Citing mental health, Cavs and Spain guard Ricky Rubio taking break from basketball
Ricky 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.
76ers-Thunder called off as virus concerns still trouble NBA
Memphis 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 leagueโs health and safety protocols. He was pulled at halftime of Memphisโ game against Brooklyn on Jan. 8 because of some sort of virus-related issue, but was back on the court for the Grizzliesโ 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. Clevelandโs 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.
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
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)NEW YORK โ The 2020-21 NBA schedule will feature a play-in tournament and an NBA Finals that could run all the way until July 22 โ 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 โ 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
A 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 werenโt deterred. โWe are excited to welcome Chris Paul and Abdel Nader to Phoenix,โ 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 finish 8-0 in bubble, but fail to advance
Devin 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
Booker 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
Duncan 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
โIโm happy for him, but heโd be the first one to tell you weโre not done," Phoenix coach Monty Williams said of Booker. โThis is a fun team to be a part of and weโre having fun with it," Booker said. โThis whole experience ... we just wanted to come down here and make some noise and thatโs what weโre 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
Phoenix 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
Phoenix 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. โ 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. โItโs the highest form of respect for me,โโ 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. โYou could just tell right from the start of the game,โโ Booker said.
Oubre scores career-high 39, Suns top Rockets 127-91
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)PHOENIX, Ariz. โ 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
Phoenix 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 โ 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. โWe just couldn't figure out the Clippers' zone," Suns coach Monty Williams said.