Basketball

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets were facing some questions going into their first NBA Finals, and their answers came in resounding fashion. No, a week and a half off didn’t hurt them.

DENVER (AP) — Eric Lewis was not selected as one of the 12 referees who will work the NBA Finals between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat, while the league continues to look into whether he used a Twitter account to defend himself and other official

DENVER (AP) — The latest sanctions, if any, that the NBA plans to levy against Memphis guard Ja Morant for his second instance of displaying a gun on social media will be announced shortly after the finals, Commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday.

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Nick Nurse inherits a Philadelphia 76ers team in which Joel Embiid blossomed into an MVP, Tyrese Maxey developed into a rising star and James Harden flashed his old All-Star form in the playoffs.

BOSTON (AP) — For anyone expecting sweeping changes from the Boston Celtics this offseason , team president of basketball operations Brad Stevens is throwing a bit of cold water on that idea.

DENVER (AP) — The NBA Finals will end in six games. At least, that’s what history says.

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Pistons made a bold move in their latest attempt to become relevant in the NBA again. Detroit reached an agreement to hire former Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams , according to two people familiar with the situation.

Toronto's Zach Edey decided it was the right call to return to Purdue instead of staying in the NBA draft. His predecessor as national player of the year, Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe, is sticking with his pro pursuit.

DENVER (AP) — Congratulations, Serbia. You're about to have another NBA champion. His name is Nikola. (The last name is TBA.) Denver has two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Miami has rookie Nikola Jovic.

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic wasn’t supposed to be here. Neither was Jimmy Butler, for that matter. Jokic was drafted behind 40 other players in 2014. Butler was drafted behind 29 others in 2011.