BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics will be without guard Kemba Walker and forward Jaylen Brown for Saturday night’s home game against the Phoenix Suns.Coming off a 40-point effort in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night, Boston coach Brad Stevens said Walker contacted the team Friday night and said he had a sore left knee. Brown will miss his second straight with a sprained right thumb.“Kemba got a hold of our doctors last night and said he had some knee soreness,” Stevens said. “Went in and got an MRI today, it didn’t show anything structurally wrong, clearly very sore.”Stevens’ original thought is that it won’t be a lengthy absence.“I always get concerned when someone’s not feeling well,” he said. “I don’t get the impression it’s a long-term thing.”Earlier this month, Walker missed three games due to illness. He’s the team’s leading scorer at 22.1 points per game. “We’re going to have to just have other guys step up and do so by committee,” Stevens said. “Nobody is going to score 40 by themselves that’s going to replace him.”Brown is averaging 20 points per game, third most on the team.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ESPN has gone through many pairings and approaches trying to build a pregame show during its 18 seasons broadcasting the NBA. This time it's using a successful daily show. The Rachel Nichols-led “The Jump” has been a daytime hit since debuting four years ago and is going primetime. It will lead off ABC's Saturday night package, which begins with the Los Angeles Lakers visiting the Houston Rockets. “To get the trust of ESPN to do something like this feels good. It's not just me hosting pregame, but have the whole feeling and ethos of 'The Jump' from games," Nichols said.Nichols often takes “The Jump” out of its Los Angeles studio for a big game or newsworthy event, including the NBA Finals. The biggest change is the show will be cut from 60 to 30 minutes, but even that is a throwback to its roots as a half-hour program on ESPN2. Mike Shiffman, head of NBA production for ESPN, said the ability of the show to be nimble and adjust to breaking news was one of the biggest draws to giving it a... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum sprained his left ankle in the first half at Dallas on Friday and was ruled out for the rest of the game.McCollum was injured in the second quarter when he drove to the basket and his foot landed on Dallas forward Maxi Kleber's foot as McCollum missed a layup.The loss of McCollum came after fellow guard Damian Lillard was cleared to play after being a game-time decision because of an illness. McCollum came in second to Lillard in scoring and assists for Portland at 21.9 points and 3.8 assists per game.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ESPN has gone through many pairings and approaches trying to build a pregame show during its 18 seasons broadcasting the NBA. This time it's using a successful daily show. The Rachel Nichols-led “The Jump” has been a daytime hit since debuting four years ago and is going primetime. It will lead off ABC's Saturday night package, which begins with the Los Angeles Lakers visiting the Houston Rockets. “To get the trust of ESPN to do something like this feels good. It's not just me hosting pregame, but have the whole feeling and ethos of 'The Jump' from games," Nichols said.Nichols often takes “The Jump” out of its Los Angeles studio for a big game or newsworthy event, including the NBA Finals. The biggest change is the show will be cut from 60 to 30 minutes, but even that is a throwback to its roots as a half-hour program on ESPN2. Mike Shiffman, head of NBA production for ESPN, said the ability of the show to be nimble and adjust to breaking news was one of the biggest draws to giving it a... [More]

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Thunder center Steven Adams will miss Friday's game against the Miami Heat.Adams left Wednesday's game against the Toronto Raptors with a right knee contusion. He is averaging 11.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. Nerlens Noel, who missed the previous six games with a left ankle sprain, will be available. He averages 7.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns is in the starting lineup for the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday at Indiana after missing 15 games with sprained left knee.Coach Ryan Saunders told reporters before the game the two-time All-Star will be on a minutes restriction because of his prolonged absence. Team officials also plan to closely monitor Towns for fatigue.“He hasn't played for a while, so you have to take all those things into account," Saunders said. “You always want to have a full complement of players and when you have a guy who is as productive as KAT is, you always want that guy out there."Minnesota went 5-10 without Towns.Towns averages 26.5 points and 11.7 rebounds and shoots 51.4% from the field, all team highs. He also averages 4.4 assists, the highest among players on the current roster following Thursday's trade, which sent Jeff Teague to Atlanta.The Timberwolves will be without guard Allen Crabbe, who they reacquired from Atlanta. Saunders said Crabbe is expected to join the team Saturday in Minneapolis.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Heat say Justise Winslow will miss at least two more weeks while recovering from a back injury.Winslow has played only once since Dec. 4 and is slated to be out for at least the remainder of January. The team originally called Winslow’s injury a back strain, then updated the diagnosis to a bone bruise.Winslow played off the bench in Miami’s win at Indiana on Jan. 8. The team said the back problems reappeared after that game. He has not played since. Friday’s game in Oklahoma City is Miami’s 41st of the season and the 30th that Winslow has missed. He’s averaging 11.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists for the Heat this season.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DENVER (AP) — Michael Porter Jr. often reminded himself to remain patient as the Denver Nuggets gradually eased him back onto the court. Being patient, though, hasn't always been his forte. He's a 21-year-old highly touted rookie eager to show how he can contribute. He's feeling good these days, too, after sitting out all of last season following back surgery. Recently, more and more playing time has arrived for the player dubbed “MPJ” — a trend that figures only to go up and up. Porter completely understands why coach Michael Malone is carefully integrating him into an already deep lineup. A healthy Porter just might be the piece the Nuggets need in a loaded Western Conference.“Coach is doing the right thing bringing me along slowly,” the 6-foot-10 forward with the smooth outside shot and explosive first step said. “But, yeah, it's hard to stay patient."Porter's a self-described perfectionist. He's trying to curb that trait a bit — for his own well-being. He tries not to let missed shots... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer dug into his team after Thursday night's win.Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 17 rebounds, Khris Middleton scored 23 and the Bucks held off the Boston Celtics 128-123 despite blowing two separate 20-point leads.“We were up 20 twice and they came back,” Antetokounmpo said. "... We didn’t play the best basketball and how we usually play. I was kind of upset after the game. We talked in the locker room. We talked to one another. We were up 20 and we won but we’ve got to play for 48 minutes. "Coach Bud came in here and he was steaming hot. He was angry and that’s good. He doesn’t really care about this game or the next game. He cares about how we can get better and how can we be good for 48 minutes. That’s what our goal is.”Despite the lapses, the NBA-leading Bucks (37-6) extended their winning streak to five games, while Boston lost its second game in as many nights.“It's a very long season, still,” Celtics guard Kemba Walker said.... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer dug into his team after Thursday night's win.Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 17 rebounds, Khris Middleton scored 23 and the Bucks held off the Boston Celtics 128-123 despite blowing two separate 20-point leads.“We were up 20 twice and they came back,” Antetokounmpo said. "... We didn’t play the best basketball and how we usually play. I was kind of upset after the game. We talked in the locker room. We talked to one another. We were up 20 and we won but we’ve got to play for 48 minutes. "Coach Bud came in here and he was steaming hot. He was angry and that’s good. He doesn’t really care about this game or the next game. He cares about how we can get better and how can we be good for 48 minutes. That’s what our goal is.”Despite the lapses, the NBA-leading Bucks (37-6) extended their winning streak to five games, while Boston lost its second game in as many nights.“It's a very long season, still,” Celtics guard Kemba Walker said.... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 17 rebounds, Khris Middleton scored 23 and the Milwaukee Bucks held off the Boston Celtics 128-123 on Thursday night.With the victory, the NBA-leading Bucks (37-6) extended their winning streak to five games.Kemba Walker scored a game-high 40 points to lead the Celtics, who took the floor without Jaylen Brown. The 6-foot-6 forward suffered a sprained right thumb in a 13-point loss to Detroit on Wednesday.“We saw a play late in the first half and we think that might have been when it happened," Boston coach Brad Stevens said. "Maybe it got worse as the game went on. He didn’t say much about it at halftime. Certainly, after the game it was sore. Today, more sore.”Stevens said they will do more tests on Brown's thumb on Friday.Marcus Smart, who started in place of Brown, had 24 points.Antetokounmpo, who also had seven assists, had his 35th double-double of the season.After trailing by as many as 27, the Celtics outscored Milwaukee 36-22... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With the Minnesota Timberwolves committed to a new style of play, Jeff Teague didn't fit the trend.The Timberwolves traded the 11th-year veteran point guard to his original team Thursday in a three-player swap of backups with the Atlanta Hawks, who sent shooting guard Allen Crabbe in return.The Timberwolves also dealt shooting guard Treveon Graham, creating a roster space for potential other transactions prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline. It was the first significant in-season move by new president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas, who let the first wave of players acquired by the previous regime go last summer soon after he was hired.Teague, who played his first seven NBA seasons with the Hawks after they made him the 19th overall pick in the 2009 draft, went to his only All-Star game in 2015 for Atlanta.Crabbe is a better stylistic fit for the fast-paced, 3-point-favoring offense the Wolves have transitioned to under Rosas and first-year coach Ryan Saunders.... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves traded 11th-year veteran point guard Jeff Teague to his original team Thursday in a three-player swap of backups with the Atlanta Hawks, who sent shooting guard Allen Crabbe in return.The Timberwolves also dealt shooting guard Treveon Graham, creating a roster space for potential other transactions prior to the trade deadline Feb. 6. It was the first significant in-season move by new president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas.The 31-year-old Teague, who's making $19 million, and the 27-year-old Crabbe, who's earning $18.5 million, are both playing on expiring contracts. Graham is only signed through this season, too.Teague averaged 13.4 points and 7.1 assists in 146 games with the Timberwolves over 2 1/2 seasons, a well-respected leader in the locker room whose time with the team was hampered by knee and ankle injuries. He played in only 42 games last season and was moved into a reserve role two months ago, with Shabazz Napier and Jarrett... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — LeBron James still leads Luka Doncic in the race to become the leading Western Conference vote-getter and one of the two captains for next month’s All-Star Game, the NBA announced Thursday.James had 4,747,887 votes in the latest returns of fan voting, currently making the Los Angeles Lakers’ star the top overall vote-getter. Doncic has 4,598,323, good enough for the Dallas Mavericks guard to lead the Western Conference backcourt voting but 149,564 ballots behind James.The only other player with a reasonable chance of overtaking James or Doncic for the top West voting spot would be Lakers forward Anthony Davis, who has 4,412,619 votes. No other player in the West had topped the 3 million mark through the NBA’s most recent update.Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks remains the Eastern Conference voting leader, with 4,474,107 votes -- roughly 2 million more than Toronto’s Pascal Siakam.Captaincy for the game is given to the starter with the most votes from each conference;... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray was ruled out for the rest of the game against the Charlotte Hornets after leaving late in the first half after rolling his left ankle. Murray tried to contest a 3-point shot by Terry Rozier on Wednesday night and appeared to land on Rozier's foot. Murray instantly grabbed at his ankle as play was stopped. He was helped off the floor by teammates and then placed in a wheelchair once he left the court.Murray had five points and one assist against the Hornets before leaving. He was also dealing with a sore back. Murray is averaging 17.9 points a game this season.The short-handed Nuggets were already without Gary Harris (groin) and Paul Millsap (bruised knee).Reserve Monte Morris figured to get more time with the first unit in Murray's absence.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Bulls center Daniel Gafford left Wednesday night's game against Washington after he dislocated his right thumb on a steal.Gafford's thumb was bent back after he picked off a pass by Ian Mahinmi early in the first quarter. The 6-foot-11 Gafford called timeout and ran off the court in the direction of the Bulls' locker room.X-rays were negative, and the team said he is expected to miss two to four weeks.Gafford was selected by Chicago in the second round of last year's draft. He was averaging 4.9 points and 2.5 rebounds coming into the game.Luke Kornet came in after Gafford departed.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Bulls center Daniel Gafford left Wednesday night's game against Washington after he hurt his right thumb on a steal.Gafford's thumb was bent back after he picked off a pass by Ian Mahinmi early in the first quarter. The 6-foot-11 Gafford called timeout and ran off the court in the direction of the Bulls' locker room.Gafford was selected by Chicago in the second round of last year's draft. He was averaging 4.9 points and 2.5 rebounds coming into the game.Luke Kornet came in after Gafford departed.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Hawks forward Chandler Parsons was involved in a car wreck after practice Wednesday.Parsons sustained a concussion and whiplash, according to a statement from the team. He will enter the NBA's concussion protocol and won't travel to Friday's game at San Antonio.The Hawks provided no additional details on the accident. Parsons is in his first and likely only season with Atlanta, which acquired him from Memphis last summer in a trade of overpriced players. The 31-year-old Parsons is making more than $25 million in the final year of his contract. He has played just five games for the rebuilding Hawks, averaging 2.8 points. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Zion Williamson, the top choice in last summer’s NBA draft, is scheduled to make his regular season debut for the Pelicans on Jan. 22 when New Orleans hosts the the San Antonio Spurs, Pelicans basketball operations chief David Griffin said Wednesday.“Everything's moving in the right direction,” Griffin said. “I really believe very strongly he is a radically improved physical version of himself in way that frankly we took the extra time to ensure.”The former Duke star has missed New Orleans’ first 41 games this season while rehabilitating from arthroscopic surgery to repair the lateral meniscus in his right knee. The timeline set for his return calls for him to miss three more games, starting with Thursday night's home game against Utah.New Orleans also hosts the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday and visit Memphis on Monday. Griffin also indicated that Williamson's minutes will be closely monitored and likely limited for the time being. "From a sustaining health standpoint,... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Guard Damion Lee signed a multiyear contract with the Warriors on Wednesday as expected given his time as a two-way player had expired and Golden State wanted to keep him for the remainder of the season.The team also brought back forward Marquese Chriss as a two-way player after he had been waived to clear room for Lee's promotion. With Lee coming up, that left an open two-way spot and Chriss came through waivers and was available. The 22-year-old Chriss will split time with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the G League. He has provided a boost for the injury-plagued Warriors after signing as a free agent in late September, averaging 7.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 17.7 minutes over 37 games with three starts. Coach Steve Kerr was asked before Tuesday's 124-97 home defeat to the Dallas Mavericks whether it surprised him Chriss remained available.“It did. I guess the one thing that maybe hurt him in terms of not being picked up was the trade deadline coming up... [More]