MONTY WILLIAMS

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.

Another NBA head coach has entered the league's health and safety protocols.

Chris Paul had a triple-double with 14 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists to help the short-handed Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Clippers 106-89 on Thursday night.

Suns Hornets Basketball Phoenix Suns forward Jalen Smith dunks over Charlotte Hornets center Mason Plumlee during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) (Chris Carlson)CHARLOTTE, N.C. — (AP) — Devin Booker scored 24 points, Jalen Smith tied a career high with 19 points and 12 rebounds and the short-handed Phoenix Suns hammered the Charlotte Hornets 133-99 on Sunday night. The Suns made 17 shots from beyond the 3-point arc and outrebounded the Hornets 52-35. Despite missing more than 48 combined points per game from players who were out, the Suns bolted to a 73-47 halftime lead behind 20 points from Booker and 10-of-22 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc. TIP INSSuns: Abdel Nader also is out because of health and safety protocols. Hornets: Miles Bridges had 10 points in his first game back from health and safety protocols.

Devin Booker scored 24 points, Jalen Smith tied a career high with 19 points and 12 rebounds and the short-handed Phoenix Suns hammered the Charlotte Hornets 133-99.

The NBA postponed Golden State's game with Denver on Thursday, the same day that Philadelphia’s Doc Rivers and Denver’s Michael Malone entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols.

Kyrie Irving is a step closer to making his season debut.

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (Ross D. Franklin)NBA players who test positive for COVID-19 now have a quicker path to return to play, after the league completed a significant update to its health and safety protocols on Monday. Teams were told of the new protocols Monday in a memo sent by the league, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press. Phoenix plays host to Memphis on Monday, while Portland — with seven players in the protocols as well — plays host to Dallas. Among the new notable additions to the list: Olympic gold medalist Jayson Tatum, placed into protocols by the Boston Celtics. Tatum was one of 15 players — eight Celtics, seven Timberwolves — ruled out of the Boston-Minnesota game for virus-related reasons alone.

NBA players who test positive for COVID-19 now have a quicker path to return after the league completed a significant update to its health and safety protocols.

Warriors Celtics Basketball Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr claps for this team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, in Boston. Kerr’s assistant coaches will be Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams and Gonzaga coach Mark Few. Spoelstra and Few were involved in coaching the U.S. select team, which was assembled to practice against the Olympic team, this past summer. They are close friends, Kerr played for Popovich in San Antonio — and both are taking the Olympic job after missing out on Olympic bids as players. Popovich tried to make the 1972 U.S. Olympic team; Kerr was a finalist for the 1988 Olympic team.

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr has been formally announced as the next coach of the U.S. men’s basketball team.

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.

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.

JaVale McGee scored 17 points, Deandre Ayton added 15 and the Phoenix Suns cruised to a 118-98 victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night.

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.

PHOENIX — (AP) — Cam Johnson and Cameron Payne both scored 19 points to lead the Phoenix Suns to their franchise-record 18th win in a row, beating the Detroit Pistons 114-103 on Thursday night. “I haven’t talked about streaks of any kind just because we have been so focused on improving,” Suns coach Monty Williams said of the run that's lasted more than a month. Seven Suns scored in double figures in a balanced effort. “We'll learn from it,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. Suns: The Suns feel Booker's hamstring injury is minor, but they still expect him to miss a few games.

Stephen Curry bounced back from one of the worst shooting nights of his career and scored 23 points, and the Golden State Warriors convincingly ended the Phoenix Suns’ 18-game winning streak, 118-96, on Friday night.

Cam Johnson and Cameron Payne both scored 19 points to lead the Phoenix Suns to their franchise-record 18th win in a row, beating the Detroit Pistons 114-103.

Deandre Ayton scored 24 points, Chris Paul added 15 points and 11 assists, and the Phoenix Suns tied a franchise record of 17 straight wins by beating the Golden State Warriors 104-96 on Tuesday night in an early showdown between the NBA’s top teams.

Devin Booker scored 30 points, Chris Paul had 22 and the Phoenix Suns extended their winning streak to 16 games with a 113-107 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

Devin Booker scored 35 points, Chris Paul had 12 assists and made four free throws in the final 8.8 seconds the Phoenix Suns extended their winning streak to 14 games, holding off the Cleveland Cavaliers 120-1115.

The Phoenix Suns have released a statement regarding a potential media investigation into the workplace culture of the franchise, denying that the organization or owner Robert Sarver have a history of racism or sexism.

The Western Conference has the best regular season team from last year in Utah.

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (Ross D. Franklin)PHOENIX — (AP) — In his 16th season, Chris Paul took a risk, deciding that a young, unproven Phoenix Suns team was worth joining in his pursuit of his first NBA championship. Now the biggest immediate question for the Suns is this: will Paul be back to try again? The Suns won the first two games of the series, only to lose the next four. The Suns not only made the playoffs for the first time in 11 years, they made it all the way to the NBA Finals. The championship window for Booker, Ayton and Bridges might be just opening, but there's not much time for Paul.

Chris Paul took a risk this season deciding that a young, unproven Phoenix Suns team was worth joining in his pursuit of his first NBA championship.

Monty Williams showed grace in the one of the toughest moments of his career, congratulating the Bucks on their victory minutes after losing the title.

Chris Paul’s feel-good story with the Phoenix Suns was denied the happy ending he craved.

The Bucks are on the verge of making history as Milwaukee's first NBA champion since 1971.

NBA Finals Bucks Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, and guard Chris Paul (3) walk on the court during the second half of Game 5 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (Ross D. Franklin)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — The Phoenix Suns say they aren't feeling sorry for themselves after squandering a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals and moving within one game of elimination. The Suns have lost three straight to the Milwaukee Bucks, who can close out the Finals on their home floor on Tuesday. The Suns face the unenviable task of having to win at Milwaukee, where the Bucks own a 9-1 postseason record. That gives the Suns confidence they can bounce back, even from a loss as painful as the 123-119 Game 5 defeat.

The Phoenix Suns say they aren’t feeling sorry for themselves after squandering a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals and moving within one game of elimination.

NBA Finals Bucks Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, middle, huddles with head coach Monty Williams, bottom left, center Deandre Ayton (22) and teammates during the second half of Game 5 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (Ross D. Franklin)PHOENIX — (AP) — The Phoenix Suns like to believe they're a resilient bunch. Down 3-2 in the NBA Finals is never an ideal situation, especially with the Suns facing Game 6 on the road. It was a play that looked a lot like several for the Suns offense: Hand the ball to Booker and hope he does something awesome. Booker said he could feel the Suns' offense getting stagnant in the third.

The Phoenix Suns like to believe they're a resilient bunch.

The happiest basketball coach in the world right now should be Milwaukee’s Mike Budenholzer.

When Devin Booker took his usual seat on the bench at the beginning of the second quarter, the Phoenix Suns lost their stranglehold on Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

The Phoenix Suns had designs on coming home with a chance to win their first championship.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has delivered MVP-caliber performances, scoring 40 points or more in the NBA Finals while playing with an injured left knee.

Giannis Antetokounmpo pointed to a pair of scratches, one on his forehead and the other on his cheek.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis is relying on lessons he learned earlier in his career as he adapts to his inconsistent playoff usage.

Devin Booker’s impressive postseason run has hit one of its first real speed bumps.

Phoenix Suns reserve forward Torrey Craig is available to play in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Sunday despite injuring his right knee in Game 2.

At their best, the Phoenix Suns have three players who can take over a game.

Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric has a torn ACL in his right knee that he suffered during the first quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night.

“It’s been a long time coming," Booker said after beating the Clippers to advance to the NBA Finals last week. “He’s embraced the work,” Williams said. “He’s embraced being a part of the scouting report. He’s embraced coaching. He’s embraced it all.”Now the Suns are embracing the opportunity to win the franchise's first NBA championship.

This version of the Phoenix Suns will be a case study for future NBA general managers on how to build a championship contending roster in a hurry.

The Phoenix Suns are headed to the NBA Finals for the first time in 28 years, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 130-103 to close out the Western Conference finals in six games.

Suns Clippers Basketball Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton defends during the first half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. The third-year center was in top form Saturday in a hard-fought 84-80 Game 4 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Now the Suns have a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference finals and are one win from a trip to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993. The Suns scored just 92 points in Game 3 and 84 in Game 4. When I’m out there, I feel good.”___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Deandre Ayton is rapidly become the player the Phoenix Suns imagined when the ping-pong balls bounced their way for the 2018 NBA draft.

(Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP) (Keith Birmingham)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers don’t have injured Kawhi Leonard on the court. Leonard watched with his family from a Staples Center suite Thursday night, when Paul George had 27 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists in a game-high 43 minutes of the Clippers' 106-92 victory. Leonard met up with his teammates at halftime, when they trailed by two. Leonard hasn't played since Game 4 of the second round against Utah because of a right knee sprain. Coach Tyronn Lue said Leonard won't play in Game 4 on Saturday night.

Suns Nuggets Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul congratulates teammates during a timeout in the second half of Game 4 of an NBA second-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Denver. He scored a game-high 37 points in final game of the second-round series against the Denver Nuggets on June 13. You know, right after that everybody got right back to business,” coach Monty Williams said before the game. The 36-year-old point guard averaged 25.5 points, 10.2 assists and 5.0 rebounds in the Denver series. “He logged so many minutes in the Denver series, so I’m sure a few days off helped.

Chris Paul started for Phoenix Suns on Thursday night in Game 3 against the Los Angeles Clippers after missing the first two games of the Western Conference finals while in the NBA’s health and safety protocols.

Devin Booker had 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists for his first career triple-double and the Phoenix Suns overcame Chris Paul’s absence to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 120-114 on Sunday in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.

The Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers are still playing basketball deep into these NBA playoffs partly because they’ve learned to persevere in clutch moments without their biggest stars.

Suns Nuggets Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, front, reacts after hitting a basket late in the second half of Game 4 of an NBA second-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)Phoenix guard Chris Paul has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols, the Suns said Wednesday, and it is unclear whether he’ll be available for the start of the Western Conference finals next week. “My faith isn't going to waver now because we've had a few obstacles," Suns coach Monty Williams said Wednesday. Paul scored 37 points in Game 4 of the West semifinals against Denver, helping Phoenix finish off a four-game sweep. He has only played in the West finals once in his career, doing so in 2018 with Houston against Golden State.

Phoenix guard Chris Paul has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols and it is unclear whether he’ll be available for the start of the Western Conference finals next week.

The Denver Nuggets face a daunting 3-0 deficit in their second-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns.

Suns Nuggets Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker shoots as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon defends during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA second-round playoff series Friday, June 11, 2021, in Denver. Booker scored 28 points and teamed with Chris Paul to lead a steady offensive onslaught that countered Jokic's triple-double of 32 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists. Paul had 27 points, eight assists and three steals for the Suns, who pulled away after halftime for the third straight time. Suns coach Monty Williams said his team was ready for the energy boost the big crowd supplied by serenading Jokic. “I really think this game came down to two things: turnovers” and the Suns’ 14-2 run spanning the third and fourth quarter.

APTOPIX Nuggets Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig (12) shoots as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic defends during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Monday, June 7, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) (Matt York)PHOENIX — (AP) — Chris Paul and his rejuvenated right shoulder scored 21 points and dished 11 assists, Mikal Bridges added 23 points and the Phoenix Suns beat the Denver Nuggets 122-105 on Monday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 22 points but went cold while the Suns made their second half run. Partly because of the shoulder injury, Paul averaged just 9.2 points per game against the Lakers in the first round. FLAVORTOWN IN PHOENIXCelebrity chef Guy Fieri was among the fans sitting courtside at Phoenix Suns Arena.

Chris Paul and his rejuvenated right shoulder scored 21 points and dished 11 assists, Mikal Bridges added 23 points and the Phoenix Suns beat the Denver Nuggets 122-105 in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Tom Thibodeau got the New York Knicks back to the playoffs, guiding the team to its second-best record in 20 years.

Chris Paul had 18 points and nine assists, Devin Booker and Jae Crowder added 17 points apiece and the Phoenix Suns evened their first-round series with a 100-92 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4.

Anthony Davis had 34 points and 11 rebounds, LeBron James added 21 points and nine assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers celebrated their first home playoff game in more than eight years with a 109-95 victory over the Phoenix Suns.

(AP Photo/Seth Wenig, Pool) (Seth Wenig)NEW YORK — (AP) — Trae Young didn’t look like a postseason rookie in silencing a rocking road crowd in New York. Throw in Luka Doncic picking up where he left off last year, and the opening weekend of the playoffs may have proven that the time is now for some of the NBA’s best young guards. In his sixth season, he's got much more NBA experience than Young, Morant or Doncic. Young finally got the Hawks back to the playoffs for the first time since 2017 and made it a memorable return. Dallas controlled it in Game 1, with Doncic and Tim Hardaway Jr. both making five 3-pointers and Dorian Finney-Smith making four.

Trae Young silenced a rocking road crowd in New York in his first playoff game.

Devin Booker scored 34 points, Deandre Ayton had 21 points and 16 rebounds and the Phoenix Suns won their first playoff game in 11 years, beating the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers 99-90 in Game 1 on Sunday.

The Phoenix Suns got a tough draw in their return to the NBA playoffs for the first time in 11 years.

Denver’s Nikola Jokic finished ninth in the MVP voting last season.

Trail Blazers Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker is helped up by guard Cameron Payne as forward Jae Crowder (99) cheers after being fouled in the final seconds during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Thursday, May 13, 2021, in Phoenix. Booker received the inbounds pass, was fouled and made two free throws with 2.4 seconds left to give the Phoenix Suns a 118-117 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Two free throws later, the Suns had secured the win, which moved them within one game of the Utah Jazz for the No. The Trail Blazers, who were playing the second of a back-to-back after beating Utah on Wednesday night, dropped into the No. The Suns started Dario Saric in Ayton’s place, yet Phoenix outrebounded Portland 42-33 and allowed the Trail Blazers to grab just one offensive rebound.

Devin Booker hit two free throws with 2.4 seconds remaining to give the Phoenix Suns a 118-117 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Suns Hawks Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) is fouled by Atlanta Hawks forward Danilo Gallinari (8) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) (John Bazemore)ATLANTA — (AP) — Clint Capela scored 18 points to lead seven scorers in double figures and the Atlanta Hawks pulled away late to overcome Devin Booker's 30 points and rout the Phoenix Suns 135-103 on Wednesday night. The Suns lead the NBA with 22 road wins but the Hawks continued their recent strong play at home. The Hawks earned their seventh consecutive home win and have won 15 of its last 17 in Atlanta. TIP-INSSuns: The team's return home from a three-game road trip could provide an update on F Jae Crowder (sprained right ankle), who missed his eighth consecutive game.

Clint Capela scored 18 points to lead seven scorers in double figures and the Atlanta Hawks pulled away late to overcome Devin Booker’s 30 points and beat the Phoenix Suns 135-103.