CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers All-Star forward Kevin Love may not be back until sometime in 2019 following foot surgery.Love had an operation on Nov. 2 to relieve pain and pressure in his big left toe, which he injured in the club's preseason opener. At the time, the team said Love would be out at least six weeks and his status would be updated in "approximately" when that period ended.On Tuesday, Love said in an interview on ESPN that he expects "to be back sometime after the new year." Love said he's going to in a restrictive boot for two more weeks."There's just no telling at this time with the weight-bearing injury what it is going to be like moving forward," he said.Love's loss was a devastating blow for the reeling and rebuilding Cavs, who are a league-worst 2-13 heading into Wednesday's game against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.A five-time All-Star, Love signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension this summer.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers All-Star forward Kevin Love may not be back until sometime in 2019 following foot surgery.Love had an operation on Nov. 2 to relieve pain and pressure in his big left toe, which he injured in the club's preseason opener. At the time, the team said Love would be out at least six weeks and his status would be updated in "approximately" when that period ended.On Tuesday, Love said in an interview on ESPN that he expects "to be back sometime after the new year." Love said he's going to in a restrictive boot for two more weeks."There's just no telling at this time with the weight-bearing injury what it is going to be like moving forward," he said.Love's loss was a devastating blow for the reeling and rebuilding Cavs, who are a league-worst 2-13 heading into Wednesday's game against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.A five-time All-Star, Love signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension this summer.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — The air was heavy, heaving with hatred.And when LeBron James skipped onto the Quicken Loans Arena floor on Dec. 2, 2010, with his Miami teammates, scorned Cleveland fans aimed their fury at one of their own, the kid from Akron who was shaken by the experience.James was profanely taunted, booed and mocked. It was vile. It was personal.Eight years later, he'll feel loved.James returns to Cleveland on Wednesday night for the first time since leaving as a free agent last summer and signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. He's coming back to a city still grappling with losing him again and wondering what might have been had the world's best all-around player stayed.But unlike his previous comeback, the 33-year-old is coming home to be saluted for what he did during 11 years with the Cavaliers.He revived a franchise, lifted an entire region and brought a championship."It's going to be fun," said Cavs forward Kyle Korver, who spent two seasons with James. "LeBron had an incredible... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — J.R. Smith's bumpy-but-never-boring stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers is over.The team said Tuesday that the disgruntled forward, who had requested to be traded earlier this season, "will no longer be with team as the organization works with JR and his representation regarding his future."The Cavaliers will try to trade Smith. He will make $14.7 million this season, and $3.8 million of his $15.6 million salary for next season is guaranteed.For now, the 33-year-old Smith is without a team and that seems to suit him just fine. He has been dismayed with his reduced role as the Cavaliers rebuild in their first season since LeBron James left for the second time as a free agent.Smith's unhappiness had created another distraction in a stormy season for Cleveland, which is a league-worst 2-13 and has been blown out numerous times.The Cavaliers fired coach Tyronn Lue last month following a 0-6 start, and the team has been riddled with injuries, the most prominent to All-Star forward... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Disgruntled Cavaliers forward J.R. Smith has gotten his wish: He is parting ways with Cleveland.The Cavaliers announced Tuesday that Smith "will no longer be with team as the organization works with JR and his representation regarding his future."Smith requested a trade earlier this season. The 33-year-old has been dismayed with his role and the team's direction in the first season since LeBron James left for the second time as a free agent.Smith's departure is the latest upheaval in a stormy season for Cleveland, which is league-worst 2-13. Coach Tyronn Lue was fired last month and All-Star forward Kevin Love is sidelined indefinitely following foot surgery.Smith came to the Cavaliers in a trade from the Knicks in 2015. While his play has been inconsistent, Smith was a major contributor on Cleveland's 2016 championship team.The Cavs wished Smith and his family well and thanked him for his contributions.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

There has been some early tinkering to lineups, a few hiccups and lots of drama to start the NBA season.None of the league's final four teams from last season — Boston, Cleveland, Houston, Golden State — look like locks to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy this time.The addition of Carmelo Anthony to the Rockets' roster produced more thorns than fruit, and now he is out.In Boston, the Celtics are having early trouble trying to figure out how best to use their overflowing mix of young and veteran talent following the return of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward from injuries.And Cleveland has gotten off to a predictable slow start to the post-LeBron James' era, but few expected the total collapse by the Cavaliers.However, there is no drama like championship drama and the defending champion Warriors suddenly look more like the cast of a reality series than a harmonious lineup rolling along and vying for a third straight championship.Draymond's Green public outburst at Kevin Durant during the Warriors'... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — LeBron James stopped worrying about his place in history long ago. His legacy has been secure for years. The argument about where he ranks, whether or not he's the best player to ever step on a basketball court, will continue forever and there will never be a definitive answer.That is, unless he keeps doing things like this.In his 16th season, James can still make the game look absurdly easy. The latest entry on the long list of his unforgettable nights came Sunday, when James scored 51 points and led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 113-97 win over the Miami Heat. He's only the second player to score at least 50 in a game this deep into an NBA career; the other is Kobe Bryant, in his final game, and that was aided by 50 shot attempts."I've always been a guy to let the game talk for itself, speak for itself," James said. "My body of work speaks for itself, still to this day, 16 years in."He paused for a second, breaking into a big smile."If there's ever a discussion," James said,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rajon Rondo had surgery Thursday on his broken right hand, and the Los Angeles Lakers plan to use a variety of strategies to replace the veteran point guard while he heals.Los Angeles will be without Rondo for four to five weeks after he was injured in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' fourth straight win, 126-117 over Portland on Wednesday night. Rondo apparently hurt his hand while making a steal, but he kept playing for several more minutes before coming out of the game.Coach Luke Walton praised Rondo's leadership and two-way contributions after the Lakers' final practice before heading out on a three-game road trip. Although he has played only 11 games for LA, Rondo is already a key component of the revamped club."Obviously we can't replace what Rondo does for our team and how important he is to our team, but we're not going to make excuses," Walton said. "That's not who we are as a group. We're going to step up, and guys are going to pick up the slack and add to... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rajon Rondo is expected to have surgery this week on his broken right hand, and the Los Angeles Lakers plan to use a variety of strategies to replace the veteran point guard while he heals.Los Angeles will be without Rondo for at least a few weeks after he was injured in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' fourth straight win, 126-117 over Portland on Wednesday night. Rondo apparently hurt his hand while making a steal, but he kept playing for several more minutes before coming out of the game.Coach Luke Walton praised Rondo's leadership and two-way contributions Thursday after the Lakers' final practice before heading out on a three-game road trip. Although he has played only 11 games for LA, Rondo is already a key component of the revamped club."Obviously we can't replace what Rondo does for our team and how important he is to our team, but we're not going to make excuses," Walton said. "That's not who we are as a group. We're going to step up, and guys are going to pick... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lakers guard Rajon Rondo is expected to have surgery this week on his broken right hand.Los Angeles will be without the veteran point guard for at least a few weeks.Coach Luke Walton says Rondo was injured in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' fourth straight win, 126-117 over Portland on Wednesday night.Rondo is averaging 8.5 points, 6.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals in his first season with the Lakers. He has been the leader of the Lakers' second unit while also serving as a valuable coach on the floor with his younger, less-familiar teammates, according to Walton.Lonzo Ball is likely to play more minutes in Rondo's absence. Brandon Ingram and LeBron James also will increase their playmaking.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/NBA and www.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]

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]

Leroy Richardson got caught up in a bit of basketball politics when he was in the U.S. Navy. He had just transferred from the USS Yellowstone to a shore facility in Virginia, was looking to play for one of the intramural teams there and eventually got told that all the available spots had been taken by members of another command.So he decided to start refereeing.Almost 30 years later, he's still in the NBA.Veterans Day — which was observed Sunday in the U.S. though federal agencies were closed Monday — carries obvious additional significance for people like Richardson and fellow NBA refs Rodney Mott and Matt Boland. All three served their country in the military; Richardson was a Navy man for 12 years, Mott for three years and Boland was in the Connecticut National Guard from 1987 through 1995.Richardson knows how lucky he is. If he was picked for that intramural team, he probably wouldn't have started officiating. If he hadn't started, he wouldn't be in the NBA."Everything was sort of... [More]

Leroy Richardson got caught up in a bit of basketball politics when he was in the U.S. Navy. He had just transferred off the USS Yellowstone to a shore facility in Virginia, was looking to play for one of the intramural teams there and eventually got told that all the available spots had been taken by members of another command.So he decided to start refereeing.Almost 30 years later, he's still in the NBA.Veterans Day — which was observed Sunday in the U.S. though federal agencies will be closed Monday — carries obvious additional significance for people like Richardson and fellow NBA refs Rodney Mott and Matt Boland. All three served their country in the military; Richardson was a Navy man for 12 years, Mott for three years and Boland was in the Connecticut National Guard from 1987 through 1995.Richardson knows how lucky he is. If he was picked for that intramural team, he probably wouldn't have started officiating. If he hadn't started, he wouldn't be in the NBA."Everything was sort of... [More]

Jimmy Butler has his wish: He's out of Minnesota.And just like that, Philadelphia has a new Big Three — one that could make serious noise in the Eastern Conference.A person with knowledge of the situation said Saturday that Butler is being traded to the 76ers in a package that will send Dario Saric and Robert Covington to the Timberwolves. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been announced by either team and was still pending NBA approval, which is not expected until Monday.Justin Patton will also be sent to Philadelphia, and Jerryd Bayless and a 2022 second-round pick are also going to Minnesota, the person said.The Athletic first reported the agreement.Because the trade was not official, Sixers coach Brett Brown had little comment."I can't speak much about it. I'm sorry," he said before the Sixers played Memphis.Sixers guard T.J. McConnell said he learned of the deal through social media."I didn't think it was true until more... [More]

Jimmy Butler has his wish: He's out of Minnesota.And just like that, Philadelphia has a new Big Three — one that could make serious noise in the Eastern Conference.A person with knowledge of the situation said Saturday that Butler is being traded to the 76ers in a package that will send Dario Saric and Robert Covington to the Timberwolves. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been announced by either team and was still pending NBA approval, which is not expected until Monday.Justin Patton will also be sent to Philadelphia, and Jerryd Bayless and a 2022 second-round pick are also going to Minnesota, the person said.The Athletic first reported the agreement.Because the trade was not official, Sixers coach Brett Brown had little comment."I can't speak much about it. I'm sorry," he said before the Sixers played Memphis.Sixers guard T.J. McConnell said he learned of the deal through social media."I didn't think it was true until more... [More]

Jimmy Butler has his wish: He's out of Minnesota.And just like that, Philadelphia has a new Big Three — one that could make serious noise in the Eastern Conference.A person with knowledge of the situation said Saturday that Butler is being traded to the 76ers in a package that will send Dario Saric and Robert Covington to the Timberwolves. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been announced by either team and was still pending NBA approval, which is not expected until Monday.Justin Patton will also be sent to Philadelphia, and Jerryd Bayless and a 2022 second-round pick are also going to Minnesota, the person said.The Athletic first reported the agreement.Philadelphia's "Process" led it to the second round of the playoffs last season behind two of the game's youngest, brightest stars in big man Joel Embiid and point guard Ben Simmons. Butler, an elite wing and outstanding defender, will join them in a quest to rule the Eastern... [More]

Jimmy Butler has his wish: He's out of Minnesota.And just like that, Philadelphia has a new Big Three — one that could make serious noise in the Eastern Conference.A person with knowledge of the situation said Saturday that Butler is being traded to the 76ers in a package that will send Dario Saric and Robert Covington to the Timberwolves. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been announced by either team and was still pending NBA approval, which might not come until Monday.Justin Patton will also be sent to Philadelphia, and Jarryd Bayless and a 2022 second-round pick are also going to Minnesota, the person said.The Athletic first reported the agreement.Philadelphia's "Process" led it to the second round of the playoffs last season behind two of the game's youngest, brightest stars in big man Joel Embiid and point guard Ben Simmons. Butler, an elite wing and outstanding defender, will join them in a quest to rule the Eastern Conference... [More]