CLEVELAND (AP) — Collin Sexton scored 27 points, Darius Garland added 22 and the Cleveland Cavaliers won their first home game in nearly 300 days, overcoming the hot shooting of Terry Rozier for a 121-114 win Wednesday night over the Charlotte Hornets. Hyped rookie LaMelo Ball didn't score in his NBA debut with Charlotte, and Hornets center Cody Zeller broke his left hand. Rozier made a career-high 10 3-pointers and scored 42 points to lead the Hornets, who made it interesting with a late rally. Upset by their exclusion from the NBA's “bubble” in Orlando, the Cavs made the most of getting back on their home floor for the first time in the regular season since March 8. Andre Drummond added 14 points and 14 rebounds and Larry Nance had 13 and 13 for Cleveland, which played without star forward Kevin Love. He's out with a strained right calf. Gordon Hayward scored 28 points in his first game with the Hornets, who signed him to a 4-year, $120 million deal after he opted out in Boston. Rozier... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers forward Kevin Love will miss the season opener on Wednesday night against Charlotte because of a strained right calf. The team officially ruled Love out on Tuesday, hours after Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said he was preparing not to have the five-time All-Star in the lineup. Love got hurt during the first preseason game against Indiana earlier this month. He missed Cleveland's next three games and hasn't been cleared to practice. Larry Nance Jr. will likely start in place of Love, who has said he felt physically refreshed as he enters his 13th season. “It’s best to just move Larry in that spot and increase his minutes and his workload,” Bickerstaff said last week. “Obviously, if Kevin is out, we will have to play some small ball. But I think to start games and the majority of the minutes, I think it’s a good thing to just move Larry because he’s got a similar skill set, his ability to pass the ball and all those things.” The 32-year-old Love is seven points shy... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers said they have spoken to guard Kevin Porter Jr. following his arrest early Sunday on weapons possession. Porter, a 2019 first-round draft pick, faces charges of improperly handling firearms in a vehicle, according to Mahoning County sheriff records. He was released on $4,000 bond. In a statement, the Cavaliers said: "We are aware of the situation involving Kevin Porter Jr. and are in the process of gathering information. We have spoken with Kevin and will continue to address this privately with him as the related process evolves.” Porter's attorney, Alex Spiro, said in an email to the Associated Press that his client "was issued a summons for a petty offense and released. We are gathering information and will have further comment at a later point.” The 20-year-old Porter emerged as a bright spot last season for the Cavs, whose year included a coaching change after the All-Star break before being halted by the coronavirus pandemic. He averaged 10 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 50 games. Cleveland selected him with the No. 30 overall pick. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers said they have spoken to guard Kevin Porter Jr. following his arrest early Sunday on weapons possession. Porter, a 2019 first-round draft pick, faces charges of improperly handling firearms in a vehicle, according to Mahoning County sheriff records. He was released on $4,000 bond. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney who could comment on his arrest. In a statement, the Cavaliers said: "We are aware of the situation involving Kevin Porter Jr. and are in the process of gathering information. We have spoken with Kevin and will continue to address this privately with him as the related process evolves.” The 20-year-old Porter emerged as a bright spot last season for the Cavs, whose year included a coaching change after the All-Star break before being halted by the coronavirus pandemic. He averaged 10 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 50 games. Cleveland selected him with the No. 30 overall pick. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Andre Drummond returned from a leg injury to score 28 points and add 17 rebounds, and Kevin Love shook off a tough shooting night to make a big 3-pointer in overtime and lift the improving Cleveland Cavaliers to a 132-129 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.Drummond, who missed the past three games with a strained left calf, put the Cavs up 124-22 with a layup and Love followed with his 3 from the corner 28 seconds later to put Cleveland up by five.Love had missed his first four attempts from long range before his clutch shot and he finished just 3 of 12 from the field, but added 18 rebounds.Derrick White hit a 3 to pull the Spurs within 131-129 in the final seconds, but Collin Sexton made a free throw for the Cavs and San Antonio didn't get off a last-second heave in time.It was the second straight close win for the young Cavs, who beat Denver 104-102 on Saturday. Cleveland improved to 5-5 under coach J.B. Bickerstaff and matched its win total from last season, when... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Andre Drummond returned from a leg injury to score 28 points and add 17 rebounds, and Kevin Love made a big 3-pointer in overtime to lift the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 132-129 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night.Drummond, who missed the past three games with a strained left calf, put the Cavs up 124-22 with a layup and Love followed with his 3 from the corner 28 seconds later to put Cleveland up by five.Love had missed his first four attempts from long range before his clutch shot and he finished just 3 of 12 from the field, but added 18 rebounds.Derrick White hit a 3 to pull the Spurs within 131-129 in the final seconds, but Collin Sexton made a free throw for the Cavs and San Antonio didn't get off a last-second heave in time.It was the second straight close win for the young Cavs, who beat Denver 104-102 on Saturday. Cleveland improved to 5-5 under coach J.B. Bickerstaff.Sexton scored 26, Larry Nance Jr. 19 and Matthew Dellavedova had 14 and 11 assists. Dellavedova... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers, already with the worst record in the Eastern Conference, will dress nine players against Utah because of injuries Monday night. Center Andre Drummond (strained left calf) and rookie point guard Darius Garland (strained left groin) have been ruled out of the starting lineup. Center Tristan Thompson, one of the first players off the bench, is out with a bruised left knee.Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Kevin Love will start at center against 7-foot-1 Rudy Gobert. Larry Nance Jr. will take Love's spot at power forward, while Kevin Porter Jr. will start in the backcourt.Drummond had 27 points and 13 rebounds in 35 minutes against Indiana on Saturday after missing the two previous games with the injury. He averaged 15.2 points and 10.8 rebounds in six games since being acquired from Detroit at the trade deadline.Garland will miss his second game this season while Thompson is out for the second straight game.Forward Alfonso McKinnie (left foot plantar fasciitis) and guard Dante Exum (sprained left ankle) have missed the last several games. Guard Dylan Windler hasn't played in his rookie season because of a stress reaction in his left leg.Matt Mooney and Dean Wade, who have been playing with Canton of the G-League, will dress for Cleveland.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — The victories have been scarce for the Cavaliers this season, overwhelmed by so many ugly losses, so many unwatchable moments.However, they're certain they won the NBA trading deadline. Landing two-time All- Star Andre Drummond is a huge get.“For what they gave up, it's a (blanking) steal,” said Tristan Thompson, using a profanity to emphasize his point.Unexpectedly, the Cavs finalized their trade for Drummond, the league's leading rebounder at 15.8 boards per game in the final hour before Thursday's deadline, completing a deal nobody had on their radar. Cleveland sent guard Brandon Knight, forward John Henson and one of its second-round draft picks in 2023 to the Detroit Pistons for the 26-year-old Drummond, one of the game's best all-around centers.“He plays extremely hard and has crazy production," Cavs star forward Kevin Love said Friday after practice. "It makes us competitive. We added an All-Star level player. He's a versatile big who can do a lot of things for us.”General... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers rookie guard Kevin Porter Jr. suffered only a sprained knee in a loss to Minnesota after it appeared he was much more seriously hurt.Porter's left knee buckled Sunday night when he tried to change directions while dribbling in the third quarter. He dropped to the floor in obvious pain and had to be helped to the locker room.The Cavs said Monday an MRI confirmed the sprain, easing fears that he would miss much more time. He'll begin rehab and be re-evaluated in two weeks.Porter, who jumped to the NBA after just one year at USC, has shown flashes of being a solid contributor in his first season. He's averaging 8.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 34 games. He has made two starts for the Cavs, who drafted him with the No. 30 overall pick.Cleveland has dropped four straight heading into Tuesday night's home game against Detroit.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Minnesota built a big lead, wasted it and then had to build another one.“Sometimes," Timberwolves coach Ryan Saunders said, "you have to win a game twice.” Gorgui Dieng scored 22 points, Shabazz Napier had 21 and the Timberwolves blew a 25-point lead before regrouping for a 118-103 victory Sunday night over the Cleveland Cavaliers, who may have lost rookie Kevin Porter Jr. for an extended period with a knee injury.The Cavs, who rested star Kevin Love one night after he displayed frustration toward his teammates in a loss, trailed 90-65 with four minutes to go in the third quarter and seemed done. But Dante Exum got hot and his 3-pointer with 8:29 left capped a 32-6 blitz to give Cleveland a 97-96 lead.However, the Timberwolves recovered and scored 14 straight with Dieng dropping two 3-pointers during the five-minute stretch to help Minnesota avoid an embarrassing loss.“We just ran out of gas,” Cavs coach John Beilein said.Andrew Wiggins came back after missing four games... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Minnesota built a big lead, wasted it and then had to build another one.“Sometimes," Timberwolves coach Ryan Saunders said, "you have to win a game twice.” Gorgui Dieng scored 22 points, Shabazz Napier had 21 and the Timberwolves blew a 25-point lead before regrouping for a 118-103 victory Sunday night over the Cleveland Cavaliers, who may have lost rookie Kevin Porter Jr. for an extended period with a knee injury.The Cavs, who rested star Kevin Love one night after he displayed frustration toward his teammates in a loss, trailed 90-65 with four minutes to go in the third quarter and seemed done. But Dante Exum got hot and his 3-pointer with 8:29 left capped a 32-6 blitz to give Cleveland a 97-96 lead.However, the Timberwolves recovered and scored 14 straight with Dieng dropping two 3-pointers during the five-minute stretch to help Minnesota avoid an embarrassing loss.“We just ran out of gas,” Cavs coach John Beilein said.Andrew Wiggins came back after missing four games... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Gorgui Dieng scored 22 points, Shabazz Napier had 21 and the Minnesota Timberwolves blew a 25-point lead before regrouping for a 118-103 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night.Cleveland rested disgruntled forward Kevin Love and may have lost rookie Kevin Porter Jr. for an extended period with a knee injury.The Cavs trailed 90-65 with four minutes to go in the third quarter and seemed done. But Dante Exum got hot and his 3-pointer with 8:29 left capped a 32-6 blitz to give Cleveland a 97-96 lead, .The Timberwolves recovered and scored 14 straight with Dieng dropping two 3-pointers during the five-minute stretch to help Minnesota avoid an embarrassing loss.Andrew Wiggins came back after missing four games with the flu and scored 15 points for the Timberwolves. They won for just the fourth time in 16 games.Exum, recently acquired in a trade with Utah, scored a career-high 28 points — 24 in the second half — for the Cavs. They dropped their fourth in a row amid... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Gorgui Dieng scored 22 points, Shabazz Napier had 21 and the Minnesota Timberwolves blew a 25-point lead before regrouping for a 118-103 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night.Cleveland rested disgruntled forward Kevin Love and may have lost rookie Kevin Porter Jr. for an extended period with a knee injury.The Cavs trailed 90-65 with four minutes to go in the third quarter and seemed done. But Dante Exum got hot and his 3-pointer with 8:29 left capped a 32-6 blitz to give Cleveland a 97-96 lead, .The Timberwolves recovered and scored 14 straight with Dieng dropping two 3-pointers during the five-minute stretch to help Minnesota avoid an embarrassing loss.Andrew Wiggins came back after missing four games with the flu and scored 15 points for the Timberwolves. They won for just the fourth time in 16 games.Exum, recently acquired in a trade with Utah, scored a career-high 28 points — 24 in the second half — for the Cavs. Theydropped their fourth in a row amid... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jordan Clarkson wasn't going to be a part of Cleveland's future. Now he's in the past.The Cavaliers agreed Monday night to trade Clarkson to the Utah Jazz for guard Dante Exum and two future second-round draft picks, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.Cleveland will get a pick in 2022 and one in 2023, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams have not yet had the required conference call with the NBA to approve the swap.The deal came together shortly before the Jazz played in Miami and the Cavs hosted Atlanta. Clarkson warmed up on the floor at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse before he was informed of the trade.Clarkson figured to be on his way out of Cleveland. He's in the final year of his contract and had been coming off the bench behind Collin Sexton and rookie Darius Garland, a backcourt the Cavs hope to keep together for years.Clarkson, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, scored a season-high 33 points... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jordan Clarkson wasn't going to be a part of Cleveland's future. Now he's in the past.The Cavaliers agreed Monday night to trade Clarkson to the Utah Jazz for guard Dante Exum and two future second-round draft picks, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.Cleveland will get a pick in 2022 and one in 2023, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams have not yet had the required conference call with the NBA to approve the swap.The deal came together shortly before the Jazz played in Miami and the Cavs hosted Atlanta. Clarkson warmed up on the floor at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse before he was informed of the trade.Clarkson figured to be on his way out of Cleveland. He's in the final year of his contract and had been coming off the bench behind Collin Sexton and rookie Darius Garland, a backcourt the Cavs hope to keep together for years.Clarkson, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, scored a season-high 33 points... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers rookie guard Kevin Porter Jr. has been suspended by the NBA for one game without pay for bumping an official.At the end of the third quarter of Cleveland's 131-111 loss to Dallas on Sunday night, Porter brushed into referee Bill Spooner's shoulder as he ran back down the floor after missing a shot. The contact knocked Spooner off balance, and he immediately looked at Porter, who didn't turn around.The league announced the discipline for Porter on Monday.The Cavs drafted the 19-year-old Porter with the No. 30 overall pick in this year's draft. Considered one of the most talented players available, he was passed over by some teams after being suspended for conduct issues at Southern California. He played 21 games for the Trojans.Porter is averaging 5.3 points in six games for the Cavs, who host the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_NBA