NBA

AP Basketball WriterKerr, Wright, McMillan to be US basketball assistant coachesBy BRIAN MAHONEYSteve Kerr and Jay Wright will be assistant coaches for the U.S. national basketball team, putting the coaches of the NBA and NCAA championship teams on Gregg Popovich's staff.Nate McMillan will be the other assistant, USA Basketball...

AP Basketball WriterAfter rocky road in LA, Russell seeks smooth start with NetsBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) D'Angelo Russell wasn't only traded, he was insulted on the way out the door.After the Los Angeles Lakers selected Lonzo Ball with the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft, team...

AP Sports WriterLeBron James nearing deadline on contract option with CavsBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) LeBron James is approaching a deadline that may be little more than a starting line.Not just for him, but for free agency around the league.The NBA's most impactful player has until 11:59 p.m. Friday...

AP Sports WriterCeltics F Hayward has surgery on broken left handBy JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward had surgery on his broken left hand, a move that is expected to keep him out for about six weeks.The team sent out a release late in the first...

AP Basketball WriterRussell Westbrook wins NBA MVP; Rockets, Bucks take 2 awardsBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) Russell Westbrook moved past Oscar Robertson and kept right on going to the top of the NBA.Westbrook was voted MVP on Monday night after setting a record with 42 triple-doubles during his...

ATLANTA (95)Carroll 5-12 3-4 16, Millsap 6-14 2-2 16, Horford 4-18 0-0 8, Teague 4-8 4-6 12, Bazemore 1-6 3-4 5, Antic 0-1 3-3 3, Schroder 1-12 5-6 8, Mack 4-8 2-2 10, Jenkins 3-3 2-2 9, Brand 0-0 0-0 0, Muscala 2-3 1-1 5, Daye...

AP Sports WriterWolves can be proud of playoffs; road to return has potholesBy DAVE CAMPBELLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) For the first time since 2004, the Minnesota Timberwolves are entering May without their customary collection of good-luck charms for the NBA draft lottery.The longest-running absence from the playoffs in the league...

CHICAGO (AP) Derrick Rose may be cleared to begin activity within a week, and be able to practice shortly thereafter, Chicago Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said Monday.The Bulls haven't ruled Rose out for the opening game of the regular season against Cleveland Oct. 27. He had surgery Sept....

Jenna Schroeder becomes 4th woman on NBA referee staffNEW YORK (AP) Jenna Schroeder has been added to the NBA's full-time refereeing staff. She becomes the fourth female official on the league's roster, joining Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling, Ashley Moyer-Gleich and Natalie Sago.Schroeder has three years of experience in the G...

AP Sports WriterNikola Jokic's stellar play lifting Nuggets to new heightsBy PAT GRAHAMDENVER (AP) Nikola Jokic considers himself a point guard who just so happens to be trapped in a center's 250-pound frame.''I'm telling that to everybody,'' the Denver Nuggets standout said. ''But nobody believes in that except...

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Brad Stevens is still trying to fully put his imprint on the Boston Celtics in only his second season with the franchise. He has, however, already left his mark on San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich. Popovich readily admits ''stealing'' plays and strategy from opposing coaches of...

Thunder waive forward Kyle SinglerOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma City Thunder waived forward Kyle Singler on Friday.ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the Thunder's plan.The 6-foot-8, 228-pound Singler started in 22 games and appeared in a total of 138 over four years with the Thunder. He averaged 3.2 points,...