NBA Central Division
FILE - Los Angeles Lakers' Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33) hooks a shot over Portland Trail Blazers' Jim Brewer (52) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles on March 12, 1980. Abdul-Jabbar wins his sixth MVP award after claiming five in the 1970s. He averaged 24.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.4 blocks. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon, File)
Timeline of NBA in 1980s as league celebrates 75th season

By The Associated Press Jan. 17, 2022 10:45 AM EST

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr reacts to action on the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Golden State Warriors at Indiana Pacers 12/13/2021

Dec. 20, 2021 12:22 PM EST

FILE - Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol, from Spain, kisses the Larry O'Brian trophy after the Lakers won the NBA basketball championship in Orlando, Fla., in this Sunday, June 14, 2009, file photo. Pau Gasol announced his retirement from basketball on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, ending a career that lasted more than two decades and earned him two NBA titles and a world championship gold with Spain's national team. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Veteran Pau Gasol announces retirement from basketball

By Tales Azzoni Oct. 05, 2021 11:56 AM EDT

United States's Jrue Holiday (12) fights for a rebound with the Czech Republic's Jan Vesely (24) during a men's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Holiday may be piece to a 2nd basketball championship puzzle

By Brian Mahoney Aug. 02, 2021 07:24 AM EDT

Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) is fouled by Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the second half of Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
US trio puts NBA Finals behind, turns focus to Olympic gold

By Brian Mahoney Jul. 29, 2021 06:32 AM EDT

Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) is fouled by Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the second half of Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Trio of NBA Finals players finally arrives at Tokyo Olympics

By Tim Reynolds Jul. 24, 2021 10:38 AM EDT

Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) reacts in front of Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the first half of Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Phoenix Suns at Milwaukee Bucks 7/20/2021

Jul. 21, 2021 07:08 AM EDT

Milwaukee Bucks' Khris Middleton goes up for a dunk against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals, Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Milwaukee. (Justin Casterline/Pool Photo via AP)
LaVine cleared, USA Basketball awaits 3 NBA Finals players

By Tim Reynolds Jul. 21, 2021 07:07 AM EDT

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) drives against Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the second half of Game 5 of basketball's NBA Finals, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Milwaukee Bucks at Phoenix Suns 7/17/2021

Jul. 18, 2021 01:00 AM EDT

Head coach Gregg Popovich speaks with players during training for USA Basketball, Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Analysis: Popovich has to love play from Olympians in finals

By Tim Reynolds Jul. 18, 2021 12:59 AM EDT

Bradley Beal shoots during practice for USA Basketball, Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
US-Australia basketball game canceled because of protocols

Jul. 15, 2021 11:41 PM EDT

Colangelo seeks Suns win, reinforcements for US Olympic team

By Brian Mahoney Jul. 14, 2021 06:53 PM EDT
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jerry Colangelo is headed to Game 5 in Phoenix, hoping to see his old team win its first NBA title. Getting the series...

Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez rebounds as Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, looks on during the first half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals, Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York, Pool)
Sweatin' with the oldies: 30-somethings abound in NBA Finals

By David Brandt Jul. 07, 2021 07:07 PM EDT

Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Durant points to his head during the second half of Game 6 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday, June 17, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Brooklyn Nets at Milwaukee Bucks 6/17/2021

Jun. 28, 2021 07:40 PM EDT

FILE - Greece national basketball team head coach Rick Pitino leaves a press conference in Athens, Greece, in this Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, file photo. Iona coach and Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Pitino is coaching the Greek national team in the Olympic qualifying tournament that starts Tuesday in Victoria, British Columbia. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis, File)
Pitino's summer job: Trying to get Greece into Tokyo Games

By Tim Reynolds Jun. 27, 2021 12:49 PM EDT

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) shoots as Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) defend during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, May 27, 2021, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Milwaukee Bucks at Miami Heat 5/27/2021

Jun. 21, 2021 09:38 PM EDT

Fans watch as Milwaukee Bucks' Jrue Holiday (21) defends against Brooklyn Nets' James Harden (13) during the first half of Game 7 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Saturday, June 19, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Milwaukee Bucks at Brooklyn Nets 6/19/2021

Jun. 21, 2021 09:38 PM EDT

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, second from right, watches during a replay review by officials during the second half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, Saturday, May 29, 2021, in Miami. At left are forward Jimmy Butler and guard Goran Dragic (7). (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Milwaukee Bucks at Miami Heat 5/29/2021

Jun. 03, 2021 06:28 PM EDT

Washington Wizards head coach Scott Brooks talks with Russell Westbrook following an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Saturday, May 8, 2021, in Indianapolis. Washington won 133-132 in overtime. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Washington Wizards at Indiana Pacers 5/8/2021

Jun. 03, 2021 05:04 PM EDT

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press May. 27, 2021 05:37 PM EDT
May 28 1901 — Parader, ridden by Fred Landry, overcomes a bad start to win the Preakness Stakes by two lengths over Sadie S. ...