TORONTO (AP) — Patrick McCaw, a reserve who has played on three NBA championship teams, was waived Thursday by the Toronto Raptors. He has been limited to five games this season because of a knee injury. He played less than seven minutes a game. McCaw signed with the Raptors in January 2019 and was part of the team’s NBA championship roster that year. Just five players from that team remain with Toronto. That was McCaw’s third NBA title in as many years to start his career. He won two with Golden State. In 68 games with the Raptors, McCaw averaged 3.6 points, 2 rebounds and 18.9 minutes. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NBA players are apparently not easily impressed — even by other NBA players. LeBron James and Kevin Durant were the only two players to appear on more than 50% of the ballots cast by their playing peers in All-Star Game starter balloting this season, based on a review of the numbers released by the league. James appeared on 56% of the ballots, Durant on 55%. They wound up as the leading votegetters from fans as well for this year’s game, which is set for March 7 in Atlanta. As the fan-vote leaders, James and Durant were picked to serve as the playing captains in the game and draft teams that will be unveiled March 4. The other eight starters — Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Kawhi Leonard, Bradley Beal, Kyrie Irving, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo — were announced Thursday as well, along with James and Durant. The 14 reserve spots will be announced Tuesday after NBA head coaches cast ballots. Antetokounmpo appeared on 47% of player ballots, Curry on 45%, Embiid and Jokic... [More]

Orlando returned to Florida with home-court advantage.Indiana and Oklahoma City are seeking some home-court magic.A trio of Game 3s in the NBA on Friday night — Toronto at Orlando, Boston at Indiana and Portland at Oklahoma City — have three very different story lines. The Magic got a split of their first two games with the Raptors, the Pacers are reeling after a late-game collapse in Game 2 left them trailing the Celtics 2-0, and the Thunder have seemed completely out of sorts as they've gotten into a 2-0 hole against the Trail Blazers."I still don't think we understand how good a team we can be when we play well," Magic coach Steve Clifford said.Indiana had a great chance at getting a split slip away late in Game 2 at Boston. The Pacers have now lost 16 of their last 24 games overall, are looking at a fourth consecutive first-round ouster and have never won a series after losing the first two games.Having said all that, the Celtics are leery of a letup."We know anything can happen in... [More]

Orlando returned to Florida with home-court advantage.Indiana and Oklahoma City are seeking some home-court magic.A trio of Game 3s in the NBA on Friday night — Toronto at Orlando, Boston at Indiana and Portland at Oklahoma City — have three very different story lines. The Magic got a split of their first two games with the Raptors, the Pacers are reeling after a late-game collapse in Game 2 left them trailing the Celtics 2-0, and the Thunder have seemed completely out of sorts as they've gotten into a 2-0 hole against the Trail Blazers."I still don't think we understand how good a team we can be when we play well," Magic coach Steve Clifford said.Indiana had a great chance at getting a split slip away late in Game 2 at Boston. The Pacers have now lost 16 of their last 24 games overall, are looking at a fourth consecutive first-round ouster and have never won a series after losing the first two games.Having said all that, the Celtics are leery of a letup."We know anything can happen in... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Raptors will be without forward Patrick McCaw for about weeks because of a sprained right thumb.He was hurt during Thursday night's win at New York. He will wear a splint while he is sidelined.McCaw is averaging 2.7 points and 1.7 rebounds through 26 games with Toronto. The Raptors lead the Atlantic Division and have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.

CLEVELAND (AP) — The NBA has cleared the Cleveland Cavaliers of any wrongdoing in their brief alliance with forward Patrick McCaw.At the urging of the Golden State Warriors, the league investigated Cleveland's signing of McCaw as a restricted free agent before releasing him. McCaw played two seasons with the defending champions but did not re-sign with them last summer. The Cavs signed him to a two-year, $6 million offer sheet last month the Warriors chose not to match.McCaw played in three games for the Cavs and was waived before his contract became guaranteed. He signed with Toronto last week.The league said Monday it found "no violation of the league's collective bargaining agreement, including the anti-circumvention rules."The Cavs could have forfeited a draft pick had they been found guilty of any offenses.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — The struggling Cavaliers signed guard Cameron Payne to a 10-day contract.To make roster space, the Cavs waived swingman Patrick McCaw, who signed with the club as a free agent on Dec. 28. He played in three games with Cleveland.Payne will give the Cavs a backup for rookie Collin Sexton and backcourt depth while Matthew Dellavedova deals with a sore foot. Payne averaged 5.7 points and 2.7 assists in 31 games — 12 starts — for Chicago before he was waived by the Bulls.He has appeared in 144 games over four seasons with Chicago and Oklahoma City. Payne played at Murray State before he was drafted with the No. 14 overall pick by the Thunder in 2015.At 8-32, the Cavs have the NBA's worst record and they've lost nine straight games, their last five at home by at least 20 points — a league record.Cleveland hosts Indiana on Tuesday.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Patrick McCaw walked away from a championship team and wound up on the NBA's worst squad.He's not sure how it happened."That's a tough question," he said Monday following his first practice with the Cavaliers.McCaw, who chose not to re-sign with Golden State following last season, is now in Cleveland after the Warriors decided not to match the two-year, $6 million offer sheet the Cavaliers gave the 23-year-old swingman last week.McCaw had been expected to be in the Warriors' rotation this season, but he turned down a reported two-year, $5.2 million contract, held out and became a restricted free agent.Now, he's starting over with the Cavaliers, who also are starting anew.From top to bottom."I loved playing in Golden State," McCaw said. "My teammates, the coaches, it was nothing really — nothing stands out to me to say I didn't want to go back. Think it was just a personal thing where I was just like, I think it was time for me to move on for a new opportunity within myself.... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Former Warriors swingman Patrick McCaw is practicing with the Cavaliers, who signed him to a two-year, $6 million offer sheet last week.McCaw officially joined the Cavaliers' roster on Monday after Golden State decided not to match Cleveland's offer.The 23-year-old McCaw had been expected to be in the defending NBA champion's rotation this season but didn't re-sign with the team as a restricted free agent.It's not immediately clear when McCaw will play for the Cavaliers, who have dropped six straight and have the NBA's worst record at 8-29. Cleveland has been plagued by injuries all season and needs front-line help.The 6-foot-7 McCaw averaged 4.0 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 57 games last season, when he got hurt while attempting a dunk on March 31. He returned for Golden State's title run but was limited to 16 minutes in six games.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The Cleveland Cavaliers said Friday that they have signed restricted free agent guard Patrick McCaw to an offer sheet.A person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press that the Cavs' offer to McCaw was for two years and $6 million. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because it remains unclear if Golden State will exercise its right to match the terms.If the Warriors choose to keep McCaw, it could cost substantially more than just his salary figure because of luxury-tax ramifications.McCaw averaged 4.0 points in 128 regular-season appearances with the Warriors over the past two seasons. He got hurt after taking a scary fall while trying a dunk on March 31, and when he returned during Golden State's playoff run he was limited to a total of only 16 minutes in six games — though he did get on the floor in all four of Golden State's wins over Cleveland in its NBA Finals sweep.ESPN first reported the agreement between McCaw and the Cavaliers.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A person with knowledge of the agreement says Patrick McCaw has signed a two-year, $6 million offer sheet with the Cleveland Cavaliers.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the deal has yet to be finalized. Golden State now must decide whether to match the terms, and if the Warriors choose to keep McCaw it would cost substantially more than just his salary figure because of luxury-tax ramifications.McCaw averaged 4.0 points per game in 128 regular-season appearances with the Warriors over the past two seasons. He got hurt after taking a scary fall while trying a dunk on March 31, and when he returned during Golden State's playoff run he was limited to a total of only 16 minutes in six games — though he did get on the floor in all four of Golden State's wins over Cleveland in its NBA Finals sweep.ESPN first reported the agreement between McCaw and the Cavaliers.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — DeMarcus Cousins has progressed in his recovery from surgery for a torn left Achilles tendon and is doing light shooting and other skill work on the court and will be able to do some noncontact work as the Warriors' training camp begins.Golden State general manager Bob Myers said anyone who thinks the two-time defending champions plan to "save DeMarcus for the playoffs, I think that's inaccurate, when he can play he'll play."That doesn't mean Cousins will be pushed to return too soon. He was re-examined last week by Dr. Richard Ferkel, the surgeon who performed his procedure, and all was positive. Myers said Cousins would be evaluated again in four weeks."We won't rush him but we also won't hold him back," Myers said at Monday's media day.Cousins injured his Achilles in late January and it prematurely ended his season with the Pelicans. Before the injury, Cousins averaged 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 48 games.He said he's encouraged to be running... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — DeMarcus Cousins has progressed in his recovery from surgery for a torn left Achilles tendon and is doing light shooting and other skill work on the court and will be able to do some noncontact work as the Warriors' training camp begins.Golden State general manager Bob Myers said anyone who thinks the two-time defending champions plan to "save DeMarcus for the playoffs, I think that's inaccurate, when he can play he'll play."That doesn't mean Cousins will be pushed to return too soon. He was re-examined last week by Dr. Richard Ferkel, the surgeon who performed his procedure, and all was positive. Myers said Cousins would be evaluated again in four weeks."We won't rush him but we also won't hold him back," Myers said at Monday's media day.Cousins injured his Achilles in late January and it prematurely ended his season with the Pelicans. Before the injury, Cousins averaged 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 48 games.He said he's encouraged to be running... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Golden State Warriors will be much younger next season, and general manager Bob Myers is working to keep much of the core intact to chase another championship.Versatile big man Kevon Looney will re-sign with the two-time defending champions on a one-year deal for the minimum, a person with direct knowledge of the agreement said Tuesday.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Looney's new deal cannot become official until he signs after the moratorium period is lifted Friday.Golden State already reached agreement with two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant on a two-year contract with a player option.Bringing back Looney, a power forward and center, was a top priority for Myers, who also hopes to re-sign guard Patrick McCaw.Looney lost about 30 pounds last offseason to transform his body, make himself faster and give him a regular spot in coach Steve Kerr's rotation, even earning starts in five postseason games during the absence of Andre Iguodala.In his third professional season, the 22-year-old Looney averaged 4.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game.While the Warriors lost center JaVale McGee to the Lakers, they added DeMarcus Cousins on Monday to give Golden State five potential All-Star starters once Cousins returns from a torn Achilles tendon that required surgery.ESPN first reported Looney's agreement.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Golden State Warriors will be younger next season, and general manager Bob Myers is working to keep much of the core intact to chase another championship.Versatile big man Kevon Looney will re-sign with the two-time defending champions, a person with direct knowledge of the agreement said Tuesday.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Looney's new deal cannot become official until he signs after the moratorium period is lifted Friday.Golden State already reached agreement with two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant on a two-year contract with a player option.Bringing back Looney, a power forward and center, was a top priority for Myers, who also hopes to re-sign guard Patrick McCaw.Looney lost about 30 pounds last offseason to transform his body, make himself faster and give him a regular spot in coach Steve Kerr's rotation, even earning starts in five postseason games during the absence of Andre Iguodala.In his third professional season, the 22-year-old Looney averaged 4.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game.While the Warriors lost center JaVale McGee to the Lakers, they added DeMarcus Cousins on Monday to give Golden State five potential All-Star starters once Cousins returns from a torn Achilles tendon that required surgery.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Rockets star Chris Paul is receiving treatment "around the clock" on his injured right hamstring and coach Mike D'Antoni hopes it will only be a matter of days before he is healthy enough to play again.The timeline remained unclear whether Paul might be fine to play a possible Game 7 if the Rockets lost Saturday night's Game 6 and had to return to Houston to face the Golden State Warriors again Monday night. Eric Gordon started in Paul's place Saturday at Oracle Arena."I think he'll play as soon as he can," D'Antoni said before the game Saturday. "It's just not a question of trying to outsmart. He's going to play. As soon as he's able to walk and run, he'll do it. There was no shot at it today."Golden State forward Andre Iguodala was out for a third straight game this series after he sustained a bone bruise in his left knee during Game 3. Coach Steve Kerr said Iguodala continues to have pain when running, so he's still listed as day to day."It's a bone bruise, and... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Golden State Warriors reserve guard Patrick McCaw has been cleared for limited on-court activities as he tries to come back from a spinal bruise that has sidelined him since March 31.The Warriors are not providing a specific timeline for McCaw's return to game action, saying only that doctors will re-evaluate him again in four weeks.The club says McCaw was given the go-ahead to perform modified shooting and running drills after a medical evaluation on Thursday. The Warriors say McCaw "is making steady functional progress" in his rehabilitation, which has included supervised strength and conditioning work.McCaw has averaged four points in 57 games this season.Golden State holds a 2-0 series lead in its second-round playoff series with New Orleans. Game 3 is Friday night.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Golden State guard Patrick McCaw has been cleared to do some modified shooting and on-court running following a frightening fall at Sacramento on March 31 when he lost feeling in his lower half and was taken out on a stretcher with a severely bruised lower back.The team says the second-year pro was re-evaluated Thursday and will be examined by team medical staff again in four weeks.McCaw is making "steady functional progress" and will also work with the athletic training staff to keep building back his overall strength and conditioning.McCaw drove the baseline and went down with a thud in the third quarter of a 112-96 win, hit in the lower body by Vince Carter.McCaw lay still for about 10 minutes as the crowd quieted. Carter, who was given a Flagrant-1 foul, knelt nearby as medical personnel from both teams along with Warriors coach Steve Kerr rushed out to the baseline beneath Golden State's basket.McCaw has said he didn't believe Carter intentionally injured him.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

Quin Snyder walked into his news conference after Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals with a stoic look, slowly rubbing his forehead, barely if ever cracking anything that would resemble a smile.And he was on the winning side.This much is clear about the Utah Jazz: They are not surprising themselves by being in this position. A team that was written off by Vegas oddsmakers and alleged experts coming into the season after losing Gordon Hayward in free agency won 48 games, ousted reigning MVP Russell Westbrook and Oklahoma City in the first round, and now have the Houston Rockets in a bit of trouble.The Jazz stole home-court from Houston with a win on Wednesday night, and now look to take a 2-1 lead when the series shifts to Salt Lake City for Game 3 on Friday night."When guys have confidence in each other, it allows them, I think, the confidence individually to step up," Snyder said.Confidence is not an issue for the Jazz.Even on a night where Donovan Mitchell shot 6 for 21 and fellow... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Golden State Warriors guard Patrick McCaw has been released from a hospital following a terrifying fall to the floor during Saturday's game at Sacramento.The team also said Sunday that preliminary tests showed McCaw has no structural damage or problems with his nervous system after the freak injury.Golden State announced that X-rays, a CT scan and an MRI "were all clear." McCaw was able to leave UC Davis Medical Center. He is scheduled to be re-examined by a specialist on Thursday and his injury — aside from anything related to the impact of the fall — will be listed as a bruised lumbar spine."Just a huge relief," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "Last night was really terrifying. All the news has been good. He's up walking. That's the only thing that matters, that Patrick's OK."Scariest thing I've ever experienced on a basketball floor for sure. Not even close."McCaw was taken away on a stretcher after a thud to the court following a foul by Sacramento's Vince Carter... [More]