Tue Mar 19 2019 | 11:49 | Bucks sign guard Tim Frazier with Brogdon out | Malcolm Brogdon | | | Free Agent |
| | | Tim Frazier | PG | Trailblazers | Free Agent |
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks signed guard Tim Frazier on Tuesday as they try to shore up their backcourt with Malcolm Brogdon out indefinitely with a plantar fascia tear in his right foot.The 28-year-old Frazier played 47 games this season for the New Orleans Pelicans and averaged 5.0 points, 4.4 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 19.3 minutes per game. He was waived Feb. 28.The 6-foot guard from Penn State has played with Philadelphia, Portland, New Orleans and Washington over his five seasons in the NBA and holds career averages of 5.1 points, 4.1 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 233 games. Frazier appeared in four preseason games for Milwaukee this season but was waived Oct. 15. Terms of his latest deal were not released.Brogdon started 64 games for the NBA-leading Bucks, averaging a career-high 15.6 points. The 2017 NBA Rookie of the Year is shooting 50.5 percent from the field, 42.6 percent from 3-point range and an NBA-leading 92.8 percent from the free throw line.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/NBA and www.twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Tue Mar 19 2019 | 01:09 | Lopez helps Bulls end losing streak, beat Bulls 116-101 | Antonio Blakeney | | | Free Agent |
| | | Tyler Johnson | SG | Heat | Free Agent |
PHOENIX (AP) — Robin Lopez scored 24 points to help the Chicago Bulls beat the Phoenix Suns 116-101 on Monday night, snapping a five-game losing streak.Zach LaVine had 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and Lauri Markkanen added 17 points and nine boards for Chicago. Lopez shot 11 for 14 from the field as the Bulls were 52 percent (46 for 89).Deandre Ayton had 25 points and 12 rebounds, and Devin Booker also scored 25 for Phoenix, which has lost three of four after a 5-2 stretch.The Suns played without one of their top scorers and main contributors to their recent run of improved basketball, as Kelly Oubre Jr. missed the game with a left thumb sprain. Guard Tyler Johnson did not play due to a sore knee, missing his third straight game, and forward T.J. Warren hasn't played since Jan. 22 due to an ankle injury. Backup center Richaun Holmes also sat out with a quadriceps strain, his second straight game missed.Lopez hit four different types of hook shots in the first quarter, helping... [ More] |
Tue Mar 19 2019 | 00:39 | Lopez helps Bulls end losing streak, bet Bulls 116-101 | Antonio Blakeney | | | Free Agent |
| | | Zach LaVine | SG | Timberwolves | Free Agent |
PHOENIX (AP) — Robin Lopez scored 24 points to help the Chicago Bulls beat the Phoenix Suns 116-101 on Monday night, snapping a five-game losing streak.Zach LaVine had 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and Lauri Markkanen added 17 points and nine boards for Chicago. Lopez shot 11 for 14 from the field as the Bulls were 52 percent (46 for 89).Deandre Ayton had 25 points and 12 rebounds, and Devin Booker also scored 25 for Phoenix, which has lost three of four after a 5-2 stretch.The Suns played without one of their top scorers and main contributors to their recent run of improved basketball, as Kelly Oubre Jr. Oubre missed the game with a left thumb sprain. Guard Tyler Johnson did not play due to a sore knee, missing his third straight game, and forward T.J. Warren hasn't played since Jan. 22 due to an ankle injury. Backup center Richaun Holmes also sat out with a quadriceps strain, his second straight game missed.Lopez hit four different types of hook shots in the first quarter,... [ More] |
Mon Mar 18 2019 | 18:28 | Pistons resting Blake Griffin vs. Cavs for playoff push | Blake Griffin | PF | Clippers | Free Agent |
| | | Kevin Love | PF | Cavaliers | Free Agent |
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Detroit Pistons will rest star forward Blake Griffin for at least one game this week to keep him as fresh as possible for their final postseason push.Griffin will sit out Monday's game against the Cavaliers after scoring 25 points in 33 minutes in Sunday's win over Toronto. Coach Dwane Casey doesn't want to overload Griffin as the Pistons (36-33) fight to hang on to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.While the Pistons sit Griffin, the Cavs will be without forward Kevin Love, who is sidelined with a sore back. He took a hard fall in Saturday's loss at Dallas.Casey wants to avoid having Griffin play in back-to-back games. After facing the Cavs, the Pistons will play four more games on this trip. Detroit is at Phoenix on Thursday, followed by games at Portland on Saturday and at Golden State on Sunday."It's prudent to do," Casey said. "We'll give him a couple days to get his juices back going for the final stretch. We feel like this will be good for him."The 30-year-old... [ More] |
Mon Mar 18 2019 | 16:39 | Pistons resting Blake Griffin vs Cavs for playoff push | Blake Griffin | PF | Clippers | Free Agent |
| | | Kevin Love | PF | Cavaliers | Free Agent |
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Detroit Pistons will rest star forward Blake Griffin for at least one game this week to keep him as fresh as possible for their final postseason push.Griffin will sit out Monday's game against the Cavaliers after scoring 25 points in 33 minutes in Sunday's win over Toronto. Coach Dwane Casey doesn't want to overload Griffin as the Pistons (36-33) fight to hang on to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.Casey wants to avoid having Griffin play back-to-back games. After facing Cleveland, the Pistons will play four more games on this trip. They're at Portland on Saturday and visit Golden State on Sunday.The 30-year-old Griffin is averaging 24.7 points and 7.6 rebounds.While the Pistons sit Griffin, the Cavs could be without forward Kevin Love, who is questionable with a sore back. He took a hard fall in Saturday's loss at Dallas.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Tue Mar 12 2019 | 19:01 | Rockets surging as scuffling Warriors come to town | Clint Capela | PF | Rockets | Free Agent |
| | | Kenneth Faried | PF | Nuggets | Free Agent |
| | | Eric Gordon | SG | Pelicans | Free Agent |
| | | James Harden | SG | Rockets | Free Agent |
| | | Chris Paul | PG | Clippers | Free Agent |
HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Rockets are finally healthy and have won a season-high nine straight heading into their final regular-season meeting against the Golden State Warriors.Despite the surge, James Harden & Co. still trail first-place Golden State, which has lost six of 10 capped by a loss to the lowly Suns, by 3½ games in the Western Conference standings. Houston has won all three games against the Warriors this season, but win or lose on Wednesday night, the Rockets have much bigger goals."We beat them four times or three times in the regular season ain't nobody going to remember in about a month," Chris Paul said.Indeed.The Rockets not only want to finish out the season strong to try to pass Golden State and second-place Denver for the top seed in the West. They also have their eyes on finally toppling the Warriors after Golden State has eliminated Houston from the playoffs in three of the last four seasons. They've twice lost to them in the Western Conference finals, including... [ More] |
Tue Mar 12 2019 | 17:41 | NBA fines Westbrook $25,000 for language; Jazz ban fan | Russell Westbrook | PG | Thunder | Free Agent |
NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA has fined Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook $25,000 for the language he directed toward a fan in Utah.Meanwhile, the Jazz have banned the fan from all events at their arena permanently and effective immediately.Westbrook says the fan made racial comments toward him during the Jazz-Thunder game on Monday night. The NBA and the Jazz both investigated the matter and released decisions Tuesday afternoon. Westbrook was fined for using both profanity and threatening language, which he did from the sideline.The Jazz say that the fan was banned for "excessive and derogatory verbal abuse" during the game.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Tue Mar 12 2019 | 09:51 | Westbrook confronts 2 fans at Jazz game, cites racial taunt | Raymond Felton | PG | Mavericks | Free Agent |
| | | Russell Westbrook | PG | Thunder | Free Agent |
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Russell Westbrook confronted a man and his wife during a game after the Oklahoma City star says the two racially taunted him.The heated exchange came early in the second quarter of the Thunder's 98-89 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday night.Westbrook was on the bench and stood when he heard what the fans said. He said they told him to "get down on my knees like I used to." After that, Westbrook was seen on video cursing at the man and threatening him and his wife.After the game, Westbrook spoke of verbal abuse he and teammates hear from spectators on the road. Much of it has been directed at their families, according to Westbrook. He said he will no longer tolerate such disrespect."There's got to be something done," Westbrook said. "There's got to be some consequences for those type of people that come to the game just to say and do whatever they want to say. I don't think it's fair to the players."Westbrook recently objected to a young fan touching him on the sideline... [ More] |
Tue Mar 12 2019 | 02:21 | Westbrook has verbal altercation with Jazz fans | Raymond Felton | PG | Mavericks | Free Agent |
| | | Russell Westbrook | PG | Thunder | Free Agent |
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Russell Westbrook got into a heated verbal altercation with a fan and the man's wife during the second quarter of Oklahoma City's 98-89 victory over Utah on Monday night.Early in the quarter, Westbrook stood up from the bench when he felt both fans directed a racial taunt at him. According to the Thunder guard, they told him to "get down on my knees like I used to." After that, Westbrook was seen on video cursing at the man and threating him and his wife.Westbrook expressed concern following the game with the verbal abuse he and teammates have received from fans on the road. Much of it has been directed at their families, according to Westbrook. He said he is done tolerating their disrespect."There's got to be something done," Westbrook said. "There's got to be some consequences for those type of people that come to the game just to say and do whatever they want to say. I don't think it's fair to the players."Westbrook recently objected to a young fan touching him... [ More] |
Tue Mar 12 2019 | 02:01 | Westbrook has verbal altercation with Jazz fans | Raymond Felton | PG | Mavericks | Free Agent |
| | | Russell Westbrook | PG | Thunder | Free Agent |
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Russell Westbrook got into a heated verbal altercation with a fan and the man's wife during the second quarter of Oklahoma City's 98-89 victory over Utah on Monday night.Early in the quarter, Westbrook stood up from the bench when he felt both fans directed a racial taunt at him. According to the Thunder guard, they told him to "get down on my knees like I used to." After that, Westbrook was seen on video cursing at the man and threating him and his wife.He expressed concern following the game with the verbal abuse he and teammates have received from fans on the road. Much of it has been directed at their families, according to Westbrook. He said he is done tolerating their disrespect."There's got to be something done," Westbrook said. "There's got to be some consequences for those type of people that come to the game just to say and do whatever they want to say. I don't think it's fair to the players."Westbrook recently objected to a young fan touching him on the... [ More] |
Mon Mar 11 2019 | 18:50 | Kerr acknowledges cursing out of frustration with Green | Draymond Green | PF | Warriors | Free Agent |
| | | Kevin Durant | SF | Thunder | Free Agent |
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Steve Kerr acknowledged using an expletive to air his frustrations with Draymond Green when speaking to assistant coach Mike Brown during Sunday's 115-111 loss to the lowly Suns. The moment was caught on video and, while it wasn't audible, viewers could read Kerr's lips.Kerr wouldn't go into details regarding any discussion he had with Green on Monday, saying "that's private."The two-time defending champions didn't hold a formal practice and Kevin Durant was listed as day-to-day with a bruised right ankle he injured midway through the fourth quarter of the embarrassing defeat, which snapped an 18-game winning streak against Phoenix — longest in the NBA against a single opponent. The Warriors play again Wednesday at Houston to begin a tough four-game road trip."I'm so ... tired of Draymond!" Kerr said in the video.Kerr joked that he didn't say what he appeared to say."No, the lip-readers were wrong," he said. "What I said was, 'I beg to differ with Draymond's approach... [ More] |
Mon Mar 11 2019 | 18:30 | Raptors' Leonard returns against Cavaliers | Kawhi Leonard | SF | Spurs | Free Agent |
CLEVELAND (AP) — Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard is returning for Monday night's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers after sitting out Sunday.Leonard, who is averaging 27.1 points per game, which is tied for sixth in the NBA, missed Toronto's victory in Miami as the Raptors continue to manage his workload.The 27-year-old Leonard hasn't appeared in more than two consecutive games since playing in five straight from Jan. 25 through Feb. 5. The Raptors have one more set of back-to-back games against Detroit on Sunday and next Monday against New York.Toronto rolled to 125-104 win over the Heat without Leonard, tying a franchise record with 21 3-pointers and outscoring Miami 63-24 from beyond the arc.Entering Monday night's game, Toronto (48-19) trails Milwaukee by two games for the best record in the league and has won 11 of 14.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Mon Mar 11 2019 | 02:40 | All about LeBron: Where does the Lakers star go from here? | Giannis Antetokounmpo | SG | Bucks | Free Agent |
| | | Kobe Bryant | SG | Lakers | Free Agent |
| | | LeBron James | SF | Cavaliers | Free Agent |
| | | Kevin Durant | SF | Thunder | Free Agent |
| | | Kevin Love | PF | Cavaliers | Free Agent |
| | | Dwyane Wade | SG | Heat | Free Agent |
The year was 2005. No one had an iPhone. No one had tweeted. Facebook wasn't part of the mainstream.And it was the last time the NBA playoffs didn't have LeBron James.The Los Angeles Lakers aren't mathematically eliminated from postseason consideration yet, but it's only a matter of time. For the first time in 14 years, the postseason will begin without James — and for the first time in nine years, the NBA Finals will be played without him.It will be a very long offseason for James.It is not what he envisioned, either."It's challenging," James said of the current state of the Lakers. "But I kind of knew what I was getting myself into."That's not entirely true. He knew it would be difficult but he couldn't have foreseen anything like this, since the only other losing season of his life came when he was a rookie in 2003-04.Thing is, he doesn't possibly know what comes next. No one does. The offseason will see roster change, top free agents to play alongside James will be pursued hard by Rob... [ More] |
Sun Mar 10 2019 | 15:30 | 76ers All-Star C Embiid returns from sore left knee | Joel Embiid | C | 76ers | Free Agent |
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid is starting for the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday after missing the last eight games with a sore left knee.Embiid was declared good to go against the Indiana Pacers and was playing for the first time since the All-Star Game. The 24-year-old Embiid is averaging 27.3 points and 13.5 rebounds in 54 games for the Sixers. Embiid and the Sixers have dismissed any connection between his soreness and playing 23 minutes in the All-Star Game.Embiid underwent physical therapy at the 76ers' complex while the team was on the road. The Sixers went 4-4 without him and lost two straight headed into the game against the Pacers.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Sat Mar 9 2019 | 18:10 | Thunder's George fined for public criticism of officiating | Paul George | SF | Pacers | Free Agent |
NEW YORK (AP) — Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Saturday for public criticism of the officiating.George made his comments to the media after the Thunder's 118-110 road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night."We're getting scratched, clawed, held, shoved, and there's nothing for it," George said. "The officials just get to walk out and there's nothing that penalizes them for not officiating the game the right way." |
Sat Mar 9 2019 | 14:40 | X-rays negative on Harden's wrist; will play Sunday | James Harden | SG | Rockets | Free Agent |
HOUSTON (AP) — James Harden will play on Sunday night when the Houston Rockets visit the Dallas Mavericks after X-rays on his injured right wrist were negative.Harden first injured it last Sunday in a win over Boston and aggravated it on Friday night in a fall in the first half of a victory over Philadelphia. The win extended Houston's winning streak to a season-high seven games.Harden leads the NBA in scoring with 36.6 points a game. He said when he fell on Friday night that he was worried the injury was worse than it was.He says: "I was. But I'm happy it's not."As for what he can do to protect his wrist, Harden says: "Just try to not fall on it. That's the only thing I can do. Keep icing it, keep getting treatment on it. But when you keep falling on it, it keeps aggravating it and it keeps getting worse."Houston's recent surge has the team in third place in the Western Conference behind Golden State and Denver. After Sunday's trip to Dallas, the Rockets play four straight home games, highlighted by a visit from the Warriors on Wednesday night.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Fri Mar 8 2019 | 18:09 | Stephen Curry surprises girl who helped with shoe design | Stephen Curry | PG | Warriors | Free Agent |
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry dropped in on a television interview to surprise a 9-year-old girl who helped design the inside of the latest version of the Golden State Warriors star's signature shoe.Riley Morrison of Napa, California, was doing an interview Friday on CBS about the shoes and Curry when he walked in. He gave her a pair of the new shoes and rebounded for her while she shot baskets.Riley was invited to help design the Curry 6 model after she initially wrote to tell him she couldn't buy his Curry 5 shoes because they weren't available for girls on the Under Armour website. They were only marketed to boys. The two-time MVP and five-time All-Star replied with an apology, saying in a handwritten response that he's been working with the company to remedy the situation.He also invited her to the Warriors home game on Friday, which was International Women's Day.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Fri Mar 8 2019 | 17:49 | Pelicans: Moore reinjured quad, out at least a week | Jrue Holiday | PG | Pelicans | Free Agent |
| | | E'Twaun Moore | SG | Bulls | Free Agent |
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans say guard E'Twaun Moore will be sidelined at least a week after reinjuring his left quadriceps.The Pelicans, who announced Moore's condition before Friday night's game against Toronto, say Moore's recurrent contusion occurred during Wednesday night's 114-104 loss to Toronto.The club says the injury was confirmed after Moore underwent an MRI late Thursday afternoon.Moore is in his eighth NBA season and third with New Orleans. He has played in 53 games this season with 36 starts, averaging 11.9 points in nearly 27 minutes per game.Moore has largely alternated between the shooting guard and small forward spots this season. His injury comes after the Pelicans learned Thursday they also would be without guard Jrue Holiday, their second-leading scorer, who is also sidelined a week with a strained abdomen.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Thu Mar 7 2019 | 17:49 | Pelicans' Holiday diagnosed with abdominal strain | Ian Clark | SG | Nuggets | Free Agent |
| | | Anthony Davis | PF | Pelicans | Free Agent |
| | | Jrue Holiday | PG | Pelicans | Free Agent |
| | | E'Twaun Moore | SG | Bulls | Free Agent |
| | | Julius Randle | PF | Lakers | Free Agent |
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans say guard Jrue Holiday has been diagnosed with a lower abdominal strain that is expected to sideline him at least a week.The club says the injury was confirmed by an MRI on Thursday, a day after Holiday played 32 minutes and scored 16 points in New Orleans' 114-104 loss to Utah.Holiday has been the Pelicans' second-leading scorer this season, averaging 21.2 points to go with 7.7 assists, five rebounds and 1.6 steals per game in 67 games. He also is New Orleans' top perimeter defender.Holiday and forward Julius Randle have been the Pelicans' most productive players since Anthony Davis demanded a trade in late January and subsequently had his playing time scaled back.Ian Clark and E'Twaun Moore are among the players who could play more in Holiday's absence.The Pelicans host Toronto on Friday night.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Thu Mar 7 2019 | 08:45 | Like Mike: LeBron overwhelmed after passing Jordan, his hero | Kobe Bryant | SG | Lakers | Free Agent |
| | | LeBron James | SF | Cavaliers | Free Agent |
| | | Moritz Wagner | | | Free Agent |
LOS ANGELES (AP) — From the very first day LeBron James picked up a basketball, he wanted to be like Mike.James and his closest friends idolized Michael Jordan while they grew up together on Akron's competitive playgrounds and tough streets. As James grew into a tantalizing basketball prospect capable of jumping from high school to the NBA as the No. 1 draft pick, he studied, imitated and drew profound inspiration from Jordan's tongue-wagging dunks, that fadeaway jumper, his competitive fire — even the little details of the way Jordan wore his sneakers and shorts.James proudly put No. 23 on his back as soon as he could get it as a high school sophomore."He was everything," James said.Jordan has also admired James' game for years."I want to congratulate LeBron on achieving another great milestone during his amazing career," Jordan said in a statement to The Associated Press on Thursday through his spokeswoman, Estee Portnoy.When James surpassed Jordan's career points total Wednesday night,... [ More] |