NBA

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 practicing only one time with his...

AP Sports WriterWizards' Beal not playing rest of NBA season due to injuryBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Wizards leading scorer Bradley Beal won’t take part in the restart of the NBA season because of a right rotator cuff injury.The team announced Beal's status Tuesday before traveling to Orlando. Beal's...

Hawks' Dedmon cleared to play home opener, 3 still outATLANTA (AP) Dewayne Dedmon is expected to play in the Atlanta Hawks' home opener after missing the first three games recovering from a fractured left ankle.The 7-foot center participated in his first full practice and was cleared for Wednesday...

Wolves, Hawks swap guards Teague, Crabbe on expiring dealsMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Timberwolves traded 11th-year veteran point guard Jeff Teague to his original team Thursday in a three-player swap of backups with the Atlanta Hawks, who sent shooting guard Allen Crabbe in return.The Timberwolves also dealt shooting guard...

AP Sports WriterSuns bench healthy Eric Bledsoe for remainder of seasonBy BOB BAUMPHOENIX (AP) The Phoenix Suns are benching Eric Bledsoe, arguably their best player, for the final 15 games of the season.General manager Ryan McDonough said the decision was made to give the 27-year-old point guard...

AP Sports WriterKevin Durant's menacing defense leads the way for WarriorsBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Kevin Durant is growing a little tired of questions about his ability to play defense.''Underrated?'' Durant responded when recently asked about the perception of his D. ''My coaches don't feel like that.''Neither does...

AP Sports WriterWarriors coach Steve Kerr not yet ready to return to benchBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Steve Kerr is involved in just about everything but the actual game-day coaching for the Golden State Warriors - film session, coaches meetings, game-planning and practice.He's just not yet ready from...

The Latest: NBA bans Stevens 1 year, fines him $500,000OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) The Latest on the incident in which Toronto guard Kyle Lowry was shoved by a courtside Warriors fan (all times local):2:20 p.m.The NBA has banned Golden State Warriors investor Mark Stevens from attending games and any...

AP Basketball WriterWilliamson back in NBA quarantine, could be out on TuesdayBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Zion Williamson will be out of quarantine by the time New Orleans plays in the first official game of the NBA restart at Walt Disney World.Whether the Pelicans will play...

AP Sports WriterBeilein says he apologized for 'thugs' comment about CavsBy NOAH TRISTERDETROIT (AP) Cleveland Cavaliers coach John Beilein said Thursday he has apologized after using the word “thugs” during a film session with his players the previous day.ESPN.com, citing unidentified sources, reported that Beilein suggested during a...

AP Sports WriterPhoenix Suns fire general manager Ryan McDonoughBy BOB BAUMPHOENIX (AP) The Phoenix Suns fired general manager Ryan McDonough on Monday, eight days before the season begins.James Jones and Trevor Bukstein will share the GM duties on an interim basis for the Suns. Jones is the team's...

Plenty of points for Klay Thompson. Plenty of everything, as usual, for Russell Westbrook. On a momentous night in the NBA, Thompson had the biggest game with a career-high 60 points and Westbrook continued his sensational season with a sixth straight triple-double. An 11-game schedule stole the show Monday on a...