Basketball

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets delivered the type of disciplined performance that's a prerequisite for lasting a long time in the NBA playoffs . The Minnesota Timberwolves sure aren't there yet.

NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 21 points, RJ Barrett broke out of a slump with 19 and the New York Knicks held the Cleveland Cavaliers to the lowest point total in the NBA this season, rolling to a 2-1 lead in the first-round playoff series wit

NEW YORK (AP) — Back when the NBA playoffs were always part of the springtime schedule at Madison Square Garden, this is what they looked like. Tough to score. Even a little tough to watch. And on Friday night, the fans loved it.

ATLANTA (AP) — Trae Young never lost confidence in himself, even after a run of dismal playoff performances. Finally, he looked like that charismatic point guard who carried the Atlanta Hawks to the Eastern Conference final two years ago.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kawhi Leonard will miss Game 4 for the Clippers against the Phoenix Suns, leaving Los Angeles without its superstar for a second straight playoff game.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — LeBron James has seemed wise beyond his years since the start of his basketball journey, and he wasn't about to drop down to Dillon Brooks' level of discourse heading into a pivotal game for the Los Angeles Lakers.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid will sit out because of a sprained right knee when the Philadelphia 76ers try to complete a sweep of the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo’s status for Saturday’s Game 3 of Milwaukee's Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with the Miami Heat remains uncertain, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said Friday.

TORONTO — Masai Ujiri believes that change has to start at the top. That includes him, the Toronto Raptors team president.

TORONTO — Like a lot of Toronto Raptors fans, Masai Ujiri didn't like what he saw from his team this season. But as team president, he could do something about it.