NBA

Lakers overcome Ball's injury to beat Mavs, reach title gameLAS VEGAS (AP) Lonzo Ball's bid for a third straight triple-double was short-circuited by a calf injury. The lead he helped the Los Angeles Lakers build while he was in the game proved to be just enough to top...

WNBA All-Star Toliver hired by NBA's Wizards as assistantWASHINGTON (AP) WNBA All-Star Kristi Toliver will be an assistant coach for player development for the NBA's Washington Wizards this season.Toliver's job was one of several changes to coach Scott Brooks' staff announced by the Wizards on Tuesday, two days...

The Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets will both be gunning for a victory on Wednesday when they meet at Pepsi Center. Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets When: 9:00 PM ET, Wednesday, November 16, 2016 Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado TV: 9 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona (Phoenix), Altitude (Denver) PREDICTION: Nuggets 124, Suns 121 ROT TEAM PS OU Money...

ATLANTA (AP) - Mike Budenholzer may coach one of the best teams in the NBA.He can still get around Atlanta without being recognized.That suits him just fine.''I'm very fortunate that I can blend into the woodwork pretty easily,'' said Budenholzer, whose Hawks have soared to the top of the...

Wolves' Butler has cartilage injury to knee, absence unknownMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Timberwolves say Jimmy Butler has had an MRI that revealed a meniscal injury to his right knee.The Timberwolves did not provide a timeline for Butler's absence Saturday, but it is likely good news that it is...

Pistons send Johnson, 2 others to D-LeagueAUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) The Detroit Pistons assigned forwards Stanley Johnson and Henry Ellenson and guard Michael Gbinije to the team's D-League affiliate in Grand Rapids.The moves came before Grand Rapids hosted Delaware on Saturday night. The Pistons were off Saturday. Detroit...

AP Basketball WriterLeBron says after NBA Finals that he played with broken handBy TIM REYNOLDSCLEVELAND (AP) LeBron James walked into his final interview of the NBA Finals with one last surprise: A dark brace on his right hand, covering an injury he's hidden for a week.''Pretty much played...

Crawford makes Nets debut, then leaves with hamstring injuryLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Jamal Crawford made his Brooklyn debut, and it ended quickly.Crawford hurt his left hamstring in the second quarter of the Nets' game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. Crawford had five points and three assists...

Manu Ginobili returning for 16th season with SpursSAN ANTONIO (AP) Manu Ginobili is returning for his 16th season with the San Antonio Spurs.The Spurs re-signed the 40-year-old Argentine guard Thursday. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed.Ginobili will become the eighth player in NBA history to spend his entire...

AP Sports WriterNBA commissioner lauds refs, players for airing differencesBy GREG BEACHAMLOS ANGELES (AP) NBA Commissioner Adam Silver believes the league's players and referees are on their way to forging an improved relationship.In his state-of-the-league news conference before the All-Star Saturday festivities at Staples Center, Silver said the...

Still the beginning for some, NBA preseason nears its endBy The Associated PressA preseason that's just beginning for some players is already ending for others.James Harden suited up in Houston for only the second time, with newcomer Christian Wood getting his first - and only - action in a...

AP Basketball WriterRockets' Westbrook says he tested positive for coronavirusBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Russell Westbrook of the Houston Rockets said Monday that he has tested positive for coronavirus, and that he plans to eventually join his team at the restart of the NBA season.Westbrook made...