MIAMI (AP) — The playoff field is largely set.The positioning, that's still anyone's guess.So even while some of what we could have had for drama over the final 2½ weeks of the NBA regular season won't materialize — LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are already out of the playoffs, robbing us of one potential story line — the races for seedings and home-court edges are almost certain now to go down to the final days of the season.Milwaukee has the edge over all other teams in the race for the No. 1 overall seed. Dwyane Wade's career still isn't guaranteed of going past Miami's regular-season finale in Brooklyn on April 10. Golden State, bidding for a third straight NBA championship and fourth in five years, still has a fight on its hands just to get the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference."We're ready to take on any challenger," Warriors forward Draymond Green said.There have been nights where that's looked like a very accurate statement. Others, not so much.The Warriors have lost... [More]

In case more proof was needed that the game of basketball has changed wildly in the last few years, check out the starting center for the team with the best record in the NBA — he is often nowhere near the basket.It's by design.Milwaukee's Brook Lopez hardly ever took 3-pointers in high school, or college, or his first eight seasons in the NBA. He's a 7-footer, and 7-footers were told forever to go to the low post and wait to see if someone throws you the ball. Those days are largely gone and perhaps no NBA big man has seen his job description change more than Lopez.He's taken more 3-pointers this season — 461 and counting — than any 7-footer in any NBA season. And that comes after he was 3 for 31, total, from beyond the arc in his first eight seasons as a pro, with many of those heaves coming in end-of-game or end-of-shot-clock situations."In our practice facility we have boxes out deep beyond the 3-point line, from areas we know we can get reps at," Lopez said. "Eventually, you just get... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Bucks are staggering to the finish line of a special regular season.Milwaukee superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss his second straight game with a sprained right ankle on Wednesday night, one of several key injuries to hit the Eastern Conference-leading Bucks in recent days.A leading MVP contender, Antetokounmpo will rest against the Cavaliers as the Bucks, who enter with the NBA's best record, try to clinch their first Central Division title since 2001.Antetokounmpo also sat Tuesday night when the Bucks beat the Los Angeles Lakers, who played without LeBron James and deprived fans of a matchup of two of the game's biggest names."He's making progress," coach Mike Budenholzer said of Antetokounmpo. "He just can't go tonight. It's us hopefully being smart and being somewhat cautious, but it's more than that. He can't play. We'll see how the next 24 to 48 hours go, and I'm hopeful he'll be in a good place as we move forward."The Bucks host Miami on Friday.Antetokounmpo... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss his second straight game with a sprained right ankle, one of several injuries to hit the Bucks in recent days.A leading MVP contender, Antetokounmpo will sit out Wednesday night's game against the Cavaliers as the Eastern Conference-leading Bucks try to clinch their first Central Division title since 2001. He also rested Tuesday night when the Bucks beat the Los Angeles Lakers, who were without LeBron James.Coach Mike Budenholzer said Antetokounmpo is still slowed by soreness and the team is being "smart" and "cautious" with its best player. Antetokounmpo is averaging 27.5 points, 12.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists.In the past few days, the Bucks have been rocked by injuries to starting guard Malcolm Brogdon (plantar fascia tear) and forward Nikola Mirotic (sprained thumb).The Bucks did not provide a timetable for Mirotic's return, but Budenholzer hopes he'll be back in time for the start of the playoffs.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The year was 2005. No one had an iPhone. No one had tweeted. Facebook wasn't part of the mainstream.And it was the last time the NBA playoffs didn't have LeBron James.The Los Angeles Lakers aren't mathematically eliminated from postseason consideration yet, but it's only a matter of time. For the first time in 14 years, the postseason will begin without James — and for the first time in nine years, the NBA Finals will be played without him.It will be a very long offseason for James.It is not what he envisioned, either."It's challenging," James said of the current state of the Lakers. "But I kind of knew what I was getting myself into."That's not entirely true. He knew it would be difficult but he couldn't have foreseen anything like this, since the only other losing season of his life came when he was a rookie in 2003-04.Thing is, he doesn't possibly know what comes next. No one does. The offseason will see roster change, top free agents to play alongside James will be pursued hard by Rob... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out Monday night's game against the Chicago Bulls because of a sore right knee.Coach Mike Budenholzer says Antetokounmpo worked out Monday and the Bucks are "hopeful" his absence is "very short term."The Greek Freak is averaging 27.2 points and 12.7 rebounds per game, putting him among the league's top 10 in both categories. Milwaukee visits Sacramento on Wednesday.The NBA-leading Bucks were also missing guards George Hill (strained left groin) and Sterling Brown (right wrist). Budenholzer says Hill likely will be out at least a few games.Bulls guard Kris Dunn (migraine) and forward Otto Porter Jr. (strained lower left leg) also missed the game.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Rapper Ja Rule is taking heat on social media after problems with his halftime show during Saturday's Timberwolves-Bucks game.Videos posted online show Ja Rule had sound problems at the beginning of his performance. At one point he said, "Are we ready?" then said, "I guess not," before his music eventually started.Another video shows Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo taking warmup shots while Ja Rule is still performing.Ja Rule responded to critics on Twitter, saying his sound "didn't come on when it was supposed to" but he "rocked." When the Timberwolves' official Twitter account mocked Ja Rule , he responded by cursing the team, saying, "You won't win a championship for the next 30 years."Ja Rule has been the subject of ridicule for his role in the failed Fyre Festival in the Bahamas. He recently told TMZ that he plans to create another music festival.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Midway through the third quarter, Giannis Antetokounmpo said he began thinking he had a chance to become the first international player to win the NBA All-Star Game MVP.But the thought was fleeting, as Team LeBron mounted a rally and came from behind to defeat Team Giannis 178-164 on Sunday night. While Antetokounmpo finished with 38 points and 10 rebounds, Kevin Durant won the award."We didn't win and that's why I didn't get it," the Milwaukee Bucks star said.He had taken some advice before the game about how to approach things from his brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who has won the last two MVP awards in the Greek League.He came out aggressive.Antetokounmpo started the game with a dunk fest — five of them in the first quarter alone and finished with eight for the game. One dunk was a thing of beauty as he took a bounce pass from two-time league MVP Stephen Curry that sailed over the rim and dunked it.Curry called it a play that nobody else in the gym could have... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on All-Star Weekend. (all times local)10:55 p.m.Kevin Durant had 31 points and seven rebounds, LeBron James added 19 points and Team LeBron overcame a big game from Giannis Antetokounmpo to defeat Team Giannis 178-164 on Sunday night in the All-Star game.Team LeBron trailed by 18 points in the first half, but battled back in the third quarter to take the lead behind the sharpshooting of Klay Thompson and Damian Lillard. Thompson had 20 points and Lilllard 18.James Harden sealed the win with a 3-pointer with 46 seconds left putting Team LeBron up by 16.Antetokounmpo finished with 38 points and 11 rebounds to lead his team, while Bucks teammate Khris Middleton added 20 on six 3-pointers. Stephen Curry had 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in his return to Charlotte but was 4 of 17 from the 3-point range.__10:30 p.m.Dwyane Wade's alley-oop dunk off a pass from former Heat teammate LeBron James has helped Team LeBron rally to take a 132-131 lead over... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on All-Star Weekend. (all times local)10:30 p.m.Dwyane Wade's alley-oop dunk off a pass from former Heat teammate LeBron James has helped Team LeBron rally to take a 132-131 lead over Team Giannis after the third quarter in the NBA All-Star Game.Wade, playing in his final All-Star game, flew through the air and grabbed a perfectly thrown pass from James for the dunk. That helped get his team moving as Klay Thompson and Damian Lillard combined for 15 points in the quarter helping Team LeBron erase an 18-point deficit as the teams have started to play defense.Wade and Dirk Nowitzki were presented with a commemorative All-Star jersey at the end of the third quarter and Wade told the crowd "the game is in great hands with these players and it is easy to walk away."Giannis Antetokounmpo is looking to become the first international player to win the All-Star game MVP leading all scorers with 31 points on eight dunks for Team Giannis.___10 p.m.The third quarter... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on All-Star Weekend. (all times local)10 p.m.The third quarter of the All-Star game has begun after a halftime show by rapper J. Cole.Cole who wore a Hornets jacket and jeans, started his show atop a glass platform, opening with "Middle Child." He launched into "A lot" as he walked into the crowd at midcourt and then broke into "ATM" as the lights dimmed.He slowed things down with what he told the crowd was his favorite song "Love Yourz" before closing with G-rated version of his most popular hit "No Role Modelz."Team Giannis led 95-82 after the first half, highlighted by Stephen Curry bounce pass over the rim that Giannis Antetokounmpo caught high above the rim and slammed home.The big question of the second half will be which team decides to play defense first. Antetokounmpo had five uncontested dunks in the first quarter and leads all scorers with 20 points on 10 of 12 shooting.Kevin Durant has 13 points for Team LeBron, which is just 13 of 41 from 3-point... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on All-Star Weekend. (all times local)9:30 p.m.Giannis Antetokounmpo has 20 points —most of those coming on dunks— to lead all scorers as his team leads Team LeBron 95-82 at halftime of Sunday night's All-Star game.Bucks teammate Kris Middleton has five 3-pointers and 17 points, while Paul George has 14 points for Team Giannis, which is threatening to challenge the NBA All-Star Game record of 196 points in a game set by the West All-Stars in 2016.Kevin Durant leads Team LeBron with 13 points but James Harden is struggling, going 1 of 7 from the field.Stephen Curry has just six points in his return to Charlotte for Team Giannis.___9:15 p.m.If this is Dirk Nowitzki's last All-Star game, he's making the most of it.The 40-year-old Nowitzki is showing that he still has the shooting touch, knocking down all three of his uncontested 3-point attempts for Team Giannis.Paul George had 360-degree dunk, but that wasn't even the best play of the second quarter.That... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on All-Star Weekend. (all times local)9 p.m.Giannis Antetokounmpo is taking aim at NBA All-Star Game MVP honors, scoring 16 points on 8 of 8 shooting — including five dunks — to give his team a 53-37 lead after the first quarter over Team LeBron. He also has three rebounds, three assists and a steal.Khris Middleton is heating up too with 12 points on four 3-pointers.Team LeBron is offering little defense with Team Giannis on pace to break 200 points.Kevin Durant has 10 points to lead Team LeBron, which is just 6 of 21 from 3-point range.Dirk Nowitzki knocked down two 3-pointers late in the first quarter for Team Giannis. Dwyane Wade also has checked into the game in his last All-Star game appearance for Team LeBron.Team Giannis set an All-Star record with 23 field goals in the quarter, topping the mark of 22 set on four other occasions — by both the West and the East in the first quarter of the 2017 game, and by the West in both the second and third quarters... [More]

To help you with planning for the NBA All Star weekend, here are some of our plans. This advisory will be updated until Sunday's game. Please contact Oscar Dixon (odixon@ap.org) with any questions. All times ET.SUNDAYBKN--All-Star GameCHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Stephen Curry returns home to Charlotte, Kemba Walker is playing on his homecourt with LeBron James, Kevin Durant and others tip it up in the All-Star game. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos. Game starts at 8 p.m.Also:_ BKN--All-Star Weekend-The Latest. Updates throughout Sunday on All-Star Weekend from Charlotte, North CarolinaBKN--All-Star-Curry Family WeekendCHARLOTTE, N.C. _ CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Sonya Curry says this All-Star Weekend has been everything she hoped it would be. She has spent quality time with her grandchildren and watched sons Stephen and Seth and husband Dell participate in the All-Star 3-point contest. The Currys will wrap up the All-Star Weekend on Sunday night when Stephen competes in his sixth... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on NBA All-Star Weekend (all times local):10:30 p.m.Oklahoma City's Hamidou Diallo is the NBA's slam dunk champion.Going over Shaquille O'Neal in the first round, then getting a boost from rapper Quavo in the finale, Diallo soared to the crown by topping New York's Dennis Smith Jr.Diallo topped Smith 88-85 in the finale. Charlotte's Miles Bridges and Atlanta's John Collins went out in the first round.Smith leapfrogged Miami's Dwyane Wade and took a lob from Stephen Curry to give himself a chance with his last dunk, getting a perfect score from the judges — and a round of boos from the crowd, many of whom weren't that impressed.That left Diallo as the night's final participant.Diallo pulled off a dunk that will be talked about for years in the first round — dunking over O'Neal, hanging on the rim by his elbow, then tearing open his jersey to reveal a "Superman" shirt underneath. And then he plucked the ball from Quavo as he went airborne for the dunk that... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on NBA All-Star Weekend (all times local):9:35 p.m.Brooklyn's Joe Harris held off Golden State's Stephen Curry to win the 3-point contest at All-Star Saturday night.Harris made 12 consecutive shots at one point in the final round on his way to a score of 26 points. Curry was second with 24 in the finals, and Sacramento's Buddy Hield was third with 19 points.The Warriors' star made his first nine shots of the final round, then missed three of five shots from the top of the key.Stephen Curry won the first round with 27 points out of a possible of 34. Hield was second with 26 points, and Harris finished with 25 to grab the last spot in the finals.There were 10 players in the event, and seven went out in the first round.Defending champion Devin Booker made his final seven shots but was eliminated in a tie for fourth with Danny Green with 23 points. The other competitors who did not advance: Dirk Nowitzki and Damian Lillard (17), Seth Curry (16), Kemba Walker... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on NBA All-Star Weekend (all times local):9:35 p.m.Brooklyn's Joe Harris held off Golden State's Stephen Curry to win the 3-point contest at All-Star Saturday night.Harris made 12 consecutive shots at one point in the final round on his way to a score of 26 points. Curry was second with 24 in the finals, and Sacramento's Buddy Hield was third with 19 points.The Warriors' star made his first nine shots of the final round, then missed three of five shots from the top of the key.Stephen Curry won the first round with 27 points out of a possible of 34. Hield was second with 26 points, and Harris finished with 25 to grab the last spot in the finals.There were 10 players in the event, and seven went out in the first round.Defending champion Devin Booker made his final seven shots but was eliminated in a tie for fourth with Danny Green with 23 points. The other competitors who did not advance: Dirk Nowitzki and Damian Lillard (17), Seth Curry (16), Kemba Walker... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on NBA All-Star Weekend (all times local):8:40 p.m.Boston's Jayson Tatum hit a 3-pointer from just beyond midcourt to beat Atlanta's Trae Young in the final round of the skills competition at All-Star Saturday night.Tatum defeated Memphis' Mike Conley in the first round, then topped Denver's Nikola Jokic in the semifinals.Tatum was slightly behind Young going into the 3-pointer, the final shot of the event, and decided he needed to try the long shot to get one in before Young could shoot for the title.Tatum says the trophy will go to his mother's home. He says he was "just out here trying to have fun. I threw one up and it went in."Jokic defeated Orlando's Nikola Vucevic, Young beat Sacramento's De'Aaron Fox and Dallas' Luka Doncic topped the Los Angeles Lakers' Kyle Kuzma in other first-round matchups. Young beat Doncic in the semifinals.___7:30 p.m.NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says he's pleased with the level of competitive balance that currently exists... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on NBA All-Star Weekend (all times local):7:30 p.m.NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says he's pleased with the level of competitive balance that currently exists within the league, though cautioned there are still many ways to improve on that front.Silver's annual All-Star weekend address was Saturday night. It comes with Milwaukee holding the NBA's best record, a surprise of sorts in Denver contending for the top record in the Western Conference and Sacramento in position to end the league's longest current playoff drought at 13 years.Silver says there are still teams who choose, for whatever reason, to not be as competitive as others. But he says the league is striving to continue creating a fair and balanced playing field for all 30 teams.___12:50 p.m.The NBA is bringing a pro league to Africa.The Basketball Africa League, a collaboration between the NBA and the sport's global governing body FIBA, was announced Saturday. The initial plan is for the 12-team... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on NBA All-Star Weekend (all times local):12:50 p.m.The NBA is bringing a pro league to Africa.The Basketball Africa League, a collaboration between the NBA and the sport's global governing body FIBA, was announced Saturday. The initial plan is for the 12-team league to begin play in January.It's yet to be determined which existing club teams will be part of the league. Qualification tournaments will be held later this year to determine those clubs, with teams from Angola, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia expected to be among those taking part. No nation will have more than two teams in the league.NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says the league is "an important next step in our continued development of the game of basketball in Africa."___12:35 p.m.Boston's Kyrie Irving and New Orleans' Anthony Davis say they both plan to play in Sunday's All-Star game.Both have been dealing with injuries lately. Irving has been dealing... [More]