals and Thursday's Game 1 (all times local):2:10 p.m.The G League is now a road to not just the NBA, but the NBA Finals.There are a combined 11 players on the Cleveland...

Associated PressSpurs' Leonard hopes to return 'soon' from leg injuryBy RAUL DOMINGUEZSAN ANTONIO (AP) Kawhi Leonard plans on returning ''soon'' from a leg injury, after missing all but nine games so far this season.Leonard held an impromptu, four-minute press conference Wednesday following Spurs practice. He won't travel with...

AP Basketball WriterNBA releases shorter preseason schedule; games start Dec. 11By TIM REYNOLDSThe NBA released a condensed 49-game preseason schedule Friday, with teams playing between two and four games starting on Dec. 11.Preseason contests will continue through Dec. 19. Teams begin training camps next week.The league plans to...

Sister of ex-NBA player charged with threatening witnessNEW YORK (AP) The sister of former NBA player Sebastian Telfair was accused on Monday of threatening a woman who testified against him at his New York City gun-possession trial.Octavia Telfair was charged in federal court in Brooklyn with transmitting an...

AP Basketball WriterAnother NBA Finals brings another huge challenge for LeBronBy BRIAN MAHONEYBOSTON (AP) LeBron James will get a couple days to catch his breath, then make his annual June journey to Golden State or down to Houston to face a team far better than his.His eighth straight...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) CHASING HISTORYHow the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors compare to the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, who set the NBA single-season record with 72 wins.Warriors' record through 20 games: 20-0.Last result: Def. Charlotte Hornets, 116-99.Next game: At Toronto, Saturday.1995-96 Bulls' record through 20 games: 18-2.

AP Sports WriterSuns' Oubre has surgery on knee, out at least 4 weeksBy DAVID BRANDTPHOENIX (AP) Phoenix Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr. had surgery Tuesday to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and will miss at least four weeks.The 6-foot-7 Oubre has missed the past three...

Associated PressLeonard and retooled Raptors hope to challenge for NBA titleBy IAN HARRISONTORONTO (AP) There's a lot on the line for Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors this season.A two-time NBA defensive player of the year, Leonard is eager to show he's healthy again after being limited to...

LOS ANGELES (AP) Former NBA star Lamar Odom has been transferred from a Los Angeles hospital to a private facility. But there's no word on his condition, three months after he was found unconscious and in critical condition at a Nevada brothel.Family spokeswoman Alvina Alston says Friday that...