So much changed after Kawhi Leonard crashed to the Oracle Arena floor on May 14, 2017.The San Antonio Spurs had a 23-point lead on the Warriors in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals when Leonard departed with 26 points, poised to take away home-court advantage in the series between teams who won more than 60 games.Leonard injured his ankle when he landed on Zaza Pachulia's foot after taking a jump shot, and things were never the same again for the Spurs or Leonard. The Spurs couldn't hold on to win that game or any other in the series without their All-Star forward, whose ankle injury would be followed by a lingering thigh injury that would limit him to just nine games the following season and strain relations between the team and player. Leonard was ultimately granted his desire to leave San Antonio when he was traded to Toronto in the offseason.If Leonard doesn't go down, maybe the Spurs win that game, maybe the series and maybe another championship. Maybe Leonard wouldn't have wanted... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — All-Star center Anthony Davis was pulled from the New Orleans Pelicans' game Sunday against the Detroit Pistons with a right hip injury but returned in the second half.The Pelicans announced after the first quarter that his return was questionable, but Davis checked back into the game during the third quarter.Davis collided with teammate Tim Frazier and Pistons forward Blake Griffin in the first quarter. All three players ended up on the floor. Griffin hurt his right knee but walked off the injury during the ensuing timeout, and Frazier was uninjured.Davis received treatment on the bench and left for the locker room with members of the training staff.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DETROIT (AP) — All-Star center Anthony Davis was pulled from the New Orleans Pelicans' game Sunday against the Detroit Pistons with a right hip injury.The Pelicans announced after the first quarter that his return was questionable.Davis collided with teammate Tim Frazier and Pistons forward Blake Griffin in the first quarter. All three players ended up on the floor. Griffin hurt his right knee but walked off the injury during the ensuing timeout, and Frazier was uninjured.Davis received treatment on the bench and left for the locker room with members of the training staff.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Matthew Dellavedova's return to his first NBA home is off to a good start before playing in a game.Dellavedova, dressed in street clothes, was greeted by security guards and arena employees, and received a standing ovation from the crowd when he returned to Cleveland on Saturday night."I appreciate the love from everyone," he said. "It makes me feel very welcome."Cleveland acquired Dellavedova in a three-team trade Friday with the Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards. He began his career with the Cavaliers in 2014 and was a key member of the 2016 title team before he signed with the Bucks later that summer.Dellavedova watched Saturday night's game against the Wizards from the bench. The Cavaliers showed a video of him playing in the Finals from the championship season, which led to a long ovation from the crowd.Known to Cleveland fans as "Delly," Dellavedova became an instant hit with Quicken Loans Arena crowds, who immediately liked his gritty style of play. The trade... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Matthew Dellavedova is coming back to the Cavaliers. He won't recognize them.Cleveland re-acquired the popular, scrappy guard on Friday in a three-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards.The Cavaliers also received forward John Henson and 2021 first- and second-round picks from Milwaukee, and a 2022 second-rounder from Washington. The Cavs sent guard George Hill and a 2021 second-round selection to the Bucks, and forward Sam Dekker to the Wizards. Milwaukee also got forward Jason Smith from Washington.Affectionately known to Cleveland fans as "Delly," Dellavedova was a key member of the Cavs' 2016 title team before he signed with the Bucks later that summer. He's not the same player, and the Cavs are far from being the same team, but his return will soften what has been a difficult season.Cleveland is just 5-20 and rebuilding in the wake of LeBron James' departure last summer."I'm glad my Aussie brother is back," Cavs center Tristan Thompson said following... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Matthew Dellavedova is coming back to the Cavaliers. He won't recognize them.Cleveland re-acquired the popular, scrappy guard on Friday in a three-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards.The Cavaliers also received forward John Henson and 2021 first- and second-round picks from Milwaukee, and a 2022 second-rounder from Washington. The Cavs sent guard George Hill and a 2021 second-round selection to the Bucks, and forward Sam Dekker to the Wizards. Milwaukee also got forward Jason Smith from Washington.Affectionately known to Cleveland fans as "Delly," Dellavedova was a key member of the Cavs' 2016 title team before he signed with the Bucks later that summer. He's not the same player, and the Cavs are far from being the same team, but his return will soften what has been a difficult season.Cleveland is just 5-20 and rebuilding in the wake of LeBron James' departure last summer."I'm glad my Aussie brother is back," Cavs center Tristan Thompson said following... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dwyane Wade never thought he would play 1,000 games.And he's unsure what the milestone will mean.Wade is in line to become the 15th active player to appear in 1,000 regular-season games, the milestone he'll hit assuming he plays Saturday night when the Miami Heat visit the Los Angeles Clippers."I don't even know the significance of 1,000 games," Wade said. "I don't know if it's a big deal. I think it's just another number."The Heat might disagree with that.Heat coach Erik Spoelstra didn't know Wade was nearing the milestone until earlier this week, and got wide-eyed when told that Wade had appeared in so many games."That's crazy to think about," Spoelstra said.Nobody has played in 1,000 regular-season games for the Heat — Wade has played the most, 893 after Friday's game in Phoenix. But he'll be the fourth person to play career game No. 1,000 while wearing a Miami uniform, joining Rashard Lewis in 2013, Shaquille O'Neal in 2007 and Danny Schayes in 1996."He's showed an... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Matthew Dellavedova is coming back to the Cavaliers. He won't recognize them.Cleveland re-acquired the popular, scrappy guard on Friday in a three-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards.The Cavaliers also received forward John Henson and 2021 first- and second-round picks from Milwaukee, and a 2022 second-rounder from Washington. The Cavs sent guard George Hill and a 2021 second-round selection to the Bucks, and forward Sam Dekker to the Wizards. Milwaukee also got forward Jason Smith from Washington.Affectionately known to Cleveland fans as "Delly," Dellavedova was a key member of the Cavs' 2016 title team before he signed with the Bucks later that summer. He's not the same player, and the Cavs are far from being the same team, but his return will soften what has been a difficult season.Cleveland is just 5-20 and rebuilding in the wake of LeBron James' departure last summer."I'm glad my Aussie brother is back," Cavs center Tristan Thompson said following... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Matthew Dellavedova is coming back to the Cavaliers. He won't recognize them.Cleveland re-acquired the popular, scrappy guard on Friday in a three-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards. The Cavs also are getting forward John Henson and two draft picks in 2021 from the Bucks in exchange for George Hill. Also as part of the deal, the Cavs traded a 2021 second-round pick to the Washington Wizards, who sent forward Jason Smith and cash considerations to the Bucks and a 2022 second-round draft pick to Cleveland.The Cavs are receiving Milwaukee's 2021 first- and second-round picks.Affectionately known to Cleveland fans as "Delly," Dellavedova was a key member of the Cavs' 2016 title team before he signed with the Bucks later that summer. He's not the same player, and the Cavs are far from being the same team, but his return will soften what has been a difficult season.Cleveland is just 5-20 and rebuilding in the wake of LeBron James' departure last summer."We're... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Matthew Dellavedova has returned to the Cavaliers, who look nothing like they did when he left.Cleveland acquired the scrappy guard on Friday in a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, who also parted with forward John Henson and two draft picks in 2021 for guard George Hill and forward Sam Dekker. The Bucks sent Dekker to the Washington Wizards for forward Jason Smith.The Cavs are receiving Milwaukee's 2021 first- and second-round picks as well as a 2022 second-round pick from the Wizards.Nicknamed "Delly," Dellavedova helped the Cavs win an NBA title in 2016 and is a huge fan favorite. His return will soften what has been a difficult season for the Cavs, who are just 5-20 and rebuilding in the wake of LeBron James' departure last summer.Hill helped the Cavs reach the Finals last season, but the team wanted to unload his big contract while giving rookie Collin Sexton more playing time.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Another popular Cavaliers player is coming "home."LeBron's gone. Delly's back.The Cavaliers have agreed to a trade with Milwaukee that will return fan favorite Matthew Dellavedova to Cleveland along with forward John Henson and a pair of draft picks in 2021. The Bucks will get veteran point guard George Hill and forward Sam Dekker from the Cavs, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press. Milwaukee has agreed to trade Dekker to the Washington Wizards for center Jason Smith and a future second-round pick.The deals are pending league approval and could be finalized Friday night, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams have not yet had the mandatory conference call with NBA officials.The first-round pick in 2021 is protected, the person said.There was an urgency to get the deal agreed to before 6 p.m. on Friday because only players on rosters by then can be re-packaged in other trades before February's deadline.Hill recently returned... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Another popular Cavaliers player is coming "home."LeBron's gone. Delly's back.The Cavaliers have agreed to a trade with Milwaukee that will return fan favorite Matthew Dellavedova to Cleveland along with forward John Henson and a pair of draft picks in 2021. The Bucks will get veteran point guard George Hill and forward Sam Dekker from the Cavs, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press. Milwaukee has agreed to trade Dekker to the Washington Wizards for center Jason Smith and a future second-round pick.The deals are pending league approval and could be finalized Friday night, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams have not yet had the mandatory conference call with NBA officials.The first-round pick in 2021 is protected, the person said.There was an urgency to get the deal agreed to before 6 p.m. on Friday because only players on rosters by then can be re-packaged in other trades before February's deadline.Hill recently returned... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Warriors center Damian Jones underwent surgery for a torn left pectoral muscle.Golden State said Friday that Jones had the procedure Wednesday in Chicago, performed by Dr. Benjamin Domb. Jones is expected to begin the rehab process in six weeks with a timetable to be determined based on his progress.Jones, a third-year pro out of Vanderbilt who developed in the G League last season to emerge as the starter for the two-time defending NBA champions, was injured Saturday at Detroit.The 23-year-old Jones started in 22 of his 24 games, averaging 5.