MIAMI (AP) — Stephen Curry would ordinarily be getting off his feet as fast as possible after a morning shootaround practice, saving his legs for the looming game that night.Wednesday, however, wasn't ordinary.Golden State coach Steve Kerr invited some students — including ones from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, the school in Parkland where 17 students and staff were killed in a massacre on Feb. 14, 2018 — into the Warriors' game-morning practice in Miami. And long after the session was over, Curry was throwing alley-oop lobs and engaging in 3-point contests with kids who couldn't believe they were hanging out with stars from the two-time defending NBA champions."You hate that you have these opportunities because of what happened at our school," said Jeff Foster, a teacher and former coach at Stoneman Douglas. "But at the same time, it's nice to have these contacts and meet people and coach Kerr has been at a few of the events with our kids ... you're always glad to sit around and talk... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out Monday night's game against the Chicago Bulls because of a sore right knee.Coach Mike Budenholzer says Antetokounmpo worked out Monday and the Bucks are "hopeful" his absence is "very short term."The Greek Freak is averaging 27.2 points and 12.7 rebounds per game, putting him among the league's top 10 in both categories. Milwaukee visits Sacramento on Wednesday.The NBA-leading Bucks were also missing guards George Hill (strained left groin) and Sterling Brown (right wrist). Budenholzer says Hill likely will be out at least a few games.Bulls guard Kris Dunn (migraine) and forward Otto Porter Jr. (strained lower left leg) also missed the game.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns was in the passenger seat on his way to meet the Minnesota Timberwolves at the airport when a semitruck slammed into the back of the vehicle at what he estimated was between 35 and 45 mph.As soon as the medical exam confirmed the injuries were minor, the two-time All-Star center quickly began thinking about whether he could still join his team in time for the next game. He knew he was fortunate, though, to have escaped the crash at all."I'd say I had a 5 percent chance of making it out alive," Towns said Monday before Minnesota's game against Sacramento. He added: "I probably should not have made it out like I did, but I'm glad I did."As are the Timberwolves, of course, and his family."You obviously want to make sure KAT the person is taken care of," coach Ryan Saunders said, confirming that Towns would play against the Kings. "That's definitely put ahead of KAT the basketball player."Assistant strength and conditioning coach Kurt Joseph was driving... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns has been cleared to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves following a highway automobile crash he called himself fortunate to have escaped alive.Towns spoke to reporters Monday before Minnesota's game against Sacramento. He said he was on his way Thursday to meet the team at the airport, with assistant strength and conditioning coach Kurt Joseph driving, when a semitruck slammed into the back of their vehicle. They were stopped on the interstate because of an accident in front of them.Towns emerged with only minor injuries. He took a commercial flight to New York, but he was held out of the game Friday and again Saturday at Milwaukee per the league's concussion protocol. That ended his streak of 303 consecutive games started, the longest to start an NBA career since 1970-71.___More AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The NBA is not happy that tensions between teams and referees seem to be rising.Then again, 'tis the season.Playoff-race pressure is real, and the NBA thinks — or hopes — that some tantrums in recent weeks can be attributed to that and not an eroding of the always-tenuous relationship between those who commit infractions and those who call them. Golden State coach Steve Kerr smashing clipboards and Houston star James Harden calling out longtime official Scott Foster are sights and sounds that the league doesn't want, so the NBA is once again reaching out to teams to offer reminders about not going too far when ripping the refs."This is the dark ages of the season," said Michelle Johnson, the NBA's senior vice president and head of referee operations. "Teams are shaping up where they stand and it matters more to some teams than others, and some coaches do tactical outbursts for the good of their teams. So even if we go to teams and they don't have a lot of issues ... we want to keep the... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Rapper Ja Rule is taking heat on social media after problems with his halftime show during Saturday's Timberwolves-Bucks game.Videos posted online show Ja Rule had sound problems at the beginning of his performance. At one point he said, "Are we ready?" then said, "I guess not," before his music eventually started.Another video shows Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo taking warmup shots while Ja Rule is still performing.Ja Rule responded to critics on Twitter, saying his sound "didn't come on when it was supposed to" but he "rocked." When the Timberwolves' official Twitter account mocked Ja Rule , he responded by cursing the team, saying, "You won't win a championship for the next 30 years."Ja Rule has been the subject of ridicule for his role in the failed Fyre Festival in the Bahamas. He recently told TMZ that he plans to create another music festival.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns remains in concussion protocol and will not play for Minnesota against Milwaukee, a night after missing a game for the first time in his career.The All-Star forward was in a car accident Thursday and didn't play Friday in New York, ending his streak of 303 consecutive games started. He traveled with the Timberwolves for the game in Milwaukee on Saturday, rather than return to Minnesota, but hadn't been cleared to play again.Towns must pass a battery of tests and be symptom-free before returning to the court.Being unable to play has troubled Towns, coach Ryan Saunders said."People asked me if he cared about his (consecutive games) streak," Saunders said. "He hasn't and didn't mention one thing along those lines. It was all about being there for his teammates and contributing. He even had somebody run out and make sure he could get a sport coat so he was dressed properly on the bench so he could be there with his teammates. That says a lot about Karl."Towns... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — All-Star forward Anthony Davis was held out of the New Orleans Pelicans' lineup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.It was the first meeting between the Western Conference rivals since Davis asked last month for the Pelicans to trade him, reportedly with the Lakers being his preferred destination."If you're looking along the lines of having any significance because we're playing the Lakers that had nothing to do with it," New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry said before the game. "If we were playing the Baltimore Claws we would sit him out that game too, OK?"The official reason for Davis not playing was rest. The Pelicans were finishing a set of back-to-back games after losing 126-111 at Indiana on Friday."We're not playing him on back-to-backs in this situation here," said Gentry, who was unclear on whether the same back-to-back policy would apply in future instances.The Pelicans have two more sets of back-to-back games this season. Neither includes a game against... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — James Harden is sitting out the Houston Rockets' game against the Golden State Warriors because of flu-like symptoms.While Harden also has a strained neck, coach Mike D'Antoni said the reigning MVP and league scoring leader probably could have played through that. Harden hurt the neck when he got hit during a practice leading up to Thursday night's road loss to the Lakers and woke up sore the next day."He might've played even with a sore neck, he had a little touch of the flu. It was a combination of everything," D'Antoni said.In the Rockets' last visit to Oracle Arena, Harden hit a contested 3-pointer with 2.7 seconds left in a 135-134 overtime victory Jan. 3 in which he finished with a triple-double and his fifth straight 40-point game. He was 13 for 32 with 10 3s.Harden, who missed three games in the season's first month with a strained left hamstring, is averaging an NBA-best 36.5 points. Houston entered Saturday's game 1-2 in games without him.Also Saturday, Harden was fined $25,000 by the NBA for criticizing the officiating after the loss to the Lakers.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Houston Rockets star James Harden has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for criticizing the officiating.The NBA announced the penalty Saturday, two days after Harden said he didn't think official Scott Foster should be allowed to work any Rockets games.Harden fouled out in Houston's 111-106 loss to the Lakers at Los Angeles. He scored 30 points, the 32nd straight time he's reached that mark.After the game, Harden criticized Foster and said he realized his words likely would result in a fine."Scott Foster, man. I never really talk about officiating or anything like that, but just rude and arrogant," Harden said."It's lingering, and it's something that has to be looked at for sure," he said. "For sure, it's personal. For sure. I don't think he should be able to even officiate our games anymore, honestly."The Rockets, who lead their division in the Western Conference, played at Golden State on Saturday night.

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic is out of the Dallas Mavericks' lineup Friday night for a game against the Denver Nuggets because of a sore right ankle.Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle would not speculate on whether Doncic would miss additional time. The 19-year-old leads Dallas and all rookies with 20.7 points per game. Doncic's 7.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game also are team bests.This will be the third game Doncic has missed this season. A strained right hip kept him out Dec. 2, and a sore left ankle made him inactive Jan. 31.Doncic walked through the locker room before Friday's game but did not stop to talk with reporters. He did not noticeably favor his right ankle.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns is missing a game for the first time in his career, unable to play for Minnesota against the Knicks on Friday night following a car accident.The All-Star forward was placed in the concussion protocol earlier in the day, ending his streak of 303 consecutive games started.Coach Ryan Saunders said the streak was never discussed when he talked with Towns earlier Friday, and there was no hope of extending it once Towns entered the concussion protocol. A player can only return then once he has passed a battery of tests and been symptom free."I'd just like to have him out there because he's a pretty good player," Saunders said. "So the streak, I think that is something that everybody should definitely take note of with Karl's durability and his toughness and how he approaches the game, but from a coach's viewpoint you'd like to have like Karl on the floor whenever you can."Towns had played in his second consecutive All-Star game before he was involved in a car... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns is in concussion protocol after a car accident and is missing a game for the first time in his career.The All-Star was involved in a car accident on his way to the airport during the break. He was cleared to fly and arrived in New York, where after further examination he was placed in the concussion protocol and ruled out for Friday's game against the Knicks.Towns had started all 303 games since being the No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft, the longest streak to begin a career since 1970-71.It wasn't immediately clear where the accident occurred. Minneapolis police said they didn't handle any incident involving Towns and coach Ryan Saunders had no other details before the game.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns was questionable for Friday night's game in New York against the Knicks after a car accident in the Minneapolis area.The Star Tribune reports Towns was headed to the airport Thursday when he was involved in the accident. Coach Ryan Saunders told the newspaper Towns caught a commercial flight after the accident and missed a team shootaround.Saunders said he had no information on specific injuries for Towns. Guard Tyus Jones told the Star Tribune he saw Towns before the shootaround and Towns was doing "all right.""Rest" was listed as the reason for him being questionable on the official injury reportIt wasn't immediately clear where the accident occurred. Minneapolis police said they didn't handle any incident involving Towns. A Timberwolves spokesman didn't immediately respond to a phone message from The Associated Press.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — When the Pelicans finished practice on Thursday, Anthony Davis went into coach Alvin Gentry's office, followed later by interim general manager Danny Ferry.As they spoke, privacy shades on windows that otherwise offer a view of practice courts were pulled down.After the meeting, Gentry said Davis was slated to start at Indiana on Friday night. Later, Ferry said Davis, if healthy, would continue to play for the Pelicans — albeit in a scaled-back role."League rules made it clear that Anthony has to play," Ferry said on a conference call with New Orleans reporters on Thursday night. "As we've done previously, we'll continue to follow their lead. But we'll also be focused on the future of the team. Therefore, you'll see a reduction in Anthony's minutes."That reduction could even mean sitting out Davis entirely for certain games, such as when the Pelicans are at home, not on national television and playing for the second time in two nights. That will be the case on Saturday... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — From fellow athletes to star entertainers, DeMar DeRozan has seen plenty of celebrities soaking up an extended round of appreciative applause from fans."When they get that long standing ovation, I always thought that was the coolest thing in the world," DeRozan said Thursday. "I've never received one."Friday night, it could be his turn.DeRozan is back north of the border for the first time since the Toronto Raptors traded him last summer. His new team, the San Antonio Spurs, face the Raptors on Friday. A four-time All-Star in Toronto who helped the Raptors to five straight playoff appearances, DeRozan is likely to receive a warm welcome when he is introduced."If it's one of those long standing ovations, it's definitely going to be overwhelming," DeRozan said in a news conference at the Spurs' team hotel. "It's crazy when you get a whole arena on their feet just showing appreciation. I'm looking forward to it, to feeling the love."Friday's game will be the first following... [More]

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — When Victor Oladipo crashed to the floor in late January, the silence inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse was deafening.Teammates quietly expressed best wishes to their injured teammate as he was wheeled off the court on a stretcher. Fans wondered aloud if this was just another chapter in Indianapolis' injury curse that has claimed Peyton Manning, Paul George and Andrew Luck during the previous eight years. League insiders debated how far the Pacers would slide in the Eastern Conference standings.Somehow, after four consecutive losses, Indiana turned the page and won six of its next seven games heading into the All-Star break, still third in the East."We're just going out there and playing basketball," point guard Darren Collison said. "We're keeping the game simple and easy. Everybody is confident. It's getting closer to playoff basketball."After tinkering with his lineup for a few games, coach Nate McMillan settled on a rotation that looks remarkably similar to what he... [More]

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — When Pelicans finished practice on Thursday, Anthony Davis went into coach Alvin Gentry's office, followed later by interim general manager Danny Ferry.As they spoke, privacy shades on windows that otherwise offer a view of practice courts were pulled down.After the meeting, Gentry said Davis was slated to start at Indiana on Friday night. But beyond that, the Pelicans weren't ready to shed much light on how they plan to handle having their disaffected six-time All-Star on the roster for the final seven weeks of the regular season."He's playing tomorrow," Gentry said repeatedly in response to varying questions about Davis' status with the club. "He's playing the game tomorrow. Let's get to that one and then we can worry about everything else."On Saturday night, the Pelicans are scheduled to host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.Davis, who is represented by the same agent as James, has requested a trade. The Lakers tried to acquire Davis before this season's Feb.... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Only one game back on the court and Isaiah Thomas already began lobbying for an even broader role — to appear in the movie "Space Jam 2" starring LeBron James.With filming set to start this summer , the Denver Nuggets point guard wants to be cast as the Muggsy Bogues character from the original picture featuring Michael Jordan.But first, another script to act out: Helping the Nuggets produce a playoff run. With his surgically repaired hip finally healthy after 11 months, it's lights, cameras, and a return to action for Thomas . He sees his part as anything necessary to boost a Nuggets team that's currently No. 2 in the Western Conference thanks to the best start (39-18) in the franchise's NBA history."If you're trying to win, you're going to put your ego aside and your individual things aside and do what's best for this team," said Thomas , whose team returns from the All-Star break Friday in Dallas. "But I can help a lot."There was a glimpse of that when Thomas made his Nuggets... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Jeff Van Gundy has an idea on how to fix the NBA All-Star Game.His plan: Eliminate it.Van Gundy, the former NBA coach and now longtime television commentator for ABC and ESPN, said what he's seeing now from the game is embarrassing and "a bastardization of the game that is beautiful to watch." The teams picked by captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo combined to attempt a record 167 3-pointers in Sunday night's game — and 96 of the 134 field goals in the game came off either 3s or dunks."You can be a Division III player like myself and be All-Star MVP," Van Gundy said. "All you have to do is drive in and shoot a layup."Van Gundy coached in the 2000 All-Star game, his Eastern Conference team falling to Phil Jackson and the Western Conference 137-126. There was no shortage of alley-oops tried in that game, though Tim Duncan, Alonzo Mourning and Shaquille O'Neal spent plenty of time defending the rim against those lobs as well."I would name All-Stars, I would have All-Star... [More]