LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers’ season began in an empty arena with cardboard cutouts, COVID-19 tests, and protocols for everything. It ended with the team reaching the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history, even without injured superstar Kawhi Leonard. A masked Leonard watched from the bench as the Clippers lost to the Phoenix Suns in six games on Wednesday night. “Man, we just had a group of guys that loved playing with each other. Everyone was on the same page,” center Ivica Zubac said Thursday. The Clippers overcame 0-2 deficits in the first two rounds to beat Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks and Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz. Leonard sprained his right knee in Game 4 against the Jazz and didn't play again. Zubac also injured his knee and was forced to sit out the final two games against the Suns. The Clippers trailed that series 0-2 and 1-3 before closing to 3-2 and eventually running out of gas. Through the injuries, Paul George kept... [More]

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder waived forward Patrick Patterson on Thursday.Patterson spent two seasons with Oklahoma City. He appeared in 145 games and averaged 3.8 points and 2.3 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game.Patterson originally was expected to be Oklahoma City's starting power forward heading into the 2017-18 season, but the Thunder traded for Carmelo Anthony, moving Patterson to a reserve role. The younger, more athletic Jerami Grant emerged that season and eventually took over the starting job early in the 2018-19 season. Patterson got regular minutes the first half of the season, but the Thunder added Markieff Morris in February, taking Patterson out of the rotation.In his final season with the Thunder, Patterson averaged 3.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in 63 games while shooting 37 percent from the field and 34 percent from 3-point range.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PF Patrick Patterson was fined $10,000 for a tweet criticizing officials following Oklahoma City's Friday loss to Milwaukee. Patterson's tweet came in response to the NBA's report that the Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo stepped out of bounds just before slamming home his game-winning dunk

F Patrick Patterson scored seven points in the first half to set a season high. He came into the game averaging just 2.3 points per game and had never scored more than six.

F Patrick Patterson underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Thursday, the team announced. Patterson, who will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks, is expected to start at power forward for Oklahoma City after agreeing to a three-year, $16.4 million contract in July. The 28-year-old is the second significant offseason addition for Oklahoma City, which picked up Paul George in a trade with the Indiana Pacers. That deal saw another forward, Domantas Sabonis, exit the Thunder for the Pacers. Patterson averaged 6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 65 games (eight starts) for the Toronto Raptors last season. He produced 3.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 10 playoff games.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Patrick Patterson underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Thursday, the team announced.Patterson, who will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks, is expected to start at power forward for Oklahoma City after agreeing to a three-year, $16.4 million contract in July.The 28-year-old is the second significant offseason addition for Oklahoma City, which picked up Paul George in a trade with the Indiana Pacers. That deal saw another forward, Domantas Sabonis, exit the Thunder for the Pacers.Patterson averaged 6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 65 games (eight starts) for the Toronto Raptors last season. He produced 3.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 10 playoff games.A first-round pick by the Rockets in 2010 out of Kentucky, Patterson spent 2 1/2 seasons in Houston. He played parts of two seasons with the Sacramento Kings before joining the Raptors in the 2013-14 season.Patterson has appeared in 477 career games, making 73 starts. He has averages of 7.9 points and 4.7 rebounds.

F Patrick Patterson, who was a free agent, agreed to a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, multiple media outlets reported. The 28-year-old reportedly received a three-year, $16.4 million deal, with the third year being a player option. A key reserve with the Toronto Raptors last season, Patterson could move into a starting role for the Thunder, who this week saw forward Taj Gibson leave for the Minnesota Timberwolves as a free agent.

F Patrick Patterson contributed 14 points, including a corner 3-pointer with 59 seconds to go to stem a mini-Mavs run and make it 92-83. After he hit the shot, he turned around and had a few words for the Mavs' bench. As he ran by, Mavs coach Rick Carlisle fired back. They drew double technical fouls.

F Patrick Patterson (left knee contusion) returned Friday and entered the first quarter after missing the previous six games following an injury against the Magic at Orlando on Feb. 3.

F Patrick Patterson (left knee contusion) missed his sixth consecutive game.

F Patrick Patterson (left knee contusion) missed his fourth straight game Sunday after being injured Feb. 3 at Orlando.

F Patrick Patterson (left knee contusion) missed his third straight game Wednesday against the Timberwolves. Patterson is averaging 7.2 points and 5.4 rebounds this season.

F Patrick Patterson (left knee contusion) missed his second consecutive game Monday after being injured Friday against the Orlando Magic.

F Patrick Patterson added 10 points Friday.

F Patrick Patterson (strained left knee) returned to action Tuesday and scored 12 points in 21 minutes against the Spurs. He had missed six games in a row and 10 of the past 12 since being injured Dec. 29.

F Patrick Patterson (strained left knee) did not play Sunday, and it is uncertain if he will be ready to play at the Air Canada Centre on Tuesday against the San Antonio Spurs. He has missed 10 of the past 12 games since being injured on Dec. 29 at Phoenix.

F Patrick Patterson (strained left knee) did not play Sunday and coach Dwane Casey said that he will probably need another day before a possible return to the lineup. He has missed 10 of the past 12 games since being injured on Dec. 29 at Phoenix.

F Patrick Patterson missed his fourth consecutive game with a sore left knee.

F Patrick Patterson missed his fourth consecutive game Wednesday due to a sore left knee.

F Patrick Patterson (sore left knee) was listed as questionable Tuesday but did not play. Patterson sat for the seventh time in nine games and has played 42:59 since initially getting hurt Dec. 29 at Phoenix.