NEW YORK (AP) — James Harden left less than a minute into Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Saturday with a right hamstring injury, potentially dealing a huge blow to Brooklyn's championship hopes. Harden appeared to grab at the hamstring on a drive to the basket on Brooklyn's first possession against Milwaukee. The Nets called a timeout 43 seconds into the game and Harden went to the locker room. The Nets announced after the first quarter that he wouldn't return to the game. Harden missed 20 games because of problems with the hamstring in the second half of the season, including a pair of losses to Milwaukee in May. But he was healthy in time for the playoffs after he, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were able to play together just eight times during the regular season.

NEW YORK (AP) — Everyone was about to head home for the summer when a “Let's go Knicks! Let's go Knicks!" chant broke out at the end of Game 5 at Madison Square Garden. After years of disappointing them, the New York Knicks had given their fans a team they couldn't get enough of. “I think we’re bringing a brand of basketball back that the city can be proud of,” Julius Randle said. Now the Knicks will work on giving them one that can be a regular contender again. A surprising first season under Tom Thibodeau ended Wednesday with a 4-1 loss in the first round to the Atlanta Hawks. It was the Knicks' first postseason appearance since 2013 and one that was unexpected. “I don’t think anyone saw them doing what they did,” Thibodeau said. “Everyone doubted them all year. They didn’t doubt themselves. So there was a great belief. They worked as hard as they could possibly work.” Randle emerged as an All-Star and was the runaway winner of the NBA's Most Improved Player award. The rest of the Knicks... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Danny Ainge, who helped bring two NBA titles to Boston as a player and another as the team's basketball boss, stepped down from the Celtics front office just hours after they were eliminated from the postseason, and coach Brad Stevens is giving up his job on the bench to replace him. Stevens will lead the search for his successor, the Celtics said in a news conference Wednesday. He leaves as the fourth-winningest coach in franchise history, but one who failed to hang a championship banner from the rafters. “Hiring a new coach will give us a great opportunity to hire somebody that will be ... a new, fresh voice with a new, fresh perspective,” Stevens said. “They don’t have to fill Doc Rivers’ shoes, like I did. And they don’t have to fill Danny Ainge’s shoes, like I do. They just have to figure out a way to be better than the last guy.” Stevens, who left Butler in 2013 after leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back trips to the NCAA championship game, ends his only NBA coaching... [More]

The Boston Celtics shook up their front office on Wednesday, a day after they were eliminated from the playoffs, with president of basketball operations Danny Ainge retiring and coach Brad Stevens moving up to the front office to replace him. The moves game about 12 hours after the 17-time NBA champions lost to the Brooklyn Nets in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series. The Celtics, who reached the conference finals in three of the previous four seasons, had flirted with a top-four seed in the East for much of the season before stumbling into the play-in round. Celtics staff were informed Wednesday morning of the moves, which were first reported by ESPN and The Athletic. Ainge won NBA titles with the Celtics in 1984 and '86 and took over as the team president in 2003. He was voted the league’s top executive in 2008, when Boston won its 17th championship — a league record that has since been matched by the Los Angeles Lakers. “Helping guide this organization has been the thrill of a... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — A fan was tackled after running onto the court during an NBA playoff game between the Washington Wizards and Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night, the latest example of unruly behavior as teams let more spectators in the stands during the pandemic. “You can tell those people have been in some sort of captivity for the last year, year and change, right?” Wizards center Robin Lopez said. “It’s kind of wild to see the liberties people are taking.” The players were heading toward Washington's basket in the third quarter of the home team's 122-114 victory in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round series when the action was halted because of the intruder, who jumped as if pretending to try to dunk. A security guard grabbed and held down the person near the baseline as 76ers center Dwight Howard stood nearby. The fan was escorted away from the court and play resumed after a brief interruption. “I don’t know what he was trying to do,” Washington forward Rui Hachimura said.... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — A fan was tackled as he tried to get on the court during an NBA playoff game between the Wizards and 76ers on Monday night, the latest example of unruly behavior as teams increase the number of spectators they're allowing in the stands during the pandemic. The players were heading toward Washington's basket in the third quarter when the action was halted while a member of security held the person down near the baseline. The fan then was escorted away from the court and play resumed after a brief interruption. After beginning this season with zero spectators allowed at its arena, Washington has steadily increased the capacity to the point where Monday's contest — Game 4 against Philadelphia in their first-round series — had an announced attendance more than 10,000. In Game 2 at Philadelphia, Washington guard Russell Westbrook had popcorn dumped on him as he walked to the locker room after getting injured. On Sunday in the Celtics-Nets series, Brooklyn guard Kyrie Irving was nearly hit by a bottle thrown from the stands during a game in Boston. Earlier, in New York, a spectator spit at Atlanta’s Trae Young as he prepared to inbound the ball during the Knicks-Hawks series. Three fans were banned in Utah after Grizzlies guard Ja Morant said they “just went too far” with him or his family. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — Kyrie Irving says banning fans who mistreat NBA players won’t solve the problem. It goes much deeper than that. “(It’s) just underlying racism, and treating people like they’re in a human zoo,” Irving said after a water bottle was thrown at him following Brooklyn’s 141-126 victory over the Celtics on Sunday night. “Throwing stuff at people, saying things. There’s a certain point where it gets to be too much,” said the Nets guard, who spent two years playing in Boston and revealed last week he was the victim of racism during his time in the city. “You see people just feel very entitled out here. ... As a Black man playing in the NBA, dealing with a lot of this stuff, it’s fairly difficult. You never know what’s going to happen.” Irving had 39 points and 11 rebounds to quiet the first post-pandemic full house at the TD Garden and lead the Nets to victory in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series. The win gave Brooklyn a 3-1 lead and a chance to clinch at home on Tuesday.... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks all began their first-round playoff series at a home-court disadvantage. After moving ahead of their higher-seeded opponents with early-series road wins, all three are up 2-1 and in position to move to the brink of the second round Sunday. The stakes are similar in all four NBA playoff games on a tantalizing slate: Atlanta, Dallas and the defending NBA champions will attempt to seize firm control of their series at home, while the heavily favored Brooklyn Nets can do the same in Boston. Los Angeles, Atlanta and Dallas are probably aware of the massive statistical edge for NBA teams with a 3-1 series lead — only 13 of 260 teams in that situation have ever blown it. They also realize Phoenix, New York and the Clippers will play for a split with appropriate intensity. “It’s going to be probably the biggest game in this series unless, it goes to a Game 7,” Lakers forward Anthony Davis said Saturday. “We’re going in... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Trae Young didn’t look like a postseason rookie in silencing a rocking road crowd in New York. “The moment wasn’t too big for him,” Atlanta teammate Lou Williams said. Nor for Ja Morant or Devin Booker, who were just as impressive in their debuts. Throw in Luka Doncic picking up where he left off last year, and the opening weekend of the playoffs may have proven that the time is now for some of the NBA’s best young guards. “The great players, in every era, that’s what they do,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “They pose problems.” Booker and Doncic will be back in action Tuesday, hoping to send the two Los Angeles teams into 2-0 holes. Phoenix beat the Lakers 99-90 on Sunday behind 34 points from Booker. In his sixth season, he's got much more NBA experience than Young, Morant or Doncic. But he's still only 24 years old, and no amount of regular-season games is preparation for LeBron James and the defending champions in the postseason. Phoenix coach Monty Williams said... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — James Harden was the final piece to a Big Three. Julius Randle is an unquestioned No. 1. Their status may not be the same, but there's no difference in what their teams need for there to be a deep playoff run — or two of them — in New York. Randle is ready for the challenge, as the Knicks face Atlanta in their return to the postseason for the first time since 2013. “The intensity level is going to rise, the level of play, everything is going to rise, so I’m going to have to be better,” Randle said. “Everybody’s going to have to be better if we want to accomplish what we want to accomplish, so I’m looking forward to that.” He led the Knicks in points, rebounds and assists, not to mention the entire NBA in minutes. Harden long faced the same need to carry his club in Houston. He doesn't have to shoulder as much of a load after joining Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn, but he doesn't think that makes his job any easier. “The road and the journey is still going to be... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The night before their season finale, the Cavaliers ditched their masks and got together for a team dinner on a rooftop in Brooklyn — a symbolic high point. The view was awesome, the ambience exquisite. Finally, something a little more familiar. Barely anything else was normal over the previous five months. “Not making any excuses,” said Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff, “it was one of the most difficult seasons that I’ve been a part of — for numerous reasons.” There were the mandated COVID-19 protocols. There were numerous injuries (star forward Kevin Love played just 25 games), drama (Kevin Porter Jr. was traded to Houston after a locker-room tantrum) and head-scratching decisions (center Andre Drummond went from starter to outcast). And, of course, there was losing, so much losing. One of the league's youngest teams, the Cavs dropped 16 of their last 18 games to finish 22-50 — tied for the fourth-worst record in the NBA to guarantee Cleveland another spot in the draft lottery... [More]

The NBA playoffs should be entertaining, as they always are. Just don’t count on the basketball being as good as usual. Not after a truncated season during which the injuries were too frequent, the practice time too scarce, to allow teams to peak for the postseason. “It’s been much more devastating to culture and to establishing momentum for sure, for all of us,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “And I definitely think that, I hate to say it but it’s the truth: There’s no way it can be the best basketball for all the teams.” LeBron James was a spectator the night the Lakers raised the banner for the championship they won last year, as he was for most of the second half of the season because of an ankle injury. The Brooklyn Nets assembled an explosive Big Three of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving, then went three months in between getting to play them for the seventh and eighth time. The Utah Jazz won the Western Conference, but will have played for more than a month without All-Star... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Brooklyn's Big Three is set to play together for the first time in three months. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden are all expected to play Saturday when the Nets host the Chicago Bulls. “I think tomorrow will be the day. So if everything stays the same, then those three will play tomorrow,” coach Steve Nash said Friday. The three All-Stars have played in the same game just seven times since the Nets acquired Harden from Houston in mid-January. going 5-2. They haven't been together since a Feb. 13 victory at Golden State. Durant then missed the next 23 games with a left hamstring injury. Harden just returned Wednesday from his own 18-game absence with a right hamstring injury, but Irving missed that game with a facial contusion. He had no concussion symptoms and is set to return Saturday. “I think if they can play together tomorrow, it’s positive,” Nash said. “They got a chance to be out there together. Whether it’s good, bad or indifferent from a performance standpoint, it is an experience.” The Nets end their regular season Sunday against Cleveland. Nash said the lineups for that game could depend on the standings, where the Nets are a game up on Milwaukee for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. ___ More AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — James Harden returned to action for the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night after missing more than a month with a strained right hamstring. Harden came off the bench with 8:06 remaining in the first half against the San Antonio Spurs. It was the All-Star guard’s first game since April 5, when he aggravated the injury in a game against the New York Knicks. Harden missed 18 straight games and 20 of the last 21. The Nets were only 12-9 during that span. That's far off their 27-7 mark in games in which Harden has played since the Nets acquired him from Houston in January. Brooklyn coach Steve Nash chose to bring Harden off the bench, just as he did previously with Kevin Durant when he returned from a lengthy injury absence. That way, Harden could still be available late in the game if it was close, even while facing a minutes restriction. It was Harden's first time coming off the bench in an NBA game since the 2011-12 season, when he won the league's Sixth Man award while playing for Oklahoma City. Brooklyn has had its superstar trio of Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the court together for only seven games. That didn't change Wednesday, as Irving was ruled out after having to leave a victory in Chicago on Tuesday with a facial contusion. Durant also played, even though Nash has said during the season his preference is that Durant not play both nights of back-to-backs. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — James Harden will play for the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night after missing more than a month with a strained right hamstring. The Nets announced Harden would be available for their game against the San Antonio Spurs after listing him as probable earlier in the day. Coach Steve Nash said it hadn't been determined if Harden would start. Either way, it will be the All-Star guard's first game since April 5, when he aggravated the injury in a game against the New York Knicks. Harden has since missed 18 games. He also sat out the two before the game against the Knicks, when he attempted to play but left again after barely four minutes. He then had a setback in his recovery, keeping him out longer than initially hoped. The Nets are 27-7 in games in which Harden has played. Brooklyn has had its superstar trio of Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the court together for only seven games. That won't change Wednesday, as Irving was ruled out after having to leave a victory in Chicago on Tuesday with a facial contusion. Durant is playing, even though Nash has said during the season his preference is that Durant not play both nights of back-to-backs. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — James Harden could return for the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night after missing more than a month with a strained right hamstring. The Nets are listing Harden as probable to play in their home game against the San Antonio Spurs. It would be the All-Star guard's first game since April 5, when he aggravated the injury in a game against the New York Knicks. Harden has since missed 18 games. He also sat out the two before the game against the Knicks, when he attempted to play but left again after barely four minutes. He then had a setback in his recovery, keeping him out longer than initially hoped. The Nets are 27-7 in games in which Harden has played. Brooklyn has had its superstar trio of Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the court together for only seven games. That won't change Wednesday, as Irving was ruled out after having to leave a victory in Chicago on Tuesday with a facial contusion. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — James Harden could return for the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night after missing more than a month with a strained right hamstring. The Nets are listing Harden as probable to play in their home game against the San Antonio Spurs. It would be the All-Star guard's first game since April 5, when he aggravated the injury in a game against the New York Knicks. Harden has since missed 18 games. He also sat out the two before the game against the Knicks, when he attempted to play but left again after barely four minutes. He then had a setback in his recovery, keeping him out longer than initially hoped. The Nets are 27-7 in games in which Harden has played. Brooklyn has had its superstar trio of Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the court together for only seven games. It's unclear if that will change Wednesday, as Irving is questionable after having to leave a victory in Chicago on Tuesday with a facial contusion. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 24 points, Tim Hardaway Jr. added 23 and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Brooklyn Nets 113-109 on Thursday night to finish a season sweep. Kyrie Irving scored a season-high 45 points for the Nets. They lost a season-high fourth straight game and dropped two games behind Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia. Dorian Finney-Smith scored 17 points as the Mavericks reached 10 games over .500 for the first time this season and held on to the fifth seed in the West. Dallas (38-28) is a game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland (both 37-29) with six to go after LA's 118-94 loss to the Clippers. The Mavericks hold the tiebreaker on the defending NBA champs but not the Trail Blazers. One of the three teams will be forced into the play-in tournament as the No. 7 seed. “This is all experience we need,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “There’s a lot of situations that are new. Last year at this time we were locked into the seventh position and we weren’t going lower.... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 24 points, Tim Hardaway Jr. added 23 and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Brooklyn Nets 113-109 on Thursday night to finish a season sweep. Kyrie Irving scored a season-high 45 points for the Nets. They lost a season-high fourth straight game and dropped two games behind Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia. Dorian Finney-Smith scored 17 points as the Mavericks reached 10 games over .500 for the first time this season and moved a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers for the fifth seed in the West. Dallas holds the tiebreaker on the defending NBA champs. “This is all experience we need,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “There’s a lot of situations that are new. Last year at this time we were locked into the seventh position and we weren’t going lower. This year is a whole different ballgame. There’s so much in play. The thing I’m most proud of with this group is they’re blocking out all the external noise.” Kevin Durant had 20 points and nine rebounds for... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 24 points, Tim Hardaway Jr. added 23 and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Brooklyn Nets 113-109 on Thursday night to finish a season sweep. Kyrie Irving scored a season-high 45 points for the Nets. They lost a season-high fourth straight game and dropped two games behind Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia. Dorian Finney-Smith scored 17 points as the Mavericks reached 10 games over .500 for the first time this season and moved a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers for the fifth seed in the West. Dallas holds the tiebreaker on the defending NBA champs. Kevin Durant had 20 points and nine rebounds for the Nets with each team missing an injured star: James Harden for Brooklyn and Kristaps Porzingis for Dallas. In the Mavericks' 115-98 win at Brooklyn in February, Harden played while Durant and Irving were out. Doncic had 10 rebounds, and one of his eight assists came on a layup by Dwight Powell that put Dallas ahead for good at 94-92 and started a 7-0... [More]