F LeBron James said he is not completely recovered from the left ankle injury that limited to just one preseason game, but he scored 24 points with eight assists and five rebounds in Friday's win over the Bucks. James, who played 41 minutes in the season opener Tuesday, was on the court for 37 minutes Friday night.

PHOENIX -- Lonzo Ball had 29 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in his second NBA game to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 132-130 win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday.Ball made only one shot and scored three points in his NBA debut on Wednesday, a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. But Ball turned it on Friday, shooting 12 of 27 from the field and barely missing his first triple-double.T.J. Warren had a chance to tie the game with 1.2 seconds left and the Suns down by two. But he missed the first free throw, purposely missed the second, grabbed his own rebound but shot an air ball as time expired. Brandon Ingram had 25 points and Brook Lopez had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers.Eric Bledsoe scored 28 points and Devin Booker had 25 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Suns. Warren added 24 for Phoenix.Cavaliers 116, Bucks 97MILWAUKEE -- LeBron James scored 24 points and Kevin Love recorded his second double-double of the season as Cleveland spoiled Milwaukee's home opener.James,... [More]

Cleveland Cavaliers superstar forward LeBron James will play in the team's season opener against former Cavs star Kyrie Irving and the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night after being questionable with an ankle injury.Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue announced that James would play roughly 90 minutes before the game.James has been hobbled since sustaining an ankle injury after stepping on the foot of rookie forward Cedi Osman during practice on Sept. 27.The four-time NBA Most Valuable Player participated in the morning shootaround on Tuesday, with a team spokesman saying James' participation against the Celtics would be a game-time decision."Hopefully I can be Ready to get it going (Tuesday) night," the 32-year-old James tweeted on Monday night.

F LeBron James recorded 29 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists in Tuesday's 102-99 victory over Boston. James needs four more games to pass Zydrunas Ilgauskas (771 games) for the most in Cavs franchise history.

F LeBron James sat out practice on Wednesday and was ruled out for Friday's preseason game against the Orlando Magic due to a left ankle injury, coach Tyronn Lue announced.

F LeBron James (ankle) returned to practice Thursday. James participated through an entire practice as he continues to make progress from the left ankle he injured last week. Lue said it is possible James could even see playing time during Friday's preseason game against the Indiana Pacers. James suffered the injury during a practice on Sept. 27 when he stepped on the foot of rookie forward Cedi Osman.

F LeBron James will sit out Friday night's preseason game against the Indiana Pacers due to his left ankle injury, the Cleveland Cavaliers announced. James suffered the injury during a practice on Sept. 27 when he stepped on the foot of rookie forward Cedi Osman. James returned to practice Thursday and coach Tyronn Lue said it was possible that James might play against the Pacers, but the Cavs opted against playing James for precautionary reasons.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert is expected to be sidelined seven to 10 days with a sprained left foot, the team announced Thursday.Shumpert sustained the injury while landing awkwardly after a missed dunk attempt during the first quarter of Wednesday's 109-93 preseason loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue is hopeful Shumpert will return before his team concludes the preseason on Oct. 13."We'll see," Lue said of Shumpert. "We'll see how he feels. He always heals pretty good. He heals faster than anyone I've ever seen. We'll just see how he feels."The 27-year-old Shumpert underwent additional examination and imaging Thursday morning at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health by Cavaliers team physicians Dr. James Rosneck and Dr. Richard Parker.The news on Shumpert was announced on the same day in which forward LeBron James (ankle) returned to practice.James participated through an entire practice on Thursday as he continues to make progress from the left ankle he injured last week.Lue said it is possible James could even see playing time during Friday's preseason game against the Indiana Pacers.James suffered the injury during a practice on Sept. 27 when he stepped on the foot of rookie forward Cedi Osman.Meanwhile, Shumpert averaged 7.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists while playing a career-high 76 regular-season games last season for the Cavaliers.

San Antonio Spurs All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard will miss the entire preseason due a right thigh injury, the team announced Saturday.The Spurs said in a statement that Leonard's timeline for returning to the court would be determined at a later date as he "continues a rehabilitation program for right thigh tendinopathy."Spurs coach Gregg Popovich indicated the issue first developed sometime last season.The 6-foot-7, 230-pound Leonard is entering his seventh NBA season after averaging 25.5 points and 5.8 rebounds last season, making the All-Star Game for the second time in his career.--Indiana Pacers forward Glenn Robinson III is expected to miss two months after suffering a left high ankle sprain in a Friday training camp practice session, the team announced.Robinson, 23, was driving to the basket and came down awkwardly during a team scrimmage.With Paul George traded to Oklahoma City, Robinson is expected to play a more prominent role this season.--Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert... [More]

F LeBron James missed practice Thursday after injuring his left ankle the previous night. The Cavaliers said James suffered the injury during a Wednesday night practice. James underwent X-rays and they were negative. He is listed as day-to-day.

F LeBron James met with the media on Monday and answered questions on a wide range of topics, including President Donald Trump without mentioning his name. James defended the protests at NFL games on Sunday in response to Trump attacking players through the weekend for kneeling during the anthem to protest racial injustice. "First of all, I salute the NFL, the coaches, the players, the owners, the fans. Everyone had any association with the NFL was unbelievable," James told reporters at NBA Media Day. "There was no divide. Even from that guy that continues to try to divide us as people. He used the sports platform to divide us. Sports is so amazing, what sports can do for everyone, no matter shape, size, race. It brings people together like no other. I'm not going to let one individual no matter the power, the impact he or she should have ever use sport as a platform to divide us. The people run this country, not one person. And damn sure not him."

The Cleveland Cavaliers appear to be the frontrunner to land free agent Dwyane Wade after he reached a buyout agreement with the Chicago Bulls.The 35-year-old shooting guard was slated to make $23.8 million with the Bulls in 2017-18 but reached the buyout agreement with the Bulls after one season, according to multiple reports Sunday.Talks between the two sides about a resolution intensified ahead of Monday's start of training camp, according to ESPN. Once Wade clears waivers, he can listen to offers and decide which team is a good fit for him.Wade gave up approximately $8 million in salary in order to obtain the buyout, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported.Wade tweeted his thanks to Chicago and the fans on Sunday night: "A Dream was fulfilled!!! Thank you Chicago!!!"Wade has a long-standing relationship with Cavs superstar LeBron James. Wade recently worked out with James, his former teammate with the Miami Heat."I would love to have D-Wade a part of this team," James said at NBA Media Day... [More]

Kyrie Irving admitted he has not spoken with LeBron James since being traded to the Boston Celtics but he praised his former superstar teammate with the Cleveland Cavaliers.The 25-year-old Irving called playing three seasons with James as "awesome" and told reporters at his introductory press conference in Boston that "I learned so much from that guy."The Celtics formally introduced Irving on Friday at TD Garden after the blockbuster trade sent Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 first-round pick and the Miami Heat's 2020 second-round pick in exchange for the four-time All-Star point guard.Gordon Hayward also was introduced to the Boston media after the former Utah Jazz forward signed a four-year, $128 million free agent contract with the Celtics in July.Irving, who had requested a trade in July, was asked about his decision to leave Cleveland and the status of his relationship with James."I haven't spoken to (James) and my intent (in asking for a trade), like... [More]

LeBron James is no stranger to seeing a jersey burned after a basketball player has left town.After all, he experienced it firsthand following his "decision" to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010 and join the Miami Heat.On Thursday, James posted five tweets on social media after now teammate Isaiah Thomas has been at the center of Boston Celtics fans burning his jersey on the heels of Tuesday's blockbuster deal involving fellow All-Star guard Kyrie Irving.The burning of jerseys in videos on social media also included Utah Jazz fans doing the same to Gordon Hayward in July after the free agent forward announced he would be signing with the Celtics."The burning of the jersey thing is getting ridiculous now! The man (Thomas) was traded. What do u not understand? & played in a game after ..."sister tragic death. Gordon Hayward paid (his) dues as well and decided to do what's best for him and family. Put in the work, got better ..."Became an All-Star, etc!! If these guys weren't good,... [More]

As the dust begins to settle from Tuesday's blockbuster trade that sent Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics and Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 first-round pick to Cleveland, the larger picture for both teams starts to come into focus. The breakup of the partnership of Irving and LeBron James seemed inevitable after the former said he wanted to be traded. James offered nothing but respect to Irving in his Twitter message in response to the trade:"That's the only way to be to the kid! Special talent/guy! Nothing but respect and what a ride it was our 3 years together."James will now try to blend his skills with Thomas, a point guard who likes to have the ball in his hands.The question surrounding Thomas concerns his hip. Thomas' season ended following Game 2 of the conference finals because of a torn labrum and aggravation of a previous injury.The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that Celtics general manager Danny Ainge speculated on a conference call on... [More]

Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James referred to President Donald Trump as the "so-called president of the United States" while calling for unity in the wake of the Charlottesville, Va., tragedy over the weekend.During his annual family reunion charitable event Tuesday night in Sandusky, Ohio, James gave an emotional speech as he held his daughter, Zhuri, in his arms and was flanked by his two sons, LeBron Jr. and Bryce Maximus, while standing on stage before students, parents, Cavs teammate JR Smith and pop musician Jordin Sparks.James took advantage of his first public appearance since the NBA Finals to call out Trump's actions."I know there's a lot of tragic things happening in Charlottesville," James said, via ESPN.com, before leaving the stage at Cedar Point amusement park. "I just want to speak on it right now. I have this platform and I'm somebody that has a voice of command, and the only way for us to be able to get better as a society and us to get better as people is love."And... [More]

LeBron James might be considering whether to bring his talents to Los Angeles next season, and there's a chance Kyrie Irving could be going with him.In a manner of speaking.Irving, who asked the Cleveland Cavaliers for a trade in July after he grew sour of playing alongside James, has his sights set on the Los Angeles Clippers as a team he would like to play for if traded."(Irving) loves L.A. and he's been working out there a lot this summer," veteran NBA reporter Peter Vecsey of Patreon.com said.James, who owns a home in Los Angeles, is rumored to be considering teaming up with Los Angeles-area native Paul George on the Lakers next summer.The Clippers may be looking to rebuild after trading All-Star guard Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets earlier this offseason, but they did retain the services of All-Star forward Blake Griffin.Building around the 25-year-old Irving would be a great start, but Vecsey does not believe the Clippers have the assets to pull off a trade."Do they have the assets they get him? I don't see how," Vecsey said. "But they also have (consultant) Jerry West and he's been able to figure out before ... the Lakers didn't have the assets to get Shaq (Shaquille O'Neal) and he wheeled and dealed and figured out and they got him ... he was able to get Kobe (Bryant) for (Vlade) Divac in the draft."Irving's reported list of preferred destinations also includes the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves.

The highly anticipated debuts of Chris Paul with the Houston Rockets and Gordon Hayward with the Boston Celtics will highlight the opening night of the NBA season, the league announced Thursday.Paul and the Rockets will visit the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday Oct. 17 as the second part of a doubleheader on TNT. Paul, a nine-time All-Star point guard, spent the past six seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, while the Warriors will be receiving NBA championship rings for the second time in the past three seasons.In the opener, Hayward and the Celtics will visit the Cleveland Cavaliers in a rematch of last season's Eastern Conference finals. Hayward joined Boston as a free agent during the summer after seven seasons with the Utah Jazz, including making his first All-Star appearance last season.Cleveland once again will have LeBron James on the floor but the status of guard Kyrie Irving remains unclear after he asked to be traded.The NBA also announced its five Christmas Day matchups with... [More]

F LeBron James denied a report that he is "eager" to see Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Kyrie Irving traded after the point guard reportedly asked the team for a trade last week. James, on his Twitter account, re-tweeted two posts from SLAM Magazine's Twitter account with the headlines "LeBron James is reportedly 'eager' for Cleveland to trade Kyrie Irving" and "LBJ is extremely unhappy with Kyrie's trade request." On both tweets, James commented "#NoFacts people! Boooo!! Get another source" while adding "#EnjoyingMySummer #YouDoTheSame."

Free agent point guard Derrick Rose signed one-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.Rose met with newly named general manager Koby Altman and other Cavs officials on Monday, just three days after meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers. He passed medical exams with Cavs doctors, Cleveland.com reported.Rose, 28, averaged 18 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists on 47 percent shooting from the field in 64 games for the New York Knicks last season. He was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bulls, but the 2016-17 season ended in another injury as Rose hit free agency for the first time.Rose had season-ending knee surgery in April but has recovered and settled for a short-term deal in free agency.--LeBron James denied a report that he is "eager" to see Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Kyrie Irving traded after the point guard reportedly asked the team for a trade last week.James, on his Twitter account, re-tweeted two posts from SLAM Magazine's Twitter account with the headlines "LeBron... [More]