Confident, not cocky: Loaded Suns ready for playoff run
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill)PHOENIX — (AP) — The Phoenix Suns have several reasons to be confident they can make another deep playoff run. Confident, but not cocky as they've pegged one trait they believe could knock them off track in pursuit of their first NBA title — hubris. “I have a level of humility for the process.”The Suns are trying to follow a brilliant regular season by finally bringing a championship to the desert. The Suns didn't change their roster much following the loss to the Bucks, opting instead to make another run with the same nucleus. Phoenix's 64-win regular season is another accomplishment for Paul, who has few rivals in NBA history when it comes to making teams better.
wftv.comBooker, Paul deliver at end, Suns hold off Warriors 107-103
Devin Booker’s two free throws with 34.2 seconds left put Phoenix ahead, Draymond Green traveled to turn it over before Chris Paul made a short jumper, and the NBA-best Phoenix Suns held off the Golden State Warriors 107-103 in a furious finish between Western Conference rivals.
Shamet hits key 3-pointer in OT, Suns rally to beat Kings
Suns Kings Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Landry Shamet (14) shoots and scores a three point shot late in overtime of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Sunday, March 20, 2022. (AP Photo/José Luis Villegas) (José Luis Villegas)SACRAMENTO, Calif. — (AP) — Landry Shamet made a 3-pointer with 31 seconds left in overtime moments after missing an open look beyond the arc and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns beat the Sacramento Kings 127-124 on Sunday. Following a timeout, Shamet hit his fifth 3-pointer of the game to put the Suns ahead by two. Already missing All-Star point guard Chris Paul (broken right thumb) and sixth-man Cam Johnson (right quad contusion), the Suns were with without backup point guard Cam Payne because of a non-COVID-19 illness. Davion Mitchell, starting in place of injured point guard De’Aaron Fox, had 28 points and nine assists for Sacramento.
wftv.comSuns rout Bulls, move closer to wrapping up top spot in NBA
Bulls Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns center JaVale McGee dives for the ball during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) (Rick Scuteri)PHOENIX — (AP) — Devin Booker scored 28 points and the Phoenix Suns moved closer to wrapping up the NBA’s best regular-season record, routing the Chicago Bulls 129-102 on Friday night. Cameron Payne scored 15 points, Torrey Craig and Landry Shamet had 14 each, JaVale McGee 12 and Mikael Bridges 11. The Suns (48.5%) and Bulls (48.2%) entered Friday as the top field-goal percentage teams in the NBA. Suns were 12 of 12 from the free-throw line, with Booker making seven.
wftv.comMitchell, Gobert lead surging Jazz over Suns 118-114
Jazz Suns Basketball Utah Jazz center Hassan Whiteside (21) dunks over Phoenix Suns center JaVale McGee (00) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) (Matt York)PHOENIX — (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points, Rudy Gobert added 16 points and 14 rebounds and the Utah Jazz stayed hot with a 118-114 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. Jordan Clarkson had 22 points on 10-of-17 shooting — part of the Utah second unit that played well and outscored Phoenix's bench 43-11. The Suns rallied for a 60-56 halftime lead after trailing for much of the second quarter. Ayton had 17 points on 8 of 10 shooting beore the break while Mitchell scored 11 for the Jazz.
wftv.comSuns rally without Paul, edging Rockets for 7th straight win
Rockets Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns center JaVale McGee (00) rebounds over Houston Rockets forward David Nwaba (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, in Phoenix. The Suns won despite losing Paul in the third quarter after the star point guard was ejected for arguing and then bumping into an official. Houston led for a big chunk of the game and took a 95-89 lead into the final quarter, but Phoenix rallied in a hurry. Tate led the Rockets with 16 points and seven rebounds before the break, while Paul led the Suns with 11 points and five assists. The teams combined for 43 free throws in a foul-filled first half — 22 for the Rockets and 21 for the Suns.
wftv.comYoung has 43 points, Hawks end Suns' 11-game winning streak
Sun Hawks Basketball Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) pulls down a rebound next to Phoenix Suns center JaVale McGee (00) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) (John Bazemore)ATLANTA — (AP) — Trae Young scored 43 points and led Atlanta's flurry of 3-pointers as the surging Hawks beat Phoenix 124-115 on Thursday night to end the Suns' 11-game winning streak. The Suns' second winning streak of more than 10 games this season included eight games on the road. Young scored Atlanta's last 12 points of the third as the Hawks took a 100-91 lead into the final period. Young (right shoulder contusion) was cleared after missing one game.
wftv.comBooker, McGee help Suns rout Pistons in Michigan homecoming
Suns Pistons Basketball Phoenix Suns center JaVale McGee (00) is defended by Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (Carlos Osorio)DETROIT — (AP) — Devin Booker scored 30 points and JaVale McGee added 20 in their Michigan homecomings to help the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns rout the Detroit Pistons 135-108 on Sunday. “I was just hitting shots and the guys were getting me the ball in good places,” said Booker, from Grand Rapids. “Because of the pandemic, I didn’t get to have anything like normal interaction with my family,” Booker said. Cunningham pointed at Booker after the play and was called for his second technical foul of the game, ending his night.
wftv.comDevin Booker returns, NBA-leading Suns rout Hornets 137-106
Hornets Suns Basketball Charlotte Hornets guard Ish Smith, left, drives past Phoenix Suns center JaVale McGee (00) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) (Rick Scuteri)PHOENIX — (AP) — Devin Booker had 16 points in his return to Phoenix's lineup and the NBA-leading Suns set a season-scoring high in a 137-106 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night. After missing seven games because of a hamstring injury, Booker played 26 minutes, and sat out the fourth quarter with Phoenix well ahead. Javale McGee had 19 points in 16 minutes off the bench, and Mikal Bridges also scored 16 points. Landry Shamet also scored 15 points, Jae Crowder and Chris Paul had 14 each, Cam Johnson 12 and Cameron Payne 11.
wftv.comCurry bounces back, Warriors end Suns' 18-game streak 118-96
SAN FRANCISCO — (AP) — Warriors coach Steve Kerr spent a good chunk of his postgame press conference reiterating his belief that the Suns are the best team in the West. Stephen Curry bounced back from one of the worst shooting nights of his career and scored 23 points, and the Warriors convincingly ended the Suns’ 18-game winning streak with a 118-96 victory on Friday night. The Warriors (19-3) limited the Suns (19-4) to a season low for scoring and slipped past Phoenix for the best record in the NBA. Bridges returned midway through the second quarter with medical tape around his pinky finger. The Suns have won three straight against San Antonio but have dropped the last two in Phoenix.
wftv.comLove out, US basketball adds McGee, Keldon Johnson to roster
The U.S. basketball team has lost two games and now two players on its road to Tokyo. It means the much of the U.S. roster will have little time together before its Olympic opener July 25 against France. Veteran center JaVale McGee and Spurs guard Keldon Johnson were added later Friday to the 12-man Olympics roster as replacements. He played in two of the Americans' three exhibition games in Las Vegas, scoring one point. “I think we’re the best basketball players in the world," he said.
wftv.comAP source: US adding McGee, Johnson after Love withdrawal
Kevin Love has withdrawn from the Olympics because of a right calf injury, forcing the U.S. basketball team to replace two players on its roster. Veteran center JaVale McGee and Spurs guard Keldon Johnson will be added to the 12-man Olympics roster, a person with knowledge of the details said Friday. It means the much of the U.S. roster will have little time together before its Olympic opener July 25 against France. McGee, who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets last season, has won three NBA titles but has no Olympic experience. Love would have been trying for a second Olympic gold medal, having played for the Americans in London in 2012.
wftv.comLakers add center Andre Drummond for postseason push
FILE - In this Feb 5, 2021, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' Andre Drummond drives the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)LOS ANGELES – Andre Drummond is joining the Los Angeles Lakers for the playoff push. The Lakers announced the signing of the two-time All-Star center less than an hour before Sunday night's game against the Orlando Magic. AdThe Lakers currently rank ninth in the NBA in rebounds per game (45.1), but just 17th in offensive rebounds (9.6). Ad___AP Sports Writer Joe Reedy in Los Angeles contributed to this report___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Magic trade Aaron Gordon to Nuggets for 2 players, draft pick
Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon, center, dunks as Los Angeles Lakers center JaVale McGee, left, and forward Kyle Kuzma, right, stand by during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)ORLANDO, Fla. – A person with direct knowledge of the matter says Aaron Gordon is being traded by the Orlando Magic to the Denver Nuggets for veteran shooting guard Gary Harris, rookie R.J. Hampton and a first-round draft pick. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was still pending NBA approval. Gordon averaged 14.6 points and 6.6 rebounds for the Magic this season. Earlier in the day, the Nuggets acquired backup center JaVale McGee from the Cleveland Cavaliers for Isaiah Hartenstein and two second-round picks.
AP source: Nuggets acquire center JaVale McGee from Cavs
(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)DENVER – The Denver Nuggets are bringing back center JaVale McGee in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The 33-year-old McGee averaged eight points and 5.2 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game for the Cavs this season. A three-time NBA champion with Golden State and Los Angeles, McGee brings plenty of playoff experience to the Nuggets. McGee has been invaluable to the Cavs this season, serving not only as a backup but mentor to the team’s young core. Hartenstein shoved McGee, and although he scored just two points, his gesture meant much more to his coaches and teammates.
USA Basketball picks 57 players for men's Tokyo Games pool
USA Basketball is a step closer to choosing the team that will play in this summer’s rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, releasing the names Thursday of 57 players who are part of the pool to fill the squad. It’s also already drawing major interest from some NBA stars who have yet to taste Olympic gold. USA Basketball will pare the list to a 12-person Olympic team by early summer. Jordan, who now plays for Brooklyn, is also a newcomer to the pool even though he was on the 2016 Olympic team. “But for USA Basketball to receive the commitment of so many outstanding players remains an indicator of the great honor of representing your country means to these men.”
Anthony Davis agrees to 5-year deal to return to Lakers
FILE - Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, rear, and Anthony Davis (3) celebrate after the Lakers defeated the Miami Heat 106-93 in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in this Oct. 11, 2020, file photo. Anthony Davis is finalizing a five-year contract worth up to $190 million to return to the Los Angeles Lakers. One day after LeBron James agreed to a two-year, $85 million contract extension with the Lakers through 2022-23, Davis committed to the Lakers through the 2024-25 season. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)LOS ANGELES – Anthony Davis finalized a five-year contract worth up to $190 million to return to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. One day after LeBron James agreed to a two-year, $85 million contract extension with the Lakers through 2022-23, Davis committed to the Lakers through the 2024-25 season.
Murray, Nuggets hang on in Game 3, cut Lakers' lead to 2-1
With Denver's lead down to four, Murray made a 3-pointer with 2:16 remaining. It would grow to 18 and could have been worse if not for Davis, who scored nine straight Lakers points. The Lakers got the first five points of the third to cut the lead in half, but Denver regained control and led 93-75 after three. Nuggets: Denver's last halftime lead had been a 59-57 edge over the Clippers in Game 3 of the West semifinals. THE AIR UP THEREThe Lakers came into the game 4-0 in the playoffs as the designated road team.
Davis, Lakers run past Rockets for 3-1 West semifinals lead
Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis (3) and P.J. James had 16 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists for the Lakers, who outrebounded the Rockets 52-26. Russell Westbrook had 25 points and James Harden had 21 for the Rockets, who got 19 from Eric Gordon and 14 from Austin Rivers. It was 57-41 Lakers at the break, meaning Houston had scored 79 points in its last 48 minutes of basketball. Rockets: Houston is one of the franchises that has overcome a 3-1 deficit, doing so against the Clippers in the second round of the 2015 playoffs.
LeBron, Rondo spark Lakers to 112-102 victory over Rockets
Rondo had 21 points and nine assists as the Lakers broke open a close game in the final period. He scored eight straight points during a 10-0 run early in the fourth quarter that put the Lakers ahead for good. Rondo assisted on a layup by James that put the Lakers ahead with about 10 minutes remaining. Rondo then hit a 3-pointer to give the Lakers an 89-85 advantage, their largest lead to that point. The Lakers blew a 21-point lead in Game 2 but outscored Houston by 10 in the fourth quarter to win 117-109.
Rockets run away from No. 1 seed Lakers, take Game 1 112-97
James Harden scored 36 points and the Houston Rockets ran away from the Lakers 112-97 on Friday night, the second straight round the No. Russell Westbrook added 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and Eric Gordon had 23 points for the Rockets, the No. They forced 17 turnovers that led to 27 turnovers and played the much bigger Lakers even on the backboards. The Lakers playing for only the second time in 11 days. Lakers: Assistant coach Jason Kidd missed the game because of what coach Frank Vogel said were severe back spasms.
LeBron won't wear social justice message on Lakers jersey
FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2020, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, shoots as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, in Los Angeles. The Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers already have just about guaranteed themselves the top two playoff seeds and face a delicate balancing act when the NBA returns to action. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)LeBron James says his thoughts on social justice can't be contained on the back of a basketball jersey. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar won't wear one of the NBA-approved social justice messages on the back of his jersey when the NBA resumes competition later this month in the Orlando bubble. I would have loved to have a say-so on what would have went on the back of my jersey, James said.