Basketball

McConnell, Smith power Pacers past Thunder, 121-117

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — T.J. McConnell had 21 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, Jalen Smith added 12 points and 15 rebounds and the short-handed Indiana Pacers held off the playoff-hopeful Oklahoma City Thunder 121-117 on Friday night.

Mar 31, 2023 8:40 PM Read more >

Raptors' Nurse: Time needed to reflect on coaching future

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Toronto coach Nick Nurse will take time in the offseason to consider if he wants to return to the Raptors for a sixth season or pursue other options. With the Raptors under .

Mar 31, 2023 8:22 PM Read more >

LaVine, DeRozan each score 23 points; Bulls rout Hornets

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan each scored 23 points and the Chicago Bulls routed the injury-plagued Charlotte Hornets 121-91 on Friday night to take a big step toward reaching the NBA's play-in tournament.

Mar 31, 2023 8:02 PM Read more >

LaMarcus Aldridge, 7-time NBA All-Star, announces retirement

NEW YORK (AP) — LaMarcus Aldridge announced Friday he is retiring again from the NBA. Aldridge, 37, initially retired in 2021 after experiencing an irregular heartbeat in the last of five games he played for the Brooklyn Nets that season.

Mar 31, 2023 6:11 PM Read more >

T-wolves ref gripes get $25K fine for Gobert, $15K for Finch

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The NBA fined Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert $25,000 and coach Chris Finch $15,000 on Friday for their public criticisms of the officiating after their last game.

Mar 31, 2023 5:14 PM Read more >

T-wolves backup Naz Reid out indefinitely with broken wrist

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid will be sidelined indefinitely with a broken left wrist that occurred in the previous game, a blow to the team's depth during the stretch run of the regular season.

Mar 31, 2023 4:46 PM Read more >

Gradey Dick to leave Kansas for NBA draft after 1 season

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas sharpshooter Gradey Dick is entering the NBA draft after one season with the Jayhawks. The 6-foot-8 guard announced his decision in a social media post Friday . Dick started all 36 games for the Jayhawks and averaged 14.

Mar 31, 2023 3:40 PM Read more >

How AP selects the college player and coach of the year

The Associated Press has announced the men's and women's college basketball player and coach of the year awards. Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is the women's Player of the Year and Indiana’s Teri Moren won women's Coach of the Year.

Mar 31, 2023 10:32 AM Read more >

Boston hosts Utah after Horton-Tucker's 41-point game

Utah Jazz (36-40, 12th in the Western Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (53-24, second in the Eastern Conference) Boston; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Celtics -13.

Mar 31, 2023 12:03 AM Read more >

Phoenix faces Denver, looks for 4th straight victory

Denver Nuggets (51-25, first in the Western Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (41-35, fourth in the Western Conference) Phoenix; Friday, 10:30 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Suns -8.

Mar 31, 2023 12:03 AM Read more >