SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward will miss at least a month with a broken left hand after colliding with San Antonio's LaMarcus Aldridge on Saturday night.The Celtics say Hayward was sent for an X-ray that confirmed the diagnosis. Hayward, who did not return to the game, could undergo surgery that will keep him out a few weeks to a month, Boston coach Brad Stevens said."Going to get with the doctors tomorrow and decide if he needs to do surgery or not," Stevens said. "Sounds like should he decide that the surgery option (is best, it) might actually be a better timeline. So, we'll see what that all plays out to be."Hayward winced in pain after banging his left hand against Aldridge's chest attempting to get past the Spurs forward on a screen late in the first half. Hayward appeared to jam the hand once or twice more against Aldridge before exiting the game.Hayward had nine points and two rebounds in 15 minutes before exiting. He is averaging 20.3 points this season for the Celtics, who have won six straight entering Saturday's game.The 6-foot-7 forward missed most of the 2017 season after breaking his leg six minutes into Boston's season opener."This one doesn't feel near as bad as it did two years ago," Stevens said. "So, he'll be back. Be off for a few weeks or a month or whatever it is."___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward has a broken left hand after colliding with San Antonio's LaMarcus Aldridge on Saturday night.The Celtics say Hayward was sent for an X-ray that confirmed the diagnosis. Hayward will not return to the game against the Spurs and no timetable was provided for his return.Hayward winced in pain after banging his left hand against Aldridge's chest attempting to get past the Spurs forward on a screen late in the first half. Hayward appeared to jam the hand once or twice more against Aldridge before exiting the game.Hayward had nine points and two rebounds in 15 minutes before exiting. He is averaging 20.3 points this season for the Celtics, who have won six straight entering Saturday's game.The 6-foot-7 forward missed the 2017 season after breaking his leg six minutes into Boston's season opener.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons will miss a second straight game Sunday against the Charlotte Hornets because of a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder.Simmons was hurt Wednesday when he bumped into Royce O'Neale's chest while posting up in the first quarter of a 106-104 loss to the Utah Jazz. He didn't play Friday in a 100-97 loss to the Denver Nuggets.76ers officials said Simmons would be re-evaluated Monday.Simmons has played seven games this season and is averaging 13.1 points, 6.9 assists and 5.4 rebounds.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

TORONTO (AP) — Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry and center Serge Ibaka will be out indefinitely after injuries against the New Orleans Pelicans.Lowry fractured his left thumb during the first quarter of Friday night's 122-104 victory. The team said Saturday he will be re-evaluated in two weeks.Ibaka sprained his right ankle and will undergo additional imaging in Los Angeles, where Toronto plays the Lakers on Sunday and the Clippers and former teammate Kawhi Leonard on Monday.Lowry is averaging 21.8 points and 6.5 assists. Ibaka is averaging 14.0 points and 6.5 rebounds.Lowry went to the bench after he was hurt but returned a few minutes later. He made two 3-pointers in the second quarter before subbing out midway through the period and retreating to the locker room.He said after the game the injury is unrelated to the surgery he had in July to repair ligaments in the same thumb.Ibaka was in a walking boot after the game. He was injured when he contested a layup by Brandon Ingram with about a minute remaining in the second quarter. Ibaka lay on the floor, writhing in pain as play continued, before a Toronto foul allowed two teammates to help him limp off the floor.

A career-best for Damian Lillard. A career-best for D'Angelo Russell.And neither was enough, on a wacky Friday in the NBA.Lillard scored a franchise-record 60 for Portland in its loss to Brooklyn, Russell had 52 in Golden State's loss at Minnesota — and those efforts added up to an absolute NBA rarity. Friday became only the second night in league history in which multiple players scored at least 50 points in losses.The only other such day: April 9, 1978. David Thompson scored 73 points in Denver's loss to Detroit, and George Gervin scored 63 in San Antonio's loss to the New Orleans Jazz. That was the final day of the 1977-78 regular season, one where Thompson and Gervin were going for the league's scoring title.No scoring title was at stake Friday. It was merely a wild night."Obviously, Dame was exceptional tonight," Portland coach Terry Stotts said. "Carried us, put us in a position to win the game."Lillard capped his 60-point effort, one more than his previous career best, with a 34-footer... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Toronto Raptors say starting point guard Kyle Lowry fractured his left thumb and sixth-man Serge Ibaka a severely sprained an ankle against the New Orleans Pelicans.Lowry said he was hurt in the first quarter Friday night when he tried to swipe the ball away from Pelicans center Derrick Favors on an offensive rebound.Lowry went to the bench after the initial injury, but returned a couple minutes later. He even made two 3-pointers in the second quarter before subbing out midway through the period and retreating to the locker room."Originally, we thought it was something in the nail bed because the nail bed turned black and blue," Lowry said. "We got some X-rays and we sent the X-rays off to the doctors, and there was a small fracture in the thumb."Lowry said the injury is unrelated to the surgery he had in July to repair ligaments in the same thumb.Ibaka was in a walking boot after the game. He suffered his ankle sprain when he contested a layup by Brandon Ingram with about a minute remaining in the second quarter. Ibaka lay on the floor, writhing in pain as play continued, before a Toroo foul allowed two teammates to help him limp off the floor.