Basketball

Joel Embiid began the long process toward NBA MVP as a towering soccer prospect in Africa who never picked up a basketball until he was a teenager. Once he changed sports for good, Embiid became a generational — albeit often-injured — talent.

NEW YORK (AP) — Jimmy Butler was sidelined for the Miami Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks on Tuesday night because of a sprained right ankle.

The Memphis Grizzlies have no plans to bring Dillon Brooks back to the team when he hits free agency this summer, a person with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday. Brooks, from Mississauga, Ont.

BOSTON (AP) — Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said he didn’t walk off the court feeling any panic following Boston’s 119-115 Eastern Conference semifinals loss to the 76ers in Game 1.

Philadelphia 76ers (54-28, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (57-25, second in the Eastern Conference) Boston; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Celtics -9; over/under is 218.

DENVER (AP) — The playing status of Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul remains uncertain after leaving Game 2 with groin tightness in the third quarter Monday night against Denver.

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic scored 39 points and pulled down 16 rebounds on the eve of the NBA MVP announcement to rally the Denver Nuggets to a 97-87 win over Phoenix on Monday night, giving them a 2-0 lead over the Suns in the Western Conference sem

BOSTON (AP) — James Harden matched his playoff career high with 45 points and hit a go-ahead, step-back 3-pointer over Al Horford with 8.

BOSTON (AP) — James Harden was asked for most of this season to be a facilitator for a 76ers team built around big man Joel Embiid.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Through every playoff triumph and every glaring mistake, Mike Brown stuck by his young Sacramento Kings knowing how much all of these moments will mean for the future.