PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers are investigating whether team president Bryan Colangelo used a variety of Twitter accounts to anonymously trash some of his own players and fellow executives and defend himself against criticism from fans and the sports media.The allegations, reported Tuesday by the sports website The Ringer , raised questions about Colangelo's future and that of the NBA team itself, a rising franchise heading into perhaps its most important summer ever as it tries to attract free agents to contend for championships.The five Twitter accounts under suspicion took aim at Philadelphia players Joel Embiid and Markelle Fultz, former Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie, Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri and former Sixers players Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel, according to The Ringer.Among other things, the user or users of the accounts complained that Embiid, the 24-year-old All-Star center, was "playing like a toddler having tantrums" and was "a bit lazy," ''selfish"... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — Dirk Nowitzki plans to become the first player to spend all 21 seasons with the same NBA franchise.Dennis Smith Jr. will be half the German star's age when the Dallas Mavericks open next season looking to end the first two-year playoff drought in nearly two decades. The team posted its worst record since 1997-98, the year before Nowitzki arrived.The No. 9 overall pick who turned 20 early in what ended up as a solid rookie season, Smith figures to have a new teammate facing high expectations the way he did. Dallas will pick no lower than seventh in June.Smith will have at least one thing in common with Nowitzki, who turns 40 this summer. They want the Mavericks to be regulars in the postseason again, the way they were before the current swoon."I've been in a couple of arenas that are playoff teams, and I just witnessed the atmosphere," Smith said. "I can only imagine how it is playoff time."It's certainly better than 24-58, tied with Atlanta for the league's third-worst record.... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks center Nerlens Noel has been suspended for the final five games of the season for a violation of the NBA's anti-drug program.The NBA announced the suspension Tuesday, ending a lost season for a player trying to earn a long-term contract after failed negotiations last offseason resulted in him signing the team's qualifying offer of just $4.1 million for one year. The suspension starts Tuesday night against Portland.Noel played just 30 games, with most of the missed time coming after surgery for a torn ligament in his left thumb in December. Before that injury was announced, the 23-year-old Noel had appeared to fall out of favor with coach Rick Carlisle.After getting regular minutes for the first three weeks of the season, Noel's playing time dropped dramatically before he was benched for six games before the thumb injury was revealed. He averaged 4.4 points and 5.6 rebounds in 16 minutes a game in his fourth season.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

C Nerlens Noel underwent surgery on his left thumb and will be sidelined indefinitely. The operation was performed to repair a torn ligament in the thumb. Coach Rick Carlisle told the team website that Noel will be sidelined at least several weeks.

C Nerlens Noel will fly to Cleveland on Thursday and have thumb surgery for a torn ligament near his left thumb Friday. He could be back as soon as mid-January.

C Nerlens Noel didn't dress Saturday versus the Clippers due to a left thumb injury.

F/C Nerlens Noel did not play for the first time this season as Dallas lost to Cleveland Saturday.

F/C Nerlens Noel, who was a restricted free gent, signed a one-year qualifying offer of $4.1 million to return to the Dallas Mavericks for the 2017-18 season, according to multiple reports Saturday. The signing comes less than a week after Noel replaced his agent with Klutch Sports Group's Rich Paul, who also represents LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Noel, 23, will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. The 6-foot-11, 228-pound Noel averaged 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 22 minutes in 22 games for the Mavericks after arriving in Dallas at the trade deadline from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Restricted free agent forward/center Nerlens Noel signed a one-year qualifying offer of $4.1 million to return to the Dallas Mavericks for the 2017-18 season, according to multiple reports Saturday.The Dallas Morning News and Yahoo Sports confirmed an earlier report by ESPN. The offer sheet was signed in Los Angeles earlier this week, according to ESPN.The signing comes less than a week after Noel replaced his agent with Klutch Sports Group's Rich Paul, who also represents LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers.Noel, 23, will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. He was unable to get an acceptable multiyear deal from the Mavs and did not agree to an offer sheet from another team.ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted that Noel and his former agent turned down a four-year, $70 million offer from Dallas at the start of free agency on July 1. The Mavs reportedly pulled the offer when Noel asked for a max deal.The 6-foot-11, 228-pound Noel averaged 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 22 minutes in 22 games for the Mavericks after arriving in Dallas at the trade deadline from the Philadelphia 76ers.The Mavs gave up 2015 first-round pick Justin Anderson, Andrew Bogut (who was then bought out) and a pair of second-round picks to acquire Noel, who was the sixth overall pick by the Sixers in the 2013 draft.Noel averaged 10.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks in 171 career games for Philadelphia.

The Dallas Mavericks are in the process of finalizing a two-year, $10 million deal with Dirk Nowitzki, ESPN reported Thursday.The Mavericks declined Nowitzki's $25 million team option on his existing contract, but there was never a doubt that the Mavs would re-sign Nowitzki, considered the greatest player in the team's history.Dallas reportedly plans to re-sign restricted free-agent Nerlens Noel, and the team's moves suggest the Mavericks may not be pursuing any high-salary free agents.The 39-year-old Nowitzki, who was the NBA MVP in 2007, played in 54 games last season, all as a starter, and averaged 14.2 points, his lowest since his rookie season in 1998-99.

C Nerlens Noel had 15 points and eight boards for Dallas

C Nerlens Noel made his second consecutive start. He scored just three points.

C Nerlens Noel broke into the starting lineup for just the second time since being acquired in a deadline trade. He contributed eight points, 12 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.

C Nerlens Noel had 14 points and seven boards Tuesday in the Mavericks' loss to the Warriors.

F/C Nerlens Noel, who spent 2 1/2 seasons with the Sixers, had nine points and five rebounds off the bench for the Mavericks. The Sixers gave him a video tribute in the first quarter and the fans responded with a warm ovation, which Noel acknowledged.Earlier in the day, the team also presented him with a framed jersey.Noel expressed his appreciation afterward, but the loss, Dallas' worst of the season, did not sit well with him."It's not the best feeling at all," he said. "We just came out a little flat. Both groups, bench and starters, probably should have definitely brought more energy, especially on the defensive end."

F/C Nerlens Noel (fluid on left knee) missed his third consecutive game but might return in the next game.

F/C Nerlens Noel (fluid on left knee) missed his third consecutive game Monday but might return in the next game.

C Nerlens Noel could return to the lineup Monday against the Raptors after missing the previous two games with a sore left knee. "He's doing better," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "We're hoping he can play Monday. But that doesn't mean he will. It just means we're hoping he can. He's made progress each day so he will definitely travel."

C Nerlens Noel (sore left knee) missed his second straight game. The hope is he can play Monday at Toronto, according to coach Rick Carlisle.

C Nerlens Noel (knee soreness) was out, but could be available Saturday against Phoenix.