NBA

AP Sports WriterSpecial pass: Cavs' Irving to give championship ring to dadBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Kyrie Irving is prepared to make a most memorable pass.Cleveland's star point guard said he's going to give his diamond NBA championship ring to his father, Drederick. Irving, whose 3-pointer in the final...

Isaiah Thomas fined for inappropriate language toward a fanNEW YORK (AP) Boston guard Isaiah Thomas has been fined $25,000 for inappropriate language toward a fan during the Celtics' Game 4 loss at Washington.The NBA announced the fine Wednesday.Game 5 is Wednesday night in Boston. The second-round series is...

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...

Capsule preview of the Spurs-Warriors conference finalsBy The Associated PressCapsule and prediction for the Western Conference final series between Golden State and San Antonio that begins Sunday:---No. 1 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (67-15, 8-0) vs. No. 2 SAN ANTONIO SPURS (61-21, 8-4)Season series: Spurs, 2-1. San Antonio ruined Kevin Durant's...

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 Sports WriterBob Myers' care for people goes long way as Warriors GMBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) When Bob Myers hosts a dinner party, he is the guy who once it's all over has a pretty good read on the entire evening: who had a great time, who...

Pelicans' Davis, Spurs' Leonard, Parker all returningNEW ORLEANS (AP) New Orleans center Anthony Davis, San Antonio forward Kawhi Leonard and Spurs guard Tony Parker are all returning from injuries Friday night.Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry says Davis remains sore from a re-aggravate right thigh bruise that sidelined him for...

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...

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...

Pistons exercise option on Stanley Johnson through 2017-18AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) The Detroit Pistons have exercised their team option on forward Stanley Johnson through the 2017-18 season.The move Thursday came as little surprise after Johnson averaged 8.1 points and 4.2 rebounds as a rookie in 2015-16. Detroit drafted...

AP Sports WriterPistons want to keep progress going after playoff berthBy NOAH TRISTERAUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) After returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and being swept in the opening round by the eventual champions, the Detroit Pistons have a pretty obvious challenge ahead.This young...

AP Sports WriterWarriors coach Steve Kerr expects Curry back against HornetsBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Stephen Curry is eating well again, went through his shooting routine and worked out Tuesday, two days after the two-time reigning NBA MVP missed a game at Portland with the stomach flu. He...