NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans have ruled out forward Nikola Mirotic from Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers because of an illness.Mirotic's absence, announced shortly before tip-off, removes one of New Orleans' top scoring threats from the lineup.Mirotic has been averaging 18.9 points and leads the Pelicans with 60 made 3-pointers in 24 games.The Pelicans say starting guard E'Twaun Moore, who left Friday night's loss in Miami with a right shin bruise, is available to return to action after missing Sunday night's victory in Charlotte.Moore is averaging 15.1 points per game.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans say center Jahlil Okafor has been diagnosed with a sprained right ankle and is expected to miss one or two weeks.The injury occurred in the fourth quarter of the Pelicans' preseason opener at Chicago on Sunday.The 6-foot-11 Okafor was drafted third overall out of Duke by Philadelphia in 2015. But his production fell considerably last season from the nearly 15 points and six rebounds he averaged during his first two seasons with the 76ers.He appeared in only two games with Philadelphia last season before being traded to Brooklyn, where he played about 13 minutes per game as a reserve, averaging 6.4 points.In August, he signed a two-year contract with New Orleans that includes a team option in the second year. The Pelicans hope he can provide depth to a front court led by Anthony Davis, Julius Randle and Nikola Mirotic.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Anthony Davis swatted away the notion that his decision to hire new representation meant he was setting the stage for a change of scenery.With three seasons left on his contract and five All-Star nods to his name, Davis' leverage to control where he plays is growing. So when he recently left the Wasserman agency that negotiated his current contract and joined Klutch Sports, which also represents Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, it begged questions about the reasons for the switch.The move also stoked paranoia in New Orleans, the city Chris Paul left in his prime shortly after he changed agents.But Davis said the move was aimed primarily at helping him become the "the most dominant player in the league.""It was just for where I am right now in my career — what I'm trying to do — I thought the change was necessary," Davis said Monday, when the Pelicans held media day on the eve of training camp. "That's all it was."Increasingly, agencies representing athletes are... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Anthony Davis wasn't willing to call the New Orleans Pelicans' season a success.Not that Davis dismissed the determination, grit and growing chemistry the Pelicans showed in the way they adjusted to a season-ending injury to fellow All-Star DeMarcus Cousins.New Orleans exceeded expectations by getting to the postseason and sweeping third-seeded Portland . Then came a second-round matchup with defending champion Golden State, and the Pelicans were reminded why bringing back a player of Cousins' caliber could be crucial to going farther next season. The Warriors needed only five games to end New Orleans' season."Any time you don't win a championship, I don't see how it could be successful," Davis said. "We can take a lot of positive things from the season. Of course, one of our main guys went out and everybody doubted us. Everybody counted us out and we were able to keep fighting, keep pushing as a unit and able to come this far."This offseason could go a long way in determining... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Pelicans' penchant for pushing the pace looks more and more like a quixotic mission to out-Warrior the Warriors.That's been the dilemma for Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry as New Orleans has slid into a 3-1 hole in its Western Conference semifinal playoff series against defending champion Golden State.Although there'd be logic to slowing the game down to limit shooting opportunities for Golden State's prolific perimeter players, Gentry never saw that option as practical enough to pull off in the playoffs."We're going to play at a fast pace," Gentry says. "I know some would say, 'You're kind of playing into Golden State's hands. But this is the way we've played the whole season, so we're not going to all of a sudden try to adjust and do something completely different, because the success we've had has been based on playing at a fast pace and being a team that has played the fastest pace in the league."We don't have the ability to all of a sudden change that and become... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Steve Kerr refers to Pelicans star Anthony Davis "one of the very best players on earth."That means the Golden State Warriors' defense will face a far different test than what San Antonio presented in the first round of the NBA playoffs when New Orleans arrives for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals Saturday night on the defending champions' home floor.The pace. The playmakers. And, of course, the load that is Davis.Davis' daunting playoff averages: 33 points, 12 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game.New Orleans got here even after losing All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins three months ago to a season-ending torn Achilles tendon. That's when Davis said the Pelicans became "great.""It was tough. We were still learning when he was here," Davis said."We were still in that early stage of trying to figure out how to close games, how to play for each other, defensive assignments. And we started to figure it out before he got hurt. ... Then when he went down, we had to... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Steve Kerr refers to Pelicans star Anthony Davis "one of the very best players on earth."That means the Golden State Warriors' defense will face a far different test than what San Antonio presented in the first round of the NBA playoffs when New Orleans arrives for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals Saturday night on the defending champions' home floor.The pace. The playmakers. And, of course, the load that is Davis.Davis' daunting playoff averages: 33 points, 12 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game.New Orleans got here even after losing All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins three months ago to a season-ending torn Achilles tendon. That's when Davis said the Pelicans became "great.""It was tough. We were still learning when he was here," Davis said."We were still in that early stage of trying to figure out how to close games, how to play for each other, defensive assignments. And we started to figure it out before he got hurt. ... Then when he went down, we had to... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — With every Anthony Davis put-back dunk, reverse alley-oop jam, step-back 3-pointer or game-sealing block in the playoffs, the New Orleans Pelicans take a step closer to becoming the NBA's next small-market success story.That didn't quite happen with Chris Paul, who essentially forced a trade after his sixth season in the Big Easy amid concerns about uncertain ownership.The 25-year-old Davis is now in his sixth season in New Orleans. And the five-time All-Star is not only playing historically good basketball, but seems to see no need for moving vans in order to go ring hunting.Davis, after all, was a young fan when Reggie Miller was in the twilight of an 18-year career with Indiana that transformed the Pacers into playoff regulars — and while Tim Duncan was embarking on a long career in San Antonio highlighted by five NBA titles."There's always, you know, 'You can't win in a small market or you can't get noticed in a small market,' but then you look at those guys and they've... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Now that five-time All-Star Anthony Davis has his first taste of a playoff triumph, he sounds eager to see what's next.Davis' Pelicans looked like anything but a shoo-in for the postseason after fellow All-Star DeMarcus Cousins was lost for the season in late January with an Achilles tear. They needed 81 games just to clinch a playoff spot. They ran the table during a pressure-packed final five games of the regular season, climbing to sixth in the Western Conference.Four games later, New Orleans is on a nine-game winning streak and moving on to the second round of the playoffs for only the second time in 16 seasons since the NBA returned to the city in 2002."A lot of people counted us out after the injury to DeMarcus, so this is amazing," Davis said following Saturday's series-clinching, 131-123 victory over third-seeded Portland. "But we have to get ready for the second round."The Pelicans appear destined to play second-seeded Golden State in Round 2. The Warriors entered... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The first taste of the NBA playoffs for Timberwolves All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns has been rather bitter, thanks to the 3-point-happy Houston Rockets.The two-game totals tell a frustrating story for the 22-year-old: just 13 points, 5 for 18 shooting and a 2-0 deficit in the series against the Rockets. Towns has found himself the subject of pointed criticism from analysts, fans and even his own team.The switch-heavy Rockets have double-teamed Towns to a stifling effect, and the Timberwolves sure haven't helped their 7-footer out by getting him the ball in favorable situations in the post."They're coming to double. He knows that. He has to face up, be strong with the ball, make quick moves," point guard Jeff Teague said. "But we have to figure out how to get him running, get him some easy buckets."The team's struggles have taken a little luster off Minnesota's first postseason home game in 14 years, but the fans who remember the Timberwolves reaching the Western Conference... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Jrue Holiday's postseason production is providing Pelicans All-Star Anthony Davis with a more comfortable margin for error — and has left Portland with precious little.Holiday's 54 points, 16 assists and slew of defensive successes in the first two games are big reasons why the sixth-seeded Pelicans hold a surprising 2-0 series lead over the third-seeded Trail Blazers as they prepare for Game 3 Thursday night in New Orleans."Playoff Jrue, I guess," Davis quipped after Holiday scored 33 — including a late, deep 3-pointer — in the Pelicans' Game 2 triumph in Portland on Tuesday night. "He's in a different mode."Philadelphia visits Miami in one of two other Game 3s on Thursday night, while the Spurs' return to San Antonio after a pair of double-digit losses at defending champion Golden State.Pelicans general manager Dell Demps bet big on Holiday on the first day of free agency last summer, giving the 27-year-old guard a five-year contract worth about $126 million. But if... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Jrue Holiday's postseason production is providing Pelicans All-Star Anthony Davis with a more comfortable margin for error — and has left Portland with precious little.Holiday's 54 points, 16 assists and slew of defensive successes in the first two games are big reasons why the sixth-seeded Pelicans hold a surprising 2-0 series lead over the third-seeded Trail Blazers as they prepare for Game 3 Thursday night in New Orleans."Playoff Jrue, I guess," Davis quipped after Holiday scored 33 — including a late, deep 3-pointer — in the Pelicans' Game 2 triumph in Portland on Tuesday night. "He's in a different mode."Philadelphia visits Miami in one of two other Game 3s on Thursday night, while the Spurs' return to San Antonio after a pair of double-digit losses at defending champion Golden State.Pelicans general manager Dell Demps bet big on Holiday on the first day of free agency last summer, giving the 27-year-old guard a five-year contract worth about $126 million. But if... [More]

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland's Damian Lillard says he likes the first-round matchup against the Pelicans, but in almost the same breath he lists the reasons why New Orleans is dangerous.After splitting their four regular-season meetings, the third-seeded Blazers and sixth-seeded Pelicans open the playoffs Saturday night at the Moda Center."They stole one from us here, and we felt like that was a game that we should have had. We had a bad third quarter," Lillard said. "But they have Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, Rondo, E'Twaun Moore, they've got a lot of guys that make them a dangerous team."The Blazers won the season's first meeting with New Orleans, 103-93, back in October. But two months later the Pelicans beat the Blazers 123-116 in Portland without Davis. DeMarcus Cousins had 38 points and New Orleans extended its lead to as many as 18 points in the third quarter.The Pelicans lost Cousins for the season because of an Achilles injury in January, and many thought the team's playoff hopes... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Portland Trail Blazers have scratched starting forward Maurice Harkless from Tuesday night's game against the New Orleans Pelicans.Blazers coach Terry Stotts says he learned a few hours before tip-off that Harkless' left knee soreness would sideline him for a game that could hold playoff implications for both teams.The Pelicans say guard Rajon Rondo is missing his second straight game with a sprained right wrist, while forward Nikola Mirotic is available to play after also missing last Saturday night's loss at Houston with a sore right hip flexor.Portland arrived in New Orleans in third place in the Western Conference, but just 2 ½ games ahead of the fifth-place Pelicans.___More NBA basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Portland Trail Blazers have scratched starting forward Maurice Harkless from Tuesday night's game against the New Orleans Pelicans.Blazers coach Terry Stotts says he learned a few hours before tip-off that Harkless' left knee soreness would sideline him for a game that could hold playoff implications for both teams.The Pelicans say guard Rajon Rondo and forward Nikola Mirotic are both available to play after missing last Saturday night's loss at Houston. However, Rondo's right wrist sprain is keeping him out of his usual starting role, and it's unclear how much he'll play.Mirotic is back from a sore right hip flexor.Portland arrived in New Orleans in third place in the Western Conference, but just 2 ½ games ahead of the fifth-place Pelicans.___More NBA basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Pelicans All-Star Anthony Davis was ruled out of Friday night's game against Washington because of his sprained left ankle.Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry says he is "optimistic" about Davis' prospects for returning Sunday afternoon against Utah. Nikola Mirotic started at power forward in Davis' absence.Gentry says Davis went through pregame drills to test his ankle and did not appear ready to return from the injury, which occurred in the third quarter of Wednesday night's victory at Sacramento.Davis has averaged 28.1 points and 11.1 rebounds this season, and his production has surged during the franchise record-tying 10-game winning streak the Pelicans rode into their game against the Wizards. Davis has scored 41 or more points five times and as many as 53 during the streak.___More NBA basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls have waived guard/forward Tony Allen after acquiring him in a trade last week.The 14-year veteran came to Chicago in the deal that sent Nikola Mirotic to New Orleans. Allen averaged 4.7 points in 22 games for the Pelicans before breaking his leg. He has not played since Dec. 10, though he returned to New Orleans' active roster just before the trade.The Bulls announced the move on Friday.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired forward Nikola Mirotic and a second-round draft pick from the Chicago Bulls for center Omer Asik, guards Jameer Nelson and Tony Allen and a 2018 first-round pick.The trade, announced by both teams late Thursday afternoon, comes less than a week after New Orleans lost All-Star DeMarcus Cousins for the season to a left Achilles tear and with the Pelicans still in the playoff picture.Mirotic has averaged 16.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game since missing the first 23 games this season with two broken bones in his face stemming from a fight in practice with Bobby Portis.Nelson has averaged 5.1 points and 3.6 assists in 43 games for New Orleans this season. Allen averaged 4.7 points before a broken leg sidelined him for 22 games. He returned to the active roster this week. Asik has averaged 1.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in 14 games this season.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans acquired forward Nikola Mirotic and a second-round draft pick from the Chicago Bulls for center Omer Asik, guards Jameer Nelson and Tony Allen and a first-round pick, a person familiar with the deal said.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because neither team has announced the trade.The trade comes less than a week after New Orleans lost All-Star DeMarcus Cousins for the season because of left Achilles tear and with the Pelicans still in the playoff picture.Mirotic has averaged 16.8 points and 6.4 rebounds since missing the first 23 games this season because of two broken bones in his face stemming from a fight in practice with Bobby Portis.Nelson has averaged 5.1 points and 3.6 assists in 43 games for New Orleans. Allen averaged 4.7 points before a broken leg sidelined him for 22 games. He returned to the active roster this week, but did not play in Tuesday night's loss to Sacramento. Asik has averaged... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A person familiar with the decision says the New Orleans Pelicans have acquired forward Nikola Mirotic and a second-round draft pick from the Chicago Bulls for center Omer Asik, guards Jameer Nelson and Tony Allen, and a future first-round pick.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because neither team has announced the trade.The deal, first reported by ESPN, comes less than a week after New Orleans lost All-Star DeMarcus Cousins for the season to a left Achilles tear and with the Pelicans still in the playoff picture.Mirotic has averaged 16.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game since missing the first 23 games this season with two broken bones in his face stemming from a fight in practice with Bobby Portis.Nelson has averaged 5.1 points and 3.6 assists in 43 games for New Orleans this season. Allen averaged 4.7 points before a broken leg sidelined him for 22 games. He returned to the active roster this week. Asik has averaged 1.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in 14 games this season.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball