NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks have signed guard Allonzo Trier to a guaranteed deal after the undrafted rookie's strong start to the season.The Knicks say Thursday that Trier became the first two-way player to sign a guaranteed NBA contract within the first two months of the season. The team acted quickly to make sure Trier wouldn't have to spend time in the NBA G League after he was one of the top contributors to the Knicks.Trier is averaging 11.3 points in 27 games and is shooting 39.1 percent from 3-point range, which ranks third among first-year players.He was signed to a two-way contract on July 3 after the former Arizona guard wasn't taken in the draft despite averaging 18.1 points as a junior.To make room on the roster for Trier's contract, the Knicks waived guard Ron Baker.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Hornets owner Michael Jordan said it was a "tap of endearment."After watching a bizarre ending to Charlotte's win against Detroit on Wednesday, a bewildered Jordan lightly smacked the back of second-year guard Malik Monk's head in closing seconds of the game.Jordan told The Associated Press Thursday via text message through his spokeswoman Estee Portnoy there was no malicious intent when he playfully smacked Monk on the back of his head."It was like a big brother and little brother tap," Jordan told the AP. "No negative intent. Only love!"Monk and teammate Bismack Biyombo ran from the bench on to the court to celebrate as Jeremy Lamb launched a 22-footer game-winning shot with 0.3 seconds left. Officials gathered at the scorer's table and assessed the Hornets a one-shot technical foul for having six men on the floor."Big, big, big brother," Monk said with a laugh Thursday. "But it was nothing. He was just playing."Monk went on to say, "it's Mike, and whatever he does... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Hornets owner Michael Jordan says lightly smacking the back of second-year guard Malik Monk's head in closing seconds of Wednesday night's win against the Pistons was a "tap of endearment."Monk and teammate Bismack Biyombo ran from the bench on to the court to celebrate as Jeremy Lamb launched a 22-footer game-winning shot with 0.3 seconds left. Officials gathered at the scorer's table and assessed the Hornets a one-shot technical foul for having six men on the floor.Jordan told The Associated Press Thursday there was no malicious intent when he playfully smacked Monk on the back of his head.The Hornets owner, says "It was like a big brother and little brother tap. No negative intent. Only love!"The Pistons made the one technical foul shot, but Lamb's basket was allowed to stand and the Hornets won 108-107.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Hornets owner Michael Jordan says lightly smacking the back of second-year guard Malik Monk's head in closing seconds of Wednesday night's win against the Pistons was a "tap of endearment."Monk and teammate Bismack Biyombo ran from the bench on to the court to celebrate as Jeremy Lamb launched a 22-footer game-winning shot with 0.3 seconds left. Officials gathered at the scorer's table and assessed the Hornets a one-shot technical foul for having six men on the floor.Jordan told the Associated Press Thursday there was no malicious intent when he playfully smacked Monk on the back of his head.The Hornets owner, says "It was like a big brother and little brother tap. No negative intent. Only love!"The Pistons made the technical, but Lamb's basket was allowed to stand and the Hornets won 108-107.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard sat out Toronto's showdown against the Golden State Warriors because of a bruised right hip.The star forward was inactive for the second straight game Wednesday night, but the Raptors cruised to a 113-93 win at Golden State.Earlier in the day, Leonard was deemed questionable while getting treatment on his hip. Toronto coach Nick Nurse spoke to reporters 90 minutes before tip-off and said he was uncertain about Leonard's status.The Raptors improved their NBA-best record to 23-7. They beat the Los Angeles Clippers 123-99 without Leonard on Tuesday night and then completed a season sweep of the two-time defending champion Warriors.Toronto beat Golden State 131-128 in overtime on Nov. 29. The Warriors played that game without All-Stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, both of whom were back in the lineup for the rematch Wednesday.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard is sitting out Toronto's showdown against the Golden State Warriors because of a bruised right hip.The star forward is inactive for the second straight game. Earlier in the day, he was deemed questionable while getting treatment on his hip. Raptors coach Nick Nurse spoke to reporters 90 minutes before tip-off and said he was uncertain about Leonard's status.The Raptors began the night with the best record in the NBA at 22-7. They beat the Los Angeles Clippers 123-99 without Leonard on Tuesday night and are seeking a season sweep of the two-time defending champion Warriors.Toronto beat Golden State 131-128 in overtime on Nov. 29. The Warriors played that game without All-Stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, both of whom were back in the lineup for the rematch Wednesday night.