CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers are losing games and players at an alarming rate.Starting point guard George Hill could miss two weeks with a sprained right shoulder, the latest setback for the Cavs, who have won just one game and are expected to be without All-Star forward Kevin Love for at least another five weeks following foot surgery.Cleveland is also missing forward Sam Dekker, who sprained his ankle and is out for a month.Hill was a late scratch before Wednesday night's loss to Oklahoma City. The 32-year-old, who hurt his shoulder on the final possession of Monday's loss in Orlando, went through his usual pregame workout, but was experiencing pain in his shoulder and couldn't play against the Thunder. Further medical tests performed Thursday revealed the sprain.Hill's setback is yet another obstacle for the Cavs, who are an NBA-worst 1-10 and recently fired coach Tyronn Lue. Cleveland's had other issues in its first season since LeBron James bolted as a free agent after leading the... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Veteran center Tyson Chandler signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, two days after reaching a buyout agreement with the Phoenix Suns.Chandler will provide needed frontcourt depth for the Lakers, who have relied on JaVale McGee and undersized forwards to guard big men during their 4-6 start to the season. Rookie center Moe Wagner still hasn't made his debut while returning slowly from a knee injury, and Lakers basketball boss Magic Johnson didn't want to wait any longer to bolster his team's areas of need.While the 36-year-old Chandler might not be the dominant defensive player he was in his prime, he could play regular minutes for coach Luke Walton while the Lakers attempt to find a winning groove in their first season with LeBron James.The Lakers host Minnesota on Wednesday night."Having observed our roster for the first 10 games of this young season, one of the areas that Earvin and I discussed with Luke that we desired to upgrade is interior defense and rebounding,"... [More]

The best 3-point shooter who ever lived, at least in terms of volume, is Ray Allen.Boston used to have him.Milwaukee used to have him.And he doesn't figure into either franchise's greatest single-game 3-point barrage.With NBA records being set from 3-point range this season — Golden State's Klay Thompson has already busted the mark for 3s in a game with 14, one more than the standard his fellow Warriors sharpshooter Stephen Curry established in 2016, the league is well on its way to making more shots from beyond the arc than ever before.The record, set last season, is 25,807. The NBA is on pace this season to make about 27,300 shots from 3-point land.Now, not even three full weeks into this season, five teams have broken their own franchise record for 3s in a game. The most recent entry into that club was Milwaukee, which connected on 22 3s — on 56 tries, as opposed to 39 from inside the arc — in its 144-109 win over Sacramento on Sunday. The Bucks used 13 players, with everyone trying... [More]

Tyson Chandler is going home.The Phoenix Suns are buying out Chandler's contract, a move that will allow the 18-year veteran — once he clears waivers — to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. A person with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed the buyout plan to The Associated Press on Saturday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Suns had not yet revealed it publicly.The New York Times first reported that Chandler and the Suns were agreeing on a buyout. Chandler was in the final season of his four-year deal with the Suns, and was due to make about $13.5 million this season.The 36-year-old Chandler played his high school basketball in Compton, California, just a few miles south of downtown Los Angeles. With the Lakers, he'll likely be the backup to JaVale McGee.Chandler was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft, but has never played for either the Clippers or the Lakers. Chandler wound up debuting with Chicago, and has also played... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers All-Star forward Kevin Love will be out at least six weeks — and maybe longer — after surgery on his left foot.Love had the operation on Friday in New York at the Hospital for Special Surgery. The team said his timeline to return to basketball activity will be updated in approximately six weeks.The 30-year-old injured the big toe on his left foot during Cleveland's first exhibition game. He rested the injury, and played in the season's first few games before the pain became intolerable. Love said earlier this week that he was having trouble walking because of pain.Love's injury and recovery is another major blow to the Cavs, who are 1-7 and fired coach Tyronn Lue on Sunday.Love signed a $120 million, four-year contract extension with the club last summer shortly after LeBron James left as a free agent.___More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — The NBA's spotlight faded from Cleveland last summer. It will shine brilliantly again in four years.After numerous "passionate" discussions between the team and league, Commissioner Adam Silver announced Thursday that the Cavaliers will host the 2022 All-Star Game at Quicken Loans Arena.The Cavaliers are thrilled to host the event, which will coincide with the league's 75th anniversary. Cleveland previously hosted the All-Star Game in 1997, when the league honored its Top 50 players.It's a major coup for the Cavs, who lost superstar LeBron James as a free agent in July and are facing a long road back to championship contention.The Cavs had submitted bids to host earlier All-Star Games, but their downtown arena is undergoing a massive renovation and wasn't going to be ready until summer 2019.Silver said the renovations played a major role in the city being awarded the game and its other activities which could have a direct $100 million impact on Cleveland."This event is... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — J.R. Smith has added another tier to the Cavaliers' mounting troubles.Dropped from the rotation and unhappy with his role on a team rebuilding through youth, Smith said Thursday that he wants to be traded. The enigmatic guard said he hasn't formally requested a trade by Cleveland's front office because the Cavs are already aware of his feelings."They know," Smith said following shootaround. "They don't want me, so they obviously know."The 33-year-old Smith said he was told earlier this season that the Cavs would be focused on playing their younger players to develop them for the future. Cleveland's back to being an also-ran in the Eastern Conference following LeBron James' departure this summer as a free agent.Smith didn't play in Tuesday night's win over Atlanta, the Cavs' first game since coach Tyronn Lue was fired following a 0-6 start. And while Smith understood that his minutes were going to be drastically reduced — if not taken away completely — it's been a challenge... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves ruled out All-Star Jimmy Butler before their game Wednesday night against Utah for "precautionary rest."Coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters at the morning shootaround that Butler's absence was not related to his trade request."He missed all of training camp, basically, so he has just general soreness," Thibodeau said.Butler told ESPN he planned to attend the game against the Jazz at the Target Center and travel with the team on its five-game trip that begins Friday night at Golden State. Butler told the network he would play against the Warriors and disputed speculation that he was sitting out Wednesday in protest of the lack of action by the Wolves on his desire to be dealt elsewhere."Because my body is hurting and I don't want to go out there and risk an injury, people make stuff up?" Butler said.Thibodeau was noncommittal when asked if Butler would join the team on the trip.Butler scored 32 points in 37 minutes in Minnesota's win Monday night... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves ruled out All-Star Jimmy Butler in advance of their game Wednesday against Utah for "precautionary rest."Coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters at the morning shootaround that Butler's absence was not related to his trade request ."He missed all of training camp, basically, so he has just general soreness," Thibodeau said.Butler told ESPN he planned to attend the game against the Jazz at the Target Center and travel with the team on its five-game road trip that begins Friday at Golden State. Butler told the network he would play against the Warriors and disputed speculation that he was sitting out Wednesday in protest of the lack of action by the Wolves on his desire to be dealt elsewhere."Because my body is hurting and I don't want to go out there and risk an injury, people make stuff up?" Butler said.Thibodeau was noncommittal when asked if Butler would join the team on the trip.Butler scored 32 points in 37 minutes in Minnesota's win Monday against... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland said goodbye to its biggest NBA All-Star this summer. In four years, the city will host all of them.The Cavaliers have been selected to hold the 2022 All-Star Game at Quicken Loans Arena, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Tuesday. An announcement is expected later this week, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the league has not yet made Cleveland's selection official.Crain's Cleveland Business was first to report the midseason event will be in Cleveland.The Cavs are rebuilding this season after LeBron James, who led them to a title in 2016, left as a free agent and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. James is under contract through 2021, and hasn't ruled out the possibility of another return to his home state.The All-Star Game in Cleveland could give him something else to consider.The Cavs had submitted bids to the league to host earlier All-Star Games, but a massive renovation at their downtown arena made that impossible. Construction, which began this year, is on schedule and should be completed by the end of next summer.Cleveland last hosted the event in 1997 in the same building, which was called Gund Arena at the time, when the league honored its Top 50 players.The All-Star Game can provide an economic boost to hosting cities. This season's game is in Charlotte, followed by Chicago and Indianapolis.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers assistant coach Larry Drew says he's "very disappointed" the team has not restructured his contract.Drew has been asked to fill in as head coach on an interim basis after the team fired Tyronn Lue on Sunday following the team's 0-6 start. Drew has asked for guarantees if he's going to take over the rebuilding team, but as of Tuesday evening, the Cavaliers had not given him any.Before Cleveland hosted Atlanta, the 60-year-old Drew said "there are no updates, which I'm very disappointed about." Drew said he assured the Cavaliers he would remain professional during the negotiations. He promised he wouldn't quit.Drew said the Cavaliers have told him it's possible they'll bring in a full-time replacement for Lue. If that happens, he would slide back to his assistant's role.The team has been a disappointment so far this season, its first since LeBron James left for the second time as a free agent.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — After an emotional day and restless night, Larry Drew went back to work.He organized practice, met with stunned players still reeling from Tyronn Lue's firing and put the Cleveland Cavaliers through drills as they prepared for Tuesday's game.But after walking off the floor, Drew, the team's top assistant coach under Lue for the past two years, wanted to make something clear."I'm not the interim coach," he said emphatically. "I'm the voice right now."So much for Cleveland's transition game.Drew added a surprising wrinkle to Lue's dismissal on Monday by saying he's not ready to commit to the Cavaliers in the long term until he gets a new contract. Drew said his agent, Andy Miller, has been with talks with the team about restructuring his deal. Drew is under contract through this season."I'm sure you guys are aware that there are some talks that are going on," Drew told reporters. "I don't know if any type of agreement or settlement will be made. I am prepared either... [More]

