OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — LeBron James was ruled out for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Golden State Warriors, two days after he returned from a 17-game absence with a strained left groin he hurt at Oracle Arena on Christmas night.Coach Luke Walton made the announcement about James' "load management" some 80 minutes before Saturday night's tipoff, saying James woke up Friday "pretty sore" after playing 40 minutes in a 123-120 overtime victory over the Clippers on Thursday night in his return.James had 24 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists in that game, when the Lakers had hoped to keep James to 32-35 minutes but needed him in overtime."There was no taking him out at that point," Walton said. "Who knows how sore he would have been if wasn't overtime but I'm sure he still would have been sore. He hadn't played that type of basketball in five weeks. He does a lot when he's out on the court."Walton said by resting James it gives the 34-year-old four-time MVP a few more days to recover before... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — LeBron James is sitting out for the Lakers against the Golden State Warriors, two days after he returned from a 17-game absence with a strained left groin he hurt at Oracle Arena on Christmas night.Coach Luke Walton made the announcement about James' "load management" some 80 minutes before Saturday night's tipoff, saying James woke up Friday "pretty sore" after playing 40 minutes in a 123-120 overtime victory over the Clippers on Thursday in his return.James had 24 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists in that game.Walton says by resting James it gives the 34-year-old four-time MVP a few more days to recover before the Lakers play at Indiana on Tuesday.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Anthony Davis wore a dark blue Pelicans hoodie with the sleeves cut off and "New Orleans" printed in red letters across the chest.What he said after Friday's practice, however, left no doubt that his heart was somewhere else."I gave the city, organization, fans everything I feel like I could," said Davis, who is in his seventh NBA season and turns 26 on March 11. "I don't know how long I'm going to play this game. People's careers are short and I feel like it's my time to move on."The All-Star forward and center, who recently informed New Orleans he would like to be traded, said his intention remains to play for the Pelicans as long as he is healthy and under contract with them.Whether that happens remains in doubt.Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry declined to be pinned down on the matter."We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Gentry said.Davis has missed six games since spraining his left index finger at Portland on Jan. 18."Obviously, it's a tough situation, but... [More]

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Anthony Davis wore a blue Pelicans practice jersey with the word "New Orleans," printed in red letters across the chest.What he said after Friday's practice, however, left no doubt that his heart was somewhere else."I gave the city, organization, fans everything I feel like I could," said Davis, who is in his seventh NBA season and turns 26 on March 11. "I don't know how long I'm going to play this game. People's careers are short and I feel like it's my time to move on."The All-Star forward and center, who recently informed New Orleans he would like to be traded, said his intention remains to play for the Pelicans as long as he is healthy and under contract with them.Whether that happens remains in doubt.Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry declined to be pinned down on the matter."We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Gentry said.Davis has missed six games since spraining his left index finger at Portland on Jan. 18."Obviously, it's a tough situation, but my intention... [More]

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Anthony Davis feels like he's given the New Orleans Pelicans all he can and that his time to move on has come."I don't know how long I'm going to play this game," said Davis, who turns 26 on March 11. "People's careers are short and I feel like it's my time to move on."The All-Star forward and center, who recently informed New Orleans he would like to be traded, said Friday that his intention remains to play for New Orleans as long as he is healthy and under contract with the Pelicans."Obviously, it's a tough situation, but my intention is to still play and when I'm able to play I'm going to suit up," said Davis, who has missed six games with a sprained left index finger since his injury occurred at Portland on Jan. 18.While Davis and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James share an agent, Davis said he has never provided New Orleans a list of preferred destinations and added that where he winds up is "on the Pelicans.""I never gave them a timetable, never gave them a... [More]

New Orleans has an All-Star for the sixth straight year.That is, unless he gets traded first.Pelicans standout Anthony Davis — only three days removed from having his trade request made known publicly — was one of the 14 players announced Thursday as reserves for the All-Star Game in Charlotte. Davis wants to be swapped out of New Orleans by the Feb. 7 trade deadline, so it remains unclear if his uniform for the All-Star contest on Feb. 17 will bear a Pelicans logo or not.It's the sixth consecutive All-Star nod for Davis. The Pelicans aren't sure if he'll play for them again, though there's also no guarantee that he gets traded by next week either."That's something that will obviously have to be discussed about what's best for him and what's best for our team," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said.The other Western Conference reserves were Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook, Denver's Nikola Jokic, Portland's Damian Lillard, Golden State's Klay Thompson, San Antonio's LaMarcus Aldridge and Minnesota's... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James is back in the lineup for the Los Angeles Lakers after the longest injury-related absence of his 16-year career.The leading All-Star vote-getter was set to play against the Clippers on Thursday night after missing 17 games. He was originally listed as out but was upgraded to doubtful earlier in the day.Lakers coach Luke Walton said James won't be on a minutes restriction, but he'll be closely watched. The four-time league MVP has participated in two full-contact practices leading up to his return.James' last game was on Christmas at Golden State, where he strained his left groin.The Lakers went 6-11 during James' absence and fell out of a potential playoff spot.He is averaging 27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists.Kyle Kuzma (left hip strain) and Josh Hart (left knee tendinitis) also returned Thursday.The Lakers got Rajon Rondo back last week. He was also hurt in the Christmas win over the Warriors.They remain without Lonzo Ball, who has an ankle sprain that will keep him out until at least late February.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James is back in the lineup for the Los Angeles Lakers after the longest injury-related absence of his 16-year career.The leading All-Star vote-getter was set to play against the Clippers on Thursday night after being out for nearly five weeks.Lakers coach Luke Walton says James won't be on a minutes restriction, but he'll be closely watched. The four-time league MVP has participated in two full-contact practices leading up to his return.James' last game was on Christmas at Golden State, where he strained his left groin.The Lakers went 6-11 during James' absence and fell out of a potential playoff spot.He is averaging 27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

New Orleans has an All-Star for the sixth straight year.That is, unless he gets traded first.Pelicans standout Anthony Davis — only three days removed from having his trade request made known publicly — was one of the 14 players announced Thursday as reserves for the All-Star Game in Charlotte. Davis wants to be swapped out of New Orleans by the Feb. 7 trade deadline, so it remains unclear if his uniform for the All-Star contest on Feb. 17 will bear a Pelicans logo or not.It's the sixth consecutive All-Star nod for Davis. The Pelicans aren't sure if he'll play for them again, though there's also no guarantee that he gets traded by next week either."That's something that will obviously have to be discussed about what's best for him and what's best for our team," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said.The other Western Conference reserves were Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook, Denver's Nikola Jokic, Portland's Damian Lillard, Golden State's Klay Thompson, San Antonio's LaMarcus Aldridge and Minnesota's... [More]

New Orleans has an All-Star for the sixth straight year.That is, unless he gets traded first.Pelicans standout Anthony Davis — only three days removed from having his trade request made known publicly — was one of the 14 players announced Thursday as reserves for the All-Star Game in Charlotte. Davis wants to be swapped out of New Orleans by the Feb. 7 trade deadline, so it remains unclear if his uniform for the All-Star contest on Feb. 17 will bear a Pelicans logo or not.The other Western Conference reserves were Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook, Denver's Nikola Jokic, Portland's Damian Lillard, Golden State's Klay Thompson, San Antonio's LaMarcus Aldridge and Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns.Indiana's Victor Oladipo was selected as one of the Eastern Conference reserves, even though his season is over because of injury. The other reserves from the East were Toronto's Kyle Lowry, Milwaukee's Khris Middleton, Philadelphia's Ben Simmons, Washington's Bradley Beal, Detroit's Blake Griffin... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Kevin Love's return to the Cavaliers could be days away.The All-Star forward, who has only played four games this season, took part in a full contact, 5-on-5 scrimmage on Thursday, a major step in his recovery from left foot surgery."He actually did pretty well," Cavs coach Larry Drew said following the encouraging workout. "Moved around really well. Got a little winded, which is expected. It's the first time he's really been in a contact situation where we actually went up and down and there was actual contact. I thought he moved really well, shot the basketball well."Love has been out since late October after undergoing surgery on his left foot, which he injured in Cleveland's exhibition opener against Boston. The 30-year-old tried to play through the pain early in the regular season before doctors recommended surgery.The Cavs have been anxiously awaiting Love's return. Initially, the club hoped he would be back in the lineup by the end of December. Then his... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Anthony Davis wants out of New Orleans.And if a trade happens, it'll be on the Pelicans' schedule.The five-time All-Star has told the Pelicans that he wants to be traded to a championship-contending team and will not sign an extension with New Orleans, agent Rich Paul told The Associated Press on Monday.ESPN first reported Davis' demand to be traded to a contender, a request he made last week. It is a move that will resonate around the league, one that will have teams trying to see how they can put together a package good enough to land Davis. But the Pelicans made clear in a written statement Monday afternoon that they're in no rush, and will wait for the right deal."We will do this on our terms and our timeline," the Pelicans said, adding that they will only accept a deal that "makes the most sense for our team and it will not be dictated by those outside of our organization."Translated: The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 7, and if the Pelicans don't get a deal they want... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Anthony Davis wants out of New Orleans.And if a trade happens, it'll be on the Pelicans' schedule.The five-time All-Star has told the Pelicans that he wants to be traded to a championship-contending team and will not sign an extension with New Orleans, agent Rich Paul told The Associated Press on Monday.ESPN first reported Davis' demand to be traded to a contender, a request he made last week. It is a move that will resonate around the league, one that will have teams trying to see how they can put together a package good enough to land Davis. But the Pelicans made clear in a written statement Monday afternoon that they're in no rush, and will wait for the right deal."We will do this on our terms and our timeline," the Pelicans said, adding that they will only accept a deal that "makes the most sense for our team and it will not be dictated by those outside of our organization."Translated: The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 7, and if the Pelicans don't get a deal they want... [More]

Anthony Davis wants out of New Orleans.Yet the Pelicans assert Davis won't be going anywhere until they get a deal they want.The five-time All-Star has told the Pelicans that he wants to be traded to a championship-contending team and will not sign an extension with New Orleans, agent Rich Paul told The Associated Press on Monday.ESPN first reported Davis' demand to be traded to a contender. It is a move that will resonate around the league, one that will have most — if not all — teams trying to see how they can put together a package good enough for the Pelicans to send Davis their way."We will do this on our terms and our timeline," the Pelicans said in a written statement released Monday afternoon, adding that they will only accept a deal that "makes the most sense for our team and it will not be dictated by those outside of our organization."The statement also said the Pelicans have asked the NBA to "strictly enforce" any tampering rules associated with any such transaction.Davis is... [More]

Anthony Davis wants out of New Orleans.And the NBA might soon see a blockbuster trade to come together.The five-time All-Star has told the Pelicans that he wants to be traded to a championship-contending team and will not sign an extension with New Orleans, agent Rich Paul told The Associated Press on Monday.ESPN first reported Davis' demand to be traded to a contender. It is a move that will resonate around the league, one that will have most — if not all — teams trying to see how they can put together a package good enough for the Pelicans to send Davis their way.Davis is having the best season of his career, averaging 29.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game. He'll almost certainly become a six-time All-Star later this week when the NBA announces the full rosters for this year's game that will be played Feb. 17 in Charlotte.Now it's unclear if Davis will be there as a member of the Pelicans or not. The trade deadline is Feb. 7.Davis was at the Pelicans' training headquarters Monday, wearing... [More]

Anthony Davis wants out of New Orleans.And the NBA might soon see a blockbuster trade to come together.The five-time All-Star has told the Pelicans that he wants to be traded to a championship-contending team and will not sign an extension with New Orleans, agent Rich Paul told The Associated Press on Monday.ESPN first reported Davis' demand to be traded to a contender. It is a move that will resonate around the league, one that will have most — if not all — teams trying to see how they can put together a package good enough for the Pelicans to send Davis their way.Davis is having the best season of his career, averaging 29.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game. He'll almost certainly become a six-time All-Star later this week when the NBA announces the full rosters for this year's game that will be played Feb. 17 in Charlotte.Now it's unclear if Davis will be there as a member of the Pelicans or not. The trade deadline is Feb. 7.Davis was at the Pelicans' training headquarters Monday, wearing... [More]

Anthony Davis wants out of New Orleans.And the NBA might soon see a blockbuster trade to come together.The five-time All-Star has told the Pelicans that he wants to be traded to a championship-contending team and will not sign an extension with New Orleans, agent Rich Paul told The Associated Press on Monday.ESPN first reported Davis' demand to be traded to a contender. It is a move that will resonate around the league, one that will have most — if not all — teams trying to see how they can put together a package good enough for the Pelicans to send Davis their way.Davis is having the best season of his career, averaging 29.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game. He'll almost certainly become a six-time All-Star later this week when the NBA announces the full rosters for this year's game that will be played Feb. 17 in Charlotte.Now it's unclear if Davis will be there as a member of the Pelicans or not. The trade deadline is Feb. 7.The Pelicans did not have any immediate comment. They next... [More]

Anthony Davis' agent says the five-time All-Star has told the New Orleans Pelicans that he wants to be traded to a contending team.Agent Rich Paul confirmed the request to The Associated Press early Monday. ESPN first reported that Davis has told the Pelicans he wants to go elsewhere.Davis is having the best season of his career, averaging 29.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game. He'll almost certainly become a six-time All-Star later this week when the NBA announces the full rosters for this year's game that will be played Feb. 17 in Charlotte.Now it's unclear if Davis will be there as a member of the Pelicans or not. The trade deadline is Feb. 7.Davis' future has long been in question. He's an elite superstar on a team that hasn't gotten past the second round of the playoffs since he's been in New Orleans — and in four of his first six full seasons, the Pelicans didn't qualify for the postseason at all.His telling New Orleans that he wants out is the latest power move by a star player... [More]

The Golden State Warriors don't just have streaks.They have streaks of streaks.Golden State has won 10 straight games, the longest winning streak in the NBA this season. And that makes this the sixth consecutive season that the Warriors have had a double-digit streak of victories — which ties San Antonio for the longest such run in league history. The Spurs had a 10-game streak in every season from 2010-11 through 2015-16.That said, here come the champs, again.Golden State is back atop the West, and in the mix with Milwaukee and Toronto for the NBA's best record. The stretch where the Warriors lost four straight and six of nine earlier this season, prompting whispers that the reigning back-to-back champions are vulnerable, seems long forgotten."We've got an edge about us," Warriors guard Stephen Curry said. "It hasn't been perfect and we know we can still get better, but we've talked about putting a run together for a while now and we're right in the middle of a really good one. We want... [More]

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — LeBron James is back in full-contact defensive drills in practice with the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time since the four-time NBA MVP strained his groin.James will miss his 16th consecutive game Sunday when the Lakers host the Phoenix Suns.The 34-year-old James has been out since Christmas due to the most significant injury of his 16-year NBA career. He had never missed more than 13 games in an entire season.James practiced with his teammates Saturday at their training complex, but won't return this weekend. The Lakers' next game after that is Tuesday at home against Philadelphia.James was selected this week to be a starter and a team captain in the NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte on Feb. 17.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports