OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry won't play during Golden State's three-game Texas road trip as he recovers from a left groin strain, though he is traveling with the Warriors.The team traveled Wednesday to Houston, where the two-time defending NBA champions will play Thursday night. They have games Saturday at Dallas and Sunday at San Antonio.Curry was injured during a Nov. 8 game against the Milwaukee Bucks and has been sidelined the past three games. He is scheduled to be re-evaluated in 10 days. The team says he continues to be monitored by the medical staff as he rehabs from his latest injury.The two-time MVP played in only 51 regular-season games last season because of a left knee injury and a sprained right ankle. He returned from the knee injury for Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals after sitting out the first round of the playoffs.Curry, 30, is averaging 29.5 points, 6.1 assists and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 49.2 percent from 3-point range.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The best NBA team in Los Angeles right now isn't the one with LeBron James.It's the no-name Clippers.Going into Wednesday, the Clippers were fourth in the rugged Western Conference at 8-5, with overtime wins against defending NBA champion Golden State and Milwaukee, as well as Oklahoma City and Houston (twice)."We're going to keep on getting better," leading scorer Tobias Harris said. "We've showed we can play with the best of them."While they don't have talent on par with those teams, the Clippers are transitioning to a new era with a mix of veterans like Danilo Gallinari, Harris, Marcin Gortat and Patrick Beverley. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has cracked the starting lineup as a rookie point guard. Montrezl Harrell brings a contagious energy off the bench.In a win over Washington, they had a franchise-record nine players score in double figures."They seem to all have a chip on their shoulder because a lot of those guys are really good players but they might not get the... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Golden State Warriors don't expect Draymond Green's latest dustup with Kevin Durant to become a long-term issue for the two-time defending NBA champions.Nor do they expect the emotional Green to change after his one-game suspension by the team Tuesday.Durant said he expects to work things out with Green, saying, "I'm sure it will, we've got a long season ahead.""His presence has been a part of this team for a while, even before I got here he'd been a huge staple in this organization," Durant said. "Obviously it's definitely weird not having him around and everything that went down. But that's what happens, (stuff) happens in the NBA."Green was suspended one game without pay for conduct detrimental to the team following an altercation a night earlier with Durant, though general manager Bob Myers declined to offer specifics on the All-Star forward's behavior that was considered going too far. Myers and Steve Kerr collaborated on the decision."We just felt like this... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Golden State Warriors don't expect Draymond Green's latest dustup with Kevin Durant to become a long-term issue for the two-time defending NBA champions.Nor do they expect the emotional Green to change after his one-game suspension by the team Tuesday.Green was suspended one game without pay for conduct detrimental to the team following an altercation a night earlier with Durant, though general manager Bob Myers declined to offer specifics on the All-Star forward's behavior that was considered going too far. Myers and Steve Kerr collaborated on the decision."We just felt like this rose to the level of acting the way we did," Myers said, noting of Green: "He was professional. He loves to play basketball, which is all you can ask of him."The Warriors made the announcement about four hours before they were set to host Atlanta, and the 28-year-old Green was serving the suspension against the Hawks. He wasn't at Oracle Arena and didn't immediately respond to a text... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Caris LeVert's injury wasn't as bad as it looked.The Brooklyn Nets said Tuesday their leading scorer suffered only a dislocation of his right foot and no fractures, and he could return this season.That's far better than what was feared when LeVert's leg appeared to bend in a gruesome manner after he leaped to block a shot in the final seconds of the first half of Monday night's game in Minnesota."While the optics of this injury may have appeared to be more severe, surgery will not be required," team orthopedist Dr. Martin O'Malley said in a statement.O'Malley examined LeVert on Tuesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery and the third-year swingman was diagnosed with a subtalar dislocation of the right foot.O'Malley said there was only moderate ligament damage and that following a period of rehabilitation, LeVert was expected to return to full strength and resume all basketball activities without any limitations this season.LeVert's injury initially appeared similar to the... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — When Robert Covington, Dario Saric and Jerryd Bayless walked into their hotel rooms in Minnesota, they found appropriate gifts from Timberwolves All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns: winter coats.After the overnight temperature dropped to 7 degrees, the newest members of the team by way of the Jimmy Butler trade with Philadelphia appreciated the welcome from Minnesota's best player. Butler's awkward and drawn-out departure created an icy atmosphere around the organization, but now that the deal is finally done, the Wolves have begun trying to warm the atmosphere back up."We can't wait to get on the court, put on that jersey and put it on for this city," Covington said at a news conference inside Target Center on Tuesday afternoon that carried just a bit less buzz than Butler's open-to-the-public introduction at the Mall of America less than 17 months ago.As Butler formally joined the 76ers , the Wolves pivoted forward after a pressure-relieving win over Brooklyn on Monday night... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Warriors All-Star forward Draymond Green was suspended one game without pay by Golden State on Tuesday for conduct detrimental to the team.The Warriors made the announcement about four hours before they were set to host Atlanta, and said Green would serve the suspension against the Hawks.In the closing seconds of regulation during Monday's 121-116 overtime loss on the road to the Clippers, Green secured a rebound and, with Kevin Durant calling for the ball, instead dribbled the length of the court into traffic and lost control as the Warriors failed to get a shot off. Durant was shown on camera visibly upset immediately afterward.Then, back on the bench waiting for the extra period to begin, the two traded words and gestured with Klay Thompson seated between them and Andre Iguodala, DeMarcus Cousins and others trying to calm the situation.General manager Bob Myers and coach Steve Kerr have long supported Green's fiery nature that leads to technical fouls. Myers even... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — When Robert Covington, Dario Saric and Jerryd Bayless walked into their hotel rooms in Minnesota, they found appropriate gifts from Timberwolves All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns: winter coats.After the overnight temperature dropped to 7 degrees, the newest members of the team by way of the Jimmy Butler trade with Philadelphia appreciated the welcome from Minnesota's best player. Butler's awkward and drawn-out departure created an icy atmosphere around the organization, but now that the deal is finally done, the Wolves have begun trying to warm the atmosphere back up."We can't wait to get on the court, put on that jersey and put it on for this city," Covington said at a news conference inside Target Center on Tuesday afternoon that carried just a bit less buzz than Butler's open-to-the-public introduction at the Mall of America less than 17 months ago.As Butler formally joined the 76ers , the Wolves pivoted forward after a pressure-relieving win over Brooklyn on Monday night... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Warriors All-Star forward Draymond Green has been suspended one game by Golden State for conduct detrimental to the team.The Warriors made the announcement Tuesday, about four hours before they were set to host Atlanta, and said Green would serve the suspension against the Hawks. General manager Bob Myers was scheduled to address Green's punishment before the game.In the closing seconds of regulation during Monday's 121-116 overtime loss on the road to the Clippers, Green secured a rebound and with Kevin Durant calling for the ball instead dribbled the length of the court into traffic and lost control as the Warriors failed to get a shot off. Durant was shown on camera visibly upset. The two got into it afterward, according to beat reporters on the scene.Myers and coach Steve Kerr have long supported Green's fiery nature that leads to technical fouls. Myers even sat with Green next door to Oracle Arena at the Oakland Coliseum when Green was suspended for a crucial Game 5 loss to LeBron James and the Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals. The Warriors wound up losing in seven.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TORONTO (AP) — Kyle Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas spent a dozen years between them developing their games under coach Dwane Casey. Valanciunas had never played for any other NBA head coach before this season.When they welcome Casey and his Detroit Pistons back to Toronto on Wednesday night, the two longest-serving current Raptors know emotions will be running high."It's going to be different, but hey, I'm still going to try to take his head off, the team's head off," Lowry said with a laugh.The Raptors will face Detroit for the first time since Casey was fired, just days after Toronto was ousted from the playoffs by Cleveland for the third consecutive season.Lowry became a four-time NBA all-star under Casey's watch, while Valanciunas has grown into a multi-skilled big man. Casey had kind words for both Raptors on the eve of his visit. Lowry got off to a rocky start with Casey when the Raptors acquired the temperamental guard in 2012, but he and Valanciunas returned the compliment."(Our relationship)... [More]

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Jimmy Butler listens to country music, enjoys playing cards and drives a minivan.Oh, the four-time All-Star forward loves to win.Butler was greeted by more than 250 employees of the Philadelphia 76ers at his introductory news conference at the team's practice facility Tuesday. He made it clear winning a championship is his main priority."I already got enough money to have me and my family set for the rest of my life. It's not about the money," said Butler, who can opt out of his contract and become a free agent at the end of the season. "I have to love where I'm at and have a great chance to win a championship."The Sixers believe adding Butler to a roster that includes Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons will allow them to compete for an NBA title. They won 52 games last season and advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals after going 75-253 combined the previous four years.Robert Covington, Dario Saric and Jerryd Bayless were traded to Minnesota along with a 2022 second-round... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Pistons say injured guard Luke Kennard will continue his rehab for two more weeks while working his way back toward basketball activity.The Pistons updated Kennard's status Tuesday. He injured his right shoulder in an Oct. 25 game against Cleveland.Bernard Condevaux, the team's medical director, said Kennard was recently re-examined by team doctors, and the medical staff is pleased with how the shoulder has responded to treatment.The Pistons took Kennard in the first round of the 2017 draft out of Duke. He averaged 7.6 points per game as a rookie.Detroit plays at Toronto on Wednesday night.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers have a starting lineup wearing street clothes.Forwards Kyle Korver and Cedi Osman will miss Tuesday night's game against the Charlotte Hornets, meaning Cleveland is without five rotational players in a season that has quickly gone from bad to worse.The 37-year-old Korver has been slowed by foot soreness that has bothered him the past two seasons, while Osman will miss his second straight game with back spasms.The Cavaliers already are missing All-Star forward Kevin Love (foot surgery), starting point guard George Hill (hamstring) and forward Sam Dekker (ankle).At 1-11, Cleveland has the NBA's worst record and already has endured a coaching change and other off-the-court drama.The Cavaliers lost to the Hornets by 32 points on Nov. 3, but they've played much better since, losing their past three games by 12 combined points.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Caris LeVert's injury wasn't as bad as it looked.The Brooklyn Nets said Tuesday their leading scorer suffered only a dislocation of his right foot and no fractures, and he could return this season.That's far better than what was feared when LeVert's leg appeared to bend in a gruesome manner after he leaped to block a shot in the final seconds of the first half of Monday night's game in Minnesota."While the optics of this injury may have appeared to be more severe, surgery will not be required," team orthopedist Dr. Martin O'Malley said in a statement.O'Malley examined LeVert on Tuesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery and the third-year swingman was diagnosed with a subtalar dislocation of the right foot.O'Malley said there was only moderate ligament damage and that following a period of rehabilitation, LeVert was expected to return to full strength and resume all basketball activities without any limitations this season.LeVert's injury initially appeared similar to the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets say Caris LeVert won't need surgery for what appeared to be a severe foot injury and could return this season.The team said Tuesday that LeVert was diagnosed with a subtalar dislocation of the right foot. Team orthopedist Dr. Martin O'Malley says evaluations revealed no fractures and only moderate ligament damage.LeVert was hurt Monday night at Minnesota when his leg appeared to bend in a gruesome manner after he leaped to block a shot. Players prayed and some were in tears as a stretcher was brought onto the court to take Brooklyn's leading scorer to a hospital.But the Nets say that after LeVert rehabs the injury, he "is expected to return to full strength and resume all basketball activities without any limitations this season."___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nets guard Caris LeVert sustained what appeared to be a severe right leg injury during the second quarter of Brooklyn's game against Minnesota on Monday night and was taken to a hospital.LeVert was racing back to try to block a shot with 3.7 seconds remaining and his leg bent awkwardly when he landed. He spent several minutes on the court being attended by medical personnel while the crowd at Target Center fell silent. Timberwolves players huddled in prayer while Nets players surrounded their injured teammate, who was taken off the court on a stretcher with some Nets in tears.Replays of the gruesome injury were not shown in the arena.The Nets said LeVert would undergo a full evaluation at the hospital and further updates would be issued as available.LeVert, a former first-round pick in his third season, was averaging a team-leading 19 points entering the game. He had 10 points, five rebounds and four assists Monday.

CHICAGO (AP) — Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews will miss Monday's game against the Chicago Bulls because of a strained left hamstring.Matthews did not travel to Chicago. He played 31 minutes in a win over Oklahoma City on Saturday.Coach Rick Carlisle says the Mavericks hope he can play Wednesday, when the Mavericks host Utah. Matthews is the the team's second-leading scorer at 16.8 points per game.__More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls expect forward Lauri Markkanen to miss more time than they initially anticipated because of a left elbow injury he suffered in the preseason.Coach Fred Hoiberg says Markkanen will likely wind up missing nine to 11 weeks. The Bulls initially thought he would be out six to eight weeks after he was hurt in practice in late September.Hoiberg says Markkanen still is experiencing some pain and is not shooting from long range. Speaking prior to the game against Dallas on Monday, he says the Bulls "need to make sure" Markkanen is 100 percent.Guard Kris Dunn (sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee) has not started running on the court. He was hurt at Dallas on Oct. 22.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DENVER (AP) — Nuggets coach Michael Malone kept the mood light at practice Monday and the lectures to a minimum.No reason to get too worked up over Denver's current three-game skid. After all, this is the same bunch that began 9-1 for one of the best starts in franchise history.Malone's missive to his team: Rediscover that resolve."It's too early in the season to have their heads down and have it be gloom and doom," said Malone, whose team hosts James Harden, Chris Paul and the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night. "We're young. Some of these guys are in moments they haven't been in before. That's my job, to teach and keep this team moving along in the right direction."Given their recent history, there's a sense of early season urgency. That's understandable since the Nuggets missed the playoffs by a game in each of the last two years. They don't want piled-up losses in November to come back and haunt them in April.Especially since everything was going so smoothly out of the gate. But the Nuggets... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Jimmy Butler is in Philadelphia, and upon his arrival he immediately began talking about winning a championship."The Process" has a whole new meaning.Butler, a four-time All-Star forward, is now officially a member of the 76ers, after they and the Minnesota Timberwolves received approval from the league office Monday on the terms of the trade that was agreed to over the weekend.The deal gives Philadelphia a legitimate "Big Three," with Butler joining All-Star forward Joel Embiid and reigning rookie of the year Ben Simmons on a team that already was expected to be a major Eastern Conference contender this season. Butler flew into Philadelphia on Monday and told NBC Sports Philadelphia that fans should expect "a guy who wants to win.""We want a championship," Butler said as he signed a couple of autographs before he was driven away from the airport. "And I think the core group of guys that we have will figure out a way to get it done."Butler and Justin Patton were traded to Philadelphia... [More]