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 17.1 minutes. Golden State had an opening at center following the offseason departures of JaVale McGee, Zaza Pachulia and David West.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DETROIT (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers are resting center Joel Embiid for their game at Detroit.It's the first game all season that Embiid is missing. Coach Brett Brown says he thinks it's the right move for the long run.Embiid was drafted in 2014 but has only played 120 NBA games because of injury problems. He shot 5 of 17 from the field in a loss at Toronto on Wednesday night.The 76ers are also without Markelle Fultz (thoracic outlet syndrome), Justin Patton (right foot surgery) and Zhaire Smith (left foot fracture).Detroit is missing Reggie Bullock (left ankle sprain) and Ish Smith (right adductor tear), and Stanley Johnson (sore left knee) was a late scratch Friday.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Another popular Cavaliers player is coming "home."LeBron's gone. Delly's back.The Cavaliers have agreed to a trade with Milwaukee that will return fan favorite Matthew Dellavedova to Cleveland along with forward John Henson and a pair of draft picks in 2021. The Bucks will get veteran point guard George Hill and forward Sam Dekker from the Cavs, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press.The swap is pending league approval and could be finalized Friday night, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams have not yet had the mandatory conference call with NBA officials.The first-round pick in 2021 is protected, the person said.There was an urgency to get the deal agreed to before 6 p.m. on Friday because only players on rosters by then can be re-packaged in other trades before February's deadline.Hill recently returned after missing 11 games with a shoulder injury, and the Cavs have been shopping him around for a deal. Dekker, who... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — A person familiar with the trade says the Cavaliers have agreed to re-acquire guard Matthew Dellavedova from Milwaukee, and also are getting forward John Henson and two draft picks in 2021 from the Bucks in exchange for guard George Hill and forward Sam Dekker.The swap, which will bring the popular Dellavedova back to Cleveland, is pending league approval and could be finalized Friday night, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the teams have not yet had the conference call with NBA officials.The first-round pick in 2021 is protected, the person said.Hill recently returned after missing 11 games with a shoulder injury. Dekker has also been sidelined.Dellavedova's scrappiness endeared him to Cleveland fans during his three seasons with the Cavs. He was a major contributor on their 2016 title team before he signed with the Bucks as a free agent.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Brandon Ingram is staying home from the Los Angeles Lakers' upcoming two-game road trip due to his sprained left ankle.Ingram will have a precautionary MRI exam Thursday night.Ingram injured his ankle early in the Lakers' 121-113 victory over San Antonio on Wednesday night when Spurs center LaMarcus Aldridge flagrantly fouled him.Ingram is the Lakers' starting shooting guard and their third-leading scorer with 15.2 points per game. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 draft also averages 4.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists.The Lakers (15-9) visit San Antonio on Friday night and Memphis on Saturday before returning home to face Miami on Monday.The Lakers have won 13 of their last 17 during their first season with LeBron James.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson has been fined $15,000 for making an "inappropriate gesture" to a spectator.The NBA announced the punishment Thursday.Thompson's action came at the end of the Cavaliers' 99-97 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday at the Barclays Center. Thompson finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds.

ATLANTA (AP) — Wizards guard John Wall is out for Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Hawks because of personal reasons.An All-Star the last five years, Wall will miss his first game of the season. He is averaging 21.3 points and 8.4 assists.Wall's 9.2 career assists average ranks second among active players.The Hawks will be without starter Taurean Prince for the next three weeks after the forward injured his left ankle in Monday's loss to Golden State.Washington (10-14) has won two straight and four of six. Atlanta (5-19), riding a three-game losing streak, has the NBA's third-worst record.___For more AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With a baseline drive by Chris Paul and a bounce pass into the paint to Clint Capela, the Houston Rockets had what appeared to be an uncontested dunk early in the fourth quarter that would have cut Minnesota's lead to five points.Robert Covington closed in from behind, stopped the 6-foot-10 Capela cold and, managing to avoid the body contact that would have drawn him a foul, tied up the NBA's most accurate shooter last season to earn a jump-ball call .Yes, the Timberwolves are playing legitimate defense these days, even after trading their best defensive player.They erased a 19-point deficit in the final minute of the second quarter Monday night and outscored the high-octane Rockets 55-29 in the second half to notch one of the most remarkable victories in three seasons under coach Tom Thibodeau. That was the fewest points allowed in a second half by the Timberwolves in almost 11 years."We've got to change things," said center Karl-Anthony Towns, who had a plus-17 rating... [More]