NBA

Irving will wear No. 11 with CelticsBOSTON (AP) Newly acquired guard Kyrie Irving will wear No. 11 in Boston because the Celtics already have retired the numbers he wore in college and with the Cleveland Cavaliers.Irving wore No. 11 at two New Jersey high schools before switching to...

AP Basketball WriterSixers No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz injures left ankleBy JON KRAWCZYNSKILAS VEGAS (AP) No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz needed to be helped off the court with an injury to his left ankle in the Philadelphia 76ers' summer league game Saturday night against Golden State.Fultz...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Free agent Derrick Rose agrees to deal with CavsBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) For the moment, the Cavaliers have one content, proven point guard.Free agent Derrick Rose agreed Monday to sign with Cleveland, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. Rose, a...

AP Sports WriterCavs' rehab plan for Isaiah Thomas does not include surgeryBy TOM WITHERSINDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) Isaiah Thomas won't start the season playing for the Cavaliers, and the All-Star point guard's return to the floor remains mysterious.Acquired last week in a blockbuster trade with Boston, Thomas did not...

AP Basketball WriterCavs, 76ers get to see their tantalizing guard combinationsBy BRIAN MAHONEYDwyane Wade and Derrick Rose paired in the backcourt in Cleveland. Ben Simmons finally on the floor with Markelle Fultz alongside in Philadelphia.Two Eastern Conference teams with big aspirations got to see some of their tantalizing combinations...

AP Sports WriterAP sources: Noel taking $4.1M qualifying offer from MavsBy SCHUYLER DIXONDALLAS (AP) Two people with knowledge of the agreement say Dallas Mavericks center Nerlens Noel has accepted a $4.1 million qualifying offer for one year, essentially betting on himself that he can get something closer to...

Charles Oakley sues Knicks owners, claiming defamationNEW YORK (AP) Former New York Knicks star Charles Oakley has sued the team's owners, saying he was defamed when they claimed he committed assault and was an alcoholic.The lawsuit details how Oakley was treated before and after he was forcefully removed...

AP Sports WriterFertitta introduced as new owner of Houston RocketsBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) Tilman Fertitta has been a fan of the Rockets since before they moved to Houston, and after a failed attempt to buy the team long ago he was prepared to do whatever it took not...

Basketball Hall of Famer Joe Dumars joins sports agencyNEW YORK (AP) Basketball Hall of Famer Joe Dumars has joined a sports agency.Independent Sports and Entertainment announced Tuesday it hired Dumars to run its basketball division, which includes clients such as New Orleans Pelicans star DeMarcus Cousins.Dumars says he...

Mavs sign former Utah center Jeff WitheyDALLAS (AP) The Dallas Mavericks have signed free-agent center Jeff Withey, who spent the past two seasons with the Utah Jazz.The 7-foot Withey averaged 2.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 51 games last season. He made one start. He has career averages...

AP Sports WriterNot since '79: Wall, Beal eye 50 wins, East finals for WizBy HOWARD FENDRICHWASHINGTON (AP) John Wall is a perennial All-Star. Backcourt mate Bradley Beal might finally get that sort of recognition this season.What both of the Washington Wizards' starting guards in their 20s would really...

AP Sports WriterAP sources: Noel taking $4.1M qualifying offer from MavsBy SCHUYLER DIXONDALLAS (AP) Dallas Mavericks center Nerlens Noel has decided to wait a year to try to cash in as a free agent.Two people with knowledge of the agreement said Saturday that Noel accepted a $4.1 million...