NBA

AP Sports WriterAllen, Nash, Kidd, Hill in lineup for basketball hallBy JIMMY GOLENSPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) The most prolific 3-point shooter in NBA history would like to make the case for the mid-range jumper.On the eve of his induction into the basketball Hall of Fame, Ray Allen says that...

Raptors' G Lowry to start against Heat after 11 games outTORONTO (AP) Five-time All-Star Kyle Lowry is back in the starting lineup for the Toronto Raptors for Tuesday’s game against Miami after missing the past 11 games because of a fractured left thumb.Lowry, who is averaging 21.8 points...

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr will miss the season opener as he continues to recover from back surgery.General manager Bob Myers told reporters Saturday that interim coach Luke Walton will coach the team for the season opener against New Orleans on Tuesday night in...

CLEVELAND (AP) - Kyrie Irving clapped his hands as he walked to the middle of the locker room unaware of the surprise his teammates had in store for him.As Irving untucked his jersey, LeBron James and the rest of the Cavaliers crowded around the star point guard before dousing...

AP Basketball WriterNBA '19-20: Suspense returns; LA teams seek Hollywood endingBy BRIAN MAHONEYFor five years the NBA Finals have returned to the same spot, the longest run ever in one Western Conference location.LeBron James and Anthony Davis want to bring them back to Los Angeles.So do Kawhi Leonard and...

AP Sports WriterNBA players step toward equality in limited edition sneakersBy KAREEM COPELANDWhen LeBron James stepped on the court wearing mismatched sneakers in the nation's capital, it wasn't a fashion statement by the NBA's most popular athlete. The message was clearly emblazed in gold on the back of his...

Associated PressKobe Bryant's sports academy retires "Mamba" nicknameBy STEFANIE DAZIO and TIM REYNOLDSLOS ANGELES (AP) The Southern California sports academy previously co-owned by Kobe Bryant has retired his ''Mamba'' nickname and rebranded itself nearly four months after the basketball icon's death in a helicopter crash.Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - DeMarcus Cousins appears ready to return from a serious bout with viral meningitis when the Sacramento Kings host the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.The Kings upgraded Cousins' status from questionable to probable. He has been able to participate in portions of practice the past few...

AP Basketball WriterAnalysis: Even being injured Durant leads free-agent packBy TIM REYNOLDSOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) This was already going to be a summer filled with fireworks in the NBA.Nothing has changed.Kevin Durant's ruptured Achilles, which was surgically repaired on Wednesday, means he probably won't be able to play much...

The Latest: OKC's Diallo leaps over Shaq to win dunk contestCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Latest on NBA All-Star Weekend (all times local):10:30 p.m.Oklahoma City's Hamidou Diallo is the NBA's slam dunk champion.Going over Shaquille O'Neal in the first round, then getting a boost from rapper Quavo in the...

AP Basketball WriterJames, Herro see popularity rise in the NBA playoffsBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) LeBron James' popularity, even in his 17th season, cannot be argued.The NBA released jersey-sales and social media data Wednesday, with the Los Angeles Lakers' star forward atop both lists. James had...

AP Basketball WriterAP source: Lakers on verge of acquiring Dennis SchröderBy TIM REYNOLDSThe NBA offseason, such as it was, is over. A wild few days of decisions and player movement await.Teams may begin making trades Monday, according to a memo sent to teams and obtained early Sunday by The...