Sat Aug 1 2020 | 20:37 | NBA fines Smart $15,000 for comments about foul on Giannis | Giannis Antetokounmpo | PF | Bucks | Team 3 |
| | | Marcus Smart | SG | Celtics | Team 9 |
NEW YORK (AP) — Marcus Smart was fined $15,000 by the NBA on Saturday for criticizing referees after the Boston Celtics guard claimed the officials changed a call Friday night to keep Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo from fouling out.Antetokounmpo appeared to have picked up a sixth foul after he was called for charging when he crashed into Smart with 1:28 left. However, referees changed the call to a blocking foul after video replay, and Antetokounmpo converted a tiebreaking three-point play that helped Milwaukee pull out a 119-112 victory.Smart said afterward the explanation from referees for changing the call was that he was too late, but he felt there was another reason.“Quite frankly, I think we know all what that was all about. Giannis’ sixth foul and they didn’t want to get him out,” Smart said. “Let’s just call that spade a spade and that’s just what it is.”___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Sat Aug 1 2020 | 13:47 | AP Interview: Heat's Leonard stands for anthem, explains why | Jimmy Butler | SF | Heat | Team 5 |
| | | Udonis Haslem | C | Heat | Free Agent |
| | | Andre Iguodala | SF | Heat | Free Agent |
| | | Jonathan Isaac | SF | Magic | Free Agent |
| | | Meyers Leonard | PF | Heat | Free Agent |
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Meyers Leonard has a brother who served two tours in Afghanistan with the U.S. Marines. He carries a military-themed backpack, wears combat boots and has a phone loaded with Navy SEALs who are his friends.He also makes this clear: “I absolutely believe Black Lives Matter,” he said.Still, Leonard simply could not bring himself to kneel for the national anthem.Wearing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt over a jersey that he ordered to say “Equality,” and as all other coaches and players around him knelt, Leonard stood for the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Saturday before the Heat re-opened their season by facing the Denver Nuggets at Walt Disney World.“Some of the conversations I’ve had over the past three days, quite literally, have been the most difficult,” Leonard told The Associated Press prior to the game. “I am with the Black Lives Matter movement and I love and support the military and my brother and the people who have fought to defend our rights... [ More] |
Sat Aug 1 2020 | 13:37 | AP Interview: Heat's Leonard stands for anthem, explains why | Jimmy Butler | SF | Heat | Team 5 |
| | | Udonis Haslem | C | Heat | Free Agent |
| | | Andre Iguodala | SF | Heat | Free Agent |
| | | Jonathan Isaac | SF | Magic | Free Agent |
| | | Meyers Leonard | PF | Heat | Free Agent |
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Meyers Leonard has a brother who served two tours in Afghanistan with the U.S. Marines. He carries a military-themed backpack, wears combat boots and has a phone loaded with Navy SEALs who are his friends.He also makes this clear: “I absolutely believe Black Lives Matter,” he said.Still, Leonard simply could not bring himself to kneel for the national anthem.Wearing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt over a jersey that he ordered to say “Equality,” and as all other coaches and players around him knelt, Leonard stood for the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Saturday before the Heat re-opened their season by facing the Denver Nuggets at Walt Disney World.“Some of the conversations I’ve had over the past three days, quite literally, have been the most difficult,” Leonard told The Associated Press prior to the game. “I am with the Black Lives Matter movement and I love and support the military and my brother and the people who have fought to defend our rights... [ More] |
Fri Jul 31 2020 | 20:36 | McCollum, Lillard help Blazers get past Memphis in OT | Carmelo Anthony | PF | Trailblazers | Free Agent |
| | | Dillon Brooks | SG | Grizzlies | Team 5 |
| | | Brandon Clarke | PF | Grizzlies | Team 3 |
| | | Zach Collins | PF | Trailblazers | Free Agent |
| | | Jaren Jackson | PF | Grizzlies | Dr. A. |
| | | Damian Lillard | PG | Trailblazers | Dr. A. |
| | | CJ McCollum | SG | Trailblazers | Team 9 |
| | | Jusuf Nurkic | C | Trailblazers | Free Agent |
| | | Gary Trent | SG | Raptors | Free Agent |
| | | Hassan Whiteside | C | Kings | Team 8 |
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — CJ McCollum scored 33 points, teaming with Damian Lillard for 11 of Portland's 16 in overtime, and the Trail Blazers pulled out a desperately needed victory to resume their season by beating the Memphis Grizzlies 140-135 on Friday.Lillard finished with 29 points and nine assists as the Trail Blazers boosted their hopes for a seventh consecutive playoff appearance. Carmelo Anthony added 21 points as Portland moved within 2 1/2 games of the Grizzlies for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference.“Everybody knew how important that game was," Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. “This is playoff basketball from us and we have that pressure and you can’t shy away from it.”McCollum started fast, scoring 19 points in the first half, and finished strong with two crucial 3-pointers in overtime. The first one to open the extra period gave Portland the lead for good, and he added six assists.Jaren Jackson Jr. had 33 points and rookie Ja Morant added 22 points and 11 assists... [ More] |
Fri Jul 31 2020 | 00:26 | Zion Williamson starts, but doesn't finish, for Pelicans | Lonzo Ball | PG | Pelicans | Team 3 |
| | | Jrue Holiday | PG | Bucks | Team 9 |
| | | Georges Niang | PF | Jazz | Free Agent |
| | | Zion Williamson | PF | Pelicans | Geoff |
Zion Williamson completed the Pelicans' opening possession by slicing through two converging Jazz defenders and laying the ball in off the glass with his left hand as he was fouled.It was an auspicious beginning to a performance that was efficient and produced some dazzling moments — while it lasted. The Pelicans stuck to a cautious plan to ease Williamson back into action after he missed nearly two weeks of practice this month while attending to a private family medical matter. Perhaps just a few more minutes on the court for the NBA's top overall draft choice would have made a difference in a 106-104 loss to Utah in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on Thursday night.“It is frustrating, but it’s not so frustrating,” Williamson said, noting the Pelicans "could probably not even let me play. But I’m able to play, so I’m going to do as much as I can while I’m out there.”Williamson scored 13 points in about 15 minutes, using spin moves and explosive drives to hit contested, leaning layups. He also... [ More] |
Thu Jul 30 2020 | 23:16 | Gobert lifts Jazz past Pelicans 106-104 in NBA restart | Lonzo Ball | PG | Pelicans | Team 3 |
| | | Bojan Bogdanovic | PF | Jazz | Team 10 |
| | | Jordan Clarkson | PG | Jazz | Dr. A. |
| | | Mike Conley | PG | Jazz | Free Agent |
| | | Derrick Favors | C | Jazz | Free Agent |
| | | Rudy Gobert | C | Jazz | Team 4 |
| | | Josh Hart | SF | Pelicans | Team 5 |
| | | Jaxson Hayes | C | Pelicans | Free Agent |
| | | Jrue Holiday | PG | Bucks | Team 9 |
| | | Brandon Ingram | SF | Pelicans | Dr. A. |
| | | Donovan Mitchell | SG | Jazz | Team 4 |
| | | E'Twaun Moore | SF | Suns | Free Agent |
| | | JJ Redick | SG | Pelicans | Free Agent |
| | | Zion Williamson | PF | Pelicans | Geoff |
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Rudy Gobert sank two free throws with 6.9 seconds left to cap a 14-point, 12-rebound and three-block performance, giving the Utah Jazz a 106-104 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in the first game of the NBA's restart on Thursday night.New Orleans, which led for most of the game and by as many as 16 points, nearly pulled out the victory as time expired when Brandon Ingram's 3-point attempt rimmed out in a bitter end to his 23-point night.“He’s made a ton of big shots for us this year, but the bottom line is I don’t think it should have come down to that,” Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said. “We let a golden opportunity slip away.”Zion Williamson, who missed nearly two weeks of practice after leaving the team for a family medical matter on July 16, was deemed fit to start, although his playing time was limited.He scored 13 points in just more than 15 minutes, highlighted by a couple alley-oop dunks, one on a nearly half-court lob from Lonzo Ball.But Williamson... [ More] |
Thu Jul 30 2020 | 21:46 | Gobert lifts Jazz past Pelicans 106-104 in NBA restart | Lonzo Ball | PG | Pelicans | Team 3 |
| | | Bojan Bogdanovic | PF | Jazz | Team 10 |
| | | Jordan Clarkson | PG | Jazz | Dr. A. |
| | | Mike Conley | PG | Jazz | Free Agent |
| | | Derrick Favors | C | Jazz | Free Agent |
| | | Rudy Gobert | C | Jazz | Team 4 |
| | | Josh Hart | SF | Pelicans | Team 5 |
| | | Jaxson Hayes | C | Pelicans | Free Agent |
| | | Jrue Holiday | PG | Bucks | Team 9 |
| | | Brandon Ingram | SF | Pelicans | Dr. A. |
| | | Donovan Mitchell | SG | Jazz | Team 4 |
| | | E'Twaun Moore | SF | Suns | Free Agent |
| | | JJ Redick | SG | Pelicans | Free Agent |
| | | Zion Williamson | PF | Pelicans | Geoff |
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Rudy Gobert sank two free throws with 6.9 seconds left to cap a 14-point, 12-rebound and three-block performance, giving the Utah Jazz a 106-104 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in the first game of the NBA's restart on Thursday night.New Orleans, which led for most of the game and by as many as 16 points, nearly pulled out the victory as time expired when Brandon Ingram's 3-point attempt rimmed out in a bitter end to his 23-point night.Zion Williamson, who missed nearly two weeks of practice after leaving the team for a family medical matter on July 16, was deemed fit to start, although his playing time was limited.He scored 13 points in just more than 15 minutes, highlighted by a couple alley-oop dunks, one on a nearly half-court lob from Lonzo Ball.But Williamson checked out for good with 7:19 left in the fourth quarter and had to watch the tense finish from the sideline.Jordan Clarkson scored 23 points for Utah and helped lead a second-half comeback,... [ More] |
Thu Jul 30 2020 | 18:26 | Pelicans place Zion Williamson in starting lineup vs. Utah | Zion Williamson | PF | Pelicans | Geoff |
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Zion Williamson was in the New Orleans Pelicans' starting lineup against Utah on Thursday night, just two days after practicing for the first time in two weeks.Williamson left the team July 16 to attend to a family medical matter. He returned July 24 and tested negative for the coronavirus while he was away, but was placed on quarantine by the NBA for four days before being allowed to rejoin New Orleans for practice on Tuesday night.Coach Alvin Gentry had said during pregame comments that he hoped to have Williamson in the lineup but that both Williamson and the team medical staff would make the final decision after pregame warmups.Right knee surgery forced the 6-foot-6, 285-pound Williamson to miss the first 44 games of his rookie season. But in 19 games since his return in January, he has averaged 23.6 points and 6.8 rebounds.His return bolsters the Pelicans' hopes for a playoff spot. New Orleans resumes the season 3 1/2 games behind Memphis for the eighth and final playoff spot. But under rules adopted for the season's resumption, a ninth-place finish can give a team a chance to make the playoffs as well. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Wed Jul 29 2020 | 17:05 | Ex-Wizards, Capitals co-owner Irene Pollin dies at 96 | John Wall | PG | Rockets | Free Agent |
WASHINGTON (AP) — Irene Pollin, who co-owned the NBA's Washington Wizards and NHL's Capitals along with late husband Abe, has died. She was 96.Monumental Sports and Entertainment said Pollin died Tuesday at her home in Amherst, Massachusetts.“Much like her husband, Abe Pollin, she was an icon in the sports world and beloved throughout the Greater Washington communities who have benefited from her generosity over the course of her lifetime," Monumental chairman and CEO Ted Leonsis said. “Irene will always be remembered and truly missed.”The Pollins owned the Wizards, who were known as the Bullets until the mid-1990s, for 46 years. They were the NBA’s longest-tenured owners when they sold the franchise to Leonsis in 2010.Irene Pollin is perhaps best remembered for her excited reaction to the Wizards winning the 2010 NBA draft lottery for the opportunity to select John Wall. She also played a role in the construction and operation of two arenas in the Washington area.Outside of sports, Pollin was a psychotherapist and philanthropist and a pioneer of women's health causes. |
Tue Jul 28 2020 | 20:55 | Zion Williamson practicing, could play in Pelicans' opener | Lonzo Ball | PG | Pelicans | Team 3 |
| | | Zion Williamson | PF | Pelicans | Geoff |
Zion Williamson returned to New Orleans Pelicans practice for the first time in nearly two weeks on Tuesday night and coach Alvin Gentry said the NBA’s top overall draft pick might play when the club resumes its season against Utah on Thursday night.“It really isn’t a tough decision,” Gentry said after practice in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. “If he’s ready to play, he’ll play. And if he’s not, he won’t.“You’re not going to risk anything long term for something very, very short term. So we’ll see and evaluate tomorrow where he is — the medical people will — and so will Zion. Zion will tell us how he feels.”Gentry said Williamson, who left the team on July 16 to attend to a family medical matter, was held out of five-on-five drills and limited largely to three- and five-man sets with no defenders.The Pelicans have another practice scheduled on Wednesday.“Obviously, we would love to have Zion. Let’s be honest,” Gentry said. “He’s one of those generational players that can do a lot of things."After... [ More] |
Tue Jul 28 2020 | 17:15 | Pippen downplays rift with Jordan in wake of 'Last Dance' | LeBron James | PG | Lakers | Team 10 |
Scottie Pippen says he’s talked with Michael Jordan since “The Last Dance” documentary aired in the spring and downplayed any rift between the retired Chicago Bulls stars.“Why would I be offended by anything that happened 30 years ago?” Pippen said.Jordan widely praised Pippen in the documentary that chronicled the Bulls’ dynasty in the 1990s as the best teammate he ever had — both players were elected to the Hall of Fame. But Jordan called out Pippen in the second episode for making a “selfish” decision to delay offseason surgery on a ruptured tendon in his ankle until after the start of the 1997-98 season. Jordan said in the documentary he didn’t understand Pippen’s decision.There were reports that Pippen was unhappy with his portrayal in the documentary, but he said Tuesday, “I wasn’t upset about it.” The documentary also included Pippen’s refusal to enter Game 3 of the 1994 Eastern Conference semifinals in the final seconds.“It didn’t bother me at all,” Pippen said. “It was an opportunity... [ More] |
Tue Jul 28 2020 | 16:55 | Pippen downplays rift with Jordan in wake of 'Last Dance' | LeBron James | PG | Lakers | Team 10 |
Scottie Pippen says he’s talked with Michael Jordan since “The Last Dance” documentary aired in the spring and downplayed any rift between the retired Chicago Bulls stars.“Why would I be offended by anything that happened 30 years ago” Pippen said.Jordan widely praised Pippen in the documentary that chronicled the Bulls’ dynasty in the 1990s as the best teammate he ever had — both players were elected to the Hall of Fame. But Jordan called out Pippen in the second episode for making a “selfish” decision to delay offseason surgery on a ruptured tendon in his ankle until after the start of the 1997-98 season. Jordan said in the documentary he didn’t understand Pippen’s decision.There were reports that Pippen was unhappy with his portrayal in the documentary, but he said Tuesday, “I wasn’t upset about it.” The documentary also included Pippen’s refusal to enter Game 3 of the 1994 Eastern Conference semifinals in the final seconds.“It didn’t bother me at all,” Pippen said. “It was an opportunity... [ More] |
Tue Jul 28 2020 | 16:05 | Pippen downplays rift with Jordan in wake of 'Last Dance' | LeBron James | PG | Lakers | Team 10 |
Scottie Pippen says he’s talked with Michael Jordan since “The Last Dance” documentary aired in the spring and downplayed any rift between the retired Chicago Bulls stars.“Why would I be offended by anything that happened 30 years ago” Pippen said.Jordan widely praised Pippen in the documentary that chronicled the Bulls’ dynasty in the 1990s as the best teammate he ever had — both players were elected to the Hall of Fame. But Jordan called out Pippen in the second episode for making a “selfish” decision to delay offseason surgery on a ruptured tendon in his ankle until after the start of the 1997-98 season. Jordan said in the documentary he didn’t understand Pippen’s decision.There were reports that Pippen was unhappy with his portrayal in the documentary, but he said Tuesday, “I wasn’t upset about it.” The documentary also included Pippen’s refusal to enter Game 3 of the 1994 Eastern Conference semifinals in the final seconds.“It didn’t bother me at all,” Pippen said. “It was an opportunity... [ More] |
Mon Jul 27 2020 | 10:55 | Irving commits $1.5 million for WNBA players skipping season | Kyrie Irving | PG | Nets | Free Agent |
NEW YORK (AP) — Kyrie Irving is making sure WNBA players can sit out the season and not stress about a paycheck.The Brooklyn Nets star is committing $1.5 million to supplement the income of players who choose not to play this season, whether it be because of coronavirus concerns or social justice reasons.The funds will come from the KAI Empowerment Initiative that Irving launched Monday. It will also provide players with a financial literacy program created by UBS.Irving said that with the help of WNBA players Natasha Cloud — who chose to sit out — and Jewell Loyd, he connected with several WNBA players who discussed with him the challenges they faced in deciding whether to play. The season began Saturday and will be played entirely at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.He decided to help with the financial burden in a league where the top annual salary is a little more than $200,000."Whether a person decided to fight for social justice, play basketball, focus on physical or mental health,... [ More] |
Mon Jul 27 2020 | 10:35 | Irving commits $1.5 million for WNBA players skipping season | Kyrie Irving | PG | Nets | Free Agent |
NEW YORK (AP) — Kyrie Irving is making sure WNBA players can sit out the season and not stress about a paycheck.The Brooklyn Nets star is committing $1.5 million to supplement the income of players who choose not to play this season, whether it be because of coronavirus concerns or social justice reasons.The funds will come from the KAI Empowerment Initiative that Irving launched Monday. It will also provide players with a financial literacy program created by UBS.Irving said that with the help of WNBA players Natasha Cloud — who chose to sit out — and Jewell Loyd, he connected with several WNBA players who discussed with him the challenges they faced in deciding whether to play. The season began Saturday and will be played entirely at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.He decided to help with the financial burden in a league where the top annual salary is a little more than $200,000."Whether a person decided to fight for social justice, play basketball, focus on physical or mental health,... [ More] |
Sat Jul 25 2020 | 17:54 | AP source: Knicks close to deal to make Tom Thibodeau coach | Jimmy Butler | SF | Heat | Team 5 |
| | | Jae Crowder | PF | Suns | Dr. A. |
| | | Mike Miller | | | Free Agent |
| | | Derrick Rose | PG | Pistons | Free Agent |
NEW YORK (AP) — Tom Thibodeau is coming back to the New York Knicks, who are still seeking the success they enjoyed when he was an assistant two decades ago.The Knicks are finishing a deal to make Thibodeau their coach, a person with knowledge of the details said Saturday.No contract has been signed but a deal is expected to be announced next week, the person told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because negotiations were ongoing.ESPN first reported that the Knicks and Thibodeau were completing a five-year contract.When they do, the 2011 NBA Coach of the Year in Chicago will become the 13th different person to coach the Knicks since Jeff Van Gundy resigned early in the 2001-02 season. Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford was told during his team’s scrimmage at Walt Disney World against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday that Thibodeau, his longtime friend and confidant, was going to get the New York job.“Look, he’s one of my closest friends,” Clifford said. “He’s one... [ More] |
Fri Jul 24 2020 | 22:04 | Zion Williamson lawyer asks judge to disregard affidavit | Zion Williamson | PF | Pelicans | Geoff |
Lawyers for New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson asked a federal judge in North Carolina on Friday to disregard an affidavit alleging a $400,000 payment was made to Williamson's family before the former Duke star began his lone college season.The new filing by attorney Jeffrey Klein reiterates his earlier public assertion that the claims made in the sworn affidavit were false and that evidence meant to support those claims, such as a purported Williamson driver's license, were fraudulent.The affidavit was provided to the court in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, by lawyers for ex-Williamson marketing agent Gina Ford, who is seeking $100 million in damages from the basketball star for breach of contract.Klein said Ford's lawyers have sought to file an “improper, legally irrelevant, and patently false set of papers ... aimed at sullying the character of Mr. Williamson.”Ford, the president of Prime Sports Marketing, filed a lawsuit last summer in a Florida state court accusing Williamson... [ More] |
Fri Jul 24 2020 | 15:04 | AP Sources: Afflalo headlines group bidding to buy Wolves | Arron Afflalo | SG | Magic | Free Agent |
| | | Kevin Garnett | | | Free Agent |
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An ownership group led by longtime NBA player Arron Afflalo is putting together an offer to buy the Minnesota Timberwolves, two people with knowledge of the bid said. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the deal was still in the process of being submitted. The group will consist of two to five individuals with a net worth of more than $10 billion. According to the people, Afflalo's group will submit the bid no later than this weekend.Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, who bought the club in 1994 to keep it from moving to New Orleans, has put the franchise up for sale on the condition it remain in Minnesota. Taylor has hired a merchant bank, The Raine Group, to broker talks. There are multiple groups interested, the 79-year-old Taylor said earlier this week. He also owns the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx.The Timberwolves have a lease at the city-owned Target Center that lasts through 2035. A $140 million renovation project on the arena... [ More] |
Tue Jul 21 2020 | 14:53 | Grizzlies will be without Justise Winslow in NBA's restart | Andre Iguodala | SF | Heat | Free Agent |
| | | Justise Winslow | SF | Clippers | Free Agent |
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — The Memphis Grizzlies will be without forward Justise Winslow for the rest of the NBA's restarted season because of an injured hip.The Grizzlies announced Tuesday that Winslow fell a day earlier after absorbing contact during an intrasquad scrimmage. Further evaluation revealed a hip injury that will keep him out the rest of this season. Winslow is expected to make a full recovery, the team said in a statement.The Grizzlies acquired Winslow in a February trade that sent Andre Iguodala to Miami. A back issue delayed Winslow's debut with Memphis, which was expected to be a road game in Portland in March until the NBA stopped play because of the coronavirus pandemic.Memphis currently holds the eighth spot in the Western Conference with a 3 1/2-game lead going into the NBA's seeding games. The Grizzlies' first opponent in a seeding game is the Trail Blazers on July 31.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |
Fri Jul 17 2020 | 20:51 | Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe tests positive for coronavirus | Eric Bledsoe | SG | Pelicans | Team 10 |
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer confirmed Eric Bledsoe tested positive for COVID-19, but remains cautiously optimistic the veteran point guard will be ready for the start of the season’s resumption.“With the virus you’re never sure,” Budenholzer said Friday. “There are certainly things that you have to kind of clear and cover, but the opener, if it’s two weeks away, then I think most medical, most things and research would say he is going to be available.’’Budenholzer's comment came a day after multiple reports indicated Bledsoe said he had tested positive but was asymptomatic.The Bucks, who have an NBA-leading 53-12 record, will face the Boston Celtics on July 31 in their first game since the pandemic-imposed hiatus began in mid-March.Budenholzer added that the Bucks will “prepare without him and welcome him with open arms when he does come.’’The 30-year-old Bledsoe is averaging 15.4 points, 5.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds.Budenholzer declined to say whether any other players hadn’t yet joined the team in Florida.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports |