NBA

AP Sports WriterGuarding Bucks' Giannis presents Raptors a playoff puzzleBy GENARO C. ARMASMILWAUKEE (AP) Giannis Antetokounmpo presents a defensive conundrum for the Toronto Raptors.Assign a shorter player on the 6-foot-11 Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks star can take advantage on the block. Put a taller player on him...

Timberwolves waive oft-injured center Nikola PekovicMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Timberwolves have waived center Nikola Pekovic, whose troublesome right foot limited a once-promising career to 271 games with the team over seven seasons.The move was made Tuesday, with one season remaining on the five-year, $60 million contract Pekovic signed...

AP Basketball WriterAP Source: Afflalo takes 1-year deal to return to OrlandoBy JON KRAWCZYNSKIA person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that the Orlando Magic have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with veteran guard Arron Afflalo.The Magic and Afflalo came to agreement on Tuesday....

AP Sports WriterRapper Travis Scott designs special shirts for Rockets fansBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) Travis Scott and the Houston Rockets will have a special treat for fans attending Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals against San Antonio on Thursday night.Everyone will receive exclusive t-shirts designed in collaboration...

AP Sports WriterCeltics guard Isaiah Thomas getting tips from Kobe BryantBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Boston Celtics star Isaiah Thomas is getting some assists from Kobe Bryant.Thomas, who has had some huge performances in the playoffs, says he's been talking and texting with Bryant to get tips about his...

AP Sports WriterHawks hire Warriors' Travis Schlenk as general managerBy CHARLES ODUMATLANTA (AP) The Atlanta Hawks have hired Travis Schlenk as general manager and head of basketball operations, giving the Golden State assistant GM control of personnel decisions.Schlenk succeeds Wes Wilcox, who resigned May 5 as part of...

AP Basketball WriterAnd now, 29 teams will start chasing the champion WarriorsBy TIM REYNOLDSThe alarm was sounded loud and clear by LeBron James not long after the NBA Finals ended, and every other player, coach and general manager around the league who did not end this season drenched in...

AP Sports WriterStephen Curry, Warriors finalize $201 million, 5-year dealBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Stephen Curry has delivered his share of success already to a franchise that desperately needed it. Now, he's being paid for all he has done - and certainly will do.Curry finalized his new contract...

AP Sports WriterLeBron not faulting Warriors for building powerhouse teamBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) LeBron James knew what might happen when Kevin Durant merged with the Warriors, a 73-win team out for revenge.James understood the potential of this Golden State goliath with more firepower than perhaps anything the NBA...

AP Sports WriterAP Source: Bucks to hire Jon Horst as general managerBy GENARO C. ARMASThe Milwaukee Bucks are staying in-house to fill their general manager vacancy.The team plans to name director of basketball operations Jon Horst as its next GM, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told...

Timberwolves' Taj Gibson arrested after NYC traffic stopMINNEAPOLIS (AP) New Minnesota Timberwolves player Taj Gibson was arrested for a traffic violation in New York City.The New York Police Department says a 2016 Mercedes Benz sedan made an illegal U-turn in Queens early Thursday. Police stopped the car and...

AP Sports WriterBrewhaha: LeBron upset with brewery over photo with beerBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) LeBron James is in a bit of a brewhaha over his beer-bottle grab.On Monday night, James jokingly swiped a beer bottle from a surprised courtside server during the third quarter of Cleveland's playoff game...