NBA

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Thunder have all the pieces in place to contend for an NBA championship.That is, as long as they stay healthy.Oklahoma City reached the Western Conference Finals three times in four years before the injury bug hit last season. Kevin Durant, the 2013-14 MVP and...

76ers' Simmons to miss Hornets game with shoulder injuryPHILADELPHIA (AP) Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons will miss a second straight game Sunday against the Charlotte Hornets because of a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder.Simmons was hurt Wednesday when he bumped into Royce O'Neale's chest while posting...

AP Sports WriterPelicans languishing as Williamson's absence drags onBy BRETT MARTELNEW ORLEANS (AP) Zion Williamson was supposed to be making his highly anticipated NBA debut by sometime next week, if not earlier.That looks unlikely now, given the overall No. 1 draft pick has yet to practice with the...

McMillan gets rewarded by Pacers with contract extensionINDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indiana Pacers coach Nate McMillan has agreed to a contract extension.Terms of the deal were not immediately available Wednesday. McMillan had one year remaining on his previous deal.McMillan has a record of 181-136 in four seasons and needs one...

Miller family says they're selling Jazz to Ryan SmithSALT LAKE CITY (AP) The majority interest of the Utah Jazz is being sold to technology entrepreneur Ryan Smith, a move that when formally approved by the NBA will end the Miller family's 35-year run as owners of the franchise.The...

AP Sports WriterCitizen/King: LeBron James wins NBA citizenship awardBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) LeBron James has won the Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award given annually for ''outstanding service and dedication to the community.''Cleveland's superstar is being honored for his educational work in Akron, Ohio, his hometown. James has helped more...

Associated PressSpurs' Leonard hopes to return 'soon' from leg injuryBy RAUL DOMINGUEZSAN ANTONIO (AP) Kawhi Leonard plans on returning ''soon'' from a leg injury, after missing all but nine games so far this season.Leonard held an impromptu, four-minute press conference Wednesday following Spurs practice. He won't travel with...

MILWAUKEE (AP) Milwaukee's top development official and its chief financial officer will soon present details showing the proposed final piece of a $500 million funding puzzle for a new arena for the NBA's Bucks.Development Commissioner Rocky Marcoux is expected Monday to publicly lay out how the city plans...

AP Sports WriterHarden still dealing with eye injury; will play in Game 3By KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) James Harden squinted under the bright lights of the Toyota Center court on Thursday and parts of both eyes remained a garish, bloody red.It was clear Houston's superstar was still dealing with...

AP Sports WriterLillard, McCollum look to erase last season's playoff exitBy ANNE M. PETERSONPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) There's a big difference between comfort and complacency for Damian Lillard.Yes, the Portland Trail Blazers return all five starters from a team that finished third in the Western Conference. So there's a...

Kings, NBA taking no action against Walton in assault caseSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) The Sacramento Kings and the NBA have announced they are taking no action against Luke Walton after not finding enough evidence during an investigation into allegations that the coach sexually assaulted a woman.The team and league...