NBA

AP Sports WriterThunder GM: Coach Billy Donovan will return next seasonBy CLIFF BRUNTOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Thunder general manager Sam Presti said Wednesday that coach Billy Donovan's job is safe, despite a disappointing season.Oklahoma City had high expectations this season after trading for Paul George and Carmelo Anthony to...

AP Sports WriterSuns hire Jazz assistant Igor Kokoskov as new head coachBy BOB BAUMPHOENIX (AP) The Phoenix Suns have hired Utah Jazz assistant Igor Kokoskov as their new head coach.The 46-year-old Serbian becomes the first NBA head coach born and raised outside North America. He served as a...

AP Sports WriterSuns hire Jazz assistant Kokoskov as new head coachBy BOB BAUMPHOENIX (AP) The Phoenix Suns have hired Utah Jazz assistant Igor Kokoskov as their new head coach.The 46-year-old Serbian becomes the first NBA head coach born outside the United States. He served as a Suns assistant...

AP Sports WriterCeltics' Brown 1 of many injuries impacting NBA playoffsBy KYLE HIGHTOWERInjuries are having a major impact on the NBA playoffs.A tweak, turn or strain to this or that has sidelined or limited players from All-Stars to reserves - and that has influenced the early outcomes of Round...

AP Sports WriterThunder GM: Coach Billy Donovan will return next seasonBy CLIFF BRUNTOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Thunder general manager Sam Presti said coach Billy Donovan's job is safe, despite a disappointing season.Oklahoma City had high expectations this season after trading for Paul George and Carmelo Anthony to join reigning...

Bickerstaff: Grizzlies will rebound from 60-loss seasonMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Memphis Grizzlies coach J.B. Bickerstaff believes he can make the franchise competitive immediately with a quick recovery from a 60-loss season.That's what his boss expects as well.''We're going into it with an optimistic view and we're planning on success,''...

Grizzlies give Bickerstaff new deal, remove interim tagMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) The Memphis Grizzlies have decided to make J.B. Bickerstaff their next head coach, removing the interim tag from his title.The Grizzlies did not disclose terms Tuesday of Bickerstaff's new deal. He will be introduced at a news conference...

Grizzlies give Bickerstaff new deal, remove interim tagMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) The Memphis Grizzlies have decided to make J.B. Bickerstaff their next head coach, removing the interim tag from his title.The Grizzlies did not disclose terms Tuesday of Bickerstaff's new deal. He will be introduced at a news conference...

AP Sports WriterJazz try to slow Harden in Game 2 after Game 1 routBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) No one on the Utah Jazz is using the word ''stop'' when referring to what they'll try to do to James Harden in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals on...

Celtics Brown out Game 1 vs. 76ers with hamstring injuryBOSTON (AP) Celtics guard Jaylen Brown is sitting out Game 1 of Boston's Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup with the 76ers with a right hamstring strain.Boston made the announcement prior to Monday night's tip-off.Brown suffered the injury in the Celtics'...

AP Sports WriterStephen Curry expected to return from knee injury for Game 2By JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Just as the Golden State Warriors had hoped, Stephen Curry is poised to return from a left knee injury to play in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals Tuesday night...

AP Sports WriterWolves can be proud of playoffs; road to return has potholesBy DAVE CAMPBELLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) For the first time since 2004, the Minnesota Timberwolves are entering May without their customary collection of good-luck charms for the NBA draft lottery.The longest-running absence from the playoffs in the league...