NBA

AP Sports WriterMVP Giannis looks to improve as Bucks' leader this seasonBy KEITH JENKINSMILWAUKEE (AP) Last season's loss to Toronto in the Eastern Conference finals stung Giannis Antetokounmpo.So much so that the NBA MVP admitted it took several days for him to be able to sleep at...

AP Basketball WriterNets now cool team; chance for more success with new playersBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) What was apparent in July became clearer to Nets coach Kenny Atkinson in September.With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on board, things are looking up in Brooklyn.''People showed up to our...

AP Sports WriterRockets focused on basketball after fallout from GM's tweetBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) The Rockets are back home in Houston, looking to leave behind the distractions from their trip to Asia.Their two games in Japan were overshadowed by the aftermath of a tweet by general manager Daryl...

AP Basketball WriterDavis hurt, Nets finish sweep of Lakers in China, 91-77By TIM REYNOLDSAnthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers did not get out of China unscathed.Davis will have tests Sunday to determine the full severity of a right thumb injury, which the Lakers have initially diagnosed as a...

AP Sports WriterCavaliers visit owner Dan Gilbert, recovering from strokeBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) The Cleveland Cavaliers visited team owner Dan Gilbert, who is recovering at home after suffering a stroke in May.After playing an exhibition game in Detroit on Friday night, the Cavs delayed their trip to Boston...

Williamson wows home crowd, Pelicans beat Jazz 128-127By The Associated PressZion Williamson wowed the home crowd with another impressive preseason performance, scoring 26 points and grabbing five rebounds in New Orleans' 128-127 win over the Utah Jazz on Friday night.Javon Bess was credited with the game-winning layup in the...

Williamson wows home crowd, Pelicans beat Jazz 128-127By The Associated PressZion Williamson wowed the home crowd with another impressive preseason performance, scoring 26 points and grabbing five rebounds in New Orleans' 128-127 win over the Utah Jazz on Friday night.Javon Bess was credited with the game-winning layup in the...

Kings forwards Ariza, Giles to miss last 2 preseason gamesSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Sacramento Kings forward Trevor Ariza will miss the final two preseason games after he had a procedure to remove a lipoma from his back.The Kings said Ariza had the procedure Friday and would be re-evaluated after...

AP Basketball WriterNBA decides to remain silent for rest of China tripBy TIM REYNOLDSThe NBA will complete its trip to China in silence.Saturday's game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets to end this year's NBA China Games series will be played as scheduled in Shenzhen, though...

Pacers exercise contract options on Leaf, Aaron HolidayINDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indiana Pacers have exercised contract options on TJ Leaf and Aaron Holiday.Leaf was the team's first-round draft pick in 2017 and has averaged 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in his first two seasons in the league. The 6-foot-10,...

AP Basketball WriterSeen but not heard: Lakers, Nets, NBA are silent in ShanghaiBy TIM REYNOLDSLeBron James raised his arms in appreciation of the cheering crowd in Shanghai shortly after the final buzzer, then removed his headband and flipped it toward some ticketholders clamoring for a one-of-a-kind souvenir.He was seen.He...

Irving, playing with face fracture, leaves Nets-Lakers earlySHANGHAI (AP) Brooklyn guard Kyrie Irving left the team's preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers about one minute after tip-off after taking a hit to the face.Irving was attempting to play through a facial fracture, an injury that occurred in...