CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — There's a part of Kemba Walker that wants to play his entire career with the Charlotte Hornets. There's another part that wants to compete for an NBA championship before he's too old.With the Hornets not ready to compete with the Golden State Warriors of the world, the 28-year-old Walker enters this offseason having to make a choice between loyalty and chasing a ring.And he's just not ready to do that just yet."I have no feeling right now, I don't know," Walker said of his impending decision in free agency this summer. "Honestly, I don't know what to expect. I guess it's a lot of different emotions bottled up into one. I'm not sure. I don't know."The three-time All-Star point guard is expected to be a hot commodity when free agency opens July 1.He's coming off his most productive season statistically, averaging a career-high 25.6 points per game to go along with 5.9 assists and 4.4 rebounds. He was selected as an All-Star game starter for the first time and has put... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks made a modest improvement in the standings this season, finishing with 29 wins, up from 24 the previous year.John Collins sees a far more dramatic improvement in the Hawks' outlook."Completely different," Collins said Wednesday night after closing the season with a career-high 25 rebounds and 20 points. "I feel we have more of a foundation, more of a solid base than last year. I feel like that's going to give us a lot of comfort going into next year."Rookie point guard Trae Young is the new face of the franchise, but Collins also is part of the foundation . The 6-foot-10 forward, only 21 years old, saw his scoring almost double from 10.5 points as a rookie to 19.5 in his second season while averaging almost 10 rebounds per game.The Hawks' makeover in 2018-19 included the additions of three first-round picks and coach Lloyd Pierce. More youth is coming with two first-round picks in the June 20 NBA draft.Kevin Huerter, a 3-point shooter, joined Young as rookie... [More]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Sacramento Kings fired coach Dave Joerger on Thursday after three losing seasons.Joerger had a 98-148 record since joining the Kings, but also helped the team reach its best record in 13 seasons this year with 39 wins. But it wasn't enough to earn him a fourth season in hopes of ending the NBA's longest active playoff drought. Sacramento last made the playoffs in 2006 in coach Rick Adelman's final season."After evaluating the season, I determined that we need to move in a different direction in order to take us to the next level," general manager Vlade Divac said. "On behalf of the entire Kings organization, I want to thank Dave for his contributions to our team and I wish him all the best."Divac made the move official just hours after he was given an extension through the 2022-23 season by owner Vivek Ranadivé. Divac took over as GM before the 2015-16 season and helped bring in some of the key pieces that have led to the improvement this year, including guards... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen has been cleared to resume full basketball activities after missing the final two weeks of the season because of a heart problem.The Bulls announced Thursday that he was cleared after examinations by cardiologists at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and Johns Hopkins.Markkanen left a game at Toronto on March 26 because of extreme fatigue and an accelerated heart rate. The team says doctors at Rush and Johns Hopkins determined dehydration and nutrient deficiency caused the problem.The Bulls say Markkanen will begin his offseason training in his native Finland and return to Chicago in midsummer. The 7-footer averaged 18.7 points and 9.0 rebounds in his second season as Chicago went 22-60.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Sacramento Kings have extended general manager Vlade Divac's contract through the 2022-23 season.The team announced the decision Thursday, one day after finishing its 13th straight losing season — the NBA's longest active playoff drought.Owner Vivek Ranadive called Divac vital to the rebuilding job. Divac became general manager at the start of the 2015-16 season. The Kings have made no announcement about coach Dave Joerger, who is 98-148 in three seasons.The Kings went 39-43 this year, their best record since their last playoff season in 2005-06. They have several talented young players acquired by Divac — guards De'Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield, forward Marvin Bagley III and center Willie Cauley-Stein.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics say guard Marcus Smart will be sidelined 4 to 6 weeks after being diagnosed with a partial tear to his left oblique abdominal muscle.The injury was revealed in an MRI scan on Wednesday. Smart sustained the injury during the third quarter of Boston's home loss to Orlando on Sunday. He was helped off the floor by members of the training staff and was holding his left side after colliding with Magic center Nikola Vucevic.Boston is set to face Indiana in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The timetable for Smart's return means he will be sidelined for that series and the second round, as well, should the Celtics advance.Last season, Smart returned from a thumb surgery late in the first round of the playoffs despite initially being given a recovery window of 6 to 8 weeks.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MIAMI (AP) — The last spot in the NBA playoffs went to the Detroit Pistons.Their reward: A series against MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.The drama of the regular season went all the way to the very end of the regular season, with seven of the eight first-round playoff matchups not being clinched until the final night was in the books — the last three of them, out West, going down to literally the final moments.The two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors will start their quest for a fourth title in five years against the Los Angeles Clippers."It's not going to be as easy as people think it is," Warriors star Kevin Durant said.That's the beauty of the playoffs. It's not supposed to be easy.First-round games in all eight series will be played starting Saturday and Sunday. The second round cannot begin until April 27 at the earliest, the conference finals couldn't start before May 12 and the NBA Finals will start on May 30.EASTERN CONFERENCEThe only matchup... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — The last spot in the NBA playoffs went to the Detroit Pistons.Their reward: A series against MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.The drama of the regular season went all the way to the very end of the regular season, with seven of the eight first-round playoff matchups not being clinched until the final night was in the books — the last three of them, out West, going down to literally the final moments.The two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors will start their quest for a fourth title in five years against the Los Angeles Clippers."It's not going to be as easy as people think it is," Warriors star Kevin Durant said.That's the beauty of the playoffs. It's not supposed to be easy.First-round games in all eight series will be played starting Saturday and Sunday. The second round cannot begin until April 27 at the earliest, the conference finals couldn't start before May 12 and the NBA Finals will start on May 30.EASTERN CONFERENCEThe only matchup... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ralph Lawler called his 3,229th and last regular season game for the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.They even obliged his trademark Lawler's Law, which states the first team to 100 points wins.Montrezl Harrell's dunk gave the Clippers that many points near the end of the third quarter and they went on to beat the Utah Jazz 143-137 in overtime.The eighth-seeded Clippers open the playoffs this weekend against the defending champion Golden State Warriors.Lawler, who turns 81 on April 21, plans to end his 60-year broadcasting career whenever the Clippers are eliminated from the playoffs. He's handled their games for 40 years."I love you people," he told the crowd that gave him a standing ovation during a halftime ceremony.He noted many of them, including comedian Billy Crystal, have been coming since the Clippers played at the old Los Angeles Sports Arena in "the darkest days any franchise could have only imagined. God love you for still being here."The recently... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Dwyane Wade had some superstar fans on hand for his final NBA game.LeBron James, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony were all sitting courtside in Brooklyn on Wednesday night to watch Miami's game against the Nets.Wade punctuated his career with one last triple-double, finishing with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 113-94 loss to Brooklyn.The four players are close friends and former teammates on the U.S. Olympic team.Wade went over to the corner where they were sitting and hugged each before starting his final game before retirement.James told Fox Sports Southeast that it was important for them to be there because their friendship goes beyond basketball."CP played last night, we had our last regular-season game last night and Melo's right here in New York so we kind of made the plan, made the decision to come up here," James said. "Listen, we couldn't miss D-Wade's last game. This is the last time he's going to be on an NBA floor wearing that Miami Heat uniform, that... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Dwyane Wade has some superstar fans on hand for his final NBA game.LeBron James, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony were all sitting courtside in Brooklyn on Wednesday night to watch Miami's game against the Nets.Wade punctuated his career with one last triple-double, finishing with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 113-94 loss to Brooklyn.The four players are close friends and former teammates on the U.S. Olympic team.Wade went over to the corner where they were sitting and hugged each before starting his final game before retirement.James told Fox Sports Southeast that it was important for them to be there because their friendship goes beyond basketball."CP played last night, we had our last regular-season game last night and Melo's right here in New York so we kind of made the plan, made the decision to come up here," James said. "Listen, we couldn't miss D-Wade's last game. This is the last time he's going to be on an NBA floor wearing that Miami Heat uniform, that No. 3, so we're happy to be here to support."___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves will make hiring a new president of basketball operations their first offseason priority.The Timberwolves announced Wednesday before their final game of the season in Denver they will start an immediate search for a front office leader, with the fates of general manager Scott Layden and interim head coach Ryan Saunders yet to be decided. The team said it has no timeline for completing the hire.Tom Thibodeau, who was fired Jan. 6, held the dual role of president of basketball operations and head coach for 2½ seasons, one game short of the halfway point of his contract. Layden stayed on in charge of the roster, and Saunders was promoted to run the team. Owner Glen Taylor said then he would evaluate Layden and Saunders over the balance of the season before determining whether they would return.In a statement distributed by the team, Taylor thanked Layden, Saunders and the rest of the basketball staff for navigating through the challenge of such... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Dwyane Wade has some superstar fans on hand for his final NBA game.LeBron James, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony were all sitting courtside in Brooklyn on Wednesday night to watch Miami's game against the Nets.The four players are close friends and former teammates on the U.S. Olympic team.Wade went over to the corner where they were sitting and hugged each before starting his final game before retirement.James told Fox Sports Sun that it was important for them to be there because their friendship goes beyond basketball."CP played last night, we had our last regular-season game last night and Melo's right here in New York so we kind of made the plan, made the decision to come up here," James said. "Listen, we couldn't miss D-Wade's last game. This is the last time he's going to be on an NBA floor wearing that Miami Heat uniform, that No. 3, so we're happy to be here to support."___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics say guard Marcus Smart will be sidelined 4 to 6 weeks after being diagnosed with a partial tear to his left oblique abdominal muscle.The injury was revealed in an MRI scan on Wednesday. Smart sustained the injury during the third quarter of Boston's home loss to Orlando on Sunday. He was helped off the floor by members of the training staff and was holding his left side after colliding with Magic center Nikola Vucevic.Boston is set to face Indiana in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The timetable for Smart's return means he will be sidelined for that series and the second round, as well, should the Celtics advance.Last season, Smart returned from a thumb surgery late in the first round of the playoffs despite initially being given a recovery window of 6 to 8 weeks.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Dwyane Wade has some superstar fans on hand for his final NBA game.LeBron James, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony were all sitting courtside in Brooklyn on Wednesday night to watch Miami's game against the Nets.The four players are close friends and former teammates on the U.S. Olympic team.Wade went over to the corner where they were sitting and hugged each before starting his final game before retirement.James told Fox Sports Sun that it was important for them to be there because their friendship goes beyond basketball."CP played last night, we had our last regular-season game last night and Melo's right here in New York so we kind of made the plan, made the decision to come up here," James said. "Listen, we couldn't miss D-Wade's last game. This is the last time he's going to be on an NBA floor wearing that Miami Heat uniform, that No. 3, so we're happy to be here to support."___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves will make hiring a new president of basketball operations their first offseason priority.The Timberwolves announced Wednesday before their final game of the season in Denver they will start an immediate search for a front office leader, with the fates of general manager Scott Layden and interim head coach Ryan Saunders yet to be decided. The team said it has no timeline for completing the hire.Tom Thibodeau, who was fired Jan. 6, held the dual role of president of basketball operations and head coach for 2½ seasons, one game short of the halfway point of his contract. Layden stayed on in charge of the roster, and Saunders was promoted to run the team. Owner Glen Taylor said then he would evaluate Layden and Saunders over the balance of the season before determining whether they would return.In a statement distributed by the team, Taylor thanked Layden, Saunders and the rest of the basketball staff for navigating through the challenge of such... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — After handing out sneakers, signed balls and other gifts to fans, the Cleveland Cavaliers gathered one last time after the fourth-worst season in franchise history ended and took photos with adored teammate Channing Frye, whose retirement triggered a three-day celebration.Losing usually doesn't look like this.There were smiles and hugs as a group that never splintered during a taxing season that ended two months earlier than the previous four bonded as brothers. Later, in a pin-drop quiet locker room, coach Larry Drew urged the Cavaliers to reflect and challenged each "to come back a different player."Then, Drew, who doesn't know if he himself will be back, offered thanks."I understand how difficult the season was with everything that took place," said Drew, who took over seven games in following Tyronn Lue's firing. "But they stayed professional and they kept working hard, and I just wanted to let them know how much I appreciated it."And with that, an offseason of uncertainty... [More]

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — A grinning Anthony Davis emerged from the Pelicans' weight room holding one of his white No. 23 game jerseys and tossed it over the shoulder of guard Jrue Holiday, mumbling, "so you won't forget about me," as he walked away.While Davis made his share of good memories during seven seasons — and six All-Star selections — in New Orleans, the Pelicans will be eager to forget the lame-duck, unceremonious manner in which his tenure with the club ended.A new era is on the horizon and the Pelicans appear eager to see it begin."Really excited," Holiday asserted when asked to share his thoughts about what has the making of a busy offseason for the Pelicans, who appear to be on the cusp of hiring a new general manager. "Obviously with opportunities in this offseason to resign guys or pickup new guys, to see what happens with the future with upper management, everything's up in the air."Plagued by injuries to key players, the Pelicans were struggling to stay in striking distance... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Wizards came into the season aiming for 50 wins. They finished with 50 losses.There was poor play. There was little defense. There was the embarrassing 10-31 road record, part of a 32-50 overall mark, the team's worst in six seasons. And the fallout from missing the playoffs already has begun, with team president Ernie Grunfeld's firing."I take the responsibility of I could have done better," coach Scott Brooks said Monday at the club's practice facility. "And going forward, I need to be better."He also said it was too soon for him to say in what ways he can improve.Now the Wizards head into a pivotal offseason, with very few certainties other than this: Bradley Beal is the key piece.He became Washington's unquestioned leader and best player as John Wall missed more than half of the season because of heel surgery. Wall will sit out most — and perhaps all — of next season, too, because of a later operation to repair a torn Achilles tendon."It's been a rocky... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — In a story April 9 about the renaming of the Cleveland Cavaliers' arena, The Associated Press erroneously reported when the team will host the NBA All-Star Game. It is 2022, not 2020.A corrected version of the story is below:Cavaliers' arena renamed Rocket Mortgage FieldHouseCleveland Cavaliers rename their downtown arena Rocket Mortgage FieldHouseBy TOM WITHERSAP Sports WriterCLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers have changed dramatically and so has their downtown home.Quickens Loans Arena is no more.The team will no longer play at "The Q," but inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, which is undergoing a $185 million renovation funded by the city and team.The Cavaliers, who have had a difficult first season since LeBron James left for Los Angeles, announced the name change on Tuesday, hours before they hosted the Charlotte Hornets in their season finale.Dan Gilbert, who has owned the Cavaliers since 2005, said he understands if fans are unhappy with the new name. There was a similar... [More]