NBA

AP Sports WriterButler 'this close' to rejoining Timberwolves on courtBy DAVE CAMPBELLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Jimmy Butler is nearing a return to action, with four critical games to go for the team in the regular season.Butler told reporters after practice on Tuesday that he's ''this close'' to...

Sixers pay tribute to Julius 'Dr. J' Erving with sculptureCAMDEN, N.J. (AP) The Philadelphia 76ers are paying tribute to Hall of Famer Julius Erving with a sculpture depicting him soaring.The Sixers unveiled the sculpture during a ceremony Tuesday at the team's practice facility in nearby Camden, New Jersey....

Mavs' Noel, Jazz's Sefolosha get 5-game drug bans from NBANEW YORK (AP) Dallas Mavericks center Nerlens Noel and Utah Jazz forward Thabo Sefolosha have been suspended five games for violating the NBA's anti-drug program.The league announced the suspensions Tuesday. Noel's ban will cover the final five games of...

AP Sports WriterClipping? LeBron takes on Alabama football over barber showBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) LeBron James believes Alabama's football program is offside.James contends the Crimson Tide has lifted ''ideas, concepts and format'' from a program on ''Uninterrupted,'' the digital media platform the three-time NBA champion co-founded with business...

Associated PressHassan Whiteside regrets comments leading to fine by HeatBy CHRISTOPHER STOCKMIAMI (AP) Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside regrets his comments about displeasure with his role in game last weekend against the Brooklyn Nets.''I was just frustrated,'' Whiteside said after Monday's practice, his first public comments since his...

AP Sports WriterClipping? LeBron takes on Alabama football over barber showBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) LeBron James believes Alabama's football program is offside.James contends that Alabama has lifted ''ideas, concepts and format'' from a program on ''Uninterrupted,'' the digital media platform the three-time NBA champion co-founded with business partner...

AP Sports WriterClipping? LeBron takes on Alabama football over barber showBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) LeBron James is taking on Alabama's powerful football program.James is contending that Alabama has lifted concepts from a program on ''Uninterrupted,'' the digital media platform he co-founded with business partner Maverick Carter. Last year,...

Warriors' McCaw released from hospital after scary fallOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Golden State Warriors guard Patrick McCaw has been released from a hospital following a terrifying fall to the floor during Saturday's game at Sacramento.The team also said Sunday that preliminary tests showed McCaw has no structural damage or...

Warriors' McCaw released from hospital after scary fallOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Golden State Warriors guard Patrick McCaw has been released from a hospital following a terrifying fall to the floor during Saturday's game at Sacramento.The team also said Sunday that preliminary tests showed McCaw has no structural damage or...

Hawks sign forward Jeremy Evans to 10-day contractATLANTA (AP) Forward Jeremy Evans, the 2012 NBA slam-dunk contest champion and six-year NBA veteran, has signed a 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks.Evans averaged 15.3 points and 9.7 rebounds in 39 games with the Hawks' G League Erie affiliate this...

Popovich, Spurs unsure when Leonard will be cleared to playSAN ANTONIO (AP) Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Kawhi Leonard is continuing his injury rehabilitation in New York with his own team of doctors, but is unsure when the star forward and ''his group'' will clear him to play.''I...

Tests: Warriors McCaw has no structural damage from fallOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Preliminary tests show Golden State Warriors guard Patrick McCaw has no structural damage or problems with his nervous system following a terrifying fall to the floor during Saturday's game at Sacramento. He is expected to be released...