Joel Embiid, at the NBA Finals, says he's feeling well and on track for Olympics

DALLAS (AP) — Joel Embiid was at the NBA Finals, and said his next stop is the Olympics. The Philadelphia 76ers center, who missed more than half of the regular season and then was hobbled in the playoffs because of a knee injury, said in a televised interview that his recovery is...

It's closest 38-year-old Al Horford has come to an NBA title, with Celtics on verge of their 18th

DALLAS (AP) — Al Horford has never been this close to an NBA championship. With Boston on the verge of an unprecedented 18th title, the 38-year-old Horford could finally get his first as soon as Friday night when the Celtics have a chance to sweep the Dallas Mavericks. The game...

Doncic knows he's learning in first NBA Finals, but Mavs star isn't conceding to Celtics

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic winced ever so slightly as he stepped onto the stage to address reporters a day after his Dallas Mavericks fell behind Boston 3-0 in the NBA Finals. A rough first finals for the 25-year-old superstar, no doubt — an injury-filled postseason punctuated by...

Snubbed by their first choice, the Los Angeles Lakers must resume their head coaching search

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers must continue their latest coaching search with the basketball world already knowing their first choice turned them down. The Lakers have endured their share of embarrassments in recent years, but a snub by a college coach — even the best...

Nuggets star Nikola Jokic included on Serbia's preliminary roster for the Paris Olympics

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic was included on Serbia’s 16-man preliminary roster for the upcoming Paris Olympics on Monday, ending doubts he would skip the basketball tournament. The three-time NBA MVP has missed some important international...

Lakers conduct a public coaching search, considering Hurley and Redick, in hopes of pleasing LeBron

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers' coaching search has been very public, seemingly chaotic and dominated by famous names. Totally Hollywood, in other words. The Lakers' reported plan to offer a massive contract to UConn coach Dan Hurley is the latest twist in...

Mavericks can topple favored Celtics in NBA Finals if Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving shine together

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 12 points in the first 3 1/2 minutes of the first quarter in the Dallas Mavericks' clinching blowout of Minnesota in the Western Conference finals. Kyrie Irving scored nine points in the final 3 1/2 minutes of the first half, pushing the lead to 29...

NBA's Mavs and NHL's Stars chase a Dallas double with their deepest playoff run together

DALLAS (AP) — Dereck Lively II of the Dallas Mavericks tossed the question back at the reporter when the rookie center was asked if he knew why so many fans shouted “Stars” during the national anthem at his home games. “You tell me why,” Lively said, prompting the...

After last year's false start, Doncic-Irving duo in prime form to Mavericks move to Finals

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving just needed some time together for the Dallas Mavericks to thrive around this formed-not-so-long-ago All-Star pairing. Patience can indeed pay off in this internet-fueled age of instant expectation. After a false start...

Dallas Mavericks beat Minnesota Timberwolves in Western Conference finals, advance to face Boston Celtics in NBA Finals