NBA

AP Basketball WriterNBA postpones media sessions in Shanghai amid China riftBy TIM REYNOLDSNBA Commissioner Adam Silver told the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday that the league is still expecting them to play as scheduled this week, even while the rift between the league and Chinese officials...

AP Basketball WriterPopovich lauds Silver's response to China over tweet riftBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) Gregg Popovich, the NBA's longest-tenured coach, lauded NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Tuesday for his stance supporting freedom of speech amid the ongoing rift with China.Popovich, speaking before his San Antonio Spurs faced the...

AP Sports WritersWith China rift ongoing, NBA says free speech remains vitalBy STEPHEN WADE and TIM REYNOLDSTOKYO (AP) NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the league is not apologizing for Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey's since-deleted tweet showing support for anti-government protesters in Hong Kong, even after China's...

AP Basketball WriterHarden dazzles, then Raptors rally past Rockets in JapanBy TIM REYNOLDSWhen James Harden's night was over, defense got easier for the Toronto Raptors.Pascal Siakam scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and the Raptors - in their first game since winning the NBA Finals - rallied from...

AP Sports WriterDunkfest: Zion shows high-flying skills in preseason debutBy PAUL NEWBERRYATLANTA (AP) Zion Williamson may not be quite as tall as billed.He still soared in his first NBA preseason game Monday night.Showing off the high-flying talents that made him one of the most anticipated rookies in years,...

Rockets' general manager's Hong Kong comments anger ChinaBEIJING (AP) Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tried Sunday to defuse the rapidly growing fallout over his deleted tweet that showed support for Hong Kong anti-government protesters, saying he did not intend to offend any of the team's Chinese fans...

AP Basketball WriterAgent: Raptors, Lowry agree on $31 million extensionBy TIM REYNOLDSKyle Lowry and the Toronto Raptors have agreed on a $31 million, one-year extension that could keep him with the NBA champions through the 2020-21 season.Agent Mark Bartelstein on Monday confirmed the agreement, which was first reported by...

Milwaukee tops Chicago 122-112 despite resting GiannisBy The Associated PressRobin Lopez and Frank Mason III both scored 14 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks over the Chicago Bulls 122-112 in preseason action on Monday night.Milwaukee didn't play most of its major contributors, including last year's league Most Valuable Player...

AP Sports WriterDunkfest: Zion shows high-flying skills in preseason debutBy PAUL NEWBERRYATLANTA (AP) Zion Williamson may not be quite as tall as billed.He still soared in his first NBA preseason game Monday night.Showing off the high-flying talents that made him one of the most anticipated rookies in years,...

Milwaukee tops Chicago 122-112 despite resting GiannisBy The Associated PressRobin Lopez and Frank Mason III both scored 14 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks over the Chicago Bulls 122-112 in preseason action on Monday night.Milwaukee didn't play most of its major contributors, including last year's league Most Valuable Player...

AP Sports WriterGores says keeping Drummond a priority for PistonsBy NOAH TRISTERDETROIT (AP) Pistons owner Tom Gores says keeping Andre Drummond in the fold is a top priority, and that Detroit needs to take another step forward after making the playoffs a season ago.Gores was on hand Monday...

AP Sports WriterDunkfest: Zion shows high-flying skills in preseason debutBy PAUL NEWBERRYATLANTA (AP) Zion Williamson may not be quite as tall as billed.He still soared in his first NBA preseason game Monday night.Showing off the high-flying talents that made him one of the most anticipated rookies in years,...