NBA

USA Basketball to face Uruguay on Sept. 14 in Las VegasCOLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (AP) USA Basketball's quest to qualify for next year's FIBA World Cup will resume Sept. 14 in Las Vegas, where the Americans will face Uruguay.That will be the first U.S. game in the second qualifying...

AP Basketball WriterNBA going with shorter games for Disney exhibition openersBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) The first exhibition games of the NBA restart will go a little more quickly than usual.The NBA is tweaking the rules for those initial matchups, going with 10-minute quarters instead of...

AP Sports WriterRoses for Kobe and Gianna as Lakers return to actionBy BETH HARRISLOS ANGELES (AP) Red roses adorned the courtside seats where Kobe and Gianna Bryant sat at the last Los Angeles Lakers game they attended. On the overhead video board, photos of Bryant in action for...

AP Sports WriterHawks will be in no rush to enter free-agent bidding warsBy CHARLES ODUMATLANTA (AP) The Atlanta Hawks expect to enter NBA free agency next week with about $20 million in salary cap space and three open spots on their roster.General manager Travis Schlenk says the team...

Former Michigan standout Matthews has torn ACLANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) Former Michigan standout Charles Matthews is dealing with a significant knee injury as the NBA draft approaches.Agent Adam Pensack confirmed Sunday night that Matthews tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a workout with the Boston Celtics and will...

AP Basketball WriterBack to the bubble: G League season will be played at DisneyBy TIM REYNOLDSThe G League will crown its 2021 champion in a bubble, just as the NBA did last season.Plans were announced Friday for the G League season, which will be condensed and played at the...

AP Basketball WriterKing James scores 40, but a Lakers coronation has to waitBy BRIAN MAHONEYLeBron James flexed his muscles high above his Lakers black jersey, looking too strong to stop.He had just scored while being fouled, finishing a three-point play that gave Los Angeles a one-point lead with 1:34...

Toronto rookie Terrence Ross beat defending champion Jeremy Evans to win the slam-dunk contest during All-Star Saturday night. The 6-foot-6 Ross jumped over a ball boy, whipped the ball between his legs and threw down a one-handed slam to clinch the victory. Earlier, Ross donned a Vince Carter jersey, took...

Stephen Curry to miss at least 2 weeks with sprained ankleCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Stephen Curry will miss a minimum of two weeks after an MRI exam on his injured right ankle Tuesday revealed a sprain.The Golden State Warriors say their leading scorer and two-time league MVP will be...

AP Sports WriterOn point: Thomas making progress, could join Cavs earlierBy TOM WITHERSINDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) Day by day, dribble by dribble , Isaiah Thomas looks a little more like an All-Star point guard - like himself.And just maybe like one who can rescue the reeling Cavaliers.Thomas has been...

CLEVELAND (AP) The Cavaliers made the re-signing of guard J.R. Smith official.Smith announced last month that he was returning for a second year with the Cavs, who acquired him last season along with Iman Shumpert in a trade with the New York Knicks. The 11-year veteran made 45...

LOS ANGELES Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban on Friday suggested the Los Angeles Lakers should amnesty Kobe Bryant in the offseason. The Lakers heard Cuban's advice and didn't appreciate it. "We're aware of Mark Cuban's comments and feel they are inappropriate," Lakers spokesman John Black said in a statement. "As...