PHILADELPHIA (AP) — James Harden scored 31 points, Joel Embiid had 24 points and 11 rebounds and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Miami Heat 116-108 on Sunday night in Game 4 to even the Eastern Conference semifinal series. The Heat won the first two games in Miami with Embiid out with a right orbital fracture … Read more
The Sacramento Kings have agreed to hire Golden State assistant Mike Brown as their head coach. A person familiar with the decision confirmed on Sunday that Brown will take over the franchise with the longest playoff drought in NBA history. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hadn’t announced the hiring. ESPN … Read more
DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 26 points and the Dallas Mavericks took advantage of foul trouble for Chris Paul to beat the Phoenix Suns 111-101 on Sunday, evening the Western Conference semifinal series at 2-2. Paul was out of Game 4 early in the fourth quarter, the period when he often dominated the Mavericks … Read more
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Now, Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies are calling out the Golden State Warriors for causing unnecessary injury. Morant re-injured his troublesome right knee late in the game when Jordan Poole grabbed it as they fought for a loose ball late in the Warriors’ 142-112 victory that embarrassed the Grizzlies on … Read more
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo found a way to get better shots and recapture his peak form just in time to help the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks regain the lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals. But it was the Boston Celtics’ bad timing that made the difference in the end. Antetokounmpo bounced back from a … Read more
PHOENIX (AP) — Dearica Hamby scored 24 points and the Las Vegas Aces won in Becky Hammon’s first game as coach, beating the short-handed Phoenix Mercury 106-88 on Friday night to open the WNBA season. Phoenix was without Brittney Griner as she nears the three-month mark of her detention in Russia with no timetable for … Read more
SEATTLE (AP) — For all the changes in the arena the Seattle Storm returned to Friday night, there were some constants from the last time the team played inside its home building. Namely, it was Jewell Loyd, Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird leading the Storm to a convincing victory just like the past. Loyd scored … Read more
DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic had 26 points and 13 rebounds, and the Dallas Mavericks turned up the defensive pressure to get back in their Western Conference semifinal series with Phoenix, beating the Suns 103-94 on Friday night. The Mavericks spoiled Chris Paul’s 37th birthday, forcing the 17-year pro into his most turnovers in any … Read more
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid spent the week groggy from a concussion. His busted thumb from him needs surgery. MVP form? Not yet. But Embiid wore his black mask and injected the 76ers—and a skittish fanbase—with revitalized championship aspirations. Embiid inspired the 76ers with his return from a facial injury, Danny Green and Tyrese Maxey … Read more
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The quirks of scheduling for the NBA playoffs created three-day breaks between games in the Boston-Milwaukee and Memphis-Golden State series. In this case, the teams don’t mind the delays too much. They have used the time off to get healthier and deal with unexpected roster changes. “It’s beneficial in a lot of … Read more