NBA

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Thunder coach Scott Brooks says he expects to return as coach next season, despite speculation that his job might be in jeopardy.Oklahoma City finished with a 45-37 record, but the Thunder failed to make the playoffs for the first time in five years. Brooks says...

Timberwolves lose Zach LaVine for rest of season to torn ACLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Zach LaVine will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL in his left knee.LaVine had an MRI before the Wolves hosted Memphis on Saturday, when the diagnosis was revealed....

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Stephen Curry eclipsed his own NBA record for most 3-pointers in a season, scoring 45 points to rally the Golden State Warriors to a 116-105 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night.Curry entered the game four shy of his mark of 272 3-pointers,...

AP Sports WriterFor Bulls, blockbuster trade is all about directionBy ANDREW SELIGMANCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Bulls set a clear direction by trading All-Star Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves on draft night last week.The Bulls had plenty of people talking after they traded one of the NBA's top...

AP Sports WriterWarriors center Zaza Pachulia sidelined at least a weekBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia has a strained rotator cuff in his right shoulder and will be sidelined for at least a week.He underwent an MRI exam Tuesday and expressed his relief...

AP Sports WriterCeltics take scorer Jayson Tatum with No. 3 pick in draftBy KYLE HIGHTOWERBOSTON (AP) The Boston Celtics made the first move of this year's NBA draft days before it began when they traded the No. 1 overall pick to Philadelphia to build on an already rich...

Ex-Knick Oakley heading to trial in August over arena fracasNEW YORK (AP) Former New York Knicks player Charles Oakley has chosen to go to trial in August on charges he struck a security guard at Madison Square Garden.Oakley appeared briefly before a Manhattan judge on Friday. He rejected...

AP Basketball WriterAnthem singer at Heat-76ers game kneels during performanceBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) A woman performing the national anthem before an NBA preseason game in Miami did so while kneeling at midcourt.Denasia Lawrence opened her jacket just before she started to sing, revealing a ''Black Lives Matter'' shirt,...

NBA-backed 3-on-3 tour returns this weekend in ChicagoNEW YORK (AP) The NBA and Mountain Dew will begin the second year of their 3-on-3 competition tour this weekend, with the winning teams earning berths in the 2018 USA Basketball 3-on-3 tournament.The Dew NBA 3X tour will begin Saturday in...

Power surge delays Trail Blazers-Nuggets gameDENVER (AP) The game between the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night is being delayed because of a power surge at the Pepsi Center.Denver led 90-85 with 9:18 remaining in the fourth quarter when a bank of lights near the...

AP Basketball WriterA look at the NBA coaching changes entering this seasonBy TIM REYNOLDSCoaches changing jobs is an annual rite in the NBA, and one-third of the league's 30 teams have changed coaches since last season ended. Here's a look at the 10 coaches in new jobs:---KENNY ATKINSON, Brooklyn...

Cleveland OKs last chunk of financing to upgrade Cavs' arenaCLEVELAND (AP) Cleveland officials have committed the final chunk of financing for $140 million in upgrades planned at the Cavaliers' home arena.The makeover of Quicken Loans Arena would include more space for dining and gathering.The cost of renovations to...