NBA

Tyronn Lue finalizes his Clippers staff for upcoming seasonLOS ANGELES (AP) New Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue has finalized his staff for the upcoming NBA season.Dan Craig was hired as associate head coach, along with assistants Kenny Atkinson, Chauncey Billups, Larry Drew and Roy Rogers. Assistants Jeremy...

AP Sports WriterNBA coaches prepare for possible intriguing playoff matchupsBy KYLE HIGHTOWERWith NBA games indefinitely on hold, there has been a lot of discussion about postseason possibilities - including by coaches around the league.They're preparing for what a resumption of the season that wascould look like in the wake...

NBA mourns death of Gregg Popovich's wife, a 'real star'SAN ANTONIO (AP) LeBron James fought back tears. Former President Bill Clinton offered condolences. Craig Sager's daughter tweeted that she was ''just sick'' over the news.Such is the regard that so many, from so many walks of life, have...

AP Sports WriterSaints, Pelicans owner Tom Benson dies at age 90By BRETT MARTELNEW ORLEANS (AP) Tom Benson, a successful auto dealer and longtime owner of the New Orleans Saints who brought the franchise its only winning seasons and the ''Benson Boogie,'' has died.Benson also owned the NBA's New...

Celtics’ Kemba Walker injured in collision with teammateDENVER (AP) Boston Celtics guard Kemba Walker collided with teammate Semi Ojeleye late in the second quarter, striking Ojeleye's abdomen area head-first and going down on to the court in a heap against the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.Walker grimaced in...

Simmons, 76ers agree to $170 million, 5-year dealPHILADELPHIA (AP) The Philadelphia 76ers and All-Star guard Ben Simmons have agreed to a $170 million, five-year contract extension.Simmons was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2016. He made his NBA debut in the 2017-18 season and was the Rookie...

AP Basketball WriterDavis hurt, Nets finish sweep of Lakers in China, 91-77By TIM REYNOLDSAnthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers did not get out of China unscathed.Davis will have tests Sunday to determine the full severity of a right thumb injury, which the Lakers have initially diagnosed as a...

Nets' Kyrie Irving out with shoulder injury vs ChicagoCHICAGO (AP) Brooklyn guard Kyrie Irving will miss Nets’ game at Chicago on Saturday night because of a shoulder injury.Coach Kenny Atkinson said he does not know if Irving will return for the Nets’ upcoming homestand. Irving had 17 points...

AP Sports WriterBurks scores 16, Jazz roll to 117-78 win over Maccabi HaifaBy KAREEM COPELANDSALT LAKE CITY (AP) Alec Burks scored 16 points and the Utah Jazz cruised to a 117-78 preseason victory over Maccabi Haifa on Wednesday night.The Israeli team was the second international opponent the Jazz...

Associated PressDoncic breaks Mavs' triple-double record, beats WilliamsonBy DAVE JACKSONDALLAS (AP) Luka Doncic scored 30 points and broke Dallas' career triple-double record with his 22nd, helping the Mavericks hold off the New Orleans Pelicans 127-123 in overtime Wednesday night.Doncic added 17 rebounds and 10 assists, and Kristaps Porzingis...

AP Basketball WriterHayward set to return to Celtics' rotation for East finalsBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Gordon Hayward has been part of Boston teams that have made the Eastern Conference finals twice in the past three seasons.He's about to finally find out what those games are...

SAN ANTONIO (AP) San Antonio built a giant 46-point lead thanks to its smothering defense before easing up to beat Utah 118-81 on Monday and extend its stellar start to the NBA season.The Spurs improved to 21-5 - the second-best start in franchise history - and retained their...