INSIDER
Guard Ricky Rubio says his NBA career is over. He stepped away from Cavs to work on mental health
Read full article: Guard Ricky Rubio says his NBA career is over. He stepped away from Cavs to work on mental healthVeteran guard Ricky Rubio, who stepped away from his playing career and the Cleveland Cavaliers this season to concentrate on his mental health, says his NBA career is over.
Citing mental health, Cavs and Spain guard Ricky Rubio taking break from basketball
Read full article: Citing mental health, Cavs and Spain guard Ricky Rubio taking break from basketballRicky Rubio of the Cleveland Cavaliers announced Saturday that he is taking a break from basketball to focus on his mental health, a move that comes as his Spanish national team prepares to defend its title at the FIBA World Cup that starts later this month.
Cavaliers clinch playoff spot with 108-91 win over Rockets
Read full article: Cavaliers clinch playoff spot with 108-91 win over RocketsJarrett Allen scored 24 points and had 14 rebounds, Donovan Mitchell added 22 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2018, beating the Houston Rockets 108-91.
Wolves beat Cavaliers 129-124 despite 51 points from Garland
Read full article: Wolves beat Cavaliers 129-124 despite 51 points from GarlandD’Angelo Russell had season highs of 30 points and 12 assists, Karl-Anthony Towns scored 29 points, and the Minnesota Timberwolves held off the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers 129-124.
Cavaliers rally from 20-point deficit, beat Pacers 98-85
Read full article: Cavaliers rally from 20-point deficit, beat Pacers 98-85Cedi Osman scored 22 points and Kevin Love had 19 as the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied from 20 down to beat Indiana 98-85, shortly after agreeing to acquire shooting guard Caris LeVert from the Pacers.
AP source: Cavs acquire Rondo from Lakers for Valentine
Read full article: AP source: Cavs acquire Rondo from Lakers for ValentineA person familiar with the trade tells The Associated Press the Cavaliers have agreed to acquire veteran guard Rajon Rondo in a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers for swingman Denzel Valentine.
AP source: Cavs making progress in trade for Lakers' Rondo
Read full article: AP source: Cavs making progress in trade for Lakers' RondoA person familiar with the potential trade tells The Associated Press that the Cleveland Cavaliers have made progress in talks with the Los Angeles Lakers about a trade involving veteran point guard Rajon Rondo.
Suns win 14th straight, hold off Cavaliers 120-115
Read full article: Suns win 14th straight, hold off Cavaliers 120-115Devin Booker scored 35 points, Chris Paul had 12 assists and made four free throws in the final 8.8 seconds the Phoenix Suns extended their winning streak to 14 games, holding off the Cleveland Cavaliers 120-1115.
Curry scores 20 of 40 points in 4th, Warriors beat Cavs
Read full article: Curry scores 20 of 40 points in 4th, Warriors beat CavsStephen Curry scored 20 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter, hitting three straight 3-pointers, and the NBA-leading Golden State Warriors overcame a 13-point deficit to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 104-89 on Thursday night.
76ers-Thunder called off as virus concerns still trouble NBA
Read full article: 76ers-Thunder called off as virus concerns still trouble NBAMemphis Grizzlies' Jonas Valanciunas (17) and Minnesota Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns get tangled up in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)Another NBA game was called off Sunday because of coronavirus concerns, and the Memphis Grizzlies said center Jonas Valanciunas will not play Monday because of the league’s health and safety protocols. He was pulled at halftime of Memphis’ game against Brooklyn on Jan. 8 because of some sort of virus-related issue, but was back on the court for the Grizzlies’ next game Jan. 11 against Cleveland. Minnesota, which had a game Friday called off after Karl-Anthony Towns revealed he tested positive, is scheduled to play Monday in Atlanta. Cleveland’s game in Washington on Sunday also was called off, as was the planned rematch between the clubs on Monday.
AP Sources: Ariza to Pistons, Horford to OKC, Rubio to Minn.
Read full article: AP Sources: Ariza to Pistons, Horford to OKC, Rubio to Minn.The Houston Rockets agreed to trade Trevor Ariza and the 16th pick in Wednesday night's NBA draft to the Detroit Pistons for a future first-round pick, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been announced. The Philadelphia 76ers sent Al Horford and a protected future first-round pick to Oklahoma City, and the Minnesota Timberwolves reacquired point guard Ricky Rubio in a separate trade with the Thunder. The person confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been announced. The Timberwolves obtained the 17th pick, which originally belonged to Brooklyn, from Atlanta in a four-team, 12-player, three-pick trade in February.
Play-in tourney on, Olympics likely out for NBA in 2020-21
Read full article: Play-in tourney on, Olympics likely out for NBA in 2020-21(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)NEW YORK – The 2020-21 NBA schedule will feature a play-in tournament and an NBA Finals that could run all the way until July 22 — keeping some players from competing in the Olympics. The NBA announced Tuesday how it will make up the 72-game schedule, which won't be entirely known until well after it's started. Teams will play the remaining 30 games against the opposite conference — one at home and one on the road. The league debuted the play-in tournament this year at Walt Disney World, though it only featured the Nos. The second half is March 11 to May 16, with the play-in tournament May 18-21.
All-Star guard Chris Paul sent to Suns in blockbuster trade
Read full article: All-Star guard Chris Paul sent to Suns in blockbuster tradeA person with knowledge of the situation says All-Star guard Chris Paul is being traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Phoenix Suns, where he'll play alongside one of the league's most dynamic young scorers in fellow All-Star Devin Booker. The Phoenix Suns weren’t deterred. “We are excited to welcome Chris Paul and Abdel Nader to Phoenix,” Suns general manager James Jones said. That trade, along with the Paul trade, could give the Thunder as many as 17 first-round picks in the next seven drafts. The trade reunites him with Suns coach Monty Williams; Paul played for Williams in 2010-11 when Williams was in his first season coaching the New Orleans Hornets.
Suns top Mavs to keep playoff hopes alive, go 8-0 in bubble
Read full article: Suns top Mavs to keep playoff hopes alive, go 8-0 in bubblePhoenix Suns' Devin Booker (1) dribbles as Dallas Mavericks' Trey Burke defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Suns top Mavs to finish 8-0 in bubble, but fail to advance
Read full article: Suns top Mavs to finish 8-0 in bubble, but fail to advanceDevin Booker scored 27 points and Phoenix beat the Dallas Mavericks 128-102 on Thursday to finish as the only team to win all eight games seeding games. Dario Saric scored 16 points and Cameron Payne and Cameron Johnson each added 15 for the Suns. Booker scored 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting before the break. SUNS DNAThe Suns averaged 122 points in the eight games. Suns: Either season over or will be in a play-in game against Memphis on Saturday.
Booker's 35 points help streaking Suns beat 76ers 130-117
Read full article: Booker's 35 points help streaking Suns beat 76ers 130-117Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives past Philadelphia 76ers forward Glenn Robinson III (40) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Booker's 35 points help streaking Suns beat 76ers 130-117
Read full article: Booker's 35 points help streaking Suns beat 76ers 130-117Booker became the Suns' career leader with his 91st 30-point game, breaking a tie with Walter Davis. Phoenix pulled away late after leading only 105-102 following back-to-back baskets by Alec Burks, who led the 76ers with 23 points. The Suns continued their high-scoring play in the bubble after averaging 120 points in the first six games. The 76ers also were without Joel Embiid (left ankle), Tobias Harris (sore right ankle) and Al Horford (sore left knee). 76ers: Play the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.
Booker's 35 points lead surprising Suns past Heat 119-112
Read full article: Booker's 35 points lead surprising Suns past Heat 119-112Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Booker's 35 points lead surprising Suns past Heat 119-112
Read full article: Booker's 35 points lead surprising Suns past Heat 119-112Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro each had 25 points to lead the Heat. The Suns continued to thrive as the only undefeated team and biggest surprise in the Disney bubble. Led by Booker, Phoenix had wins over Washington, Dallas, the Los Angeles Clippers and Indiana before beating Miami. Three free throws by Robinson cut the Suns' lead to 115-112 before Miami's Bam Adebayo was called for goaltending on a shot by Booker. Led by its backcourt scoring from Herro and Robinson, Miami quickly led by double figures at 19-8.
Booker's shot at buzzer leads Suns over Clippers 117-115
Read full article: Booker's shot at buzzer leads Suns over Clippers 117-115Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker draws a foul from Los Angeles Clippers' Paul George, rear, during an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)
Booker's shot at buzzer leads Suns over Clippers 117-115
Read full article: Booker's shot at buzzer leads Suns over Clippers 117-115“I’m happy for him, but he’d be the first one to tell you we’re not done," Phoenix coach Monty Williams said of Booker. “This is a fun team to be a part of and we’re having fun with it," Booker said. “This whole experience ... we just wanted to come down here and make some noise and that’s what we’re doing." Leonard led the Clippers with 27 points and George added 23. WILLIAMS RETURNSLou Williams had seven points, six assists and six rebounds in 21 minutes in his restart debut after missing the first two games.
Booker scores 27 points, Suns beat Wizards 125-112 in return
Read full article: Booker scores 27 points, Suns beat Wizards 125-112 in returnPhoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards guard Jerome Robinson (12) in the first half an NBA basketball game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Friday, July 31, 2020. (Kim Klement/Pool Photo via AP)LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. Devin Booker scored 27 points, Deandre Ayton added 24 points and 12 rebounds and the Phoenix Suns beat the Washington Wizards 125-112 on Friday in their first game of the restart. Booker made all nine of his free throws and Phoenix hit 30 of 32 from the line. Dario Saric added 16 points for the Suns, who shot 52% from the field. Rui Hachimura had 21 points and eight rebounds and Jerome Robinson added 20 points for the Wizards on coach Scott Brooks' 55th birthday.
Booker, Rubio help Suns race past Giannis-less Bucks
Read full article: Booker, Rubio help Suns race past Giannis-less BucksPhoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives as Milwaukee Bucks guard Wesley Matthews defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)PHOENIX, Ariz. – Devin Booker scored 20 of his 36 points in Phoenix's 47-point first quarter and the Suns beat the NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks 140-131 on Sunday night,The Bucks played without MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo because of a minor knee sprain. “It’s the highest form of respect for me,’’ Booker said of the box-and-one defense the Bucks attempted. He credited his teammates with foiling it, as six Suns players scored in double figures. “You could just tell right from the start of the game,’’ Booker said.
Oubre scores career-high 39, Suns top Rockets 127-91
Read full article: Oubre scores career-high 39, Suns top Rockets 127-91(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)PHOENIX, Ariz. – Kelly Oubre Jr. was one of many Phoenix Suns players who had their names floated in trade rumors over the past week. The good vibes continued several hours later when the Suns played one of their best games of the season in a 127-91 victory over the Houston Rockets. Oubre scored a career-high 39 points and Devin Booker added 33. He shot 14 of 19 from the field, including 7 of 9 from 3-point range. ... Houston shot just 34% from the field against the Suns, including 11 of 48 (23%) on 3-pointers.
George, Leonard team to help Clippers overpower Suns 120-99
Read full article: George, Leonard team to help Clippers overpower Suns 120-99Phoenix Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr., right, blocks a shot by Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Clippers are one player short of finally fielding their entire team. George scored 24 points, Leonard added 20 and the Clippers returned home after two weeks away to beat the Phoenix Suns 120-99 on Tuesday night. They were only missing JaMychal Green after having George and Leonard in and out of the lineup since the season began. “We just couldn't figure out the Clippers' zone," Suns coach Monty Williams said.