NBA

AP Basketball WriterLonnie Walker IV settling in nicely with Spurs this summerBy TIM REYNOLDSLAS VEGAS (AP) These are highly uncertain times for the San Antonio Spurs.That's why Lonnie Walker IV might be so valuable.This is a summer when Spurs mainstay Tony Parker has already left for Charlotte, when...

AP Basketball WriterFinals notebook: Around the world, fans are watchingBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Miami coach Erik Spoelstra makes no effort to hide his excitement or appreciation when journalists from the Philippines join virtual news conferences to ask him questions during the NBA Finals.In his mother's...

Pistons deal Hilliard to Rockets for cashAUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) The Detroit Pistons have traded swingman Darrun Hilliard to the Houston Rockets in exchange for cash considerations.Hilliard appeared in a career-high 39 games last season, averaging 3.3 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 9.8 minutes. The 6-foot-6...

AP Basketball WriterHarden caps preseason with a scoring flourishBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) James Harden sure seems in midseason form.Russell Westbrook isn't there yet.Harden, the reigning NBA scoring champion, scored 44 points in 35 minutes - 18 of those points coming in the third quarter - and the Houston...

AP Sports WriterLeBron's numbers sliding while Cavaliers slip in standingsBy TOM WITHERSINDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) LeBron James knows the Cavaliers have a proven vaccine that could cure them of this midseason malaise: a larger dose of him.''I gotta be much better,'' he said.As Cleveland has staggered to a 3-9...

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) The New Orleans Pelicans have decided to hold part of training camp at the Greenbrier resort, which this summer is hosting its second straight New Orleans Saints training camp.The decision, announced Saturday night, comes after a trip Pelicans general manager Dell Demps and...

Kobe Bryant, 4 others killed in California chopper crashBy STEPHANIE DAZIOCALABASAS, Calif. (AP) NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his teenage daughter and three others were killed in a helicopter crash in Southern California on Sunday.The chopper went down in Calabasas, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northwest of downtown Los...

The Los Angeles Clippers have listed forward Blake Griffin as a game-time decision for the team's Wednesday night game against the Orlando Magic, but multiple team sources say that the Clippers star will sit out. If Griffin, who is suffering from a hamstring strain, does sit out, he will join...

NEW YORK (AP) - The NBA says the Players Association has informed the league that it won't agree to smoothing in the increased revenues from the national TV deals, which will create a significant spike in the salary cap.The league's new contracts with ESPN and TNT begin in 2016-17...

AP Basketball WriterHeat's Goran Dragic selected as All-Star replacementBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) Goran Dragic is an All-Star for the first time.The Miami Heat guard was selected Thursday by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver as an injury replacement for the Feb. 18 All-Star Game in Los Angeles. Dragic will replace...

Nikola Jokic suspended 1 game for leaving benchNEW YORK (AP) Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic received a one-game suspension for leaving the bench during an altercation.Jokic will miss the contest Friday night against the Phoenix Suns, the league announced.The Serbian center stepped toward the court during Wednesday's...

AP Basketball WriterNBA fines Clippers $50,000 over Rivers comments on LeonardBy TIM REYNOLDSTORONTO (AP) The Los Angeles Clippers are paying a price, because Doc Rivers paid Toronto star Kawhi Leonard a compliment.The NBA fined the Clippers $50,000 on Friday for violating the league's anti-tampering rule. The league did...