CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers forward Kyle Korver has been excused from the team to be with family following the death of a younger brother.The team issued a statement late Tuesday night saying Korver's brother, Kirk, died earlier in the day."We extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt best to Kyle and his entire family as they go through this very difficult time," the Cavs said.Korver is expected to miss Wednesday's home game against Toronto.Kyle Korver, who is in his second season with Cleveland, left the Cavs last week after his 27-year-old brother became seriously ill in Iowa. Korver played in Monday night's home win over Milwaukee, scoring 12 points.Korver's personal situation comes one day after Cavs coach Tyronn Lue stepped away from the team for health reasons. The Cavs have also been dealing with an assortment of injuries as Rodney Hood, Tristan Thompson, Larry Nance Jr. and Cedi Osman have been sidelined.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers forward Kyle Korver has been excused from the team to be with family following the death of a younger brother.The team issued a statement late Tuesday night saying Korver's brother, Kirk, died earlier in the day."We extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt best to Kyle and his entire family as they go through this very difficult time," the Cavs said.Korver is expected to miss Wednesday's home game against Toronto.Kyle Korver, who is in his second season with Cleveland, left the Cavs last week after his 27-year-old brother became seriously ill in Iowa. Korver played in Monday night's home win over Milwaukee, scoring 12 points.Korver's personal situation comes one day after Cavs coach Tyronn Lue stepped away from the team for health reasons. The Cavs have also been dealing with an assortment of injuries as Rodney Hood, Tristan Thompson, Larry Nance Jr. and Cedi Osman have been sidelined.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry says Jrue Holiday has the flu and is not in the lineup for Tuesday night's game against Dallas.The resulting lineup shuffle means small forward Solomon Hill, who had played in only one game this season after coming back from a hamstring tear, will make his first start of the campaign.Guard E'Twaun Moore, who has often started on the wing this season, was moved to shooting guard against the Mavericks.Gentry says the club instructed Holiday to stay home rather than risk having him around teammates.The game against Dallas marked the first of three games in three consecutive nights for the Pelicans.Holiday is averaging 19 points per game.___More AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry has been medically cleared to resume full practice beginning Wednesday with the hope he can return from his latest right ankle injury later in the week.Curry was re-evaluated Tuesday as scheduled and the Warriors said the two-time MVP is making good progress. Golden State hosts Atlanta on Friday, so if all goes well Curry could be back for that game or Sunday's home matchup with Utah.He rolled his ankle driving for a layup in the first quarter of a win against the Spurs on March 8 and has missed the last six games. He had already missed 11 games in December with the sprained right ankle, which he injured again March 2 at Atlanta but played with it.Meanwhile, Splash Brother Klay Thompson was scheduled to be re-examined Thursday as he works back from a fractured right thumb.___More AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans say rookie guard Frank Jackson won't make his NBA debut this season after having follow-up surgery to remove residual scar tissue from earlier right foot operations.The Pelicans say Jackson also received an injection in his foot.The club says a specialist in New York handled Jackson's latest procedure.The Pelicans acquired the 6-foot-4 Jackson through a draft-night trade with the Charlotte Hornets, who selected the former Duke player with the first pick of the second round last summer.Following the draft, the Pelicans signed Jackson to a three-year contract at the NBA minimum with two years guaranteed, but Jackson needed a second foot surgery last summer to address a setback following his initial surgery last May.Jackson spent one season at Duke, averaging 10.9 points.___More NBA basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue is taking a leave of absence from the team to address health issues that have included chest pains and loss of sleep.Lue said Monday in statement that tests have offered no conclusion about what the issue is and offered no timetable for his return. The coach said he feels he needs to step away "and focus on trying to establish a stronger and healthier foundation" from which to coach the rest of the season."While I have tried to work through it, the last thing I want is for it to affect the team. I am going to use this time to focus on a prescribed routine and medication, which has previously been difficult to start in the midst of a season," Lue said. "My goal is to come out of it a stronger and healthier version of myself so I can continue to lead this team to the championship we are all working towards."Associate head coach Larry Drew will run the team in Lue's absence starting with Monday's home game against Milwaukee. Drew said he received... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue is taking a leave of absence from the team to address health issues that have included chest pains and loss of sleep.Lue said Monday in statement that tests have offered no conclusion about what the issue is and offered no timetable for his return. The coach said he feels he needs to step away "and focus on trying to establish a stronger and healthier foundation" from which to coach the rest of the season."While I have tried to work through it, the last thing I want is for it to affect the team. I am going to use this time to focus on a prescribed routine and medication, which has previously been difficult to start in the midst of a season," Lue said. "My goal is to come out of it a stronger and healthier version of myself so I can continue to lead this team to the championship we are all working towards."The Cavaliers also didn't say who would lead the team in Lue's absence, though that responsibility could fall to associate head coach Larry... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue is taking a leave of absence from the team to address health issues that have included chest pains and loss of sleep.Lue said Monday in statement that tests have offered no conclusion about what the issue is and offered no timetable for his return. The coach said he feels he needs to step away "and focus on trying to establish a stronger and healthier foundation" from which to coach the rest of the season."While I have tried to work through it, the last thing I want is for it to affect the team. I am going to use this time to focus on a prescribed routine and medication, which has previously been difficult to start in the midst of a season," Lue said. "My goal is to come out of it a stronger and healthier version of myself so I can continue to lead this team to the championship we are all working towards."A stress-filled season for the Cavs has taken a toll on the 40-year-old Lue, who led them to the 2016 NBA championship after taking over for... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jimmy Butler could return to the court for the Minnesota Timberwolves before the end of the regular season, if he continues to stay on track with his rehabilitation from surgery on his right knee.He's predictably having a hard time sitting and waiting.Butler spoke to reporters Sunday for the first time since the meniscus injury he suffered Feb. 23 at Houston , confirming an initial recovery estimate of four to six weeks after the Feb. 25 procedure. Even on the long end of that timetable, he'd likely have two games with the Timberwolves before the postseason.That's if they hang on to their spot, of course, but Butler said he's confident that will happen. He expressed an equal amount of faith in his ability to heal in time."I can't give you the exact date, but I want to come back and I want to help," said Butler, who sat courtside during the 129-120 loss Sunday to the Rockets in his first appearance on the bench since he was hurt.Wearing a black sport coat with, yes, gray... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jimmy Butler could return to the court for the Minnesota Timberwolves before the end of the regular season, if he stays on track with his rehabilitation from knee surgery.Butler spoke to reporters Sunday for the first time since the meniscus injury he suffered Feb. 23 at Houston . He confirmed an initial recovery estimate of four to six weeks. Even on the long end of that timetable, he'd likely have two games with the Timberwolves before the postseason.Butler said he's confident in both his ability to heal in time and the team's ability to hang on to a spot in the playoffs. The Wolves entered their game against the Rockets in a three-way tie for fifth place in the Western Conference, but no room for a slump.___For more AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry has been fined $15,000 by the NBA for publicly criticizing the league's officiating following New Orleans' 107-101 loss to Houston on Saturday night.The punishment was announced Sunday by Kiki VanDeWeghe, the league's executive vice president for basketball operations.Gentry, who also had been assessed a technical foul during the game, lambasted a decision to award free throws to the Rockets' James Harden after a missed 3-pointer about midway through the fourth quarter.Harden threw his arms toward New Orleans' Jrue Holiday as he went up for the shot. Holiday, Gentry and the crowd were furious with the call. Gentry claimed he saw Harden wink after the foul was called. He demonstratively walked away from official David Guthrie and sat on the bench.The foul gave Harden four free throws. He made three to put Houston ahead.Gentry says Guthrie guessed on the call, unduly influencing the outcome of a game with playoff implications. Gentry also criticized officials for not calling fouls when Pelicans All-Star Anthony Davis is grabbed by defenders while moving without the ball on the offensive end.Gentry, who revisited the matter Sunday before New Orleans hosted Boston, says he expected to be fined and that "it's time to move on."The coach says Pelicans cannot "play the victim card."___More NBA basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans say forward Solomon Hill is available to play for the first time this season against the Boston Celtics on Sunday night.Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry says he intends to play Hill, a former starter, in a reserve role and that his playing time in his initial games back from his hamstring tear will be "obviously very, very limited."Hill tore his left hamstring last summer. The injury has required surgery in August.Last season was the 27-year-old Hill's fourth in the NBA and first in New Orleans. He averaged 7 points and 3.8 rebounds in a starting role. While his statistical production was not exceptional, Gentry and Pelicans general manager Alvin Gentry have both been very complimentary Hill's talent as a wing defender.Now Hill returns as the Pelicans try to cling to one of the Western Conference's final playoff spots.___More NBA basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA has fined Phoenix Suns forwards Marquese Chriss and Jared Dudley $25,000 apiece for their roles in an altercation during a game against the Utah Jazz.The punishment handed down Saturday stem from the Suns' game Thursday night in Salt Lake City.With Utah leading 69-50 in the third quarter, Jazz guard Ricky Rubio was headed full speed on a fast break when Dudley body-blocked him to the floor, starting a scrum in front of the Suns' bench. Dudley got a flagrant 2 foul and was ejected, along with Marquese Chriss for pushing Rubio back down after Dudley's shove.Rubio was shoved to the floor twice in the game, which the Jazz won 116-88.___More NBA basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Kevin Durant will miss at least two weeks with a fractured rib on his right side, joining fellow All-Stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson on the injury list for the defending champion Golden State Warriors.An MRI exam Friday for the NBA Finals MVP revealed the incomplete fracture, and the Warriors said Durant would be re-evaluated in two weeks. Durant said he got hit in the ribs at Minnesota last Sunday and initially thought it was just a bruise, but he was sore the next couple of days. He played Wednesday night against the Lakers and felt it again when he hustled to close out on the wing and "felt something stretch and pull.""It was a little sore the next couple of days but not something I was worried about," Durant said.He worked out Thursday and it took him longer to loosen up. By Friday morning, he experienced significant discomfort. It's an injury Durant has never had previously."Hopefully it gets better in the next week or so and see what happens," said Durant,... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Kevin Durant will miss at least two weeks with a fractured rib on his right side, joining fellow All-Stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson on the injury list for the defending champion Golden State Warriors.An MRI exam Friday revealed the incomplete fracture and the Warriors said Durant would be re-evaluated in two weeks. Durant said he got hit in the ribs at Minnesota last Sunday and initially thought it was just a bruise but he was sore the next couple of days. He played Wednesday night against the Lakers and felt it again when he hustled to close out on the wing and "felt something stretch and pull."Curry missed his fourth straight game Friday after re-injuring his troublesome right ankle. He will be re-evaluated Tuesday, while Thompson has a fractured right thumb and will be examined again next Thursday.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans says they have signed free agent guard Larry Drew II to a 10-day contract.The 6-foot-2 Drew, whose signing was announced by the club Thursday, has spent part of this season in the NBA G League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, averaging 11.8 points, 7.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds in 35 games. He has shot 40 percent from 3-point range.Drew also played for the United States National Team that won the gold medal at the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup.Drew went undrafted out of UCLA in 2013 and has appeared in just 15 NBA games, all with Philadelphia.The Pelicans say Drew is available for Thursday night's game in San Antonio.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry wanted nothing more than to play on his milestone 30th birthday, a home game against the Lakers on Wednesday night.The two-time MVP is doing his best to see the big picture and realize health is No. 1 over earning the No. 1 seed. The playoffs are a month away and he plans to be in top form to lead another special Golden State run."I've been through this countless times but I feel very confident in the approach that we're taking to get to as close to 100 percent as possible going into the stretch run of the regular season and then obviously the playoffs," Curry said after his team's shootaround Wednesday. "I would obviously love to be out there playing every game down the stretch, to be out there with my squad. At this point there's enough time. Not just me, we have a bunch of guys banged up, that we all can prioritize health and understand that we need to all be ready to go."Curry will miss at least the next four games for the ailing defending champions... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry wanted nothing more than to play on his milestone 30th birthday, a home game against the Lakers on Wednesday night.The two-time MVP is doing his best to see the big picture and realize health is No. 1 over earning the No. 1 seed. The playoffs are a month away and he plans to be in top form to lead another special Golden State run."I've been through this countless times but I feel very confident in the approach that we're taking to get to as close to 100 percent as possible going into the stretch run of the regular season and then obviously the playoffs," Curry said after his team's shootaround Wednesday. "I would obviously love to be out there playing every game down the stretch, to be out there with my squad. At this point there's enough time. Not just me, we have a bunch of guys banged up, that we all can prioritize health and understand that we need to all be ready to go."Curry will miss at least the next four games for the ailing defending champions... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics were without six players for their game against the Washington Wizards.The team said Wednesday that Kyrie Irving will sit out with a sore left knee. Al Horford will miss his second straight game with an illness. Jaylen Brown remains in the concussion protocol. Marcus Smart sprained his right thumb and is listed as out. Daniel Theis tore a ligament in his left knee and is out for the rest of the season.That's on top of Gordon Hayward, who has been out since opening night with a broken ankle.Jayson Tatum, who was listed as probable with tightness in his lower back, was able to play and started for the short-handed Celtics.___For more AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers have signed guard Sean Kilpatrick to a second 10-day contract.He has played 15 minutes in two of the last four games since joining the team.The 28-year-old guard has appeared in 41 games this season for the Clippers, Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 4.3 points and 1.5 rebounds in 9.8 minutes.After his second 10-day deal, the Clippers will have to decide whether to keep Kilpatrick for the rest of the season or cut him.___For more AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball