NBA

AP Sports WriterLeBron: Closure not likely unless Lakers can finish seasonBy GREG BEACHAMLOS ANGELES (AP) Instead of preparing for a playoff run, LeBron James is mostly spending the spring playing hoops with his teenage sons and enjoying tea time with his young daughter.And when he isn't binge-watching ''Tiger...

AP Basketball WriterLeBron: "Definitely not giving up on the season"By TIM REYNOLDSLeBron James reiterated Monday that he is hopeful the NBA season can resume, with the caveat that the health and well-being of players won’t be jeopardized by a return to play.The Los Angeles Lakers star, speaking on the...

The Utah Jazz have been playing with a win-or-go-home desperation for the last three weeks. And it's all come down to one last game. Al Jefferson had 22 points and eight rebounds to help Utah keep its playoff hopes alive with a 96-80 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on...

Grizzlies make long-term commitment to young, new head coachMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Taylor Jenkins has talked enough with Memphis' new front office to feel confident he will be given time to turn around the Grizzlies.He is the team's fourth head coach since Memphis reached the 2013 Western Conference finals....

NBA adds DraftKings as official sports betting operatorBOSTON (AP) The NBA has agreed to a multiyear deal making DraftKings an official sports betting operator.The Boston-based company joins a half-dozen others, including MGM and longtime daily fantasy sports rival FanDuel, with deals that allow them the rights to official...

AP Sports WriterHornets' Walker says he'd take less than $221M to re-signBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Three-time All-Star point guard Kemba Walker says he'd be willing to work with the Hornets and take less than the ''supermax'' $221 million contract he's eligible to receive to re-sign with Charlotte.The...

AP Sports WriterAfter fallback season, Hawks look to rise again in EastBy PAUL NEWBERRYATLANTA (AP) Paul Millsap tossed and turned much of the night.He didn't expect the summer to begin this soon.Millsap and the Atlanta Hawks were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, capping...

AP Basketball WriterNBA adds Wade, Nowitzki to All-Star player poolBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki and Miami's Dwyane Wade are both NBA champions, NBA Finals MVPs and longtime ambassadors for the game of basketball.And now, one more time, they're All-Stars.By special order of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver,...

AP Sports WriterWith new contract, Stephen Curry vows to do more off courtBy JANIE McCAULEYWALNUT CREEK, Calif. (AP) A rich new contract in hand, Stephen Curry is more determined than ever to give back both his time and financial resources wherever he is needed in the Bay Area.The...

Davis leaves Portland game with left knee injuryPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Anthony Davis left the Pelicans' game against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday night with a left knee injury.Davis left for the locker room midway through the first quarter. It appeared that he bumped knees with Blazers guard Damian...

AP Sports WriterCasey says Pistons have plenty of talent in placeBy NOAH TRISTERDETROIT (AP) Dwane Casey looks at the roster of the Detroit Pistons and sees a core of players capable of a lot more than the team accomplished last season.Casey said Detroit's time is now after he...

AP Sports WriterGeorge Karl doesn't hold back in first bookBy ARNIE STAPLETONDENVER (AP) George Karl ambles into the Tattered Cover Bookstore for his first signing of his recently released ''Furious George'' memoir, and he looks refreshed, having dropped from near three bills to 230-some pounds.''I feel terrific,'' said...