Ben Simmons’ foul-shooting woes so far in the playoffs aren’t just obvious. They’re basically unprecedented. The Philadelphia guard is 22 for 67 from the line so far in this postseason. He’s down to 32.8% after going 4-for-14 in Philadelphia’s Game 5 loss to Atlanta in the Eastern Conference semifinals on Wednesday night — and nobody in NBA playoff history, with that many attempts in single postseason, has ever been worse. The next lowest percentage, among those with at least 67 foul shots in a postseason, is Shaquille O’Neal’s 37.4% for Miami in 2006 — when the Heat wound up winning the NBA championship anyway. “Obviously, I’ve got to knock down free throws,” Simmons said. “I’ve got to step up and do that.” Game 6 of the series is Friday in Atlanta, with the top-seeded 76ers now in a win-or-go-home scenario since they trail the best-of-seven 3-2. There have been, entering Thursday, 804 other instances in NBA history of a player taking at least 67 free throws in a single postseason. Of... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Even in today's high-scoring NBA game, the dizzying pace of the Phoenix Suns point guard Cameron Payne stands out. He's just 6-foot-1, but has wiry strength and as soon as he gets the basketball, he's off and sprinting down. It might be a pass. It could be driving lay-up. And if he shoots one of his unorthodox, left-handed 3-point heaves, the shot goes in more often than it looks like it should. Payne plays so fast it looks like he's making up for lost time. In a way, he is. Payne has revived his career with the Suns, providing valuable minutes as second-team All-NBA point guard Chris Paul's backup. He's a major reason Phoenix has advanced to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2010, where the Suns will face the winner of the Utah Jazz-Los Angeles Clippers series. Now with Paul in the COVID-19 protocol and his playing status uncertain, the Suns may rely on Payne even more. Judging from the past several months, Payne will be ready. “I've found my niche on... [More]

The NBA champion this season will be the last team standing. Perhaps literally. Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers missed Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals with a knee sprain and amid concerns that it could be a far more significant injury. Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving has been sidelined by a badly sprained ankle. Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid is playing through a meniscus tear. Atlanta’s Trae Young is putting heat packs on his shoulder that appear to be roughly the size of a small vehicle. Brooklyn’s James Harden came back despite an ailing hamstring. Those are big names, All-Star names, all nowhere near their best right now because of injuries, and there were plenty of other top players — the Lakers’ duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Denver’s Jamal Murray and Miami’s Victor Oladipo among them — that also either limped to the finish of their seasons or saw them end prematurely because of serious injury. “This is the best time of the year for our league and fans but missing... [More]

Kawhi Leonard's right knee is now a major concern for the Los Angeles Clippers. The All-NBA forward sat out Los Angeles' 119-111 Game 5 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night with what the Clippers are calling a sprain. A person with knowledge of the matter said Leonard will need more testing and evaluation, raising questions about his availability going forward. The structural integrity of Leonard's knee has yet to be fully determined, the person said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team has not offered any specific diagnosis other than sprain. A sprain, by definition, is a ligament injury, though the Clippers have not said which of the four knee ligaments is the cause for concern. “He’s a little down because he wants to be here," Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said before the game in Salt Lake City. “But that’s part of the game. He understands that. He wants to be there for his teammates. We understand what’s going on right now, so he’s going... [More]

Kawhi Leonard's right knee is now a major concern for the Los Angeles Clippers. The All-NBA forward was ruled out of Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday with what the Clippers are calling a sprain. A person with knowledge of the matter said Leonard will need more testing and evaluation, raising questions about his availability going forward. The structural integrity of Leonard's knee has yet to be fully determined, the person said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team has not offered any specific diagnosis other than sprain. A sprain, by definition, is a ligament injury, though the Clippers have not said which of the four knee ligaments is the cause for concern. “He’s a little down because he wants to be here," Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said before Game 5 in Salt Lake City. “But that’s part of the game. He understands that. He wants to be there for his teammates. We understand what’s going on right now, so... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Pelicans basketball operations chief David Griffin paused several seconds to compose himself while explaining why Stan Van Gundy is out as coach less than nine months after he was hired to develop a young roster featuring budding superstar Zion Williamson. “This was something that was very, very difficult,” Griffin said, adding that the need for a new coach "revealed itself over some very open, candid conversations with a really, really good man” during the past three weeks. While the Pelicans missed the postseason after finishing 10 games below .500, Griffin insisted his team's new coaching vacancy did not result from too few victories. “This was wrought in our philosophical difference in the way we're going to reach the next step in our development," Griffin said. “We don’t have time to waste." Hired last October, about two months before the start of a pandemic-delayed and shortened season, Van Gundy coached the Pelicans to a 31-41 record. New Orleans finished... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson, instrumental in the club's acquisitions of Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic, is leaving the organization after 24 seasons. The Mavericks said Wednesday the club and Nelson agreed to part ways, with owner Mark Cuban saying the 58-year-old son of former coach Don Nelson was “instrumental to our success and helped bring a championship to Dallas.” Nelson joined Dallas in 1998 when his dad was named coach. A few months later, the Mavericks moved down in the draft to get Nowitzki in a trade with Milwaukee. The 7-foot German led Dallas to the franchise's only championship in 2011. With the Nowitzki era drawing to a close, the Mavericks made another draft-day deal for a young European in Doncic in 2018. Dallas moved up two spots to the No. 3 pick, while Atlanta got Trae Young. Nowitzki and the teenager from Slovenia played together one season before Nowitzki retired. Doncic has twice been an All-Star and first-team All-NBA selection since... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Russell Westbrook, Bradley Beal and the Wizards will have another coach next season after general manager Tommy Sheppard decided the organization is better off moving on from coach Scott Brooks. Washington made the playoffs three times under Brooks but has just one series victory to show for his five-year tenure. That postseason success came in his first season in 2016-17 with the Wizards. “I wouldn’t say it didn’t work out — I just think it’s time to move on,” Sheppard said in a video news conference Wednesday. “It’s about the future and where we can go and kind of looking at where the areas are that we struggled in the past with and what we’re prepared to do to get better in those areas.” The Wizards were eliminated in five games in the first round by Eastern Conference top-seeded Philadelphia. They went 183-207 overall during the regular season with Brooks as coach and struggled defensively. Washington allowed the most points in the NBA last season and the second-most... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Russell Westbrook, Bradley Beal and the Wizards will have another coach next season after general manager Tommy Sheppard decided the organization is better off moving on from coach Scott Brooks. Washington made the playoffs three times five years under Brooks but hasn't has just one series victory to show for that from his first season in 2016-17. “I wouldn’t say it didn’t work out — I just think it’s time to move on,” Sheppard said in a video news conference Wednesday. “It’s about the future and where we can go and kind of looking at where the areas are that we struggled in the past with and what we’re prepared to do to get better in those areas.” The Wizards were eliminated in five games in the first round by Eastern Conference top-seeded Philadelphia. They went 183-207 overall during the regular season with Brooks as coach and struggled defensively. Washington allowed the most points in the NBA last season and the second-most in the previous two years. They never ranked... [More]

Kawhi Leonard's right knee is now a major concern for the Los Angeles Clippers. The All-NBA forward was ruled out of Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals on Wednesday with what the Clippers are calling a sprain. A person with knowledge of the matter said Leonard will need more testing and evaluation, raising questions about his availability going forward. The structural integrity of Leonard's knee has yet to be fully determined, the person said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team has not offered any specific diagnosis other than sprain. A sprain, by definition, is a ligament injury, though the Clippers have not said which of the four knee ligaments is the cause for concern. “There is no timetable for his return," the Clippers said. After Wednesday's game in Salt Lake City, the series resumes with Game 6 on Friday in Los Angeles. Game 7, if necessary, is back in Salt Lake City on Sunday. Even in the short term, it is a massive blow for the... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets will continue to play without Kyrie Irving and don’t know exactly what kind of production they will get from James Harden as the star players deal with injuries. None of that might make any difference if Kevin Durant keeps performing the way he has thus far in Brooklyn’s second-round playoff series with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Nets own a 3-2 series lead thanks largely to Durant, who delivered a performance for the ages as Brooklyn rallied from a 17-point deficit in a 114-108 Game 5 victory Tuesday at Brooklyn. That leaves the Nets facing a dilemma as the series returns to Milwaukee for Game 6 on Thursday. After Durant played all 48 minutes and Harden played 46 minutes Tuesday, how long can they reasonably play in Game 6? “I think that’s something that we have to feel out as we go,” Nets coach Steve Nash said Wednesday. Nash would rather not drain his veteran team this early in the postseason as the Nets chase their first NBA championship. With all the... [More]

Dallas Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson, instrumental in the club's acquisitions of Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic, is leaving the organization after 24 seasons. The Mavericks said Wednesday the club and Nelson agreed to part ways, with owner Mark Cuban saying the 58-year-old son of former coach Don Nelson was “instrumental to our success and helped bring a championship to Dallas.” Nelson joined Dallas in 1998 when his dad was named coach. A few months later, the Mavericks moved down in the draft to get Nowitzki in a trade with Milwaukee. The 7-foot German led Dallas to the franchise's only championship in 2011. With the Nowitzki era drawing to a close, the Mavericks made another draft-day deal for a young European in Doncic in 2018. Dallas moved up two spots to the No. 3 pick, while Atlanta got Trae Young. Nowitzki and the teenager from Slovenia played together one season before Nowitzki retired. Doncic has twice been an All-Star and first-team All-NBA selection since then. While... [More]

Phoenix guard Chris Paul has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols, the Suns said Wednesday, and it is unclear whether he’ll be available for the start of the Western Conference finals next week. The Suns said Paul's status will be evaluated again Saturday. The earliest possible start date for the West finals is Sunday; that series schedule is contingent on when the other West semifinal between the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers ends. Paul has been vaccinated against COVID-19, said a person with knowledge of the situation, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of privacy concerns. And that may mean that Paul could be cleared to return more quickly than some who tested positive earlier this season before vaccines were readily available; it wasn't uncommon for players who entered the protocols to miss two weeks or more. “My faith isn't going to waver now because we've had a few obstacles," Suns coach Monty Williams said Wednesday. “We've had obstacles... [More]

Dallas Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson, instrumental in the club's acquisitions of Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic, is leaving the organization after 24 seasons. The Mavericks said Wednesday the club and Nelson agreed to part ways, with owner Mark Cuban saying the son of former coach Don Nelson was “instrumental to our success and helped bring a championship to Dallas.” Nelson joined Dallas in 1998 when his dad was named coach. A few months later, the Mavericks moved down in the draft to get Nowitzki in a trade with Milwaukee. The 7-foot German led Dallas to the franchise's only championship in 2011. With the Nowitzki era drawing to a close, the Mavericks made another draft-day deal for a young European in Doncic in 2018. Dallas moved up two spots to the No. 3 pick, while Atlanta got Trae Young. Nowitzki and the teenager from Slovenia played together one season before Nowitzki retired. Doncic has twice been an All-Star and first-team All-NBA selection since then. While the European... [More]

Dallas Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson, instrumental in the club's acquisitions of Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic, is leaving the organization after 24 seasons. The Mavericks said Wednesday the club and Nelson agreed to part ways, with owner Mark Cuban saying the son of former coach Don Nelson was “instrumental to our success and helped bring a championship to Dallas.” Nelson joined Dallas in 1998 when his dad was named coach. A few months later, the Mavericks moved up in the draft to get Nowitzki in a trade with Milwaukee. The 7-foot German led Dallas to the franchise's only championship in 2011. With the Nowitzki era drawing to a close, the Mavericks made another draft-day deal for a young European in Doncic in 2018. Dallas moved up two spots to the No. 3 pick, while Atlanta got Trae Young. Nowitzki and the teenager from Slovenia played together one season before Nowitzki retired. Doncic has twice been an All-Star and first-team All-NBA selection since then. While the European stars were critical acquisitions for Dallas, the franchise hasn't won a playoff series since capturing the title. There have been plenty of questionable decisions in the draft before and since that 2011 championship. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Scott Brooks won't be back with the Washington Wizards next season after general manager Tommy Sheppard announced Wednesday the coach's contract would not be extended. Sheppard said the Wizards will begin their coaching search immediately. “We have been committed to taking the proper steps over the last two seasons to develop our young players, bring in pieces to complement Bradley Beal and build a winning environment that will ultimately lead to sustained on-court success,” Sheppard said in a statement. “Our organization will always be grateful to Scott for his dedication and work both on the court and in the community over the past five years, and I personally admire and respect how he helped keep our team together during the unprecedented events of the last 15 months.” Brooks is out after just one playoff series victory in 2017 to show for his five seasons on the job. Washington made the playoffs three times in those five years. Sheppard skirted the issue of Brooks’... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Stan Van Gundy is out as Pelicans coach following just one season at the helm. “This was a difficult decision as I have tremendous respect for Stan both personally and professionally," Pelicans basketball operations chief David Griffin said Wednesday. “But we agreed it is in the best interest of our team to move forward in a different direction.” The club described Van Gundy's departure as a mutual agreement “to part ways.” Hired last October, about two months before the start of a pandemic-delayed and shortened season, Van Gundy coached a Pelicans squad led by All-Star Zion Williamson to a 31-41 record. New Orleans finished in 11th place, two games out of the final Western Conference play-in spot. Now Griffin will be hiring his second coach in as many season after firing Alvin Gentry last summer. The next coach will be Williamson's third since he entered the NBA as the league's first overall draft choice in 2019. Griffin had articulated higher hopes for Van Gundy when... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Scott Brooks will not return as coach of the Washington Wizards after five seasons with only one playoff series victory in 2017 to show for his tenure. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed Brooks' split with the team to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the team hadn’t publicly announced the decision. Brooks and the team were unable to come to an agreement on a new contract after his $35 million, five-year deal expired. Washington made the playoffs in three of Brooks’ five seasons but hadn't won a playoff round since his first season. General manager Tommy Sheppard skirted the issue of Brooks’ future after the Wizards were eliminated in five games in the first round by Eastern Conference top-seeded Philadelphia. Washington was 183-207 overall during the regular season with Brooks as coach and struggled defensively. The Wizards allowed the most points in the NBA last season and the second-most in the previous two years. They... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Scott Brooks is out as coach of the Washington Wizards, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the team hadn't publicly announced the decision. Brooks and the team were unable to come to an agreement on a new contract after his current one expired. Washington made the playoffs in three of Brooks’ five seasons. The Wizards haven’t won a playoff round since his first season in 2016-17. General manager Tommy Sheppard skirted the issue of Brooks’ future after the Wizards were eliminated in five games in the first round by Eastern Conference top-seeded Philadelphia. Washington was 183-207 overall during the regular season with Brooks as coach. Brooks was brought in five years ago in hopes of luring Washington-area native Kevin Durant home to play for the Wizards. Since then, John Wall missed time with injuries and was traded to Houston for Russell Westbrook, and Bradley Beal... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Stan Van Gundy is out as Pelicans coach following just one season at the helm. “This was a difficult decision as I have tremendous respect for Stan both personally and professionally," Pelicans basketball operations chief David Griffin said Wednesday. “But we agreed it is in the best interest of our team to move forward in a different direction.” The club described Van Gundy's departure as a mutual agreement “to part ways.” Hired last October, about two months before the start of a pandemic-delayed and shortened season, Van Gundy coached a Pelicans squad led by All-Star Zion Williamson to a 31-41 record. New Orleans finished in 11th place, two games out of the final Western Conference play-in spot. Now Griffin will be hiring his second coach in as many season after firing Alvin Gentry last summer. The next coach will be Williamson's third since he entered the NBA as the league's first overall draft choice in 2019. Griffin had articulated higher hopes for Van Gundy when... [More]