NBA

Thunder center Nerlens Noel out of concussion protocolOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Thunder reserve center Nerlens Noel has passed through concussion protocol and was available for Thursday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers.A Thunder spokesman made the announcement Thursday.Noel was injured Jan. 8 when he collided with Minnesota's Andrew...

AP Basketball WriterIrving says Durant was rushed back, won't be rushed againBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) Kyrie Irving says Kevin Durant wasn't ready to play in the NBA Finals. He wants his new teammate to come back to the court this time only when fully healthy.Irving put up...

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Those golden yellow shirts the Golden State Warriors give to fans at every home playoff game are printed with a slogan that reads: ''STRENGTH IN NUMBERS.''The wording is more than just a catchphrase for fans - it's practically a team motto.The Warriors wore down opponents...

AP Basketball WriterFeeling better, Magic guard Markelle Fultz has high hopesBy TIM REYNOLDSORLANDO, Fla. (AP) It was time for the last jump shot of Markelle Fultz's workout on the Orlando Magic practice court on Wednesday. He let a 3-pointer fly from the left corner, and spun around in...

Even as Dennis Schroder took off the other way, ahead of everyone for what looked like an uncontested layup, Wall managed to chase him down. On a night when Wall set a career playoff-high with 42 points, his remarkable defensive play was a big reason the Washington Wizards moved on...

AP Sports WriterStephen Curry ready to take back championship that got awayBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Sure, Stephen Curry heard the scrutiny. It was deafening. It was everywhere. Even the two-time reigning NBA MVP wasn't immune.Curry's forgettable NBA Finals last year ended with Kyrie Irving hitting the deciding...

The fans at Toyota Center will be treated to a game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets when they take their seats on Tuesday. Dallas At Houston When: 9:30 PM ET, Tuesday, April 21, 2015 Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT, TXA 21 (Dallas), ROOT (Houston) PREDICTION:...

Bucks lose 2022 2nd-round pick over early Bogdanovic talksNEW YORK (AP) The Milwaukee Bucks were docked a 2022 second-round pick after the NBA determined the team held discussions with Bogdan Bogdanovic or his agent before it was allowed under free agency rules.The league said Monday the Bucks' rule...

Pelicans extend guard Crawford through season's endMETAIRIE, La. (AP) The New Orleans Pelicans have signed reserve guard Jordan Crawford to an extension through the rest of this season.The Pelicans, who announced the move Thursday, have not disclosed contract terms.The 6-foot-5 Crawford, who joined New Orleans on a 10-day...

Game on the line, LeBron James knew he was going to get to the rim. And he delivered. James scored 26 points, including a go-ahead layup after getting past DeQuan Jones with 3.2 seconds left, and the Heat scrambled late to beat the Orlando Magic 97-96 on Wednesday night and...

AP Basketball WriterThe wait is over: Delayed NBA draft finally comes WednesdayBy BRIAN MAHONEYThere was no dancing on the court after a March Madness victory. No bounding onto the stage in a spiffy suit to meet the commissioner in June.The coronavirus pandemic wiped out the traditional end of a...

Associated PressVanessa Bryant sues LA sheriff over helicopter crash photosBy STEFANIE DAZIOLOS ANGELES (AP) Vanessa Bryant, the widow of basketball star Kobe Bryant, has filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County sheriff claiming deputies shared unauthorized photos of the crash that killed her husband, their 13-year-old daughter...