NBA

12 referees selected to officiate NBA FinalsNEW YORK (AP) Danny Crawford has been chosen to officiate his 23rd NBA Finals, making him the most experienced of the 12 referees selected for the series.John Goble was the lone first-time selection Tuesday when the NBA announced the referees who would...

AP Basketball WriterAnthem singer at Heat-76ers game kneels during performanceBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) A woman performing the national anthem prior to 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''...

AP Basketball WriterTimberwolves name John Thomas VP of community engagementBy JON KRAWCZYNSKIMINNEAPOLIS (AP) John Thomas grew up in Minneapolis, becoming a prep star at Roosevelt High School before playing at the University of Minnesota and bouncing around the NBA for five seasons.One of those seasons toward the end...

NBA draft draws second-largest audience on ESPNNEW YORK (AP) The NBA draft averaged more than 3.5 million viewers, the second-biggest audience ever on ESPN.The telecast Thursday peaked with 5.2 million viewers from 8:15 to 8:30 p.m. EDT, shortly after the first picks were made. Philadelphia took Markelle Fultz...

AP Sports WriterWolves sign Gibson, Teague, finalize latest step in overhaulBy DAVE CAMPBELLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Timberwolves have finalized contracts with power forward Taj Gibson and point guard Jeff Teague, two complementary additions to a roster that has undergone a huge overhaul.Gibson and Teague signed their deals on...

Wall's knees look just fine in explosive game against 76ersWASHINGTON (AP) Washington's John Wall threw down three one-handed dunks in the first half of the Wizards' 100-79 victory over Philadelphia on Thursday, demonstrating his full recuperation from knee surgery.Wall scored all of his nine points in the first...

Sacramento Kings' Ty Lawson denies violating DUI probationDENVER (AP) Sacramento Kings point guard Ty Lawson has denied that he violated his probation in a Colorado drunken driving case by drinking and failing to complete community service.Lawson and his attorney Harvey Steinberg made the assertion Thursday during a brief...

AP Sports WriterTired talk: LeBron dunks idea he's worn out guarding DurantBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) LeBron James dismissed the idea he's exhausted from guarding Kevin Durant.After the warp-speed Golden State Warriors overran the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first two games of the NBA Finals, with Durant averaging 35.5...

AP Basketball WriterButler trade sets the stage for looming free agencyBy JON KRAWCZYNSKIAs draft night approached, some of the heavy hitters in the NBA - Cleveland, San Antonio, Houston, Boston, the Clippers among them - were jockeying, making calls and looking for deals to try to position themselves to...

AP Basketball WriterAP Source: Rockets, Nene reach agreement a 2nd timeBy JON KRAWCZYNSKIThe Houston Rockets and Nene have a contract - again.A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that the Rockets agreed to terms with Nene on a three-year deal worth $11 million. It comes...

AP Sports WriterNo longer NBA champions, Cavaliers are now chasing WarriorsBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Once he congratulated Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, LeBron James left the floor following Game 5 and found Kyrie Irving waiting for him.Cleveland's two stars embraced, and as they headed toward the locker room...

AP Basketball WriterAfter rocky road in LA, Russell seeks smooth start with NetsBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) D'Angelo Russell wasn't only traded, he was insulted on the way out the door.After the Los Angeles Lakers selected Lonzo Ball with the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft, team...