__More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The NBA fined the Los Angeles Clippers $50,000 on Thursday for statements made by coach Doc Rivers and others that were "inconsistent" about Kawhi Leonard's health.Leonard sat out a 129-124 home loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night, the second time he's missed the nationally televised front end of a back-to-back this season. He had 27 points and 13 rebounds in a nationally televised 107-101 win over Portland on Thursday night."I'm disappointed. He's my coach and I'm on his side," Leonard said of the fine. "I'm not a doctor, but we're going to do what's best for me to be healthy so I can play basketball games. I can't read too much into it."The NBA initially confirmed the Clippers were compliant with league rules in resting Leonard because of a knee injury. It was what Rivers said before the game that in part triggered the fine."He feels great," Rivers said Wednesday. "But he feels great because of what we've been doing, and we're just going to continue to do... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kemba Walker says he holds no ill feelings toward Michael Jordan, even though the Hornets owner and six-time NBA champion decided not to keep him in Charlotte by paying him a $221 million supermax contract.In fact, Walker only has love for Jordan."MJ is always going to be a special guy in my life," Walker said Thursday night after his return to Charlotte as a member of the Boston Celtics. "He's one of the reasons I am where I am today."Jordan drafted Walker with the ninth pick in the 2011 NBA draft, and Walker took it from there. He beat out DJ Augustin for the starting point guard spot and flourished into a three-time All-Star despite being undersized — he's listed at 6-foot — for his position.Along the way, he became tight with Jordan, and the two still talk regularly. Although Walker said they didn't have a chance to catch up Thursday, he said he feels like he can talk with Jordan anytime."He gave me the opportunity to flourish as a basketball player," Walker said.... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The NBA fined the Los Angeles Clippers $50,000 on Thursday for statements made by coach Doc Rivers and others that were "inconsistent" about Kawhi Leonard's heath status.Leonard sat out the Clippers' 129-124 home loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night, the second time he's missed the nationally televised front end of a back-to-back this season. He was in the lineup against Portland on Thursday night.The NBA initially confirmed the Clippers were compliant with league rules in deciding to rest Leonard because of a knee injury. It was what Rivers said before the game that triggered the fine."He feels great," Rivers said Wednesday. "But he feels great because of what we've been doing, and we're just going to continue to do it. There's no concern here."Rivers cited "a lot of minutes" that Leonard racked up last season while leading Toronto to its first NBA championship."I think Kawhi made a statement that he's never felt better," Rivers said. "It's our job to make... [More]

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Zion Williamson says he expects his absence from New Orleans Pelicans because of his knee injury to be less than half of the regular season but is offering no specific timetable for a return."It's going very well, day by day, getting better," the No. 1 overall pick said after teammates finished practice Thursday. "No real timetable. When I'm ready, I'll come back."When the 6-foot-6, 285-pound Williamson had surgery on his torn right lateral meniscus Oct. 21, the Pelicans announced that his recovery was expected to last six to eight weeks.The Pelicans, who host defending NBA champion Toronto on Friday night, have dropped six of their first seven games this season. But Williamson said he is not concerned about pressure to rush back to try to help his team out of its tail spin."It's not even a conversation I have to have with them about it. It's a long season. This isn't like college or something where it's 30 games. It's 82 games so I don't really see a need to rush back,"... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The NBA has fined the Los Angeles Clippers $50,000 for statements made by coach Doc Rivers and others that were "inconsistent with (Kawhi) Leonard's health status."Leonard sat out the Clippers' 129-124 home loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.The NBA announced the fine Thursday in a statement, saying:"Following additional review of the LA Clippers not playing Kawhi Leonard in last night's game against the Milwaukee Bucks, the NBA has confirmed that the team's decision to sit Leonard for management of an injury was consistent with league rules. The team has reasonably determined that Leonard is suffering from an ongoing injury to the patella tendon in his left knee and has been placed by the team at this time on an injury protocol for back-to-back games. The NBA has fined the Clippers $50,000 for statements, including by head coach Doc Rivers, that were inconsistent with Leonard's health status."After helping Toronto win the NBA title last season, Leonard is averaging career highs in points (29.3), rebounds (7.3), assists (5.7), steals (2.3) and blocks (1.0). He's averaging 30.5 minutes.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons will miss Friday's game at Denver because of sprained AC joint in his right shoulder.Simmons will sit out against Denver and will be evaluated again before Sunday's game against Charlotte. He was hurt Wednesday in Philadelphia's loss at Utah. Simmons did not play in the second half after bumping into Royce O'Neale's chest while posting up on a first-quarter play. Simmons finished with two points and two assists in 10 minutes.The All-Star guard averaged 13.1 points and helped lead the Sixers to a 5-2 record.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DETROIT (AP) — Blake Griffin has been cleared by the Detroit Pistons' medical staff for basketball-related activities, and the team says his progress will be monitored daily.Griffin hasn't played at all this season because of hamstring and knee issues. The Pistons are 4-5 without him.Detroit also released updates on other injured players Thursday. Derrick Rose (hamstring strain) and Tim Frazier (shoulder strain) are day to day, continuing treatment and rehab. Reggie Jackson (lower back stress reaction) remains out.The Pistons beat the New York Knicks 122-102 on Wednesday night. Detroit plays at Indiana on Friday night.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Aaaand now ... longtime Chicago Bulls public address announcer Tommy Edwards is retiring.The Bulls say Edwards will work his final game Saturday when James Harden and the Houston Rockets visit, ending a 25-year run.The man behind the famous "Aaaand now ..." introduction is calling it a career after working more than 1,000 games from 1976-1981, 1983-1990 and 2006-2019. The team says Edwards and wife Mary Lou recently sold their home in suburban Lake Forest, and will move to California to be closer to their children and grandchildren.The Bulls will announce plans for PA announcers for the remainder of the season later.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kawhi Leonard isn't healthy three weeks into the season, according to the NBA, which says that as a result the Los Angeles Clippers can rest their new superstar.He was on the bench against the visiting Milwaukee Bucks for a national TV game Wednesday night, the first half of a back-to-back for the Clippers. They host Portland on Thursday night, and coach Doc Rivers said Leonard would play."Kawhi Leonard is not a healthy player under the league's resting policy," NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement Wednesday. "And, as such, is listed as managing a knee injury in the LA Clippers injury report. The league office, in consultation with the NBA's director of sports medicine is comfortable with the team medical staff's determination that Leonard is not sufficiently healthy to play in back-to-back games at this time."While not disputing the league's comments, Rivers also said Leonard "feels great.""But he feels great because of what we've been doing and we're just going... [More]

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons did not return for the second half Wednesday night at Utah because of right shoulder soreness.Simmons sustained a stinger in his shoulder in the first quarter after bumping Jazz guard Royce O'Neale in the chest while posting up. Simmons played only two minutes in the second quarter before leaving. He with two points and two assists in 10 minutes.Utah led Philadelphia 58-56 at halftime.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kawhi Leonard isn't healthy three weeks into the season, according to the NBA, which says that as a result the Los Angeles Clippers can rest their new superstar.He was on the bench against the visiting Milwaukee Bucks for a national TV game Wednesday night, the first half of a back-to-back for the Clippers. They host Portland on Thursday night, and coach Doc Rivers said Leonard would play."Kawhi Leonard is not a healthy player under the league's resting policy," NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement Wednesday. "And, as such, is listed as managing a knee injury in the LA Clippers injury report. The league office, in consultation with the NBA's director of sports medicine is comfortable with the team medical staff's determination that Leonard is not sufficiently healthy to play in back-to-back games at this time."While not disputing the league's comments, Rivers also said Leonard "feels great.""But he feels great because of what we've been doing and we're just going... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Golden State Warriors center Kevon Looney has been examined by specialists and has gone through a variety of tests for a nerve condition that has kept him out the last six games.The Warriors said Wednesday that an update on Looney's status would be provided in two weeks.Looney missed the entire preseason because of a strained right hamstring then came back to start the season-opening 141-122 loss to the Clippers on Oct. 24. But he exited for the second half as a precaution with tightness in the hamstring.He has recently been limited to controlled workouts with the training staff and didn't travel with the team Tuesday to Houston, where the Warriors were set to begin a three-game road trip Wednesday night.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce said the team will support forward John Collins following his suspension for a positive drug test.Pierce insisted his first concern is helping Collins "get through this, not as a player but as a person," but the coach likewise acknowledged that Collins let the team down."Of course it's disturbing, that this is something you hope you can prevent, and we hope we can educate him on that, but he made a decision, or someone made a decision and somehow we got to this point," Pierce said. "It's our job to get to the information, to keep all our guys from making this decision or being in this position again, but it hurts our team."Collins, Atlanta's leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, was suspended for 25 games without pay on Tuesday for a violation of the NBA's anti-drug program after testing positive for a growth hormone.The NBA announced that the 22-year-old Collins tested positive for Peptide-2. Collins apologized in a statement, saying he was... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Lakers guard Avery Bradley has been ruled out for Los Angeles' game against Chicago because of a lower right leg contusion.Bradley got hurt during Sunday's 103-96 victory at San Antonio. He is averaging 10.7 points in six games in his first season with the Lakers.Kentavious Caldwell-Pope replaced Bradley in the starting lineup Tuesday night.The Lakers also were without Rajon Rondo, who is coming back from a right calf injury. He has yet to play this season.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports