Basketball

Joel Embiid decides to play for USA - not France - in Paris Olympics

Joel Embiid will wear red, white and blue in Paris next summer — not rouge, blanc and bleu.

Oct 5, 2023 2:46 PM Read more >

Bucks' Middleton remains limited in practice, but he's optimistic about starting the season on time

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton remains limited in practice but said Thursday he's hopeful about starting the season on time as he recovers from surgery on his right knee.

Oct 5, 2023 1:11 PM Read more >

Timberwolves top Mavericks 111-99 in NBA preseason opener in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns scored 20 points in 17 minutes, Naz Reid added 16 and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Dallas Mavericks 111-99 in the first NBA preseason game of the year Thursday.

Oct 5, 2023 12:50 PM Read more >

Suns, Mercury owner Mat Ishbia to spend $100 million on Mercury practice facility, employee campus

PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia announced on Thursday he's spending upwards of $100 million to build a dedicated practice facility for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and a downtown campus for Suns and Mercury employees.

Oct 5, 2023 11:33 AM Read more >

Otto Porter Jr. returns to Raptors healthy and looking to make impression

BURNABY, B.C. — Otto Porter Jr.'s first season as a Toronto Raptor lasted eight games. Since his season-ending surgery on his left foot on Jan. 10, 2022, the team's head coach has been replaced and iconic, veteran players have departed.

Oct 5, 2023 9:12 AM Read more >

Jrue Holiday lands in Boston, bringing 'electricity' to practice and championship goals

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics' typically straight-faced basketball boss Brad Stevens couldn’t hide his smile after watching just one practice with Jrue Holiday on the team. “We made a thousand mistakes.

Oct 4, 2023 4:24 PM Read more >

Chet Holmgren adds a 'new dynamic' to the Thunder after missing last season with a foot injury

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Thunder general manager Sam Presti and coach Mark Daigneault are trying to control the hype about Chet Holmgren’s return, saying it’s not fair to expect too much from a player who has been out for more than a year with a foot inj

Oct 4, 2023 2:55 PM Read more >

James Harden returns to Philadelphia 76ers' training camp despite his trade request

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — James Harden made his return to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday for training camp. He went through most of the drills. His new coach said he “looked good.

Oct 4, 2023 2:52 PM Read more >

Giannis Ioannidis, who coached teams that dominated Greek basketball in 1980s and 90s, dies at 78

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Giannis Ioannidis, one of Greece's most successful basketball coaches who later entered politics and served as a minister for sports, has died at the age of 78.

Oct 4, 2023 1:41 PM Read more >

VanVleet Void: Pre-season will help Toronto Raptors establish new leadership

Whether it was on the court, in the locker room, or in front of cameras and microphones, Fred VanVleet was the voice of the Toronto Raptors for the past two NBA seasons.

Oct 4, 2023 12:19 PM Read more >