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Kyrie Irving is still perfect in elimination games, and moving on with Luka Doncic and the Mavs
Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press | Posted May 4 - 4:00 a.m. | Save Story
Kyrie Irving's big second half has helped carry the Dallas Mavericks into the second round. Luka Doncic's co-star fueled a 114-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers for a 4-2 series victory. Dallas beat LA for the first time in three first-round tries over the past five seasons in the first postseason together for Irving and Doncic. Dallas is the No. 5 seed and opens the Western Conference semifinals at top-seeded Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Irving is now 13-0 in elimination games in his career.
Tyronn Lue says he wants to keep coaching Clippers, passes on addressing speculation over Lakers
Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press | Posted May 4 - 1:39 a.m. | Save Story
Tyronn Lue says he wants to be coach of the Los Angeles Clippers longterm and declined to address directly speculation that the Lakers would target him in their search after firing Darvin Ham. Lue was asked about his future with the Clippers and the talk of the Lakers after Dallas ended LA's season with a 114-101 victory in Game 6 of a first-round series. Lue says he feels strong support from owner Steve Ballmer and team president Lawrence Frank among others. Lue has two years remaining on his contract.
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving carry Mavs past Clippers 114-101 to advance to second round
Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press | Updated May 3 - 11:49 p.m. | Save Story
close out the Clippers in Dallas in Game 6 of a first-round series. The fifth-seeded Mavericks beat the Clippers for the the first time in three first-round tries over the past five seasons. Dallas will play top-seeded Oklahoma City in the Western Conference semifinals. Paul George had 18 points and 11 rebounds as the Clippers lost in the first round for the second consecutive season.
Mitchell scores 50 points in an attempt to end series, but Cavaliers fall to the Magic in Game 6
Fred Goodall, Associated Press | Posted May 3 - 10:36 p.m. | Save Story
Donovan Mitchell went for 50 points on Orlando Magic, but it wasn't enough to help the Cleveland Cavaliers close out the first-round NBA playoff series between the teams. Mitchell scored his team's final 22 points, including all 18 in the fourth quarter. No one else scored for the Cavs over the final 14 minutes as Orlando won 103-96. Game 7 is Sunday in Cleveland.
A sellout for a WNBA exhibition game? Welcome to the league's Caitlin Clark era
The Associated Press | Updated May 3 - 9:36 p.m. | Save Story
Fans lined up outside the arena more than three hours before Caitlin Clark made her WNBA debut for the Indiana Fever in a preseason game against the Dallas Wings, and the two-time NCAA women's basketball player of the year did not disappoint. Clark led all first-half scorers with 16 points in 16 minutes and finished with 21 points in the Fever's 79-76 loss on Friday night in Texas. She was 6 of 15 from the field including 5 of 13 from deep, and had three rebounds, two assists, four fouls and five turnovers. She had a chance to send the game into overtime but her 3-point attempt from the right corner at the buzzer missed.
Paolo Banchero scores 27 points, Magic overcome Mitchell's 50 to beat Cavs 103-96 and force Game 7
Fred Goodall, Associated Press | Updated May 3 - 9:22 p.m. | Save Story
Paolo Banchero scored 10 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Orlando Magic hold off the Cleveland Cavaliers 103-96 and force a decisive Game 7 in the their first-round NBA playoff series. Three nights after scoring 39 points in a one-point road loss that left the Magic on the brink of elimination, the 21-year-old Banchero put his team on his back down the stretch and carried them to their biggest win in more than a decade. Franz Wagner had 26 points and Jalen Suggs made six 3-pointers and finished with 22 for the Magic. Mitchell was magnificent for Cleveland, scoring 50 points, including all 18 of his team's in the fourth quarter. Game 7 is Sunday in Cleveland.
Cavaliers C Jarrett Allen ruled out for Game 6 of first-round playoff series against Magic
The Associated Press | Posted May 3 - 5:19 p.m. | Save Story
The Cleveland Cavaliers will play Game 6 of their first-round NBA playoff series against the Orlando Magic without center Jarrett Allen, who is sitting out for the second straight game because of a bruised rib. Allen, who has arguably been the Cavs' best player in the series, also missed Game 5, which Cleveland won 104-103 at home on Tuesday. He was injured when he took an elbow in the ribs during the second half of last weekend's 23-point road loss in Game 4. Cleveland holds a 3-2 lead and can close out the Eastern Conference series with a win Friday night.
Fever move Caitlin Clark's preseason home debut up a day to accommodate Pacers' playoff schedule
The Associated Press | Updated May 3 - 5:06 p.m. | Save Story
Indiana Fever fans will get to see Caitlin Clark make her home debut a day earlier than expected. Team officials announced Friday that next week's preseason game against the Atlanta Dream will be played on Thursday. The game had initially been scheduled for May 10 but was moved to accommodate the Indiana Pacers NBA playoff schedule. The Pacers advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals with a win over Milwaukee on Thursday night. They're scheduled to host the New York Knicks on May 10. The Pacers and Fever play in the same building.
NBA conference semifinal preview capsules
The Associated Press | Updated May 3 - 4:21 p.m. | Save Story
Preview capsules for the NBA's conference semifinal series. The second round opens Saturday with the defending champion Denver Nuggets facing the Minnesota Timberwolves. The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers renew an old playoff rivalry in another series that will begin Monday.
A look at the coaches who have led teams with LeBron James on the roster.
The Associated Press | Posted May 3 - 3:56 p.m. | Save Story
LeBron James has had nine coaches in his more than two decades in the NBA, and he could be headed for No. 10 after the Los Angeles Lakers fired Darvin Ham. Ham had spent the past two years as Lakers coach, guiding the team to the Western Conference finals in 2023 before falling in the first round of the playoffs this year.
Pat Beverley's fan, reporter interactions in Indianapolis were not 'the Bucks way,' Doc Rivers says
The Associated Press | Updated May 3 - 3:29 p.m. | Save Story
Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Beverley indicated a video showing him throwing a ball at a spectator on Thursday was misleading but later added that "I have to be better." Cameras showed Beverley sitting on the bench and throwing a ball into the stands and hitting a fan with about 2 ½ minutes left in Milwaukee's 120-98 Game 6 loss at Indiana that knocked the Bucks out of the playoffs. The video showed him throwing the ball at a second fan after it was lobbed back to him. Also during a postgame interview, Beverley wouldn't allow a particular reporter to ask a question after discovering she didn't subscribe to his podcast.
Antetokounmpo wondering how he can stay healthy after injuries have impacted his last 2 postseasons
Steve Megargee, Associated Press | Updated May 3 - 2:38 p.m. | Save Story
Giannis Antetokounmpo says he was only able to run at less than half speed as he tried to make it back for the Milwaukee Bucks' final NBA playoff games before their first-round exit. Antetokounmpo strained his left calf in an April 9 victory over the Boston Celtics and didn't play again. This marks the second straight season in which Milwaukee has lost in the first round of the playoffs with its two-time MVP limited by injuries. Antetokounmpo mentioned the possibility of changing his offseason program or perhaps even adapting his playing style as he attempts to stay healthy.
The Lakers fire coach Darvin Ham after just 2 seasons in charge and 1st-round playoff exit
Greg Beacham, Associated Press | Updated May 3 - 12:46 p.m. | Save Story
The Los Angeles Lakers fired coach Darvin Ham after just two seasons in charge. The Lakers announced on social media that they were dismissing Ham four days after their season ended with a first-round playoff loss to Denver in five games. Ham led Los Angeles to the Western Conference finals less than a year ago in his first season as an NBA head coach. Ham presided over a disappointing year for the Lakers, who went 47-35 in the regular season and won the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament. General manager Rob Pelinka says the move "is the best course of action following a full review of the season."
Chet Holmgren and Lu Dort anchor elite Thunder defense heading into second round of NBA playoffs
Cliff Brunt, Associated Press | Posted May 3 - 11:34 a.m. | Save Story
The young Oklahoma City Thunder finally have started drawing national attention with a high-scoring offense led by MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But while best known for their scoring prowess, the Thunder also boast a defense that ranked among the league's best. Rim protector Chet Holmgren and elite on-ball defender Lu Dort anchored a unit that continued to excel as Oklahoma City swept the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round. The Thunder defense will need to keep it going against the Dallas Mavericks or the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round if they are to advance further.
Clemson all-ACC center PJ Hall is entering NBA draft
The Associated Press | Posted May 3 - 11:15 a.m. | Save Story
Clemson all-Atlantic Coast Conference center PJ Hall says he is entering the NBA draft. Hall led the Tigers in scoring at 18.3 points a game this season and helped them advance to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament this past season. Hal announced his decision on social media Friday. He said he had poured everything he had into the past four years at Clemson. Now, he is ready to chase his dream of playing in the NBA.
76ers waste another season of Embiid's prime. Will they ever make a run at an NBA championship?
Dan Gelston, Associated Press | Posted May 3 - 10:52 a.m. | Save Story
The Philadelphia 76ers wasted yet another season of Joel Embiid's prime. They believe they at least have the perfect sidekick for him in All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey. Maxey can receive a max contract offer from the Sixers and is expected to be a centerpiece on the offense for years ahead. The 76ers finished 31-8 in the regular season with Embiid and a woeful 16-27 without him. As Embiid goes, so go the Sixers. The Sixers first-round exit against the Knicks made it 41 years since their last NBA championship. The Sixers haven't even advanced out of the second round since 2001.
Knicks' trio of Villanova stars help them advance to 2nd round of East playoffs
Dan Gelston, Associated Press | Updated May 3 - 8:25 a.m. | Save Story
Josh Hart made a go-ahead 3-pointer from the top of the arc with 24.4 seconds left, and the New York Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 118-115 in Game 6 to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Jalen Brunson had 41 points and 12 assists to lead the Knicks, who move on to face the Indiana Pacers. Game 1 is Monday in New York. The Knicks are through to the second round in consecutive years for the first time since the postseasons from 1992-2000.
Young Pacers exceed expectations by advancing to Eastern Conference semifinals
Michael Marot, Associated Press | Updated May 3 - 7:22 a.m. | Save Story
Coach Rick Carlisle keep insisting the Indiana Pacers wanted to do more than just make the playoffs. He believed this young team could win, advance and perhaps even extend its season again. On Thursday night, the Pacers eliminated Milwaukee with a 120-98 rout to secure a 4-2 series win and their first Eastern Conference semifinal appearance since 2014. It's not just Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner who are celebrating their first advancement. Carlisle also is making his first second-round appearance since winning the 2011 championship with Dallas.
Jamal Murray is saving the defending champion Nuggets with clutch playoff performances
Arnie Stapleton, Associated Press | Posted May 3 - 4:00 a.m. | Save Story
Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray scuffled with his shot in the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers. But he kept coming through in the clutch by the time the fourth quarter rolled around. He's the first player in the league's 77-year history to hit two game-winning baskets in the final five seconds in a playoff series. Murray will lead the Nuggets into the second round where they'll face the Minnesota Timberwolves starting Saturday in Denver.
