NBA

Associated PressTimberwolves hold off late rally, defeat Jazz 116-111By JOHN COONSALT LAKE CITY (AP) D'Angelo Russell had 25 points and six assists to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 116-111 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night.Karl-Anthony Towns added 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves....

Suns guard Eric Bledsoe: "I Dont wanna be here."PHOENIX (AP) Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe vented his frustration with the struggling team on social media Sunday as the news of coach Earl Watson's firing surfaced.''I Dont wanna be here,'' Bledsoe tweeted.Hours later, the Suns announced the firing of...

AP Basketball WriterIn Orlando, everyone's back and expectations are highBy TIM REYNOLDSORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Aaron Gordon doesn't put much credence in outside expectations.The Orlando Magic weren't widely picked to be a playoff team last season, and then not only did the Magic make the postseason but wound up...

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Los Angeles Clippers have less than two days to enjoy their wildly entertaining first-round series victory over the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs.And what a victory it was.Chris Paul, who willed himself back from an early hamstring injury, banked in a shot over...

Associated PressTrump's comments about anthem, Curry inflame sports starsBy CATHERINE LUCEY and TIM REYNOLDSSOMERSET, N.J. (AP) President Donald Trump doubled down on denouncing protests by NFL players and rescinded NBA star Stephen Curry's White House invitation on Saturday, a series of tweets that quickly inflamed football and basketball...

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...

AP Basketball WriterBarkley says Warriors still a flawed team even with DurantBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) Charles Barkley didn't want Kevin Durant to join the Golden State Warriors and isn't sure Durant changes things now that he's there.In Barkley's mind, the Warriors are still a flawed team.''Let me...

Very little has gone according to plan for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. So little, in fact, that executive vice president Jim Buss said Thursday it would be foolish to "blow it up" until the team has played enough games together to correctly identify why it has so...

AP Basketball WriterCeltics' Walker, Heat's Butler waited years for East finalsBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Kemba Walker and Jimmy Butler entered the NBA on the same night.They've paid their dues since the 2011 NBA draft. Butler is a five-time All-Star, Walker a four-time selection. Walker has...

AP Sports WriterThompson's status unclear as he recovers from knee surgeryBy JANIE McCAULEYSAN FRANCISCO (AP) Steve Kerr insists he isn't ruling All-Star guard Klay Thompson out for the entire season, yet the Golden State coach cautions that Thompson's recovery from surgery July 2 for a torn ACL in...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Cavs to work out free-agent guard Kirk HinrichBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) A person with knowledge of the situation says free-agent guard Kirk Hinrich will work out Wednesday in Cleveland for the NBA champion Cavaliers, who need a backup for Kyrie Irving.The person spoke to...

Devin Booker scores 31 points, Suns beat Brisbane 114-93PHOENIX (AP) Devin Booker scored 31 points in 30 minutes to help the Phoenix Suns rout the Brisbane Bullets 114-93 on Friday night in their exhibition finale.Booker was 5 of 10 from 3-point range and 10 of 20 overall from...