Blake Griffin had this season's highest-scoring game for all of about 24 hours before Stephen Curry bettered it — in just three quarters.Then, in Golden State's next game, after Curry poured in 51 points in a rout of Washington, Kevin Durant scored 25 in the fourth quarter, the best total of his career, and finished with 41 in a victory at New York.With the Warriors teammates' big nights and Griffin's 50-point outburst for Detroit coming in just a four-night span, it continued a torrid start for scorers that Curry said made it seem like "everybody's clicking at the same time."But count Curry among those who aren't sure the offensive onslaughts being seen now will still be seen in a few months."Those are just great players just making plays, having great nights. That's not any different than any other year," he said after Durant's big night."We're six games in. We'll see how it goes."Damian Lillard has already had a pair of 40-point nights and Kemba Walker is one point shy of doing the same.... [More]

Blake Griffin had this season's highest-scoring game for all of about 24 hours before Stephen Curry bettered it — in just three quarters.Then in Golden State's next game after Curry poured in 51 points in a rout of Washington, Kevin Durant scored 25 in the fourth quarter, the best total of his career, and finished with 41 in a victory at New York.With the Warriors teammates' big nights and Griffin's 50-point outburst for Detroit coming in just a four-night span, it continued a torrid start for scorers that Curry said made it seem like "everybody's clicking at the same time."But count Curry among those who isn't sure the offensive onslaughts being seen now are will still be seen in a few months."Those are just great players just making plays, having great nights. That's not any different than any other year," he said after Durant's big night."We're six games in. We'll see how it goes."Damian Lillard has already had a pair of 40-point nights and Kemba Walker is one point shy of doing the... [More]

Tyronn Lue didn't make it through the season's first month without LeBron James.The Cleveland Cavaliers fired their coach on Sunday and named assistant Larry Drew interim head coach. The Cavaliers are off to a 0-6 start without James, who left Cleveland this summer for the second time in his career and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent.Lue guided the Cavaliers to an NBA title in 2016 — Cleveland's first pro sports championship since 1964 — and helped the team to four straight Finals."We thank him for the many ways he has contributed to our success, wish him the best and he will always be remembered for leading a very special Cavs team back against the odds to win the title in 2016," general manager Koby Altman said in a statement. "This is a different team equation, though, and one that we felt needed a different voice and approach that required this change."Assistant coach Damon Jones also was fired. A former Cavaliers player, Jones had been promoted during the offseason.Lue... [More]

Tyronn Lue didn't make it through the season's first month without LeBron James.The Cleveland Cavaliers fired their coach on Sunday, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The Cavaliers are off to a 0-6 start without James, who left Cleveland this summer for the second time in his career and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent.The Cavs weren't showing enough progress under Lue and the team decided it was time for a change before the situation worsened, said the people, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team has not commented on the move.Lue guided the Cavaliers to an NBA title in 2016 — Cleveland's first pro sports championship since 1964 — and helped the team to four straight Finals.Assistant coach Damon Jones also was fired, the two people said. A former Cavaliers player, Jones had been promoted during the offseason.Lue issued a statement in which he thanked Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, former general manager David Griffin and... [More]

Tyronn Lue didn't make it through the season's first month without LeBron James.The Cleveland Cavaliers fired their coach on Sunday, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The Cavaliers are off to a 0-6 start without James, who left Cleveland this summer for the second time in his career and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent.The Cavs weren't showing enough progress under Lue and the team decided it was time for a change before the situation worsened, said the people, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team has not commented on the move.Lue guided the Cavaliers to an NBA title in 2016 — Cleveland's first pro sports championship since 1964 — and helped the team to four straight Finals.Assistant coach Damon Jones also was fired, the two people said. A former Cavaliers player, Jones had been promoted during the offseason.Players appeared to be caught off-guard by Lue's dismissal. All-Star Kevin Love, who has missed the past... [More]

Tyronn Lue didn't make it through the season's first month without LeBron James.The Cleveland Cavaliers fired their coach on Sunday, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The Cavaliers are off to a 0-6 start without James, who left Cleveland this summer for the second time in his career and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent.The Cavs weren't showing enough progress under Lue and the team decided it was time for a change before the situation worsened, said the people, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team has not commented on the move.Lue guided the Cavaliers to an NBA title in 2016 — Cleveland's first pro sports championship since 1964 — and helped the team to four straight Finals.Players appeared to be caught off-guard by Lue's dismissal. All-Star Kevin Love, who has missed the past two games with a sore left foot, posted a message to Lue on Instagram ."You helped me see the big picture," Love wrote. "Life changing experiences... [More]

Tyronn Lue didn't make it through the season's first month without LeBron James.The Cleveland Cavaliers fired their coach on Sunday, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The Cavaliers are off to a 0-6 start without James, who left Cleveland this summer for the second time in his career and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent.The Cavs weren't showing enough progress under Lue and the team decided it was time for a change before the situation worsened, said the people, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team has not commented on the move.Lue guided the Cavaliers to an NBA title in 2016 — Cleveland's first pro sports championship since 1964 — and helped the team to four straight Finals.The 41-year-old Lue has three years left on a five-year, $35 million contract he signed after Cleveland won the title.The Cavaliers dropped their sixth straight game on Saturday night to Indiana and are off to their worst start since losing their first seven games in the 1995-96 season.Cleveland has been plagued by poor defense and communication issues, and the team has looked disorganized at times.The Cavaliers host Atlanta on Tuesday night. Led by rookie Trae Young's 35 points, the Hawks clobbered the Cavs by 22 points in Cleveland's home opener last week.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is out for the second straight game because of a sore left foot.Cleveland (0-5) hosts the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night. Love didn't play in Wednesday's loss to Detroit and missed three of the Cavaliers' four exhibition game because of the injury.Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said Love tried to play through the soreness and wanted to stay on the floor because the team has been struggling.Love is averaging 19 points and 13.5 rebounds — both team highs — but is shooting 32 percent from the field. The five-time All-Star signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension in July.Sam Dekker started at power forward Saturday after Channing Frye was in Love's spot against Detroit.Cleveland has had a difficult time adjusting without LeBron James after the four-time MVP signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Cavaliers have lost three road games and were blown out at home against Atlanta and Brooklyn.