NBA

AP Sports WriterPelicans sign 31st overall draft choice Frank JacksonBy BRETT MARTELNEW ORLEANS (AP) The New Orleans Pelicans say they've signed former Duke guard Frank Jackson, who was the first pick in the second round of last month's NBA draft.A person familiar with the contract says it spans...

AP Sports WriterHarden likely to miss Friday's game with hamstring injuryBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) James Harden's injured left hamstring will likely keep him out of Houston's game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.Harden didn't practice on Thursday after leaving Wednesday night's loss to Utah after experiencing...

Oklahoma City forward Collison retiring after 15 seasonsOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma City Thunder forward Nick Collison is retiring after 15 years in the NBA.The 37-year-old Collison announced his decision Thursday through the team. The Thunder said Collison is among five NBA players to have spent the past 15...

Wizards' Thomas suspended 2 games for entering standsNEW YORK (AP) Washington guard Isaiah Thomas was suspended for two games without pay by the NBA on Sunday for entering the spectator stands late in the Wizards' loss at Philadelphia on Saturday night.The NBA said the fans involved have been...

NBA Finals shifts to Cleveland, Cavs down 0-2 vs WarriorsCLEVELAND (AP) Monday is a travel day for the teams in the NBA Finals.And it might be a bit of a cooling-off day as well.Golden State leads the series 2-0 after a 122-103 win on Sunday night.There's been a...

AP Basketball WriterNBA studying ways to bring games back overseas in futureBy TIM REYNOLDSThe NBA is still looking at scenarios that could allow teams to play in Europe and China again next season, deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said Tuesday.Tatum also said the NBA's season-opening doubleheader Tuesday night would be...

AP Basketball WriterDwyane Wade bikes with police to promote unity in MiamiBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) Dwyane Wade still plans to do plenty of talking about the need for societal change, a quest that became even more personal for him after one of his cousins was shot and killed...

Hall of Famer Tommy Heinsohn, 'ultimate Celtic,' dies at 86BOSTON (AP) Tommy Heinsohn, who as a Boston Celtics player, coach and broadcaster over more than 60 years was with the team for all 17 of its NBA championships, died Tuesday. He was 86.''This is a devastating loss,'' the...

Order restored: US beats Canada in pre-World Cup basketballSYDNEY (AP) Order restored. After losing for the first time in nearly 13 years two days earlier, the United States rebounded to outclass Canada 84-68 in a pre-World Cup exhibition basketball game Monday.At the same arena where the Americans won...

Associated PressAP source: NBA, Raptors denied permission to play in CanadaBy ROB GILLIESTORONTO (AP) The Canadian government has denied a request by the NBA and the Raptors to play in Toronto amid the pandemic.An official familiar with the federal government's decision told The Associated Press on Friday there...

Cavs' Shumpert to have arthroscopic surgery on left kneeCLEVELAND (AP) Cleveland Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert was set to have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Friday morning.The Cavaliers said Thursday that Shumpert was reevaluated by team physicians Dr. Richard Parker and Dr. James Rosneck after the Cavaliers' home...

AP Sports WriterCavs reward Bickerstaff with contract after strong startBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) J.B. Bickerstaff's impressive start with the Cavaliers has been rewarded.Bickerstaff, who has Cleveland playing its best basketball this season since taking over when John Beilein suddenly resigned last month, agreed to a multi-year contract with...