ATLANTA (AP) — Chandler Parsons' attorneys say the Atlanta Hawks forward suffered “severe and permanent injuries" in a car wreck last week that could jeopardize his career.Attorneys John Morgan and Nick Panagakis of the firm Morgan & Morgan say the injuries Parsons suffered in Wednesday's crash include a traumatic brain injury, disk herniation and a torn labrum. Parsons was leaving practice when he was hit by a driver who the attorneys say was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.Sgt. John Chafee of the Atlanta Police Department told The Associated Press that the police report was not available Monday because the public affairs unit was closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday.The Hawks said last week that Parsons suffered a concussion and whiplash. The team has added “associated disk injury” to his list of injuries.Parsons remains in the concussion protocol and was not with the team for Monday's game against Toronto. He was not on the bench for the team's... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Chandler Parsons' attorneys say the Atlanta Hawks forward suffered “severe and permanent injuries" in a car wreck last week that could jeopardize his career.Attorneys John Morgan and Nick Panagakis of the firm Morgan & Morgan say the injuries Parsons suffered in Wednesday's crash include a traumatic brain injury, disk herniation and a torn labrum. Parsons was leaving practice when hit by a driver, who the attorneys say was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.Sgt. John Chafee of the Atlanta Police Department told The Associated Press that the police report was not available Monday because the public affairs unit was closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday.The Hawks said last week that Parsons suffered a concussion and whiplash. The team has added “associated disk injury” to his list of injuries.Parsons remains in the concussion protocol and was not with the team for Monday's game against Toronto. He was not on the bench for the team's last... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Nets guard Kyrie Irving is missing Brooklyn's game against Philadelphia because of right hamstring tightness.Coach Kenny Atkinson said Irving was feeling soreness Sunday and then was checked again Monday before the team decided the All-Star point guard wouldn't play.Atkinson said the Nets were choosing to be cautious because they didn't want to risk losing Irving for the long term.Irving missed 26 games with a right shoulder injury before returning on Jan. 12 against Atlanta. He is averaging 26.5 points in his first season in Brooklyn.Garrett Temple moved into the starting lineup alongside Spencer Dinwiddie.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DALLAS (AP) — Kristaps Porzingis stopped short of saying he was ready to return from a right knee issue that has sidelined him for 10 games because the Dallas Mavericks forward was a late scratch the last time he thought he was close.The 7-foot-3 Latvian also says he has recovered from an illness that helped extend the longer-than-expected absence, another example of the caution Dallas has shown since trading for Porzingis when he was still recovering from a major left knee injury.Porzingis went through practice with no limitations Sunday, making him optimistic about returning Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers. He thought he would play at Sacramento last Wednesday, but soreness in the right knee resurfaced.“We’ll probably go that way of being cautious again, not to say, ‘Oh, I’m going to play,’ and all of a sudden something happens,” Porzingis said. “The way I’m feeling, I don’t see why there should be any hurdles. But you never know.”The Mavericks acquired Porzingis from the New... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Jeff Teague says he couldn't be happier to be back with his adopted hometown team.Teague, in his 11th NBA season, was hoping to return to his original club as a free agent this summer, but a trade from Minnesota two days ago landed him back with the Atlanta Hawks earlier than expected. No longer a starter, Teague entered Saturday's game against the Detroit Pistons midway through the first quarter to a modest standing ovation, playing alongside fellow point guard Trae Young, the NBA's third-leading scorer. The Hawks' plan, though, is to mostly use Teague as Young's primary backup.“I always wanted to come back," Teague said. "Those things just kind of run through your head. I looked at their team, their need and things like that. I thought they might need me, a backup veteran that can help a little bit and try to help lead the guys. I thought that would be my role.”Teague, who finished with 15 points and seven assists in 25 minutes in a 136-103 loss to Detroit, kept a home... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Jeff Teague says he couldn't be happier to be back with his adopted hometown team.Teague, in his 11th NBA season, was hoping to return to his original club as a free agent this summer, but a trade from Minnesota two days ago landed him back with the Atlanta Hawks earlier than expected. No longer a starter, Teague entered Saturday's game against the Detroit Pistons midway through the first quarter to a modest standing ovation, playing alongside fellow point guard Trae Young, the NBA's third-leading scorer. The Hawks' plan, though, is to mostly use Teague as Young's primary backup.“I always wanted to come back," Teague said. "Those things just kind of run through your head. I looked at their team, their need and things like that. I thought they might need me, a backup veteran that can help a little bit and try to help lead the guys. I thought that would be my role.”Teague kept a home in the metropolitan Atlanta area, even after getting dealt from the Hawks, whom he helped advance... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Jeff Teague says he couldn't be happier to be back with his adopted hometown team.Teague, in his 11th NBA season, was hoping to return to his original club as a free agent this summer, but a trade from Minnesota two days ago landed him back with the Atlanta Hawks earlier than expected. No longer a starter, Teague entered Saturday's game against the Detroit Pistons midway through the first quarter to a modest standing ovation, playing alongside fellow point guard Trae Young, the NBA's third-leading scorer. The Hawks' plan, though, is to mostly use Teague as Young's primary backup.