CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers star center Kevin Love will play in just his fifth game this season after being sidelined by a severe calf strain. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Love — and guard Matthew Dellavedova, who hasn't played in more than a year — are available Thursday night as the short-handed Cavs face the Philadelphia 76ers. It's Love's first action since March 14, when he came back after missing 32 games. Dellavedova is making his season debut after being out with a concussion and appendectomy. Bickertstaff said Love and Dellavedova, the only players left from the Cavs' 2016 NBA title team, will be on a minutes restriction as they ease their way back into game shape. Love played 45 total minutes in Cleveland's first two games before missing more than two months with the injury, which he initially sustained during the exhibition opener and was only supposed to keep him out for a month. The injury lingered, and the five-time All-Star struggled to gain enough confidence to play at less... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Veteran guard Jeff Teague signed with the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday after the Orlando Magic waived him last week. The move reunites Teague with Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer, the two having worked together while with the Atlanta Hawks. The 32-year-old Teague played 34 games for Boston this season but was traded to Orlando last week as part of the deal that brought guard Evan Fournier to the Celtics. The Magic, who also acquired two second-round draft picks in the deal, waived Teague shortly after the trade. The Bucks had been seeking a backup point guard after sending D.J. Augustin to the Houston Rockets as part of the March 19 trade that brought them P.J. Tucker. Teague was selected to the All-Star Game in 2015 while playing for Budenholzer, who coached the Hawks from 2013-18. Teague, 6-foot-3, averaged 6.9 points, 2.1 assists and 18.1 minutes for Boston this season, and two of his more productive games came against Milwaukee. He scored 19 points in Boston’s 122-121 season-opening victory over the Bucks. Teague had 15 points in 17 minutes on March 24 when the Celtics lost 121-119 at Milwaukee. Teague is in his 12th NBA season. He has averaged 12.3 points, 5.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 805 career games with Atlanta (2009-16, 2020), Indiana (2016-17), Minnesota (2017-20 and Boston (2020-21). ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins will be out at least a week with a sprained left ankle, another blow to the injury plagued team. Collins was injure during during Tuesday night's loss at Phoenix. He underwent an MRI that showed a lateral ankle sprain and associated bone bruise. Collins has started low-level rehabilitation activities and will be reviewed in a week, ruling him out for at least five games. The team had two more games on its longest road trip of the season before a four-game homestand. The Hawks have dealt with a rash of injuries that have sidelines key players such as De'Andre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanovich and Cam Reddish for significant periods. Now it's the 6-foot-9 Collins, who is averaging 18.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while shooting 38% from 3-point range. Reddish hasn't played since Feb. 21 because of right Achilles soreness. While he has increased his lower limb weight room work and intends to add limited low level impact work, the team said he is at least two weeks away from returning. The Hawks were playing at San Antonio on Thursday night. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — James Harden won't play Thursday night against Charlotte after leaving Brooklyn's game a night earlier with right hamstring tightness. He joins fellow All-Star Kevin Durant, who has missed a month and a half with his own hamstring injury, on the injured list for the Eastern Conference leaders. Harden sat out the fourth quarter of the Nets' 120-108 victory over Houston on Wednesday. He finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Coach Steve Nash said after the game he didn't believe Harden's injury would be a long-term concern. The Nets also said Blake Griffin, signed last month, would sit out the second half of the back-to-back to rest his knee.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Matthew Dellavedova's long wait to play again may finally be over. More than a year since his last regular-season NBA game, the Cavaliers' popular veteran guard could make his season debut Thursday night after being out with a concussion and appendectomy. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Dellavedova practiced Wednesday, and as long as he gets final medical clearance, the 30-year-old will play against the Philadelphia 76ers. “My expectation is hopeful that there will be a Delly sighting tomorrow,” Bickerstaff said. Dellavedova, who along with Kevin Love is the only player remaining on the roster from Cleveland's 2016 NBA title team, hasn't played in a game since suffering a head injury in the club's exhibition opener in December. Dellavedova had suffered previous concussions, so his recovery took longer as he had to pass league protocols. He had made major progress toward a return in February, but was sidelined again after having his appendix removed. The Cavs have missed Dellavedova's... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Stunned at being traded, Lou Williams seriously considered retiring. In the end, the 16-year NBA veteran decided he did want to play for his hometown team. Williams joined the Atlanta Hawks ahead of their game Tuesday night in Phoenix against the Suns, nearly a week after he was dealt by the Los Angeles Clippers at the trade deadline for guard Rajon Rondo. After four seasons in L.A., Williams was admittedly shaken that the Clippers would decide to part with him. “It hurts,” he said on a Zoom availability from Phoenix. “I had a lot of investment there. We had some success. We were gearing up for another deep run, a championship run. That what my mentality. I thought I would finish the season there." After thinking things over, Williams decided against retirement. He feels like he can help the youthful Hawks make a push toward their first playoff berth since 2017. “I still feel like I can play at a high level," the combo guard said. "I feel like I can help this team do some... [More]

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah Jazz charter flight headed to Memphis had to return to Salt Lake City after the plane struck a flock of birds on takeoff. No injuries were reported. The Jazz confirmed their Delta charter for Wednesday's game returned to Salt Lake City International airport shortly after takeoff. Following the incident, several players expressed gratitude for the safe landing. Donovan Mitchell posted a praying hands emoji on Twitter, while Rudy Gobert wrote “It's a beautiful day!” The Jazz were scheduled to play the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. Further details were not immediately available. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The San Antonio Spurs have signed center Gorgui Dieng, adding a nine-year veteran to the front line following the departure of LaMarcus Aldridge. The 6-10 Dieng was waived by Memphis last week after averaging 7.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists over 22 games this season. Aldridge averaged 19.5 points and 8.0 rebounds in 5 1/2 seasons for the Spurs before they removed the 35-year-old from the rotation earlier this month while searching for a potential trade. The Spurs bought out Aldridge’s contract and he said he plans to play for the Brooklyn Nets.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andre Drummond is joining the Los Angeles Lakers for the playoff push. The Lakers announced the signing of the two-time All-Star center less than an hour before Sunday night's game against the Orlando Magic. Drummond announced his decision with a post on his Instagram account earlier in the day, writing “Back to work” underneath an illustration of himself in a Lakers uniform. Drummond agreed to a buyout Friday from the Cleveland Cavaliers, who acquired the four-time NBA rebounding champion last year after nearly eight seasons in Detroit. He had to clear waivers before he could join a team of his choosing, and Drummond chose to link up with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the defending NBA champions. “We’re all thrilled. He’s one of the best centers in the league and someone every defensive coordinator is going to have to account for while trying to slow down LeBron, AD and our guards when we get going," Lakers coach Frank Vogel said after Sunday's 96-93 victory over the... [More]

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed two-way player Moses Brown to a multi-year deal and waived Austin Rivers. The Thunder made the announcements in releases on Sunday. Brown, a 7-foot-1 center who is in his second year, has emerged this month. In Saturday's game against Boston, he had a career-high 21 points and tied a Thunder record with 23 rebounds. In his last nine games, he’s averaging 12.4 points and 12.3 rebounds while shooting 61% from the field. Oklahoma City announced Saturday that veteran center Al Horford would be inactive for the rest of the season, opening the door for Brown to take over the position. The Thunder originally signed Brown to a two-way contract in Dec. 2020, after he spent the previous season as a two-way player for the Portland Trail Blazers. This season, Brown was named to the All-NBA G League First Team and the NBA G League All-Defensive Team after he averaged 18.9 points, 13.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks Rivers, a 6-3 guard, was originally... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andre Drummond is joining the Los Angeles Lakers for the playoff push. The Lakers announced the signing of the two-time All-Star center less than an hour before Sunday night's game against the Orlando Magic. Drummond announced his decision with a post on his Instagram account earlier in the day, writing “Back to work” underneath an illustration of himself in a Lakers uniform. “Andre Drummond gives us powerful, anchor-point skills on both ends of the court,” general manager Rob Pelinka said in a statement. “We feel extremely fortunate to add a player of his caliber and magnitude to our core group at this stage of our journey to defend the NBA title.” Drummond agreed to a buyout Friday from the Cleveland Cavaliers, who acquired the four-time NBA rebounding champion last year after nearly eight seasons in Detroit. He had to clear waivers before he could join a team of his choosing, and Drummond chose to link up with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the defending NBA champions.... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andre Drummond says he's joining the Los Angeles Lakers for the playoff push. Drummond announced his decision with a post on his Instagram account Sunday, writing “Back to work” underneath an illustration of himself in a Lakers uniform. Coach Frank Vogel said Sunday night before the Lakers' home game against Orlando that he could not comment on the signing of the two-time All-Star center because it wasn't oficial yet. Drummond agreed to a buyout Friday from the Cleveland Cavaliers, who acquired the four-time NBA rebounding champion last year after nearly eight seasons in Detroit. He had to clear waivers before he could join a team of his choosing, and Drummond chose to link up with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the defending NBA champions. Drummond is almost certain to get his first significant NBA postseason playing time with the Lakers after appearing in only eight playoff games — and losing all eight — in two postseason trips with the Pistons. When Drummond gets... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andre Drummond says he's joining the Los Angeles Lakers for the playoff push. Drummond announced his decision with a post on his Instagram account Sunday, writing “Back to work” underneath an illustration of himself in a Lakers uniform. The defending NBA champions didn't immediately confirm the signing of the two-time All-Star center several hours before a home game against Orlando. Drummond agreed to a buyout Friday from the Cleveland Cavaliers, who acquired the four-time NBA rebounding champion last year after nearly eight seasons in Detroit. He had to clear waivers before he could join a team of his choosing, and Drummond chose to link up with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers. Drummond is almost certain to get his first significant NBA postseason playing time with the Lakers after appearing in only eight playoff games — and losing all eight — in two postseason trips with the Pistons. When Drummond gets up to playing speed after sitting out the past six weeks,... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson broke his right foot against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night. The Knicks said Robinson would be re-evaluated when they return to New York on Sunday. Robinson, averaging 8.5 points and 8.4 rebounds in 28 minutes per game, started against the Bucks and played six minutes in the first quarter before leaving. Robinson was in his fourth game back after returning from a broken right hand, which he sustained in mid-February. He missed 15 games.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Thunder said Saturday that veteran center Al Horford will remain inactive for the rest of the season as the team’s young talent develops. Horford, 34, averaged 14.2 points and 6.7 rebounds this season. The five-time All-Star will remain with the team and train, but he will not travel. “When I arrived, I understood the direction of the team, we had a great individual plan in place for me, and I feel like as a result I’ve played really good basketball for the Thunder,” Horford said in a statement. “At the same time, I know what it’s like to be a young, aspiring player, and at this point in the season I understand how important playing meaningful minutes is for their careers and their development.” Moses Brown, a 7-foot-1 two-way player who played 14 games in the G League this season, has shown promise with the Thunder. The second-year player from UCLA has averaged 11.4 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks the past eight games for Oklahoma City while shooting 58% from... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Luka Doncic missed his second straight game Saturday, sitting out against New Orleans because of an illness that coach Rick Carlisle said was not related to COVID-19. “He just wasn’t feeling well,” Carlisle said. “We sent him back to the hotel.” Doncic didn't play in a 109-94 loss to Indiana on Friday because of back soreness. Carlisle said he could not predict how long Doncic’s illness might keep him out. “We always certainly hope it’s not serious,” Carlisle said. “We don’t believe it is. That’s all I can tell you. That’s all I’ve been told right now.” The Mavericks also played without center Kristaps Porzingis, who was held out against the Pelicans to rest his knees instead of playing the second game of a back-to-back. “So we’re down to a somewhat limited roster,” Carlisle said. “It’ll be a next-man-up situation. (Porzingis) could play, but we’re not playing him. We just feel it’s the best thing for the team and for him. I’m talking of the big picture of the season.”

NEW YORK (AP) — LaMarcus Aldridge plans to sign with the Brooklyn Nets for the remainder of the season, a person with knowledge of the details said Saturday. After reaching a buyout agreement with the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, the veteran forward quickly became a coveted free agent for contending teams. He decided to become the latest big name on the Brooklyn roster, the person told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the signing wasn't official. ESPN first reported Aldridge's intentions. Aldridge averaged 19.5 points and 8.0 rebounds in 5 1/2 seasons for the Spurs, before they removed him from the rotation earlier this season. He was an All-Star in three of his seasons in San Antonio. He joins a Nets team that has current All-Stars Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving, and added a former one earlier this month when it signed Blake Griffin.

DENVER (AP) — Among the topics JaVale McGee considers himself well-versed: Netflix shows, cryptocurrency, investments and technology as it relates to the new iPhone. “I’m really versed in the world of a lot of things,” he said. Go ahead and add winning NBA rings to that list, too. The 7-footer has been a part of three championship teams over the past four seasons. McGee believes his newest Denver Nuggets castmates have that possible championship makeup, especially with the additions of athletic forward Aaron Gordon and himself at the trade deadline. “This team has all the pieces,” McGee said Saturday as he prepares for his second stint with the Nuggets after being acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers. "A lot of things have to go right, but I feel like we have all the pieces for it to go right.” First order of business — meshing. Time is of the essence, too, for McGee and Gordon to get on the same page with All-Star center and MVP candidate Nikola Jokic, along with point guard Jamal Murray.... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Center Andre Drummond is now a free agent and can sign with a contending team after reaching a buyout with the Cavaliers. Drummond, who hasn't played since mid-February, began negotiating terms of the buyout with the Cavs on Thursday after the club didn't trade the 27-year-old before the deadline. The agreement ends a partnership that became awkward when the Cavs benched Drummond to give young center Jarrett Allen more playing time. Despite losing his role with the team, Drummond, a two-time All-Star with Detroit before coming to Cleveland last year, stayed engaged with his teammates and didn't become a distraction. He often sat among the Cavs coaches during games, offering tips and encouragement. “I want to thank Andre for his contributions to our team both on and off the court, and for his professionalism and mutual cooperation as we navigated through this process with him and his representation,” said general manager Koby Altman. “We have great respect for Andre as a... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Center Andre Drummond is now a free agent and can sign with a contending team after reaching a buyout with the Cavaliers. Drummond, who hasn't played since mid-February, began negotiating terms of the buyout with the Cavs on Thursday after the club didn't trade the 27-year-old before the deadline. The agreement ends a partnership that became awkward when the Cavs benched Drummond to give young center Jarrett Allen more playing time. Despite losing his role with the team, Drummond, a two-time All-Star with Detroit before coming to Cleveland last year, stayed engaged with his teammates and didn't become a distraction. He often sat among the Cavs coaches during games, offering tips and encouragement. “I want to thank Andre for his contributions to our team both on and off the court, and for his professionalism and mutual cooperation as we navigated through this process with him and his representation,” said general manager Koby Altman. “We have great respect for Andre as a... [More]