LAS VEGAS (AP) — An earthquake that struck Southern California forced the NBA to postpone the finish of a Summer League game between New Orleans and New York on Friday night, while engineers checked to see if the integrity of the Thomas & Mack Center on UNLV's campus was compromised in any way by the tremors.The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres played through the earthquake during their game at Dodger Stadium , though a WNBA game in Las Vegas was also stopped.The primary issue at Summer League was the arena's overhead scoreboard, which is suspended from the roof by cables and swayed noticeably when the quake hit. A game between Phoenix and Denver, scheduled for later Friday in the Thomas & Mack, was moved out of there — and a game in the adjacent Cox Pavilion, which does not have an overhead scoreboard, was also halted for precautionary reasons."Safety comes first, second, third," Summer League executive director Warren LeGarie said.The Knicks-Pelicans game, the NBA debuts... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Zion Williamson's first NBA show was a sellout.And it ended earlier than the fans wanted.The No. 1 overall draft pick by the New Orleans Pelicans didn't keep his adoring new public waiting for his display of dunks and power. With tickets commanding more than $500 on the resale markets throughout the day from those desperate to be part of the crowd — one that included LeBron James and Floyd Mayweather — Williamson took the floor as a pro for the first time Friday night at the NBA Summer League, scoring 11 points in nine first-half minutes against the New York Knicks and fellow former Duke star RJ Barrett.But Williamson didn't play in the second half because of a knee-to-knee hit, and fans who were chanting "We want Zion! We want Zion!" weren't going to get any more than those first nine minutes.So the event — maybe the hottest ticket in Vegas on a night when Reba McEntire and Brooks and Dunn were doing their thing at Caesars Palace, Gwen Stefani was at Planet Hollywood and... [More]

A person familiar with the situation says the Washington Wizards have traded center Dwight Howard to the Memphis Grizzlies for forward CJ Miles.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the trade hasn't been announced. Stadium first reported that Washington had traded Howard. ESPN first reported additional details of the trade and said the Grizzlies plan to waive Howard or trade him elsewhere.The 33-year-old Howard played just nine games for the Wizards last season. The eight-time All-Star underwent spinal surgery for a herniated disk last November.Miles, 32, played a combined 53 games with the Toronto Raptors and Grizzlies last season. He averaged 5.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 14.1 rebounds in 40 games for Toronto. Miles played 13 games for Memphis and averaged 9.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 22.6 minutes.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The Chinese and Croatian national teams both lost in their NBA Summer League debuts on Friday.Both teams are competing with NBA teams in Las Vegas, marking the first time the league will feature two international teams. China previously played in the summer league in 2007.The Miami Heat had no troubles with China, jumping out to a 34-point halftime lead and cruising to a 103-62 victory behind 23 points from Tyler Herro and 20 points from Nick Mayo. Miami held China to 26.7 percent shooting in the first half, and outrebounded the Chinese 25-15 before intermission.There were estimates that at least 30 million people in China — even though the game started at 4:30 a.m. Saturday in Beijing — would be watching their national team."I know China loves the game and they take a lot of pride in their national team," said Heat guard Duncan Robinson, who had 14 points. "So it was an incredible opportunity for us to be able to compete against them."The Heat had some idea of what the Chinese team would... [More]

The Chinese and Croatian national teams both lost in their NBA Summer League debuts on Friday.Both teams are competing with NBA teams in Las Vegas, marking the first time the league will feature two international teams. China previously played in the summer league in 2007.The Miami Heat had no troubles with China, jumping out to a 34-point halftime lead and cruising to a 103-62 victory behind 23 points from Tyler Herro and 20 points from Nick Mayo. Miami held China to 26.7 percent shooting in the first half, and outrebounded the Chinese 25-15 before intermission.Kendrick Nunn added 15 points and Duncan Robinson 14 for Miami (1-0).Zhelin Wang had 12 points and 14 rebounds for China (0-1), which shot just 23 percent from 3-point range.Detroit (1-0) got seven 3-pointers and 26 points from Khyri Thomas and pulled away from Croatia in the fourth quarter for a 96-80 win. Svi Mykhailiuk from Ukraine added 17 points and five assists, and Todd Withers had 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting for the Pistons.Croatia... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — A person with knowledge of the situation says the Atlanta Hawks have acquired veteran forward Chandler Parsons in a trade which sent Miles Plumlee and Solomon Hill to Memphis.The person spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the trade can't be finalized before Saturday.The 30-year-old Parsons averaged 7.5 points and 2.8 rebounds in 25 games, including three starts, for Memphis last season.The Hawks acquired Hill from New Orleans in a trade during the NBA draft.Parsons will make $25.1 million in the upcoming final year of his contract. Hill and Plumlee will make a combined $25.3 million on their expiring contracts.A left knee injury limited the 30-year-old Plumlee, a 6-foot-11 center, to 18 games last season.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Zion Williamson knows he has a lot to learn starting when he makes his NBA Summer League debut.That said, he's already picked up a few things.The No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft by the New Orleans Pelicans is in Las Vegas, where his first game on Friday is officially sold out and, predictably, a hot ticket on the resale markets. After practicing Tuesday, Williamson said he's noticing that some of the rules of defense in the pro game seem a bit more offense-friendly than the zones he often saw in college."I do like the spacing a lot more," Williamson said, in a video posted to the Pelicans' web site. "You can't really just stand in the paint, so it gives me a lot of room to operate. Defense is just a little different as well."New Orleans plays New York on Friday night in the opener for both teams in Las Vegas. The four-team leagues in Salt Lake City and Sacramento continued Tuesday, with both set to wrap up Wednesday before all 30 NBA teams — plus the Chinese and Croatian national... [More]

Zion Williamson knows he has a lot to learn starting when he makes his NBA Summer League debut.That said, he's already picked up a few things.The No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft by the New Orleans Pelicans is in Las Vegas, where his first game on Friday is officially sold out and, predictably, a hot ticket on the resale markets. After practicing Tuesday, Williamson said he's noticing that some of the rules of defense in the pro game seem a bit more offense-friendly than the zones he often saw in college."I do like the spacing a lot more," Williamson said, in a video posted to the Pelicans' web site. "You can't really just stand in the paint, so it gives me a lot of room to operate. Defense is just a little different as well."New Orleans plays New York on Friday night in the opener for both teams in Las Vegas. The four-team leagues in Salt Lake City and Sacramento continued Tuesday, with both set to wrap up Wednesday before all 30 NBA teams — plus the Chinese and Croatian national... [More]

Ben Simmons is apparently about to become the next recipient of a big commitment from the Philadelphia 76ers.The All-Star point guard and the 76ers are negotiating a $170 million, five-year extension, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because neither the team nor Simmons revealed any details publicly.ESPN first reported the negotiations between Simmons and the 76ers. The deal will begin in the 2020-21 season.Simmons will make about $8.1 million this season, the last of his four-year rookie deal. Assuming the sides agree on what will be a full max, Simmons' salary for the following season would jump to about $29.3 million and eventually rise to nearly $39 million in 2024-25.It's already been an offseason of big financial commitments for Philadelphia, which will sign Tobias Harris to a $180 million, five-year deal and add Al Horford on a four-year deal that could reach $109 million. Those deals cannot... [More]

A person with knowledge of the situation says the Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons are negotiating toward a $170 million, five-year extension for the All-Star point guard.The deal will begin in the 2020-21 season, said the person who spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because neither the team nor Simmons has revealed details publicly.ESPN first reported the negotiations between Simmons and the 76ers.Simmons will make about $8.1 million this season, the last of his four-year rookie deal. Assuming the sides agree on what will be a full max, Simmons' salary for the following season would jump to about $29.3 million and eventually rise to nearly $39 million in 2024-25.This move adds to a summer of big financial commitments being made by Philadelphia, which will sign Tobias Harris to a $180 million, five-year deal and add Al Horford on a four-year deal that could reach $109 million.Simmons was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft and wound up making his NBA... [More]

