MIAMI (AP) — Chris Bosh is making a lot of music these days. He drinks beer and thinks about making more beer. He sketches. He paints. He plays with his kids. He has even learned how to use a wrench.He is also happy and healthy.And finally, he's made peace with the devastating way that blood clots ended his NBA career without warning and when he was still in his prime. The Miami Heat will retire his No. 1 jersey on Tuesday night, making Bosh the fourth former franchise pillar with a jersey swaying from the rafters of AmericanAirlines Arena after Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway and Shaquille O'Neal.His career is obviously worthy of celebrating. Bosh just hasn't been in the mood to celebrate, until now."It's very awesome," Bosh said. "I thought I had more time, but in the time I gave it was still worthy enough to have the organization and the great Pat Riley consider this. Pretty cool."Bosh played 13 seasons, the first seven in Toronto and the last six in Miami. He averaged 19.2 points and... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Bucks are staggering to the finish line of a special regular season.Milwaukee superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss his second straight game with a sprained right ankle on Wednesday night, one of several key injuries to hit the Eastern Conference-leading Bucks in recent days.A leading MVP contender, Antetokounmpo will rest against the Cavaliers as the Bucks, who enter with the NBA's best record, try to clinch their first Central Division title since 2001.Antetokounmpo also sat Tuesday night when the Bucks beat the Los Angeles Lakers, who played without LeBron James and deprived fans of a matchup of two of the game's biggest names."He's making progress," coach Mike Budenholzer said of Antetokounmpo. "He just can't go tonight. It's us hopefully being smart and being somewhat cautious, but it's more than that. He can't play. We'll see how the next 24 to 48 hours go, and I'm hopeful he'll be in a good place as we move forward."The Bucks host Miami on Friday.Antetokounmpo... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss his second straight game with a sprained right ankle, one of several injuries to hit the Bucks in recent days.A leading MVP contender, Antetokounmpo will sit out Wednesday night's game against the Cavaliers as the Eastern Conference-leading Bucks try to clinch their first Central Division title since 2001. He also rested Tuesday night when the Bucks beat the Los Angeles Lakers, who were without LeBron James.Coach Mike Budenholzer said Antetokounmpo is still slowed by soreness and the team is being "smart" and "cautious" with its best player. Antetokounmpo is averaging 27.5 points, 12.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists.In the past few days, the Bucks have been rocked by injuries to starting guard Malcolm Brogdon (plantar fascia tear) and forward Nikola Mirotic (sprained thumb).The Bucks did not provide a timetable for Mirotic's return, but Budenholzer hopes he'll be back in time for the start of the playoffs.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Doc Rivers denied rumors on Tuesday night that he's interested in leaving the Los Angeles Clippers to coach the Lakers.The LeBron James-led Lakers are 31-39 under coach Luke Walton, whose job status is widely believed to be in jeopardy. Fueling the speculation involving Rivers is that he is close friends with Magic Johnson, Lakers president of basketball operations.Rivers and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer agreed to a shorter contract extension last year that included an opt-out after this season. Rivers said the opt-out existed to "make sure it was the right fit for everyone."However, Rivers said that's being replaced with a long-term deal."I have a job and the Lakers have a coach," Rivers said. "Straight and upfront, I'm going to be here until Steve says 'Get out.'"The coach said earlier this year he and Ballmer mutually agreed to remove the opt-out and make it an extension."This is a great place to work," Rivers said.Rivers has coached the Clippers since 2013, compiling an 887-654 record. He also served as president of basketball operations for three seasons before ceding those duties to Lawrence Frank in 2017.The Clippers were 41-30 going into Tuesday night's game against Indiana at Staples Center. They currently own the eighth and final Western Conference playoff berth.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Doc Rivers is denying rumors that he's interested in leaving the Los Angeles Clippers to coach the Lakers.The LeBron James-led Lakers are 31-39 under coach Luke Walton, whose job status is widely believed to be in jeopardy.Rivers is so eager to tamp down the speculation that he says paperwork on a new contract extension is already being worked on.He says he had an option to opt out of his contract this summer. However, Rivers says that earlier this year he and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer mutually agreed to remove the clause, which existed to "make sure it was the right fit for everyone."The Clippers are 41-30 going into Tuesday night's game against Indiana at Staples Center. They own the eighth and final Western Conference playoff berth.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokoumpo and LeBron James, who served as competing All-Star captains, both will miss Tuesday night's game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers.Antetokounmpo, an MVP front-runner, turned his right ankle during the Bucks' loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday. He crumpled to the ground after colliding with Joel Embiid while driving to the basket late in the third quarter."Yesterday was an off day but a lot of guys still come in on off days to get treatment," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "He got some treatment. Coming in today, he's in a place where he's not good to play. He can't play."James is sitting out with a sore left groin, the same injury that caused him to miss a career-high 17 consecutive games earlier this season.The NBA-leading Bucks have been beset by injuries and took the court against the Lakers without guard Sterling Brown (right wrist soreness), guard Donte DiVincenzo (bilateral heel bursitis) and center Pau Gasol (left ankle... [More]

In this era of players wanting to join up with other players, or even just being friendlier with some opponents than guys on their own teams, it's nice to know there is still some good, old-fashioned hatred in the NBA.Yes, Joel Embiid hates the Celtics.He hates Boston so much that he got fined $25,000 last time the 76ers played them because he was so sick of losing to the Atlantic Division foes that he lost his cool afterward.On Wednesday, he gets his last chance during this regular season to beat Boston.The 76ers host the Celtics, who knocked them out of the playoffs last season, spoiled their opening game in this one, and then ruined their Christmas with another nationally televised victory.A long-time rivalry that delivered a famous fight between Hall of Famers Larry Bird and Julius Erving has become so one-sided that Embiid declared earlier this season that it wasn't even a rivalry anymore, because the Celtics always win.Boston has won 17 of the last 19 regular-season meetings, the... [More]

The year was 2005. No one had an iPhone. No one had tweeted. Facebook wasn't part of the mainstream.And it was the last time the NBA playoffs didn't have LeBron James.The Los Angeles Lakers aren't mathematically eliminated from postseason consideration yet, but it's only a matter of time. For the first time in 14 years, the postseason will begin without James — and for the first time in nine years, the NBA Finals will be played without him.It will be a very long offseason for James.It is not what he envisioned, either."It's challenging," James said of the current state of the Lakers. "But I kind of knew what I was getting myself into."That's not entirely true. He knew it would be difficult but he couldn't have foreseen anything like this, since the only other losing season of his life came when he was a rookie in 2003-04.Thing is, he doesn't possibly know what comes next. No one does. The offseason will see roster change, top free agents to play alongside James will be pursued hard by Rob... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram will miss the rest of the season after being diagnosed with a deep venous thrombosis in his right arm, the team announced Saturday.Ingram has missed the Lakers' past two games after he reported shoulder pain following a morning shootaround last Monday. Lakers coach Luke Walton said earlier this week that Ingram had pain whenever he attempted to lift his arm.A deep venous thrombosis is a condition caused by a blood clot, frequently accompanied by swelling and pain in a limb. The condition usually occurs in legs, but can occur in the upper body.Walton did nothing to quell Lakers fans' concerns about the seriousness of the 21-year-old Ingram's health problem when he pointedly refused to provide any details while speaking to reporters before Los Angeles' home game against Boston."We've released what he's got going on, but I'm not going to get into all the details," Walton said. "I'm just finding out a lot of it myself. All I'm going... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram will miss the rest of the season after being diagnosed with a deep venous thrombosis in his right arm.The Lakers announced their decision on the former No. 2 overall draft pick Saturday.Ingram has missed the Lakers' past two games after he reported shoulder pain following a morning shootaround last Monday. Lakers coach Luke Walton said earlier this week that Ingram had pain whenever he attempted to lift his arm.A deep venous thrombosis is a condition caused by a blood clot, frequently accompanied by swelling and pain in a limb. The condition usually occurs in legs, but can occur in the upper body.Walton did nothing to quell Lakers fans' concerns about the seriousness of the 21-year-old Ingram's health problem when he pointedly refused to provide any details while speaking to reporters before Los Angeles' home game against Boston."We've released what he's got going on, but I'm not going to get into all the details," Walton said.... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram will miss the rest of the season after being diagnosed with a deep venous thrombosis in his right arm.The Lakers announced their decision on the former No. 2 overall draft pick Saturday.Ingram has missed the Lakers' past two games after he reported shoulder pain following a morning shootaround last Monday. Lakers coach Luke Walton said earlier this week that Ingram had pain whenever he attempted to lift his arm.A deep venous thrombosis is a condition caused by a blood clot, frequently accompanied by swelling and pain in a limb. The condition usually occurs in legs, but can occur in the upper body.Blood clots have affected several prominent athletes including Chris Bosh and Serena Williams in recent years. Bosh eventually retired due to blood clotting issues, but many other athletes have continued to play.Inram is averaging a career-best 18.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game along with 3.0 assists.The lanky swingman's chemistry... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — From the very first day LeBron James picked up a basketball, he wanted to be like Mike.James and his closest friends idolized Michael Jordan while they grew up together on Akron's competitive playgrounds and tough streets. As James grew into a tantalizing basketball prospect capable of jumping from high school to the NBA as the No. 1 draft pick, he studied, imitated and drew profound inspiration from Jordan's tongue-wagging dunks, that fadeaway jumper, his competitive fire — even the little details of the way Jordan wore his sneakers and shorts.James proudly put No. 23 on his back as soon as he could get it as a high school sophomore."He was everything," James said.Jordan has also admired James' game for years."I want to congratulate LeBron on achieving another great milestone during his amazing career," Jordan said in a statement to The Associated Press on Thursday through his spokeswoman, Estee Portnoy.When James surpassed Jordan's career points total Wednesday night,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — From the very first day LeBron James picked up a basketball, he wanted to be like Mike.James and his closest friends idolized Michael Jordan while they grew up together on Akron's competitive playgrounds and tough streets. As James grew into a tantalizing basketball prospect capable of jumping from high school to the NBA as the No. 1 draft pick, he studied, imitated and drew profound inspiration from Jordan's tongue-wagging dunks, that fadeaway jumper, his competitive fire — even the little details of the way Jordan wore his sneakers and shorts.James proudly put No. 23 on his back as soon as he could get it as a high school sophomore. He has never taken it off."He was everything," James said.Jordan has also admired James' game for years."I want to congratulate LeBron on achieving another great milestone during his amazing career," Jordan said in a statement to The Associated Press on Thursday through his spokeswoman, Estee Portnoy.When James surpassed Jordan's career... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — From the very first day LeBron James picked up a basketball, he wanted to be like Mike.James and his closest friends idolized Michael Jordan while they grew up together on Akron's competitive playgrounds and tough streets. As James grew into a tantalizing basketball prospect capable of jumping from high school to the NBA as the No. 1 draft pick, he studied, imitated and drew profound inspiration from Jordan's tongue-wagging dunks, that fadeaway jumper, his competitive fire — even the little details of the way Jordan wore his sneakers and shorts.James proudly put No. 23 on his back as soon as he could get it as a high school sophomore. He has never taken it off."He was everything," James said.When James surpassed Jordan's career points total Wednesday night, he did it in a pair of Nikes with "Thank You M.J." written neatly on the side. That tribute doesn't begin to encompass what Jordan's radiance meant to a youngster who dreamed of finding a better life through basketball."M.J.... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James moved past Michael Jordan into fourth place on the NBA's career scoring list Wednesday night.The Los Angeles Lakers superstar scored his 32,293rd point on a driving layup in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets, getting fouled in the act and hitting the ensuing free throw.This achievement was particularly special to James, who grew up in Ohio idolizing Jordan. James tweeted his excitement about the milestone shortly before the game: "Can't even front. This is going to be UNREAL!! Wow man."James began the night needing 13 points to reach the mark. He now trails only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387 points), Karl Malone (36,928) and Kobe Bryant (33,643).Under direction from the NBA, the Lakers waited until the next timeout to honor James, who got a standing ovation from his new Los Angeles fans during a tribute video. James, still engrossed in the game, barely acknowledged the milestone after receiving hugs from several teammates.James finished with 31... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James moved past Michael Jordan into fourth place on the NBA's career scoring list Wednesday night.The Los Angeles Lakers superstar scored his 32,293rd point on a driving layup in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets, getting fouled in the act and hitting the ensuing free throw.This achievement was particularly special to James, who grew up in Ohio idolizing Jordan. James tweeted his excitement about the milestone shortly before the game: "Can't even front. This is going to be UNREAL!! Wow man."James began the night needing 13 points to reach the mark. He now trails only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387 points), Karl Malone (36,928) and Kobe Bryant (33,643).Under direction from the NBA, the Lakers waited until the next timeout to honor James, who got a standing ovation from his new Los Angeles fans during a tribute video. James, still engrossed in the game, barely acknowledged the milestone after receiving hugs from several teammates.The 34-year-old James is... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James has moved past Michael Jordan into fourth place on the NBA's career scoring list.The Los Angeles Lakers superstar scored his 32,293rd career point on a driving layup in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, getting fouled in the act.This achievement was particularly special to James, who grew up in Ohio idolizing Jordan. James tweeted his excitement about the milestone shortly before the game: "Can't even front. This is going to be UNREAL!! Wow man."James began the night needing 13 points to reach the mark. He now trails only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387 points), Karl Malone (36,928) and Kobe Bryant (33,643).___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Golden State Warriors signed Andrew Bogut, who is expected to rejoin the team next week and add depth heading into the playoffs.The Warriors made the announcement Wednesday, after Bogut was cleared by his Australian team, the Sydney Kings. The Warriors are without Damian Jones, who needed surgery after injuring his left pectoral muscle in December."He's still got something to offer," coach Steve Kerr said. "Whatever role that means, he's ready to accept and take on the challenge and we're excited to have him."Golden State has struggled defensively, losing in embarrassing fashion at home to Boston 128-95 on Tuesday night, so Bogut's 7-foot presence in the paint could be timely.He played on the Warriors' 2015 champion team and the 73-win team the following season that lost in Game 7 of the NBA Finals to LeBron James and the Cavaliers."I think it will be great for us to have Bogut back," Draymond Green said after Wednesday's practice, when the two-time defending... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Andrew Bogut is rejoining the Golden State Warriors after being cleared by his Australian team, the Sydney Kings.The Warriors made the announcement Wednesday. Golden State had an open roster spot and chose to use it at center. The Warriors lost Damian Jones in December, and he underwent surgery for a torn left pectoral muscle.Bogut, the 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick out of Utah, appeared in 23 games for the Lakers last season and made five starts. He averaged 1.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 9.4 minutes.He played on the Warriors' 2015 champion team and the 73-win team the following season that lost in Game 7 of the NBA Finals to LeBron James and the Cavaliers. He was injured in Game 5 and missed the rest of the series.Then Bogut got traded to Dallas to create salary cap room for Golden State to sign Kevin Durant, who went on to become back-to-back Finals MVP while bringing the franchise two more titles.The Warriors had to wait on Bogut's work visa and clearance from FIBA to sign him.The 34-year-old Australian big man was originally acquired from Milwaukee in 2012 for Monta Ellis.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Andrew Bogut is rejoining the Golden State Warriors after being cleared by his Australian team, the Sydney Kings.Golden State had an open roster spot and chose to use it at center. The Warriors lost Damian Jones in December, and he underwent surgery for a torn left pectoral muscle.Bogut, the 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick out of Utah, appeared in 23 games for the Lakers last season and made five starts. He averaged 1.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 9.4 minutes.He played on the Warriors' 2015 champion team and the 73-win team the following season that lost in Game 7 of the NBA Finals to LeBron James and the Cavaliers. He was injured in Game 5 and missed the rest of the series.Then Bogut got traded to Dallas to create salary cap room for Golden State to sign Kevin Durant, who went on to become back-to-back Finals MVP while bringing the franchise two more titles.The Warriors had to wait on Bogut's work visa and clearance from FIBA to sign him.The 34-year-old Australian big man was originally acquired from Milwaukee in 2012 for Monta Ellis.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports