Under the former NBA schedule, the first month of the season would just be coming to a close this week.The earlier start that the league went to last year, with the regular season beginning two weeks sooner, means some teams are now already more than a quarter of the way through their 82-game schedules.The extra time doesn't make it any easier to explain things so far.The Clippers and Nuggets are up. Houston and Boston are down. Golden State has already been both, flying out to a fast start that quickly came to a halt after Stephen Curry was hurt.The restructured schedule, done to build in more opportunities for rest and fewer back-to-back games, trimmed the preseason and reduced the number of exhibition games, in some cases forcing coaches to continue tinkering around Thanksgiving when they'd prefer to be done with it by Halloween."Just like every team in the league, in November you're not going to be the same team as you are in April or May," Portland coach Terry Stotts said. "So you... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Phoenix forward T.J. Warren was ejected from the Suns' game Sunday at Detroit after receiving two technical fouls with 3:56 left in the first half.Warren appeared to have made a layup in transition for the Suns, but he was whistled for an offensive foul instead. He was clearly displeased with the call and picked up two quick technicals. Phoenix was down 50-45 at the time.The 25-year-old Warren came into the game averaging 18.1 points, second on the team to Devin Booker.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry is expected to resume practicing next week with a strong chance he would return to game action during an upcoming five-game road trip as he works back from a strained left groin.The Golden State star was re-examined Saturday after making significant progress in recent days. He did some scrimmaging work at the practice facility, and coach Steve Kerr said there were no lingering physical issues from a car accident Friday in which Curry was unharmed."He's doing much better and we're just going to keep taking it day by day," Kerr said.Curry missed his ninth straight game Saturday against Sacramento and also was set to be sidelined for Monday's matchup with the Orlando Magic to conclude a four-game homestand. The 30-year-old two-time MVP, who played in just 51 regular-season games last season and missed the opening round of the playoffs, was injured Nov. 8 against Milwaukee trying to contest a shot by Eric Bledsoe in transition."He's anxious to get back,... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — New Orleans center Anthony Davis will miss the Pelicans' game against the Washington Wizards on Saturday night with strained right hip.Davis picked up the injury in the third quarter of Friday night's loss to the New York Knicks, though he did return for the final three minutes of the fourth quarter.He was ruled out of Saturday's contest during pregame warmups.The five-time All-Star is averaging 27.0 points and 12.6 rebounds through 16 games of his seventh NBA season.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Houston Rockets point guard Chris Paul is being rested against Cleveland on the second of games on consecutive days.Houston (9-8) visited the Cavaliers on Saturday, a day after Paul scored 20 points in 37 minutes in an overtime loss at Detroit that ended the Rockets' five-game winning streak.A nine-time All-Star, Paul is second on the team with an average 17.9 points in 15 games. He leads the Rockets in assists with a 7.7 average. Paul, 33, is in 14th season.Cleveland (3-14) defeated Philadelphia on Friday and was trying to win consecutive games for the first time this season.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Golden State Warriors said star Stephen Curry wasn't injured after two drivers hit his car on a rain-slicked freeway on Friday.Curry was driving a black Porsche on State Route 24 in Oakland when the driver of a Lexus lost control and struck his car, the California Highway Patrol said.Curry stopped in the center median, and as he waited for officers to arrive, another sedan lost control and rear-ended his Porsche, CHP Officer Herman Baza said.Baza said no one was injured or arrested and that rain was a factor in the crash."Don't need any reminders but All the Time God is Great and God is Great all the time," Curry later tweeted.The two-time MVP is out with a strained left groin that's set to be re-evaluated Saturday. Curry was scheduled to miss his eighth and ninth straight games when the Warriors play at home Friday and Saturday nights.He was hurt Nov. 8 against the Bucks.

ATLANTA (AP) — Celtics forward Al Horford has a sore left knee and will miss a game for the first time of the season.Marcus Morris took Horford's spot in the lineup against Atlanta, making his first start since last season.Horford was listed as probable with the same injury before Wednesday's home loss to the New York Knicks but finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 35 minutes. Coach Brad Stevens decided to rest him after Friday's shoot-around.Horford is averaging 11.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in his third season with the Celtics. The 12-year veteran spent his first nine seasons in Atlanta.Morris is averaging 13.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in 17 games.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Golden State Warriors said star Stephen Curry wasn't injured after two drivers hit his car on a rain-slicked freeway on Friday.Curry was driving a black Porsche on State Route 24 in Oakland when the driver of a Lexus lost control and struck his car, the California Highway Patrol said.Curry stopped in the center median, and as he waited for officers to arrive, another sedan lost control and rear-ended his Porsche, CHP Officer Herman Baza said.Baza said no one was injured or arrested and that rain was a factor in the crash."Don't need any reminders but All the Time God is Great and God is Great all the time," Curry later tweeted.The two-time MVP is out with a strained left groin that's set to be re-evaluated Saturday. Curry was scheduled to miss his eighth and ninth straight games when the Warriors play at home Friday and Saturday nights.He was hurt Nov. 8 against the Bucks.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Golden State Warriors say star Stephen Curry wasn't injured after two drivers hit his car on an Oakland freeway.Authorities say Curry was driving a black Porsche on Friday when the driver of a Lexus lost control and struck his car.California Highway Patrol Officer Herman Baza said Curry stopped in the center median and as he waited for officers to arrive, another sedan lost control and rear-ended his Porsche.Baza said no one was injured or arrested and that rain was a factor in the crash.The two-time MVP is out with a strained left groin that's set to be re-evaluated Saturday. Curry was scheduled to miss his eighth and ninth straight games when the Warriors play at home Friday and Saturday nights.He was hurt Nov. 8 against the Bucks.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Golden State Warriors say star Stephen Curry wasn't injured after two drivers hit his car on an Oakland freeway.Authorities say Curry was driving a black Porsche on Friday when the driver of a Lexus lost control and struck his car.California Highway Patrol Officer Herman Baza said Curry stopped in the center median and as he waited for officers to arrive, another sedan lost control and rear-ended his Porsche.Baza said no one was injured or arrested and that rain was a factor in the crash.The two-time MVP is out with a strained left groin that's scheduled to be re-evaluated Saturday. Curry was scheduled to miss his eighth and ninth straight games when the Warriors play at home Friday and Saturday nights.He was hurt Nov. 8 against the Bucks.

There was a two-season stretch during which JaVale McGee scored a total of 141 points. He was a target of jokes, wildly misunderstood by many in the NBA, almost an afterthought of sorts whose career seemed to be closer to flaming out than taking off.And in those darkest days, McGee kept asking himself the same question."Is it over?"The answer now is obvious: No, it wasn't over. Fast forward, and it may just be getting started.He's living the life that few in the NBA get to experience. He's teamed up with the best players of this generation — Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, LeBron James. He's won two championships, part of Golden State's back-to-back titles over the last two seasons. And now he's the starting center for the Los Angeles Lakers, getting a chance to play big minutes and put up numbers for the first time in nearly a decade.In his 11th season, McGee has basically gotten a basketball rebirth."I played against him in the last two NBA Finals and I wanted him on this team because I... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Thunder rookie Hamidou Diallo avoided a serious leg injury after a hard fall in the fourth quarter of Oklahoma City's 123-95 win at Golden State on Wednesday night.He was carted off on a stretcher with 7:17 left after crashing to the floor and colliding with Warriors forward Jonas Jerebko. The team said Warriors team physicians ruled out a severe injury based on X-rays from the left knee and below. Diallo was to be re-examined Thursday in Oklahoma.Diallo's left leg was stabilized as he was wheeled away to applause from the Oracle Arena crowd.Diallo was credited for rebounding Jerebko's missed layup when they went down. Clearly in pain, Diallo moved himself off the court and was under basket for several minutes.In a loss Monday at Sacramento, Diallo became the first Thunder rookie ever to go at least 7 for 7 from the floor. He made both his 3-point tries on the way to 18 points.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Thunder rookie Hamidou Diallo was carted off on a stretcher with 7:17 left in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's game at Golden State after crashing to the floor and colliding with Warriors forward Jonas Jerebko.Diallo's left leg was stabilized as he was wheeled away to applause from the Oracle Arena crowd.Diallo was credited for rebounding Jerebko's missed layup when they went down. Clearly in pain, Diallo moved himself off the court and was under basket for several minutes.In a loss Monday at Sacramento, Diallo became the first Thunder rookie ever to go at least 7 for 7 from the floor. He made both his 3-point tries on the way to 18 points.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MIAMI (AP) — Spencer Dinwiddie is wearing art on his feet this season.It's for a good cause.The Brooklyn guard is planning to have a different set of sneakers in every game this year, paying tribute to either various people or causes on that particular night. On Tuesday in Miami, his shoes were an homage to Heat guard Dwyane Wade — and Dinwiddie proudly got one of his childhood idols to sign the kicks afterward.And they were truly one-of-a-kind: The words "One Last Dance" were across the tongues of the shoes, a nod to what Wade is calling his 16th and final NBA season. There were images of palm trees, a Miami signature, as well as the No. 3 that Wade has worn on his jersey for the entirety of his time with the Heat."I knew when the schedule came out and he had said this is his last year, that we had to do something special," Dinwiddie said after Brooklyn's 104-92 victory.Dinwiddie isn't keeping the Wade-themed shoes or any others this season. They're all getting auctioned off for charities... [More]

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

MIAMI (AP) — Dwyane Wade is back with the Miami Heat.Wade ended his paternity leave Tuesday night, checking in for the Heat midway through the first quarter of their game against the Brooklyn Nets. He said his wife and their daughter are doing well, which allowed him to feel comfortable resuming his season after a seven-game hiatus."I'm going to obviously miss them," Wade said. "It was tough leaving my little girl and my wife, but I've got to get back to work and I'll see them again soon."Wade and his wife Gabrielle Union-Wade welcomed Kaavia James Union Wade into the world on Nov. 7. Wade had been in Los Angeles with them since then, and flew back to Miami on Monday.His return is most certainly welcome in Miami. The Heat went 2-5 in his time away, falling to 6-10 this season entering the game against the Nets. They were playing Tuesday without guards Goran Dragic (knee), Tyler Johnson (hamstring) and Dion Waiters (ankle recovery from last season)."There's a human element to this business... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Wizards center Dwight Howard is sitting out Tuesday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers because of a gluteal injury.Howard, who missed the first seven games of the season with the injury, left Sunday's game against Portland in the second quarter when he aggravated the injury.Wizards coach Scott Brooks says he hopes Howard will be able to play in Friday's game at Toronto.Howard is averaging 12.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.Second-year player Thomas Bryant is getting his first NBA start at center in Howard's place.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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