Point guards got paid.Much like the quarterback in football, the point guard is still a critical component in basketball, the on-court leader of a club in most cases — and in the opening two days of free agency, teams paid accordingly for that spot.Free agency wasn't even 24 hours old and more than $1 billion had been committed to point guards, led by the $196 million extension that Damian Lillard will be signing with Portland, the reported $170 million extension for Jamal Murray in Denver and the $141 million deals for Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker.There's never been an offseason in NBA history where point guards have gotten that much, and there's still plenty more left to be signed."I'm a leader in my own way," Walker wrote in an essay directed to his old fans in Charlotte and soon-to-be-new fans in Boston that was published by The Players Tribune. "I'm never going to shout anyone off the court, or get overly negative. It's not my style. But what I do is I take pride in making my teammates... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob is showing his appreciation for Kevin Durant's contributions to three successful seasons by promising that no other player will wear jersey No. 35 as long as Lacob is team chairman.Lacob released a statement Monday thanking Durant, the two-time NBA Finals MVP who helped the Warriors win back-to-back championships in 2017 and '18 before his postseason was shortened by injury this year. Durant on Sunday announced he would be signing a contract to join the Brooklyn Nets.He is expected to miss all of next season while he recovers from surgery for a ruptured right Achilles tendon suffered in Game 5 of the finals, which Golden State lost in six games to the Toronto Raptors."Today, as he starts a new chapter in his incredible career, we thank KD for all of his contributions, for being an integral part to one of the most prolific runs in NBA history and wish him well as he continues his Hall of Fame journey," Lacob said. "As long as I... [More]

Point guards got paid.Much like the quarterback in football, the point guard is still a critical component in basketball, the on-court leader of a club in most cases — and in the opening two days of free agency, teams paid accordingly for that spot.Free agency wasn't even 24 hours old and more than $1 billion had been committed to point guards, led by the $196 million extension that Damian Lillard will be signing with Portland, the reported $170 million extension for Jamal Murray in Denver and the $141 million deals for Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker.There's never been an offseason in NBA history where point guards have gotten that much, and there's still plenty more left to be signed."I'm a leader in my own way," Walker wrote in an essay directed to his old fans in Charlotte and soon-to-be-new fans in Boston that was published by The Players Tribune. "I'm never going to shout anyone off the court, or get overly negative. It's not my style. But what I do is I take pride in making my teammates... [More]

Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan agreed to deals with Brooklyn to start one of the wildest days in NBA free agent history.Al Horford went from Boston to the rival 76ers. Kemba Walker is a Celtic after eight seasons with the Charlotte Hornets in a sign-and-trade for Terry Rozier. Khris Middleton (Milwaukee) and Tobias Harris (Philadelphia) agreed to big extensions.The Knicks missed out on the biggest targets before adding Julius Randle and Bobby Portis among their agreements with five players.All totaled, there were more than $3 billion in contracts in the first full day. The show goes on, with plenty more players available who could help change the complexion of the league for years to come.The list of remaining players includes:— SF Kawhi Leonard (unrestricted free agent, played with Toronto last season)Leonard is the premier free agent remaining. The two-time NBA Finals MVP led the Raptors to their first championship, averaging 30.5 points and 9.1 rebounds in 24 playoff games.—... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Hassan Whiteside is heading to the Portland Trail Blazers, as the Miami Heat continue reshaping their roster.A person with knowledge of the situation said Monday that the Heat have agreed to trade Whiteside to the Trail Blazers for Meyers Leonard and Moe Harkless. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal is still pending NBA approval.Whiteside is entering the final season of a four-year, $98 million contract. He lost his starting spot to Bam Adebayo in the second half of last season, but figures to offer frontline depth to a Trail Blazers team that lost center Jusuf Nurkic to a broken leg late last season.ESPN first reported the details of the agreement.Miami made the deal a day after agreeing to the framework of a move that will also bring Jimmy Butler to the Heat via trade with Philadelphia. The particulars of that trade were still being worked on Monday.Whiteside averaged 12.3 points and a team-best 11.3 rebounds last season, appearing... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — A person with knowledge of the situation says the Miami Heat have agreed to trade Hassan Whiteside to the Portland Trail Blazers for Meyers Leonard and Moe Harkless.The trade was agreed to Monday and is still pending NBA approval, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it has not been finalized.Whiteside is entering the final season of a four-year, $98 million contract. He lost his starting spot to Bam Adebayo in the second half of last season, but figures to offer frontline depth to a Trail Blazers team that lost center Jusuf Nurkic to a broken leg late last season.Leonard and Harkless are also in the final year of their contracts.ESPN first reported the agreement.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A person familiar with the situation says the New Orleans Pelicans have acquired veteran center Derrick Favors from the Utah Jazz in exchange for a pair of second-round draft choices.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the deal has not been announced.The Jazz dealt away 6-foot-10 Favors shortly after agreeing to contract terms with free agent center Bojan Bogdanovic, who played for Indiana last season.Favors, who'll be 28 next season, was the Nets' first round draft choice in 2010 and was traded during his rookie season to Utah. He brings career averages of 11.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks to New Orleans, where he'll join two other centers — veteran Jahlil Okafor and No. 8 overall draft pick Jaxson Hayes — on the roster. Christian Wood, a 6-10 forward signed by New Orleans late last season, also can play center.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Davis will be the cover athlete for the second time of a popular 2K Sports basketball video game.The game company announced Monday that Davis will be featured on the front of NBA 2K20's standard and deluxe editions. The six-time All-Star shared the cover with Stephen Curry and James Harden for NBA 2K16.Three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade, who recently retired, will cover the legend edition.Davis had played seven seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans, but the Los Angeles Lakers recently agreed to trade for him. The agreement cannot be finalized until July 6.Davis said in a statement that being the cover athlete "means the world to me."

JEFFERSON, Iowa (AP) — Toronto coach Nick Nurse's improbable path to the NBA title began as a guard for Carroll Kuemper High in the middle of Iowa way back in the 1980s.He returned to his home state this weekend for a celebration of a career — a weekend that included a family reunion on a farm outside of tiny Churdan, Iowa, where his recently deceased mother was raised.Nurse was feted by local celebrities and scores of folks he grew up with in Carroll on Sunday night at the Wild Rose Casino in Jefferson. And though the start of free agency was all the buzz in the NBA, Nurse was celebrating at an Iowa party decades in the making."It's always good to be back and see family," Nurse said. "If I could say what my biggest thrill of this whole thing has been, it's been to share it with everybody."Nurse's well-chronicled coaching career, which began 30 years ago, included stops in England, Belgium and South Dakota. But many of the experiences that shaped a run capped with a win over the Golden... [More]

JEFFERSON, Iowa (AP) — Toronto coach Nick Nurse's improbable path to the NBA title began as a guard for Carroll Kuemper High in the middle of Iowa way back in the 1980s.Carroll returned to his home state this weekend for a celebration of a career — a weekend that included a family reunion on a farm outside of tiny Churdan, Iowa, where his recently deceased mother was raised.Carroll was feted by local celebrities and scores of folks he grew up with in Carroll on Sunday night at the Wild Rose Casino in Jefferson. And though the start of free agency was all the buzz in the NBA, Nurse was celebrating at an Iowa party decades in the making."It's always good to be back and see family," Nurse said. "If I could say what my biggest thrill of this whole thing has been, it's been to share it with everybody."Nurse's well-chronicled coaching career, which began 30 years ago, included stops in England, Belgium and South Dakota. But many of the experiences that shaped a run capped with a win over the... [More]