NBA

NEW YORK (AP) New York Knicks guard Brandon Jennings has been fined $15,000 by the NBA for his actions toward a referee. The league says Sunday that Jennings directed inappropriate language toward the official and failed to leave the court in a timely manner. The incident came with 3:20 remaining in...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Bulls tab Nuggets' Karnisovas to lead operationsBy ANDREW SELIGMANCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Bulls came into the season thinking they were poised to contend for a playoff spot. The plan did not unfold the way they envisioned, and now, they have a new leader in...

Thunder guards Ferguson, Burton out vs. TimberwolvesBy Associated PressOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Thunder guards Terrance Ferguson and Deonte Burton are out against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.Thunder coach Billy Donovan made the announcements during his pregame media session.Ferguson has soreness in his right hip. The starting shooting guard...

AP Basketball WriterNBA adds Wade, Nowitzki to All-Star player poolBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki and Miami's Dwyane Wade are both NBA champions, NBA Finals MVPs and longtime ambassadors for the game of basketball.And now, one more time, they're All-Stars.By special order of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver,...

AP Auto Racing WriterHamlin, Michael Jordan partner on NASCAR team for WallaceBy JENNA FRYERCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Denny Hamlin has joined Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan to form a NASCAR team with Bubba Wallace as the driver, a high-profile pairing of a Black majority team owner and the only...

AP Sports WriterIt happens every spring: LeBron forced to carry CavaliersBy TOM WITHERSINDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) LeBron James recovered quickly from his neck strain. There's still too much stress on his back.He's carrying the Cavaliers. It's a springtime tradition.As has been the case for much of his 15-year career,...

June 4 - NBA Finals begin.June 15 - Draft early-entry withdrawal deadline (5 p.m. EDT).June 25 - NBA draft.July 1 - Free agency opens.July 9 - Free-agent contracts can be signed.July 10-20 - NBA Summer League, Las Vegas.

Associated PressCleveland rocks after Cavs' win - and it's also on a rollBy MARK GILLISPIECLEVELAND (AP) With the city's 52-year-old championship drought finally over, bleary-eyed fans next look forward to a Wednesday parade for the victorious Cavaliers and northeast Ohio's homegrown star, LeBron James.Yes, Cleveland rocks. But it's...

AP Sports WriterJazz hope Hood can pick up scoring slack after Hayward moveBy KAREEM COPELANDSALT LAKE CITY (AP) Rodney Hood wasn't shy about announcing that he wants to be named the NBA's Most Improved Player this season. The Utah Jazz may need that kind of effort from him...

AP Sports WriterWithout George to start, Clippers still among NBA's bestBy BETH HARRISLOS ANGELES (AP) The Los Angeles Clippers shocked the NBA by landing two superstars to go with a proven supporting cast. Only one of them will be on the floor to start the season.Joining his third...

Slovenia won its first European basketball championship on Sunday, defeating Serbia 93-85 in Istanbul behind 35 points by Goran Dragic. Dragic, the Miami Heat guard who was voted MVP of the tournament after the game, watched the final four minutes from the bench due to cramp. He had been visibly...

DENVER (AP) Portland guard/forward Rodney Hood remains hopeful he can play in the opening game of the Western Conference Finals after hyperextending his left knee. Hood left Game 7 on Sunday against Denver after colliding with Nuggets forward Torrey Craig on a screen in the third quarter. Hood stayed down...