NBA

Wizards' Meeks suspended 25 games for positive drug testNEW YORK (AP) The NBA has suspended Washington Wizards guard Jodie Meeks 25 games without pay for using a banned substance.The league announced the suspension Friday, a day before Game 1 of the Wizards' first-round playoff series against the East's...

Associated PressRetooled Raptors ready for playoff rematch with WizardsBy IAN HARRISONTORONTO (AP) A ''culture reset'' carried the Toronto Raptors to the top of the Eastern Conference for the first time this season.Next, the Raptors will try to hit reset on their playoff history with the Washington Wizards.After Cleveland...

AP Sports WriterThunder guard Brewer questionable for opener against UtahBy CLIFF BRUNTOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Thunder might be without starting shooting guard Corey Brewer for their first-round playoff series opener Sunday against Utah.Brewer sprained his right knee during Oklahoma City's regular-season finale against Memphis. He did light work...

AP Sports WriterLillard likes matchup but knows Pelicans are dangerousBy ANNE M. PETERSONPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Portland's Damian Lillard says he likes the first-round matchup against the Pelicans, but in almost the same breath he lists the reasons why New Orleans is dangerous.After splitting their four regular-season meetings, the...

AP Sports WriterPrime time: LeBron defying age, better than ever at 33By TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) LeBron James emerged from a chaotic, complex season unscathed - better than ever.Still the NBA's undisputed king.Despite no longer having Kyrie Irving at his side. Despite an injury-riddled season in which the Cavaliers'...

AP Sports WriterThunder play-by-play man Davis suspended 1 game for commentBy CLIFF BRUNTOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Thunder television play-by-play man Brian Davis has been suspended for Game 1 of the playoff series against Utah on Sunday for a comment he made about star Russell Westbrook during Oklahoma City's regular-season...

AP Sports WriterThunder play-by-play man Davis suspended 1 game for commentBy CLIFF BRUNTOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Thunder television play-by-play man Brian Davis has been suspended for Game 1 of the playoff series against Utah on Sunday for a comment he made about star Russell Westbrook during Oklahoma City's regular-season...

AP Sports WriterDenver Nuggets GM has busy offseason aheadBy ARNIE STAPLETONDENVER (AP) Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly says contract extensions for center Nikola Jokic and guard Will Barton are among his offseason priorities and he hinted coach Michael Malone might be in line for one, too.The Nuggets have...

AP Sports WriterNext stop for Jazz star rookie Donovan Mitchell is playoffsBy ANNE M. PETERSONOver the course of Donovan Mitchell's outstanding rookie season with Utah, Portland star Damian Lillard has become something of a mentor, regularly sending texts of encouragement.So Lillard really didn't mind when Mitchell was the one...

NBA sets attendance record for 4th straight yearNEW YORK (AP) The NBA set an attendance record for the fourth straight season, surpassing 22 million for the first time.The league says 22.1 million fans attended games in the regular season, eclipsing 21.9 million during the 2016-17 season.The NBA also...

AP Basketball WriterHornacek fired as Knicks coach after chaotic, 53-loss seasonBy BRIAN MAHONEYGREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) The New York Knicks are preaching patience but looking for progress.Jeff Hornacek got caught in the middle.The Knicks fired their coach early Thursday, shortly after finishing a 29-53 season. They lost more than...

Reports: Khloe Kardashian has given birth to a girlNEW YORK (AP) It appears Khloe Kardashian is finally a mother.Several outlets have reported that the 33-year-old reality star has given birth to a baby girl, but her representatives have not commented. TMZ was first to report details of the...