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]

DALLAS (AP) — New Dallas Mavericks center DeAndre Jordan missed the team's trip to China for two exhibition games for unspecified personal reasons.Jordan and fellow starter Harrison Barnes stayed behind when the team left for China this week. Barnes injured a hamstring in practice and could miss all the preseason games.The 30-year-old Jordan joined the Mavericks this year, three years after agreeing to sign with them in free agency and changing his mind before contracts could be signed. He came to Dallas after opting out of the final season of that contract he signed to stay with the Los Angeles Clippers.The Mavericks play Philadelphia twice in China, early Friday morning and early Monday morning Dallas time. Their final preseason game is Oct. 12 at home against Charlotte.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Big Three have cleared out and Lob City is no more.For the first time in 10 years, the Los Angeles Clippers will soon begin a season without DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin or Chris Paul on the roster.So just who is this team?Well, coach Doc Rivers isn't sure yet.But Patrick Beverley offers a bold take: Clamp City."You got two of the best on-ball defenders in the league," he said, referring to himself and Avery Bradley. "We can be a defensive juggernaut."Despite coming off a season in which the team missed the playoffs for the first time in his five-year tenure and LeBron James joining the Lakers, Rivers feels good about the Clippers' future."This is the healthiest this franchise has been," the coach said Monday. "We never had flexibility and now we have flexibility. We have an owner who is willing to do whatever it takes."Heck, even All-Star Jimmy Butler of Minnesota is saying he'd like to be a Clipper.And Luc Mbah a Moute decided to return as a free agent, impressed... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — DeAndre Jordan took off his warmup jacket, tossed it aside and declared that his decision to join the Dallas Mavericks didn't mean he also would be playing for his favorite NFL team, the Dallas Cowboys.Humor was the center's way of easing into all the questions about his infamous jilting of the Mavericks in free agency three years ago, when he agreed to play for Dallas and changed his mind before contracts could be signed.When it was pointed out to him that folks in Dallas hadn't seen the fun-loving side of the native Texan before Mavericks media day Friday, Jordan did what he had done for most of his 15 minutes with reporters. He smiled."You haven't seen this side?" Jordan asked, repeating the observation. "You guys hated me the past three years so I probably wasn't very open in interviews. You know what I mean? I'm excited to get to know all of you guys."Jordan wanted to get one thing straight before agreeing again to sign with the Mavericks, this time after opting out of... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks have re-signed backup center Salah Mejri, who will join former European teammate and rookie third overall pick Luca Doncic.Mejri has spent the past three seasons in Dallas. The 32-year-old Tunisian has career averages of 3.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in 168 games. He led the Mavericks in field goal percentage and blocks the past two seasons.The 7-foot-1 Mejri will be one of the backups to DeAndre Jordan, who signed with Dallas after opting out of the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.The Mavericks added Mejri originally not long after Jordan backed out on a pledge to sign with Dallas in free agency three years ago and stayed with the Clippers.Mejri and the 19-year-old Doncic played together briefly with for Spain's Real Madrid. Mejri was a member of the Tunisian national team at the 2012 Olympics in London.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Clippers have re-signed free-agent forward Montrezl Harrell.He averaged 11 points and 4 rebounds in 76 games last season, while shooting 63 percent from the floor.The Clippers acquired Harrell in June 2017 as part of the blockbuster deal that sent All-Star guard Chris Paul to Houston.Harrell spent most of last season backing up All-Star center DeAndre Jordan, who left this summer for Dallas as a free agent. That should lead to a bigger role for Harrell in a rotation that has newcomer Marcin Gortat and Boban Marjanovic at center.Harrell played his first two seasons with the Rockets, who drafted him 32nd overall out of Louisville in 2015.Terms of the deal announced Tuesday were not disclosed.

DALLAS (AP) — Dirk Nowitzki is officially signed for a record 21st season with the Dallas Mavericks.The Mavericks announced Monday that they had re-signed the 13-time All-Star. That was their plan when they declined a team option on Nowitzki's contract at the start of free agency to create more room under the salary cap before signing DeAndre Jordan.Nowitzki, a former NBA MVP who turned 40 last month, is set to become the first player in NBA history to play 21 consecutive seasons for the same franchise. The 7-foot German is one of six players overall, and the only international player, with more than 30,000 career points.His $5 million contract is the same amount he would have been guaranteed for 2018-19 for the second season of a two-year deal signed last summer.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/tags/NBAbasketball

DeAndre Jordan has committed to the Mavericks again, and the center offered an emoji to prove it three years after he backed out on a deal to join Dallas.The Mavericks and Jordan agreed quickly after free agency opened Sunday on a one-year contract at roughly the $24.1 million he was set to make with the Clippers next season, two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because contracts can't be signed until Friday. Jordan opted out of the final year of the deal he signed with Los Angeles when he jilted the Mavericks in 2015.The one-year deal gives both sides flexibility beyond next season, but is a sign the Mavericks are tired of rebuilding after consecutive losing seasons for the first time in nearly 20 years. Dallas (24-58) is coming off its first 50-loss season since the last of seven in eight years in 1997-98.If Jordan follows through on this agreement, he will leave the team that drafted him 10 years ago so he... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks are making another run at DeAndre Jordan, three years after the center jilted them in free agency to stay with the Los Angeles Clippers.Jordan has opted out of the final year of that contract he signed with LA in 2015, and the Mavericks intend to pursue him as an unrestricted free agent, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Friday.Dallas also intends to decline the $5 million club option on Dirk Nowitzki's contract and re-sign him once its salary structure is more settled, the person told the AP on condition of anonymity because the sides are not publicly commenting on moves ahead of free agency opening Sunday.The move on Nowitzki is designed to create more room under the salary cap, as were the decisions to rescind qualifying offers to shooting guard Doug McDermott and center Salah Mejri, making both unrestricted free agents.Jordan was set to make $24.1 million under the four-year, $87.6 million contract he signed to stay... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — A person with knowledge of the situation says the Dallas Mavericks are making another run at DeAndre Jordan, three years after the center jilted them in free agency to stay with the Los Angeles Clippers.Jordan has opted out of the final year of that contract he signed with the Clippers in 2015, and the Mavericks intend to pursue him as an unrestricted free agent, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the sides are not publicly commenting on moves ahead of free agency opening Sunday.The Mavericks had an agreement from Jordan to sign with them as a free agent three years ago. The Houston native changed his mind, and the saga played out on social media the day before Jordan could sign. Former teammates Chris Paul and Blake Griffin and coach Doc Rivers went to his house and stayed with him until the deal was official.The reversal was a stunning setback for Dallas, which is coming off consecutive losing seasons for the first time in nearly 20 years.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/tags/NBAbasketball

WASHINGTON (AP) — Seemed fairly clear that Marcin Gortat and the Washington Wizards were ready to part ways. Now they will.The Wizards traded Gortat, their starting center, to the Los Angeles Clippers for guard Austin Rivers on Tuesday night. Both players are entering the final season of their contracts and are set to earn similar salaries, making a straight-up exchange work under NBA rules.The 34-year-old Gortat is a durable, screen-setting big man who has played 12 years in the league, the past five with Washington. He averaged 8.4 points and 7.6 rebounds last season, his lowest numbers since 2009-10, when he was with the Orlando Magic, but could fill a need in Los Angeles if DeAndre Jordan departs.After the Wizards finished eighth in the Eastern Conference and lost in the first round of the playoffs to No. 1 seed Toronto, Gortat was adamant that he had no interest in changing his style of play at this late stage of his career.Asked about the possibility of working on his outside shot,... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Seemed fairly clear that Marcin Gortat and the Washington Wizards were ready to part ways. Now they will.The Wizards have agreed to trade Gortat, their starting center, to the Los Angeles Clippers for guard Austin Rivers, according to a person familiar with the deal.The 1-for-1 swap was described to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Tuesday night because neither team had announced the move. Both players are entering the final season of their contracts and are set to earn similar salaries, making a straight-up exchange work under NBA rules.The 34-year-old Gortat is a durable, screen-setting big man who has played 12 years in the league, the past five with Washington. He averaged 8.4 points and 7.6 rebounds last season, his lowest numbers since 2009-10, when he was with the Orlando Magic, but could fill a need in Los Angeles if DeAndre Jordan departs.After the Wizards finished eighth in the Eastern Conference and lost in the first round of the playoffs to... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson were introduced in Los Angeles on Monday as the newest Clippers guards. The duo, selected in the NBA draft last week, won't be under the bright spotlight just yet.That's reserved for center DeAndre Jordan.This is the final week before the NBA's free agency period begins Sunday, and the biggest question mark for the Clippers is whether center Jordan will opt in or out of his contract."I talk to him," coach Doc Rivers said. "We pretty much stay away from the subject for the most part. But I talk to him. We stay in touch."Lawrence Frank, executive vice president of basketball operations, wasn't sure what Jordan would decide about his $24.1 million player option."No new updates. We continue to have dialogue with his agent, Jeff Schwartz," Frank said. "We'll see how everything plays out."Guard Milos Teodosic has exercised his $6.3 million option with the Clippers. Frank visited him in Belgrade, Serbia, last month."We'll see how everything... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson were introduced in Los Angeles on Monday as the newest Clippers guards. The duo, selected in the NBA draft last week, won't be under the bright spotlight just yet.That's reserved for center DeAndre Jordan.This is the final week before the NBA's free agency period begins Sunday, and the biggest question mark for the Clippers is whether center Jordan will opt in or out of his contract."I talk to him," coach Doc Rivers said. "We pretty much stay away from the subject for the most part. But I talk to him. We stay in touch."Lawrence Frank, executive vice president of basketball operations, wasn't sure what Jordan would decide about his $24.1 million player option."No new updates. We continue to have dialogue with his agent, Jeff Schwartz," Frank said. "We'll see how everything plays out."Guard Milos Teodosic has exercised his $6.3 million option with the Clippers. Frank visited him in Belgrade, Serbia, last month."We'll see how everything... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Clippers and coach Doc Rivers have agreed to a contract extension that will keep him around to oversee the post-Lob City era.The team announced the extension Wednesday while not disclosing terms of the deal. Rivers was set to enter the final year of his five-year contract next season.The 56-year-old coach has a 259-151 record in five years with the Clippers. They missed the playoffs this season for the first time in his tenure. Because of injuries, Rivers used a league-high 37 different starting lineups before the team finished with a 42-40 mark after trading Blake Griffin to Detroit in January.Rivers was stripped of his duties as president of basketball operations a year ago. His undivided attention led to one of his best coaching jobs this season that began with nine new players on the roster after the offseason departures of Chris Paul, J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford.Despite the injuries that led to 11 players missing a total of 265 games, the Clippers kept their... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Clippers and coach Doc Rivers have agreed to a contract extension that will keep him around to oversee the post-Lob City era.The team announced the extension Wednesday while not disclosing terms of the deal. Rivers was set to enter the final year of his five-year contract next season.The 56-year-old coach has a 259-151 record in five years with the Clippers. They missed the playoffs this season for the first time in his tenure. Because of injuries, Rivers used a league-high 37 different starting lineups before the team finished with a 42-40 mark after trading Blake Griffin to Detroit in January.Rivers says he's proud of the team's past success but "there is more work to be done."Chris Paul left for Houston last summer and DeAndre Jordan, the last of the Big Three, could depart via free agency this summer.Rivers will preside over the team's remaking. The Clippers have two lottery picks in the June draft."Doc is one of the top coaches in the NBA, coming off one of his... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Clippers are finally out of their misery, a long season marred by significant injuries coming to an end just short of the playoffs.They finished with a winning record of 42-40, but their streak of consecutive postseason appearances ended at six. They closed out the season Wednesday night with a 115-100 loss to the Lakers, dropping their last four games in a row.They kept their playoff hopes alive until the final week of the regular season despite the injuries. Eleven players missed a total of 265 games.Coach Doc Rivers started an NBA-leading 37 different lineups because of the injuries. The Clippers were forced to dip into the G League for starters, most notably C.J. Williams (who was signed to a multi-year deal) and Tyrone Wallace.The season began with nine new players on the roster after the offseason departures of Chris Paul, J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford.But injuries soon befell the newcomers. Point guard Patrick Beverley was lost for the season after right knee... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — The end has arrived.Actually, for Atlanta, Phoenix, Dallas and Charlotte, the end came in their season finales Tuesday. There are nine teams that know Wednesday is the last day of their season. And 15 teams already have clinched playoff berths.Then there are Minnesota and Denver.Game 82 for both teams will have a Game 7-of-the-playoffs feel, which is a fitting way to transition from the regular season to the postseason. Nuggets at Timberwolves, winner to the playoffs, loser to the offseason. It's the first time since 1997 — and only the third time since the NBA went to this postseason format in 1983 — that two teams will play on the season's final day in such a situation."It's bigger than all of us," Wolves star Karl-Anthony Towns said.Minnesota is trying to get into the playoffs for the first time since 2004 — the longest current drought in the NBA. Denver — winner of six straight to give itself this chance — is trying to get to the postseason for the first time since 2013.So... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — The end has arrived.Actually, for Atlanta, Phoenix, Dallas and Charlotte, the end came in their season finales Tuesday. There are nine teams that know Wednesday is the last day of their season. And 15 teams already have clinched playoff berths.Then there are Minnesota and Denver.Game 82 for both teams will have a Game 7-of-the-playoffs feel, which is a fitting way to transition from the regular season to the postseason. Nuggets at Timberwolves, winner to the playoffs, loser to the offseason. It's the first time since 1997 — and only the third time since the NBA went to this postseason format in 1983 — that two teams will play on the season's final day in such a situation."It's bigger than all of us," Wolves star Karl-Anthony Towns said.Minnesota is trying to get into the playoffs for the first time since 2004 — the longest current drought in the NBA. Denver — winner of six straight to give itself this chance — is trying to get to the postseason for the first time since 2013.So... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — The end has arrived.Actually, for Atlanta, Phoenix, Dallas and Charlotte, the end came in their season finales Tuesday. There are nine teams who know Wednesday is the last day of their season. Another 15 teams have already clinched playoff berths.Then there's Minnesota and Denver.Game 82 for both teams will have a Game 7 feel, which is a fitting way to transition from the regular season to the postseason. Nuggets at Timberwolves, winner to the playoffs, loser to the offseason. It's the first time since 1997 — and only the third time since the NBA went to this postseason format in 1983 — that two teams will play on the season's final day in such a situation."It's bigger than all of us," Minnesota star Karl-Anthony Towns said.Minnesota is trying to get into the playoffs for the first time since 2004 — the longest current drought in the NBA. Denver — winner of six straight to give itself this chance — is trying to get to the postseason for the first time since 2013.So there's... [More]