Basketball

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 32 points and 12 rebounds, and the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets powered past LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 114-103 in their Western Conference playoff opener Saturday night.

NEW YORK (AP) — When the Philadelphia 76ers arrived in the locker room at halftime after a miserable second quarter, there was good news waiting. Joel Embiid was planning to come back on the court.

NEW YORK (AP) — The familiar chants of “MVP! MVP!” for Jalen Brunson were replaced by a much different sound inside a raucous Madison Square Garden.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks are dealing with injuries to key players during the playoffs — again. And Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers are standing in their way.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards drained a 3-pointer from the wing in a dominant third quarter for the Minnesota Timberwolves, nodding his head as he barked and stared at Kevin Durant on the retreat up the court. Durant could only grin.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 18 of his 33 points in the third quarter and had nine rebounds to carry the Minnesota Timberwolves in a tone-setting 120-95 victory over the Phoenix Suns to start the first round of the NBA playoffs on Saturd

CLEVELAND (AP) — Statistically speaking, the Orlando Magic entered the playoffs with the worst offense of any team in the field. They lived up — or in this case, down — to their billing.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers spent the week insisting they were better prepared for this year's playoffs. On Saturday, they looked it.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — After fielding seemingly the millionth question about how young his team is, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault explained why it's not relevant in Oklahoma City's case.

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas fell on his sword and vowed to make changes after the team he constructed missed the playoffs for the second straight season.