WASHINGTON (AP) — Wizards center Thomas Bryant has a stress reaction in his right foot and will be sidelined for at least three weeks before he’s re-evaluated.“Hopefully we get good news then,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said before Tuesday’s game against the Orlando Magic.Bryant, who is averaging 13.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, was diagnosed Tuesday after experiencing pain in his foot following the team’s 150-125 loss at the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.Brooks said rookie forward Rui Hachimura would slide over to the center spot against the Magic with Davis Bertans starting at forward.In another lineup change, Brooks said Isaac Bonga would start in place of Troy Brown Jr., who will come off the bench.Washington was also without reserve center Moritz Wagner (left ankle sprain) and reserve guard C.J. Miles (left wrist ligament injury).___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Entering the preseason with backcourt mate John Wall sidelined due to injury, Bradley Beal insists most of the pressure to be the Washington Wizards' leader is coming from within."It's no problem," Beal said Monday at the team's media day. "I think I would probably say I force myself into that role versus maybe a coach or the team. It's definitely going to be harder. But John's still going to be around. He'll still have a voice. I'll have a voice."Beal already has spent much of the past two seasons without Wall while Wall dealt with numerous injuries. The most recent and serious was a ruptured Achilles, with recovery expected to keep the point guard out until at least February.Although the Wizards — who were hit with other injuries as well — fell short of the postseason last year, Beal thrived, averaging 25.6 points, 5.5 assists and 5 rebounds while playing all 82 games.Coach Scott Brooks believes the two-time All-Star is capable of even more as a distributor."I think... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thomas Bryant's perfect night was something the NBA hadn't seen in nearly a quarter-century.Bryant's 14 for 14 effort from the floor in Washington's triple-overtime 149-146 win over Phoenix on Saturday night was the first such game in the NBA since Gary Payton had the same shooting numbers in Seattle's win over Cleveland on Jan. 4, 1995."It's amazing," Bryant said. "I had no idea throughout the game and I had no idea after the game until people started telling me about it."They will be telling him about this one for a long time.Bryant became the fifth player to have a 14-for-14 game or better, joining Payton, Bailey Howell, Billy McKinney and Wilt Chamberlain. Howell was 14 for 14 for the Baltimore Bullets — the Wizards' franchise — against San Francisco on Jan. 3, 1965, and McKinney was 14 for 14 for Kansas City against Boston on Dec. 27, 1978.Chamberlain had four such games — he was 15 for 15 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 20, 1967, an NBA-record 18 for 18 against... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Wizards center Dwight Howard is sitting out Tuesday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers because of a gluteal injury.Howard, who missed the first seven games of the season with the injury, left Sunday's game against Portland in the second quarter when he aggravated the injury.Wizards coach Scott Brooks says he hopes Howard will be able to play in Friday's game at Toronto.Howard is averaging 12.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.Second-year player Thomas Bryant is getting his first NBA start at center in Howard's place.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Trips to Las Vegas feel better when they end on a win.The consolation round of the NBA Summer League gave teams a chance to experience that Friday. They had already been eliminated from the chance to win the tournament championship, but at least some can head to the airport on a high note.Many of the top performers on the teams who played Friday were already done for the week, sitting out the games so as not to risk injuries.The winners' bracket of the tournament resumes with six second-round games Saturday.Friday's results:SUNS 90, SPURS 55Phoenix blew open the game by outscoring the Spurs 29-9 in the second quarter to finish 4-1.No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton rested along with second-year forward Josh Jackson. Javonte Green led Phoenix with 20 points. Shaquille Harrison had 13, Davon Reed 11 and Jack Cooley 10.The Spurs rested first-round pick Lonnie Walker IV and finished 1-4.KNICKS 102, PELICANS 83With first-round pick Kevin Knox already done after a strong Summer League,... [More]

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers have waived center Thomas Bryant.The Lakers made the roster move Saturday as the start of free agency neared.Bryant was a second-round pick in last year's draft. The Indiana University product excelled for the Lakers' G League affiliate but averaged 1.5 points and 1.1 rebounds in 15 appearances for Los Angeles.Bryant's $1.38 million contract for next season would have become fully guaranteed next week.The Lakers have spent the past year clearing salary cap room for their pursuit of elite free agents including LeBron James. Los Angeles currently has just six players under contract for next season for a total of roughly $36.1 million, along with a $5.5 million qualifying offer out to Julius Randle.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/tags/NBAbasketball