WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) — Danny Ainge tore apart the team that made the Eastern Conference finals last year, and then put together a new roster that came one victory from playing for an NBA title.This summer may present him with an even bigger challenge: standing pat.With Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving coming back from injuries to join fellow All-Star Al Horford and young stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics general manager doesn't really need to do much to give the NBA's most-decorated franchise a chance at its 18th title.And that's not really in Ainge's nature."I like this group of guys," he said Monday, a day after the Celtics lost Game 7 of the conference finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers. "We're not looking to make changes, other than a handful of tweaks."But he also said: "You never know what opportunities will present themselves."The Celtics finished with the No. 1 seed in the East in 2017, but the five-game loss to the Cavaliers in the conference finals reinforced... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics have been mining possibility out of improbable odds throughout the 2017-2018 season.A season filled with so much promise was jolted just five minutes into their season opener back in October when Gordon Hayward was lost for the year to a fractured ankle.It looked to be derailed for sure when Marcus Smart suffered a torn ligament in his thumb in March, followed by Kyrie Irving being sidelined for the season a month later following a pair of knee surgeries.Yet, after completing a 4-1 series win with their 114-112 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night, the Celtics are somehow back where no one — except maybe only them — believed they could be: headed to a second straight Eastern Conference final.A rematch with Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James awaits them, but for a Celtics team that has had to trudge uphill throughout the season, still playing at this point of the postseason feels like reason to celebrate.Coach Brad Stevens said this group... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — An improbable Eastern Conference finals rematch with the Cleveland Cavaliers is in reach for the Boston Celtics.The only thing delaying it is one more victory against a Philadelphia 76ers team intent on not becoming the latest to join a dubious NBA club.Toronto was swept by Cleveland on Monday to become the 130th consecutive team in NBA history to fail to overcome a 3-0 deficit. Philadelphia is one loss away from becoming No. 131.Philadelphia-born rapper Meek Mill, who has been courtside for several Sixers games this series following his release from prison last month, is one of many hometown fans still hoping they can pull off the comeback."I represent the underdog season," Mill told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "We're the underdogs right now. We're in a (bad) position at 3-1, but I definitely believe we can make a comeback."Philadelphia used its toughness, a little trash talk and 19 big points from T.J. McConnell in its 103-92 victory in Game 4 Monday to finally produce... [More]

Al Horford has played in four Game 7s. Jason Terry has been in three, his teams winning them all.For them, this is old hat.For just about everyone else who's had any role in this Boston-Milwaukee series, however, this is new or relatively new territory. The ultimate game awaits the Bucks and Celtics on Saturday night, when their Eastern Conference first-round series ends on Boston's home floor — the winner moving into the second round to face the Philadelphia 76ers, the loser going home for the summer."We're going to be in a tough position," Milwaukee guard Eric Bledsoe said. "We've just got to come out and fight. ... We've just got to find a way."The Celtics have been in more Game 7s than any franchise in NBA history. This will be the 32nd such game for Boston, which has gone 22-9 in its previous ones. Milwaukee is going to Game 7 for the 10th time; the Bucks' franchise is 2-7 so far in those."Super exciting," said Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon, when asked about how he feels about making... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Celtics guard Marcus Smart is active for Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against Milwaukee.Smart was medically cleared by doctors and participated in the Celtics' Tuesday morning shootaround. Coach Brad Stevens says he'll come off the bench and wear a protective splint.Smart had surgery on March 16 to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. He hasn't played in a game since March 11.Smart's return should provide a lift to a short-handed Boston backcourt. With Smart out, Terry Rozier has been starting with Kyrie Irving ruled out for the playoffs following his second knee surgery. Reserve Shane Larkin has been playing extra minutes to support Rozier.Prior to his injury, Smart was averaging 10.2 points, 4.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game.___More NBA basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

BOSTON (AP) — Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward exchanged the kind of toothy giggles normally only found between kids on a playground when they were introduced as the new faces of the Celtics."It's about to be crazy, G," Irving said in the ear of Hayward to a soundtrack of clicking camera lenses as they sat on a dais back in September two days after Boston's blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers.Seven months later, Irving has proven to be prophetic — albeit not how he had in mind.It has been crazy unlucky for the Celtics. Stunning too. Al Horford said even shocking.And though things haven't gone as scripted in Boston, the Celtics will open the playoffs at the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference believing they can win it all without their injured offseason acquisitions."Finals. I'm very confident," guard Terry Rozier when asked how far Boston can go. "Everybody has to be on the same page. And we just gotta play. And play hard."That's been Boston's calling card throughout the season.... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Boston Celtics All-Star guard Kyrie Irving sat out Monday night's game against the Chicago Bulls because of a sore left knee.Coach Brad Stevens said Irving aggravated the knee during Saturday's loss to Houston. He felt a little better the following day but was still sore on Monday. Stevens wasn't sure if Irving will be ready to play at Minnesota on Thursday."It doesn't sound like it's a long-term concern, but certainly, it could last through the week," Stevens said.The Celtics chose to start Shane Larkin rather than go with Terry Rozier or Marcus Smart because Stevens said he wanted to keep the second unit together.Acquired from Cleveland in the offseason deal that sent Isaiah Thomas to the Cavaliers, Irving is averaging 24.8 points in 58 games. He has missed time this season because of a bruised quadriceps, a sore shoulder and a facial fracture.The Celtics were second behind Toronto in the Eastern Conference at 44-20 entering Monday's game.___More NBA basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

Larkin agreed to terms with the Nets on a two-year deal worth $3 million on Thursday, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports.

Larkin spent last season with the Knicks, appearing in 76 games and averaging 6.2 points, 3.0 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game. The Miami product figures to serve as the third point guard behind Deron Williams and Jarrett Jack, but he'll need to improve as a shooter (30.2% 3Pt) before he sees significant minutes.

Larkin finished this season with averages of 6.2 points, 3.0 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 24.5 minutes per game across 76 appearances (22 starts) for the Knicks.

Larkin, a 2013 first round pick, was traded to the Knicks last summer after playing merely 48 games during an injury-riddled rookie season with the veteran-laden Mavericks. Following that disappointing start to his NBA career, Larkin ranked second on the Knicks with 76 games played this season. At 5-11, 175 pounds, Larkin's small size and shaky jumper restrict his ability to score, but he displays commendable floor general attributes. To that point, Larkin ranked 14th league-wide in assists per turnover (2.72) and also finished fifth in steals per turnover (1.12). Even with those numbers, Larkin's limited averages elsewhere provided little value for fantasy owners, but at just 22 years old, he could have intrigued the Knicks enough to be offered a free agent contract this summer.

Larkin had 14 points (5-6 FG, 4-4 FT) with five assists and two steals in 32 minutes off the Knicks bench in the loss to Milwaukee on Friday.

Larkin was coming off a poor game as a starter in the loss to Indiana on Wednesday. He apparently took the move to heart and played a starter's complement of minutes. Larkin could be a decent play Saturday against the Magic.

Larkin will come off the bench Friday against the Bucks, Steve Popper of The Record reports.

Larkin will give way to Tim Hardaway, Jr. on Friday after going 1-of-10 from the field against Indiana on Wednesday. His minutes are likely to decrease as a reserve, though he really isn't a consistently valuable fantasy contributor either way.

Larkin posted 14 points, one rebound, six assists, and one steal in 44 minutes of action Friday against the Celtics.

Larkin has taken the reigns as a starter with Alexey Shved (ribs) out for the season. However, he hasn't been too efficient given the minutes. He won't be worth adding in standard formats until he proves otherwise.

Larkin scored four points (2-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt) to go along with three rebounds, seven assists and one block in 44 minutes Monday against the Grizzlies.

Larkin played heavy minutes with Alexey Shved (ribs) out of action and still wasn't able to put up big numbers. Although he would continue to see significant minutes if Shved missed any more time, he still has limited fantasy value.

Larkin will start at point guard Monday against Memphis.

Larkin will replace the injured Alexey Shved (ribs) in New York's starting lineup Monday. Expect the pint-sized point guard Larkin to share ball-handling duties with Langston Galloway versus Memphis.

Larkin had nine points (3-6 FG, 3-5 3Pt), eight assists, three rebounds and two steals in 33 minutes against the Raptors on Sunday.

Larkin had an increase in minutes after Alexey Shved left the game early with a rib contusion. Larkin was solid in the outing, but his playing time largely depends on if Shved will miss an extended amount of time. If Shved is out, it likely means an increase in minutes at point guard for Larkin and more responsibility for Langston Galloway.

Larkin (illness) returned from a three-game absence against the Pistons Friday. He scored 16 points (5-9 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 5-5 FT) and added one rebound, three assists, and a steal in 36 minutes off the bench.

The game went to double-overtime, and both Larkin and fellow point guard Langston Galloway played well. Galloway started, and therefore seems to be the preferred option between the two, but Galloway is also able to shift over to shooting guard, allowing Larkin to share the floor. If Jose Calderon (Achilles) has to miss more time, both players look poised to benefit.

Larkin (illness) is set to return Friday against Detroit, Mark Berman of the New York Post reports.

Larkin hasn't played since the final game before the All-Star break while battling an illness. He'll return Friday after a three-game absence and may have a chance to start given Jose Calderon's (Achilles) doubtful status. Even if Larkin comes off the bench, he figures to see significant minutes.

Larkin (illness) will not play Wednesday against the Celtics, but could return later in the week.

Larkin's illness will force him to miss at least three games including Wednesday. In 50 games this season, the 22-year-old point guard is averaging 5.4 points, 2.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds, but has seen his playing time fluctuating, playing as much as 31 minutes and as little as nine over the past couple months. His absence likely leaves Alexy Shved and/or Langston Galloway receiving added minutes again at point guard in relief of Jose Calderon.

Larkin (illness) sat out a second straight game Sunday.

Larkin is currently dealing with an illness. The Knicks play the Celtics on Wednesday, but it's unclear what Larkin's status will be for that game.

Larkin (illness) did not practice Thursday, Steve Popper of The Record reports.

Until further notice, Larkin should be considered questionable to play Friday when the Knicks host Miami. The second-year guard is averaging more than 22 minutes per game this season, but his production has been disappointing, as he's posting just 5.4 points and 2.5 assists while shooting 41 percent from the field.