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]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Wizards power forward Markieff Morris will miss at least six weeks with a neck injury, the latest setback in a difficult season for one of the NBA's most disappointing teams.The Wizards announced Thursday that Morris was examined by a doctor after dealing with neck and upper back stiffness since getting hit on the chin during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 16. Morris left that game at halftime with what the Wizards said then was a neck strain.He now will be limited to non-contact basketball activities for the next 1½ months. The Wizards are scheduled to play 20 games in that span.The 29-year-old Morris has never appeared in fewer than the 63 games he played in during his rookie season back in 2011-12.The Wizards already were without All-Star point guard John Wall for the rest of this season because he needs an operation on his left heel and Achilles tendon, and they're also currently missing center Dwight Howard, who is expected to be out for... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade is out against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night because of an illness.Wade played in 46 games last season with Cleveland, where he was reunited with long-time friend LeBron James, before being traded to Miami. He has announced he will retire after the season — his 16th in the NBA.Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said several Miami players have been under the weather in recent days.The 36-year-old Wade is averaging 14.1 points in 27 games this season.

MIAMI (AP) — Different leg. Same problem.Houston's Chris Paul has a grade 2 strain of his left hamstring, and general manager Daryl Morey said Friday the All-Star point guard will be out at least two weeks."We've got to figure it out," said Rockets guard James Harden, the league's reigning MVP. "Injuries happen."Paul was injured in the second quarter on Thursday night in a loss to Miami. Seeing Paul grab at the back of his leg surely conjured up bad reminders of his right hamstring strain late last season, the injury that knocked him out of Games 6 and 7 of the Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors won both of those games to erase the Rockets' 3-2 lead in the series, and went on to sweep Cleveland for the title.The Rockets are 0-5 without Paul this season, and have dropped nine straight when he doesn't play going back to last season. Including playoffs, the Rockets are 77-22 when Paul plays."I've had hamstring issues before and I know how frustrating... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Different leg. Same problem.Chris Paul has another hamstring issue to deal with, and the Houston Rockets are bracing for another stint without their All-Star point guard. Paul will have an MRI in Houston on Friday to determine the severity of the strain in his left hamstring, one that he hurt during the second quarter of the Rockets' 101-99 loss in Miami."We've got to figure it out," said Rockets guard James Harden, the league's reigning MVP. "Injuries happen."Seeing Paul grab at the back of his leg surely conjured up bad reminders of his right hamstring strain late last season, the injury that knocked him out of Games 6 and 7 of the Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors won both of those games to erase the Rockets' 3-2 lead in the series, and went on to sweep Cleveland for the NBA title.The Rockets are 0-5 without Paul this season, and have dropped nine straight when he doesn't play going back to last season. Including playoffs, the Rockets... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — This was hardly the ideal way for LeBron James and his Los Angeles Lakers to cap what amounted to an eventful week of highs and lows.And arriving one night after what seemed to be a breakthrough performance, this dud demonstrated just how much more room for improvement four-time NBA MVP James and his new teammates have.James shot just 5 for 16, managing merely a season-worst 13 points. He and the rest of the Lakers put up barely any resistance at the defensive end and trailed by as many as 27 points while stumbling their way to a 128-110 loss to the Washington Wizards on Sunday night."We're a good team," James insisted afterward. "Tonight was just one of those instances where we didn't play well."That's certainly true, at both ends of the court and in various ways.The 22 turnovers. The 51-43 rebounding deficit. The 0-for-8 start on 3-point attempts. The way they allowed Wizards point guard John Wall to dominate en route to a 40-point, 14-assist performance."Not a lot of... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dwyane Wade will be spending a lot of time in Los Angeles while he settles into retirement next year. He already has a house here, and his wife's acting career would undoubtedly benefit from more time in Hollywood.LeBron James is a newly minted Southern Californian himself, and he's already hatching schemes to occupy his former teammate, longtime rival and permanent friend."I told him, 'No one likes to work out by themselves,'" James said with a grin. "So he can come to Staples. He can come to the practice facility anytime he wants to get workouts in. He can come help me with the young guys as well. He'll be around a lot more personally for me, so I'll love that."Wade still has 56 regular-season games left in his self-declared final NBA season with the Miami Heat, but he passed a major milestone in that procession when he lined up against James for the final time Monday night in the Los Angeles Lakers' 108-105 victory.The result wasn't the most important part of the night... [More]

So much changed after Kawhi Leonard crashed to the Oracle Arena floor on May 14, 2017.The San Antonio Spurs had a 23-point lead on the Warriors in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals when Leonard departed with 26 points, poised to take away home-court advantage in the series between teams who won more than 60 games.Leonard injured his ankle when he landed on Zaza Pachulia's foot after taking a jump shot, and things were never the same again for the Spurs or Leonard. The Spurs couldn't hold on to win that game or any other in the series without their All-Star forward, whose ankle injury would be followed by a lingering thigh injury that would limit him to just nine games the following season and strain relations between the team and player. Leonard was ultimately granted his desire to leave San Antonio when he was traded to Toronto in the offseason.If Leonard doesn't go down, maybe the Spurs win that game, maybe the series and maybe another championship. Maybe Leonard wouldn't have wanted... [More]

So much changed after Kawhi Leonard crashed to the Oracle Arena floor on May 14, 2017.The San Antonio Spurs had a 23-point lead on the Warriors in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals when Leonard departed with 26 points, poised to take away home-court advantage in the series between teams who won more than 60 games.Leonard injured his ankle when he landed on Zaza Pachulia's foot after taking a jump shot, and things were never the same again for the Spurs or Leonard. The Spurs couldn't hold on to win that game or any other in the series without their All-Star forward, whose ankle injury would be followed by a lingering thigh injury that would limit him to just nine games the following season and strain relations between the team and player. Leonard was ultimately granted his desire to leave San Antonio when he was traded to Toronto in the offseason.If Leonard doesn't go down, maybe the Spurs win that game, maybe the series and maybe another championship. Maybe Leonard wouldn't have wanted... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dwyane Wade never thought he would play 1,000 games.And he's unsure what the milestone will mean.Wade is in line to become the 15th active player to appear in 1,000 regular-season games, the milestone he'll hit assuming he plays Saturday night when the Miami Heat visit the Los Angeles Clippers."I don't even know the significance of 1,000 games," Wade said. "I don't know if it's a big deal. I think it's just another number."The Heat might disagree with that.Heat coach Erik Spoelstra didn't know Wade was nearing the milestone until earlier this week, and got wide-eyed when told that Wade had appeared in so many games."That's crazy to think about," Spoelstra said.Nobody has played in 1,000 regular-season games for the Heat — Wade has played the most, 893 after Friday's game in Phoenix. But he'll be the fourth person to play career game No. 1,000 while wearing a Miami uniform, joining Rashard Lewis in 2013, Shaquille O'Neal in 2007 and Danny Schayes in 1996."He's showed an... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Even on a night off, Florida Panthers star Aleksander Barkov got hit.No penalty was called.No foul was called either.Barkov had courtside seats to watch the Miami Heat on Sunday night — and got a closer view of Dwyane Wade than he expected. Wade was trying to steal a pass when he wound up diving about four rows into the stands with 3:04 remaining, and he wound up clipping Barkov on his way into the crowd.The Panthers' captain wasn't hurt and didn't mind."D-Wade flying over you is really nice," Barkov said.Wade tweeted an apology to Barkov on Monday. He didn't realize that he hit anyone on his way into the crowd, and it wasn't pointed out to him who was in that prime seat until Monday.Barkov said getting tweeted at by Wade was "a big honor.""Maybe I'll have the team send an icepack," Wade said. "I actually know him, I'm a fan of his and we've met before, but I didn't know I hit him."It's not the first time Wade has dived into the stands after a ball. He's done it several times... [More]

Vince Carter could have gone anywhere.To a contender, to chase a ring. To retirement, because he has nothing left to prove. To television, which seems like it will be his next vocation whenever his playing days end.Instead, he chose Atlanta — a young team, a rebuilding team, a team that probably has minimal chance of making the playoffs.And he's happy."I'm with a great bunch of guys," Carter said. "I enjoy helping young guys who want to learn, who are willing to be coached and let you coach them and ask questions. It's a small thing, but it's a major thing — because if you're asking questions, that means you're trying to learn and grow. And these guys are all great."He's the NBA's oldest active player, someone who turns 42 next month. When he was drafted in June 1998, neither Trae Young nor Kevin Huerter had been born yet. And they're the starting backcourt for the Hawks this season, Carter's 21st in the league, with Atlanta being the eighth team he's played with.Carter talked with Dwyane... [More]

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]

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]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The air was heavy, heaving with hatred.And when LeBron James skipped onto the Quicken Loans Arena floor on Dec. 2, 2010, with his Miami teammates, scorned Cleveland fans aimed their fury at one of their own, the kid from Akron who was shaken by the experience.James was profanely taunted, booed and mocked. It was vile. It was personal.Eight years later, he'll feel loved.James returns to Cleveland on Wednesday night for the first time since leaving as a free agent last summer and signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. He's coming back to a city still grappling with losing him again and wondering what might have been had the world's best all-around player stayed.But unlike his previous comeback, the 33-year-old is coming home to be saluted for what he did during 11 years with the Cavaliers.He revived a franchise, lifted an entire region and brought a championship."It's going to be fun," said Cavs forward Kyle Korver, who spent two seasons with James. "LeBron had an incredible... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Dwyane Wade is back with the Miami Heat after missing nearly two weeks for the birth of his daughter.Wade went through Miami's gameday shootaround and will play Tuesday night against the Brooklyn Nets. He said his wife and their daughter are doing well, which allowed him to feel comfortable to resume his season."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 was away from the team for about two weeks because of the birth of his daughter. 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. They'll play Tuesday without guards Goran Dragic (knee), Tyler Johnson (hamstring) and Dion Waiters (ankle recovery from last season)."There's... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Dwyane Wade is back with the Miami Heat.Wade was with the Heat for their game-day shootaround Tuesday morning ahead of their matchup against Brooklyn.Wade was away from the team for about two weeks because of the birth of his daughter. 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.Wade is Miami's third-leading scorer this season at 14.3 points per game. The Heat went 2-5 in his time away from the team.He's playing his final season in the NBA. Wade revealed this month that he strongly considered retirement this summer because of his daughter's arrival.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MIAMI (AP) — There was no need for introductions when the Miami Heat got to work this season.It's the same team as last year.That won't be the case next year.Dwyane Wade's 16th NBA season, almost all of which was spent in Miami, will be his last — and the Heat are determined to send the franchise's career leader in just about everything out the right way. Miami slogged its way through injuries to make the playoffs last season, and in an Eastern Conference that seems more open than it has now that LeBron James has moved West the Heat are hoping to send Wade off with a deep postseason run."I'm going to treat it with the appropriate respect," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Wade's final season. "I want him to know that I'm going to give it everything I have to make sure it goes the way that he wants it to — and then in turn, for him to give everything he has to make sure this team goes the way we want it to."Wade wouldn't have it any other way.He labored over this decision to come back or... [More]

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Dwyane Wade's first touch of the game was a lob to set up a dunk. His first shot was a corner 3-pointer. And his first trip into the lane resulted in getting his shot swatted away.All three of those plays left him smiling.Wade's 16th and final season — his "last dance," as he calls it — got off to an unofficial start Saturday, when the Miami Heat broke training camp at Florida Atlantic University with their annual scrimmage. His stats, as if they even mattered: eight points on 2 for 7 shooting, with three assists and a steal in 23 minutes."It was cool," Wade said. "We've been working hard in practice, obviously. But to be out here today in front of some fans, getting to play in a different energy, you could see it in everybody. Guys were moving quicker. Guys were into it."Wade got the big cheer at the start, and his fellow 16-year veteran got the biggest cheer at the end: The final play of the scrimmage was Udonis Haslem hitting a game-winning jumper, one that gave... [More]

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Part of Miami coach Erik Spoelstra's annual mandate to players, whether a 16-year veteran like Dwyane Wade or a second-year guy like Bam Adebayo, is to evolve.Spoelstra expects the same from himself.The Heat opened training camp on Tuesday with players who accounted for 98 percent of their scoring, 98 percent of their assists and 97 percent of their rebounding from last season. And keeping the same team means that those players, by now, have heard just about every speech and seen just about every trick in the Heat book.Hence, the challenge for Spoelstra this season: Keeping the message and the approach fresh."I look back on it now and I don't even know how I prepared for my first training camp," Spoelstra said after the first practice of the season at Florida Atlantic University. "With this group, this probably felt more like a practice and an extension of last year's playoff prep because we had so many familiar faces. So that was nice."Wade was back in Heat camp... [More]