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2 teams, 2 chances at titles: Heat, Panthers ready for their finals tests

2 teams, 2 chances at titles: Heat, Panthers ready for their finals tests

DENVER (AP) — They were No. 8 seeds. They barely got into the playoffs after up-and-down regular seasons. They had to face the No. 1 overall seeds in Round 1 of the postseason. They had to win Game 7s in Boston just to keep their seasons alive. They are Eastern

Star-studded crowd watches Victor Wembanyama turn it on late, hours before NBA draft lottery

Star-studded crowd watches Victor Wembanyama turn it on late, hours before NBA draft lottery

PARIS (AP) — Hours before finding out his likely destination in the NBA, Victor Wembanyama drew a star-studded crowd in his last regular-season game in France and delivered another game-winning performance in the fourth quarter. Soccer star Kylian Mbappé and popular French actor Omar Sy were both on hand to

NBA Playoffs: Warriors' Klay Thompson extends 3-point record

NBA Playoffs: Warriors' Klay Thompson extends 3-point record

When Klay Thompson gets hot, forget it. Golden State evened up its Western Conference semifinal series with the Los Angeles Lakers at a game apiece on Thursday night, rolling to a 127-100 victory in Game 2. And Thompson extended an NBA record in the process. No other player has more

Nuggets try to make star-studded Suns look average again

Nuggets try to make star-studded Suns look average again

The Phoenix Suns' star quartet of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton looked mighty average in their Game 1 loss to the Denver Nuggets. Now it's gut check time when the Suns try to even the series in Game 2 on Monday in Denver. There's certainly reason

Durant signs lifetime deal with Nike, joining Jordan, LeBron

Durant signs lifetime deal with Nike, joining Jordan, LeBron

PHOENIX (AP) — Kevin Durant and Nike have agreed to a lifetime contract, making him just the third NBA player to receive such a deal, joining Michael Jordan and LeBron James. The 13-time All-Star has a relationship with Nike that dates back to 2007, releasing 15 different sets of shoes.

Back to health, Porter and Murray help Nuggets to next round

Back to health, Porter and Murray help Nuggets to next round

DENVER (AP) — Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic has his bandmates back together. They're making up for lost time, too. Paired again in the playoffs

76ers complete sweep of Nets 96-88 with Embiid sidelined

76ers complete sweep of Nets 96-88 with Embiid sidelined

NEW YORK (AP) — Tobias Harris had 25 points and 12 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers overcame the absence of Joel Embiid to beat the Brooklyn Nets 96-88 on Saturday, completing a sweep that made them the first team to reach the second round of the playoffs. James Harden added

76ers finish sweep of Nets without Embiid in 96-88 win

76ers finish sweep of Nets without Embiid in 96-88 win

NEW YORK (AP) — All Joel Embiid could give the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday was encouragement. The NBA's leading scorer and MVP finalist couldn't play because of a sprained right knee, but still provided a presence for his team. "It starts with Joel," guard Tyrese Maxey said. "He's the leader

LeBron not trading trash talk with Brooks before Game 3

LeBron not trading trash talk with Brooks before Game 3

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. James declined to respond to the Memphis

Warriors in 0-2 hole, Suns-Clippers even as Game 3s arrive

Warriors in 0-2 hole, Suns-Clippers even as Game 3s arrive

Time for the Golden State Warriors to show this will be a long series, not a short title reign. The defending champions — without the suspended Draymond Green — will begin trying to climb out of a hole their current group has never faced when they host the Sacramento Kings

Maxey, Embiid, Harris power 76ers to 96-84 win over Nets

Maxey, Embiid, Harris power 76ers to 96-84 win over Nets

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid pumped his fist in the air and exhorted the Philly crowd to get louder as Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey hit game-changing 3s and stymied Brooklyn runs with clutch boards. "It's as happy as I've ever seen him since I've been here with other guys

Warriors look to even series after losing opener to Kings

Warriors look to even series after losing opener to Kings

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — After four NBA titles and two more trips to the Finals in the past eight seasons, the Golden State Warriors aren't about to get flustered by one loss in a best-of-seven series. The Sacramento Kings struck first in the first playoff meeting between the Northern California

Harden scores 23 as 76ers cruise past Nets 121-101 in Game 1

Harden scores 23 as 76ers cruise past Nets 121-101 in Game 1

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — James Harden feels more at home in Philly this postseason go-around than he did a year ago when he was still finding his footing after a trade. It helps that The Beard knows his role alongside Joel Embiid, has his health — and his signature step-back is

Nets' starless roster in NBA playoffs with no Durant, Irving

Nets' starless roster in NBA playoffs with no Durant, Irving

NEW YORK (AP) — When the Brooklyn Nets traded Kyrie Irving and then Kevin Durant, the drama that had engulfed the team went with them — along with any realistic title hopes for this season. Not that all hope is lost. Yes, teams that win rings almost always have superstars,

Season of NBA moments: LeBron, Lillard, Mitchell and more

Season of NBA moments: LeBron, Lillard, Mitchell and more

Some moments from the 2022-23 NBA regular season: Oct. 18: Boston defeats Philadelphia and Golden State beats the Los Angeles Lakers on opening night. The Warriors received their championship rings from last season in a ceremony preceding their game. Oct. 20: NBA referee Tony Brown, 55, dies of pancreatic cancer.