DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic is happiest when he's simply dribbling the ball up the floor. Or so the Denver Nuggets big man has been told."My godfather," Jokic said , "is always telling me, 'You look so happy when you're dribbling. You don't even need to shoot or pass it. Just punt it into the stands.'"Now that would be something new for Jokic. Or just keep doing what he's doing.Led by Jokic's All-Star-level play, the Nuggets are out front in the Western Conference at the halfway mark of the season. They ride a 12-game home win streak into their showdown Tuesday against Golden State — the team everyone figured would be leading the West."We're doing good right now," Jokic said.At 29-13, the Nuggets are tied for their best NBA start in franchise history with a 1976-77 squad that featured David Thompson and Dan Issel. This also marks the latest in a season the team has led the conference since March 16, 1977.It's a tenuous lead, though, and just a half-game ahead of the Warriors (29-14), who've... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Kyrie Irving will sit out Boston's game against Brooklyn on Monday night because of a right quadriceps injury.Irving says he was hurt Saturday in a loss at Orlando. He adds he expects to return Wednesday against Toronto.The Celtics say guard Marcus Smart also is unavailable because of an illness.Boston has lost two consecutive games.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — James Harden had a game for the history books.That's good and bad.Harden scored 38 points Sunday night in Houston's 116-109 loss in Orlando, marking the 16th consecutive time that he's scored at least 30 or more points — matching Kobe Bryant for the league's longest such streak since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976-77.But Harden also was 1 for 17 from 3-point range, tying the league's single-game record for most misses from beyond the arc."They just didn't go in," Harden shrugged afterward.Damon Stoudamire was 5 for 21 from 3-point range for Portland against Golden State on April 15, 2005. Until Sunday, that was the only time a player had missed 16 3s in a game.The NBA's greatest shooters have had awful nights from 3-point range — Dennis Scott once went 2 for 17, Ray Allen once went 1 for 14, Stephen Curry has an 0 for 11 game on his resume. Harden went 0 for 11 from deep in Game 5 of last year's Western Conference finals against Golden State, and has been 0 for 10 on three... [More]

The NBA changed the All-Star voting process two years ago, in part to prevent Zaza Pachulia being elected a starter.Instead, it might keep Dwyane Wade from being one — again. Luka Doncic and Derrick Rose, too.Entering the last full week of balloting, Wade would be in a good position for a farewell All-Star start under the old system, which was solely dependent on fan votes. He's running second among Eastern Conference guards, with a sizeable gap to No. 3 Kemba Walker after the second set of returns were released last week.Doncic is second among West forwards in a bid to start as a rookie, and Rose is ahead of MVP James Harden in the second spot in the West backcourt.But fan vote is now just 50 percent of the process, a change that was made after Pachulia was undeservedly nearly elected a starter through a huge overseas push in 2016. The players' vote and a media panel each account for 25 percent, and in its first year it did stop Pachulia, who would have been elected to start by fans in... [More]

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson is expected to miss at least two to four weeks because of a sprained left ankle.The Grizzlies announced Sunday that Anderson had a Grade 2 sprain. Anderson hurt the ankle Saturday in a 112-108 loss at Miami.Anderson has made 38 starts this year in his first season with the Grizzlies. He is averaging 7.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 29.7 minutes.The 6-foot-9 Anderson received a four-year, $37.2 million deal with the Grizzlies as a restricted free agent last summer after spending his first four seasons with the San Antonio Spurs.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The Dallas Mavericks have lost an important piece in their push for a return to respectability with guard J.J. Barea's season-ending Achilles injury.Barea tore his right Achilles tendon in the fourth quarter of a 119-115 victory at Minnesota on Friday night. The team said Saturday that Barea was weighing his options for surgery.The 34-year-old Barea was averaging 10.9 points and a team-high 5.6 assists as a key part of the second unit for Dallas. The injury is likely to mean a significant increase in playing time for rookie Jalen Brunson, a two-time NCAA champion at Villanova and second-round draft pick.Barea is in his second stint with the Mavericks after being a catalyst for Dallas' rally from a 2-1 deficit in the 2011 NBA Finals against Miami. The Mavericks won the franchise's only title in six games.Boosted by a sensational rookie season so far from third overall pick Luka Doncic, the Mavericks are seeking a return to the playoffs after falling out of the race early and finishing near... [More]

Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea tore his right Achilles tendon in a game against Minnesota, a season-ending setback for a key Mavericks' reserve.Barea was injured in the second half of the Mavericks' 119-115 victory in Minneapolis on Friday night. The team said Saturday that Barea was weighing his options for surgery.The 34-year-old Barea was averaging 10.9 points and a team-high 5.6 assists as a key part of the second unit for Dallas. The injury is likely to mean a significant increase in playing time for rookie Jalen Brunson, a two-time NCAA champion at Villanova and second-round draft pick.Barea is in his second stint with the Mavericks after being a catalyst for Dallas' rally from a 2-1 deficit in the 2011 NBA Finals against Miami. The Mavericks won the franchise's only title in six games.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A person with direct knowledge of the injury says Dallas guard J.J. Barea has a torn right Achilles tendon, a season-ending setback for a key Mavericks' reserve.Barea was injured in the second half of the Mavericks' 119-115 win at Minnesota on Friday night. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because the team hadn't announced an update on Barea's condition.The 34-year-old Barea was averaging 10.9 points and a team-high 5.6 assists per game as a key part of the second unit for Dallas. The injury is likely to mean a significant increase in playing time for rookie Jalen Brunson, a two-time NCAA champion at Villanova and second-round draft pick.Barea is in his second stint with the Mavericks after being a catalyst for Dallas' rally from a 2-1 deficit in the 2011 NBA Finals against Miami. The Mavericks won the franchise's only title in six games.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Dillon Brooks is expected to miss the remainder of the season because of a ruptured ligament in his right big toe.The Grizzlies announced that Brooks underwent surgery Friday. The Grizzlies said Brooks should have a full recovery in time for the 2019-20 training camp.Brooks, 22, appeared in 18 games this season off the bench and averaged 7.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 18.3 minutes.The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Brooks, a former second-round pick from Oregon, was the only Memphis player to play in all 82 games last season. The Grizzlies acquired Brooks immediately after the Houston Rockets selected him with the 45th overall selection in the 2017 draft.Brooks made 74 starts his rookie year and averaged 11 points, 3.1 rebounds and 28.7 minutes.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has been ruled out of the Bucks' game Friday night against the Washington Wizards because of right quadriceps soreness and a left hip contusion.It will be the third game Antetokounmpo has missed this season. The 6-foot-11 player from Greece is averaging 26.6 points, 12.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists and has emerged as an MVP candidate in his sixth season. The Bucks entered Friday with the best record in the Eastern Conference."Hopefully, it's nothing too serious," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "He got hit a few games ago, and kind of been managing it."Antetokounpo played 37 minutes Wednesday night in a victory at Houston. Milwaukee is 2-0 this season when he does not play.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — DeMarcus Cousins will start immediately for coach Steve Kerr when the All-Star center makes his long-awaited Warriors debut in about a week following a lengthy recovery from surgery on a torn left Achilles tendon.Cousins has targeted Golden State's game Jan. 18 at the Clippers as his return date and first game of the season, though Kerr said it could even be sooner if all continues going well — perhaps even against his former New Orleans team at home next Wednesday."The idea is we have to give ourselves a little leeway," Kerr said Thursday. "That Clipper game is sort of the one we've targeted but we should give ourselves some leeway on either side, because we have to see how the next week goes. I suppose it's a possibility that it could be New Orleans, maybe there's a possibility it's whoever's after the Clippers ... Lakers. That's the range that we're looking at."The coaching staff has spent the past couple of weeks more intensely planning for Cousins' return and... [More]

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — LeBron James' strained groin is turning out to be perhaps the most significant injury of the famously durable superstar's 16-year NBA career.James likely will miss at least three more games after being cleared to increase his on-court activity in his comeback from the injury, the Lakers announced Thursday after an evaluation by their medical staff.The Lakers say James' healing is "progressing," and the four-time NBA MVP will participate in more functional basketball activities during the upcoming week. But the team also says it will provide another update on Jan. 16, which probably means James will miss the Lakers' three upcoming games against Utah, Cleveland and Chicago.If James sits out as expected, he will miss 11 consecutive games before his next update, and he will have been out of action for over three weeks since getting hurt during the Lakers' win at Golden State on Christmas.Those are significant numbers: James never missed more than 13 games during any... [More]

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — The Lakers say LeBron James likely will miss at least three more games after being cleared to increase his on-court activity in his comeback from a groin injury.James was evaluated by the Lakers' medical staff Thursday.The Lakers say James' healing is "progressing," and he will participate in more functional basketball activities.The team says it will provide another update on Jan. 16, which likely means he will miss the Lakers' three upcoming games against Utah, Cleveland and Chicago.James will miss 11 consecutive games before his next update. James never missed more than 13 games in any of his first 15 NBA seasons.The four-time NBA MVP was injured during the Lakers' win at Golden State on Christmas.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

NEW YORK (AP) — Vince Carter looked up at the highlights, enjoying the view of himself back in the days when he was among the NBA's highest flyers.He's about to turn 42, now in his 21st season, and he doesn't jump quite like the guy being shown Wednesday night on the Barclays Center overhead screens.The Nets honored Carter, who is the oldest active player, with a tribute video during their game against Atlanta, a way to say thank you for his 4 ½ seasons with the franchise."It was great. Any time you can see old video of when you were young and spry and springy and all of that good stuff, I mean, it's always great to see," Carter said.Good times, yes.But was it goodbye?Carter hasn't said if he plans to retire following the season. He would make NBA history if he returns, as nobody has played 22 seasons in the league.So was the video premature?"I'm OK with it. Either way it's cool," he said with a smile. "I'm very thankful for it, that they even considered it."When it was mentioned to me... [More]

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Saying he respects the gay and lesbian community, Minnesota forward Andrew Wiggins tried Wednesday to clarify comments he made about Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder's behavior during a heated game.Thunder center Nerlens Noel was taken off the court on a stretcher in the third quarter after Wiggins collided with Noel on a dunk attempt Tuesday night. Schroder, unhappy about the play and other incidents, eventually was given a technical foul for an altercation with Timberwolves guard Jeff Teague.After the game, Wiggins said Schroder's actions were unwarranted. According to audio from the locker room, Wiggins appeared to say: "He was just gay. He was acting crazy for no reason."A few hours later, Wiggins went on Twitter and tried to explain what he said ."I'd like to clarify what I said tonight during my post game media session. I said: 'I don't know what's wrong with him he was just getting... acting crazy for no reason,'" he tweeted.In his next post , Wiggins... [More]

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Thunder's Nerlens Noel has been placed in the NBA's concussion protocol after he collided with Andrew Wiggins and hit the floor Tuesday night during Oklahoma City's game with the Minnesota Timberwolves.The team announced that Noel was held overnight at the University of Oklahoma's hospital for tests and observations and was released Wednesday. There is no timetable for Noel to complete the protocol process.Noel took an elbow in the face as Wiggins drove to the basket, and Noel's head hit the ground hard . The team said Noel lost consciousness while being knocked to the floor. A defensive foul was called on Noel. The play was reviewed, and no additional fouls were accessed. Noel was down for several minutes before being taken from the court on a stretcher. Players from both teams exchanged words while Noel was on the ground.Noel has been a critical reserve for the Thunder this season, averaging 5.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 14 minutes per contest.Wiggins... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — A pair of misdemeanor charges against a fan who ran onto the court in the final moments of a Miami Heat game have been dropped, though he has been ordered to stay away from the team's arena.Court records show Marsel Imer, 19, was facing one charge each of disorderly conduct and trespassing. Imer ran onto the court after a made free throw by Denver's Jamal Murray with 0.9 seconds remaining in Miami's game Tuesday night, and was quickly apprehended by police and arena security.Imer grabbed the basketball, but did not appear to make contact with any players and was on the court for only a few seconds.Imer was represented by an attorney from the public defender's office. Attempts to reach him for comment were not successful.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Grizzlies guard/forward Dillon Brooks will have surgery on a ruptured ligament in his right big toe hurt during a loss in San Antonio.The Grizzlies disclosed Brooks' injury Wednesday, saying the team will update his status after surgery later this week. The announcement followed a report that Brooks will miss the rest of the season.Brooks was hurt in his seventh game back, a 108-88 loss to the Spurs last weekend, after a sprained left knee in early November cost him 21 games.The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Brooks was the only Memphis player to play in all 82 games last season as a rookie after the Grizzlies traded for the 45th pick overall by Houston.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Minnesota forward Andrew Wiggins attempted to clarify comments Wednesday that he used the word gay to describe Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder's behavior during their game.Thunder center Nerlens Noel was taken off the court on a stretcher in the third quarter after Wiggins collided with Noel on a dunk attempt Tuesday night. Schroder, unhappy about the play and other incidents in what was a testy game, eventually was given a technical foul for an altercation with Timberwolves guard Jeff Teague.Wiggins thought Schroder's actions were unwarranted."He was just gay," Wiggins said afterward. "He was acting crazy for no reason."A few hours later, Wiggins tried on social media to clarify his comments ."Id like to clarify what I said tonight during my post game media session. I said: "I don't know what's wrong with him he was just getting... acting crazy for no reason," he said on Twitter.In his next post , Wiggins did not use the word apology, but said: "I have... [More]

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Minnesota forward Andrew Wiggins has apologized for using the word gay to describe Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder's behavior during their game.Thunder center Nerlens Noel was taken off the court on a stretcher in the third quarter after Wiggins collided with Noel on a dunk attempt Tuesday night. Schroder, unhappy about the play and other incidents in what was a testy game, eventually was given a technical foul for an altercation with Timberwolves guard Jeff Teague.After the game, Wiggins says he thought Schroder's actions were unwarranted and that "he was just gay. He was acting crazy for no reason."Later, on Twitter, Wiggins apologized, saying: "I have the utmost love and respect for the LGBTQIA community and I would never use any term to disrespect them in anyway."___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports