Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace says Chandler Parsons has chosen to continue rehabilitation in Los Angeles out of the options Memphis gave the 30-year-old forward."We will continue to monitor Chandler's progress," Wallace said in a statement Sunday night.Wallace issued his statement just hours after ESPN.com reported that the Grizzlies and Parsons had agreed to a split, with Parsons leaving Memphis while his agent, James Dunleavy, and the team negotiate an end to his contract.The Grizzlies GM says they met with Parsons and spoke with both the forward and his representation numerous times during the forward's rehab on how to "integrate a healthy and effective Chandler" back on the court."In the last of these conversations, we presented Chandler clear options for him and his representatives to choose, which included a short three-home-game stint for the Memphis Hustle or rehab either in Memphis or in Los Angeles with the training team of his choice," Wallace said. "Chandler subsequently... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves had just posted their fourth-largest margin of victory of the season, and Tom Thibodeau looked and sounded satisfied Sunday as the demanding and intense coach used his postgame news conference to praise the attitude and energy with which his team had just played.Minutes later, Thibodeau was fired.Halfway into his third season with Minnesota that began in turmoil surrounding the eventual trade of All-Star Jimmy Butler, Thibodeau's final game was a 108-86 victory over the LeBron James-less Los Angeles Lakers .Assistant coach Ryan Saunders, who is 32, was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Scott Layden will stay as the general manager, assuming oversight of the roster. Thibodeau was also the president of basketball operations, with full authority over personnel decisions."We would like to thank Tom for his efforts and wish him all the best," Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said in a statement released by the team. "These decisions... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves fired coach Tom Thibodeau on Sunday, halfway into his third season with the team that began with the turmoil surrounding the eventual trade of All-Star Jimmy Butler.Thibodeau was dismissed about an hour after the 108-86 victory over the LeBron James-less Los Angeles Lakers .Scott Layden will remain the general manager overseeing the basketball operations and assistant coach Ryan Saunders will be the interim head coach for the remainder of the season."We would like to thank Tom for his efforts and wish him all the best," Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said in a statement. "These decisions are never easy to make, but we felt them necessary to move our organization forward."The Athletic first reported that Thibodeau, who was also the president of basketball operations with full authority over the roster, had been let go. Saunders is the son of the late Flip Saunders, who's the winningest coach in club history.Thibodeau finished 97-107 with the... [More]

Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace says Chandler Parsons has chosen to continue rehabilitation in Los Angeles out of the options Memphis gave the 30-year-old forward."We will continue to monitor Chandler's progress," Wallace said in a statement Sunday night.Wallace issued his statement just hours after ESPN.com reported that the Grizzlies and Parsons had agreed to a split, with Parsons leaving Memphis while his agent, James Dunleavy, and the team negotiate an end to his contract.The Grizzlies GM says they met with Parsons and spoke with both the forward and his representation numerous times during the forward's rehab on how to "integrate a healthy and effective Chandler" back on the court."In the last of these conversations, we presented Chandler clear options for him and his representatives to choose, which included a short three-home-game stint for the Memphis Hustle or rehab either in Memphis or in Los Angeles with the training team of his choice," Wallace said. "Chandler subsequently... [More]

Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace says Chandler Parsons has chosen to continue rehabilitation in Los Angeles out of the options Memphis gave the 30-year-old forward.Wallace issued a statement Sunday night after ESPN.com reported that the Grizzlies and Parsons had agreed to a split.Parsons has played three games in the third season of the four-year, $94 million contract he signed in July 2016. Limited by injuries, he played a combined 70 games over the first two seasons of that contract, but his agent told The Commercial Appeal on Dec. 28 that Parsons had been cleared and was ready to play.Wallace says the Grizzlies met with Parsons and spoke with both the forward and his representation numerous times during his rehab on how to "integrate a healthy and effective Chandler back onto the floor." The Grizzlies gave options for Parsons to choose from including a three-game stint in Memphis with their G League team, the Hustle, rehab in Memphis or in Los Angeles.The Grizzlies GM says that leaves Memphis continuing to monitor Parsons' progress.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Dwyane Wade made his 500th career 3-pointer in the third quarter to join Michael Jordan and LeBron James on an elite list.On a miserable shooting night for Miami — the Heat had missed 20 of their first 22 attempts beyond the arc — Wade joined Jordan and James as the only players in NBA history with at least 20,000 points, 5,000 assists, 4,000 rebounds, 1,500 steals, 800 blocks and 500 3s.The Heat, trying to win for the 13th time in their last 18 games, trailed Atlanta by 21 points late in the third Sunday.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — The struggling Cavaliers signed guard Cameron Payne to a 10-day contract.To make roster space, the Cavs waived swingman Patrick McCaw, who signed with the club as a free agent on Dec. 28. He played in three games with Cleveland.Payne will give the Cavs a backup for rookie Collin Sexton and backcourt depth while Matthew Dellavedova deals with a sore foot. Payne averaged 5.7 points and 2.7 assists in 31 games — 12 starts — for Chicago before he was waived by the Bulls.He has appeared in 144 games over four seasons with Chicago and Oklahoma City. Payne played at Murray State before he was drafted with the No. 14 overall pick by the Thunder in 2015.At 8-32, the Cavs have the NBA's worst record and they've lost nine straight games, their last five at home by at least 20 points — a league record.Cleveland hosts Indiana on Tuesday.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia coach Brett Brown denied a report that Jimmy Butler was disrespectful while questioning his role in the 76ers offense.A report published on Friday said that Butler recently challenged Brown in a disrespectful way and wants to be utilized differently in the coach's offensive scheme.Brown dismissed the report before Saturday's game against the Dallas Mavericks."I didn't feel like any of that crossed the line," Brown said. "He's vocal. He's all in and he has opinions, but it's instigated by me. None of this should surprise anybody. He's got opinions. He wants to be heard. And he should be heard."Butler was not available for comment, and the Sixers said he would not play Saturday night due to an upper respiratory infection.Philadelphia acquired Butler, a four-time All-Star, last month with an eye on making a run to the NBA championship. But meshing Butler with stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid hasn't always been easy — which Brown acknowledged."There's nobody... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia coach Brett Brown denied a report that Jimmy Butler was disrespectful while questioning his role in the 76ers offense.A report published on Friday said that Butler recently challenged Brown in a disrespectful way and wants to be utilized differently in the coach's offensive scheme.Brown dismissed the report before Saturday's game against the Dallas Mavericks."I didn't feel like any of that crossed the line," Brown said. "He's vocal. He's all in and he has opinions, but it's instigated by me. None of this should surprise anybody. He's got opinions. He wants to be heard. And he should be heard."Butler was not available for comment, and the Sixers said he would not play Saturday night due to an upper respiratory infection.Philadelphia acquired Butler, a four-time All-Star, last month with an eye on making a run to the NBA championship. But meshing Butler with stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid hasn't always been easy — which Brown acknowledged."There's nobody... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — New York center Enes Kanter will not travel to London for the Knicks' upcoming international game because he believes he could be assassinated for his opposition to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.Kanter announced his plan Friday night after the Knicks' 119-112 win over the Lakers. The Knicks later said Kanter also won't make the trip because of a visa issue.Kanter will stay in New York while the Knicks travel to face Washington at The O2 arena in London on Jan. 17. He says he can't travel anywhere except the U.S. and Canada because "there's a chance I could get killed out there.""Sadly, I'm not going because of that freaking lunatic, the Turkish president," Kanter said. "It's pretty sad that all the stuff affects my career and basketball, because I want to be out there and help my team win. But just because of the one lunatic guy, one maniac, one dictator, I can't even go out there and do my job. It's pretty sad."Kanter has been a vocal critic of Erdogan for years,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — New York center Enes Kanter will not travel to London for the Knicks' upcoming international game because he believes he could be assassinated because of his opposition to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.Kanter announced his plan Friday night after the Knicks' 119-112 win over the Lakers.Kanter will stay in New York while the Knicks travel to face Washington in London on Jan. 17. He says he can't travel anywhere except the U.S. and Canada because "there's a chance I could get killed out there."Kanter has been a vocal critic of Erdogan for years, and his Turkish passport was revoked last year. Kanter is a follower of a U.S.-based Turkish cleric accused of masterminding a failed military coup in 2016.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MIAMI (AP) — Bradley Beal has been keeping a secret from Dwyane Wade all of these years.Beal wears No. 3 for one reason.It's a tribute to his idol.After their 16th head-to-head meeting on Friday night — Miami beat Washington 115-109 — Beal finally summoned up the courage to let Wade know how he feels about his game, and acknowledged afterward that he was nervous when asking to exchange jerseys with the player who, not at all coincidentally, wears No. 3 for the Heat."I tried not to lose my mind when he first gave it to me because that's unbelievable," Beal said. "I'm trying not to be a fan, but I am a fan and I am a huge fan of his game. I try to predicate a little bit of my game off of his. This is probably the first time I'm actually saying that, but he's a legend forever."Wade has been exchanging jerseys with players over the course of this, his 16th and final NBA season. Beal said he was nervous to ask Wade for his, for fear that the answer would be no.Turns out, Wade wanted his jersey... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving was out for a second straight game Friday night with an eye injury.Irving was unavailable when the Celtics hosted the Dallas Mavericks after scratching both corneas in a collision Monday at San Antonio. Irving also sat out Wednesday's game against Minnesota.Coach Brad Stevens said Irving was able to do a light workout Thursday, but one of his eyes was still too inflamed to play Friday. Irving could return Monday when the Celtics host Brooklyn."We'll see what happens after this, when he'll be able to play after this. He had his glasses off yesterday," Stevens said.The Celtics were also without forward Marcus Morris, who left Wednesday's game early after taking a fall in front of the Celtics' bench. Stevens said Morris was still stiff and sore Friday.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James will miss at least four more games with the Los Angeles Lakers while he recovers from a left groin strain.The Lakers on Friday said James' injury will be re-evaluated in one week.The four-time NBA MVP already has missed four games after getting hurt during the Lakers' victory at Golden State on Christmas. His recovery schedule will keep him out of the Lakers' upcoming two-game road trip and a home game against Detroit next week.The Lakers are 1-3 without James in their lineup. They host the New York Knicks on Friday night.James is averaging 27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists during his first season with the Lakers.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Kevin Love might be a little closer to helping the needy Cavaliers.The All-Star forward was cleared to begin "select basketball activities" following left foot surgery, but there is still no clear timetable when he'll play again for the NBA's worst team.Love played in just four games before having surgery on Nov. 2 to repair an injury sustained during Cleveland's exhibition opener. He had cartilage removed and fluid drained from the base of his large toe — an injury that made it difficult to walk.The team said Love visited Dr. Martin O'Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York on Wednesday. The evaluation revealed that Love's foot is healing and he can begin some on-court activities under the direction of the team's medical staff.But it's still not known when he'll return to Cleveland's lineup, and while he's sidelined, Love continues to be mentioned in trade rumors in advance of February's deadline.Love signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension last... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The struggling Memphis Grizzlies have acquired guard Justin Holiday from the Chicago Bulls for guards MarShon Brooks and Wayne Selden Jr.Memphis also sent second-round picks in 2019 and 2020 to Chicago in the deal Thursday. The Bulls waived guard Cameron Payne in another move.The Grizzlies hope Holiday — averaging 11.6 points — provides a lift. They have dropped 10 of 13 and had what general manager Chris Wallace described as an "emotionally charged" meeting following a loss to Detroit on Wednesday.Memphis has fallen from first to 10th in the Western Conference after a 12-5 start.With Holiday gone, rookie Chandler Hutchison figures to play a bigger role for Chicago. Brooks is averaging 6.6 points and Selden is scoring 5.4.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers All-Star forward Kevin Love has been cleared to begin "select basketball activities" following left foot surgery.Love played in just four games this season before having surgery on Nov. 2 to repair an injury sustained during Cleveland's exhibition opener. He had cartilage removed and fluid drained from the base of his large toe.The team said Love visited Dr. Martin O'Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York on Wednesday. The evaluation revealed that Love's foot is healing and he can begin some on-court activities under the direction of the team's medical staff.However, there is still no clear timeline on when Love will play again. He signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension last summer.The Cavaliers have struggled without Love, who is in his fifth season with the team. Cleveland has the NBA's worst record and carries a seven-game losing streak into Friday's matchup against Utah.Love has averaged 17.2 points and 10.0 rebounds in five seasons with the Cavs.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — A person familiar with the situation says the struggling Memphis Grizzlies have acquired guard Justin Holiday from the Chicago Bulls for guards MarShon Brooks and Wayne Selden Jr.The person spoke Thursday on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. Chicago also received second-round picks in 2019 and 2020 in the deal that was first reported by ESPN.The Grizzlies are hoping Holiday — averaging 11.6 points — can provide a lift. They have dropped 10 of 13 and had what general manager Chris Wallace described as an "emotionally charged" meeting following a loss to Detroit on Wednesday night.Memphis has fallen from first to 10th in the Western Conference after a 12-5 start.With Holiday gone, rookie Chandler Hutchison figures to play a bigger role for Chicago. Brooks is averaging 6.6 points and Selden is scoring 5.4.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace has apologized to Memphis' fans for an apparent altercation following the team's latest loss.Wallace said Thursday that the Grizzlies had an "emotionally-charged" meeting Wednesday night after a 101-94 loss to the Detroit Pistons. It was Memphis' 10th loss in 13 games."When losing happens, obviously emotions get frayed and we're very passionate and competitive people in this game," Wallace said. "Unfortunately, we had an incident."The Athletic reported Garrett Temple and Omri Casspi were involved in an altercation . After practice Thursday, both Casspi and Temple spoke with Temple describing what happened as "brothers getting into it.""Some things were said and some things happened," Temple said. "At the end of the day we're brothers. We've known each other since we were rookies. At the end of the day, we came out of that meeting ... on the same page and we're moving on from it."Memphis now is 10th in the West after a 12-5 start... [More]

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace has apologized to Memphis' fans for an apparent altercation following the team's latest loss.Wallace said Thursday that the Grizzlies had an "emotionally-charged" meeting Wednesday night after a 101-94 loss to the Detroit Pistons. It was was Memphis' 10th loss in 13 games.The Athletic reported Garrett Temple and Omri Casspi were involved in an altercation . After practice Thursday, both Casspi and Temple spoke with Temple describing what happened as "brothers getting into it ."Grizzlies coach J.B. Bickerstaff took more than 30 minutes to meet with reporters after the game, and only veterans Marc Gasol and Mike Conley were the only players in the locker room when it opened.Wallace says he was concerned at how quickly news of the incident spread and discipline will be handled internally.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports