CHICAGO (AP) — Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins have never talked to one another about the 1988 dunk contest.They might be the only ones.It is still the dunk contest by which all other dunk contests are measured: Two stars, at the peak of their powers, the players who finished first and second in that season’s scoring standings, going head-to-head to decide a winner. Jordan left the old Chicago Stadium that night with the trophy. To this day, many believe Wilkins was the rightful winner. Either way, it was a never-to-be-forgotten show — and now, for the first time since that night 32 years ago, the dunk contest is returning to Chicago on Saturday night.“I did have a homecourt advantage, yes,” Jordan said this week in an interview with The Associated Press.“The fans got their money’s worth,” Wilkins said in a separate interview with AP.This season’s dunk contest entrants — Orlando’s Aaron Gordon, Miami’s Derrick Jones Jr., the Los Angeles Lakers’ Dwight Howard and Milwaukee’s Pat Connaughton... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Zion Williamson and Trae Young are used to meeting fans who are typically a bit nervous during those interactions.This was different. This time, they were nervous to meet the fan.Former President Barack Obama — a huge basketball fan, officially the game’s First Fan during his eight years in office — made an unannounced appearance Friday at an NBA Cares event during All-Star weekend in his hometown of Chicago with several of the league’s top rookies, second-year players and coaches. The event was for volunteers to fill several backpacks with school supplies, and that work predictably stopped when Obama walked into the room.“You’re doing fantastic,” Obama told All-Star Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, who was seated at a table with Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Jason Kidd when the 44th president made his way to their side of the room.Obama gave Kidd a long embrace, then turned back to Doncic: “Don’t listen to him when it comes to shooting,” Obama quipped, clearly aware... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins have never talked to one another about the 1988 dunk contest.They might be the only ones.It is still the dunk contest by which all other dunk contests are measured: Two stars, at the peak of their powers, the players who finished first and second in that season’s scoring standings, going head-to-head to decide a winner. Jordan left the old Chicago Stadium that night with the trophy. To this day, many believe Wilkins was the rightful winner. Either way, it was a never-to-be-forgotten show — and now, for the first time since that night 32 years ago, the dunk contest is returning to Chicago on Saturday night.“I did have a homecourt advantage, yes,” Jordan said this week in an interview with The Associated Press.“The fans got their money’s worth,” Wilkins said in a separate interview with AP.This season’s dunk contest entrant — Orlando’s Aaron Gordon, Miami’s Derrick Jones Jr., the Los Angeles Lakers’ Dwight Howard and Milwaukee’s Pat Connaughton... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Zion Williamson and Trae Young are used to meeting fans who are typically a bit nervous during those interactions.This was different. This time, they were nervous to meet the fan.Former President Barack Obama — a huge basketball fan, officially the game’s First Fan during his eight years in office — made an unannounced appearance Friday at an NBA Cares event during All-Star weekend in his hometown of Chicago with several of the league’s top rookies, second-year players and coaches. The event was for volunteers to fill several backpacks with school supplies, and that work predictably stopped when Obama walked into the room.“You’re doing fantastic,” Obama told All-Star Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, who was seated at a table with Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Jason Kidd when the 44th president made his way to their side of the room.Obama gave Kidd a long embrace, then turned back to Doncic: “Don’t listen to him when it comes to shooting,” Obama quipped, clearly aware... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Jennifer Hudson is coming to the All-Star Game to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant with her voice.The NBA has released a list of entertainers headed to All-Star weekend, the group headlined by Hudson — the two-time Grammy winner and Oscar winner — who, just before Sunday night’s player introductions, will perform a special tribute to Bryant, his daughter Gianna and the seven other victims of the helicopter crash that took their lives in Southern California on Jan. 26.Other additions the NBA revealed Thursday: DJ Khaled, Quavo and Lil Wayne will join the previously announced Grammy winner and Chicago native Chance the Rapper during Sunday night’s halftime show; Queen Latifah will be joined by Chicago youth to perform Stevie Wonder’s “Love’s in Need of Love Today” during Saturday’s events; and the Chicago Children’s Choir will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the Rising Stars game on Friday night.And Damian Lillard still may perform — even though injury will keep him from playing... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA fined Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers $35,000 on Thursday, two days after he was critical of the officiating after his team lost to the Philadelphia 76ers.The NBA said George was fined those comments, and noted that the amount of the fine “also reflects his multiple prior violations of the rule prohibiting public criticism of the officiating."This marks at least the fifth time George has been fined in his career for such comments, and this came with the stiffest fine — topping the $25,000 he was docked on two other occasions.George pointed out the Clippers were called for eight more fouls than Philadelphia n the 76ers' 110-103 win at home, referring to that disparity as “home-court cooking."

CHICAGO (AP) — The NBA is headquartered in New York. Anthony Davis, one of the game’s biggest names, plays in Los Angeles.Both, unquestionably, are world-class cities.But in Davis’ eyes, they both pale to his hometown. And this weekend, the Chicago native believes the eyes of the basketball world are where they belong -- on his city.“Chicago basketball,” the Lakers’ forward said. “There is nothing like Chicago basketball.”Chicago is called the Second City, though no one from Chicago believes that the city is second to any other city on the planet -- particularly those who represent the city in the NBA. L.A. has the glitz and glamour of the Lakers and now the Clippers, New York has the tradition of Madison Square Garden and possibly the best-known outdoor court in the world at Rucker Park, but Chicago guys scoff at the notion that the game means more anyplace else.That’s why hosting All-Star weekend, with the events beginning in earnest Friday, is a badge of honor for Chicago. It’s been... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Devin Booker is finally headed to his first NBA All-Star Game.The Phoenix guard — who felt he was snubbed by voters and coaches when he didn't make the original list for Sunday's game in Chicago — was tabbed Thursday as the player who will replace injured Portland guard Damian Lillard in the game.Booker was chosen by Commissioner Adam Silver, who makes the final call on injury replacements to the All-Star rosters. By NBA rule, the replacement player has to come from the same conference as the injured player.Lillard injured his groin on Wednesday night and said he would not be able to play in either the game or Saturday night's 3-point competition.“Hopefully somebody who should have been there and didn't make it ... hopefully, Devin Booker or somebody like that will get the spot," Lillard said Wednesday night.The NBA agreed. Booker will play for Team LeBron — the team selected by LeBron James, one of the captains alongside Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo — on Sunday night,... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Jennifer Hudson is coming to the All-Star Game to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant with her voice.The NBA has released a list of entertainers headed to All-Star weekend, the group headlined by Hudson — the two-time Grammy winner and Oscar winner — who, just before Sunday night’s player introductions, will perform a special tribute to Bryant, his daughter Gianna and the seven other victims of the helicopter crash that took their lives in Southern California on Jan. 26.Other additions the NBA revealed Thursday: DJ Khaled, Quavo and Lil Wayne will join the previously announced Grammy winner and Chicago native Chance the Rapper during Sunday night’s halftime show; Queen Latifah will be joined by Chicago youth to perform Stevie Wonder’s “Love’s in Need of Love Today” during Saturday’s events; and the Chicago Children’s Choir will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the Rising Stars game on Friday night.And Damian Lillard still may perform — even though injury will keep him from playing... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic returned for the Dallas Mavericks for the final game before the All-Star break against Sacramento on Wednesday night after missing seven games with a sprained right ankle.The first-time All-Star injured the same ankle and missed four games earlier this season before spraining the ankle again in practice last month.Doncic entered the game sixth in the NBA in scoring at 28.8 points per game and is the NBA's triple-double leader with 12.The Mavericks went 3-4 without the 20-year-old sensation after splitting the four games during his first absence.Doncic is an All-Star starter in his second season and plans to play in the futures game as well during All-Star weekend in Chicago. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns will miss Wednesday night's game against the Charlotte Hornets with a left wrist injury, the team announced.The Timberwolves said Towns had an MRI on Tuesday. That test revealed the injury.Towns will be further evaluated over the All-Star break. Wednesday's game is the Timberwolves' final game before the break. Minnesota's next game is Feb. 21 against Boston.Timberwolves coach Ryan Saunders said prior to Wednesday's game that he did not know when or how Towns was injured. Towns had 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in 37 minutes in Monday night's loss to Toronto.“He's a guy who takes a lot of contact,” Saunders said. “He's a guy who attacks the rim with force. There's been times where he's getting knocked to the floor. So we know that there is wear in that sense but no specific action.”Towns is averaging a career-best 26.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per game this season. He missed 15 games earlier this season with a sprained left knee.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo missed his second straight game Wednesday, just days after his girlfriend gave birth to the couple's first child.Last season's MVP also missed Monday's game against Sacramento.Milwaukee has the NBA's best record, 46-7, and has won all five games its All-Star forward has missed this season. After playing at Indiana on Wednesday, the Bucks will have an eight-day break between games. Antetokounmpo will be a team captain at this weekend's All-Star Game.Antetokounmpo is averaging 30 points, 13.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists.The Bucks won each of their first two games against the Pacers this season.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is out against the Atlanta Hawks with a sore right Achilles.Love's injury is another setback for the Cavaliers, who are coming off their worst home loss in franchise history, a 133-92 rout by the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.Cleveland has lost 12 straight at home and 13 of 14 overall. The Cavaliers host the Hawks on Wednesday, the final game for both teams before the All-Star break.Cavaliers coach John Beilein doesn't think Love's injury is a major issue. Beilien said the 6-foot-11 forward slightly injured the Achilles last week and played with the soreness Sunday. Love averages 17.7 points and 9.8 rebounds in 46 games. Andre Drummond, acquired at the trade deadline from Detroit, hadd 19 points and 14 rebounds in his Cavaliers debut Sunday.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The moment was not lost on Giannis Antetokounmpo. The NBA's reigning MVP, a Greek of Nigerian descent who is now starring in Milwaukee, was about to make his first two selections of this year's All-Star Game draft and understood how significant his words would be when they resonated across the world's second-largest continent.His first pick: Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid."My African brother," Antetokounmpo said.His second pick: Toronto’s Pascal Siakam."My second African brother," Antetokounmpo said.Just like that, a son of Nigerian migrants and two kids who were playing soccer in Cameroon before turning their attention to basketball less than a decade ago became set to take the NBA All-Star stage together. And when they're all on the floor to start the game in Chicago on Sunday night, it'll be hard to envision a more significant basketball moment for Africa — a place that the NBA has long believed is a developing hotbed for the next wave of elite talent.But with Antetokounmpo, Embiid and Siakam... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks added veteran Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to their young core Tuesday as they close in on the franchise's first trip to the playoffs in four years.Kidd-Gilchrist, the No. 2 pick in the 2012 draft, signed with the Mavericks after taking a buyout from the Charlotte Hornets. Dallas waived Ryan Broekhoff to make room for Kidd-Gilchrist.The 26-year-old Kidd-Gilchrist, drafted by Charlotte behind former Kentucky teammate Anthony Davis, had fallen out of the rotation with the Hornets. The agreement with the Mavericks came two days after Kidd-Gilchrist was waived.At 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds in his eighth season, Kidd-Gilchrist gives Dallas the size and experience to help defend some of the elite forwards in the rugged Western Conference.Offense will be the bigger question in a scheme that relies heavily on 3-point shooting even from most of Dallas' frontcourt players, including 7-foot-3 forward Kristaps Porzingis.Kidd-Gilchrist struggled with his shooting despite efforts... [More]

Kobe Bryant will be announced Friday at All-Star Weekend in Chicago as one of the finalists for this year’s Basketball Hall of Fame induction class, which isn’t a secret and never was.Bryant always was a lock to be a first-ballot pick. Fellow first-time nominees Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett will almost certainly also be among those announced Friday as finalists. The complete class that will be enshrined at Springfield, Massachusetts in August will be announced on April 4 at the Final Four in Atlanta.But Friday’s announcement of the finalists in Chicago will be largely about the memory of Bryant, and rightly so. This All-Star weekend is the first huge gathering of the NBA family since Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash in Southern California on Jan. 26. They’ll be remembered and honored throughout the weekend, and it’s a safe bet that Commissioner Adam Silver — in his annual All-Star news conference Saturday — has plenty to say about... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks are set to add veteran Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to their young core as they close in on the franchise's first trip to the playoffs in four years.Kidd-Gilchrist, the No. 2 pick in the 2012 draft, has agreed to sign with the Mavericks after taking a buyout from the Charlotte Hornets, a person with direct knowledge of the situation said Monday night.The Mavericks plan to waive Ryan Broekhoff to make room for Kidd-Gilchrist, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the moves are not yet official.The 26-year-old Kidd-Gilchrist, drafted by Charlotte behind former Kentucky teammate Anthony Davis, had fallen out of the rotation with the Hornets. The agreement with the Mavericks came two days after Kidd-Gilchrist was waived.At 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds in his eighth season, Kidd-Gilchrist gives Dallas the size and experience to help defend some of the elite forwards in the Western Conference.Offense will be the bigger question in a scheme... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns waived veteran guard Tyler Johnson on Monday.The 27-year-old Johnson was acquired in a trade with Miami in the middle of last season. He averaged 11.1 points per game last season after coming to the Suns, but struggled to find a consistent role this year, averaging a career-low 5.7 points in 31 games, including three starts.He was in the final season of a four-year deal that pays about $19 million this year. Johnson has been battling a sore right knee and missed the past four games.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo for Monday night’s game against the Sacramento Kings after the All-Star forward posted a picture of his new baby on his Twitter account.Antetokounmpo, the reigning MVP who also is scheduled to be a team captain in the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, tweeted “Liam Charles Antetokounmpo in the house” on Monday afternoon.It is the first child for Antetokounmpo and his girlfriend.Antetokounmpo is averaging 30.0 points, 13,5 rebounds and 5.8 assists. Milwaukee has the best record in the NBA at 45-7, including going 4-0 in games without Antetokounmpo.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The Memphis Grizzlies' rebuilding plan is ahead of even the most optimistic schedule,They have won more games before the All-Star break than predicted and currently hold the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference standings.“We had high hopes for what this group could become, and I think it's fair to say that this group has already exceeded I think any realistic expectations that anyone had internally or externally,” Memphis general manager Zach Kleiman said Monday. Kleiman talked to reporters Monday for the first time since the trade deadline. The Grizzlies are 3-1 in February and have won 14 of their last 18 and are 27-26 overall — a game above what most sports books expected this season.It's a quick turnaround from just over a year ago when Memphis was breaking up the final pieces of a group that set a franchise record with seven straight playoff appearances that ended in 2017.The Grizzlies traded center Marc Gasol to Toronto. Then controlling owner Robert Pera shook... [More]