Miami Heat forward Markieff Morris (illness) may miss Monday's postseason opener versus Philadelphia. Morris is currently dealing with a non-COVID-19 respiratory illness. However, even if Morris is available, he probably won't see much of the floor anyway. Yet, that could change if P.J. Tucker (calf) can't suit up, although he'll likely be out there despite his continued battle with a right calf strain.

Miami Heat center Dewayne Dedmon (ankle) and power forward Markieff Morris (hip) have been deemed questionable to suit up Sunday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs vs. Atlanta. Dedmon missed the regular-season finale due to a sprained right ankle, while Morris was sidelined for the final three games due to a left hip flexor strain. The duo's potential absences are softened by the return of Bam Adebayo, who could see a handful of additional frontcourt minutes if either is ultimately unavailable to take the floor. With P.J. Tucker (calf) battling an injury as well, Duncan Robinson would be a candidate to slide into an increased workload if the Heat are short-handed during the series.

Miami Heat power forward Markieff Morris has been placed in the league's health and safety protocols, ruling him out indefinitely while he also deals with a bout of whiplash that has sidelined him since Nov. 8. Even when healthy, Morris figures to fight and claw for minutes in Miami's frontcourt, a situation that likely allows him to remain on the waiver wire in all season-long formats. P.J. Tucker figures to receive the majority of power forward minutes in the short-term, while Duncan Robinson has played big as of late as well.

Miami Heat power forward/center Markieff Morris (neck) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Utah while he continues to deal with whiplash stemming from the incident with Nuggets center Nikola Jokic from earlier in the week. The Heat have condensed their frontcourt rotation without Morris in the mix, so it's difficult to view any one player as having a significantly increased role. When healthy, Morris has filled in nicely with Miami's second unit, but he has reached double figures in scoring just twice in 10 games, capping his season-long intrigue. His next chance to return to action comes Monday vs. the Thunder.

Miami Heat power forward/center Markieff Morris (neck) will miss Wednesday's contest against the Lakers due to the whiplash that he sustained after an altercation with Nikola Jokic on Monday. Morris delivered one of his better games of the season prior to the incident, reaching the double-digit scoring mark for just the second time this year. A valuable member of Miami's second unit, Morris' absence could funnel more minutes in the direction of Dewayne Dedmon and KZ Okpala. It's unclear how long Morris could be sidelined, but his next chance to suit up comes Thursday vs. his brother, Marcus, and the Clippers.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — After two seasons that felt like one relentless grind interrupted only by a strange championship celebration, the Los Angeles Lakers simply need a rest. The 2020 NBA champs weren't happy to be headed home this weekend after the Phoenix Suns knocked them out of the first round. Yet the early playoff exit came with the consolation of a title memory that's still fresh in many players' minds — and an abiding belief they will contend again next year if they just rest up and then stay healthy. “The one thing that bothers me more than anything is we never really got an opportunity to see our full team at full strength,” LeBron James said. “Either because of injury or COVID or something going on with our ballclub this year, we could never fully get into a rhythm and never really see the full potential of what we could be capable of.” When these Lakers were healthy, they were outstanding. But that period was brief, and it ended early. Los Angeles was 21-6 on Valentine's Day when... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks all began their first-round playoff series at a home-court disadvantage. After moving ahead of their higher-seeded opponents with early-series road wins, all three are up 2-1 and in position to move to the brink of the second round Sunday. The stakes are similar in all four NBA playoff games on a tantalizing slate: Atlanta, Dallas and the defending NBA champions will attempt to seize firm control of their series at home, while the heavily favored Brooklyn Nets can do the same in Boston. Los Angeles, Atlanta and Dallas are probably aware of the massive statistical edge for NBA teams with a 3-1 series lead — only 13 of 260 teams in that situation have ever blown it. They also realize Phoenix, New York and the Clippers will play for a split with appropriate intensity. “It’s going to be probably the biggest game in this series unless, it goes to a Game 7,” Lakers forward Anthony Davis said Saturday. “We’re going in... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Lakers starting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has a mildly bruised left knee, and his availability is uncertain for Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against Phoenix. An MRI exam of Caldwell-Pope's knee revealed no structural damage, the Lakers announced Friday. Caldwell-Pope was injured in the third quarter of the Lakers' 109-95 victory over the Suns on Thursday night. The win put the defending NBA champions up 2-1 in the series. Game 4 is Sunday at Staples Center. Caldwell-Pope averaged 9.7 points in the regular season, but he has struggled so far in the playoffs. He scored just five points in 26 minutes in Game 3, and he went scoreless in 30 minutes in Game 2 after contributing only seven points with 1-for-7 shooting from 3-point range in the series opener. Caldwell-Pope was the Lakers' third-leading scorer on their championship team last year, contributing 10.7 points per game as their primary perimeter shooting threat with 37.8% shooting on 3-pointers. Wesley Matthews stepped up in Caldwell-Pope's absence late in Game 3, scoring eight points and hitting two key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Matthews could get more playing time if Caldwell-Pope sits out. Talen Horton-Tucker and Markieff Morris also would be options for coach Frank Vogel after neither player saw action in Game 3. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Davis is finalizing a five-year contract worth up to $190 million to return to the Los Angeles Lakers. Davis' agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, confirmed the terms of Davis' pending free agent deal to The Associated Press on Thursday. The Lakers didn't comment. One day after LeBron James agreed to a two-year, $85 million contract extension with the Lakers through 2022-23, Davis committed to the Lakers through the 2024-25 season. Davis' deal includes an early termination clause prior to the fifth year, but the lengthy contract is still a clear declaration that the 27-year-old Davis sees his long-term future with the 17-time NBA champions. James and Davis won an NBA championship in the first season of their partnership, and they're returning this month with new contracts and a solid chance to repeat. “Those are great contracts, and they’re well-deserved,” veteran Lakers forward Markieff Morris said Thursday from the opening workouts of training camp. “It’s a big... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Montrezl Harrell did not make the trip lightly when he moved down the Staples Center hallway last weekend to join the Los Angeles Lakers. The NBA's reigning Sixth Man of the Year realizes the gravity of his decision to leave the Los Angeles Clippers after three seasons — and to leave them for their bigger, more successful intra-city rivals, no less. The decision turned out to be surprisingly simple, though. According to Harrell, the NBA champion Lakers made it clear they badly wanted him in the opening minutes of free agency. The Clippers did not. “If you spend your career in any place long enough, you're going to want to continue playing there and growing there,” Harrell said Monday. “Of course, I still have great respect for those guys and for that organization. But as far as if they wanted me back? Obviously, it just doesn't seem that way, does it?” The tenacious forward who plays much bigger than his 6-foot-7 frame agreed to a two-year deal during the Lakers' impressive... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers won't have fans at Staples Center during the upcoming regular season until further notice. The NBA champions made the long-expected decision official Tuesday for the new season, which will begin Dec. 22. The Lakers also apparently don't plan to hang their 17th title banner until fans are in the stands to celebrate the moment with them. “We appreciate your continued support and look forward to coming together, when it is safe to do so, to celebrate the raising of our banner and the quest for another NBA championship,” the team said in a statement. The Lakers say they're following the guidance of state and local health officials in planning to move forward without fans in the stands at their downtown arena. They intend to continue working on a plan to welcome fans whenever governments and the league allow it, but large gatherings are still banned in California under coronavirus restrictions. The Lakers won the NBA Finals on Oct. 11 in central Florida,... [More]

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers planned to get together Wednesday night to watch basketball, which is about all they've been able to do lately.Soon enough, they'll get to play it again.For now, their competition comes from video games. Their superstar player is also adept at those, as coach Frank Vogel revealed when asked what he's learned about LeBron James that surprised him most.“I would say how good he is at Madden football,” Vogel said. “I think they’ve been playing a lot of Madden football, our group has, and I hear he’s very good.” James won't be able to show his skills on the basketball court again until Friday, when the Lakers conclude a lengthy layoff in the bubble. The No. 1 seed in the Western Conference has been waiting for its second-round opponent. Houston and Oklahoma City were playing their Game 7 on Wednesday, with the Lakers set to watch it during a team dinner.Starting Thursday, the Lakers can start working on a game plan for either James Harden,... [More]

The Toronto Raptors have done it once already, chasing down a Milwaukee Bucks team that seemed to be sprinting to the NBA Finals.Catching them in the standings this season seems unlikely, with the Bucks (49-8) on their way perhaps to one of the best records in league history.But Toronto might get another shot in the postseason, and before then the Raptors will get three more chances to see how they measure up against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.The first comes Tuesday night in Toronto, where the Raptors had the most lopsided win in their franchise history two nights earlier.The Bucks specialize in lopsided victories, beating teams by 12.4 points per game entering the week, on pace to post the largest average margin of victory in league history.“Every game I watch them play it’s 32-12 at the end of one. Every single one. Or, 32-22 like, the closest,” Toronto coach Nick Nurse said Sunday.The Bucks were the NBA’s best team in the regular season in 2018-19, but the Raptors stormed back... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Markieff Morris has signed with the Los Angeles Lakers for the postseason push.The Lakers announced the deal Sunday to add the nine-year NBA veteran immediately after he cleared waivers.Los Angeles waived injured center DeMarcus Cousins to clear a roster spot.Morris reached a buyout agreement with the Pistons on Friday. He averaged 11 points and 3.9 rebounds in 44 games with Detroit this season while hitting a career-best 39.7% of his 3-pointers and playing solid defense.He is expected to provide rebounding and defense as the backup power forward for the Lakers, who lead the Western Conference at 43-12 after beating Boston 114-112 on Sunday for their fifth consecutive win.The nine-year veteran has 24 games of playoff experience, all in the last three seasons with Washington and Oklahoma City. He began his career with Phoenix in 2011.Markieff Morris' twin brother, Marcus, plays down the Staples Center hallway for the Los Angeles Clippers, who acquired him earlier in the... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Pistons announced on Friday that they have signed guard Derrick Walton Jr. to a 10-day contract. Walton last played for the Los Angeles Clippers this season. In 23 games, with one start, he averaged 2.2 points, .7 rebounds and one assists before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks on Feb. 6. He was then waived by the Hawks. In college, the Detroit native played at the University of Michigan.Per team policy, terms of the agreement weren't disclosed.Also Friday, the Pistons said they and Markieff Morris reached an agreement to buy out the veteran forward’s contract. The Pistons have requested waivers on Morris.Morris signed as a free agent on July 6 last year. He averaged 11 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists during his stint with Detroit.

DETROIT (AP) — Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond are both out for the Detroit Pistons on Monday night against Washington.Griffin did not return after halftime when the Pistons won at Houston on Saturday night. He has a sore left knee.Drummond is out with left eye inflammation. He also missed the game against the Rockets.Wizards guard Isaiah Thomas was in the starting lineup Monday night after missing five straight games with a calf injury.Thon Maker and Markieff Morris started for the Pistons instead of Drummond and Griffin.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Pistons will begin the season without star forward Blake Griffin, whose injury issues have flared up again.The Pistons said Tuesday that Griffin would not travel for Wednesday night's game at Indiana and would continue a treatment and conditioning regimen for left hamstring and posterior knee soreness. He will be re-evaluated for a return the first week of November.Griffin was mostly healthy last season until the very end, when he was limited in the playoffs. He had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in the offseason.Griffin averaged 35.0 minutes per game last season, his most since 2014-15, and averaged a career-high 24.5 points. Coach Dwane Casey admitted at media day that the Pistons "rode him like a cheap horse" — and suggested that they might manage his minutes a bit more conservatively going forward.First-round draft pick Sekou Doumbouya (concussion protocol) is not traveling to Indiana either, and Markieff Morris (low back tightness) is questionable. Point guard Reggie Jackson (low back tightness) is probable.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Pistons will begin the season without star forward Blake Griffin, whose injury issues have flared up again.The Pistons said Tuesday that Griffin would not travel for Wednesday night's game at Indiana and would continue a treatment and conditioning regimen for left hamstring and posterior knee soreness. He will be re-evaluated for a return the first week of November.Griffin was mostly healthy last season until the very end, when he was limited in the playoffs. He had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in the offseason.First-round draft pick Sekou Doumbouya (concussion protocol) will not travel to Indiana either, and Markieff Morris (low back tightness) is questionable. Point guard Reggie Jackson (low back tightness) is probable.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Blake Griffin worked so hard to lift the Detroit Pistons to the playoffs, then couldn't contribute as much once they were there.That's what coach Dwane Casey would like to avoid this season."I've said too many times, being from Kentucky, we rode him like a cheap horse last year," Casey said at media day Monday. "If we didn't, I don't think we would have made the playoffs, because he was that special to us, but again, with addition of some other talented guys on our team, hopefully we don't have to use him as much. I'm not going to put that in concrete, but I have to be smarter as far as the usage, because he takes a beating."Griffin averaged 35.0 minutes per game last season, his most since 2014-15, while also achieving the highest scoring average (24.5) of his career. He played 75 regular-season games, his most since 2013-14, but he missed two of the four games when the Pistons were swept by Milwaukee in the first round of the playoffs.Griffin ended up having... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Pistons have signed 38-year-old swingman Joe Johnson.Detroit announced the move Thursday.The 17-year NBA veteran did not play in the league last season. He was recently named MVP of the BIG3 3-on-3 basketball league.Johnson averaged 6.8 points in 55 games for Houston and Utah during two seasons ago. The seven-time All-Star has also played for Boston, Phoenix, Atlanta, Brooklyn and Miami, averaging 16 points over his career with 15 double-digit scoring seasons.The Pistons previously signed 30-year-old guard Derrick Rose, a former NBA MVP, and 30-year-old forward Markieff Morris this offseason. They are shooting to make the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since earning a spot in eight straight postseasons from 2002 to 2009.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports