NBA

Wizards name Tommy Sheppard GM, part of front office redoWASHINGTON (AP) Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard is losing his interim tag as part of an organizational restructuring that includes hires from outside the NBA.Changes announced Monday are part of the new leadership team for Monumental Basketball, a fledgling...

AP Basketball WriterFinally: Warriors-Rockets is the series everyone wantedBy TIM REYNOLDSThe buildup for this series truly began in February, with some pointed comments from Golden State's Draymond Green.Or in October, when Houston won at Golden State on ring night.Or in June, when the Rockets landed Chris Paul.Whenever it started,...

AP Sports WriterJordan tells AP: Monk interaction was a 'tap of endearment'By STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Hornets owner Michael Jordan said it was a ''tap of endearment.''After watching a bizarre ending to Charlotte's win against Detroit on Wednesday, a bewildered Jordan lightly smacked the back of second-year guard...

AP Basketball WriterStudy: NBA earns high marks for diversity hiring practicesBy AARON BEARDA diversity report for racial and gender hiring in the NBA found more people of color serving as general managers and more women filling team management roles.Thursday's report card from The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in...

AP Sports Writer76ers take big step from painful 'Process' to postseasonBy DAN GELSTONPHILADELPHIA (AP) Robert Covington doused Markelle Fultz over the head with cups of water, a basketball baptism of sorts for a rookie No. 1 pick who already needed a career rebirth.Fultz had the Philly sports world...

AP Sports WriterBulls not ready to announce decision on Boylen's futureBy ANDREW SELIGMANCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Bulls' new top basketball executive wasn't ready to make any announcements about the coaching staff on Saturday.Arturas Karnisovas still has not met in person with head coach Jim Boylen. And that's something...

G League going to 1 free throw for most foulsNEW YORK (AP) The NBA says most two- and three-shot fouls in the G League this season will be settled by taking just one free throw.A made shot will count for the two or three points. Multiple free throws...

Hawks sign rookie Jaylen Morris to multiyear dealATLANTA (AP) The Atlanta Hawks have signed rookie guard Jaylen Morris to a multiyear contract.Morris earned the deal after previously signing two 10-day contracts, the latter on March 11.Morris, from Molloy College, has averaged 4.7 points in six games with Atlanta....

Jan. 5 - 10-day contracts can be signed.Jan. 10 - Contracts guaranteed for rest of season.Feb. 13-15 - All-Star weekend, New York.Feb. 19 - Trade deadline (3 p.m. EST).April 15 - Last day of regular season.April 18 - Playoffs begin.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The family of the late Minnesota Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders has established a memorial fund that they say will help carry his legacy forward.The family announced Friday that Saunders will be laid to rest this weekend in a private ceremony after dying from complications of Hodgkin's...

AP Basketball WriterRubio does not practice (elbow), outlook still unclearBy JON KRAWCZYNSKIMINNEAPOLIS (AP) Ricky Rubio did not practice on Monday because of a sprained right elbow and was scheduled to meet with a doctor later in the day to try to determine the extent of his injury.Rubio was...

AP Basketball WriterAP Interview: Heat's Leonard stands for anthem, explains whyBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Meyers Leonard has a brother who served two tours in Afghanistan with the U.S. Marines. He carries a military-themed backpack, wears combat boots and has a phone loaded with Navy SEALs...