NBA

NBA says 1 new player case of coronavirus in latest testingNEW YORK (AP) The NBA said Wednesday that only one new case of coronavirus was found in test results from 549 players taken since Dec. 10.The league now has reported 57 player positive tests since the week preceding...

AP Sports WriterAntetokounmpo says he wanted to repay Milwaukee's loyaltyBy STEVE MEGARGEEMILWAUKEE (AP) Giannis Antetokounmpo said he appreciated the love the city of Milwaukee has shown him ever since his arrival as an 18-year-old rookie from Greece.So the reigning two-time MVP decided to show his loyalty to the...

Hornets' Gordon Hayward day to day after fracturing fingerCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Hornets forward Gordon Hayward is listed as day to day after breaking the bone at the base of his right pinky finger.The team says Hayward sustained an avulsion fracture of his fifth metacarpal on the right hand...

Harden returns to Rockets, scores 12 in preseason debutBy The Associated PressJames Harden was back in a Houston uniform.It's still unclear how many more times that'll happen.The three-time defending NBA scoring champion made his preseason debut with the Rockets on Tuesday night, after starting to practice with his team...

AP Sports WriterHealthy Zion Williamson, new coach, give Pelicans fresh hopeBy BRETT MARTELNEW ORLEANS (AP) Zion Williamson, in the span of one pandemic-compressed offseason, has gone from being a rookie on playing-time restrictions to a New Orleans Pelicans elder statesman with no limits on his minutes.Williamson's eagerly awaited...

AP Basketball WriterEast champion Heat are thinking even bigger this seasonBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) They don't have banner-raising ceremonies in Miami for anything other than NBA championships and jersey retirements. Eastern Conference title banners go to the rafters quietly, without fanfare.That's fine with Jimmy Butler.Miami's run to the...

AP Sports WriterWith Curry back, Warriors try to move on from worst recordBy JANIE McCAULEYSAN FRANCISCO (AP) Don't press Steve Kerr about last season. He would rather put it out of his memory and move on for good from the Golden State Warriors' last-place finish and missing the...

AP Sports WriterFrom Process to pension, Embiid wants career as 76ers liferBy DAN GELSTONPHILADELPHIA (AP) Knocked his entire career for conditioning woes, Joel Embiid dedicated his offseason to a fitness program he vowed would keep him with the 76ers from Process to pension.Embiid kept his personal transaction wire...

AP Sports WriterClippers seek better finish under new coach Tyronn LueBy BETH HARRISLOS ANGELES (AP) Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are healthy at the same time to start the season, and that's given the Los Angeles Clippers a renewed sense of optimism.With the blockbuster additions of Leonard and...

AP Sports WriterCavaliers hoping to 'overachieve' after long 2020 lay-offBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) The NBA's interrupted season and invitation-only gathering in Florida to finish it due to the pandemic hurt every team to varying degrees.It devastated the Cleveland Cavaliers.Not only did they not get to build off some...

AP Sports WriterBorrego: Hornets have needed playmakers in Ball, HaywardBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Hornets coach James Borrego wanted elite playmakers this offseason.He feels like his prayers were answered with the addition of veteran forward Gordon Hayward and rookie guard LaMelo Ball.''We've got two elite playmakers that can...

Harden returns to Rockets, scores 12 in preseason debutBy The Associated PressJames Harden was back in a Houston uniform.It's still unclear how many more times that'll happen.The three-time defending NBA scoring champion made his preseason debut with the Rockets on Tuesday night, after starting to practice with his team...