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican fans have waited a lifetime for the opportunity to watch their favorite team, the Chicago Bulls, in their homeland. But hardly anyone envisioned that they'd get to see the current version of the team that will face the Orlando Magic on Thursday night amid reports of turmoil in the locker room under new coach Jim Boylen.Playing South of the Border for the first time in their history, the Bulls (6-22) are the main attraction in a country where the franchise in considered the second-most popular among local fans. Many of them fell in love with the team when Michael Jordan led the Bulls to six championships in the 90s.But these Bulls arrived in Mexico after losing nine of their last 10 games, and with the worst record in the Eastern Conference and second-worst in the NBA. The terrible start led to the firing of coach Fred Hoiberg, who was replaced by his assistant, Boylen, who is off to a rough start.After a win over Oklahoma City on Friday and a 56-point loss to... [More]

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican fans have waited a lifetime for the opportunity to watch their favorite team, the Chicago Bulls, in their homeland. But hardly anyone envisioned that they'd get to see the current version of the team that will face the Orlando Magic on Thursday night amid reports of turmoil in the locker room under new coach Jim Boylen.Playing South of the Border for the first time in their history, the Bulls (6-22) are the main attraction in a country where the franchise in considered the second-most popular among local fans. Many of them fell in love with the team when Michael Jordan led the Bulls to six championships in the 90s.But these Bulls arrived in Mexico after losing nine of their last 10 games, and with the worst record in the Eastern Conference and second-worst in the NBA. The terrible start led to the firing of coach Fred Hoiberg, who was replaced by his assistant, Boylen, who is off to a rough start.After a win over Oklahoma City on Friday and a 56-point loss to... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Phoenix Suns forward T.J. Warren has been fined $15,000 by the NBA for directing inappropriate language toward an official following his ejection from a game.The fine was handed down Wednesday by league discipline executive Kiki VanDeWeghe.The incident occurred with 1:44 remaining in the second quarter of the Suns' 123-119 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.In his first game back after missing five with an ankle injury, Warren had just been ejected for drawing back-to-back technical fouls.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Toronto's Kawhi Leonard won't play against the Los Angeles Clippers because a bruised right hip.Raptors coach Nick Nurse announced the injury shortly before Tuesday night's game at Staples Center.He says Leonard got hurt in a loss against Milwaukee on Sunday and the forward is listed as day-to-day."He did go through shootaround," Nurse said. "We were hoping he would pass the test and go, but it was a little too sore."Leonard is averaging 26.1 points and 8.3 rebounds for the Raptors, whose 21-7 record leads the NBA.Toronto came into Tuesday's game having lost three of four. The Raptors move on to face Golden State on Wednesday.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Tristan Thompson's strong season has stalled.Cleveland's starting center could miss a month after spraining his left foot in Monday night's 108-92 loss at Milwaukee. Thompson has been playing at an All-Star level and has been one of the few bright spots for the struggling Cavaliers, who are 6-21 and already missing star forward Kevin Love.Thompson got hurt in the third quarter when he twisted his foot while landing on the foot of Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon. Thompson tried to stay in the game before signaling to Cleveland's bench that he needed to come out. He did not return.Afterward, Thompson didn't think his injury was too serious."I just fell forward on it, it'll be all right," he said. "It happens when you're rebounding and the little guys are down there. It's part of the game. I'm just glad I was able to walk off on my own two feet."Thompson underwent further tests on Tuesday, which confirmed the sprain. The Cavaliers said he will be out a minimum of two weeks, and... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson could miss a month with a sprained left foot.Thompson got hurt during Monday night's 108-92 loss in Milwaukee. He made 6 of 7 shots and added six rebounds in 18 minutes before he twisted his foot in the third quarter.The team says Thompson will be out for a minimum of two weeks, and his status will updated "as appropriate."He's averaging 12 points and a career-high 11.6 rebounds in 27 games.Thompson's injury is the latest setback for the struggling Cavaliers, who are still without All-Star forward Kevin Love. He's been out most of the season following toe surgery and is not expected back until sometime in January.Cleveland is 6-21 heading into Wednesday night's game against the New York Knicks.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dwyane Wade will be spending a lot of time in Los Angeles while he settles into retirement next year. He already has a house here, and his wife's acting career would undoubtedly benefit from more time in Hollywood.LeBron James is a newly minted Southern Californian himself, and he's already hatching schemes to occupy his former teammate, longtime rival and permanent friend."I told him, 'No one likes to work out by themselves,'" James said with a grin. "So he can come to Staples. He can come to the practice facility anytime he wants to get workouts in. He can come help me with the young guys as well. He'll be around a lot more personally for me, so I'll love that."Wade still has 56 regular-season games left in his self-declared final NBA season with the Miami Heat, but he passed a major milestone in that procession when he lined up against James for the final time Monday night in the Los Angeles Lakers' 108-105 victory.The result wasn't the most important part of the night... [More]

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — As the Santa Cruz Warriors huddled after practice, Darius Morris provided a quick recap of his adventure to the Arizona desert a day earlier to interview with the Suns. Phoenix needed a point guard given Devin Booker's hamstring injury, and Morris was at least in the mix.Santa Cruz coach Aaron Miles, who so wishes he were still playing professionally, had a little fun leading the offense in Morris' absence.Just one example of life in the topsy-turvy, changing-by-the-day G League, when Golden State or another club might come calling at a moment's notice to swipe a top player for promotion to the NBA.Or, as is the case for Santa Cruz this week, send one of the NBA's best big men out on rehab assignment.Miles will have the chance to work alongside DeMarcus Cousins, assigned to Santa Cruz on Monday as he continues his rehab from left Achilles tendon surgery. Cousins' younger brother, Jaleel, is on the team, too.One moment, Miles might be setting a screen or bouncing... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns have signed post player Eric Moreland.The Suns announced the signing after the start of Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers.The 6-foot-10 Moreland has played in 78 games over three seasons with the Sacramento Kings and Detroit Pistons. He appeared in 67 games with the Pistons last season, averaging 2.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 12 minutes per game.The 26-year-old Moreland was in the Toronto Raptors' training camp before this season. Undrafted in 2014 after four years at Oregon State, he has played three seasons in the G-League.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Draymond Green returned to the Golden State Warriors' starting lineup for Monday night's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves after sitting out the previous 11 with a right toe injury.The Warriors went 6-5 without Green, but coach Steve Kerr expects his team to pick up the pace with the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year back in the lineup."I would think the game would get faster and we should be better defensively with Draymond out there," Kerr said. "Hopefully we can get some stops and Draymond can push the ball in transition. That's something we have done for many years, so it would be nice to see."A three-time All-Star, Green was on the court 35 minutes before tip-off wearing white headphones and a blue sweatshirt while working on his 3-point shot.It was Green's second game back since serving a one-game suspension handed down by Golden State for his dust-up with teammate Kevin Durant. The two got into a heated argument at the end of regulation in a 121-116 overtime road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 12.__More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns have signed post player Eric Moreland.The Suns announced the signing after the start of Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers.The 6-foot10 Moreland has played in 78 games over three NBA seasons with the Sacramento Kings and Detroit Pistons. He appeared in 67 games with the Pistons last season, averaging 2.1 points, 4,1 rebounds and 12 minutes per game.The 26-yeaer-old Moreland was in the Toronto Raptors' training camp before this season. Undrafted in 2014 after four years at Oregon State, he has played three seasons in the G-League.

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Hawks center Miles Plumlee will be out for at least a week because of an injured left knee.The team said in a release that Plumlee began experiencing pain before a practice last week. He underwent an MRI at Emory Sports Medicine Complex, which led to a non-surgical procedure on Monday.Plumlee will be re-evaluated Dec. 18.He has played sparingly for the Hawks, averaging 4.8 points in 16 games.___For more AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics were without four key players against the New Orleans Pelicans, with stars Kyrie Irving, Al Horford and Gordon Hayward all out for the game.Big man Aron Baynes was also out with a sprained ankle Monday night. Horford was nursing a sore left knee, Irving had a sore right shoulder, and Hayward was ill.The four players combine to average more than 50 points, 21 rebounds and 14 assists this season.Daniel Theis and Terry Rozier each made his second start of the season. Marcus Morris, Marcus Smart and Jayson Tatum also were in the starting lineup.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Hawks center Miles Plumlee will be out for at least a week because of an injured left knee.The team said in a release that Plumlee began experiencing pain before a practice last week. He underwent an MRI at Emory Sports Medicine Complex, which led to a non-surgical procedure on Monday.Plumlee will be re-evaluated Dec. 18.He has played sparingly for the Hawks, averaging 4.8 points in 16 games.___For more AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports