By TIM REYNOLDS AP Sports Writer LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were not carrying "Help Wanted" signs around the Miami Heat practice floor on Wednesday. The mood was not grim, voices were not hushed and scowls were not...More >>
By TIM REYNOLDS AP Sports Writer LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were not carrying "Help Wanted" signs around the Miami Heat practice floor on Wednesday. The mood was not grim, voices were not hushed and...More >>
Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird has been voted the NBA's Executive of the Year, becoming the first person to win that award, plus the league's MVP and Coach of the Year honors.More >>
By JON KRAWCZYNSKI AP Sports Writer Everything always seemed to come so easily for Larry Bird on a basketball court.More >>
Tim Duncan had 26 points and 10 rebounds and the San Antonio Spurs, recharged after a weeklong layoff, wore down the busy Los Angeles Clippers to win Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals series, 108-92 on Tuesday...More >>
So much for getting rusty: The San Antonio Spurs didn't miss a beat after a weeklong break, extending a winning streak that few NBA teams have ever sustained in the playoffs.More >>
This does not sound like a winning formula. Miss 24 of 29 shots in one stretch, on the road. Watch an 11-point, second-half lead turn into a deficit. Have your entire team get outscored by two players in the fourth quarter.More >>
This does not sound like a winning formula. Miss 24 of 29 shots in one stretch, on the road. Watch an 11-point, second-half lead turn into a deficit. Have your entire team get outscored by two players in the fourth quarter.More >>
David West scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, George Hill added 15 and the Indiana Pacers took home-court advantage away from Miami by beating the Heat 78-75 in Game 2 of the teams' Eastern Conference semifinal...More >>
No Big Three meant one big problem for Miami, and one very big win for Indiana.More >>
Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving is the NBA's Rookie of the Year, winning the award with the same ease as he dribbled past defenders this season.More >>
Once Kyrie Irving finished cracking jokes, thanking Cleveland's fans, his teammates and coaches, he looked down from the podium at the person who promised this would happen.More >>
Russell Westbrook had 27 points and nine assists, Kevin Durant added 25 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder blasted the weary Los Angeles Lakers 119-90 on Monday night in the opening game of the Western Conference...More >>
When the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City last met, Metta World Peace delivered an elbow that sent the Thunder's James Harden home with a concussion.More >>
Evan Turner made the go-ahead layup with 40.4 seconds left and Philadelphia held off Boston the rest of the way with six straight free throws as the 76ers evened the second-round Eastern Conference series with an 82-81...More >>
Evan Turner made the go-ahead layup with 40.4 seconds left and Philadelphia held off Boston the rest of the way with six straight free throws as the 76ers evened the second-round Eastern Conference series with an 82-81...More >>
Blake Griffin woke up Monday with his sprained left knee not feeling worse, but not really much better. Rest is the only remedy, a luxury the Los Angeles Clippers don't have, and doctors guess he might miss two weeks if...More >>
Blake Griffin woke up Monday with his sprained left knee not feeling worse, but not really much better. Rest is the only remedy, a luxury the Los Angeles Clippers don't have, and doctors guess he might miss two weeks if...More >>
Chris Paul played with an aching right hip and Blake Griffin's sprained left knee stiffened up during the game. If the Clippers were truly a two-man team, then they would have been in trouble facing elimination by the...More >>
Chris Paul played with an aching right hip and Blake Griffin's sprained left knee stiffened up during the game. If the Clippers were truly a two-man team, then they would have been in trouble facing elimination by the...More >>
Heat center Chris Bosh was ruled out of the second half of the opening game of Miami's Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday because of what the team called a lower abdominal injury.More >>
Heat center Chris Bosh missed the second half of the opening game of Miami's Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday because of what the team called a lower abdominal injury.More >>
By TIM DAHLBERG AP Sports Columnist Kobe Bryant hit his only shot that really mattered, then celebrated by slapping hands with Justin Timberlake. In the closing seconds of a Game 7 playoff win, the stars were aligning in Los...More >>
By TIM DAHLBERG AP Sports Columnist Kobe Bryant hit his only shot that really mattered, then celebrated by slapping hands with Justin Timberlake. In the closing seconds of a Game 7 playoff win, the stars...More >>
Kenyon Martin scored seven of his 11 points in the fourth quarter, and the Los Angeles Clippers advanced to the Western Conference semifinals with an 82-72 win Sunday over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 7.More >>
The Los Angeles Clippers refused to let a third chance to knock the Memphis Grizzlies out of the playoffs slip away.More >>
Pau Gasol had 23 points, 17 rebounds and six assists, Metta World Peace scored 15 points in his return from a seven-game suspension, and the Los Angeles Lakers outlasted the Denver Nuggets for a thrilling 96-87 victory in...More >>
Pau Gasol was consumed by determination, holding off Kenneth Faried with one arm and relentlessly tipping the ball at the hoop with the other in the fourth quarter of Game 7. One, two, three, four - five! - offensive...More >>
Kevin Garnett scored 29 points - his most in the regular- or postseason this year - and added 11 rebounds on Saturday night to give the Boston Celtics a 92-91 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in the opener of their...More >>
Rajon Rondo has made dozens of last-second dashes to the basket.More >>
The Lakers have issued a statement publicly backing Mike Brown after Magic Johnson declared the first-year head coach would be fired if Los Angeles lost Game 7 of its first-round playoff series with Denver.More >>
The Lakers issued a statement publicly backing Mike Brown on Saturday after Magic Johnson declared the first-year head coach would be fired if Los Angeles lost Game 7 of its first-round playoff series with Denver.More >>
Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose had surgery Saturday to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.More >>
Derrick Rose had surgery Saturday on a torn knee ligament, and the Chicago Bulls said they will give an update early next week on the recovery of their star point guard.More >>
LeBron James loves telling the story about his first MVP award.More >>
LeBron James spent two days trying to figure out the right words. An assistant jotted some ideas on notecards, which were ignored. So when the moment came to deliver his MVP acceptance speech, James spoke emotionally about...More >>
After finishing second in the MVP voting for the second time in his career, Kevin Durant says he doesn't get any extra motivation from coming so close to winning the NBA's top individual honor.More >>
When the NBA's MVP results were announced Saturday, Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant found himself in a familiar spot: second.More >>
Hall of Fame basketball coach Don Nelson returned to the University of Iowa on Saturday to receive his bachelor's degree in physical education, 50 years after leaving school for the NBA.More >>
By LUKE MEREDITH AP Sports Writer IOWA CITY, Iowa - Fifty years ago, Don Nelson left the University of Iowa eight credits and a student-teaching requirement shy of a degree. Nelson took correspondence classes to complete the...More >>
Although George Karl has spent nearly a quarter-century on NBA benches, the Denver coach can't beat down the butterflies when he thinks about the Nuggets' next game.More >>
Although George Karl has spent nearly a quarter-century on NBA benches, the Denver coach can't beat down the butterflies when he thinks about the Nuggets' next game.More >>
Marc Gasol scored 23 points, Zach Randolph had 18 points and 16 rebounds, and the Memphis Grizzles rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 90-88 Friday night, forcing a decisive seventh game in the...More >>
This time, the fourth quarter belonged to the Memphis Grizzlies.More >>
A person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press that Miami's LeBron James will be announced Saturday as the NBA's MVP, the third time he's won the award in the past four seasons.More >>
Heat forward LeBron James is the NBA's MVP for a third time, putting him alongside some of the game's all-time greats.More >>
An attorney for Chris "Birdman" Andersen says he believes the allegations that led to a search of the Denver Nuggets player's home this week involve a spurned female fan.More >>
An attorney for Chris "Birdman" Andersen says he believes the allegations that led to a search of the Denver Nuggets player's home this week involve a spurned female fan.More >>
The NBA says a foul against Boston with 3.1 seconds left in Atlanta's season-ending loss on Thursday should have been called sooner, which would have given the Hawks a free throw instead of just the ball out of bounds.More >>
The NBA says a foul against Boston with 3.1 seconds left in Atlanta's season-ending loss on Thursday should have been called sooner, which would have given the Hawks a free throw instead of just the ball out of bounds.More >>
The Minnesota Lynx showed potential for years, with plenty of high draft picks for a success-starved franchise to build around. Pieces were always missing in the end.More >>
The Minnesota Lynx showed potential for years, with plenty of high draft picks for a success-starved franchise to build around. Pieces were always missing in the end.More >>
Ty Lawson scored 32 points, fellow spark plug Corey Brewer added 18 and the Denver Nuggets forced a Game 7 in their first-round playoff series with a dominating 113-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.More >>
The upstart Denver Nuggets are one win from running the lumbering Los Angeles Lakers and their star-studded cast right out of the playoffs.More >>
Kevin Garnett had 28 points and 14 rebounds, hitting a jumper to give Boston the lead with 31 seconds left in Game 6 on Thursday night, and the Celtics beat the Atlanta Hawks 83-80 to win their first-round playoff series and...More >>
Andre Iguodala made the go-ahead free throws with 2.2 seconds left and the Philadelphia 76ers rallied for a 79-78 victory over the top-seeded Chicago Bulls in Game 6 on Thursday night, advancing to the second round of the...More >>
Andre Iguodala hopped on the scorer's table and played to the crowd as the catchy 76ers' anthem blared in the arena.More >>
Denver Nuggets reserve center Chris "Birdman" Andersen has been excused indefinitely from all team-related activities after Douglas County sheriff's deputies searched his home Thursday as part of an investigation by the...More >>
Denver Nuggets reserve center Chris "Birdman" Andersen was excused indefinitely from all team-related activities after sheriff's deputies searched his home Thursday as part of an investigation by the department's...More >>
For James Harden, the notion that he could impact a game just as much off the bench as he would from the starting lineup didn't really click until he was forced to test it out.More >>
For James Harden, the notion that he could impact a game just as much off the bench as he would from the starting lineup didn't really click until he was forced to test it out.More >>
Patrick Ewing is one of several candidates the Charlotte Bobcats will interview for their head coaching vacancy and the Hall of Fame center will meet with team officials next week, said people familiar with the situation.More >>
Patrick Ewing is one of several candidates the Charlotte Bobcats will interview for their head coaching vacancy and the Hall of Fame center will meet with team officials next week, said people familiar with the situation.More >>
LeBron James was still on the court, enjoying the moment after ousting the New York Knicks, when the first questions came about what's next for the Miami Heat.More >>
LeBron James was still on the court, enjoying the moment after ousting the New York Knicks, when the first questions came about what's next for the Miami Heat.More >>
Marc Gasol scored 23 points and Zach Randolph added 19 as the Memphis Grizzlies avoided elimination by beating the Los Angeles Clippers 92-80 on Wednesday night, forcing a Game 6 in the Western Conference first-round series.More >>
The Memphis Grizzlies believe they finally played their grinding, bruising style of basketball in the playoffs.More >>
After ruling out any connection between the injuries suffered by players and the compressed regular-season schedule, David Stern has started walking that statement back.More >>
Barely a week after ruling out any connection between the injuries suffered by players and the compressed regular-season schedule, NBA Commissioner David Stern has started walking that statement back.More >>
JaVale McGee went out with the attitude that Game 5 was the last game of his life. The other Denver Nuggets played their own mental games, some drawing inspiration from Lakers center Andrew Bynum's comment about how...More >>
JaVale McGee went out with the attitude that Game 5 was the last game of his life. The other Denver Nuggets played their own mental games, some drawing inspiration from Lakers center Andrew Bynum's comment about how...More >>
Andre Miller scored 24 points, including two free throws with 12.8 seconds left, and the Denver Nuggets survived Kobe Bryant's late scoring barrage in a 43-point performance, avoiding playoff elimination with a 102-99...More >>
The Denver Nuggets plastered Andrew Bynum's words all over their locker room and across their minds, drawing fiery inspiration from the Lakers center's declaration that closeout playoff games are sometimes easy when...More >>
Luol Deng scored 24 points, Carlos Boozer added 19 points and 13 rebounds, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Philadelphia 76ers 77-69 on Tuesday night to avoid a first-round playoff exit.More >>
The Chicago Bulls aren't quite finished after all. They're still in a dire situation, though.More >>
Danny Granger scored 25 points to help the Indiana Pacers defeat the Orlando Magic 105-87 on Tuesday night and clinch their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series 4-1.More >>
Danny Granger scored 25 points to help the Indiana Pacers defeat the Orlando Magic 105-87 on Tuesday night and clinch their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series 4-1.More >>
Al Horford scored 19 points in his first start since January, and the Atlanta Hawks held on for an 87-86 victory over the Boston Celtics in a thrilling Game 5 of the Eastern Conference playoffs Tuesday night.More >>
Danny Granger scored 25 points to help the Indiana Pacers defeat the Orlando Magic 105-87 on Tuesday night and clinch their first-round Eastern Conference series 4-1.More >>
It was just like old times at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.More >>
Interim coach Mike Woodson says Jeremy Lin will not play in the Knicks' first-round series against Miami, even if they avoid elimination Wednesday.More >>
Interim coach Mike Woodson says Jeremy Lin will not play in the Knicks' first-round series against Miami, even if they avoid elimination Wednesday.More >>
Chris Paul scored eight of his 27 points in a dynamic overtime performance, and the Los Angeles Clippers moved to the brink of their second playoff series victory in 36 years with a 101-97 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on...More >>
The Los Angeles Clippers' 10-point lead late in regulation had evaporated, and Blake Griffin stood helplessly at their bench with hands on hips after fouling out in overtime. A building full of red-shirted fans sat...More >>
Manu Ginobili broke out of his shooting slump with 17 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to an 87-81 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday night and a sweep of their first-round Western Conference series.More >>
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich shrugged when asked about Manu Ginobili's mini-shooting slump.More >>
Kobe Bryant scored 22 points, Andrew Bynum added 19 and the Los Angeles Lakers' stars got plenty of help from their supporting cast in a 92-88 win over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night for a 3-1 lead in their...More >>
Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum put up their usual big numbers. Their supporting cast came up even bigger, sealing the Los Angeles Lakers' 92-88 victory over Denver on Sunday night that put the Nuggets on the brink of...More >>
Paul Pierce scored 24 points in 18 minutes and the Boston Celtics opened a 37-point third-quarter lead before coasting to a 101-79 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.More >>
Paul Pierce scored 24 points in 18 minutes and the Boston Celtics opened a 37-point third-quarter lead before coasting to a 101-79 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.More >>
Carmelo Anthony scored 41 points, Amare Stoudemire had 20 points and 10 rebounds in his return from a cut hand, and the New York Knicks snapped an NBA-record, 13-game postseason losing streak by beating the Miami Heat 89-87...More >>
Amare Stoudemire raised his hands in the air, one covered in padding, as streamers fell from the ceiling above him.More >>
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney spent Sunday night at the TD Garden watching the NBA playoff game between the Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks.More >>
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and his wife, Ann, spent Sunday night at Boston's TD Garden watching the NBA playoff game between the Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks.More >>
Spencer Hawes scored 22 points and Jrue Holiday had 20 to help the surprising Philadelphia 76ers beat the Chicago Bulls 89-82 on Sunday and take a 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference playoff series.More >>
His coach called Jrue Holiday's slump "0 for the world."More >>
Tony Parker scored 27 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Utah Jazz 102-90 Saturday night to take a 3-0 lead in their first-round Western Conference playoff series.More >>
Through nearly 40 minutes, the Utah Jazz made Tony Parker look average.More >>
James Harden scored 15 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter as Oklahoma City rallied for a 103-97 victory Saturday night to sweep the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks out of the playoffs.More >>
Down by 13 points with less than 10 minutes remaining, youthful Oklahoma City could have easily have been content knowing they could go home for a Game 5 still needing to win only one more game.More >>
Chris Paul had 24 points and 11 assists and high-flying Blake Griffin added 17 points for the Los Angeles Clippers, who beat the Memphis Grizzles 87-86 Saturday only after Rudy Gay missed a jumper just before the buzzer.More >>
If the Los Angeles Clippers hadn't been so inept at the free throw line, Rudy Gay's last-second shot wouldn't have mattered.More >>
George Hill hit a pair of free throws with 2.2 seconds left in overtime to help the Indiana Pacers survive squandering a 19-point fourth quarter lead and beat the Orlando Magic 101-99 on Saturday to take a 3-1 series lead.More >>
The Indiana Pacers have looked like a team with enough talent to win in the playoffs.More >>
The Denver Nuggets swore if they could just play with a lead, this first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers would be a whole lot different.More >>
The Denver Nuggets swore if they could just play with a lead, this first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers would be a whole lot different.More >>
Spencer Hawes scored 21 points, grabbed nine rebounds and hit the go-ahead jumper late in the fourth quarter to help the Philadelphia 76ers rally to beat the Chicago Bulls 79-74 on Friday night and take a 2-1 lead in their...More >>
With one misstep, Joakim Noah crashed down on his side and clutched his sprained left ankle. Already reeling without Derrick Rose, the top-seeded Chicago Bulls now hold their breath waiting on Noah's fate for the rest of...More >>
Rajon Rondo had a triple-double with 17 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists to lead the Celtics to a 90-84 overtime victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night and give Boston a 2-1 lead in the first-round playoff series.More >>
Rajon Rondo spun at the free throw line, leaving one defender behind, and rose toward the basket. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw another Atlanta player coming to guard him; with his other eye he spied teammate Paul...More >>
Glen Taylor tells The Associated Press that he is looking for a minority partner who could eventually succeed him as the majority owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves.More >>
Glen Taylor is the biggest reason the Timberwolves are still in Minnesota, having saved the team from moving to New Orleans when he swooped in and bought the franchise in 1994.More >>
Dirk Nowitzki leaned back in the chair at the podium, trying to explain what went wrong for the Dallas Mavericks once they got home for the playoffs.More >>
Dirk Nowitzki leaned back in the chair at the podium, trying to explain what went wrong for the Dallas Mavericks once they got home for the playoffs.More >>
Kevin Durant finally found his postseason shooting touch to get Oklahoma City off to a quick start, and the Thunder never trailed on the way to a 95-79 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night for a commanding 3-0...More >>
When Kevin Durant finally found his postseason shooting touch for Oklahoma City, the young Thunder were off and running.More >>
Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh was preparing to return for Game 3 of his team's Eastern Conference first-round series in New York on Thursday, hours after his wife gave birth to the couple's first child.More >>
Heat forward Chris Bosh stepped onto the court at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night with one thought in his head.More >>
LeBron James scored 32 points, including eight straight to start the fourth quarter and break open the game, and the Miami Heat took a 3-0 lead, sending the New York Knicks to an NBA postseason-record 13th straight loss,...More >>
LeBron James alternated fouls and fumbles, the crowd howling in delight with every one of his mistakes.More >>
Heat forward Chris Bosh may miss Game 3 of Miami's Eastern Conference first-round series in New York on Thursday after being summoned home because his wife was preparing to give birth.More >>
Heat forward Chris Bosh may miss Game 3 of Miami's Eastern Conference first-round series in New York on Thursday after being summoned home because his wife was preparing to give birth.More >>
O.J. Mayo scored 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, and the Memphis Grizzlies bounced back to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 105-98 on Wednesday night.More >>
O.J. Mayo felt so responsible for how Memphis blew a 27-point lead in the series opener with the Clippers that he had barely slept since that loss. He made sure all the Grizzlies can sleep well now.More >>
Danny Granger had 26 points and nine rebounds, Roy Hibbert added 18 points and 10 rebounds, and the Indiana Pacers beat the Orlando Magic 97-74 on Wednesday night to a take a 2-1 lead in the first-round series.More >>
In the first two games against the Orlando Magic, the Indiana Pacers struggled to make the most of their size and matchup advantages.More >>
Tony Parker scored 18 points and the San Antonio Spurs handed Utah its second-worst playoff loss in franchise history, beating the Jazz 114-83 on Wednesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the first-round series.More >>
Tony Parker shooed away the NBA coach of the year. The San Antonio Spurs were ahead 36 points and he didn't want Gregg Popovich to end his night just yet.More >>
Amare Stoudemire says there's a "great chance" he can play in Game 4 of the Knicks' series against Miami on Sunday despite cutting his left hand on a fire extinguisher case.More >>
Kobe Bryant scored 38 points, Andrew Bynum followed up his playoff-opening triple-double with 27 points and nine rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers weathered Denver's late rally for a 104-100 victory over the Nuggets...More >>
Tyson Chandler has been voted the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year for his impact on the New York Knicks, a person with knowledge of the award said Tuesday.More >>
The Los Angeles Kings have maintained their discipline and cool during a dominant playoff run that has them two games away from the team's first Stanley Cup finals appearance since 1993.More >>
The Los Angeles Kings have maintained their discipline and cool during a dominant playoff run that has them two games away from the team's first Stanley Cup finals appearance since 1993.More >>
Brett Lawrie of the Toronto Blue Jays has been suspended for four games by Major League Baseball after he threw his batting helmet and it bounced off an umpire.More >>
Brett Lawrie heard the penalty, then expressed just one regret about his tantrum: that his batting helmet bounced up and hit an umpire.More >>
By BEN WALKER AP Baseball Writer Helmet tossing and bat banging have become all the rage, it seems. Yet Brett Lawrie and Bryce Harper still have a long way to go before hitting our list of baseball's...More >>
By BEN WALKER AP Baseball Writer Helmet tossing and bat banging have become all the rage, it seems. Yet suspended Toronto infielder Brett Lawrie and injured Washington teen phenom Bryce Harper still have a...More >>
By TIM REYNOLDS AP Sports Writer LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were not carrying "Help Wanted" signs around the Miami Heat practice floor on Wednesday. The mood was not grim, voices were not hushed and scowls were not...More >>
By TIM REYNOLDS AP Sports Writer LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were not carrying "Help Wanted" signs around the Miami Heat practice floor on Wednesday. The mood was not grim, voices were not hushed and...More >>
Arbitrator Shyam Das has finished hearing arguments from NFL and players' union lawyers on whether Commissioner Roger Goodell can discipline players for actions that occurred before the league's current labor...More >>
Arbitrator Shyam Das heard arguments Wednesday from NFL and players union lawyers on whether Commissioner Roger Goodell can discipline players for actions that occurred before the league's current labor agreement was...More >>
By TIM DAHLBERG AP Sports Columnist The state of Rhode Island is having trouble collecting some of the millions it lent former pitcher Curt Schilling, another reminder why chasing celebrity is almost always...More >>
By TIM DAHLBERG AP Sports Columnist The state of Rhode Island is having trouble collecting some of the millions it lent former pitcher Curt Schilling, another reminder why chasing celebrity is almost always...More >>