NBA

AP Basketball WriterThe champs are back: Leaner Raptors eyeing another title runBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Nick Nurse might not have been the best student in college, at least when it came to being able to get work done ahead of time.By his own admission, he...

AP Basketball WriterAt home, sort of, the restart is most peculiar for MagicBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) The NBA restart has elements of strangeness for every team.For the Orlando Magic, it's most peculiar.When they turn on the televisions in their rooms at Walt Disney World, they...

AP Sports WriterBlazers return key pieces in Nurkic and Collins for restartBy ANNE M. PETERSONThe long NBA layoff because of the coronavirus has actually helped the Portland Trail Blazers.That's because two key pieces of the team, big men Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins, are healthy and ready to play....

AP Sports WriterGrizzlies eager to speed up rebuilding with West's 8th seedBy TERESA M. WALKERThe young Memphis Grizzlies want to finish what they started, and that's accelerating the rebuilding process by earning the franchise's first playoff berth since 2017.The NBA started its hiatus March 11 with Memphis close to...

AP Sports WriterRestart sets up Mavs' Doncic, Porzingis for playoff debutsBy SCHUYLER DIXONThe NBA restart means Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis are all but assured of making their playoff debuts in their first season on the court together with the Dallas Mavericks.While they have a few veterans to give...

The Latest: Two Suns players reveal positive COVID-19 testsBy The Associated PressThe Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:---Two Phoenix Suns players - guard Ricky Rubio and forward Aron Baynes - revealed on Wednesday that they have tested positive for COVID-19.Rubio has been...

AP Basketball WriterZion Williamson getting tested, but return to bubble unknownBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Zion Williamson could still make re-opening night of the NBA season.The New Orleans Pelicans said Wednesday that Williamson, who left the NBA bubble at Walt Disney World last week, is being...

AP Basketball WriterTo NBA coaches, racial equality is a priority of the restartBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Dallas' Rick Carlisle now starts every interview session by reading from a calendar that highlights something that happened on that day in the country's racial history. Toronto's Nick Nurse...

The Latest: Rockets' Russell Westbrook cleared to practiceBy The Associated PressThe Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:---Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook is set to practice with the team for the first time since revealing that he tested positive for the coronavirus.Westbrook did...

AP Basketball WriterA whole new look, for a whole new NBA game experienceBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) There's no bench. The courtside broadcasters will not be courtside. And the stat crew will be doing their work inside what loosely can be described as an oversized hockey...

Wolves owner listening to offers, Garnett hoping to buyMINNEAPOLIS (AP) Kevin Garnett wants to come back to Minnesota - as a Timberwolves owner.The longtime NBA superstar said Tuesday he is part of a group that is hoping to buy the franchise from Glen Taylor, who has owned it...

AP Basketball WriterA whole new look, for a whole new NBA game experienceBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) There's no bench. The courtside broadcasters will not be courtside. And the stat crew will be doing their work inside what loosely can be described as an oversized hockey...