NBA

Hayward returns, and the NBA preseason schedule beginsBy The Associated PressCHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) Gordon Hayward finally returned to the court, and Kyrie Irving got to play at North Carolina.Hayward scored 10 points in his first game in nearly a year for the Boston Celtics, who fell to...

Associated PressKobe Bryant's sports academy retires "Mamba" nicknameBy STEFANIE DAZIO and TIM REYNOLDSLOS ANGELES (AP) The Southern California sports academy previously co-owned by the late Kobe Bryant has retired his ''Mamba'' nickname and rebranded itself nearly four months after the basketball icon's death in a helicopter crash.Bryant, his...

SAN ANTONIO (AP) San Antonio built a giant 46-point lead thanks to its smothering defense before easing up to beat Utah 118-81 on Monday and extend its stellar start to the NBA season.The Spurs improved to 21-5 - the second-best start in franchise history - and retained their...

AP Sports WriterCavs investigating racial taunts of Spurs' Patty MillsBy TOM WITHERSINDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) The Cleveland Cavaliers are trying to identify the fan who racially taunted San Antonio guard Patty Mills.Mills is black and from Australia with an Aboriginal heritage. He was at the foul line in the...

AP Sports WriterAP Source: Pelicans pick up Gentry's option for next seasonBy BRETT MARTELNEW ORLEANS (AP) A person familiar with the situation says Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry's contract option for next season has been exercised by the club.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity...

Commission calls for full review of Bucks player's arrestMILWAUKEE (AP) The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission is calling for an extensive review of the stun gun arrest of Milwaukee Bucks guard Sterling Brown.The commission wrote to Chief Alfonso Morales asking for a ''full audit'' and all body camera...

Williamson seeks to avoid answering ex-agent's questionsMIAMI (AP) Attorneys for NBA rookie Zion Williamson seek to block his former marketing agent’s effort to have the ex-Duke star answer questions about whether he received improper benefits before playing for the Blue Devils.In a Florida court filing last week, Williamson’s...

Rockets' general manager's Hong Kong comments anger ChinaBEIJING (AP) Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tried Sunday to defuse the rapidly growing fallout over his deleted tweet that showed support for Hong Kong anti-government protesters, saying he did not intend to offend any of the team's Chinese fans...

Tim Duncan was on the floor for several minutes, grabbing his left leg. Then he was helped to the trainer's room by teammates Stephen Jackson and DeJuan Blair. to be out, but we've still got to get the job done regardless of who is out there." Splitter re-energized the Spurs,...

AP Sports WriterOfficiating becomes focus of Warriors-Rockets Game 1By JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Before Golden State's group film session, Stephen Curry made a point Monday morning of studying on his own all 16 3-pointers James Harden attempted in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.He wants to be...

NEW ORLEANS (AP) New Orleans Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry says forward Anthony Davis and center Omer Asik are both ready to return to the lineup Friday night against the San Antonio Spurs.Davis injured his left shoulder in the first quarter Tuesday night in a loss to Denver and...

Nets acquire Faried, Arthur from NuggetsNEW YORK (AP) The Brooklyn Nets have acquired forwards Kenneth Faried and Darrell Arthur along with a 2019 first-round pick from the Denver Nuggets.The Nets also received a second-round pick in 2020 in the trade announced Friday. They sent guard Isaiah Whitehead to...