ATLANTA (AP) — If Trae Young is the unquestioned star of the Atlanta Hawks, then Clint Capela is the backbone. A pretty good trash talker, too. The burly, 6-foot-10 Swiss center has given the Hawks the gritty defensive presence they so desperately needed. Without Capela, it's hard to envision Atlanta preparing for its first appearance in the Eastern Conference semifinals since 2016. “He's the anchor for us,” interim coach Nate McMillan said. “Defensively, he's been the guy all season who cleans up our breakdowns and mistakes on the perimeter.” Capela was acquired by the Hawks from Houston last year at the trade deadline — part of a 12-player deal that signaled Atlanta was ready to take the next step in a massive rebuild that produced three straight dismal seasons. For the first time in the overhaul, the Hawks weren't taking on a big salary just for the sake of future cap space. They had big plans for Capela, even though a foot injury prevented him from suiting up for his new team before... [More]

Philadelphia, Utah and Atlanta can reach the second round. Dallas or the Los Angeles Clippers will get to the verge of it. Yet as Russell Westbrook and Ja Morant try to save their seasons and Trae Young looks for a clinching victory, eyes will be on the action in the seats right along with the court. The games Wednesday are the first for all three of those players in the arenas where they were the subjects of ugly fan actions in Game 2 of these first-round series. The unruly fan behavior continued Monday when a spectator was tackled after running onto the court in Washington, and Young noticed. “They doing it for attention now,” he wrote on Twitter. Young was cursed at in both games and spit on in the second one at Madison Square Garden, the only game the Knicks won in the series. The Hawks went home and easily took Games 3 and 4 in Atlanta. Now they can silence the New York fans for the summer. Hawks coach Nate McMillan said he feels safe as the team returns to New York, adding that the... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks all began their first-round playoff series at a home-court disadvantage. After moving ahead of their higher-seeded opponents with early-series road wins, all three are up 2-1 and in position to move to the brink of the second round Sunday. The stakes are similar in all four NBA playoff games on a tantalizing slate: Atlanta, Dallas and the defending NBA champions will attempt to seize firm control of their series at home, while the heavily favored Brooklyn Nets can do the same in Boston. Los Angeles, Atlanta and Dallas are probably aware of the massive statistical edge for NBA teams with a 3-1 series lead — only 13 of 260 teams in that situation have ever blown it. They also realize Phoenix, New York and the Clippers will play for a split with appropriate intensity. “It’s going to be probably the biggest game in this series unless, it goes to a Game 7,” Lakers forward Anthony Davis said Saturday. “We’re going in... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Doc Rivers can’t fathom criticism of Ben Simmons, especially after the three-time All-Star became just the sixth player in NBA history to have at least 15 rebounds and 15 assists in a playoff game. “Only in Philadelphia,” Rivers said Tuesday when asked about the critics. “If you guys don’t know the treasure you have by now, then shame on everyone because he’s been fantastic for us. He creates points every single night for us. When Ben was on the floor, we were really good. “I’m amazed that people don’t see what he does. We’re so caught up in the amount of points he scored. ... Does it matter if Ben had all 125? Would we be mad that Joel (Embiid) didn’t score? Who cares who scores as long as we’re scoring. ... When Ben plays, we score more points.” Simmons scored six points in Philadelphia's 125-118 victory over Washington in Game 1 of their first-round series opener. He missed all six of his free throws and his shooting deficiencies sometimes overshadow his all-around... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — James Harden was the final piece to a Big Three. Julius Randle is an unquestioned No. 1. Their status may not be the same, but there's no difference in what their teams need for there to be a deep playoff run — or two of them — in New York. Randle is ready for the challenge, as the Knicks face Atlanta in their return to the postseason for the first time since 2013. “The intensity level is going to rise, the level of play, everything is going to rise, so I’m going to have to be better,” Randle said. “Everybody’s going to have to be better if we want to accomplish what we want to accomplish, so I’m looking forward to that.” He led the Knicks in points, rebounds and assists, not to mention the entire NBA in minutes. Harden long faced the same need to carry his club in Houston. He doesn't have to shoulder as much of a load after joining Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn, but he doesn't think that makes his job any easier. “The road and the journey is still going to be... [More]

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Thunder center Steven Adams will miss Friday's game against the Miami Heat.Adams left Wednesday's game against the Toronto Raptors with a right knee contusion. He is averaging 11.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. Nerlens Noel, who missed the previous six games with a left ankle sprain, will be available. He averages 7.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Thunder center Steven Adams will miss Wednesday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers with a left knee contusion.Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan said before the game that Adams will be re-evaluated on Thursday.Adams is a solid defender who leads the team with 11.5 rebounds per game.Nerlens Noel is next in line to get action. He is averaging 5.8 points and 2.5 rebounds this season.Donovan also said guard/forward Andre Roberson remains out as he recovers from left knee surgery.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A person familiar with the situation says an MRI on Anthony Davis' injured left shoulder showed a muscle bruise.The person says Davis' timetable for a return is day-to-day. The person spoke to The Associated Press Friday on condition of anonymity because the examination results have not been announced.Davis, a six-time All-Star, missed the second half of New Orleans' 131-122 victory over Oklahoma City on Thursday after attempting to block Thunder forward Nerlens Noel's shot in the final second of the second quarter. The injury casts doubt over Davis' availability for this weekend's All-Star game and related events.Davis announced on Jan. 28 that he won't sign an extension with New Orleans and wants to be traded to a contending team. However, he was not traded by the Feb. 7 deadline for this season and said afterward that he intended to keep playing for New Orleans as long as he was under contract.He started against Oklahoma City and had 14 points, four rebounds, two assists and a block in 16 minutes.Davis has averaged 28.1 points and 12.9 rebounds this season.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/NBA and www.twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Anthony Davis missed the second half of New Orleans' game against Oklahoma City on Thursday night with what the Pelicans said was a left shoulder injury.It is unclear how the injury might affect Davis' availability for this weekend's NBA All-Star festivities. Davis was selected for the All-Star Game for the sixth straight season. But if he plays, he'll represent a team he has no plans to remain with long term.Davis announced on Jan. 28 that he won't sign an extension with New Orleans and wants to be traded to a contending team. However, he was not traded by the Feb. 7 deadline for this season.Davis was in the starting lineup against the Thunder and played 16 minutes during the first half. He scored 14 points, grabbed four rebounds, assisted on two baskets and blocked a shot in 16 minutes on the court. His performance helped New Orleans take a 66-63 lead into halftime. But in the final seconds of the half, Davis fouled Nerlens Noel while trying to block the Thunder forward's shot with his left hand.As Davis walked to the locker room for halftime, he appeared to keep his left arm still while his right arm swayed normally.Davis did not emerge from the locker room to start the second half and the club announced his injury status shortly afterward.Davis has averaged 28.5 points and 13.1 rebounds this season.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/NBA and www.twitter.com/AP_Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Thunder reserve center Nerlens Noel has passed through concussion protocol and was available for Thursday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers.A Thunder spokesman made the announcement Thursday.Noel was injured Jan. 8 when he collided with Minnesota's Andrew Wiggins and his head hit the floor. The team said Noel lost consciousness while being knocked to the floor. He was down for several minutes before being taken from the court on a stretcher. Noel was held overnight at the University of Oklahoma's hospital for tests and observations and was released the next day.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. The Thunder have lost two of three without him.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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]

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

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Thunder center Nerlens Noel was taken off the court on a stretcher in the third quarter of Tuesday's game against Minnesota after the Timberwolves' Andrew Wiggins made contact with him on a dunk attempt.Noel took an elbow in the face as Wiggins went up, and Noel's head hit the ground hard. A defensive foul was called on Noel. The play was reviewed, and no additional fouls were called. Noel was down for several minutes before being taken from the court. Players from both teams jawed at each other while Noel was on the ground.Thunder coach Billy Donovan said after the game that Noel was taken to the University of Oklahoma's OU Medical Center. He did not offer details on the injury.Wiggins said he didn't mean to hurt Noel."I just tried to make an aggressive move and dunk," Wiggins said. "He tried to contest it. I think he fell wrong. I didn't really see it until I saw him on the ground. Hopefully, he's good. I hope nothing but the best for him. I hope he gets healthy soon and comes back stronger."A few minutes after the collision, there was a skirmish between Thunder guard Dennis Schroder and Timberwolves guard Jeff Teague. Two technicals were called on Teague and he was ejected. Schroder also was called for a technical.Minnesota won the game 119-117.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Thunder center Nerlens Noel was taken off the court on a stretcher in the third quarter of Tuesday's game against Minnesota after the Timberwolves' Andrew Wiggins made contact with him on a dunk attempt.Noel took an elbow in the face as Wiggins went up, and Noel hit the ground hard. A defensive foul was called on Noel. The play was reviewed, and no additional fouls were called. Noel was down for several minutes before being taken from the court. Players from both teams jawed at each other while Noel was on the ground.A few minutes later, there was a skirmish between Thunder guard Dennis Schroder and Timberwolves guard Jeff Teague. Two technicals were called on Teague and he was ejected. Schroder also was called for a technical.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Carmelo Anthony is done in Oklahoma City.A person with knowledge of the details told The Associated Press the Thunder are sending Anthony and a 2022 protected first-round pick to Atlanta in exchange for Hawks guard Dennis Schroder and Mike Muscala. Anthony will be waived by the Hawks, clearing the way for him to sign as a free agent elsewhere. The person spoke Thursday on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the situation publicly.ESPN, which first reported the trade, said the Thunder will send Muscala to the Philadelphia 76ers for Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, and Philadelphia's Justin Anderson will be sent to Atlanta.Schroder, a speedy 6-foot-1 guard, averaged a career-high 19.4 points last season for the Hawks in 67 games, all starts.Anthony's lone season in Oklahoma City was largely a bust. He averaged 16.2 points and struggled at times in his new role alongside Russell Westbrook and Paul George. The 10-time All-Star posted career lows... [More]

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]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers are investigating whether team president Bryan Colangelo used a variety of Twitter accounts to anonymously trash some of his own players and fellow executives and defend himself against criticism from fans and the sports media.The allegations, reported Tuesday by the sports website The Ringer , raised questions about Colangelo's future and that of the NBA team itself, a rising franchise heading into perhaps its most important summer ever as it tries to attract free agents to contend for championships.The five Twitter accounts under suspicion took aim at Philadelphia players Joel Embiid and Markelle Fultz, former Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie, Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri and former Sixers players Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel, according to The Ringer.Among other things, the user or users of the accounts complained that Embiid, the 24-year-old All-Star center, was "playing like a toddler having tantrums" and was "a bit lazy," ''selfish"... [More]