NBA

AP Basketball WriterNBA '19-20: Suspense returns; LA teams seek Hollywood endingBy BRIAN MAHONEYFor five years the NBA Finals have returned to the same spot, the longest run ever in one Western Conference location.LeBron James and Anthony Davis want to bring them back to Los Angeles.So do Kawhi Leonard and...

AP Sports WriterLos Angeles honors Kobe, Gianna Bryant with public memorialBy GREG BEACHAMLOS ANGELES (AP) Kobe Bryant's wife offered a poignant portrait of her NBA superstar husband and their daughter Monday at a sold-out memorial service for the two, who were among nine people killed last month in...

AP Sports WriterBucks' investment in Holiday trade makes him feel wantedBy STEVE MEGARGEEMILWAUKEE (AP) Jrue Holiday took notice along with the rest of the NBA when he discovered the substantial package of players and picks the Milwaukee Bucks sacrificed to acquire him.The Bucks traded guards Eric Bledsoe and...

John Havlicek, Boston Celtics great, dies at 79BOSTON (AP) John Havlicek, the Boston Celtics great whose steal of Hal Green's inbounds pass in the final seconds of the 1965 Eastern Conference final against the Philadelphia 76ers remains one of the most famous plays in NBA history, has died....

AP Basketball WriterG League to offer $125,000 contracts to elite prospectsBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) The G League will begin offering ''select contracts'' worth $125,000 next year to elite prospects who are not yet eligible for the NBA, a move that could slightly lessen the handful of one-and-done players...

AP Sports WriterBeilein staying at Michigan after interviewing with PistonsBy LARRY LAGEANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) John Beilein is staying at Michigan after exploring the possibility of coaching the Detroit Pistons.''I love the University of Michigan and I am excited about coaching our Men's Basketball Team next season and...

Atlanta's Young finally gets shot going in summer league winLAS VEGAS (AP) It's been a bumpy ride for Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young, but he finally got his shot going.The No. 5 overall pick out of Oklahoma scored 24 points and made 7 of 13 3-pointers to...

AP Sports WriterNBA says referees missed LeBron goaltending call in Game 5By TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) The NBA said LeBron James' block in the closing seconds of Game 5 on Indiana's Victor Oladipo should have been called goaltending.In the league's Last Two Minute Report posted Thursday, the NBA said...

Chicago Bulls All-Star center Joakim Noah doesn't think he will play Monday night against the Indiana Pacers because of plantar fasciitis in his right foot, and power forward Carlos Boozer is a game-time decision because of a right hamstring injury. The Bulls already are without two starters in Kirk Hinrich...

AP Basketball WriterManu Ginobili, a 4-time champion with Spurs, retires at 41By TIM REYNOLDSManu Ginobili has played his final game, and with that a new era awaits the San Antonio Spurs.Ginobili announced his decision to retire on Monday, the 41-year-old wrapping up what he called a ''fabulous journey'' in...

AP Sports WriterCeltics healthy, eager to embrace favorites tag in EastBy KYLE HIGHTOWERBOSTON (AP) The band is back together in Boston.Or, at least, it's healthy again.Hopes were high for the Celtics going into last season thanks to a revamped roster that included All-Star additions Kyrie Irving and Gordon...

James' MRI shows groin strain, Lakers say he's day to dayEL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) LeBron James got good news Wednesday on his injured groin.An MRI exam showed that the four-time NBA MVP merely strained his left groin in the Los Angeles Lakers' win over the Golden State Warriors...