Basketball

NBA playoffs: Lakers, Heat advance to conference finals with Game 6 victories

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James had 30 points, nine rebounds and nine assists and the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors with a 122-101 victory Friday night in Game 6 of the second-round series.

May 12, 2023 10:54 PM Read more >

Heat back to the NBA's final four, top Knicks 96-92 for 4-2 series win

MIAMI (AP) — Heat coach Erik Spoelstra walked into the postgame interview room, a cup of a celebratory beverage in his hand, took a seat and began explaining how difficult the journey has been for Heat. The regular season was a struggle.

May 12, 2023 9:23 PM Read more >

Suns go big at trade deadline, still lose in second round of playoffs

PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns pushed all-in at the trade deadline, blowing up their roster nucleus to add 13-time All-Star Kevin Durant in a quest for the franchise's first championship in its 55-year history. It didn't happen.

May 12, 2023 1:35 PM Read more >

How does the NBA lottery work, and who has the best chance to draft Wembanyama?

The NBA draft lottery has offered teams a quick path from bad to good for nearly four decades. The stakes this year are unusually high with French phenom Victor Wembanyama the top prospect.

May 12, 2023 9:54 AM Read more >

Rolling with Jokic-Murray combo, Nuggets prepare for Western Conference finals

PHOENIX (AP) — Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone said it was around December when he thought this could be a championship-caliber team. Jamal Murray was a believer even sooner. Like in 2019.

May 12, 2023 5:52 AM Read more >

Nuggets blow past Suns 125-100, advance to Western Conference finals

PHOENIX (AP) — Two years ago, the Denver Nuggets were embarrassed by the Phoenix Suns in a postseason sweep. This time, it was the Nuggets who dished out the embarrassment.

May 12, 2023 12:14 AM Read more >

Nuggets head to Western Conference finals; Celtics, 76ers head to Game 7

PHOENIX (AP) — Nikola Jokic scored 32 points in another triple-double, Jamal Murray added 26 and the Denver Nuggets advanced to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2020 by beating the short-handed Phoenix Suns 125-100 in Game 6 on

May 11, 2023 10:56 PM Read more >

Tatum's 4th-quarter 3s push Celtics past 76ers 95-86; force Game 7

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jayson Tatum humbly believes he is one of the best basketball players in the NBA and not even a lengthy streak of missed shots in a win-or-else Game 6 could shake his faith.

May 11, 2023 9:40 PM Read more >

Ayton out with injury as Suns face potential elimination in Game 6 vs Nuggets

PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns will be without starters Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul as they try to avoid postseason elimination in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.

May 11, 2023 6:49 PM Read more >

Lakers coach Ham expects Anthony Davis to play in Game 6 vs Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Lakers coach Darvin Ham said he expects Anthony Davis to play Friday night in Los Angeles, adding that the eight-time All-Star big man is “not showing any signs of anything” and is not in the NBA’s concussion protocol after being

May 11, 2023 4:41 PM Read more >