The G League will crown its 2021 champion in a bubble, just as the NBA did last season. Plans were announced Friday for the G League season, which will be condensed and played at the Walt Disney World resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Teams have been given a preliminary plan calling for games to begin around Feb. 8, but no schedule details have been set. There will be 18 teams in the league, including the G League Ignite — the new team formed this season to serve primarily as a one-year development program for elite NBA draft prospects. Eventually, eight teams will advance to a single-elimination playoff. Former NBA players who have signed with the G League in recent weeks include 2008 No. 2 overall draft pick Michael Beasley, Lance Stephenson, Jeremy Lin and Nik Stauskas. All did so with plans of playing in the Disney bubble. “We worked closely with our teams, the Basketball Players Union, and public health experts to develop a structure that allows our teams to gather at a single site... [More]

The G League will crown its 2021 champion in a bubble, just as the NBA did last season. Plans were announced Friday for the G League season, which will be condensed and played at the Walt Disney World resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Teams have been given a preliminary plan calling for games to begin around Feb. 8, but no schedule details have been set. There will be 18 teams in the league, including the G League Ignite — the new team formed this season to serve primarily as a one-year development program for elite NBA draft prospects. Eventually, eight teams will advance to a single-elimination playoff. Former NBA players who have signed with the G League in recent weeks include 2008 No. 2 overall draft pick Michael Beasley, Lance Stephenson, Jeremy Lin and Nik Stauskas. All did so with plans of playing in the Disney bubble. “We worked closely with our teams, the Basketball Players Union, and public health experts to develop a structure that allows our teams to gather at a single site... [More]

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Magic Johnson plans to hug it out with the Los Angeles Lakers to help them cope with the fallout from the NBA trade deadline."It's a part of business, it's a part of being a professional athlete," he said Saturday. "I'm going to hug 'em and tell them that we got to come together and our goal is still in reach, which is to make the playoffs."The team president and Hall of Famer spoke with reporters at Michigan State, where he and the 1979 national championship team he led were celebrated before the ninth-ranked Spartans beat Minnesota.The Lakers were in pursuit of disgruntled New Orleans superstar Anthony Davis and many of their players were mentioned as possibly being dealt before the deadline Thursday. The franchise ended up trading Michael Beasley, Ivica Zubac and rookie Svi Mykhailiuk in a pair of deals to acquire Reggie Bullock and Mike Muscala."I love our team. I love the guys," Johnson said. "It's a tough part of our business whether you're mentioned in trade talk, or you get traded. It's a tough part of professional sports, but they came together and played great against Boston. My job is to make sure we stay together as a team and stay focused on the goal, which is to make the playoffs."The Lakers, who are in 10th place in the Western Conference, play at Philadelphia on Sunday.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — General manager Rob Pelinka hopes the Los Angeles Lakers will come out of a tumultuous trade deadline period with more mental toughness for the stretch run.After 10 days of team-wide uncertainty during their widely reported pursuit of disgruntled New Orleans superstar Anthony Davis, Pelinka said he believes the Lakers will bounce back strongly.Pelinka already saw signs of it Thursday night, when Los Angeles beat Boston on Rajon Rondo's dramatic winning basket just a few hours after the deadline passed and Davis remained with the Pelicans."What I've come to learn is that any time in life you face a challenge or a moment of adversity, you have to look at that as an opportunity," Pelinka said Friday. "When you go through anything as a team, if you go through adversity, you can choose how to respond. Does it draw you closer together, or does it push you further apart?"Pelinka and his boss, Magic Johnson, also remain confident in the Lakers' ability to end the franchise's... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Already without injured star LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers will be missing guard Lonzo Ball for the next four to six weeks after an MRI on Sunday showed a sprained left ankle.Ball was injured in the third quarter of the Lakers' 138-134 overtime loss at Houston on Saturday night. He remained on the court for a couple of minutes talking with trainers before he was helped to his feet where he hopped on his right foot for a few steps before being carried off the court and to the locker room by teammates Lance Stephenson and Michael Beasley.An MRI revealed a Grade 3 sprain, the team tweeted Sunday.James has missed the Lakers' last 13 games with a strained left groin.Los Angeles hosts Golden State on Monday night.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Veteran center Tyson Chandler signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, two days after reaching a buyout agreement with the Phoenix Suns.Chandler will provide needed frontcourt depth for the Lakers, who have relied on JaVale McGee and undersized forwards to guard big men during their 4-6 start to the season. Rookie center Moe Wagner still hasn't made his debut while returning slowly from a knee injury, and Lakers basketball boss Magic Johnson didn't want to wait any longer to bolster his team's areas of need.While the 36-year-old Chandler might not be the dominant defensive player he was in his prime, he could play regular minutes for coach Luke Walton while the Lakers attempt to find a winning groove in their first season with LeBron James.The Lakers host Minnesota on Wednesday night."Having observed our roster for the first 10 games of this young season, one of the areas that Earvin and I discussed with Luke that we desired to upgrade is interior defense and rebounding,"... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — LeBron James rubbed his hands in chalk powder at the scorer's table, yelled "Yes!" to ecstatic fans in the first few rows and the Los Angeles Lakers' new era was underway.Playing in the same arena where Magic Johnson made his regular-season debut for Los Angeles 39 years ago, James captivated the crowd from the start of the Lakers' exhibition opener Sunday night, a 124-107 loss to the Denver Nuggets.The opening tip came James' way and he tapped it to fellow newcomer Rajon Rondo, who threw an alley-oop pass to JaVale McGee for the game's first score.James missed his first shot, a turnaround fadeaway, but then made a no-look bounce pass from about 27 feet out to Brandon Ingram for a dunk. A minute later, James hit a long 3-pointer.He finished with nine points, three rebounds and four assists in just more than 15 minutes."It was great to get back on the floor and then just start a new journey for myself and hear the Lakers fans that we have here in San Diego," said James,... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — LeBron James rubbed his hands in chalk powder at the scorer's table, yelled "Yes!" to ecstatic fans in the first few rows and the Los Angeles Lakers' new era was underway.Playing in the same arena where Magic Johnson made his regular-season debut for Los Angeles 39 years ago, James captivated the crowd from the start of the Lakers' exhibition opener Sunday night, a 124-107 loss to the Denver Nuggets.The opening tip came James' way and he tapped it to fellow newcomer Rajon Rondo, who threw an alley-oop pass to JaVale McGee for the game's first score.James missed his first shot, a turnaround fadeaway, but then made a no-look bounce pass from about 27 feet out to Brandon Ingram for a dunk. A minute later, James hit a long 3-pointer.He finished with nine points, three rebounds and four assists in just more than 15 minutes.Lakers fans hope James' arrival will turn things around after the worst half-decade in the franchise's lengthy history.He left the Cleveland Cavaliers for... [More]

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — LeBron James realizes the size of the challenge he accepted when he joined the Los Angeles Lakers. After eight consecutive NBA Finals appearances, he knows his new team isn't a true contender with Golden State and the NBA's elite just yet.The superstar welcomed every step in the process Monday as he began his next chapter in purple and gold.James finally made his first formal appearance as a member of the Lakers at their media day, nearly three months after he left Cleveland for a four-year, $153.3 million free-agent deal. In between posing for photos in his new gold No. 23 uniform, the 33-year-old superstar revealed part of the motivation behind his decision to join an iconic franchise that hasn't made the playoffs in five years."No matter what uniform I'm in, I'm always humsbled that I'm able to play this game at this level," James said. "I think we all know that this franchise has been a historical franchise in this league for years. ... That's an excitement... [More]

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Magic Johnson can already see LeBron James' impact on the young Los Angeles Lakers before they've even had a regular practice together.After just a few weeks of unusually competitive offseason scrimmages, the Lakers' basketball boss can't wait to see how James' leadership will translate into real success.Magic and general manager Rob Pelinka on Thursday pronounced themselves thrilled with the offseason progress made by their revamped roster and James, their prize free-agent acquisition. The Lakers have been working out together informally at the club's training complex ahead of the start of training camp Tuesday, and Johnson likes what he sees so far."Just to see all of them together playing a pickup game, oh my goodness," Johnson said. "It's something to watch. I've watched LeBron from afar. I've been at many of his games. But to watch him in the gym is a whole different thing. How much he makes everybody better, but also how he raises everybody's level of play.... [More]

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — LeBron James stood on a stage near one of the streets he walked as a troubled kid and looked out at thousands of faces. He felt connected to every one of them.While his 3-year-old daughter, Zhuri, played at his feet, James watched as his mother, Gloria, raised a flag in front of a school that is perhaps his greatest triumph.His incredible life. Full circle.Before leaving for Los Angeles, James gave his hometown quite a gift.James, who ended his second stint with Cleveland earlier this month by signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, on Monday opened his I Promise School, a year-around learning center devoted to some of the city's most challenged youngsters — ones just like him.For James, who recalled missing 82 days of school as a fourth grader while he and his mom "looked for stability," the opening culminated years of planning by his family foundation."This means everything," James told The Associated Press in an interview before the public event. "I think this is the... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Michael Beasley thinks the basketball world is foolish to assume the Los Angeles Lakers' revamped locker room will be combustible before the fuse is even lit.The Lakers announced their signing of Beasley to a one-year contract Monday, adding the versatile forward to their new core of veterans around LeBron James.Beasley, Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson and JaVale McGee have all joined Los Angeles this month in a slate of provocative offseason signings to supplement its talented youngsters and James, who started the parade to the West Coast when he left Cleveland for the 16-time NBA champions in free agency.All four of these well-known, well-traveled veterans around James have varying degrees of colorful histories in their previous NBA stops, prompting widespread speculation in the media and around the league about how coach Luke Walton will manage his roster. They've already attracted an immediate online nickname — "The Meme Team" — while other pundits have compared them... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers have signed Michael Beasley to a one-year contract, adding the veteran forward to their revamped core around LeBron James.The Lakers announced the deal Monday.Beasley averaged 13.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game last year in a productive season with the New York Knicks, his sixth NBA franchise in 10 years in the league.The former No. 2 overall pick was James' teammate during the 2013-14 season with the Miami Heat.Beasley joins Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson and JaVale McGee in Los Angeles' offseason signings around James, who left Cleveland for the Lakers in free agency. Beasley's 6-foot-9 ranginess and versatility fit the stated desire of Lakers boss Magic Johnson for resourceful, multitalented veterans rather than role players.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/tags/NBAbasketball

GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — The New York Knicks are preaching patience but looking for progress.Jeff Hornacek got caught in the middle.The Knicks fired their coach early Thursday, shortly after finishing a 29-53 season. They lost more than 50 games and missed the playoffs both seasons under Hornacek."We looked out and we have a plan for what this team should look like over the next three years or so," Knicks President Steve Mills said. "We just thought this was an opportunity where we thought it was the right time to make a change."Mills and general manager Scott Perry said they didn't see enough improvement on the court and enough communication and accountability off it. They informed Hornacek of their decision at the airport after flying home from a season-ending victory in Cleveland."We know the roster is not complete, we understand our roster as well as anybody," Perry said at a news conference at the team's training facility. "But again, just in terms of consistency and then a trend I... [More]

GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — The New York Knicks will open their offseason with a coaching search.The team fired Jeff Hornacek early Thursday shortly after beating Cleveland on Wednesday night to finish a 29-53 season. The Knicks lost more than 50 games and missed the playoffs both seasons under Hornacek.Team president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry said they didn't see enough progress on the court and enough communication and accountability off it. They informed Hornacek of their decision on the plane home."We know the roster is not complete, we understand our roster as well as anybody," Perry said at a news conference at the team's training facility. "But again, just in terms of consistency and then a trend I would say toward consistency, Steve and I thought we fell a little bit short in that area."Associate head coach Kurt Rambis also was fired.Hornacek went 60-104 and had a year left on his contract. He became the first coaching change after the NBA regular season finished,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks will open their offseason with a coaching search.The team fired coach Jeff Hornacek early Thursday, making the decision shortly after beating Cleveland on Wednesday night to finish a 29-53 season. They lost more than 50 games and missed the playoffs both seasons under Hornacek."Jeff is a true professional who has worked tirelessly for this organization the last two seasons," Knicks president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry said in a statement. "We sincerely appreciate his efforts and considerable contributions to the team and wish him well in his future endeavors."Associate head coach Kurt Rambis also was fired.Hornacek went 60-104 and had a year left on his contract. He became the first coaching change after the NBA regular season finished, sending the Knicks in search of their 11th different head coach since Jeff Van Gundy resigned in the 2001-02 season.Hornacek was hired in 2016 by Phil Jackson and lasted just one more season after Jackson... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks will open their offseason with a coaching search.The team fired coach Jeff Hornacek after two seasons, a person with knowledge of the decision said early Thursday.The Knicks made the decision shortly after beating Cleveland on Wednesday night to finish a 29-53 season. They lost more than 50 games and missed the playoffs both seasons under Hornacek.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because an official announcement isn't planned until later in the day.The firing was first reported by ESPN.Hornacek was hired in 2016 by Phil Jackson and lasted just one more season after Jackson and the team parted ways last summer. President Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry apparently weren't pleased with the results, though they knew the Knicks were rebuilding with younger players."Jeff is a good guy," forward Michael Beasley said after Wednesday's victory. "He played the hand he was dealt. It's difficult to do anything because... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Blake Griffin sat with his injured ankle wrapped on one side of the locker room while Reggie Jackson dressed on the other.The Detroit Pistons didn't get to see much of them together on the court, part of the reason their playoff hopes are just about finished.So they're trying to take the positives from a strong finish in a season where so much else went wrong.Andre Drummond narrowly missed a second straight 20-20 game with 22 points and 17 rebounds, and the Pistons beat the New York Knicks 115-109 on Saturday for their fourth straight victory."It's been a long season. It's been a tough one for us. We're not where we necessarily envisioned ourselves, but like I said I'm just proud of the resiliency this team's had," Jackson said. "Despite what our record may say, coming in every day and trying to get better and continue to battle."Jackson and Anthony Tolliver each scored 17 points for the Pistons, who won for the sixth time in seven games despite playing without Griffin because... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Andre Drummond narrowly missed a second straight 20-20 game with 22 points and 17 rebounds, and the Detroit Pistons beat the New York Knicks 115-109 on Saturday for their fourth straight victory.Reggie Jackson and Anthony Tolliver each scored 17 points for the Pistons, who won for the sixth time in seven games despite playing without the injured Blake Griffin. Reggie Bullock added 16.Drummond was 8 for 13 from the floor and the formerly woeful free throw shooter was 6 of 8 from the line. The All-Star center had 24 points and 23 rebounds in a victory over Washington on Thursday and leads the NBA with seven 20-point, 20-rebound games this season.Griffin had an MRI Thursday on his right ankle that revealed a bone bruise. The Pistons said he will be re-evaluated in one week and a timetable for his return to action will be provided as appropriate.Michael Beasley scored 32 points and Trey Burke Jr. added 18 points and 15 assists for the Knicks, who have dropped three straight.... [More]

G Malik Beasley (right elbow sprain) was dressed and available Saturday night for the Nuggets.