NBA

AP Sports WriterLakers' motivation for repeat: Do it again for LA's fansBy GREG BEACHAMLOS ANGELES (AP) Anthony Davis, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers returned to do it all again because they would love to do it right this time.Davis and James only needed one season together...

AP Sports WriterGiannis Antetokounmpo agrees to extension with BucksBy STEVE MEGARGEEMILWAUKEE (AP) Giannis Antetokounmpo says he's staying with the Milwaukee Bucks for at least five more seasons.''I'm blessed to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years,'' the two-time reigning MVP tweeted Wednesday.The 26-year-old...

AP Sports WriterHarden with Rockets as season nears, but future uncertainBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) James Harden remains a Houston Rocket for now.The superstar reported late for camp but is back with the team and new coach Stephen Silas expects him to be ''all in'' this season despite persistent...

AP Basketball WriterNet gains: High hopes in Brooklyn with Durant, Irving readyBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving sent expectations soaring when they decided to come to Brooklyn.The Nets can at last try to live up to them.After waiting a year and a half since...

AP Sports WriterCeltics have faith youthful core can get them over the humpBy KYLE HIGHTOWERBOSTON (AP) The Celtics thought they were laying a foundation for seasons to come when they brought in All-Stars Al Horford, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward in back-to-back summers in 2016 and 2017.Four years...

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...

Zion, Paul get started, Harden expected to on TuesdayBy The Associated PressZion Williamson got to work for his new coach. Chris Paul got started with a new set of teammates.And on Tuesday, James Harden is expected to do what feels like a little of both.With a preseason that's shorter...

Magic to allow up to 4,000 fans at home gamesORLANDO, Fla. (AP) The Orlando Magic said Monday that they plan to have 4,000 fans in seats for regular season games, with strict adherence to social distancing and other health protocols.The team will build up to that 4,000 figure,...

'Explosive' Durant scores 15 in 1st preseason game with NetsBy The Associated PressKevin Durant still can score in bunches.The four-time NBA scoring champion returned from a lengthy injury absence to score 15 points in his debut with the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night.Durant ruptured the Achilles tendon in his...

Antetokounmpo gets scare in Bucks' loss to MavericksBy The Associated PressTwo-time reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo got a scare just four minutes into Saturday night's 112-102 exhibition loss to the Dallas Mavericks when he got popped in the eye when he collided with Dorian Finney-Smith.Finney-Smith swooped in for a...

AP Sports WriterFoot injury could keep Warren out of Pacers season openerBy MICHAEL MAROTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indiana Pacers could open this season without forward T.J. Warren, their top scorer from last season.The team said Thursday that Warren has plantar fascitis in his right foot and will be listed...