NBA

Los Angeles Lakers extend qualifying offer to Julius RandleEL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) The Los Angeles Lakers have extended a $5.6 million qualifying offer to forward Julius Randle, making him a restricted free agent.The Lakers made the move Wednesday, ensuring they can match any offer sheet from another team...

AP Sports WriterCzechs near quarterfinals despite loss; US advancesBy STEPHEN WADEDespite losing, the Czech Republic could still reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup if the United States beats Brazil later Monday.The Czechs lost to Greece 84-77. Greece (3-2) needed to win the game in Shenzhen, China, by 12...

AP Basketball WriterDurant among 4 Nets to test positive for new coronavirusBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) Four Brooklyn Nets players, including Kevin Durant, have tested positive for the new coronavirus, bringing the total to seven known players in the NBA.The Nets did not name the players Tuesday, but...

AP Basketball WriterSpurs setback: Point guard Dejounte Murray lost to torn ACLBy TIM REYNOLDSDejounte Murray was driving past James Harden and on his way to the basket, showing one of the skills that made the San Antonio Spurs convinced he's the right point guard for their team.And then Murray's...

AP Basketball WriterDwyane Wade mourns cousin, urges tougher gun laws in ChicagoBy TIM REYNOLDSDwyane Wade has lashed out against Chicago's gun laws, calling them weak and saying he's urged officials in his hometown to enact changes to make the city safer.The Chicago Bulls star, whose cousin was shot dead...

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...

Denver's Michael Malone heading to All-Star Game as coachCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Denver coach Michael Malone is headed to the All-Star Game, where he will coach the team that will be picked by Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.Malone clinched his first All-Star coaching nod Saturday night, when the...

AP Basketball WriterTake that for data: NBA preps for expanded betting on gamesBy TIM REYNOLDSLAS VEGAS (AP) Here's a scenario: LeBron James is four assists and three rebounds shy of a triple-double after three quarters. A bettor, who is watching at home and utilizing a mobile app, decides...

AP Sports WriterVan Gundy won't return to Pistons as coach or team presidentBy NOAH TRISTERDETROIT (AP) After four seasons of mostly mediocre results, the Detroit Pistons are moving on without Stan Van Gundy.He won't return as president of basketball operations and he isn't staying on as Detroit's coach,...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Mavs get Wright from Grizzlies in sign-and-tradeBy SCHUYLER DIXONDALLAS (AP) A person with direct knowledge of the deal says the Dallas Mavericks have acquired guard Delon Wright from the Memphis Grizzlies in a sign-and-trade agreement that could make the restricted free agent a starter...

76ers’ Brett Brown to coach Australia at Tokyo OlympicsMELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Philadelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown will guide the Australian men’s team at next year’s Tokyo Olympics.Basketball Australia said Wednesday he will succeed Andrej Lemanis, who coached the Boomers to the semifinals at the 2016 Olympics and this...

Celtics' Horford enters concussion protocol, out vs. BullsBOSTON (AP) The Boston Celtics say center Al Horford will sit out Wednesday night's game against the Chicago Bulls after being placed in the NBA's concussion protocol.The team says in a statement that Horford reported being hit in the head Monday...