Thomas guides Celtics past his former team

PHOENIX — Four days after being traded from the Phoenix Suns, new Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas woke up in his own bed Monday in Arizona, drove his own car to US Airways Center and capped off one of the strangest days of his career with a dagger to the heart of his former teammates. […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Tough defense helps Jazz shut down Spurs

SALT LAKE CITY — It appears Utah’s defensive evolution has taken a giant step forward since coming back from the NBA All-Star break. Opponents are being greeted with a Jazz team that snags loose balls, alters shots and forces turnovers with high energy. This is a much different story than a year ago, when Utah […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Conley, Grizzlies hold off Clippers

LOS ANGELES — Defense is the calling card of the Memphis Grizzlies. They dialed it up again to hang on to a victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night. Point guard Mike Conley scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half, and he recorded a game-clinching steal in the final seconds […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Garnett to be reintroduced Tuesday

Kevin Garnett’s homecoming to the Minnesota Timberwolves will include extra seating for Wednesday’s game at Target Center. Garnett, acquired by the Timberwolves at the trade deadline from the Brooklyn Nets, will be introduced to media Tuesday afternoon. The fifth overall pick in the 1995 draft from Chicago’s Farragut Academy, last played for the Timberwolves in […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Knicks’ Fisher has no interpretation of Jackson’s tweets

New York Knicks coach Derek Fisher says he won’t even try to interpret Phil Jackson’s tweets from Sunday night. Hours after the Knicks were blown out 101-83 by Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Jackson tweeted that the game gave the basketball gods “heartburn.” He ended with the acronym “smh” — meaning “shake […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Korver’s late flurry carries Hawks past Bucks

MILWAUKEE — When Kyle Korver shot just 1-for-5 through the first three quarters Sunday, it was easy to assume that he was simply having a rare off night. However, the shooting guard rattled off three 3-pointers in the first 2:30 of the fourth quarter, helping the Atlanta Hawks create some breathing room before ultimately knocking […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Jackson scores 17 in Pistons’ win

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Reggie Jackson had trouble calming down in his Detroit Pistons debut. Once his stomach stopped churning, Jackson showed how much he could impact his new team. Jackson missed his first eight field-goal attempts but overcame the slow start to contribute 17 points, five rebounds and five assists in Detroit’s 106-89 victory […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Pacers sneak past Curry-less Warriors

INDIANAPOLIS — Despite a sprained left ankle, Indiana Pacers guard Rodney Stuckey was feeling no pain Sunday night. For the first time in his career, Stuckey scored 30 points in consecutive games, leading the Pacers to a 104-98 victory over the short-handed Golden State Warriors in Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Stuckey, who scored 30 on Friday […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Magic beat 76ers, show glimpse of future

ORLANDO — Even in season still filled with struggles, the future is becoming a little clearer now for the Orlando Magic. The youngsters are coming together. The Magic won their third consecutive game, the longest winning streak since last February, and leaned heavily again on their young nucleus in beating the Philadelphia 76ers 103-98 on […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021