INSIDER
Here’s what we know after Spurs’ swift release of guard Josh Primo
Read full article: Here’s what we know after Spurs’ swift release of guard Josh PrimoThe 19-year-old guard was released by the Spurs on Friday, just four games into the NBA season and soon after the third-year option on his contract had been picked up by the team.
Suns rally from 22 points down to beat Mavericks 107-105
Read full article: Suns rally from 22 points down to beat Mavericks 107-105Devin Booker scored 28 points, Damion Lee made a go-ahead baseline jumper with 9.7 seconds left and the Phoenix Suns rallied from 22 points down in the third quarter to beat the Dallas Mavericks 107-105 on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams.
Ayton, Booker lead top-seeded Suns past Mavericks 121-114
Read full article: Ayton, Booker lead top-seeded Suns past Mavericks 121-114Deandre Ayton scored 25 points, Devin Booker added 23 and the top-seeded Phoenix Suns rolled to a 121-114 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Ingram, Pelicans overwhelm Booker-less Suns to tie series
Read full article: Ingram, Pelicans overwhelm Booker-less Suns to tie seriesBrandon Ingram scored 16 of his 30 points in the third quarter and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Phoenix Suns — playing with injured star Devin Booker — 118-103 in Game 4 on Sunday night to tie the first-round series.
Paul, Ayton help Booker-less Suns beat Pelicans 114-111
Read full article: Paul, Ayton help Booker-less Suns beat Pelicans 114-111Chris Paul scored 19 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and the Phoenix Suns overcame Devin Booker’s absence to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 114-111 on Friday night in Game 3 of the first-round series.
Chris Paul takes over in 4th, Suns beat Pelicans 110-99
Read full article: Chris Paul takes over in 4th, Suns beat Pelicans 110-99Chris Paul scored 19 of his 30 points during a brilliant fourth-quarter shooting display and the Phoenix Suns beat the New Orleans Pelicans 110-99 on Sunday night in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series.
Powell returns, Clippers beat Suns for 3rd straight win
Read full article: Powell returns, Clippers beat Suns for 3rd straight winNorman Powell scored 24 points after being out two months, Paul George added 19 points in three quarters to go over 15,000 in his career, and the Los Angeles Clippers edged the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns 113-109.
Booker scores 32, Suns eliminate Lakers from playoff race
Read full article: Booker scores 32, Suns eliminate Lakers from playoff raceDevin Booker scored 32 points and the Phoenix Suns won their franchise-record 63rd game of the season, beating a Lakers team minus LeBron James 121-110 to eliminate Los Angeles from the playoff race.
Booker, Paul deliver at end, Suns hold off Warriors 107-103
Read full article: Booker, Paul deliver at end, Suns hold off Warriors 107-103Devin Booker’s two free throws with 34.2 seconds left put Phoenix ahead, Draymond Green traveled to turn it over before Chris Paul made a short jumper, and the NBA-best Phoenix Suns held off the Golden State Warriors 107-103 in a furious finish between Western Conference rivals.
Booker has 35 points, Suns beat 76ers for 8th win in a row
Read full article: Booker has 35 points, Suns beat 76ers for 8th win in a rowDevin Booker scored 35 points, Chris Paul had 19 points and 14 assists and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns won their eighth straight game, beating the Philadelphia 76ers 114-104 on Sunday.
Shamet hits key 3-pointer in OT, Suns rally to beat Kings
Read full article: Shamet hits key 3-pointer in OT, Suns rally to beat KingsLandry Shamet made a 3-pointer with 31 seconds left in overtime moments after missing an open look beyond the arc and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns beat the Sacramento Kings 127-124 on Sunday.
Suns rout Bulls, move closer to wrapping up top spot in NBA
Read full article: Suns rout Bulls, move closer to wrapping up top spot in NBADevin Booker scored 28 points and the Phoenix Suns moved closer to wrapping up the NBA’s best regular-season record, routing the Chicago Bulls 129-102 on Friday night.
Booker has 23 points in return, Suns roll past Heat 111-90
Read full article: Booker has 23 points in return, Suns roll past Heat 111-90Devin Booker scored 23 points, Mikal Bridges added 21 and the Phoenix Suns shook off a slow start to beat the Miami Heat 111-90 on Wednesday night in a matchup of the NBA’s conference leaders.
Suns rally without Paul, edging Rockets for 7th straight win
Read full article: Suns rally without Paul, edging Rockets for 7th straight winDevin Booker scored 24 points, Deandre Ayton added 23 and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns extended their winning streak to seven games, rallying after Chris Paul was ejected to beat the Houston Rockets 124-121 on Wednesday night.
Ayton has 20 points and 16 rebounds, Suns rout Wizards
Read full article: Ayton has 20 points and 16 rebounds, Suns rout WizardsDeandre Ayton had 20 points and 16 rebounds in an efficient 24 minutes and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns rebounded from a streak-ending loss to beat the short-handed Washington Wizards 95-80 on Saturday night.
NBA-best Suns rally for 10th straight win, top Spurs 115-110
Read full article: NBA-best Suns rally for 10th straight win, top Spurs 115-110Devin Booker scored 28 points, Mikal Bridges added a season-high 26 and the Phoenix Suns overcame a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win their 10th straight game, beating the San Antonio Spurs 115-110 on Sunday night.
Paul, Booker help NBA-best Suns roll to 9th straight win
Read full article: Paul, Booker help NBA-best Suns roll to 9th straight winDevin Booker scored 29 points, Chris Paul had a triple-double with 21 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns won their ninth straight game, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 134-124 on Friday night.
Booker’s season-high 48 helps Suns rally past Spurs 121-107
Read full article: Booker’s season-high 48 helps Suns rally past Spurs 121-107Devin Booker had a season-high 48 points and the Phoenix Suns dominated the fourth quarter to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 121-107 for their fourth straight victory.
Booker, McGee help Suns rout Pistons in Michigan homecoming
Read full article: Booker, McGee help Suns rout Pistons in Michigan homecomingDevin Booker scored 30 points and JaVale McGee added 20 in their Michigan homecomings to help the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns rout the Detroit Pistons 135-108 on Sunday.
Paul has triple-double, NBA-leading Suns top Clippers 106-89
Read full article: Paul has triple-double, NBA-leading Suns top Clippers 106-89Chris Paul had a triple-double with 14 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists to help the short-handed Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Clippers 106-89 on Thursday night.
Booker scores 24 points, depleted Suns rout Hornets 133-99
Read full article: Booker scores 24 points, depleted Suns rout Hornets 133-99Devin Booker scored 24 points, Jalen Smith tied a career high with 19 points and 12 rebounds and the short-handed Phoenix Suns hammered the Charlotte Hornets 133-99.
Booker, Ayton push Suns past Lakers 108-90
Read full article: Booker, Ayton push Suns past Lakers 108-90Devin Booker continued to distance himself from a hamstring injury that cost him seven games, scoring 24 points with nine rebounds and seven assists as the Phoenix Suns earned a 108-90 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Ayton returns to pace Suns in 111-107 win over Blazers in OT
Read full article: Ayton returns to pace Suns in 111-107 win over Blazers in OTDeandre Ayton had 28 points and 13 rebounds in his return from a non-COVID-19 illness, and the Phoenix Suns held off the Portland Trail Blazers 111-107 in overtime.
Paul posts 21 points, 10 assists, Suns beat Spurs 108-104
Read full article: Paul posts 21 points, 10 assists, Suns beat Spurs 108-104Chris Paul had 21 points and 10 assists, Jae Crowder added a season-high 19 points and the Phoenix Suns held off the San Antonio Spurs for a 108-104 win on Monday night.
Curry bounces back, Warriors end Suns' 18-game streak 118-96
Read full article: Curry bounces back, Warriors end Suns' 18-game streak 118-96Stephen Curry bounced back from one of the worst shooting nights of his career and scored 23 points, and the Golden State Warriors convincingly ended the Phoenix Suns’ 18-game winning streak, 118-96, on Friday night.
Booker scores 35, Suns win 14th straight, beat Cavs 120-115
Read full article: Booker scores 35, Suns win 14th straight, beat Cavs 120-115Devin Booker scored 35 points, Chris Paul had 12 assists and made four free throws in the final 8.8 seconds the Phoenix Suns extended their winning streak to 14 games, holding off the Cleveland Cavaliers 120-1115.
Suns win 12th straight with ease, roll past Nuggets 126-97
Read full article: Suns win 12th straight with ease, roll past Nuggets 126-97Cam Johnson scored a career-high 22 points, Deandre Ayton added 21 and the fast-starting Phoenix Suns ran their winning streak to 12, routing the short-handed Denver Nuggets 126-97 on Sunday night.
Suns rally in 4th, beat Mavs 112-104 for 11th straight win
Read full article: Suns rally in 4th, beat Mavs 112-104 for 11th straight winMikal Bridges and Devin Booker each scored 19 points, Chris Paul added 18 points and 14 assists and the Phoenix Suns ran their winning streak to 11, rallying to beat the Dallas Mavericks 112-104 on Friday night.
Booker scores 24 points, Suns beat Mavs for 10th straight
Read full article: Booker scores 24 points, Suns beat Mavs for 10th straightDevin Booker scored 24 points, Deandre Ayton had 19 points and 13 rebounds and the Phoenix Suns ran their winning streak to 10 games, beating the Dallas Mavericks 105-98.
Davis scores 25 as short-handed Lakers defeat Nuggets 93-89
Read full article: Davis scores 25 as short-handed Lakers defeat Nuggets 93-89Anthony Davis scored 25 points and had key plays on both ends of the floor in the final minute as the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 93-89 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Lakers add center Andre Drummond for postseason push
Read full article: Lakers add center Andre Drummond for postseason pushFILE - In this Feb 5, 2021, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' Andre Drummond drives the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)LOS ANGELES – Andre Drummond is joining the Los Angeles Lakers for the playoff push. The Lakers announced the signing of the two-time All-Star center less than an hour before Sunday night's game against the Orlando Magic. AdThe Lakers currently rank ninth in the NBA in rebounds per game (45.1), but just 17th in offensive rebounds (9.6). Ad___AP Sports Writer Joe Reedy in Los Angeles contributed to this report___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
AP source: Nuggets acquire center JaVale McGee from Cavs
Read full article: AP source: Nuggets acquire center JaVale McGee from Cavs(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)DENVER – The Denver Nuggets are bringing back center JaVale McGee in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The 33-year-old McGee averaged eight points and 5.2 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game for the Cavs this season. A three-time NBA champion with Golden State and Los Angeles, McGee brings plenty of playoff experience to the Nuggets. McGee has been invaluable to the Cavs this season, serving not only as a backup but mentor to the team’s young core. Hartenstein shoved McGee, and although he scored just two points, his gesture meant much more to his coaches and teammates.
Johnson has 23 points, 21 boards as Spurs beat Cavs 116-110
Read full article: Johnson has 23 points, 21 boards as Spurs beat Cavs 116-110(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)CLEVELAND – Keldon Johnson scored 23 points and grabbed a career-high 21 rebounds, and Dejounte Murray had 22 points as the San Antonio Spurs held on for a 116-110, wire-to-wire victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. San Antonio, which led by 22 in the third quarter, won its third straight to move a season-high six games over .500. AdJohnson had 15 points and 11 rebounds in the first half, helping San Antonio take a 54-42 lead. San Antonio wraps up a five-game road trip, then heads home for nine consecutive games through April 5. Sexton averaged 23.3 points last season against the Raptors, who won all three games by 46 total points.
USA Basketball picks 57 players for men's Tokyo Games pool
Read full article: USA Basketball picks 57 players for men's Tokyo Games poolUSA Basketball is a step closer to choosing the team that will play in this summer’s rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, releasing the names Thursday of 57 players who are part of the pool to fill the squad. It’s also already drawing major interest from some NBA stars who have yet to taste Olympic gold. USA Basketball will pare the list to a 12-person Olympic team by early summer. Jordan, who now plays for Brooklyn, is also a newcomer to the pool even though he was on the 2016 Olympic team. “But for USA Basketball to receive the commitment of so many outstanding players remains an indicator of the great honor of representing your country means to these men.”
Anthony Davis agrees to 5-year deal to return to Lakers
Read full article: Anthony Davis agrees to 5-year deal to return to LakersFILE - Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, rear, and Anthony Davis (3) celebrate after the Lakers defeated the Miami Heat 106-93 in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in this Oct. 11, 2020, file photo. Anthony Davis is finalizing a five-year contract worth up to $190 million to return to the Los Angeles Lakers. 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. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)LOS ANGELES – Anthony Davis finalized a five-year contract worth up to $190 million to return to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. 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.
Murray, Nuggets hang on in Game 3, cut Lakers' lead to 2-1
Read full article: Murray, Nuggets hang on in Game 3, cut Lakers' lead to 2-1Jamal Murray had 28 points, 12 assists and two late 3-pointers to halt a Lakers charge, helping the Nuggets to a 114-106 victory Tuesday night that cut Los Angeles' lead to 2-1 in the Western Conference finals. It would grow to 18 and could have been worse if not for Davis, who scored nine straight Lakers points. The Lakers got the first five points of the third to cut the lead in half, but Denver regained control and led 93-75 after three. Nuggets: Denver's last halftime lead had been a 59-57 edge over the Clippers in Game 3 of the West semifinals. THE AIR UP THEREThe Lakers came into the game 4-0 in the playoffs as the designated road team.
Davis, Lakers run past Rockets for 3-1 West semifinals lead
Read full article: Davis, Lakers run past Rockets for 3-1 West semifinals leadLos Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis (3) and P.J. James had 16 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists for the Lakers, who outrebounded the Rockets 52-26. Russell Westbrook had 25 points and James Harden had 21 for the Rockets, who got 19 from Eric Gordon and 14 from Austin Rivers. It was 57-41 Lakers at the break, meaning Houston had scored 79 points in its last 48 minutes of basketball. Rockets: Houston is one of the franchises that has overcome a 3-1 deficit, doing so against the Clippers in the second round of the 2015 playoffs.
LeBron, Rondo spark Lakers to 112-102 victory over Rockets
Read full article: LeBron, Rondo spark Lakers to 112-102 victory over RocketsRondo had 21 points and nine assists as the Lakers broke open a close game in the final period. He scored eight straight points during a 10-0 run early in the fourth quarter that put the Lakers ahead for good. Rondo assisted on a layup by James that put the Lakers ahead with about 10 minutes remaining. Rondo then hit a 3-pointer to give the Lakers an 89-85 advantage, their largest lead to that point. The Lakers blew a 21-point lead in Game 2 but outscored Houston by 10 in the fourth quarter to win 117-109.
Rockets run away from No. 1 seed Lakers, take Game 1 112-97
Read full article: Rockets run away from No. 1 seed Lakers, take Game 1 112-97James Harden scored 36 points and the Houston Rockets ran away from the Lakers 112-97 on Friday night, the second straight round the No. Russell Westbrook added 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and Eric Gordon had 23 points for the Rockets, the No. They forced 17 turnovers that led to 27 turnovers and played the much bigger Lakers even on the backboards. The Lakers playing for only the second time in 11 days. Lakers: Assistant coach Jason Kidd missed the game because of what coach Frank Vogel said were severe back spasms.
LeBron won't wear social justice message on Lakers jersey
Read full article: LeBron won't wear social justice message on Lakers jerseyFILE - In this Jan. 15, 2020, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, shoots as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, in Los Angeles. The Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers already have just about guaranteed themselves the top two playoff seeds and face a delicate balancing act when the NBA returns to action. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)LeBron James says his thoughts on social justice can't be contained on the back of a basketball jersey. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar won't wear one of the NBA-approved social justice messages on the back of his jersey when the NBA resumes competition later this month in the Orlando bubble. I would have loved to have a say-so on what would have went on the back of my jersey, James said.
LeBron gets 36 in 3-point barrage, Lakers rout Spurs 129-102
Read full article: LeBron gets 36 in 3-point barrage, Lakers rout Spurs 129-102San Antonio Spurs forward Rudy Gay, left, and Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis reach for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Lakers' entire roster left the bench and crossed the court, gleefully picking up their leader while a sellout crowd roared. James scored 19 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter with that incredible 3-point barrage, propelling the Lakers to a 129-102 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night. “When the guy gets hot like that, it's always fun to watch him,” Davis said, laughing at the Lakers' group celebration after the final 3. San Antonio was outrebounded 58-28 by the bigger Lakers, and the Spurs grabbed only three rebounds in the fourth quarter while the Lakers went 16 of 24 from the field.