INSIDER
France back in men's basketball gold medal game after win over Germany in Paris Olympics
Read full article: France back in men's basketball gold medal game after win over Germany in Paris OlympicsGuerschon Yabusele scored 17 points and France beat Germany 73-69 to advance to the menโs Olympic basketball gold medal game.
Strong second half lifts Germany over Greece 76-63 for first berth in Olympics semifinals
Read full article: Strong second half lifts Germany over Greece 76-63 for first berth in Olympics semifinalsFranz Wagner scored 18 points and Germany overcame a sluggish start to beat Greece 76-63 and advance to the Olympics semifinals for the first time.
Ivey, Cunningham lead Pistons to first home win since January, 118-112 over Brooklyn
Read full article: Ivey, Cunningham lead Pistons to first home win since January, 118-112 over BrooklynJaden Ivey scored 34 points and Cade Cunningham had 32 points and 11 assists to lead the Detroit Pistons to their first home win since January, beating the Brooklyn Nets 118-112 on Thursday night.
Pistons beat Raptors 129-127 to end NBA record-tying losing streak at 28 games
Read full article: Pistons beat Raptors 129-127 to end NBA record-tying losing streak at 28 gamesCade Cunningham had 30 points and 12 assists as the Detroit Pistons ended their NBA record-tying losing streak at 28 games with a 129-127 win over the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night.
Germany pulled off the biggest upset of its basketball existence. Hardly anyone seemed to notice
Read full article: Germany pulled off the biggest upset of its basketball existence. Hardly anyone seemed to noticeGermany pulled off the biggest upset of its basketball existence and hardly anyone back home seemed to notice.
Germany holds off Latvia and will next play the USA in the Basketball World Cup semifinals
Read full article: Germany holds off Latvia and will next play the USA in the Basketball World Cup semifinalsGermany will play the United States in the semifinals of the Basketball World Cup in a rematch of an exhibition matchup from earlier this summer where the Americans needed a big rally to win.
The Dominican Republic, Australia and Italy reach the knockout stage of basketball's World Cup
Read full article: The Dominican Republic, Australia and Italy reach the knockout stage of basketball's World CupThe Dominican Republic, Australia and Italy have advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup.
Nuggets on brink of NBA Finals with 119-108 win over Lakers in Game 3
Read full article: Nuggets on brink of NBA Finals with 119-108 win over Lakers in Game 3Jamal Murray scored 37 points, Nikola Jokic added 24 points and eight assists, and the Denver Nuggets rolled to a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference finals with a 119-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lakers outlast Wolves 108-102 in OT, advance to face Memphis
Read full article: Lakers outlast Wolves 108-102 in OT, advance to face MemphisLeBron James had 30 points and 10 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers claimed the seventh spot in the Western Conference playoffs with a grueling 108-102 victory over the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBAโs play-in tournament.
Russell scores 28 points in return, Lakers beat Raptors
Read full article: Russell scores 28 points in return, Lakers beat RaptorsDโAngelo Russell had 28 points and nine assists in his dynamic return from a six-game injury absence, and Dennis Schrรถder added 23 points and seven assists in the Los Angeles Lakersโ 122-112 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
Anthony Davis leads Lakers past Grizz without Ja, 112-103
Read full article: Anthony Davis leads Lakers past Grizz without Ja, 112-103Anthony Davis had 30 points and 22 rebounds, Dennis Schrรถder added 17 points and nine assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers moved into ninth place in the Western Conference with a 112-103 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
James has triple-double, leads Lakers past Knicks in OT
Read full article: James has triple-double, leads Lakers past Knicks in OTLeBron James moved within 89 points of breaking the NBAโs career scoring record and climbed into fourth place on the assists list, finishing with a triple-double in his return to Madison Square Garden as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the New York Knicks 129-123 in overtime Tuesday night.
Lakers rally to snap Grizzlies' winning streak at 11 games
Read full article: Lakers rally to snap Grizzlies' winning streak at 11 gamesDennis Schrรถder completed a three-point play with 7.6 seconds left after a steal, and the Los Angeles Lakers rallied past Memphis 122-121 to snap the Grizzliesโ winning streak at 11 games.
Booker has 36 points, NBA-leading Suns beat Rockets 129-112
Read full article: Booker has 36 points, NBA-leading Suns beat Rockets 129-112Devin Booker scored 36 points, including 15 in the third, Mikal Bridges added 26 and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns beat the Houston Rockets 129-112 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory.
Brown scores 50, rallies Celts to 116-111 OT win over Magic
Read full article: Brown scores 50, rallies Celts to 116-111 OT win over MagicJaylen Brown scored a career-high 50 points, rallying the Boston Celtics from 14 points down late in the fourth quarter to a 116-111 overtime victory over the Orlando Magic.
Embiid scores 41, 76ers beat Celtics 108-103
Read full article: Embiid scores 41, 76ers beat Celtics 108-103Joel Embiid scored 17 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter, hitting three jumpers in the final minutes and three free throws in the last four seconds to ice it as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Boston Celtics 108-103.
AP sources: Lakers acquiring All-Star Westbrook from Wizards
Read full article: AP sources: Lakers acquiring All-Star Westbrook from WizardsThe Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards for three players and this yearโs first-round draft pick.
Davis, Lakers bounce back to beat Suns 109-102 in Game 2
Read full article: Davis, Lakers bounce back to beat Suns 109-102 in Game 2Anthony Davis scored 34 points, Dennis Schroder added 24 and the Los Angeles Lakers held on for a hard-fought 109-102 win over the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series on Tuesday night.
James scores 25, tweaks ankle as Lakers top Pelicans 110-98
Read full article: James scores 25, tweaks ankle as Lakers top Pelicans 110-98LeBron James scored 25 points before he appeared to mildly aggravate a right ankle injury,and the Los Angeles Lakers closed out the regular season with a 110-98 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
James returns as he and Davis send Lakers by Pacers 122-115
Read full article: James returns as he and Davis send Lakers by Pacers 122-115Anthony Davis scored 28 points and LeBron James returned after a six-game absence to score 24 Saturday to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 122-115 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Lowry leads depleted Raptors past Lakers; LeBron exits early
Read full article: Lowry leads depleted Raptors past Lakers; LeBron exits earlyKyle Lowry had 37 points and 11 assists, Pascal Siakam had 39 points and 13 rebounds and the short-handed Toronto Raptors defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 121-114.
Doncic, Mavs stun Lakers with rally in Davis' 2nd game back
Read full article: Doncic, Mavs stun Lakers with rally in Davis' 2nd game backLuka Doncic had 18 points and 13 assists and the Dallas Mavericks overcame a 17-point deficit for a 108-93 win over Los Angeles in Lakers star Anthony Davisโ second game back from a long injury absence.
Doncic, Mavs beat Lakers 115-110 as LA star Davis returns
Read full article: Doncic, Mavs beat Lakers 115-110 as LA star Davis returnsLuka Doncic scored 30 points, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 115-110 victory over the Lakers in the return of Los Angeles star Anthony Davis from a 30-game injury absence.
Lakers pull away after ejections, rout Nets 126-101
Read full article: Lakers pull away after ejections, rout Nets 126-101Andre Drummond had 20 points and 11 rebounds, Dennis Schroder scored 19 points before he and Kyrie Irving were ejected in the third quarter and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Brooklyn Nets 126-101.
Ingram, Williamson pace Pelicans in 128-111 win over Lakers
Read full article: Ingram, Williamson pace Pelicans in 128-111 win over LakersNew Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) goes to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Tuesday, March 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)NEW ORLEANS โ Brandon Ingram scored a season-high 36 points, Zion Williamson had 27 points and nine rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 128-111 on Tuesday night. Ingram helped keep the Pelicans comfortably in front with 17 points in the third quarter, showcasing his mid-range repertoire of pull-ups, fades and turnaround jumpers. Pelicans guard Josh Hart โ like Ingram an ex-Laker who was part of the trade that sent Anthony Davis to Los Angeles โ grabbed 15 rebounds to go with five steals. ... Steven Adams had 12 points and seven rebounds.
Suns roll past LeBron-less Lakers for 111-94 win
Read full article: Suns roll past LeBron-less Lakers for 111-94 winPhoenix Suns guard Chris Paul gets fouled by Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 21, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)PHOENIX โ Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton both had 26 points, Chris Paul had a triple-double with 11 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds and the Phoenix Suns beat the LeBron-less Los Angeles Lakers 111-94 on Sunday night. The Lakers were playing without 17-time All-Star LeBron James for just the second time this season and the team fell to 0-2 in his absence. Montrezl Harrell led the Lakers with 23 points off the bench on 10-of-13 shooting. The Lakers won the NBA championship last season in a COVID-19 delayed season that ended on Oct. 11.
Take note: At 26-6, Utah Jazz are the NBA's best team so far
Read full article: Take note: At 26-6, Utah Jazz are the NBA's best team so far(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)Looking at individual stats reveals nothing about the Utah Jazz. โNobodyโs playing as well as the Utah Jazz in the NBA right now.โAdAt 26-6, the Jazz sit atop the NBA. The Jazz have made 544 3s, the most in NBA history by any team in its first 32 games. But with the way they're playing now, even Vogel concedes that the Jazz are doing a whole lot right. Theyโre playing like the best team in the league right now.โ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Once a Knick, always a Knick: Rose back in New York lineup
Read full article: Once a Knick, always a Knick: Rose back in New York lineupNew York Knicks guard Derrick Rose looks to pass the ball as Miami Heat guard Duncan Robinson (55) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)MIAMI โ The first thing Derrick Rose did in his second stint with the New York Knicks was start handing out assists. Rose made his second Knicks debut Tuesday night in Miami, scoring 14 points in 20 minutes in New York's 98-96 loss to the Heat. Rose won the 2011 NBA MVP award, capping his first season under Thibodeau and a 62-20 season for the Bulls. โI think heโs in great shape.
Davis scores season-high 37 as Lakers beat Bulls 101-90
Read full article: Davis scores season-high 37 as Lakers beat Bulls 101-90Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, right, shoots against Chicago Bulls forward Thaddeus Young during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. Davis dominated with a season-high 37 points against his hometown team, LeBron James added 17 points and 11 rebounds and the Lakers beat the Chicago Bulls 101-90 on Saturday. Davis scored 26 points in the highest scoring half by a Laker this season as Los Angeles grabbed a 63-33 lead. Bulls: Chicago shot 39 about percent from the field and made 8 of 25 3-pointers. Bulls: Chicago hosts Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and the Celtics.
Hammon first woman to direct NBA team; Lakers beat Spurs
Read full article: Hammon first woman to direct NBA team; Lakers beat SpursHammon became the first woman to direct an NBA team, taking over the Spurs after coach Gregg Popovich was ejected in a 121-107 loss to the Lakers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)SAN ANTONIO โ Becky Hammon would have preferred a victory over history after becoming the first woman to direct an NBA team. The Lakers took their first double-digit lead at 35-25 on Kyle Kuzmaโs 3-pointer with 1:14 remaining in the first quarter. Lakers coach Frank Vogel did not elaborate on Carusoโs status. Spurs: Popovich said the Spurs will monitor Aldridgeโs knee soreness on a day-to-day basis.
James, Davis back on court for Lakers as season draws near
Read full article: James, Davis back on court for Lakers as season draws nearThe Lakers, who beat Miami to win the championship Oct. 11, start the new season against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night. Also on Wednesday, Chicago beat Oklahoma City 124-103, and Portland played at Denver. BULLS 124, THUNDER 103At Oklahoma City, the Bulls took control in the second quarter and didnโt let up. LaVine scored 16 points on 6-for-7 shooting in the first quarter while Gilgeous-Alexander scored 11 for Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City couldnโt get into a flow, but part of that was because first-year coach Mark Daigneault gave minutes to 13 players.
Play-in tourney on, Olympics likely out for NBA in 2020-21
Read full article: Play-in tourney on, Olympics likely out for NBA in 2020-21(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)NEW YORK โ The 2020-21 NBA schedule will feature a play-in tournament and an NBA Finals that could run all the way until July 22 โ keeping some players from competing in the Olympics. The NBA announced Tuesday how it will make up the 72-game schedule, which won't be entirely known until well after it's started. Teams will play the remaining 30 games against the opposite conference โ one at home and one on the road. The league debuted the play-in tournament this year at Walt Disney World, though it only featured the Nos. The second half is March 11 to May 16, with the play-in tournament May 18-21.
Harrell wins Sixth Man Award to keep it with Clippers
Read full article: Harrell wins Sixth Man Award to keep it with ClippersHarrell ended the two-year run of teammate Lou Williams who finished third and gave the Clippers four winners in the last five years. Harrell and Williams helped the Clippers have the leagues highest-scoring bench for the second straight season. Harrell received 58 first-place votes from a panel of 100 sports writers and broadcasters, earning 397 points. Dennis Schroder of Oklahoma City was second with 35 first-place votes and 328 points, while Williams got the other seven first-place votes and 127 points. Harrell didn't play during that after leaving the team because of his grandmother's death, but returned to help the Clippers into the second round of the playoffs.
Paul has 28, helps Thunder force Game 7 against the Rockets
Read full article: Paul has 28, helps Thunder force Game 7 against the RocketsOklahoma City Thunder's Dennis Schroder (17) is forced to pass the ball as Houston Rockets' Russell Westbrook, bottom center, Jeff Green (32) and P.J. Paul gave the Thunder at least one more game at Disney, scoring 15 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter for a 104-100 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday night in Game 6 of a Western Conference first-round series. But they combined for 12 of the Rockets' 22 turnovers, saying Houston has lost the close games more than Oklahoma City won them. Houston got its most dominant playoff victory in Game 5, winning 114-80 after holding Oklahoma City to 31.5% shooting. Oklahoma City extended it to eight, but Houston wiped that out with an 18-4 run that provided a 98-92 lead.
Tucker, Schroder ejected from Rockets-Thunder playoff game
Read full article: Tucker, Schroder ejected from Rockets-Thunder playoff gameTucker, center, his held back by Oklahoma City Thunder's Steven Adams, right, as he confronts Dennis Schroder (17) after a foul during the second half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Both Schroder and Tucker were ejected from the game. Tucker and Oklahoma City's Dennis Schroder were ejected from Game 5 of their first-round playoff series Saturday night after a tussle following a hard pick that sent them both to the floor. When the two players stood back up, Tucker approached Schroder and head-butted him from behind. After checking the video, referee James Capers called a flagrant 2 foul on Schroder and ejected him.
Harden scores 31 points, Rockets beat Thunder for 3-2 lead
Read full article: Harden scores 31 points, Rockets beat Thunder for 3-2 leadHouston Rockets' P.J. That was a fortunate turn of events for the Houston Rockets. We need him.Schroder led the Thunder with 19 points 18 of them in the second quarter, when Oklahoma City had its only lead of the game. Steven Adams had 12 points and 14 rebounds, and Darius Bazley had 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Thunder. Houston scored 20 of the games first 27 points, but the Thunder erased the deficit in the second -- taking a brief lead of as many as five points -- before the Rockets took a 48-45 lead into the half.
Rockets can advance, Thunder look to force a Game 7
Read full article: Rockets can advance, Thunder look to force a Game 7The Rockets will take a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 against the Thunder in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on Monday night. Dennis Schroder led the Thunder with 19 points in Game 5 18 in the second quarter, when Oklahoma City had its only lead of the night. If the Rockets win Monday, they would play Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. INJURY WATCH: Rockets G Russell Westbrook (quad) returned for Game 5, with seven points and seven assists in just under 24 minutes. The Lakers would get nearly a full week to rest if the Rockets dont win Game 6.
Schroder scores 30; Thunder top Rockets to even series
Read full article: Schroder scores 30; Thunder top Rockets to even seriesEric Gordon scored 23 points and Danuel House added 21 for the Rockets, who won the first two games of the series. The Thunder shot 47.8% and the Rockets 47.7% before the break. The Rockets led 93-80 before Schroder made a 3-pointer and Houston's Austin Rivers was called for a foul away from the shot. Schroder hot a deep 3-pointer at the buzzer, and the Oklahoma City climbed within 93-92 at the end of the third. Thunder: Shot 61% in the first quarter.
Disney is nice but for NBA's top teams, no place like home
Read full article: Disney is nice but for NBA's top teams, no place like homeBut right now it's more hurting the teams that should be playing in front of rowdy fans, not virtual ones. With Domantas Sabonis lost to injury, the Pacers need Turner to do even more on the inside to pick up the slack. Game 2, 9 p.m. ESPN NEED TO KNOW: These teams are seeded No. 8 based on what they did over the entire season, but there is no such difference in the bubble. Vogel said he believes in adjusting when necessary and may decide the Lakers need more speed on the floor and go smaller.
The NBA MVP finalists: Antetokounmpo, James and Harden
Read full article: The NBA MVP finalists: Antetokounmpo, James and HardenA trio of past winners of the award reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, four-time MVP LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and 2017-18 winner James Harden of the Houston Rockets were announced Saturday as the finalists for this seasons top NBA individual honor. Antetokounmpo is bidding to become the 12th back-to-back winner of the award, and Harden is vying for his second MVP in three seasons. The other finalists for NBA honors:Rookie of the Year Ja Morant, Memphis; Kendrick Nunn, Miami; Zion Williamson, New Orleans. Sixth Man Montrezl Harrell, Los Angeles Clippers; Dennis Schroder, Oklahoma City; Lou Williams, Los Angeles Clippers. Defensive Player of the Year Antetokounmpo; Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers; Rudy Gobert, Utah.
CP3 leads Thunder's rout of cold-shooting Lakers, 105-86
Read full article: CP3 leads Thunder's rout of cold-shooting Lakers, 105-86Oklahoma City pulled even with Houston for the fifth seed in the Western Conference playoff picture with five games left. Los Angeles, which has already clinched the top seed in the West and the Pacific Division title, never held a lead for the first time all season. Los Angeles dropped two games behind Milwaukee for the NBA's best overall record, which won't provide a real home-court advantage in the NBA Finals this year. Dion Waiters scored 14 points for the Lakers, whose poor perimeter shooting in the bubble still hasn't been fixed. ... Los Angeles got a scare in the third quarter when Paul elbowed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the ribs, forcing Caldwell-Pope to leave the game.