PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr. is out for the remainder of the season following surgery on his left thumb.The Suns said in a statement that Oubre had a procedure on his sprained thumb Friday. The recovery time is expected to be four to six weeks.Oubre was injured during Phoenix's game at New Orleans on March 16 and has not played since.Oubre has been a nice fit in the desert since being acquired from Washington for forward Trevor Ariza on Dec. 17. He's averaged 16.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 40 games.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Warriors forward Kevin Durant will sit out Saturday night against his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, with a right ankle sprain. Durant, the league's No. 4 scorer, also missed Golden State's game against Houston on Wednesday. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Durant will most likely play Monday against San Antonio, but he felt more comfortable giving him a few more days of rest. Durant also sat out at against Oklahoma City in March 2017 with a left knee injury. ___ Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lakers forward Brandon Ingram is expected to be ready for next season after undergoing surgery on his right arm. Ingram had thoracic outlet decompression surgery Saturday, the Lakers say. Ingram was declared out for the season earlier this month after he was diagnosed with deep venous thrombosis. A blood clot caused shoulder pain for Ingram, who averaged a career-best 18.3 points and 5.1 rebounds this season. Ingram's surgery was performed at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. The Lakers say he is expected to make a full recovery before the start of his fourth NBA season in the fall. Ingram was the No. 2 pick in the 2016 draft out of Duke. He turns 22 in September. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MIAMI (AP) — Chris Bosh is making a lot of music these days. He drinks beer and thinks about making more beer. He sketches. He paints. He plays with his kids. He has even learned how to use a wrench.He is also happy and healthy.And finally, he's made peace with the devastating way that blood clots ended his NBA career without warning and when he was still in his prime. The Miami Heat will retire his No. 1 jersey on Tuesday night, making Bosh the fourth former franchise pillar with a jersey swaying from the rafters of AmericanAirlines Arena after Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway and Shaquille O'Neal.His career is obviously worthy of celebrating. Bosh just hasn't been in the mood to celebrate, until now."It's very awesome," Bosh said. "I thought I had more time, but in the time I gave it was still worthy enough to have the organization and the great Pat Riley consider this. Pretty cool."Bosh played 13 seasons, the first seven in Toronto and the last six in Miami. He averaged 19.2 points and... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart has been fined $50,000 by the NBA for forcefully shoving Philadelphia's Joel Embiid to the floor.Kiki VanDeWeghe, the NBA's executive vice president of basketball operations, noted Smart's repeated acts of unsportsmanlike conduct during games this season in handing down the penalty Thursday. Smart has been fined for two prior incidents in 2018-19.Smart shoved Embiid from behind with 7:06 remaining in the third quarter of the 76ers' 118-115 victory on Wednesday. He received a flagrant foul 2 and was ejected.

TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Raptors say all-star guard Kyle Lowry will miss a second straight game with a sprained right ankle when the Oklahoma City Thunder visit Soctiabank Arena on Friday night.The team made the announcement Thursday on Twitter.Lowry was injured in Toronto's 128-92 win over the Knicks on Monday night when New York rookie center Mitchell Robinson fell on Lowry's ankle. Lowry, who had just returned after missing two games with a left ankle injury, had to be helped to the locker room.He missed Toronto's 132-114 overtime victory at Oklahoma City on Wednesday.The 32-year-old Lowry will miss his 15th game this season due to back, hip and ankle injuries. He is averaging 14.8 points and 9.0 assists per game.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves have more than likely shut down three of their top five scorers for the rest of the season with lingering injuries: Robert Covington, Derrick Rose and Jeff Teague.The Timberwolves announced before their game Thursday at Charlotte that Covington, who was the centerpiece of the package received in the Jimmy Butler trade, recently suffered a setback with the bone bruise on his right knee. Covington had been progressing closer to a return since getting hurt on Dec. 31. He played in only 22 games for the Wolves after arriving from Philadelphia.Rose has missed the last four games with soreness and swelling in his right elbow. He had an MRI test on Tuesday that revealed a bone chip and a loose body in the joint. Teague has also missed the last four games after aggravating a left foot injury that initially occurred in mid-December. He had an injection on Tuesday to treat chronic inflammation.The team said all three players are not expected to play anymore this season. The Wolves are on the verge of being eliminated from the playoff race.___More AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

In case more proof was needed that the game of basketball has changed wildly in the last few years, check out the starting center for the team with the best record in the NBA — he is often nowhere near the basket.It's by design.Milwaukee's Brook Lopez hardly ever took 3-pointers in high school, or college, or his first eight seasons in the NBA. He's a 7-footer, and 7-footers were told forever to go to the low post and wait to see if someone throws you the ball. Those days are largely gone and perhaps no NBA big man has seen his job description change more than Lopez.He's taken more 3-pointers this season — 461 and counting — than any 7-footer in any NBA season. And that comes after he was 3 for 31, total, from beyond the arc in his first eight seasons as a pro, with many of those heaves coming in end-of-game or end-of-shot-clock situations."In our practice facility we have boxes out deep beyond the 3-point line, from areas we know we can get reps at," Lopez said. "Eventually, you just get... [More]

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Nick Collison's No. 4 jersey was retired by the Oklahoma City Thunder during a ceremony before their game against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.It's the first number the Thunder have retired since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. The Seattle SuperSonics drafted Collison out of Kansas in 2003 and he spent his entire 15-year career with the club.Collison averaged only 5.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game for Seattle/Oklahoma City, but played a key role in developing the team's Oklahoma City culture and became known as "Mr. Thunder."Mayor David Holt declared Wednesday to be "Nick Collison Day" in Oklahoma City."I could never have expected something like this," Collison said. "But it's really a special night for me and my family. It's been a long run. To be able to have the career I had here and then have a celebration like that, I feel very fortunate. That kind of goes without saying, but it's amazing for me. It's a good feeling coming back. I don't... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Bucks are staggering to the finish line of a special regular season.Milwaukee superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss his second straight game with a sprained right ankle on Wednesday night, one of several key injuries to hit the Eastern Conference-leading Bucks in recent days.A leading MVP contender, Antetokounmpo will rest against the Cavaliers as the Bucks, who enter with the NBA's best record, try to clinch their first Central Division title since 2001.Antetokounmpo also sat Tuesday night when the Bucks beat the Los Angeles Lakers, who played without LeBron James and deprived fans of a matchup of two of the game's biggest names."He's making progress," coach Mike Budenholzer said of Antetokounmpo. "He just can't go tonight. It's us hopefully being smart and being somewhat cautious, but it's more than that. He can't play. We'll see how the next 24 to 48 hours go, and I'm hopeful he'll be in a good place as we move forward."The Bucks host Miami on Friday.Antetokounmpo... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss his second straight game with a sprained right ankle, one of several injuries to hit the Bucks in recent days.A leading MVP contender, Antetokounmpo will sit out Wednesday night's game against the Cavaliers as the Eastern Conference-leading Bucks try to clinch their first Central Division title since 2001. He also rested Tuesday night when the Bucks beat the Los Angeles Lakers, who were without LeBron James.Coach Mike Budenholzer said Antetokounmpo is still slowed by soreness and the team is being "smart" and "cautious" with its best player. Antetokounmpo is averaging 27.5 points, 12.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists.In the past few days, the Bucks have been rocked by injuries to starting guard Malcolm Brogdon (plantar fascia tear) and forward Nikola Mirotic (sprained thumb).The Bucks did not provide a timetable for Mirotic's return, but Budenholzer hopes he'll be back in time for the start of the playoffs.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks forward Nikola Mirotic is out indefinitely an examination of his left thumb revealed a sprain and a fracture.Since being acquired by the Bucks on Feb. 7, Mirotic has played in 14 games with three starts. He is averaging 11.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 22.9 minutes per game for the NBA-leading Bucks.Milwaukee announced the injury a few hours before Wednesday night's game at Cleveland.Earlier this week, the Bucks signed guard Tim Frazier to shore up their backcourt with Malcolm Brogdon out indefinitely with a plantar fascia tear in his right foot. Brogdon started 64 games this season for Milwaukee.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis Grizzlies guard Avery Bradley will miss at least a week because of a bruised shin.The Grizzlies announced Wednesday that the condition of Bradley's shin was revealed after their 135-128 loss to the Washington Wizards on Saturday. Bradley had collected 21 points and five assists in that game.The Grizzlies said Bradley will be evaluated again in a week.Bradley came to the Grizzlies at the trade deadline last month in a deal that sent guard Garrett Temple and forward JaMychal Green to the Los Angeles Clippers.The 28-year-old has averaged 16.1 points and 4 assists in 14 games with the Grizzlies.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Pistons have assigned Khyri Thomas and Svi Mykhailiuk to Grand Rapids, the team's G League affiliate.Mykhailiuk was acquired from the Lakers on Feb. 6 in the deal that sent Reggie Bullock to Los Angeles. He has played in three games with the Pistons and appeared in 39 for the Lakers before that.Thomas has appeared in 23 games with the Pistons, averaging 2.7 points.The Pistons began a five-game road trip with a loss to Cleveland on Monday. They face Phoenix on Thursday night.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Doc Rivers denied rumors on Tuesday night that he's interested in leaving the Los Angeles Clippers to coach the Lakers.The LeBron James-led Lakers are 31-39 under coach Luke Walton, whose job status is widely believed to be in jeopardy. Fueling the speculation involving Rivers is that he is close friends with Magic Johnson, Lakers president of basketball operations.Rivers and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer agreed to a shorter contract extension last year that included an opt-out after this season. Rivers said the opt-out existed to "make sure it was the right fit for everyone."However, Rivers said that's being replaced with a long-term deal."I have a job and the Lakers have a coach," Rivers said. "Straight and upfront, I'm going to be here until Steve says 'Get out.'"The coach said earlier this year he and Ballmer mutually agreed to remove the opt-out and make it an extension."This is a great place to work," Rivers said.Rivers has coached the Clippers since 2013, compiling an 887-654 record. He also served as president of basketball operations for three seasons before ceding those duties to Lawrence Frank in 2017.The Clippers were 41-30 going into Tuesday night's game against Indiana at Staples Center. They currently own the eighth and final Western Conference playoff berth.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Darren Collision will miss his first game of the season for the Indiana Pacers because of a right quad contusion.The guard had started all 71 games until sitting out Tuesday night against the Clippers in Los Angeles.Cory Joseph was to start in his place.Pacers coach Nate McMillan says Collison got hurt Monday night in a 106-98 loss at Portland. He thinks the injury occurred on a drive to the basket, when he got kneed.Collison complained of soreness and didn't feel that he could play in the second game of the back-to-back.The 10-year veteran out of UCLA is averaging 11.3 points and 6.0 assists.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Doc Rivers is denying rumors that he's interested in leaving the Los Angeles Clippers to coach the Lakers.The LeBron James-led Lakers are 31-39 under coach Luke Walton, whose job status is widely believed to be in jeopardy.Rivers is so eager to tamp down the speculation that he says paperwork on a new contract extension is already being worked on.He says he had an option to opt out of his contract this summer. However, Rivers says that earlier this year he and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer mutually agreed to remove the clause, which existed to "make sure it was the right fit for everyone."The Clippers are 41-30 going into Tuesday night's game against Indiana at Staples Center. They own the eighth and final Western Conference playoff berth.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokoumpo and LeBron James, who served as competing All-Star captains, both will miss Tuesday night's game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers.Antetokounmpo, an MVP front-runner, turned his right ankle during the Bucks' loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday. He crumpled to the ground after colliding with Joel Embiid while driving to the basket late in the third quarter."Yesterday was an off day but a lot of guys still come in on off days to get treatment," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "He got some treatment. Coming in today, he's in a place where he's not good to play. He can't play."James is sitting out with a sore left groin, the same injury that caused him to miss a career-high 17 consecutive games earlier this season.The NBA-leading Bucks have been beset by injuries and took the court against the Lakers without guard Sterling Brown (right wrist soreness), guard Donte DiVincenzo (bilateral heel bursitis) and center Pau Gasol (left ankle... [More]

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Warriors forward Kevin Durant will sit out Saturday night against his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, with a right ankle sprain. Durant, the league's No. 4 scorer, also missed Golden State's game against Houston on Wednesday. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Durant will most likely play Monday against San Antonio, but he felt more comfortable giving him a few more days of rest. Durant also sat out at against Oklahoma City in March 2017 with a left knee injury. ___ Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP

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... [More]