The Celtics and Cavaliers last met in playoffs in 2018. This time Boston is the team to beat

BOSTON (AP) — One of the things Celtics forward Jaylen Brown remembers about his time inside the NBA’s Florida bubble in 2020 during the pandemic was his random sightings of Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell, then with the Utah Jazz, seemed to pop up in the common spaces of the bubble...

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs wins NBA Rookie of the Year award

Spurs' Victor Wembanyama named NBA Rookie of the Year after a record-setting season

Victor Wembanyama had a year like no rookie in NBA history. Others scored more points, others grabbed more rebounds, others had more blocks, others made more steals. But never had there been a player who, in Year 1 of his career, posted all these averages — at least 21.4 points,...

OKC's Gilgeous-Alexander and Dallas' Luka Doncic will meet in second-round matchup of MVP finalists

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Two young MVP finalists will square off when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and No. 1 seed Oklahoma City face Luka Doncic and No. 5 seed Dallas in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs. The series matching the high-scoring 25-year-olds begins Tuesday. ...

Leonard's health, contract extensions for George and Lue face Clippers with new arena move pending

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers are moving into their new arena in nearby Inglewood this summer. Just who will be on the court and the sideline for them next season are among the decisions facing the team. The health of their superstar Kawhi Leonard also looms large,...

Mavs extend coach Jason Kidd's contract in middle of playoffs, a year after chaotic ending

DALLAS (AP) — Jason Kidd found a groove with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving a season after a chaotic ending to the first two months together for the Dallas superstars. The Mavericks coach has his team advancing in the playoffs for the second time in his three years in charge, and the...

Riley says Heat aren't sure on a Butler extension. Player availability is a big priority

MIAMI (AP) — If Jimmy Butler wants to see more pay, Pat Riley will want to see more play. And in simple terms, that is the entry point to this offseason for the Miami Heat. Butler is almost certainly going to ask the Heat for a two-year extension this summer — it...

76ers president Daryl Morey has big plans to build NBA title team around Embiid and Maxey

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Say goodbye to the 76ers. No, not Joel Embiid. Tyrese Maxey is sticking around, too. Nick Nurse seems like a perfect long-term fit as coach. But for the rest of the Sixers? It's time to pretty much wish them well, with just about the entire team...

NBA conference semifinal preview capsules

Preview capsules for the NBA’s conference semifinals: EASTERN CONFERENCE No. 1 BOSTON CELTICS (64-18, 4-1) vs. No. 4 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (48-34, 4-3) Season series: Celtics, 2-1. Schedule: Tuesday at Boston, Thursday at Boston, Saturday...

Cavaliers pull together to overcome Orlando, but challenge stiffens with top-seeded Celtics up next

CLEVELAND (AP) — It took Donovan Mitchell's magnificence, a historic comeback and plenty of grit for the Cavaliers to escape the first round. It will take even more to go any further. Cleveland avoided a second straight first-round playoff knockout — and a...