NBA

AP Sports WriterHayward from hospital: It's hurting me that I can't be thereBy JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) Celtics forward Gordon Hayward sent a video message from his hospital bed before the team's home opener on Wednesday night, telling Boston fans: ''It's hurting me that I can't be there.''The crowd...

AP Sports WriterMichael Jordan scores again, this time with his Jumpman logoBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Michael Jordan is showing he still has the ability to score big - even though he hasn't played in nearly 15 years.The Hornets owner's latest slam dunk off the court might come...

Cavs-Celtics game second most-watched opener on TNTNEW YORK (AP) Cleveland's victory over Boston in the first game of the NBA season was TNT's second most-watched telecast ever on opening night.The network says the Tuesday telecast peaked with 6.7 million viewers and its audience was a 95 percent increase...

AP Sports WriterDraymond Green has MRI exam on injured knee, status unclearBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Warriors forward Draymond Green underwent an MRI exam on his strained left knee and his status for an upcoming road trip is unclear.Golden State expected to release results of the test Wednesday...

AP Sports WriterHayward from hospital: It's hurting me that I can't be thereBy JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) Celtics forward Gordon Hayward sent a video message from his hospital bed before the team's home opener on Wednesday night, telling Boston fans: ''It's hurting me that I can't be there.''The crowd...

AP Sports Writer76ers' Fultz gets to make NBA debut at Wizards close to homeBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Three years after playing varsity basketball for the first time, Markelle Fultz starts the next chapter of his career down the road from where it all began.The No. 1 pick in...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Richard Jefferson, Nuggets agree to 1-year dealBy PAT GRAHAMDENVER (AP) Michael Malone knows all about Richard Jefferson. Just not Tuesday, with the deal for the veteran forward still waiting on official word.''Who's Jefferson?'' the Denver Nuggets coach coyly said after practice.Jefferson will join the...

AP Sports Writer76ers set for No. 1 draft picks Simmons, Fultz to make debutBy DAN GELSTONPHILADELPHIA (AP) Joel Embiid braided his hair for a fashion statement and got his basketball shorts in a bunch over his latest minutes restriction on opening night.Embiid styled his hair like former Philadelphia...

AP Sports WriterRude welcome: Irving set for return to 'rowdy' ClevelandBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Kyrie Irving is back where his NBA journey began six years ago.There are familiar faces, and some of them won't be as friendly as he remembered them.Traded to Boston this summer after he demanded...

AP Sports WriterCavs, Warriors gear up to begin championship quests againBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Minutes after LeBron James lost the NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors four months ago, he vowed to return to the gym right away with plans to get back to the big...

AP Sports WriterCeltics star Hayward suffers gruesome injury in openerBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Just five minutes into his Boston career, new Celtics star forward Gordon Hayward gruesomely broke his left ankle, an injury that may end his season.Hayward, who signed a four-year, $128 million free agent contract this...

AP Sports WriterLeBron questionable to face Irving, Celtics in Cavs' openerBy TOM WITHERSINDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) LeBron James has never missed a season opener in the NBA - or at any level. His streak is in jeopardy.James remains questionable for Tuesday night's game against the Boston Celtics and former...