NBA

2-year, $192 million renovation begins for Hawks' home arenaATLANTA (AP) A $192.5 million renovation of Philips Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks, has begun a day after funding was approved by the Atlanta City Council.About $110 million for the renovation will be generated from the car rental tax...

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 Sports WriterLeBron locked in for Game 4 after being locked out in Game 3By TOM WITHERSINDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) LeBron James had that look - faraway, yet focused.The Boston Celtics have his undivided attention.Following one of the worst postseason games of his career, James provided a candid review...

Associated PressBeverley brings defensive mind to ClippersBy JILL PAINTER LOPEZLOS ANGELES (AP) Patrick Beverley was first in line among all the newest Clippers to walk into an introductory news conference.Then Beverley, who was dealt to the Clippers in a six-player trade that sent Chris Paul to Houston, stopped...

Associated PressCops: Racial slur sprayed on LeBron James' Los Angeles homeBy MICHAEL BALSAMOLOS ANGELES (AP) Police are investigating after someone spray painted a racial slur on the front gate of LeBron James' home in Los Angeles on the eve of the NBA Finals.An unidentified person spray painted the...

Associated PressDespite high mileage, James showing no signs of slowing downBy IAN HARRISONTORONTO (AP) In his playoff rematch with the Toronto Raptors, LeBron James proved even more lethal than last time.In fact, James may be more lethal now than ever.James averaged 26 points per game as Cleveland took...

Associated PressFormer NBA bad boy Rodman is back in North KoreaBy ERIC TALMADGEPYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) Dennis Rodman, the former NBA bad boy who has palled around with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, flew to Pyongyang on Tuesday on a trip he says he hopes will ''open...

AP Sports WriterLonzo Ball's numbers drop in Under Armour, Lakers winBy KAREEM COPELANDLonzo Ball's stat line was down after two big games. He still had the building buzzing Saturday night at the NBA Summer League.The Los Angeles Lakers overcame a double-digit deficit to advance to the semifinals with a...

Cops: Racial slur sprayed on LeBron James' Los Angeles homeLOS ANGELES (AP) Police are investigating after someone spray painted a racial slur on the front gate of LeBron James' home in Los Angeles on the eve of the NBA Finals.It happened Wednesday morning in the Brentwood neighborhood.Capt. Patricia...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Kevin Durant declines to opt into contractBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) A person with direct knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press that Kevin Durant has declined to opt in for the second year of his contract with Golden State and will become...