MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson has undergone surgery on his right shoulder.The Grizzlies said Thursday that the 6-foot-9 forward should be ready to return to full basketball activities in advance of training camp.The 25-year-old Anderson played just 43 games this season in his first year with the Grizzlies, who signed him last summer as a restricted free agent.Anderson made 40 starts for Memphis and averaged 8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3 assists and 29.8 minutes. He shot 54.3 percent from the field.The Grizzlies signed Anderson to a four-year, $37.2 million offer sheet that the San Antonio Spurs declined to match.He spent his first four NBA seasons with the Spurs, who drafted him out of UCLA with the 30th overall pick in 2014.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Thaddeus Young and Bojan Bogdanovic ignored those who doubted the Indiana Pacers last season.They're even more determined to prove them wrong in the playoffs.The veterans who helped the Pacers exceed expectations after losing Paul George in a trade and kept them together following Victor Oladipo's season-ending knee injury now insist they can help the Pacers overcome a 2-0 deficit against Boston."I think the biggest thing for us over the last couple of years is that we've always been a resilient team," Young said Thursday. "We continue to stay confident, continue to trust in one another, I think that helps put us in a better position to win games."It's a test they've faced, and passed, many times over the past 22 months.And every time, it seems the two soft-spoken forwards find themselves playing the calming role in the locker room."I can tell you we wouldn't be the No. 5 seed if not for those two guys," Doug McDermott said not long after the Pacers sang "Happy Birthday"... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. has undergone surgery for a stress fracture in his lower left leg and is expected to resume basketball activities before the start of training camp in September.The procedure announced Thursday came after Hardaway missed the last 11 games of the regular season. The sixth-year player averaged 15.5 points in 19 games after the Mavericks acquired in him a blockbuster seven-player deal with the New York Knicks headlined by Dallas getting Kristaps Porzingis.The 27-year-old Hardaway could start alongside 20-year-old star Luka Doncic in the backcourt next season depending on what happens in free agency, and possibly the draft. Hardaway has career averages of 15.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists.The Mavericks missed the playoffs for the third straight season, finishing 33-49 for the second time in those three years.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — When Paul George has been rolling this season, so has Oklahoma City.The Thunder's All-Star forward has been off his game against Portland, and OKC has struggled against the Trail Blazers. Yes, George is averaging 26.5 points in their first-round playoff series, but he's making just 27 percent of his 3-pointers — down from 39 percent during the regular season.Much has been made of his shoulder issues, which he has been dealing with the past few months. George even missed the regular-season finale against Milwaukee after not being able to lift his arm.But George said Thursday his shoulder is not the issue, noting that he is pain-free."The first game it was just out of rhythm, trying to find shots," George said. "The second game, it was just knowing where shots were going to come from, knowing the space that I could get playing at the basket and taking advantage of where I can get to the rim. It'll be a great mix Game 3."The Thunder hope it is a great mix. They're down... [More]

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson has undergone surgery on his right shoulder.The Grizzlies said Thursday that the 6-foot-9 forward should be ready to return to full basketball activities in advance of training camp.The 25-year-old Anderson played just 43 games this season in his first year with the Grizzlies, who signed him last summer as a restricted free agent.Anderson made 40 starts for Memphis and averaged 8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3 assists and 29.8 minutes. He shot 54.3 percent from the field.The Grizzlies signed Anderson to a four-year, $37.2 million offer sheet that the San Antonio Spurs declined to match.He spent his first four NBA seasons with the Spurs, who drafted him out of UCLA with the 30th overall pick in 2014.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Orlando returned to Florida with home-court advantage.Indiana and Oklahoma City are seeking some home-court magic.A trio of Game 3s in the NBA on Friday night — Toronto at Orlando, Boston at Indiana and Portland at Oklahoma City — have three very different story lines. The Magic got a split of their first two games with the Raptors, the Pacers are reeling after a late-game collapse in Game 2 left them trailing the Celtics 2-0, and the Thunder have seemed completely out of sorts as they've gotten into a 2-0 hole against the Trail Blazers."I still don't think we understand how good a team we can be when we play well," Magic coach Steve Clifford said.Indiana had a great chance at getting a split slip away late in Game 2 at Boston. The Pacers have now lost 16 of their last 24 games overall, are looking at a fourth consecutive first-round ouster and have never won a series after losing the first two games.Having said all that, the Celtics are leery of a letup."We know anything can happen in... [More]

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — The Pelicans newly hired top basketball executive said he's keeping coach Alvin Gentry and wouldn't rule out the possibility of talking six-time All-Star Anthony Davis into rescinding his trade request and committing to New Orleans long-term."We have a very long and successful history together with Klutch Sports," Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said Wednesday, referring to the agency, led by Rich Paul, that represents Davis. "Rich Paul and I have spoken about Anthony and I think we're both excited about what we can potentially build here."Griffin was Cleveland's general manager when LeBron James — who also is represented by Paul — was with the Cavaliers and led them to the franchise's only NBA title.Davis, who is under contract with the Pelicans for one more season, requested a trade in late January. In the aftermath, the Pelicans fired general manager Dell Demps, who has been effectively replaced by Griffin, albeit under a... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Detroit Pistons say Blake Griffin will be out of the lineup for the second game of the team's first round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks.Griffin sat out Game 1 of the series with left knee soreness. The Pistons lost the opener by 35 points.He took part in light drills at Wednesday morning's shoot around while wearing a heavy brace on his leg. He had been listed as questionable and had been openly lobbying coach Dwane Casey to let him return to the court.Casey said before tipoff Wednesday that Griffin has good days and bad, and the knee might different at different times of the day."He's got the situation with his knee where there's good days and bad days," Casey said before Wednesday's game. "It may feel good in the morning and feel bad at night. He wants to go and I want him to go, but it's a medical decision. Hopefully, at some point, he can go."After missing three games with a sprained knee, Griffin returned on April 5 against Oklahoma City and scored... [More]

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Damian Lillard stared intently well after his deep, buzzer-beating 3-pointer fell to close out Portland's third quarter against the Thunder. The look on his face was one of determination, focus and yes, even a little bravado.It was as if Lillard was making a statement. It's not new for the Portland guard.Lillard, the Thunder's Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley all play with an edge and have provided some of the most entertaining moments of the postseason so far.With Lillard and Westbrook squaring off in the Portland-Oklahoma City series, they almost feed off each other's energy. Lillard finished with 29 points — including the stone-cold 3 — on Tuesday night and the Trail Blazers took a 2-0 lead against the Thunder with a 114-94 victory. The series shifts to Oklahoma City on Friday.Lillard has been dialed in from the start of the series against the Thunder, in part because the Trail Blazers were embarrassed in last year's playoffs by New Orleans. Portland got ousted... [More]

The Golden State Warriors are trying to regain the lead in a series they probably still can't believe is tied.Same with the San Antonio Spurs, who like the Warriors know they are facing an opponent who won't stay down no matter how far they fall down.The Clippers' historic comeback against the Warriors, followed by Denver's potential season-saving surge against the Spurs, made that clear.So things are all even in those two Western Conference first-round series, which resume with a pair of Game 3s on Thursday night.Philadelphia and Brooklyn play the other Game 3 of the night in an East series that also is tied at a game apiece.Golden State would be up 2-0 if not for the Clippers' colossal comeback — or the Warriors' colossal collapse — on Monday night in Game 2. The Warriors led by 31 in the third quarter before Los Angeles charged back to win 135-131 after the biggest rally in NBA postseason history.The Warriors won Game 1 by 17, appeared headed toward an even easier win in Game 2, and... [More]

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Damian Lillard stared intently well after his deep, buzzer-beating 3-pointer fell to close out Portland's third quarter against the Thunder. The look on his face was one of determination, focus and yes, even a little bravado.It was as if Lillard was making a statement. It's not new for the Portland guard.Lillard, the Thunder's Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley all play with an edge and have provided some of the most entertaining moments of the postseason so far.With Lillard and Westbrook squaring off in the Portland-Oklahoma City, they almost feed off each other's energy. Lillard finished with 29 points — including the stone-cold 3 — on Tuesday night and the Trail Blazers took a 2-0 lead against the Thunder with a 114-94 victory. The series shifts to Oklahoma City on Friday.Lillard has been dialed in from the start of the series against the Thunder, in part because the Trail Blazers were embarrassed in last year's playoffs by New Orleans. Portland got ousted in... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Center DeMarcus Cousins is unlikely to return this postseason for the Golden State Warriors yet won't require surgery on his torn left quadriceps muscle.Coach Steve Kerr has named Andrew Bogut as his starter in place of Cousins for Game 3 Thursday night of the team's first-round playoff series against the Clippers in Los Angeles.Playing in just his second career postseason game after a nine-year wait, the 28-year-old Cousins went down in the first quarter of a 135-131 Game 2 loss Monday night. He fell in front of the Golden State bench after swiping a ball from Patrick Beverley in the back court. Cousins immediately grabbed at his left quad then hobbled to the locker room at the 8:09 mark.The tear was revealed by an MRI exam Tuesday. The big man returned in January from a nearly yearlong absence while recovering from surgery for a torn left Achilles tendon."More than anything, I'm just crushed for DeMarcus," Kerr said Wednesday. "He's been waiting his whole career... [More]

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — The Pelicans newly hired top basketball executive said he's keeping coach Alvin Gentry and wouldn't out the possibility of talking six-time All-Star Anthony Davis into rescinding his trade request and committing to New Orleans long-term."We have a very long and successful history together with Klutch Sports," Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said Wednesday, referring to the agency, led by Rich Paul, that represents Davis. "Rich Paul and I have spoken about Anthony and I think we're both excited about what we can potentially build here."Griffin was Cleveland's general manager when LeBron James — who also is represented by Paul — was with the Cavaliers and led them to the franchise's only NBA title.Davis, who is under contract with the Pelicans for one more season, requested a trade in late January. In the aftermath, the Pelicans fired general manager Dell Demps, who has been effectively replaced by Griffin, albeit under a different... [More]

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — The Pelicans newly hired top basketball executive is keeping coach Alvin Gentry will be retained and won't rule out the possibility of talking six-time All-Star Anthony Davis into rescinding his trade request and committing to New Orleans long-term."We have a very long and successful history together with Klutch Sports," Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said Wednesday, referring to the agency, led by Rich Paul, that represents Davis. "Rich Paul and I have spoken about Anthony and I think we're both excited about what we can potentially build here."Griffin was Cleveland's general manager when LeBron James — who also is represented by Paul — was with the Cavaliers and led them to the franchise's only NBA title.Davis, who is under contract with the Pelicans for one more season, requested a trade in late January. In the aftermath, the Pelicans fired general manager Dell Demps, who has been effectively replaced by Griffin, albeit under... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Center DeMarcus Cousins is unlikely to return this postseason for the Golden State Warriors yet won't require surgery on his torn left quadriceps muscle.Coach Steve Kerr has named Andrew Bogut as his starter in place of Cousins for Game 3 Thursday night of the team's first-round playoff series against the Clippers in Los Angeles.Playing in just his second career postseason game after a nine-year wait, the 28-year-old Cousins went down in the first quarter of a 135-131 Game 2 loss Monday night. He fell in front of the Golden State bench after swiping a ball from Patrick Beverley in the back court. Cousins immediately grabbed at his left quad then hobbled to the locker room at the 8:09 mark.The tear was revealed by an MRI exam Tuesday.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — The Pelicans newly hired top basketball executive says coach Alvin Gentry will be retained and that he won't rule out the possibility of talking six-time All-Star Anthony Davis into rescinding his trade request and committing to New Orleans long-term.David Griffin, who was introduced Wednesday as Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations, is taking over for former general manager Dell Demps, who was fired this past season in the wake of Davis' trade request.Griffin says Pelicans owner Gayle Benson convinced him of her commitment to winning by agreeing to what Griffin described as "outrageous demands" related to his desire to bolster staffing and resources in the front office.Griffin was the formerly the general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers when they won their only NBA title.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Thunder rookie guard Hamidou Diallo, the NBA's slam dunk contest winner this season, underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right elbow on Wednesday.The team said he is expected to return to basketball-related activities in about four weeks. Dr. David Altchek performed the surgery in New York.Diallo appeared in 51 games for the Thunder this season and averaged 3.7 points and 1.9 rebounds in 10.3 minutes per game. He has not played in the first-round playoff series against Portland.After one season at Kentucky, the Thunder took him with the 45th pick in the 2018 draft. In the dunk contest, he won the crowd over in the first round by dunking over Shaquille O'Neal and hanging on the rim by his elbow as he ripped his jersey open his jersey to show a "Superman" shirt.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — The Celtics are preparing for their Game 2 matchup with the Pacers aware their series-opening win was notable more for its ugliness more than the outcome.Meanwhile, the Rockets and Bucks are heading into their respective Game 2s with the Jazz and Pistons expecting more competitive games after dominating victories.Boston limited Indiana to eight points in the third quarter of its 84-74 Game 1 win. It was the Celtics' lowest point total of the season and the first time they won a game in 2018-19 in which they didn't reach 100 points.Change is on the minds of both teams.For the Celtics that could mean tweaks to the starting lineup as they continue to adjust to the absence of Marcus Smart, who is recovering from a torn left oblique."It's frustrating, but you have to take it day-by-day and one day at a time," Smart said Tuesday.Celtics coach Brad Stevens acknowledged Smart's absence forced them to play differently and will continue to require adjustments.Without Smart to help with... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — DeMarcus Cousins has a torn left quadriceps muscle that will sideline the Golden State center indefinitely, a devastating injury that the Warriors feared was serious when he went down in the first quarter of their first-round playoff loss to the Clippers.An MRI exam Tuesday morning on Cousins' left leg revealed the tear. The two-time defending NBA champion Warriors said Cousins will begin rehabilitation immediately and updates will be "provided as appropriate."Coach Steve Kerr said after the Warriors' 135-131 Game 2 loss on Monday night that Cousins would be out for a significant period.Playing in just his second career postseason game after a nine-year wait, Cousins went down in the first quarter in front of the Golden State bench after swiping a ball from Patrick Beverley in the back court. He immediately grabbed at his left quad. Cousins hobbled to the locker room at the 8:09 mark.Cousins had just returned in January from a nearly yearlong absence following surgery... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — DeMarcus Cousins has a torn left quadriceps muscle that will sideline the Golden State center indefinitely, a devastating injury that the Warriors feared was serious when he went down in the first quarter of their first-round playoff loss to the Clippers.An MRI exam Tuesday morning on Cousins' left leg revealed the tear. The Warriors say Cousins will begin immediately on his rehabilitation and updates will be "provided as appropriate."Coach Steve Kerr said after the Warriors' 135-131 Game 2 loss on Monday night that Cousins would be out for a significant period of time.Playing in just his second career postseason game after a nine-year wait, Cousins hobbled to the locker room at the 8:09 mark of the first quarter. At the 8 1/2-minute mark he swiped the ball from Patrick Beverley in the back court and tried to retrieve it when he went down in front of the Golden State bench. Cousins immediately grabbed at his left quad.Cousins had just returned in January from a nearly yearlong absence following surgery for a torn left Achilles tendon suffered while with the Pelicans last season.He had two points, two rebounds and an assist in less than 4 minutes Monday. He fouled out of Saturday's 121-104 Game 1 win with nine points, nine rebounds and four assists in 21 minutes.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports