Basketball

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The audacious experiment of pairing two big men together turned into a false start for the Minnesota Timberwolves last season when Karl-Anthony Towns missed 52 games because of a strained calf muscle during Rudy Gobert's debut with

The NBA has hired Albert Sanders Jr., a Google executive and former associate counsel to President Barack Obama, as its new head of referee operations.

The Milwaukee Bucks were winners of the Damian Lillard trade sweepstakes, obviously, because they got him.

Damian Lillard was once asked to pick a player he'd want as a teammate, and Giannis Antetokounmpo was his answer. It's about to happen.

Barbara Bush never got to any of the NBA championship celebrations held at the White House when her grandfather was president of the United States. Never got to one when her father occupied the Oval Office, either.

NEW YORK (AP) — Magic Johnson's love for his Los Angeles Lakers has kept him from considering ownership of any other NBA team. The New York Knicks would be the one franchise that could make him have second thoughts.

NEW YORK (AP) — Ben Simmons is set to begin training camp next week with no restrictions after two injury-shortened seasons in Brooklyn. If he stays healthy, Simmons may even be able to return to his roots as a point guard.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Steve Kerr has no concerns about his long-term status as coach of the Golden State Warriors despite heading into the final year of his contract. Owner Joe Lacob and new general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Body camera footage of Cavaliers executive Koby Altman undergoing field sobriety tests shows him being told by officers that he nearly caused an accident last week before he was arrested and charged with driving while impaired.

PARIS (AP) — Victor Wembanyama will be aiming for the gold medal with France at the Paris Olympics. The San Antonio Spurs rookie reaffirmed his commitment to France's national squad at the Summer Games next year in his home country.