Spurs top Jazz, win third straight

SAN ANTONIO — During the second quarter Sunday night, San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard fell to the ground and came up shaking his right hand. The famous hand, the one that had ligament damage, preventing the 2014 NBA Finals MVP from playing in 15 straight games this season. It was an alarming sight to […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Thunder roll past Magic

ORLANDO — The Oklahoma City Thunder may have put an official end to their early-season road woes, signaling a new start toward returning to prominence in the Western Conference. The Thunder opened their five-game Eastern Conference road trip by blistering the overwhelmed Orlando Magic 127-99 on Sunday night, determined to start changing their fortunes away […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
No. 15 North Carolina overcomes sloppy effort to defeat Virginia Tech

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina coach Roy Williams added a practice to the team’s schedule after the way the No. 15 Tar Heels played Sunday night. The way the team went about business in a 68-53 victory against visiting Virginia Tech wasn’t pleasing to the veteran coach. “The first half we shoot 13 3s […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Michigan’s LeVert out for season with foot injury

Michigan star junior guard Caris LeVert is out for the season with a left foot injury, the school announced Sunday. LeVert, who injured his foot during Saturday’s game against Northwestern, will undergo surgery this week. He had surgery on the same foot last May. He will be on a 12-week recovery and rehabilitation program. “Caris […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Thompson leads Warriors past Rockets

HOUSTON — Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson offered the requisite modesty following his exceptional two-way performance on Saturday night, one that reinforced his All-Star Game candidacy and confirmed, at least in his mind, why he was rewarded with a contract extension. Thompson harassed Rockets guard James Harden into a poor shooting night and teamed […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Wizards have too many weapons for Nets

NEW YORK — Asked to describe what he thought of frontcourt partner Nene, Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat did not hesitate for an assessment. “The guy’s a beast, an offensive beast,” Gortat said. “He’s banged up right now, but if he’s playing the game and if he’s playing the game the right way, if he’s […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Hornets overcome struggles to defeat Pacers in OT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It was beyond ugly, so ugly that there were a combined 124 missed field-goal attempts and 13 more missed free throws. But under the circumstances, the Charlotte Hornets will gladly take their 80-71 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night. The Hornets played without their two leading scorers, guard Kemba […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
NBA game roundup: Grizzlies win slugfest vs. Blazers

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It was very nearly a perfect night for Memphis Grizzlies backup point guard Beno Udrih. Starting his second straight game in place of injured Mike Conley, Udrih scored 17 points, including the key bucket with 8.7 seconds left, to help Memphis beat the Portland Trail Blazers 102-98 on Saturday night in a […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Wiggins’ 31 fuel Timberwolves in win

DENVER — Andrew Wiggins was feeling ill before Saturday night’s game. After a career performance from the rookie forward, Wiggins and his Minnesota teammates are feeling much better. Wiggins scored a season-high 31 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and the Timberwolves beat the Denver Nuggets 113-105 on Saturday night. Forward Thaddeus Young had 22 points […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021