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Blake Griffin retires after high-flying NBA career that included Rookie of the Year, All-Star honors
Read full article: Blake Griffin retires after high-flying NBA career that included Rookie of the Year, All-Star honorsBlake Griffin has announced his retirement after a 14-year career that included six All-Star selections, Rookie of the Year honors and a dunk contest victory.
Oklahoma death row inmate plans to reject chance for clemency despite maintaining his innocence
Read full article: Oklahoma death row inmate plans to reject chance for clemency despite maintaining his innocenceAn Oklahoma death row inmate scheduled to be executed in September for the 1996 killing of a University of Oklahoma dance student says he plans to reject his chance for a clemency hearing.
Suns roll to 11th straight victory, beat Nets 121-111
Read full article: Suns roll to 11th straight victory, beat Nets 121-111Devin Booker scored 35 points, Mikal Bridges added a season-high 27 and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns extended their winning streak to 11 games by beating the Brooklyn Nets 121-111 on Tuesday night.
Morant leads Grizzlies over Nets; Antonio Brown looking on
Read full article: Morant leads Grizzlies over Nets; Antonio Brown looking onJa Morant scored 36 points and five Grizzlies scored in double figures as Memphis extended its winning streak to five games with a 118-104 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
Durant carries Nets past 76ers for another short-handed win
Read full article: Durant carries Nets past 76ers for another short-handed winKevin Durant scored 34 points, making a four-point play with the game tied and 1:46 left, and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-105 for another short-handed victory.
Bucks bounce back to beat Nets 104-89 and force Game 7
Read full article: Bucks bounce back to beat Nets 104-89 and force Game 7Khris Middleton scored 38 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo added 30 and the Milwaukee Bucks never trailed in a 104-89 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday to force a decisive seventh game in their second-round playoff series.
Durant's sensational performance sends Nets to 3-2 lead
Read full article: Durant's sensational performance sends Nets to 3-2 leadKevin Durant had 49 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in one of the best performances in postseason history, sending the Brooklyn Nets back into the lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 114-108 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5.
Durant has 32, Nets up 2-0 after 125-86 blowout of Bucks
Read full article: Durant has 32, Nets up 2-0 after 125-86 blowout of BucksKevin Durant scored 32 points in three quarters of a top-to-bottom blowout that sent the Brooklyn Nets halfway to the Eastern Conference finals with a 125-86 rout of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Durant, Irving carry Nets in opener after Harden hurt
Read full article: Durant, Irving carry Nets in opener after Harden hurtKevin Durant scored 29 points, Kyrie Irving had 25 and the two superstars carried the Brooklyn Nets after James Harden’s early injury in a 115-107 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Nets recover from stars' slow start, beat Celtics 104-93
Read full article: Nets recover from stars' slow start, beat Celtics 104-93Kevin Durant had 32 points and 12 rebounds, Kyrie Irving scored 29 points and the Brooklyn Nets recovered from their superstars’ frigid start to beat the Boston Celtics 104-93 in Game 1 of their series.
Durant scores 33 points in return, Nets beat Suns 128-119
Read full article: Durant scores 33 points in return, Nets beat Suns 128-119Kevin Durant scored 33 points in his latest return from injury, Kyrie Irving had 34 and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Phoenix Suns 128-119 in a matchup of two of the NBA’s top teams.
Durant's perfect return fuels Nets' 139-111 rout of Pelicans
Read full article: Durant's perfect return fuels Nets' 139-111 rout of PelicansKevin Durant returned from a 23-game absence to spark Brooklyn’s most explosive half of the season, finishing with 17 points and perfect shooting in the Nets’ 139-111 rout of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Irving scores 40, Nets lose Harden but beat Knicks 114-112
Read full article: Irving scores 40, Nets lose Harden but beat Knicks 114-112Kyrie Irving scored 40 points, Jeff Green made two free throws with 3.7 seconds left and the Brooklyn Nets overcome the early loss of James Harden to beat the New York Knicks 114-112.
Nets lose Harden but beat Rockets, move into first in East
Read full article: Nets lose Harden but beat Rockets, move into first in EastHouston Rockets' Kevin Porter Jr. (3) and Jae'Sean Tate (8) defend against Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK – Kyrie Irving had 31 points and a season-high 12 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets overcame the loss of James Harden to beat the Houston Rockets 120-108 on Wednesday night and move into first place in the Eastern Conference. Harden sat out the fourth quarter against his former team with right hamstring tightness, finishing with 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The Rockets jumped to a 24-6 lead, with an 8-for-9 start that included makes on all five 3-point attempts. The Rockets listed the injury as a left knee effusion and it's unknown whether it will keep him out longer.
Lakers add center Andre Drummond for postseason push
Read full article: Lakers add center Andre Drummond for postseason pushFILE - In this Feb 5, 2021, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' Andre Drummond drives the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)LOS ANGELES – Andre Drummond is joining the Los Angeles Lakers for the playoff push. The Lakers announced the signing of the two-time All-Star center less than an hour before Sunday night's game against the Orlando Magic. AdThe Lakers currently rank ninth in the NBA in rebounds per game (45.1), but just 17th in offensive rebounds (9.6). Ad___AP Sports Writer Joe Reedy in Los Angeles contributed to this report___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
AP source: LaMarcus Aldridge to sign with Brooklyn Nets
Read full article: AP source: LaMarcus Aldridge to sign with Brooklyn NetsNew Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Bledsoe (5) is blocked by San Antonio Spurs center LaMarcus Aldridge (12) as he tries to score during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)NEW YORK – The Nets aren't finished bringing big names to Brooklyn. LaMarcus Aldridge is next after deciding Saturday to sign with the Nets for the remainder of the season, a person with knowledge of the details said. After reaching a buyout agreement with the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, the veteran forward quickly became a coveted free agent for contending teams. AdAn All-Star in three of his seasons in San Antonio, Aldridge fills one of the few holes for the potent Nets.
Harden, Griffin help Nets hold off Pistons 113-111
Read full article: Harden, Griffin help Nets hold off Pistons 113-111Brooklyn Nets forward Blake Griffin (2) is defended by Detroit Pistons forward Sekou Doumbouya during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 26, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)DETROIT – James Harden scored 44 points and Blake Griffin added 17 in his return to Detroit, lifting the Brooklyn Nets to a 113-111 victory over the Pistons on Friday night. Brooklyn was still without Kevin Durant (left hamstring strain) and Kyrie Irving (personal reasons), but the Nets had enough to hold off the last-place Pistons. Griffin spent three-plus years with the Pistons, but he reached a buyout agreement with Detroit earlier this month and went to the contending Nets. The Pistons went 34 for 47 on free throws.
Mitchell scores 27, Jazz rout short-handed Nets 118-88
Read full article: Mitchell scores 27, Jazz rout short-handed Nets 118-88Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives around Brooklyn Nets forward Joe Harris (12) in the first half during an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)SALT LAKE CITY – Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points and the Utah Jazz routed the short-handed Brooklyn Nets 118-88 on Wednesday night. This matchup between Eastern and Western Conference contenders lost some luster when the Nets James Harden was scratched due to a sore neck. At halftime, the Jazz led 63-38 – the lowest scoring first half of the season for Brooklyn. Even with all their stars, the Nets have struggled defensively this season and relied on their supercharged offense to get their wins.
Blake Griffin expected to make debut with Nets vs. Wizards
Read full article: Blake Griffin expected to make debut with Nets vs. WizardsBrooklyn Nets Blake Griffin cheers on his team against the Boston Celtics during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 11, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)NEW YORK – Blake Griffin is expected to make his debut for the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night against Washington. The Nets signed the six-time All-Star on March 8 but wanted to gradually prepare him to play after he had been inactive during his final weeks in Detroit. Griffin has been working out with the Nets but has sat out five games due to what the team called left knee injury management. The Nets upgraded Griffin from probable to available on the injury report before the game.
USA Basketball picks 57 players for men's Tokyo Games pool
Read full article: USA Basketball picks 57 players for men's Tokyo Games poolUSA Basketball is a step closer to choosing the team that will play in this summer’s rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, releasing the names Thursday of 57 players who are part of the pool to fill the squad. It’s also already drawing major interest from some NBA stars who have yet to taste Olympic gold. USA Basketball will pare the list to a 12-person Olympic team by early summer. Jordan, who now plays for Brooklyn, is also a newcomer to the pool even though he was on the 2016 Olympic team. “But for USA Basketball to receive the commitment of so many outstanding players remains an indicator of the great honor of representing your country means to these men.”
AP source: Blake Griffin agrees to deal with Nets
Read full article: AP source: Blake Griffin agrees to deal with NetsFILE - Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin plays during overtime of of an NBA basketball game in Detroit, in this Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, file photo. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)NEW YORK – Blake Griffin is joining the collection of stars in Brooklyn. Griffin became a free agent Friday when he completed a buyout agreement with the Detroit Pistons. If he passed up more money (from) Detroit, he wants to win, and he wants to have an opportunity to play meaningful minutes. The 31-year-old Griffin is a six-time All-Star who has averaged 21.4 points and 8.7 rebounds since being the No.
AP source: Blake Griffin, Detroit Pistons agree to buyout
Read full article: AP source: Blake Griffin, Detroit Pistons agree to buyoutDetroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin (23) looks to pass over Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)DETROIT – Blake Griffin's time in Detroit is over, another significant step in a rebuilding process that has the Pistons at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The veteran forward and the Pistons have agreed to a contract buyout, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the move was not yet official. Griffin, who turns 32 later this month, came to Detroit in a trade during the 2017-18 season. Detroit traded big man Andre Drummond around this time last year, and the team's offseason reshuffling left Griffin as one of the few holdovers.
Draymond Green slams NBA over star players on trading block
Read full article: Draymond Green slams NBA over star players on trading blockGolden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) reacts after being called for a technical foul during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)SAN FRANCISCO – Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green sharply criticized the NBA following Monday night's win over Cleveland, saying players put on the trading block by teams are being treated unfairly. Green spoke out after news broke of the Cavaliers sitting two-time All-Star center Andre Drummond because they’re looking to deal him. “As a player, you’re the worst person in the world when you want a different situation,” Green said. Bickerstaff also said the decision to sit Drummond came only after consulting both Drummond and his agent about the situation.
Pistons holding out Griffin while resolving his future
Read full article: Pistons holding out Griffin while resolving his futureDetroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin (23) looks to pass over Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)DETROIT – The Detroit Pistons plan to keep Blake Griffin out of the lineup while he and the organization work out a decision on his future, a sign the star forward's days with the team could be numbered. Detroit is 8-19 this season, and Griffin has already missed seven games. “I am grateful to the Pistons for understanding what I want to accomplish in my career and for working together on the best path forward," Griffin said. AdWith so many new faces, Griffin has been an afterthought at times, averaging 12.3 points — a career low.
LeBron takes charge in 2nd OT, Lakers edge Pistons 135-129
Read full article: LeBron takes charge in 2nd OT, Lakers edge Pistons 135-129Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) is defended by Detroit Pistons forward Saddiq Bey (41) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Lakers committed a season-high 23 turnovers, blew a 17-point lead and wasted several chances to win in regulation. He tied it on a driving layup with 3.1 seconds left, and James missed a driving layup at the buzzer. “There’s so many learning situations for young players and our guys to play against a great team like the Lakers. Lakers: Vogel got a technical foul in the second quarter for arguing about a blocking call on Marc Gasol.
With Davis out, Lakers fall to Pistons 107-92
Read full article: With Davis out, Lakers fall to Pistons 107-92Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks to shoot as Detroit Pistons center Mason Plumlee (24) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)DETROIT – LeBron James made his first seven shots from the field and looked plenty capable of leading the Lakers to a victory with Anthony Davis sidelined. James scored just two points after halftime, and the Detroit Pistons handed Los Angeles its second straight loss, 107-92 on Thursday night. "We just didn’t have a great rhythm that second half in any way.”Wayne Ellington added 20 points for the Pistons. Pistons: Detroit made all 13 of its free throws.
Embiid hits late free throws, 76ers beat Pistons 114-110
Read full article: Embiid hits late free throws, 76ers beat Pistons 114-110Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) grimaces after Detroit Pistons guard Josh Jackson (20) ran into him while chasing guard Ben Simmons (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)DETROIT – Joel Embiid had 33 points and 14 rebounds, and his two free throws with 7.2 seconds left helped the Philadelphia 76ers seal a 114-110 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night. Ben Simmons added 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the 76ers, and he made a couple big free throws of his own in the final minute. Detroit trailed 110-108 after Jerami Grant made a 3-pointer with 28.5 seconds left, but Simmons calmly made two free throws to push the lead to four. Delon Wright's layup made it 112-110, but Embiid closed the game out with his free throws and finished 12 of 17 from the line.
The Latest: 76ers-Thunder game postponed
Read full article: The Latest: 76ers-Thunder game postponed4 Texas' scheduled basketball game at Iowa State on Wednesday night has been postponed. N.C. State announced a cluster of cases associated with Wolfpack athletics on Wednesday, though it didn’t specify which programs were involved. A day later, the ACC announced that the Wolfpack's home men’s basketball game Saturday against Georgia Tech would be postponed. That marked the first home game this season that the Packers played in front of any paying spectators. The Cornhuskers’ home game against Minnesota on Wednesday and game at Iowa next Sunday have been postponed.
Tatum lifts Celtics past Pistons for weekend split
Read full article: Tatum lifts Celtics past Pistons for weekend splitBoston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, right, drives against Detroit Pistons center Mason Plumlee during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)Jayson Tatum hit a fallaway as Blake Griffin stumbled with 2.9 seconds left, then tied up the Detroit veteran on the other end to help the Boston Celtics beat the Pistons 122-120 on Sunday for a weekend split. The Celtics shot a season-best 57%. “It seems like they made every shot, especially Brown,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. Mykhailiuk scored eight straight Detroit points, and the Pistons took a 118-117 lead on Mason Plumlee’s free throws with 42.2 seconds left.
NBA players are donating money to cover salaries of hourly workers amid suspended season
Read full article: NBA players are donating money to cover salaries of hourly workers amid suspended seasonWilliamson, a forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, said in a post on Instagram he was paying the salaries of Smoothie King Center employees for the next 30 days. Griffin, a forward for the Detroit Pistons, confirmed on Twitter he's donating $100,000 to staff of Little Caesars Arena. In addition, he is donating $100,000 each to coronavirus-related social services in Utah and Oklahoma City plus €100,000 (roughly $111,000) to coronavirus relief in his native France, according to the Jazz's website. The Golden State Warriors announced Friday that the franchise's owners, players and coaches will contribute $1 million to disaster relief fund for Chase Center employees. Other teams, like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks, are donating money for hourly workers at arenas.