NBA

Rockets' general manager's Hong Kong comments anger ChinaBEIJING (AP) China's official basketball association says it will suspend cooperation with the Houston Rockets following a tweet by the team's general manager in support of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.The Chinese Basketball Association said Sunday on its official twitter-like Weibo...

AP Basketball WriterChallenges upheld: Pacers, Kings get calls changed in IndiaBy TIM REYNOLDSOfficially, it's an NBA first: Coaches successfully argued referees' calls Saturday.Sacramento's Luke Walton became the first coach to win a challenge - a new option for coaches to use in the NBA this season - when he...

AP Basketball WriterChallenges upheld: Pacers, Kings get calls changed in IndiaBy TIM REYNOLDSOfficially, it's an NBA first: Coaches successfully argued referees' calls Saturday.Sacramento's Luke Walton became the first coach to win a challenge - a new option for coaches to use in the NBA this season - when he...

AP Basketball WriterA league first: The NBA plays a game in IndiaBy TIM REYNOLDSThe NBA made one of Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive's biggest hopes a reality.And a long-awaited debut in India went longer than planned.T.J. Warren hit the shot that put Indiana ahead for good with 1:03 remaining,...

AP Basketball WriterA league first: The NBA plays a game in IndiaBy TIM REYNOLDSThe NBA made one of Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive's biggest hopes a reality.And a long-awaited debut in India went longer than planned.T.J. Warren hit the shot that put Indiana ahead for good with 1:03 remaining,...

Wizards backup center Mahinmi joins growing list of injuredWASHINGTON (AP) Washington Wizards backup center Ian Mahinmi will miss the start of the regular season because of a strained right Achilles tendon, joining the team’s long list of injured players.The Wizards said Thursday that Mahinmi “will be treated conservatively”...

AP Sports WriterGasol has new team and new role, mentor to young BlazersBy ANNE M. PETERSONPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Pau Gasol is already having an impact in Portland without even taking the court: The 7-foot Spaniard has become something of a mentor for the younger Trail Blazers.What a mentor...

Longtime Bulls announcer Funk retiring at end of seasonCHICAGO (AP) Chicago Bulls TV play-by-play announcer Neil Funk is retiring at the end of the season.The Bulls said Wednesday that Funk, the voice of five of their six championships, will step down after his 29th season with the team....

AP Sports WriterChris Paul happy to return to NBA roots in Oklahoma CityBy CLIFF BRUNTOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Chris Paul is happy to be back where his professional career began.Paul started his career in Oklahoma City with the Hornets when they relocated after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He was...

Wizards hire ex-NBA exec Rod Thorn as adviser to GM SheppardWASHINGTON (AP) Former NBA GM and league executive Rod Thorn has been hired by the Washington Wizards as a senior adviser to general manager Tommy Sheppard.In the new role, announced Tuesday by the team, Thorn will help Sheppard...

AP Sports WriterPelicans' Williamson: Turning pro has been 'crazy and fun'By BRETT MARTELMETAIRIE, La. (AP) Zion Williamson has thoroughly enjoyed his jet-setting, appearance-making first offseason as a pro.The Pelicans' top overall draft choice suspects he'll like his first training camp even more.''It's been crazy and fun. Always on...

AP Sports WriterNuggets want more, less out of Nikola JokicBy ARNIE STAPLETONDENVER (AP) Four months later and Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone is still blown away by Nikola Jokic's playoff performance.''What Nikola did in the postseason was remarkable,'' Malone said Monday as the team reconvened amid heightened expectations...