The NBA has told its teams to close its training and practice facilities to all players and staff starting Friday, saying the shuttering will last indefinitely in the latest response to the coronavirus pandemic.The league told teams of the new directive in a memo sent Thursday afternoon, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press. As recently as Monday, the NBA was telling teams that individual workouts could take place using what the league called the “one player, one coach, one basket" rule.Now, that's not even permitted. If players are going to work out during the league's shutdown, they'll have to do it at home or some other private facility.The NBA said it was updating the guidelines “in light of the rapidly-developing coronavirus situation, and consistent with evolving advice from health experts regarding how to promote individual and public health while minimizing the spread of the virus." It further recommended that players “should take aggressive measures to avoid contact... [More]

The NBA has told its teams to close its training and practice facilities to all players and staff starting Friday, saying the shuttering will last indefinitely in the latest response to the coronavirus pandemic.The league told teams of the new directive in a memo sent Thursday afternoon, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press. As recently as Monday, the NBA was telling teams that individual workouts could take place using what the league called the “one player, one coach, one basket" rule.Now, that's not even permitted. If players are going to work out during the league's shutdown, they'll have to do it at home or some other private facility.The NBA said it was updating the guidelines “in light of the rapidly-developing coronavirus situation, and consistent with evolving advice from health experts regarding how to promote individual and public health while minimizing the spread of the virus." It further recommended that players “should take aggressive measures to avoid contact... [More]

Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz offered the first of what he said will be “many steps” he will take to help with the coronavirus pandemic, pledging Saturday to donate more than $500,000 to relief efforts.Gobert, who was the first NBA player to test positive for COVID-19 — a diagnosis that prompted the NBA to suspend its season for at least a month — said he is giving $200,000 to part-time employees at the arena that plays host to Jazz games to help cover their lost wages.He also pledged $100,000 each to assist families affected by the pandemic in Oklahoma City, where he was when the diagnosis came, and Utah. He also is giving 100,000 Euros ($111,450 USD) to relief efforts in France, earmarking that for childcare assistance to health care workers as well as for caregivers to the elderly.“I am humbled by the tireless efforts and care of people around the globe for those affected by COVID-19, especially my own communities of Utah and France, in addition to my appreciation for the state of Oklahoma... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — J.B. Bickerstaff's impressive start with the Cavaliers has been rewarded.Bickerstaff, who has Cleveland playing its best basketball this season since taking over when John Beilein suddenly resigned last month, agreed to a multi-year contract with the team on Tuesday.The Cavs announced the deal with Bickerstaff shortly before their game in Chicago, where they started a six-game trip.Terms of the deal were not immediately known.Although they still have one of the NBA's worst records, the Cavs have shown major improvement in a short period under Bickerstaff. They're 5-5 going into Tuesday's game against the Bulls and the Cavs have had more energy and exhibited more togetherness than at any time for Beilein.“They bought in automatically,” Bickerstaff said before tip-off in Chicago. "They’re competing, playing together and doing all the things we’ve been trying to push. They’ve led the way and made it easy for us as coaches. It’s exciting just to be a part of it. They’re obviously... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — J.B. Bickerstaff's impressive start with the Cavaliers has been rewarded.Bickerstaff, who has Cleveland playing its best basketball this season since taking over when John Beilein suddenly resigned last month, agreed to a multi-year contract with the team on Tuesday.The Cavs announced the deal with Bickerstaff shortly before their game in Chicago, where they started a six-game trip.Although they still have one of the NBA's worst records, the Cavs have shown major improvement in a short period under Bickerstaff. They're 5-5 going into Tuesday's game against the Bulls and the Cavs have had more energy and exhibited more togetherness than at any time for Beilein.Bickerstaff was promoted after Beilein stepped down after 54 games in his first season. He had been serving as an associate head coach under the 67-year-old Beilein, who cited personal health issues as one of his reasons for leaving a job he thought he was ready to handle."We are very fortunate to have someone of J.B.’s... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — J.B. Bickerstaff's impressive start with the Cavaliers has been rewarded.Bickerstaff, who has Cleveland playing its best basketball this season since taking over when John Beilein suddenly resigned last month, has agreed to a multi-year contract with the team, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday.The Cavs were expected to announce the deal before their game Tuesday night in Chicago, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract terms have not been finalized.Bickerstaff was promoted after Beilein stepped down after 54 games in his first season. He had been serving as an associate head coach under the 67-year-old Beilein, who cited personal health issues as one of his reasons for leaving a job he thought he was ready to handle.Under Bickerstaff, the Cavs are 5-5 going into Tuesday's game against the Bulls and they've showed more energy and togetherness than at any time under Beilein.Over the weekend, the Cavs won... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Andre Drummond returned from a leg injury to score 28 points and add 17 rebounds, and Kevin Love shook off a tough shooting night to make a big 3-pointer in overtime and lift the improving Cleveland Cavaliers to a 132-129 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.Drummond, who missed the past three games with a strained left calf, put the Cavs up 124-22 with a layup and Love followed with his 3 from the corner 28 seconds later to put Cleveland up by five.Love had missed his first four attempts from long range before his clutch shot and he finished just 3 of 12 from the field, but added 18 rebounds.Derrick White hit a 3 to pull the Spurs within 131-129 in the final seconds, but Collin Sexton made a free throw for the Cavs and San Antonio didn't get off a last-second heave in time.It was the second straight close win for the young Cavs, who beat Denver 104-102 on Saturday. Cleveland improved to 5-5 under coach J.B. Bickerstaff and matched its win total from last season, when... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Andre Drummond returned from a leg injury to score 28 points and add 17 rebounds, and Kevin Love made a big 3-pointer in overtime to lift the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 132-129 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night.Drummond, who missed the past three games with a strained left calf, put the Cavs up 124-22 with a layup and Love followed with his 3 from the corner 28 seconds later to put Cleveland up by five.Love had missed his first four attempts from long range before his clutch shot and he finished just 3 of 12 from the field, but added 18 rebounds.Derrick White hit a 3 to pull the Spurs within 131-129 in the final seconds, but Collin Sexton made a free throw for the Cavs and San Antonio didn't get off a last-second heave in time.It was the second straight close win for the young Cavs, who beat Denver 104-102 on Saturday. Cleveland improved to 5-5 under coach J.B. Bickerstaff.Sexton scored 26, Larry Nance Jr. 19 and Matthew Dellavedova had 14 and 11 assists. Dellavedova... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Bojan Bogdanovic scored 28 points, Rudy Gobert added 20 and the Utah Jazz began a four-game trip against Eastern Conference teams with a 126-113 win on Monday night over the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers, who dressed only nine players and used just seven.Donovan Mitchell had 19 points and nine rebounds, and the Jazz made 20 3-pointers while staying in the fifth playoff spot out West.Collin Sexton scored a career-high 32 points and Kevin Love scored 22 for Cleveland, which dropped to 3-4 under coach J.B. Bickerstaff.Utah was flat for long stretches, and some of that may have had to do with Cleveland's poor record and depleted roster. The Jazz seemed in control while building an 18-point lead in the fourth, but the Cavs kept fighting and were still within 11 with 6 minutes left.But Bogdanovic buried a pair of 3-pointers — one coming after one of Gobert's five blocks — and Utah recorded 30 assists while winning for the second time in six games.“We’re persistent. It’s just... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Bojan Bogdanovic scored 28 points, Rudy Gobert added 20 and the Utah Jazz began a four-game trip against Eastern Conference teams with a 126-113 win on Monday night over the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers, who dressed only nine players and used just seven.Donovan Mitchell had 19 points and nine rebounds, and the Jazz made 20 3-pointers while staying in the fifth playoff spot out West.Collin Sexton scored a career-high 32 points and Kevin Love scored 22 for Cleveland, which dropped to 3-4 under coach J.B. Bickerstaff.Utah was flat for long stretches, and some of that may have had to do with Cleveland's poor record and depleted roster. The Jazz seemed in control while building an 18-point lead in the fourth, but the Cavs kept fighting and were still within 11 with 6 minutes left.But Bogdanovic buried a pair of 3-pointers — one coming after one of Gobert's five blocks — and Utah won for the second time in six games.The Cavs were missing two starters: center Andre Drummond... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers, already with the worst record in the Eastern Conference, will dress nine players against Utah because of injuries Monday night. Center Andre Drummond (strained left calf) and rookie point guard Darius Garland (strained left groin) have been ruled out of the starting lineup. Center Tristan Thompson, one of the first players off the bench, is out with a bruised left knee.Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Kevin Love will start at center against 7-foot-1 Rudy Gobert. Larry Nance Jr. will take Love's spot at power forward, while Kevin Porter Jr. will start in the backcourt.Drummond had 27 points and 13 rebounds in 35 minutes against Indiana on Saturday after missing the two previous games with the injury. He averaged 15.2 points and 10.8 rebounds in six games since being acquired from Detroit at the trade deadline.Garland will miss his second game this season while Thompson is out for the second straight game.Forward Alfonso McKinnie (left foot plantar fasciitis) and guard Dante Exum (sprained left ankle) have missed the last several games. Guard Dylan Windler hasn't played in his rookie season because of a stress reaction in his left leg.Matt Mooney and Dean Wade, who have been playing with Canton of the G-League, will dress for Cleveland.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond has been ruled out for Wednesday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers because of a strained left calf.Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said the calf first bothered Drummond in Saturday's game against Miami and his status is day-to-day. Cleveland plays at New Orleans and rookie sensation Zion Williamson on Friday night.Drummond has averaged 12.8 points and 10.4 rebounds in five games with Cleveland since being acquired from Detroit at the trade deadline. He averages 17.3 points and 15.3 rebounds in 54 games.Cleveland is 3-2 since picking up the 6-foot-11 Drummond, who gives the Cavaliers a deep frontcourt that also includes Kevin Love, Larry Nance Jr. and Tristan Thompson. Bickerstaff said Thompson will start against Philadelphia and center Joel Embiid, who scored a career-high 49 points Monday night against Atlanta.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MIAMI (AP) — Guard-forward Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat's leading scorer, was ruled out of Saturday night's game against Cleveland for personal reasons.Cavaliers forward-center Kevin Love sat out for the second time in the past three games because of a sore right Achilles' tendon. Love is the Cavs' third-leading scorer and rebounder.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — When John Beilein resigned as Cleveland's coach, swallowing his pride to leave the Cavaliers after just 54 games, he offered his preordained replacement some encouraging words."Go after it,” J.B. Bickerstaff said, repeating Beilein's final message.That's Bickerstaff's plan.It's now up to the 40-year-old, who has experience at picking up the pieces after previously taking over in Houston and Memphis following in-season coaching changes, to guide the Cavaliers through the remainder of another 82-game schedule gone sideways — and beyond.On Wednesday, Beilein cited his health, his family's well-being and the toll of a challenge he wasn't ready for as the main reasons for stepping away before the end of his first NBA season. The Cavs won only 14 games under Beilein, who built a sterling reputation as a college coach, most recently for 12 years at Michigan.But their plans to have the 67-year-old Beilein mold their young team backfired, so it's on to Bickerstaff, who... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — John Beilein stood in front of the Cavaliers and emotionally explained why he's leaving. This was goodbye.But even on his way out, the admired coach gave his players one last lesson. He showed them honesty, dignity and vulnerability. He admitted the losing had beaten him.Beilein said he couldn't go on.“It took a real man to do that today,” Cavs forward Kevin Love said. “Everybody you talk to will say they respected the hell out of him.”One of college basketball's most successful coaches over the past two decades, Beilein didn't make it through one NBA season. He resigned Wednesday after just 54 games with the rebuilding Cavaliers, who can't seem to find the right person to lead their team.The 67-year-old Beilein never got comfortable during his short stint in the pros. The demands of travel, lack of practice time and a group of players who didn't respond to his coaching style or respect him — until it was too late — proved to be too much, so he decided to move... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers first-year coach John Beilein will end a rough season by stepping down after 54 games, according to multiple reports Tuesday night.The former Michigan coach, who was a surprising hire by the Cavs last year because of his age (67) and lack of any pro experience, is expected to say goodbye to staff and players Wednesday when they return from the All-Star break, ESPN.com reported, citing anonymous league sources.Beilein signed a five-year contract — the final year was a club option — in May. ESPN said he and the Cavs negotiated a financial settlement that will pay him a portion of the remaining money on his 2019-20 contract.Cleveland is just 14-40 — the worst record in the Eastern Conference — and Beilein struggled to gain his players' confidence or respect while the losses piled up. Associate head coach J.B. Bickerstaff is expected to take over on an interim basis for Beilein. Bickerstaff coached in Memphis for nearly two full seasons before being fired last year.... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — John Beilein has admitted that losing NBA games has hit him hard. Maybe too hard.The 67-year-old former Michigan coach struggled to get through the season's unofficial first half with the young Cavaliers, who have the worst record in the Eastern Conference.It's not clear if he'll make it until the end.Beilein and the Cavs have discussed the possibility of him stepping down before the end of the season. And while there has been no decision made about Beilein's future, the team plans to reconvene this week following the All-Star break as players, coaches and executives return from much-needed retreats.ESPN.com first reported the possibility of Beilein leaving the team before the end of the season on Sunday night as the All-Star Game wrapped up in Chicago.It's been a rough transition to the pro game for Beilein, who was wildly successful as a college coach — the past 12 seasons with the Wolverines. Beilein was a surprising hire by the Cavs, who convinced him he was the right... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is out against the Atlanta Hawks with a sore right Achilles.Love's injury is another setback for the Cavaliers, who are coming off their worst home loss in franchise history, a 133-92 rout by the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.Cleveland has lost 12 straight at home and 13 of 14 overall. The Cavaliers host the Hawks on Wednesday, the final game for both teams before the All-Star break.Cavaliers coach John Beilein doesn't think Love's injury is a major issue. Beilien said the 6-foot-11 forward slightly injured the Achilles last week and played with the soreness Sunday. Love averages 17.7 points and 9.8 rebounds in 46 games. Andre Drummond, acquired at the trade deadline from Detroit, hadd 19 points and 14 rebounds in his Cavaliers debut Sunday.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — The victories have been scarce for the Cavaliers this season, overwhelmed by so many ugly losses, so many unwatchable moments.However, they're certain they won the NBA trading deadline. Landing two-time All- Star Andre Drummond is a huge get.“For what they gave up, it's a (blanking) steal,” said Tristan Thompson, using a profanity to emphasize his point.Unexpectedly, the Cavs finalized their trade for Drummond, the league's leading rebounder at 15.8 boards per game in the final hour before Thursday's deadline, completing a deal nobody had on their radar. Cleveland sent guard Brandon Knight, forward John Henson and one of its second-round draft picks in 2023 to the Detroit Pistons for the 26-year-old Drummond, one of the game's best all-around centers.“He plays extremely hard and has crazy production," Cavs star forward Kevin Love said Friday after practice. "It makes us competitive. We added an All-Star level player. He's a versatile big who can do a lot of things for us.”General... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers were expected to move a big man. Instead, they added another one.In the final hour before the NBA trading deadline, Cleveland acquired two-time All-Star center Andre Drummond from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for forward John Henson, guard Brandon Knight and “the less favorable” of its two second-round draft picks in 2023.The teams made the deal official Thursday night after getting league approval.Cleveland needed to do something to save a season that's been worsening by the day. The Cavs are just 13-39 under first-year coach John Beilein and some recent blowout losses have raised concerns about the team's direction under general manager Koby Altman.But by landing Drummond, who leads the league in rebounding, the Cavs helped themselves in the short-term and positioned themselves for the future.The Cavs had been expected to be aggressive leading into the deadline and signs pointed to the team moving either star forward Kevin Love or center Tristan Thompson,... [More]