“I always wanted to come back," Teague said. "Those things just kind of run through your head. I looked at their team, their need and things like that. I thought they might need me, a backup veteran that can help a little bit and try to help lead the guys. I thought that would be my role.”Teague kept a home in the metropolitan Atlanta area, even after getting dealt from the Hawks, whom he helped advance... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics will be without guard Kemba Walker and forward Jaylen Brown for Saturday night’s home game against the Phoenix Suns.Coming off a 40-point effort in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night, Boston coach Brad Stevens said Walker contacted the team Friday night and said he had a sore left knee. Brown will miss his second straight with a sprained right thumb.“Kemba got a hold of our doctors last night and said he had some knee soreness,” Stevens said. “Went in and got an MRI today, it didn’t show anything structurally wrong, clearly very sore.”Stevens’ original thought is that it won’t be a lengthy absence.“I always get concerned when someone’s not feeling well,” he said. “I don’t get the impression it’s a long-term thing.”Earlier this month, Walker missed three games due to illness. He’s the team’s leading scorer at 22.1 points per game. “We’re going to have to just have other guys step up and do so by committee,” Stevens said. “Nobody is going to score 40 by themselves that’s going to replace him.”Brown is averaging 20 points per game, third most on the team.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ESPN has gone through many pairings and approaches trying to build a pregame show during its 18 seasons broadcasting the NBA. This time it's using a successful daily show. The Rachel Nichols-led “The Jump” has been a daytime hit since debuting four years ago and is going primetime. It will lead off ABC's Saturday night package, which begins with the Los Angeles Lakers visiting the Houston Rockets. “To get the trust of ESPN to do something like this feels good. It's not just me hosting pregame, but have the whole feeling and ethos of 'The Jump' from games," Nichols said.Nichols often takes “The Jump” out of its Los Angeles studio for a big game or newsworthy event, including the NBA Finals. The biggest change is the show will be cut from 60 to 30 minutes, but even that is a throwback to its roots as a half-hour program on ESPN2. Mike Shiffman, head of NBA production for ESPN, said the ability of the show to be nimble and adjust to breaking news was one of the biggest draws to giving it a... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum sprained his left ankle in the first half at Dallas on Friday and was ruled out for the rest of the game.McCollum was injured in the second quarter when he drove to the basket and his foot landed on Dallas forward Maxi Kleber's foot as McCollum missed a layup.The loss of McCollum came after fellow guard Damian Lillard was cleared to play after being a game-time decision because of an illness. McCollum came in second to Lillard in scoring and assists for Portland at 21.9 points and 3.8 assists per game.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ESPN has gone through many pairings and approaches trying to build a pregame show during its 18 seasons broadcasting the NBA. This time it's using a successful daily show. The Rachel Nichols-led “The Jump” has been a daytime hit since debuting four years ago and is going primetime. It will lead off ABC's Saturday night package, which begins with the Los Angeles Lakers visiting the Houston Rockets. “To get the trust of ESPN to do something like this feels good. It's not just me hosting pregame, but have the whole feeling and ethos of 'The Jump' from games," Nichols said.Nichols often takes “The Jump” out of its Los Angeles studio for a big game or newsworthy event, including the NBA Finals. The biggest change is the show will be cut from 60 to 30 minutes, but even that is a throwback to its roots as a half-hour program on ESPN2. Mike Shiffman, head of NBA production for ESPN, said the ability of the show to be nimble and adjust to breaking news was one of the biggest draws to giving it a... [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

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns is in the starting lineup for the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday at Indiana after missing 15 games with sprained left knee.Coach Ryan Saunders told reporters before the game the two-time All-Star will be on a minutes restriction because of his prolonged absence. Team officials also plan to closely monitor Towns for fatigue.“He hasn't played for a while, so you have to take all those things into account," Saunders said. “You always want to have a full complement of players and when you have a guy who is as productive as KAT is, you always want that guy out there."Minnesota went 5-10 without Towns.Towns averages 26.5 points and 11.7 rebounds and shoots 51.4% from the field, all team highs. He also averages 4.4 assists, the highest among players on the current roster following Thursday's trade, which sent Jeff Teague to Atlanta.The Timberwolves will be without guard Allen Crabbe, who they reacquired from Atlanta. Saunders said Crabbe is expected to join the team Saturday in Minneapolis.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Heat say Justise Winslow will miss at least two more weeks while recovering from a back injury.Winslow has played only once since Dec. 4 and is slated to be out for at least the remainder of January. The team originally called Winslow’s injury a back strain, then updated the diagnosis to a bone bruise.Winslow played off the bench in Miami’s win at Indiana on Jan. 8. The team said the back problems reappeared after that game. He has not played since. Friday’s game in Oklahoma City is Miami’s 41st of the season and the 30th that Winslow has missed. He’s averaging 11.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists for the Heat this season.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DENVER (AP) — Michael Porter Jr. often reminded himself to remain patient as the Denver Nuggets gradually eased him back onto the court. Being patient, though, hasn't always been his forte. He's a 21-year-old highly touted rookie eager to show how he can contribute. He's feeling good these days, too, after sitting out all of last season following back surgery. Recently, more and more playing time has arrived for the player dubbed “MPJ” — a trend that figures only to go up and up. Porter completely understands why coach Michael Malone is carefully integrating him into an already deep lineup. A healthy Porter just might be the piece the Nuggets need in a loaded Western Conference.“Coach is doing the right thing bringing me along slowly,” the 6-foot-10 forward with the smooth outside shot and explosive first step said. “But, yeah, it's hard to stay patient."Porter's a self-described perfectionist. He's trying to curb that trait a bit — for his own well-being. He tries not to let missed shots... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer dug into his team after Thursday night's win.Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 17 rebounds, Khris Middleton scored 23 and the Bucks held off the Boston Celtics 128-123 despite blowing two separate 20-point leads.“We were up 20 twice and they came back,” Antetokounmpo said. "... We didn’t play the best basketball and how we usually play. I was kind of upset after the game. We talked in the locker room. We talked to one another. We were up 20 and we won but we’ve got to play for 48 minutes. "Coach Bud came in here and he was steaming hot. He was angry and that’s good. He doesn’t really care about this game or the next game. He cares about how we can get better and how can we be good for 48 minutes. That’s what our goal is.”Despite the lapses, the NBA-leading Bucks (37-6) extended their winning streak to five games, while Boston lost its second game in as many nights.“It's a very long season, still,” Celtics guard Kemba Walker said.... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer dug into his team after Thursday night's win.Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 17 rebounds, Khris Middleton scored 23 and the Bucks held off the Boston Celtics 128-123 despite blowing two separate 20-point leads.“We were up 20 twice and they came back,” Antetokounmpo said. "... We didn’t play the best basketball and how we usually play. I was kind of upset after the game. We talked in the locker room. We talked to one another. We were up 20 and we won but we’ve got to play for 48 minutes. "Coach Bud came in here and he was steaming hot. He was angry and that’s good. He doesn’t really care about this game or the next game. He cares about how we can get better and how can we be good for 48 minutes. That’s what our goal is.”Despite the lapses, the NBA-leading Bucks (37-6) extended their winning streak to five games, while Boston lost its second game in as many nights.“It's a very long season, still,” Celtics guard Kemba Walker said.... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 17 rebounds, Khris Middleton scored 23 and the Milwaukee Bucks held off the Boston Celtics 128-123 on Thursday night.With the victory, the NBA-leading Bucks (37-6) extended their winning streak to five games.Kemba Walker scored a game-high 40 points to lead the Celtics, who took the floor without Jaylen Brown. The 6-foot-6 forward suffered a sprained right thumb in a 13-point loss to Detroit on Wednesday.“We saw a play late in the first half and we think that might have been when it happened," Boston coach Brad Stevens said. "Maybe it got worse as the game went on. He didn’t say much about it at halftime. Certainly, after the game it was sore. Today, more sore.”Stevens said they will do more tests on Brown's thumb on Friday.Marcus Smart, who started in place of Brown, had 24 points.Antetokounmpo, who also had seven assists, had his 35th double-double of the season.After trailing by as many as 27, the Celtics outscored Milwaukee 36-22... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With the Minnesota Timberwolves committed to a new style of play, Jeff Teague didn't fit the trend.The Timberwolves traded the 11th-year veteran point guard to his original team Thursday in a three-player swap of backups with the Atlanta Hawks, who sent shooting guard Allen Crabbe in return.The Timberwolves also dealt shooting guard Treveon Graham, creating a roster space for potential other transactions prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline. It was the first significant in-season move by new president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas, who let the first wave of players acquired by the previous regime go last summer soon after he was hired.Teague, who played his first seven NBA seasons with the Hawks after they made him the 19th overall pick in the 2009 draft, went to his only All-Star game in 2015 for Atlanta.Crabbe is a better stylistic fit for the fast-paced, 3-point-favoring offense the Wolves have transitioned to under Rosas and first-year coach Ryan Saunders.... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves traded 11th-year veteran point guard Jeff Teague to his original team Thursday in a three-player swap of backups with the Atlanta Hawks, who sent shooting guard Allen Crabbe in return.The Timberwolves also dealt shooting guard Treveon Graham, creating a roster space for potential other transactions prior to the trade deadline Feb. 6. It was the first significant in-season move by new president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas.The 31-year-old Teague, who's making $19 million, and the 27-year-old Crabbe, who's earning $18.5 million, are both playing on expiring contracts. Graham is only signed through this season, too.Teague averaged 13.4 points and 7.1 assists in 146 games with the Timberwolves over 2 1/2 seasons, a well-respected leader in the locker room whose time with the team was hampered by knee and ankle injuries. He played in only 42 games last season and was moved into a reserve role two months ago, with Shabazz Napier and Jarrett... [More]