NBA

Jazz guard Mike Conley leaves bubble for birth of sonLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) The Utah Jazz said guard Mike Conley left Walt Disney World on Sunday to return to Columbus, Ohio, for the birth of his son.The sixth-seeded Jazz begin a first-round playoff series against No. 3...

Leonard, George vs. Doncic, Porzingis as Clippers meet MavsLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Los Angeles Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were playing together at a high level before the coronavirus stopped the NBA in its tracks. They've regained their form just in time for the playoffs...

AP Sports WriterClose encounters: Jazz, Nuggets evenly matched all seasonBy PAT GRAHAMNikola Jokic rattled off challenges the Utah Jazz present: disciplined, formidable big man, big-time scorer, meticulous execution of their roles.Then, the reason above all others the Denver Nuggets center relishes playing them in a first-round series: The games...

AP Sports WriterThunder face Rockets, ex-OKC star Westbrook, in 1st roundBy CLIFF BRUNTOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Few imagined when the Oklahoma City Thunder traded cornerstone Russell Westbrook to Houston for Chris Paul last summer that the teams would meet in the playoffs this season.Most expected Oklahoma City to rebuild...

Pelicans fire Alvin Gentry after 5 seasons as team's coachNEW ORLEANS (AP) The New Orleans Pelicans fired coach Alvin Gentry on Saturday after the club missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons.The Pelicans went 30-42 this season, finishing with just two victories in their final...

AP Sports WriterPelicans fire Alvin Gentry after 5 seasons as team's coachBy BRETT MARTELNEW ORLEANS (AP) The New Orleans Pelicans are looking for a new coach to oversee the still nascent Zion Williamson era.The Pelicans fired 65-year-old coach Alvin Gentry on Saturday after the club missed the playoffs...

AP Sports WriterPelicans fire Alvin Gentry after 5 seasons as team's coachBy BRETT MARTELNEW ORLEANS (AP) The New Orleans Pelicans fired coach Alvin Gentry on Saturday after the club missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons.The Pelicans went 30-42 this season, finishing with just two...

Lillard wins Bubble MVP, Williams picked as top coachLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Portland's Damian Lillard has been unanimously selected as the top player of the NBA's seeding games at Walt Disney World, after averaging a league-best 37.6 points in the eight games.Phoenix's Monty Williams, who led the...

AP Sports WriterPelicans fire Alvin Gentry after 5 seasons as team's coachBy BRETT MARTELNEW ORLEANS (AP) The New Orleans Pelicans fired coach Alvin Gentry on Saturday after the club missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons.The Pelicans went 30-42 this season, finishing with just two...

Day after Divac departs as Kings GM, Stojakovic resigns tooSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) A day after Vlade Divac stepped down as Sacramento Kings general manager, Peja Stojakovic resigned as assistant GM on Saturday.Another former great from the franchise, Stojakovic had worked in front office executive roles since 2015 -...

Bulls fire coach Jim Boylen after missing playoffs againCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Bulls fired coach Jim Boylen on Friday, the new front office beginning its remake of a team that missed the playoffs again.The Bulls were 22-43 and were one of the eight teams that didn't qualify for...

The Latest: Basketball Hall induction delayed to '21, movedBy The Associated PressThe Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:---Kobe Bryant and the rest of this year's Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class won't be inducted in 2020 - or at the birthplace...