NBA

Associated PressTicketing plan for Kobe Bryant public memorial releasedBy JOHN ANTCZAKLOS ANGELES (AP) The Los Angeles Lakers announced Friday that fans seeking to attend the Feb. 24 memorial for Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, at Staples Center must register to purchase tickets and there will be no...

AP Sports WriterBridges leads U.S. over World in Rising Stars ChallengeBy ANDREW SELIGMANCHICAGO (AP) Miles Bridges got the All-Star weekend off to a high-flying start.So did Zion Williamson - even when his dunk attempts didn't go in.Bridges scored 20 points and took MVP honors, Eric Paschall added 23...

Common named MVP, Team Wilbon wins All-Star Celebrity GameCHICAGO (AP) Rapper and actor Common had 10 points and four steals to earn Most Valuable Player honors in the All-Star Celebrity Game as Team Wilbon beat Team Stephen A, 62-47 on Friday night.Rapper Famous Los scored 25 points and...

AP Sports WritersJordan, Wilkins reflect on memorable '88 dunk contest battleBy TIM REYNOLDS and STEVE REEDCHICAGO (AP) Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins have never talked to one another about the 1988 dunk contest.They might be the only ones.It is still the dunk contest by which all other dunk...

AP Basketball WriterKobe Bryant among 8 finalists for Basketball Hall of FameBy TIM REYNOLDSCHICAGO (AP) The list of finalists for the Basketball Hall of Fame is considerably shorter than usual.The voters really didn't need more this year.Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett - 48 All-Star nods between...

AP Basketball WriterKobe Bryant among 8 finalists for Basketball Hall of FameBy TIM REYNOLDSCHICAGO (AP) Kobe Bryant was one of eight finalists announced Friday as candidates for enshrinement into the Basketball Hall of Fame later this year, a decision that came as absolutely no surprise in his first...

AP Basketball WriterBooker to replace Lillard at All-Star, 3-point contestBy TIM REYNOLDSCHICAGO (AP) Devin Booker is finally headed to his first NBA All-Star Game.The Phoenix guard - who felt he was snubbed by voters and coaches when he didn't make the original list for Sunday's game in Chicago...

Clippers' Paul George fined $35,000 for criticizing refsNEW YORK (AP) The NBA fined Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers $35,000 on Thursday, two days after he was critical of the officiating after his team lost to the Philadelphia 76ers.The NBA said George was fined those comments, and...

Milwaukee to be without Antetokounmpo for 2nd straight gameINDIANAPOLIS (AP) Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo missed his second straight game Wednesday, just days after his girlfriend gave birth to the couple's first child.Last season's MVP also missed Monday's game against Sacramento.Milwaukee has the NBA's best record, 46-7, and...

Cavaliers' Kevin Love out against Hawks with sore AchillesBy Associated PressCLEVELAND (AP) Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is out against the Atlanta Hawks with a sore right Achilles.Love's injury is another setback for the Cavaliers, who are coming off their worst home loss in franchise history, a 133-92...

Associated PressKobe Bryant, daughter buried in Southern California cemeteryBy STEFANIE DAZIOLOS ANGELES (AP) Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, were buried Friday in a cemetery near the family's Southern California home, according to death certificates.Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona del Mar features meticulous landscaping, open courtyards...

Forbes: Knicks, at $4.6 billion, NBA's highest valued teamNEW YORK (AP) Forbes is listing the average value of NBA franchises over $2 billion for the first time, a figure that has grown nearly 600% in the last decade.The average NBA franchise is now valued at just over $2.1...