After four months of waiting and planning, the NBA bubble is ready to be tested.The first six teams — Brooklyn, Denver, Orlando, Phoenix, Utah and Washington — are scheduled to arrive Tuesday at the Disney complex. Another eight teams arrive Wednesday, the last eight arrive Thursday, and with that training camps will be on the cusp of beginning.If the plan works, all teams will be at Disney for at least 5-1/2 weeks and some teams will be there for more than three months. And not everyone in the league has an abundance of optimism that the experiment — involving daily testing, separation from friends and family for weeks if not months, and strict regulations regarding just about everything imaginable at Disney — will be enough to complete the season.“I’m not very confident,” New Orleans guard Brandon Ingram said. “But they’ve got us going ... so we’ll see.”The process for arrivals will be streamlined — players and team staff will be immediately taken to the testing room at their Disney hotel... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson credits his mother’s wisdom with helping him manage life’s unanticipated twists and inevitable assortment of successes and setbacks.It has served the NBA’s top overall draft choice well during a highly unusual debut season that has gone nothing like he imagined, yet still holds plenty of promise.“The last 12 months have been a different experience,” Williamson said Thursday, projecting his typically affable, smiling, easy-going manner during a video conference at the New Orleans Pelicans’ practice headquarters. “My mom tells me, ‘Life is life. You may go through a lot of bad times. You may go through a lot of good times. It’s just: Try to prepare yourself as best as you can.’”Now Williamson and the Pelicans are preparing to make a “playoff push,” something that appeared highly unlikely when he was sitting on the sidelines with a surgically repaired knee, watching New Orleans labor through a franchise-worst 13-game losing streak that left... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson credits his mother’s wisdom with helping him manage life’s unanticipated twists and inevitable assortment of successes and setbacks.It has served the NBA’s top overall draft choice well during a highly unusual debut season that has gone nothing like he imagined, yet still holds plenty of promise.“The last 12 months have been a different experience,” Williamson said Thursday, projecting his typically affable, smiling, easy-going manner during a video conference at the New Orleans Pelicans’ practice headquarters. “My mom tells me, ‘Life is life. You may go through a lot of bad times. You may go through a lot of good times. It’s just: Try to prepare yourself as best as you can.’”Now Williamson and the Pelicans are preparing to make a “playoff push,” something that appeared highly unlikely when he was sitting on the sidelines with a surgically repaired knee, watching New Orleans labor through a franchise-worst 13-game losing streak that left... [More]

LiAngelo Ball has been offered a G League contract for the remainder of this season, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.The expectation is that Ball will sign the contract relatively soon, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the contract has not been signed. Ball has been working out for about two months with the G League’s Oklahoma City Blue, who have 12 games left on their regular-season schedule.LiAngelo Ball is the brother of New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball and 2020 NBA draft lottery-slot candidate LaMelo Ball. The Blue are the affiliate of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder.The Athletic first reported the G League's contract offer to LiAngelo Ball.Ball entered the 2018 NBA draft and was not selected. He started the 2017-18 college season with UCLA and left school after being involved in a shoplifting scandal during a team trip to China. UCLA had suspended him indefinitely from the team, and after Ball left the school, he and younger brother LaMelo signed with a Lithuanian club.LiAngelo Ball also played briefly in the Junior Basketball Association, a short-lived league founded by his father, LaVar Ball, that was touted as an alternative to college basketball.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Zion Williamson’s sublime 17-point surge in a span of barely more than three minutes could very well become part of New Orleans' pro sports lore — even if the final score won't.For the Pelicans, a narrow loss to a well-coached, savvy San Antonio Spurs team carried far less weight than the burgeoning form of a young superstar in the making.“The way he came out was very poised,” veteran Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday said of Williamson. "The way he played ... bringing energy, especially down the stretch, was something that I guess you don’t really see from somebody so young. But even on top of that, we are almost in February and he hadn’t played a game yet, so for him to be able to come out here and do that his first game is pretty elite.” Extraordinary hype, fueled by social media, has followed the affable, 6-foot-6, 285-pound Williamson since his high school days in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It only increased during his one stellar season at Duke, making him the consensus... [More]

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — When Zion Williamson finished his first full-court, five-on-five work since returning to practice last week, he spent extra one-on-one time with assistant coach Fred Vinson on the free throw line.After all, the Pelicans are going to need Williamson to make free throws that matter sooner than later. Coach Alvin Gentry wasn't ready to specify a date when Williamson will make his NBA regular season debut — other than to virtually rule out Wednesday night's game against Chicago — but did say Williamson generally looked “fine” in practice.“Obviously conditioning is going to be the big thing there, but you know, you don't lose your feel for the game and he's a really good passer, a willing passer, so all of that stuff is going to be there," Gentry said. "You've got to get yourself in basketball shape, conditioning-wise, and that's going to be a process.“He's eager to be out there and all of his teammates are eager for him to be out there, but it's a step by step process that... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Zion Williamson was supposed to be making his highly anticipated NBA debut by sometime next week, if not earlier.That looks unlikely now, given the overall No. 1 draft pick has yet to practice with the New Orleans Pelicans since having surgery to repair the lateral meniscus in his right knee on Oct. 21. The reeling Pelicans could certainly use him. They've lost 10 straight heading into Friday night's game at Philadelphia to fall to 6-19, but coach Alvin Gentry said this week that he could not forecast a return date.“I don’t have any idea," Gentry said. “I know that he’s here every day and know that he’s working his butt off.“We’re not going to rush anything with him,” Gentry continued. "We’re going to be overly cautious.”Williamson's initial prognosis was for his rehabilitation to last six to eight weeks. This Monday will mark eight weeks since surgery.“We have been much more cautious with him in terms of how quickly we’ve ramped him up from stage to stage because he’s... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Zion Williamson was supposed to be making his highly anticipated NBA debut by sometime next week, if not earlier.That looks unlikely now, given the overall No. 1 draft pick has yet to practice with the New Orleans Pelicans since having surgery to repair the lateral meniscus in his right knee on Oct. 21. The reeling Pelicans could certainly use him. They've lost 10 straight heading into Friday night's game at Philadelphia to fall to 6-19, but coach Alvin Gentry said this week that he could not forecast a return date.“I don’t have any idea," Gentry said. “I know that he’s here every day and know that he’s working his butt off.“We’re not going to rush anything with him,” Gentry continued. "We’re going to be overly cautious.”Williamson's initial prognosis was for his rehabilitation to last six to eight weeks. This Monday will mark eight weeks since surgery.“We have been much more cautious with him in terms of how quickly we’ve ramped him up from stage to stage because he’s... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Zion Williamson will miss the start of the season after the No. 1 overall draft pick by the New Orleans Pelicans had right knee surgery, sidelining the hyped rookie for nearly two months.Williamson had his torn right lateral meniscus repaired on Monday. The club says his recovery will last six to eight weeks.The 6-foot-6, 285-pound former Duke star averaged 23.2 points in four preseason games. He missed New Orleans' final exhibition game in New York last Friday night.The 19-year-old Williamson turned pro after one season in college, during which he averaged 22.6 points and was voted to the Atlantic Coast Conference's All-Defensive Team. He also averaged 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.8 blocked shots.He was projected to start immediately at forward for New Orleans, alongside guards Lonzo Ball and Jrue Holiday, forward Brandon Ingram and center Derrick Favors.While it remains to be seen how coach Alvin Gentry will change his rotation in Williamson's absence, it appears 6-foot-9, 235-pound forward Nicolo Melli of Italy could be in line for more playing time.Melli, who was acquired in the offseason, averaged 8.4 points and 5.4 rebounds this season.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Zion Williamson may not be quite as tall as billed.He still soared in his first NBA preseason game Monday night.Showing off the high-flying talents that made him one of the most anticipated rookies in years, Williamson turned in a ferocious slam less than 2 minutes into his debut with the New Orleans Pelicans and dunked it two more times before the first half was done against the Atlanta Hawks."This isn't high school or college anymore," Williamson said. "You've got to go up strong. So I went up strong and I was able to finish."It was quite the close-range repertoire.One with the right hand.One with the left hand.One with both hands.Williamson finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals, helping the Pelicans to a 133-109 victory over the Hawks before a much larger crowd — announced at 15,441 — than what normally be expected in Atlanta for a weeknight exhibition between two teams that failed to make the playoffs last season."I didn't expect that... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Zion Williamson may not be quite as tall as billed.He still soared in his first NBA preseason game Monday night.Showing off the high-flying talents that made him one of the most anticipated rookies in years, Williamson turned in a ferocious slam less than 2 minutes into his debut with the New Orleans Pelicans and dunked it two more times before the first half was done against the Atlanta Hawks."This isn't high school or college anymore," Williamson said. "You've got to go up strong. So I went up strong and I was able to finish."It was quite the close-range repertoire.One with the right hand.One with the left hand.One with both hands.Williamson finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals, helping the Pelicans to a 133-109 victory over the Hawks before a much larger crowd — announced at 15,441 — than what normally be expected in Atlanta for an exhibition between two teams that failed to make the playoffs last season."I didn't expect that many people... [More]

Robin Lopez and Frank Mason III both scored 14 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks over the Chicago Bulls 122-112 in preseason action on Monday night.Milwaukee didn't play most of its major contributors, including last year's league Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo, Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton.Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said before the game that most of them had a good scrimmage on Sunday so he didn't want to play them in what was essentially a back-to-back stretch.All five of the Bucks' starters scored in double figures. Brook Lopez scored 13 points, Sterling Brown added 12 points and nine rebounds and Wesley Matthews scored 10.Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 16 points. Lauri Markkanen added 14 points, making 4 of 8 of his 3-point attempts.PELICANS 133, HAWKS 109Jrue Holiday led New Orleans with 21 points and Zion Williamson scored 16, including several highlight-reel dunks.Williamson, the No. 1 overall pick in June's draft, threw down his first preseason dunk, a tomahawk... [More]

Robin Lopez and Frank Mason III both scored 14 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks over the Chicago Bulls 122-112 in preseason action on Monday night.Milwaukee didn't play most of its major contributors, including last year's league Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo, Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton.Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said before the game that most of them had a good scrimmage on Sunday so he didn't want to play them in what was essentially a back-to-back stretch.All five of the Bucks' starters scored in double figures. Brook Lopez scored 13 points, Sterling Brown added 12 points and nine rebounds and Wesley Matthews scored 10.Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 16 points. Lauri Markkanen added 14 points, making 4 of 8 of his 3-point attempts.PELICANS 133, HAWKS 109Jrue Holiday led New Orleans with 21 points and Zion Williamson scored 16, including several highlight-reel dunks.Williamson, the No. 1 overall pick in June's draft, threw down his first preseason dunk, a tomahawk... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Zion Williamson may not be quite as tall as billed.He still soared in his first NBA preseason game Monday night.Showing off the high-flying talents that made him one of the most anticipated rookies in years, Williamson turned in a ferocious slam less than 2 minutes into his debut with the New Orleans Pelicans and dunked it two more times before the first half was done against the Atlanta Hawks.It was quite the close-range repertoire.One with the right hand.One with the left hand.One with both hands.Williamson finished the first half with 11 points, five rebounds and two assists, helping the Pelicans to a 75-61 lead over the Hawks before a much larger crowd than what normally be expected in Atlanta for an exhibition between two teams that failed to make the playoffs last season.Of course, the score was irrelevant. This was chance to see the future of the NBA for the first time — not counting his brief stint in the Las Vegas Summer League — and Williamson did not disappoint,... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Zion Williams may not be quite as tall as billed.He still soared in his first NBA preseason game Monday night.Showing off the high-flying talents that made him one of the most anticipated rookies in years, Williamson turned in a ferocious slam less than 2 minutes into his debut with the New Orleans Pelicans and dunked it two more times before the first half was done against the Atlanta Hawks.It was quite the close-range repertoire.One with the right hand.One with the left hand.One with both hands.Williams finished the first half with 11 points, five rebounds and two assists, helping the Pelicans to a 75-61 lead over the Hawks before a much larger crowd than what normally be expected in Atlanta for an exhibition between two teams that failed to make the playoffs last season.Of course, the score was irrelevant. This was chance to see the future of the NBA for the first time — not counting his brief stint in the Las Vegas Summer League — and Williamson did not disappoint, though... [More]

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Zion Williamson has thoroughly enjoyed his jet-setting, appearance-making first offseason as a pro.The Pelicans' top overall draft choice suspects he'll like his first training camp even more."It's been crazy and fun. Always on the move," Williamson said Monday of the months since he left Duke for the NBA. "I think when people look at what I'm doing, they'd say it's very stressful, but I'm having fun with it."Bouncing from city to city, sitting in three-, four-hour meetings, listening to people trying to pitch you on their company. It's a lot, and only having like an hour or two to try to get in the gym and then hop back on a plane and go somewhere else," Williamson continued. "But for now that part has slowed down a lot. ... For now, it's just focusing on the Pelicans."In recent weeks, Williamson has increasingly been working out at Pelicans headquarters with trainers, focusing on core strength exercises and flexibility more so than traditional weights. David Griffin,... [More]

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram says he's "pretty close" to resuming normal workouts as he continues to recover from surgery to address a blood clot in his right arm.Ingram says he has not resumed shooting, but has worked on his shooting form while also conducting ball-handling and passing drills, as well as lower-body workouts.Ingram did not give a specific timeline for his return to full basketball activities with the Pelicans, the team to which the Lakers traded him this offseason as part of a multi-player and multi-draft pick deal for six-time All-Star Anthony Davis.Ingram spoke about his health on Tuesday during formal introductions at Pelicans headquarters for him and three other new players: guard Lonzo Ball, swing player Josh Hart, and center Derrick Favors.Ball and Hart also were part of the Davis trade. Favors was traded by Utah to New Orleans.Ingram was averaging 18.3 points and 5.1 rebounds last season before he was diagnosed with deep venous thrombosis in early March.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Anthony Davis' year of uncertainty finally felt finished when he stood in the Los Angeles Lakers' training complex and proudly held up his new gold jersey while LeBron James looked on approvingly.After months of upheaval around his departure from New Orleans, the superstar forward is looking forward to years of success and stability on the West Coast.Sure, Davis knows the Lakers are rarely stable, and championships are the only success this franchise understands.The six-time All-Star can't wait for the challenge of winning big in the Hollywood spotlight."The most difficult part for me was just not knowing," Davis said Saturday. "When it was announced that I was being traded, I don't want to say it was a relief, (but) it was something that I'd thought about for a long time. Obviously it was tough to leave the city I'd been playing in for seven years, but I think it was best for me."When I found out I'd been traded to the Lakers, I realized it was an unbelievable... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Zion Williamson made the rim shake, which is what fans wanted.And then the scoreboard started to shake, which nobody wanted.It was a night unlike any other in NBA Summer League history — with a frenzied crowd at the start, disappointment when Williamson's night was cut short by a knee issue and then confusion when the game was halted by an earthquake.Such was how the newest No. 1 pick began his professional career Friday night, when his New Orleans Pelicans beat the New York Knicks 80-74 in a game that was cut short by 7 minutes, 53 seconds because of an earthquake that struck 150 miles from Los Angeles and was felt in Las Vegas. No one will remember the outcome, not on this night."Seismic," is how Summer League executive director Warren LeGarie described it all.Fitting.Williamson left without comment, and left earlier than fans wanted. The Pelicans said he took some contact to his left knee and wouldn't play in the second half, after he scored 11 points in his first nine... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Zion Williamson's first NBA show was a sellout.And it ended earlier than the fans wanted.The No. 1 overall draft pick by the New Orleans Pelicans didn't keep his adoring new public waiting for his display of dunks and power. With tickets commanding more than $500 on the resale markets throughout the day from those desperate to be part of the crowd — one that included LeBron James and Floyd Mayweather — Williamson took the floor as a pro for the first time Friday night at the NBA Summer League, scoring 11 points in nine first-half minutes against the New York Knicks and fellow former Duke star RJ Barrett.But Williamson didn't play in the second half because of a knee-to-knee hit, and fans who were chanting "We want Zion! We want Zion!" weren't going to get any more than those first nine minutes.So the event — maybe the hottest ticket in Vegas on a night when Reba McEntire and Brooks and Dunn were doing their thing at Caesars Palace, Gwen Stefani was at Planet Hollywood and... [More]