MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves finalized a contract Thursday with guard Austin Rivers.
The 6-foot-4 son of Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers spent last season with Denver, where he averaged 6.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 67 games. 
Rivers had his best year in the NBA in 2017-18 with the Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 15.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 61 games. He has played 10 seasons in the league for six teams, appearing in 60 playoff games. Rivers was the 10th overall pick in the 2012 draft by New Orleans, coming out of Duke.
After signing Karl-Anthony Towns to a contract extension and making the major trade with Utah to get Rudy Gobert earlier this summer, the Timberwolves also added free agent role players in Kyle Anderson and Bryn Forbes before picking up Rivers.
___
More AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The Minnesota Timberwolves finalized a contract Thursday with guard Austin Rivers.
The 6-foot-4 son of Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers spent last season with Denver, where he averaged 6.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 67 games.
Rivers had his best year in the NBA in 2017-18 with the Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 15.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 61 games. He has played 10 seasons in the league for six teams, appearing in 60 playoff games. Rivers was the 10th overall pick in the 2012 draft by New Orleans, coming out of Duke.
After signing Karl-Anthony Towns to a contract extension and making the major trade with Utah to get Rudy Gobert earlier this summer, the Timberwolves also added free agent role players in Kyle Anderson and Bryn Forbes before picking up Rivers.
___
More AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The Minnesota Timberwolves finalized a contract Thursday with guard Austin Rivers.
The 6-foot-4 son of Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers spent last season with Denver, where he averaged 6.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 67 games.
Rivers had his best year in the NBA in 2017-18 with the Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 15.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 61 games. He has played 10 seasons in the league for six teams, appearing in 60 playoff games. Rivers was the 10th overall pick in the 2012 draft by New Orleans, coming out of Duke.
After signing Karl-Anthony Towns to a contract extension and making the major trade with Utah to get Rudy Gobert earlier this summer, the Timberwolves also added free agent role players in Kyle Anderson and Bryn Forbes before picking up Rivers.

The Minnesota Timberwolves finalized a contract Thursday with guard Austin Rivers.

Timberwolves sign guard Austin Rivers for depth

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday announced plans to take the first steps toward building a privately-funded $1.3 billion sports and entertainment arena.
The team's managing partners, Josh Harris and David Blitzer, unveiled the creation of a new development company led by business leader David Adelman to create its future home in the city's Fashion District. They said the new arena, 76 Place, is anticipated to cost approximately $1.3 billion.
The location is a busy downtown area with lots of shopping and entertainment and it is near popular Philadelphia destinations such as the Reading Terminal Market.
“The Philadelphia 76ers are a storied Philadelphia institution with a proven track record of investing in their community. That’s why we’re committed to building a world-class home in the heart of the city and creating a privately funded arena that strengthens ties within the local community through investments that prioritize equity, inclusivity and accessibility,” Harris said in a news release.
The site was selected primarily due to its access to transit, the release said. The team also cited the “ability to redevelop an existing commercial space.”
Groundbreaking is not expected for several years and the project is expected to be finished in time for the 2031-2032 NBA season.
The Sixers have called the Wells Fargo Center home since it opened in 1996. “We’ve had a terrific partnership with the Sixers for decades and look forward to hosting the team in this world-class facility until at least 2031,” the arena's owner, Comcast Spectacor said in a statement Thursday.
The venue is also home to the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team, and hosts concerts.
Despite an ongoing $350 million project to renovate the arena inside and out, the Sixers are looking to go their own way.
“We’re dedicated to making sure this development is a win for our fans and Philadelphia at large,” said Adelman.

The Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday announced plans to take the first steps toward building a privately-funded $1.3 billion sports and entertainment arena.
The team's managing partners, Josh Harris and David Blitzer, unveiled the creation of a new development company led by business leader David Adelman to create its future home in the city's Fashion District. They said the new arena, 76 Place, is anticipated to cost approximately $1.3 billion.
The location is a busy downtown area with lots of shopping and entertainment and it is near popular Philadelphia destinations such as the Reading Terminal Market.
&ldquo;The Philadelphia 76ers are a storied Philadelphia institution with a proven track record of investing in their community. That&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;re committed to building a world-class home in the heart of the city and creating a privately funded arena that strengthens ties within the local community through investments that prioritize equity, inclusivity and accessibility,&rdquo; Harris said in a news release.
The site was selected primarily due to its access to transit, the release said. The team also cited the &ldquo;ability to redevelop an existing commercial space.&rdquo;
Groundbreaking is not expected for several years and the project is expected to be finished in time for the 2031-2032 NBA season.
The Sixers have called the Wells Fargo Center home since it opened in 1996. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve had a terrific partnership with the Sixers for decades and look forward to hosting the team in this world-class facility until at least 2031,&rdquo; the arena's owner, Comcast Spectacor said in a statement Thursday.
The venue is also home to the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team, and hosts concerts.
Despite an ongoing $350 million project to renovate the arena inside and out, the Sixers are looking to go their own way.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re dedicated to making sure this development is a win for our fans and Philadelphia at large,&rdquo; said Adelman.

The 76ers announced plans to take the first steps toward building a privately-funded $1.3 billion sports and entertainment arena.

Philadelphia 76ers look to build new $1.3 billion arena

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges pleaded not guilty Wednesday to felony domestic violence charges filed by Los Angeles County prosecutors after he was accused of assaulting his girlfriend in front of their two children. 
District Attorney George Gascón announced Tuesday that his office filed one felony count of injuring a child’s parent and two felony counts of child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death.
Bridges entered not guilty pleas during an arraignment, the DA's office said. 
Bridges was arrested on June 29 by Los Angeles police and was later released on $130,000 bond.
The Hornets and the NBA both said they were aware of the charges filed against Bridges.
“These are very serious charges that we will continue to monitor,” the Hornets said. “As this is a legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”
Mychelle Johnson, the mother of Bridges’ two young children, addressed the incident on Instagram on July 1, posting several pictures of injuries and a medical report that read “adult victim of physical abuse by male partner; Assault by strangulation, Brain concussion; Closed fracture of nasal bone; Contusion of rib; Multiple bruises; Strain of neck muscle.”
“I hate that it has come to this but I can’t be silent anymore. I’ve allowed someone to destroy my home, abuse me in every way possible and traumatize our kids for life,” Johnson wrote on Instagram. “I have nothing to prove to the world, but I won’t allow anyone who could do something so horrible to have no remorse and paint a picture of something I’m not. I won’t allow the people around him to continue to silence me and continue to lie to protect this person.”
The 24-year-old Bridges is a restricted free agent who was expected to command big money in the free agent market this summer following a breakout season.
The 6-foot-7, 225-pound Bridges was the Hornets’ leading scorer last season, averaging 20.2 points and seven rebounds in his fourth NBA season.
The Hornets have extended Bridges a qualifying offer allowing them a chance to match any offer sheet made by another team. The team had indicated prior to knowledge of Bridges’ arrest that it wanted to re-sign him.
___
More AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges pleaded not guilty Wednesday to felony domestic violence charges filed by Los Angeles County prosecutors after he was accused of assaulting his girlfriend in front of their two children.
District Attorney George Gasc&oacute;n announced Tuesday that his office filed one felony count of injuring a child&rsquo;s parent and two felony counts of child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death.
Bridges entered not guilty pleas during an arraignment, the DA's office said.
Bridges was arrested on June 29 by Los Angeles police and was later released on $130,000 bond.
The Hornets and the NBA both said they were aware of the charges filed against Bridges.
&ldquo;These are very serious charges that we will continue to monitor,&rdquo; the Hornets said. &ldquo;As this is a legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.&rdquo;
Mychelle Johnson, the mother of Bridges&rsquo; two young children, addressed the incident on Instagram on July 1, posting several pictures of injuries and a medical report that read &ldquo;adult victim of physical abuse by male partner; Assault by strangulation, Brain concussion; Closed fracture of nasal bone; Contusion of rib; Multiple bruises; Strain of neck muscle.&rdquo;
&ldquo;I hate that it has come to this but I can&rsquo;t be silent anymore. I&rsquo;ve allowed someone to destroy my home, abuse me in every way possible and traumatize our kids for life,&rdquo; Johnson wrote on Instagram. &ldquo;I have nothing to prove to the world, but I won&rsquo;t allow anyone who could do something so horrible to have no remorse and paint a picture of something I&rsquo;m not. I won&rsquo;t allow the people around him to continue to silence me and continue to lie to protect this person.&rdquo;
The 24-year-old Bridges is a restricted free agent who was expected to command big money in the free agent market this summer following a breakout season.
The 6-foot-7, 225-pound Bridges was the Hornets&rsquo; leading scorer last season, averaging 20.2 points and seven rebounds in his fourth NBA season.
The Hornets have extended Bridges a qualifying offer allowing them a chance to match any offer sheet made by another team. The team had indicated prior to knowledge of Bridges&rsquo; arrest that it wanted to re-sign him.
___
More AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Hornets forward Miles Bridges pleaded not guilty to felony domestic violence charges filed by Los Angeles County prosecutors.

Hornets' Bridges pleads not guilty to domestic violence

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Serge Ibaka is staying with the Milwaukee Bucks. 
The Bucks announced Tuesday that they have re-signed the 32-year-old center, who came to Milwaukee <a href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-bucks-los-angeles-clippers-sacramento-kings-nba-sports-5afdea183f8000fd6c8c972baf968f7c">as part of a four-team deal at the Feb. 10 trade deadline.</a> Terms of the deal weren't released.
“Serge is an elite defender and shot blocker who will continue to add depth for us at center,” Bucks general manager Jon Hors said in a statement. “He was a valuable acquisition for us last season, and we look forward to having him back in Milwaukee.”
Ibaka averaged 7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 17.8 minutes in 19 games with the Bucks last season. 
The Bucks acquired Ibaka while starting center Brook Lopez was still recovering from a back injury that required surgery and caused him to play just 13 regular-season games this past season. Ibaka’s playing time diminished after Lopez returned to action.
Milwaukee sent guard Donte DiVincenzo to the Sacramento Kings and forwards Rodney Hood and Semi Ojeleye to the Los Angeles Clippers in the deal that brought them Ibaka as well as a pair of second-round draft picks and cash.
Ibaka averaged 6.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in 35 games with the Clippers before getting traded. 
The three-time All-Defensive first-team selection <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/ibakase01.html">led the NBA in total blocks four straight seasons</a> while playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He led the league in blocks per game in 2011-12 and 2012-13. His 1,752 career blocks <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/blk_active.html">rank him second among all active players, behind only Dwight Howard.</a>
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Serge Ibaka is staying with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks announced Tuesday that they have re-signed the 32-year-old center, who came to Milwaukee <a href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-bucks-los-angeles-clippers-sacramento-kings-nba-sports-5afdea183f8000fd6c8c972baf968f7c">as part of a four-team deal at the Feb. 10 trade deadline.</a> Terms of the deal weren't released.
&ldquo;Serge is an elite defender and shot blocker who will continue to add depth for us at center,&rdquo; Bucks general manager Jon Hors said in a statement. &ldquo;He was a valuable acquisition for us last season, and we look forward to having him back in Milwaukee.&rdquo;
Ibaka averaged 7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 17.8 minutes in 19 games with the Bucks last season.
The Bucks acquired Ibaka while starting center Brook Lopez was still recovering from a back injury that required surgery and caused him to play just 13 regular-season games this past season. Ibaka&rsquo;s playing time diminished after Lopez returned to action.
Milwaukee sent guard Donte DiVincenzo to the Sacramento Kings and forwards Rodney Hood and Semi Ojeleye to the Los Angeles Clippers in the deal that brought them Ibaka as well as a pair of second-round draft picks and cash.
Ibaka averaged 6.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in 35 games with the Clippers before getting traded.
The three-time All-Defensive first-team selection <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/ibakase01.html">led the NBA in total blocks four straight seasons</a> while playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He led the league in blocks per game in 2011-12 and 2012-13. His 1,752 career blocks <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/blk_active.html">rank him second among all active players, behind only Dwight Howard.</a>
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Serge Ibaka is staying with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks announced Tuesday that they have re-signed the 32-year-old center, who came to Milwaukee <a href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-bucks-los-angeles-clippers-sacramento-kings-nba-sports-5afdea183f8000fd6c8c972baf968f7c">as part of a four-team deal at the Feb. 10 trade deadline.</a> Terms of the deal weren't released.
&ldquo;Serge is an elite defender and shot blocker who will continue to add depth for us at center,&rdquo; Bucks general manager Jon Hors said in a statement. &ldquo;He was a valuable acquisition for us last season, and we look forward to having him back in Milwaukee.&rdquo;
Ibaka averaged 7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 17.8 minutes in 19 games with the Bucks last season.
The Bucks acquired Ibaka while starting center Brook Lopez was still recovering from a back injury that required surgery and caused him to play just 13 regular-season games this past season. Ibaka&rsquo;s playing time diminished after Lopez returned to action.
Milwaukee sent guard Donte DiVincenzo to the Sacramento Kings and forwards Rodney Hood and Semi Ojeleye to the Los Angeles Clippers in the deal that brought them Ibaka as well as a pair of second-round draft picks and cash.
Ibaka averaged 6.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in 35 games with the Clippers before getting traded.
The three-time All-Defensive first-team selection <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/ibakase01.html">led the NBA in total blocks four straight seasons</a> while playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He led the league in blocks per game in 2011-12 and 2012-13. His 1,752 career blocks <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/blk_active.html">rank him second among all active players, behind only Dwight Howard.</a>

Serge Ibaka is staying with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks announced Tuesday that they have re-signed the 32-year-old center, who came to Milwaukee <a href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-bucks-los-angeles-clippers-sacramento-kings-nba-sports-5afdea183f8000fd6c8c972baf968f7c">as part of a four-team deal at the Feb. 10 trade deadline.</a> Terms of the deal weren't released.
&ldquo;Serge is an elite defender and shot blocker who will continue to add depth for us at center,&rdquo; Bucks general manager Jon Horst said in a statement. &ldquo;He was a valuable acquisition for us last season, and we look forward to having him back in Milwaukee.&rdquo;
Ibaka averaged 7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 17.8 minutes in 19 games with the Bucks last season.
The Bucks acquired Ibaka while starting center Brook Lopez was still recovering from a back injury that required surgery and caused him to play just 13 regular-season games this past season. Ibaka&rsquo;s playing time diminished after Lopez returned to action.
Milwaukee sent guard Donte DiVincenzo to the Sacramento Kings and forwards Rodney Hood and Semi Ojeleye to the Los Angeles Clippers in the deal that brought them Ibaka as well as a pair of second-round draft picks and cash.
Ibaka averaged 6.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in 35 games with the Clippers before getting traded.
The three-time All-Defensive first-team selection <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/ibakase01.html">led the NBA in total blocks four straight seasons</a> while playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He led the league in blocks per game in 2011-12 and 2012-13. His 1,752 career blocks <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/blk_active.html">rank him second among all active players, behind only Dwight Howard.</a>

“Serge is an elite defender and shot blocker who will continue to add depth for us at center,” Bucks general manager Jon Horst said.

Serge Ibaka staying with Bucks; agrees to terms on deal

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges is facing three felony domestic violence charges after being accused of assaulting his girlfriend in front of their two children last month, the Los Angeles County district attorney said Tuesday. 
District Attorney George Gascón said his office filed one felony count of injuring a child’s parent and two felony counts of child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death. Bridges is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday. 
“Children who witness family violence are especially vulnerable and the impact on them is immeasurable," Gascón said.
Bridges was arrested on June 29 by Los Angeles police and was later released on $130,000 bond.
The Hornets and the NBA both said they were aware of the charges filed against Bridges.
“These are very serious charges that we will continue to monitor,” the Hornets said. "As this is a legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”
Bridges’ agent, Rich Paul, could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday night. 
Mychelle Johnson, the mother of Bridges’ two young children, addressed the incident on Instagram on July 1, posting several pictures of injuries and a medical report that read “adult victim of physical abuse by male partner; Assault by strangulation, Brain concussion; Closed fracture of nasal bone; Contusion of rib; Multiple bruises; Strain of neck muscle.”
“I hate that it has come to this but I can’t be silent anymore. I’ve allowed someone to destroy my home, abuse me in every way possible and traumatize our kids for life,” Johnson wrote on Instagram. “I have nothing to prove to the world, but I won’t allow anyone who could do something so horrible to have no remorse and paint a picture of something I’m not. I won’t allow the people around him to continue to silence me and continue to lie to protect this person."
The 24-year-old Bridges is a restricted free agent who was expected to command big money in the free agent market this summer following a breakout season.
The 6-foot-7, 225-pound Bridges was the Hornets’ leading scorer last season, averaging 20.2 points and seven rebounds in his fourth NBA season.
The Hornets have extended Bridges a qualifying offer allowing them a chance to match any offer sheet made by another team. The team had indicated prior to knowledge of Bridges’ arrest that it wanted to re-sign him.
___
More AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges is facing three felony domestic violence charges after being accused of assaulting his girlfriend in front of their two children last month, the Los Angeles County district attorney said Tuesday.
District Attorney George Gasc&oacute;n said his office filed one felony count of injuring a child&rsquo;s parent and two felony counts of child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death. Bridges is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday.
&ldquo;Children who witness family violence are especially vulnerable and the impact on them is immeasurable," Gasc&oacute;n said.
Bridges was arrested on June 29 by Los Angeles police and was later released on $130,000 bond.
The Hornets and the NBA both said they were aware of the charges filed against Bridges.
&ldquo;These are very serious charges that we will continue to monitor,&rdquo; the Hornets said. "As this is a legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.&rdquo;
Bridges&rsquo; agent, Rich Paul, could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday night.
Mychelle Johnson, the mother of Bridges&rsquo; two young children, addressed the incident on Instagram on July 1, posting several pictures of injuries and a medical report that read &ldquo;adult victim of physical abuse by male partner; Assault by strangulation, Brain concussion; Closed fracture of nasal bone; Contusion of rib; Multiple bruises; Strain of neck muscle.&rdquo;
&ldquo;I hate that it has come to this but I can&rsquo;t be silent anymore. I&rsquo;ve allowed someone to destroy my home, abuse me in every way possible and traumatize our kids for life,&rdquo; Johnson wrote on Instagram. &ldquo;I have nothing to prove to the world, but I won&rsquo;t allow anyone who could do something so horrible to have no remorse and paint a picture of something I&rsquo;m not. I won&rsquo;t allow the people around him to continue to silence me and continue to lie to protect this person."
The 24-year-old Bridges is a restricted free agent who was expected to command big money in the free agent market this summer following a breakout season.
The 6-foot-7, 225-pound Bridges was the Hornets&rsquo; leading scorer last season, averaging 20.2 points and seven rebounds in his fourth NBA season.
The Hornets have extended Bridges a qualifying offer allowing them a chance to match any offer sheet made by another team. The team had indicated prior to knowledge of Bridges&rsquo; arrest that it wanted to re-sign him.
___
More AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

“These are very serious charges that we will continue to monitor,” the Hornets said. "As this is a legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”

Hornets forward Bridges facing 3 domestic violence charges

MANILA, Philippines (AP) &mdash; Steve Nash will get a behind-the-scenes look at the talent in Season 1 of the East Asia Super League long before the competition starts or a spin-off reality TV series hits the screens.
The pan-regional basketball league has started production on a reality series covering the inaugural season.
Korean film director John H. Lee will lead the project and work with executive producers Ezra Holland, director of CTRL Media owned by NBA great Nash, and Jonah Greenberg of China-based Salty Pictures.
The eight-team league will launch in October and feature the winners and runners-up from the Japanese, South Korean and Philippines leagues as well as the Taiwanese champions and the Bay Area Dragons, a roster of players from across greater China initially based in Manila.
Filming started last month in the Philippines at a ceremony to determine groupings for Season 1.
Nash, who played 18 seasons in the NBA and is head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, said the idea for the reality project on the new league &ldquo;immediately resonated.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Fans can zero in on players&rsquo; achievements and shortcomings on the court without understanding the complete picture.&rdquo; Nash said in a statement. &ldquo;This series is the perfect opportunity to show our fans more of what happens behind closed doors.
&nbsp;

MANILA, Philippines (AP) &mdash; Steve Nash will get a behind-the-scenes look at the talent in Season 1 of the East Asia Super League long before the competition starts or a spin-off reality TV series hits the screens.
The pan-regional basketball league has started production on a reality series covering the inaugural season.
Korean film director John H. Lee will lead the project and work with executive producers Ezra Holland, director of CTRL Media owned by NBA great Nash, and Jonah Greenberg of China-based Salty Pictures.
The eight-team league will launch in October and feature the winners and runners-up from the Japanese, South Korean and Philippines leagues as well as the Taiwanese champions and the Bay Area Dragons, a roster of players from across greater China initially based in Manila.
Filming started last month in the Philippines at a ceremony to determine groupings for Season 1.
Nash, who played 18 seasons in the NBA and is head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, said the idea for the reality project on the new league &ldquo;immediately resonated.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Fans can zero in on players&rsquo; achievements and shortcomings on the court without understanding the complete picture.&rdquo; Nash said in a statement. &ldquo;This series is the perfect opportunity to show our fans more of what happens behind closed doors.
&ldquo;Everybody will be able to appreciate the mental and physical challenges professional athletes face and overcome to stay on top of their game.&rdquo;
Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Willie Marcial said there&rsquo;d be no shortage of stories to tell.
&ldquo;The Philippines is a very basketball-passionate country, and the PBA is a league full of dynamic players and vibrant fans,&rdquo; Marcial said. &ldquo;We fully welcome and support this production.&rdquo;
The Bay Area Dragons have assembled a squad of players from across greater China to be guided Australian Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian, with the series potentially offering an inside look at how the club is growing from the ground up.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve put together the best roster that we can for our first season in EASL and the PBA,&rdquo; Bay Area Dragons General Manager Liu Quansheng said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m very excited to see what these players will be up to when they&rsquo;re not on the court.&rdquo;

Steve Nash will get a behind-the-scenes look at the talent in Season 1 of the East Asia Super League long before the competition starts or a spin-off reality TV series hits the screens.
The pan-regional basketball league has started production on a reality series covering the inaugural season.
Korean film director John H. Lee will lead the project and work with executive producers Ezra Holland, director of CTRL Media owned by NBA great Nash, and Jonah Greenberg of China-based Salty Pictures.
The eight-team league will launch in October and feature the winners and runners-up from the Japanese, South Korean and Philippines leagues as well as the Taiwanese champions and the Bay Area Dragons, a roster of players from across greater China initially based in Manila.
Filming started last month in the Philippines at a ceremony to determine groupings for Season 1.
Nash, who played 18 seasons in the NBA and is head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, said the idea for the reality project on the new league &ldquo;immediately resonated.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Fans can zero in on players&rsquo; achievements and shortcomings on the court without understanding the complete picture.&rdquo; Nash said in a statement. &ldquo;This series is the perfect opportunity to show our fans more of what happens behind closed doors.
&ldquo;Everybody will be able to appreciate the mental and physical challenges professional athletes face and overcome to stay on top of their game.&rdquo;
Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Willie Marcial said there&rsquo;d be no shortage of stories to tell.
&ldquo;The Philippines is a very basketball-passionate country, and the PBA is a league full of dynamic players and vibrant fans,&rdquo; Marcial said. &ldquo;We fully welcome and support this production.&rdquo;
The Bay Area Dragons have assembled a squad of players from across greater China to be guided Australian Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian, with the series potentially offering an inside look at how the club is growing from the ground up.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve put together the best roster that we can for our first season in EASL and the PBA,&rdquo; Bay Area Dragons General Manager Liu Quansheng said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m very excited to see what these players will be up to when they&rsquo;re not on the court.&rdquo;

Steve Nash will get a behind-the-scenes look at the talent in Season 1 of the East Asia Super League long before the competition starts or a spin-off reality TV series hits the screens.
The pan-regional basketball league has started production on a reality series covering the inaugural season.
Korean film director John H. Lee will lead the project and work with executive producers Ezra Holland, director of CTRL Media owned by NBA great Nash, and Jonah Greenberg of China-based Salty Pictures.
The eight-team league will launch in October and feature the winners and runners-up from the Japanese, South Korean and Philippines leagues as well as the Taiwanese champions and the Bay Area Dragons, a roster of players from across greater China initially based in Manila.
(Editor's Note: To learn more about the East Asia Super League 
Filming started last month in the Philippines at a ceremony to determine groupings for Season 1.
Nash, who played 18 seasons in the NBA and is head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, said the idea for the reality project on the new league &ldquo;immediately resonated.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Fans can zero in on players&rsquo; achievements and shortcomings on the court without understanding the complete picture.&rdquo; Nash said in a statement. &ldquo;This series is the perfect opportunity to show our fans more of what happens behind closed doors.
&ldquo;Everybody will be able to appreciate the mental and physical challenges professional athletes face and overcome to stay on top of their game.&rdquo;
Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Willie Marcial said there&rsquo;d be no shortage of stories to tell.
&ldquo;The Philippines is a very basketball-passionate country, and the PBA is a league full of dynamic players and vibrant fans,&rdquo; Marcial said. &ldquo;We fully welcome and support this production.&rdquo;
The Bay Area Dragons have assembled a squad of players from across greater China to be guided Australian Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian, with the series potentially offering an inside look at how the club is growing from the ground up.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve put together the best roster that we can for our first season in EASL and the PBA,&rdquo; Bay Area Dragons General Manager Liu Quansheng said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m very excited to see what these players will be up to when they&rsquo;re not on the court.&rdquo;

Steve Nash will get a behind-the-scenes look at the talent in Season 1 of the East Asia Super League long before the competition starts or a spin-off reality TV series hits the screens.
The pan-regional basketball league has started production on a reality series covering the inaugural season.
Korean film director John H. Lee will lead the project and work with executive producers Ezra Holland, director of CTRL Media owned by NBA great Nash, and Jonah Greenberg of China-based Salty Pictures.
The eight-team league will launch in October and feature the winners and runners-up from the Japanese, South Korean and Philippines leagues as well as the Taiwanese champions and the Bay Area Dragons, a roster of players from across greater China initially based in Manila.
(Editor's Note: To learn more about the East Asia Super League's 
Filming started last month in the Philippines at a ceremony to determine groupings for Season 1.
Nash, who played 18 seasons in the NBA and is head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, said the idea for the reality project on the new league &ldquo;immediately resonated.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Fans can zero in on players&rsquo; achievements and shortcomings on the court without understanding the complete picture.&rdquo; Nash said in a statement. &ldquo;This series is the perfect opportunity to show our fans more of what happens behind closed doors.
&ldquo;Everybody will be able to appreciate the mental and physical challenges professional athletes face and overcome to stay on top of their game.&rdquo;
Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Willie Marcial said there&rsquo;d be no shortage of stories to tell.
&ldquo;The Philippines is a very basketball-passionate country, and the PBA is a league full of dynamic players and vibrant fans,&rdquo; Marcial said. &ldquo;We fully welcome and support this production.&rdquo;
The Bay Area Dragons have assembled a squad of players from across greater China to be guided Australian Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian, with the series potentially offering an inside look at how the club is growing from the ground up.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve put together the best roster that we can for our first season in EASL and the PBA,&rdquo; Bay Area Dragons General Manager Liu Quansheng said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m very excited to see what these players will be up to when they&rsquo;re not on the court.&rdquo;

Steve Nash will get a behind-the-scenes look at the talent in Season 1 of the East Asia Super League long before the competition starts or a spin-off reality TV series hits the screens.
The pan-regional basketball league has started production on a reality series covering the inaugural season.
Korean film director John H. Lee will lead the project and work with executive producers Ezra Holland, director of CTRL Media owned by NBA great Nash, and Jonah Greenberg of China-based Salty Pictures.
The eight-team league will launch in October and feature the winners and runners-up from the Japanese, South Korean and Philippines leagues as well as the Taiwanese champions and the Bay Area Dragons, a roster of players from across greater China initially based in Manila.
(Editor's Note: To learn more about the East Asia Super League's origin, vision and 
Filming started last month in the Philippines at a ceremony to determine groupings for Season 1.
Nash, who played 18 seasons in the NBA and is head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, said the idea for the reality project on the new league &ldquo;immediately resonated.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Fans can zero in on players&rsquo; achievements and shortcomings on the court without understanding the complete picture.&rdquo; Nash said in a statement. &ldquo;This series is the perfect opportunity to show our fans more of what happens behind closed doors.
&ldquo;Everybody will be able to appreciate the mental and physical challenges professional athletes face and overcome to stay on top of their game.&rdquo;
Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Willie Marcial said there&rsquo;d be no shortage of stories to tell.
&ldquo;The Philippines is a very basketball-passionate country, and the PBA is a league full of dynamic players and vibrant fans,&rdquo; Marcial said. &ldquo;We fully welcome and support this production.&rdquo;
The Bay Area Dragons have assembled a squad of players from across greater China to be guided Australian Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian, with the series potentially offering an inside look at how the club is growing from the ground up.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve put together the best roster that we can for our first season in EASL and the PBA,&rdquo; Bay Area Dragons General Manager Liu Quansheng said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m very excited to see what these players will be up to when they&rsquo;re not on the court.&rdquo;

Steve Nash will get a behind-the-scenes look at the talent in Season 1 of the East Asia Super League long before the competition starts or a spin-off reality TV series hits the screens.
The pan-regional basketball league has started production on a reality series covering the inaugural season.
Korean film director John H. Lee will lead the project and work with executive producers Ezra Holland, director of CTRL Media owned by NBA great Nash, and Jonah Greenberg of China-based Salty Pictures.
The eight-team league will launch in October and feature the winners and runners-up from the Japanese, South Korean and Philippines leagues as well as the Taiwanese champions and the Bay Area Dragons, a roster of players from across greater China initially based in Manila.
(Editor's Note: To learn more about the East Asia Super League's origin, vision and more, read Alex Kennedy's 
Filming started last month in the Philippines at a ceremony to determine groupings for Season 1.
Nash, who played 18 seasons in the NBA and is head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, said the idea for the reality project on the new league &ldquo;immediately resonated.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Fans can zero in on players&rsquo; achievements and shortcomings on the court without understanding the complete picture.&rdquo; Nash said in a statement. &ldquo;This series is the perfect opportunity to show our fans more of what happens behind closed doors.
&ldquo;Everybody will be able to appreciate the mental and physical challenges professional athletes face and overcome to stay on top of their game.&rdquo;
Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Willie Marcial said there&rsquo;d be no shortage of stories to tell.
&ldquo;The Philippines is a very basketball-passionate country, and the PBA is a league full of dynamic players and vibrant fans,&rdquo; Marcial said. &ldquo;We fully welcome and support this production.&rdquo;
The Bay Area Dragons have assembled a squad of players from across greater China to be guided Australian Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian, with the series potentially offering an inside look at how the club is growing from the ground up.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve put together the best roster that we can for our first season in EASL and the PBA,&rdquo; Bay Area Dragons General Manager Liu Quansheng said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m very excited to see what these players will be up to when they&rsquo;re not on the court.&rdquo;

Steve Nash will get a behind-the-scenes look at the talent in Season 1 of the East Asia Super League long before the competition starts or a spin-off reality TV series hits the screens.
The pan-regional basketball league has started production on a reality series covering the inaugural season.
Korean film director John H. Lee will lead the project and work with executive producers Ezra Holland, director of CTRL Media owned by NBA great Nash, and Jonah Greenberg of China-based Salty Pictures.
The eight-team league will launch in October and feature the winners and runners-up from the Japanese, South Korean and Philippines leagues as well as the Taiwanese champions and the Bay Area Dragons, a roster of players from across greater China initially based in Manila.
(Editor's Note: To learn more about the East Asia Super League's origin, vision and more, read Alex Kennedy's in-depth feature from June.)
Filming started last month in the Philippines at a ceremony to determine groupings for Season 1.
Nash, who played 18 seasons in the NBA and is head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, said the idea for the reality project on the new league &ldquo;immediately resonated.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Fans can zero in on players&rsquo; achievements and shortcomings on the court without understanding the complete picture.&rdquo; Nash said in a statement. &ldquo;This series is the perfect opportunity to show our fans more of what happens behind closed doors.
&ldquo;Everybody will be able to appreciate the mental and physical challenges professional athletes face and overcome to stay on top of their game.&rdquo;
Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Willie Marcial said there&rsquo;d be no shortage of stories to tell.
&ldquo;The Philippines is a very basketball-passionate country, and the PBA is a league full of dynamic players and vibrant fans,&rdquo; Marcial said. &ldquo;We fully welcome and support this production.&rdquo;
The Bay Area Dragons have assembled a squad of players from across greater China to be guided Australian Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian, with the series potentially offering an inside look at how the club is growing from the ground up.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve put together the best roster that we can for our first season in EASL and the PBA,&rdquo; Bay Area Dragons General Manager Liu Quansheng said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m very excited to see what these players will be up to when they&rsquo;re not on the court.&rdquo;

Steve Nash will get a behind-the-scenes look at the talent in Season 1 of the East Asia Super League long before the competition starts or a spin-off reality TV series hits the screens.
The pan-regional basketball league has started production on a reality series covering the inaugural season.
Korean film director John H. Lee will lead the project and work with executive producers Ezra Holland, director of CTRL Media owned by NBA great Nash, and Jonah Greenberg of China-based Salty Pictures.
The eight-team league will launch in October and feature the winners and runners-up from the Japanese, South Korean and Philippines leagues as well as the Taiwanese champions and the Bay Area Dragons, a roster of players from across greater China initially based in Manila.
(Editor's Note: To learn more about the East Asia Super League's origin, vision and more, read <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/east-asia-super-league-inside-a-basketball-startup-with-a-unique-vision" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alex Kennedy's in-depth feature from June</a>.)
Filming started last month in the Philippines at a ceremony to determine groupings for Season 1.
Nash, who played 18 seasons in the NBA and is head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, said the idea for the reality project on the new league &ldquo;immediately resonated.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Fans can zero in on players&rsquo; achievements and shortcomings on the court without understanding the complete picture.&rdquo; Nash said in a statement. &ldquo;This series is the perfect opportunity to show our fans more of what happens behind closed doors.
&ldquo;Everybody will be able to appreciate the mental and physical challenges professional athletes face and overcome to stay on top of their game.&rdquo;
Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Willie Marcial said there&rsquo;d be no shortage of stories to tell.
&ldquo;The Philippines is a very basketball-passionate country, and the PBA is a league full of dynamic players and vibrant fans,&rdquo; Marcial said. &ldquo;We fully welcome and support this production.&rdquo;
The Bay Area Dragons have assembled a squad of players from across greater China to be guided Australian Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian, with the series potentially offering an inside look at how the club is growing from the ground up.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve put together the best roster that we can for our first season in EASL and the PBA,&rdquo; Bay Area Dragons General Manager Liu Quansheng said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m very excited to see what these players will be up to when they&rsquo;re not on the court.&rdquo;

The East Asia Super League has started production on a reality series covering the inaugural season.

Reality check: Filming starts ahead of East Asia Super League's launch

LOS ANGELES (AP) — James Harden is vowing a return to his high-scoring form after battling a lingering hamstring injury that created rare doubt for the three-time NBA scoring champion over the last two seasons. 
He expects similar big things from the Philadelphia 76ers after taking less salary in his contract this season to help the team improve and chase the championship he still seeks.
Harden injured the hamstring playing for the Brooklyn Nets in the 2020-21 season. The first serious injury of his 13-year career was “a wake-up call” that had Harden thinking about life outside of basketball. 
Finally healthy again, he's spending the summer in his hometown of Los Angeles. Relaxing barefoot in a fully furnished, nine-bedroom, 14-bathroom rented mansion perched on a hillside above Beverly Hills with panoramic views stretching to downtown LA, Harden is eager to put the past behind.
“I’m looking to have an unbelievable season,” he said Sunday. “I don’t want to just go out there and be running around and not being efficient and looking old out there. I still want to be really, really, really good.”
Harden declined his $47.4 million player option with the 76ers for next season and instead agreed to a new two-year deal that will pay him $32 million in 2022-23. It includes a player option for the second season. The deal isn’t yet finalized and Harden didn’t address the negotiations.
However, the 10-time All-Star confirmed to The Associated Press that he made the decision to allow the 76ers the flexibility they needed to go after other players. If he hadn’t declined the option, the team would have been hard-pressed to bolster its roster led by NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid.
“Taking less money this year to sign as many players as we needed to help us contend and be the last team standing was very, very important to me,” Harden said. “I wanted to show the organization, the Sixers fans and everybody else who supports what we’re trying to accomplish, what I’m trying to accomplish individually, that this is what I’m about.”
The Sixers signed free agents P.J. Tucker and Danuel House. Harden previously played with both in Houston.
“We got some really good pieces this summer, so now it’s time for us to go do the hard work,” Harden said.
Harden averaged 22 points this season for Brooklyn and Philadelphia, lowest since he became a starter in the 2012-13 season. He turns 33 in August.
“For any other players, that’s a max contract,” he said of his lower numbers, “but it’s like, for me, I was not the same James Harden.”
He relied more on 3-pointers and free throws than driving to the basket. His usual speed was replaced by sluggishness and his mind was preoccupied with the injury.
“I wasn’t able to get in my spots and get to where I needed to get to without thinking about it, so that right there slowed my confidence down,” he said. “It was craziness, but I’m finally back. I’ll be a lot more aggressive scoring-wise just because my body allows me to.”
The 76ers lost to top-seeded Miami in the second round of the playoffs. Harden had four turnovers, four baskets and did not score in the second half <a href="https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-76ers-miami-heat-nba-sports-butler-7adab9036a51147926e92d9650810e64">in the decisive Game 6 loss</a>. They haven’t advanced past the second round since 2001. Their last NBA championship came in 1983.
“Coming back and being the aggressor, the scorer first and then the playmaker, is something that I need for myself,” he said.
Sitting in front of an unlit fireplace with the mansion's air conditioning on the fritz, Harden raps his knuckles on a wooden table. 
“It feels like I had a perfect career,” he said. “I didn't have any serious injuries, but that (hamstring) right there slowed me down to where all right, you got to start thinking about other things than basketball.”
Harden already owns restaurants, gyms and has a stake in a tequila company among his varied business interests. With a curiosity for just about everything, he got into wine a few years ago. 
Harden spoke to the AP to discuss his upcoming J. Harden x J Shed wine collaboration that debuts in September. The label features bold colors and his likeness in sunglasses and his trademark beard. Prices range from $14 to $18 a bottle.
“We came to disrupt the wine business, that was our mindset,” he said. “I don't feel like any other wine is doing that.”
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

James Harden is vowing a return to his high-scoring form after battling a lingering hamstring injury that created rare doubt for the three-time NBA scoring champion over the last two seasons.
He expects similar big things from the Philadelphia 76ers after taking less salary in his contract this season to help the team improve and chase the championship he still seeks.
Harden injured the hamstring playing for the Brooklyn Nets in the 2020-21 season. The first serious injury of his 13-year career was &ldquo;a wake-up call&rdquo; that had Harden thinking about life outside of basketball.
Finally healthy again, he's spending the summer in his hometown of Los Angeles. Relaxing barefoot in a fully furnished, nine-bedroom, 14-bathroom rented mansion perched on a hillside above Beverly Hills with panoramic views stretching to downtown LA, Harden is eager to put the past behind.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m looking to have an unbelievable season,&rdquo; he said Sunday. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to just go out there and be running around and not being efficient and looking old out there. I still want to be really, really, really good.&rdquo;
Harden declined his $47.4 million player option with the 76ers for next season and instead agreed to a new two-year deal that will pay him $32 million in 2022-23. It includes a player option for the second season. The deal isn&rsquo;t yet finalized and Harden didn&rsquo;t address the negotiations.
However, the 10-time All-Star confirmed to The Associated Press that he made the decision to allow the 76ers the flexibility they needed to go after other players. If he hadn&rsquo;t declined the option, the team would have been hard-pressed to bolster its roster led by NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid.
&ldquo;Taking less money this year to sign as many players as we needed to help us contend and be the last team standing was very, very important to me,&rdquo; Harden said. &ldquo;I wanted to show the organization, the Sixers fans and everybody else who supports what we&rsquo;re trying to accomplish, what I&rsquo;m trying to accomplish individually, that this is what I&rsquo;m about.&rdquo;
The Sixers signed free agents P.J. Tucker and Danuel House. Harden previously played with both in Houston.
&ldquo;We got some really good pieces this summer, so now it&rsquo;s time for us to go do the hard work,&rdquo; Harden said.
Harden averaged 22 points this season for Brooklyn and Philadelphia, lowest since he became a starter in the 2012-13 season. He turns 33 in August.
&ldquo;For any other players, that&rsquo;s a max contract,&rdquo; he said of his lower numbers, &ldquo;but it&rsquo;s like, for me, I was not the same James Harden.&rdquo;
He relied more on 3-pointers and free throws than driving to the basket. His usual speed was replaced by sluggishness and his mind was preoccupied with the injury.
&ldquo;I wasn&rsquo;t able to get in my spots and get to where I needed to get to without thinking about it, so that right there slowed my confidence down,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It was craziness, but I&rsquo;m finally back. I&rsquo;ll be a lot more aggressive scoring-wise just because my body allows me to.&rdquo;
The 76ers lost to top-seeded Miami in the second round of the playoffs. Harden had four turnovers, four baskets and did not score in the second half <a href="https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-76ers-miami-heat-nba-sports-butler-7adab9036a51147926e92d9650810e64">in the decisive Game 6 loss</a>. They haven&rsquo;t advanced past the second round since 2001. Their last NBA championship came in 1983.
&ldquo;Coming back and being the aggressor, the scorer first and then the playmaker, is something that I need for myself,&rdquo; he said.
Sitting in front of an unlit fireplace with the mansion's air conditioning on the fritz, Harden raps his knuckles on a wooden table.
&ldquo;It feels like I had a perfect career,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I didn't have any serious injuries, but that (hamstring) right there slowed me down to where all right, you got to start thinking about other things than basketball.&rdquo;
Harden already owns restaurants, gyms and has a stake in a tequila company among his varied business interests. With a curiosity for just about everything, he got into wine a few years ago.
Harden spoke to the AP to discuss his upcoming J. Harden x J Shed wine collaboration that debuts in September. The label features bold colors and his likeness in sunglasses and his trademark beard. Prices range from $14 to $18 a bottle.
&ldquo;We came to disrupt the wine business, that was our mindset,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I don't feel like any other wine is doing that.&rdquo;
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

James Harden is vowing a return to his high-scoring form after battling a lingering hamstring injury that created rare doubt for the three-time NBA scoring champion over the last two seasons.
He expects similar big things from the Philadelphia 76ers after taking less salary in his contract this season to help the team improve and chase the championship he still seeks.
Harden injured the hamstring playing for the Brooklyn Nets in the 2020-21 season. The first serious injury of his 13-year career was &ldquo;a wake-up call&rdquo; that had Harden thinking about life outside of basketball.
Finally healthy again, he's spending the summer in his hometown of Los Angeles. Relaxing barefoot in a fully furnished, nine-bedroom, 14-bathroom rented mansion perched on a hillside above Beverly Hills with panoramic views stretching to downtown LA, Harden is eager to put the past behind.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m looking to have an unbelievable season,&rdquo; he said Sunday. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to just go out there and be running around and not being efficient and looking old out there. I still want to be really, really, really good.&rdquo;
Harden declined his $47.4 million player option with the 76ers for next season and instead agreed to a new two-year deal that will pay him $32 million in 2022-23. It includes a player option for the second season. The deal isn&rsquo;t yet finalized and Harden didn&rsquo;t address the negotiations.
However, the 10-time All-Star confirmed to The Associated Press that he made the decision to allow the 76ers the flexibility they needed to go after other players. If he hadn&rsquo;t declined the option, the team would have been hard-pressed to bolster its roster led by NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid.
&ldquo;Taking less money this year to sign as many players as we needed to help us contend and be the last team standing was very, very important to me,&rdquo; Harden said. &ldquo;I wanted to show the organization, the Sixers fans and everybody else who supports what we&rsquo;re trying to accomplish, what I&rsquo;m trying to accomplish individually, that this is what I&rsquo;m about.&rdquo;
The Sixers signed free agents P.J. Tucker and Danuel House. Harden previously played with both in Houston.
&ldquo;We got some really good pieces this summer, so now it&rsquo;s time for us to go do the hard work,&rdquo; Harden said.
Harden averaged 22 points this season for Brooklyn and Philadelphia, lowest since he became a starter in the 2012-13 season. He turns 33 in August.
&ldquo;For any other players, that&rsquo;s a max contract,&rdquo; he said of his lower numbers, &ldquo;but it&rsquo;s like, for me, I was not the same James Harden.&rdquo;
He relied more on 3-pointers and free throws than driving to the basket. His usual speed was replaced by sluggishness and his mind was preoccupied with the injury.
&ldquo;I wasn&rsquo;t able to get in my spots and get to where I needed to get to without thinking about it, so that right there slowed my confidence down,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It was craziness, but I&rsquo;m finally back. I&rsquo;ll be a lot more aggressive scoring-wise just because my body allows me to.&rdquo;
The 76ers lost to top-seeded Miami in the second round of the playoffs. Harden had four turnovers, four baskets and did not score in the second half <a href="https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-76ers-miami-heat-nba-sports-butler-7adab9036a51147926e92d9650810e64">in the decisive Game 6 loss</a>. They haven&rsquo;t advanced past the second round since 2001. Their last NBA championship came in 1983.
&ldquo;Coming back and being the aggressor, the scorer first and then the playmaker, is something that I need for myself,&rdquo; he said.
Sitting in front of an unlit fireplace with the mansion's air conditioning on the fritz, Harden raps his knuckles on a wooden table.
&ldquo;It feels like I had a perfect career,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I didn't have any serious injuries, but that (hamstring) right there slowed me down to where all right, you got to start thinking about other things than basketball.&rdquo;
Harden already owns restaurants, gyms and has a stake in a tequila company among his varied business interests. With a curiosity for just about everything, he got into wine a few years ago.
Harden spoke to the AP to discuss his upcoming J. Harden x J Shed wine collaboration that debuts in September. The label features bold colors and his likeness in sunglasses and his trademark beard. Prices range from $14 to $18 a bottle.
&ldquo;We came to disrupt the wine business, that was our mindset,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I don't feel like any other wine is doing that.&rdquo;

“I’m looking to have an unbelievable season,” James Harden said Sunday.

Healthy James Harden vows return to 'top of my game'

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Brandon Williams scored 22 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to an 85-77 victory over the New York Knicks in the NBA Summer League championship game on Sunday.
It was the third time Portland played in the championship game since 2017, and its second title since.
The Trail Blazers got 36 points from their reserves, led by Jabari Walker, who finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Trendon Watford finished with 19 points and seven rebounds for Portland and was a unanimous choice for game MVP honors.
“They made a run in I think the late third or the fourth," Watford said. "We stuck together and when we came back in, we turned it up and I’m just proud of all these guys man.”
“It was big time, our chemistry came together since day one and I’m just proud of all these guys.”
The Knicks, with coach Tom Thibodeau sitting courtside, had five players finish in double figures, led by Quentin Grimes, who scored 19 points.
Miles McBride scored 17 points, while Jericho Sims added 13 and Feron Hunt and Micah Potter each chipped in with 10 for New York.
Portland, which came into the game ranked third during the summer league with 42.8 rebounds per game, outrebounded the Knicks, 37-32.
The Blazers, who defeated New York 88-77 earlier in the event, didn’t find their rhythm until the start of the second quarter of the championship, when they opened with three straight 3-pointers that gave them a 21-14 lead. They went on to hit seven 3-pointers in the quarter to build an 11-point lead they’d take heading into the locker room, 41-30.
The Blazers pushed their lead to 16 in the third quarter, with a 60-44 lead built on the strength of 10 points at the rim.
Portland rode its defensive tenacity to the championship, but it was New York’s defense that frustrated the Blazers to start the game. Both teams came out relatively sluggish, with a splash of sloppiness mixed in, as the Knicks shot 5 of 15 (.333) from the floor and the Blazers were just 3 of 12 (.250) from the field.
RAPTORS 80, BUCKS 69
Abu Kigab scored 15 points to lead six Toronto players in double figures and grabbed 10 rebounds to help the Raptors beat Milwaukee. 
Christian Vital, Ryan Hawkins and Christian Koloko added 11 points apiece for Toronto and Alex Barcell and Ron Harper Jr. each scored 10. 
Lindell Wigginton led the Bucks with 11 points and Dewan Hernandez scored 10. 
SUNS 84, PACERS 69
Louis King hit four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points, Tyson Carter scored 12 and Phoenix beat Indiana. 
Kameron Taylor and Ish Wainwright added 11 points apiece for the Suns. 
David DiLeo, Jermaine Samuels Jr. and Kendall Brown each scored eight points for Indiana. 
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LAS VEGAS (AP) &mdash; Brandon Williams scored 22 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to an 85-77 victory over the New York Knicks in the NBA Summer League championship game on Sunday.
It was the third time Portland played in the championship game since 2017, and its second title since.
The Trail Blazers got 36 points from their reserves, led by Jabari Walker, who finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Trendon Watford finished with 19 points and seven rebounds for Portland and was a unanimous choice for game MVP honors.
&ldquo;They made a run in I think the late third or the fourth," Watford said. "We stuck together and when we came back in, we turned it up and I&rsquo;m just proud of all these guys man.&rdquo;
&ldquo;It was big time, our chemistry came together since day one and I&rsquo;m just proud of all these guys.&rdquo;
The Knicks, with coach Tom Thibodeau sitting courtside, had five players finish in double figures, led by Quentin Grimes, who scored 19 points.
Miles McBride scored 17 points, while Jericho Sims added 13 and Feron Hunt and Micah Potter each chipped in with 10 for New York.
Portland, which came into the game ranked third during the summer league with 42.8 rebounds per game, outrebounded the Knicks, 37-32.
The Blazers, who defeated New York 88-77 earlier in the event, didn&rsquo;t find their rhythm until the start of the second quarter of the championship, when they opened with three straight 3-pointers that gave them a 21-14 lead. They went on to hit seven 3-pointers in the quarter to build an 11-point lead they&rsquo;d take heading into the locker room, 41-30.
The Blazers pushed their lead to 16 in the third quarter, with a 60-44 lead built on the strength of 10 points at the rim.
Portland rode its defensive tenacity to the championship, but it was New York&rsquo;s defense that frustrated the Blazers to start the game. Both teams came out relatively sluggish, with a splash of sloppiness mixed in, as the Knicks shot 5 of 15 (.333) from the floor and the Blazers were just 3 of 12 (.250) from the field.
RAPTORS 80, BUCKS 69
Abu Kigab scored 15 points to lead six Toronto players in double figures and grabbed 10 rebounds to help the Raptors beat Milwaukee.
Christian Vital, Ryan Hawkins and Christian Koloko added 11 points apiece for Toronto and Alex Barcell and Ron Harper Jr. each scored 10.
Lindell Wigginton led the Bucks with 11 points and Dewan Hernandez scored 10.
SUNS 84, PACERS 69
Louis King hit four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points, Tyson Carter scored 12 and Phoenix beat Indiana.
Kameron Taylor and Ish Wainwright added 11 points apiece for the Suns.
David DiLeo, Jermaine Samuels Jr. and Kendall Brown each scored eight points for Indiana.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LAS VEGAS (AP) &mdash; Brandon Williams scored 22 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to an 85-77 victory over the New York Knicks in the NBA Summer League championship game on Sunday.
It was the third time Portland played in the championship game since 2017, and its second title since.
The Trail Blazers got 36 points from their reserves, led by Jabari Walker, who finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Trendon Watford finished with 19 points and seven rebounds for Portland and was a unanimous choice for game MVP honors.
&ldquo;They made a run in I think the late third or the fourth," Watford said. "We stuck together and when we came back in, we turned it up and I&rsquo;m just proud of all these guys man.&rdquo;
&ldquo;It was big time, our chemistry came together since day one and I&rsquo;m just proud of all these guys.&rdquo;
The Knicks, with coach Tom Thibodeau sitting courtside, had five players finish in double figures, led by Quentin Grimes, who scored 19 points.
Miles McBride scored 17 points, while Jericho Sims added 13 and Feron Hunt and Micah Potter each chipped in with 10 for New York.
Portland, which came into the game ranked third during the summer league with 42.8 rebounds per game, outrebounded the Knicks, 37-32.
The Blazers, who defeated New York 88-77 earlier in the event, didn&rsquo;t find their rhythm until the start of the second quarter of the championship, when they opened with three straight 3-pointers that gave them a 21-14 lead. They went on to hit seven 3-pointers in the quarter to build an 11-point lead they&rsquo;d take heading into the locker room, 41-30.
The Blazers pushed their lead to 16 in the third quarter, with a 60-44 lead built on the strength of 10 points at the rim.
Portland rode its defensive tenacity to the championship, but it was New York&rsquo;s defense that frustrated the Blazers to start the game. Both teams came out relatively sluggish, with a splash of sloppiness mixed in, as the Knicks shot 5 of 15 (.333) from the floor and the Blazers were just 3 of 12 (.250) from the field.
RAPTORS 80, BUCKS 69
Abu Kigab scored 15 points to lead six Toronto players in double figures and grabbed 10 rebounds to help the Raptors beat Milwaukee.
Christian Vital, Ryan Hawkins and Christian Koloko added 11 points apiece for Toronto and Alex Barcell and Ron Harper Jr. each scored 10.
Lindell Wigginton led the Bucks with 11 points and Dewan Hernandez scored 10.
SUNS 84, PACERS 69
Louis King hit four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points, Tyson Carter scored 12 and Phoenix beat Indiana.
Kameron Taylor and Ish Wainwright added 11 points apiece for the Suns.
David DiLeo, Jermaine Samuels Jr. and Kendall Brown each scored eight points for Indiana.

Brandon Williams scored 22 points to lead Portland to an 85-77 win over New York in the NBA Summer League championship game.

Blazers top Knicks 85-77 to win NBA Summer League title

LAS VEGAS (AP) — RJ Nembhard Jr. had 16 points and six assists, Isaiah Mobley added 15 points and 10 rebounds, and the Cleveland Cavaliers held off the Atlanta Hawks 94-90 on Saturday in the NBA Summer League.
Mobley, a second-round pick in this year's draft, grabbed six rebounds on the offensive end and added four assists for the Cavaliers (3-2). Fellow second-rounder Luke Travers pitched in with 14 points and five boards. Cam Young scored 15 points. First-round pick Ochai Agbaji did not play.
Tyrese Martin scored 21 to top the Hawks (2-3). Chaundee Brown Jr. added 17 points. Chris Clemons finished with 16 points, while Tyson Etienne scored 13. 
Atlanta's top pick A.J. Griffin — 17th overall — did not play.
PISTONS 102, MAGIC 86
Jules Bernard had 22 points and nine rebounds, Charlie Moore had 21 points and eight assists, and Detroit cruised past Orlando.
Bernard sank all three of his 3-point attempts for the Pistons (3-2). Braxton Key added 15 points, while Stanley Umude scored 13. Detroit sat first-rounders Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren for the finale.
Justin James had 18 points to lead the Magic (2-3). Tommy Kuhse added 13 points, while Zavier Simpson and Daniel Oturu scored 10 apiece.
Orlando dropped its final three games without top pick Paolo Banchero. The Magic decided to pull Banchero from the event just hours before a showdown with No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren and Oklahoma City.
TIMBERWOLVES 89, HORNETS 86
Kevon Harris scored 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting to help Minnesota fend off Charlotte.
Harris hit all four of his 3-pointers for the Timberwolves (2-3). Wendell Moore Jr. had 15 points, while second-round pick Josh Minott scored 12. Marial Shayok had seven points, 10 rebounds and four steals.
JT Thor finished with 28 points and five steals for the Hornets (2-3). Justin Minaya scored 10 points and Mark Williams, the 15th overall pick, had eight points and seven rebounds.
Thor completed a three-point play, then buried a 3-pointer to get the Hornets within 88-86. Jacob Gilyard sank 1 of 2 free throws with 4.9 seconds left and Minott blocked Bryce McGowens' 3-pointer to end the game.
SPURS 90, GRIZZLIES 87
Malaki Branham made five 3-pointers and scored 23 points to help San Antonio turn back Memphis.
Branham, the 20th overall pick, was 5 of 8 from distance to help the Spurs (1-4) notch their first win in their final try. DJ Stewart added 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while Robert Woodard II had six points to go with 10 rebounds.
Kenneth Lofton Jr. paced the Grizzlies (2-3) with 27 points and 12 rebounds. First-rounder David Roddy added 19 points. Ronaldo Segu and Kennedy Chandler scored 13 and 10, respectively.
Lofton sank a 3-pointer with 2:07 remaining to give Memphis an 87-86 lead. Branham answered with a 3 and Blake Wesley — the No. 25 pick — hit 1 of 2 free throws with 4.1 seconds left to cap the scoring. Dakota Mathias missed a 3-pointer on the game's final shot.
BULLS 119, 76ERS 104
Marko Simonovic scored 26 points, Malcolm Hill added 23 and Chicago breezed past Philadelphia.
Simonovic made 11 of 15 shots and grabbed eight rebounds to help the Bulls (4-1) close out with three straight wins. Carlik Jones scored 15 points but had seven of Chicago's 15 turnovers. Dalen Terry, the 18th overall pick, had three points, two assists and two rebounds in nine-plus minutes. 
Charlie Brown Jr. led the 76ers (2-3) with 21 points. Grant Riller scored 19. Trevelin Queen had 16 points and seven of Philadelphia's 21 turnovers. Filip Petrusev scored 14.
NETS 102, CELTICS 95
Cam Thomas scored 25 points, David Duke Jr. added 24 and Brooklyn knocked off Boston.
Thomas added six assists for the Nets (3-2), while Duke handed out five. Kessler Edwards scored 15 points and Day'Ron Sharpe had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Juhann Begarin topped the Celtics (3-2) with 25 points. Mfiondu Kabengele scored 18. Second-rounder JD Davison — Boston's only pick in the draft — totaled 17 points and 10 rebounds.
KINGS 92, ROCKETS 81
Jeriah Horne scored 20 points to lead Sacramento over Houston
Jared Rhoden pitched in with 15 points and seven rebounds for the Kings (3-2). Sacramento chose to sit No. 4 overall pick Keegan Murray for the finale.
Tari Eason, the No. 17 pick in the draft, had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets (2-3). TyTy Washington Jr. scored 15 points, while Daishen Nix had 14 points and seven boards. No. 3 overall pick Jabari Smith Jr. had 12 points and 12 rebounds.
LAKERS 95, MAVERICKS 84
Cole Swider scored 16 points to spark Los Angeles past Dallas.
Swider sank 4 of 6 from 3-point range for the Lakers (3-2). Jay Huff had 13 points, Javante McCoy scored 12 and Scotty Pippen Jr. 11.
A.J. Lawson had 19 points to lead the Mavericks (0-5) — the only team without victory in the event. Moses Wright scored 17 with six boards. Jaden Hardy scored 15 but had seven of Dallas' 19 turnovers. Lawson turned it over six times. Jerrick Harding had 11 points and five assists.
HEAT 86, CLIPPERS 83
Kyle Allman Jr. scored 26 points, sinking a go-ahead 3-pointer with 31 seconds left, and Miami rallied past Los Angeles.
Allman added seven rebounds and six assists for the Heat (2-3). Dru Smith had 22 points and Jamal Cain pitched in with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Miami outscored Los Angeles 31-20 in the final quarter
Reggie Perry, Jay Scrubb and Xavier Moon all scored 16 for the Clippers (2-3). 
___
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LAS VEGAS (AP) &mdash; RJ Nembhard Jr. had 16 points and six assists, Isaiah Mobley added 15 points and 10 rebounds, and the Cleveland Cavaliers held off the Atlanta Hawks 94-90 on Saturday in the NBA Summer League.
Mobley, a second-round pick in this year's draft, grabbed six rebounds on the offensive end and added four assists for the Cavaliers (3-2). Fellow second-rounder Luke Travers pitched in with 14 points and five boards. Cam Young scored 15 points. First-round pick Ochai Agbaji did not play.
Tyrese Martin scored 21 to top the Hawks (2-3). Chaundee Brown Jr. added 17 points. Chris Clemons finished with 16 points, while Tyson Etienne scored 13.
Atlanta's top pick A.J. Griffin &mdash; 17th overall &mdash; did not play.
PISTONS 102, MAGIC 86
Jules Bernard had 22 points and nine rebounds, Charlie Moore had 21 points and eight assists, and Detroit cruised past Orlando.
Bernard sank all three of his 3-point attempts for the Pistons (3-2). Braxton Key added 15 points, while Stanley Umude scored 13. Detroit sat first-rounders Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren for the finale.
Justin James had 18 points to lead the Magic (2-3). Tommy Kuhse added 13 points, while Zavier Simpson and Daniel Oturu scored 10 apiece.
Orlando dropped its final three games without top pick Paolo Banchero. The Magic decided to pull Banchero from the event just hours before a showdown with No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren and Oklahoma City.
TIMBERWOLVES 89, HORNETS 86
Kevon Harris scored 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting to help Minnesota fend off Charlotte.
Harris hit all four of his 3-pointers for the Timberwolves (2-3). Wendell Moore Jr. had 15 points, while second-round pick Josh Minott scored 12. Marial Shayok had seven points, 10 rebounds and four steals.
JT Thor finished with 28 points and five steals for the Hornets (2-3). Justin Minaya scored 10 points and Mark Williams, the 15th overall pick, had eight points and seven rebounds.
Thor completed a three-point play, then buried a 3-pointer to get the Hornets within 88-86. Jacob Gilyard sank 1 of 2 free throws with 4.9 seconds left and Minott blocked Bryce McGowens' 3-pointer to end the game.
SPURS 90, GRIZZLIES 87
Malaki Branham made five 3-pointers and scored 23 points to help San Antonio turn back Memphis.
Branham, the 20th overall pick, was 5 of 8 from distance to help the Spurs (1-4) notch their first win in their final try. DJ Stewart added 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while Robert Woodard II had six points to go with 10 rebounds.
Kenneth Lofton Jr. paced the Grizzlies (2-3) with 27 points and 12 rebounds. First-rounder David Roddy added 19 points. Ronaldo Segu and Kennedy Chandler scored 13 and 10, respectively.
Lofton sank a 3-pointer with 2:07 remaining to give Memphis an 87-86 lead. Branham answered with a 3 and Blake Wesley &mdash; the No. 25 pick &mdash; hit 1 of 2 free throws with 4.1 seconds left to cap the scoring. Dakota Mathias missed a 3-pointer on the game's final shot.
BULLS 119, 76ERS 104
Marko Simonovic scored 26 points, Malcolm Hill added 23 and Chicago breezed past Philadelphia.
Simonovic made 11 of 15 shots and grabbed eight rebounds to help the Bulls (4-1) close out with three straight wins. Carlik Jones scored 15 points but had seven of Chicago's 15 turnovers. Dalen Terry, the 18th overall pick, had three points, two assists and two rebounds in nine-plus minutes.
Charlie Brown Jr. led the 76ers (2-3) with 21 points. Grant Riller scored 19. Trevelin Queen had 16 points and seven of Philadelphia's 21 turnovers. Filip Petrusev scored 14.
NETS 102, CELTICS 95
Cam Thomas scored 25 points, David Duke Jr. added 24 and Brooklyn knocked off Boston.
Thomas added six assists for the Nets (3-2), while Duke handed out five. Kessler Edwards scored 15 points and Day'Ron Sharpe had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Juhann Begarin topped the Celtics (3-2) with 25 points. Mfiondu Kabengele scored 18. Second-rounder JD Davison &mdash; Boston's only pick in the draft &mdash; totaled 17 points and 10 rebounds.
KINGS 92, ROCKETS 81
Jeriah Horne scored 20 points to lead Sacramento over Houston
Jared Rhoden pitched in with 15 points and seven rebounds for the Kings (3-2). Sacramento chose to sit No. 4 overall pick Keegan Murray for the finale.
Tari Eason, the No. 17 pick in the draft, had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets (2-3). TyTy Washington Jr. scored 15 points, while Daishen Nix had 14 points and seven boards. No. 3 overall pick Jabari Smith Jr. had 12 points and 12 rebounds.
LAKERS 95, MAVERICKS 84
Cole Swider scored 16 points to spark Los Angeles past Dallas.
Swider sank 4 of 6 from 3-point range for the Lakers (3-2). Jay Huff had 13 points, Javante McCoy scored 12 and Scotty Pippen Jr. 11.
A.J. Lawson had 19 points to lead the Mavericks (0-5) &mdash; the only team without victory in the event. Moses Wright scored 17 with six boards. Jaden Hardy scored 15 but had seven of Dallas' 19 turnovers. Lawson turned it over six times. Jerrick Harding had 11 points and five assists.
HEAT 86, CLIPPERS 83
Kyle Allman Jr. scored 26 points, sinking a go-ahead 3-pointer with 31 seconds left, and Miami rallied past Los Angeles.
Allman added seven rebounds and six assists for the Heat (2-3). Dru Smith had 22 points and Jamal Cain pitched in with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Miami outscored Los Angeles 31-20 in the final quarter
Reggie Perry, Jay Scrubb and Xavier Moon all scored 16 for the Clippers (2-3).
___
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LAS VEGAS (AP) &mdash; RJ Nembhard Jr. had 16 points and six assists, Isaiah Mobley added 15 points and 10 rebounds, and the Cleveland Cavaliers held off the Atlanta Hawks 94-90 on Saturday in the NBA Summer League.
Mobley, a second-round pick in this year's draft, grabbed six rebounds on the offensive end and added four assists for the Cavaliers (3-2). Fellow second-rounder Luke Travers pitched in with 14 points and five boards. Cam Young scored 15 points. First-round pick Ochai Agbaji did not play.
Tyrese Martin scored 21 to top the Hawks (2-3). Chaundee Brown Jr. added 17 points. Chris Clemons finished with 16 points, while Tyson Etienne scored 13.
Atlanta's top pick A.J. Griffin &mdash; 17th overall &mdash; did not play.
PISTONS 102, MAGIC 86
Jules Bernard had 22 points and nine rebounds, Charlie Moore had 21 points and eight assists, and Detroit cruised past Orlando.
Bernard sank all three of his 3-point attempts for the Pistons (3-2). Braxton Key added 15 points, while Stanley Umude scored 13. Detroit sat first-rounders Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren for the finale.
Justin James had 18 points to lead the Magic (2-3). Tommy Kuhse added 13 points, while Zavier Simpson and Daniel Oturu scored 10 apiece.
Orlando dropped its final three games without top pick Paolo Banchero. The Magic decided to pull Banchero from the event just hours before a showdown with No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren and Oklahoma City.
TIMBERWOLVES 89, HORNETS 86
Kevon Harris scored 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting to help Minnesota fend off Charlotte.
Harris hit all four of his 3-pointers for the Timberwolves (2-3). Wendell Moore Jr. had 15 points, while second-round pick Josh Minott scored 12. Marial Shayok had seven points, 10 rebounds and four steals.
JT Thor finished with 28 points and five steals for the Hornets (2-3). Justin Minaya scored 10 points and Mark Williams, the 15th overall pick, had eight points and seven rebounds.
Thor completed a three-point play, then buried a 3-pointer to get the Hornets within 88-86. Jacob Gilyard sank 1 of 2 free throws with 4.9 seconds left and Minott blocked Bryce McGowens' 3-pointer to end the game.
SPURS 90, GRIZZLIES 87
Malaki Branham made five 3-pointers and scored 23 points to help San Antonio turn back Memphis.
Branham, the 20th overall pick, was 5 of 8 from distance to help the Spurs (1-4) notch their first win in their final try. DJ Stewart added 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while Robert Woodard II had six points to go with 10 rebounds.
Kenneth Lofton Jr. paced the Grizzlies (2-3) with 27 points and 12 rebounds. First-rounder David Roddy added 19 points. Ronaldo Segu and Kennedy Chandler scored 13 and 10, respectively.
Lofton sank a 3-pointer with 2:07 remaining to give Memphis an 87-86 lead. Branham answered with a 3 and Blake Wesley &mdash; the No. 25 pick &mdash; hit 1 of 2 free throws with 4.1 seconds left to cap the scoring. Dakota Mathias missed a 3-pointer on the game's final shot.
BULLS 119, 76ERS 104
Marko Simonovic scored 26 points, Malcolm Hill added 23 and Chicago breezed past Philadelphia.
Simonovic made 11 of 15 shots and grabbed eight rebounds to help the Bulls (4-1) close out with three straight wins. Carlik Jones scored 15 points but had seven of Chicago's 15 turnovers. Dalen Terry, the 18th overall pick, had three points, two assists and two rebounds in nine-plus minutes.
Charlie Brown Jr. led the 76ers (2-3) with 21 points. Grant Riller scored 19. Trevelin Queen had 16 points and seven of Philadelphia's 21 turnovers. Filip Petrusev scored 14.
NETS 102, CELTICS 95
Cam Thomas scored 25 points, David Duke Jr. added 24 and Brooklyn knocked off Boston.
Thomas added six assists for the Nets (3-2), while Duke handed out five. Kessler Edwards scored 15 points and Day'Ron Sharpe had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Juhann Begarin topped the Celtics (3-2) with 25 points. Mfiondu Kabengele scored 18. Second-rounder JD Davison &mdash; Boston's only pick in the draft &mdash; totaled 17 points and 10 rebounds.
KINGS 92, ROCKETS 81
Jeriah Horne scored 20 points to lead Sacramento over Houston
Jared Rhoden pitched in with 15 points and seven rebounds for the Kings (3-2). Sacramento chose to sit No. 4 overall pick Keegan Murray for the finale.
Tari Eason, the No. 17 pick in the draft, had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets (2-3). TyTy Washington Jr. scored 15 points, while Daishen Nix had 14 points and seven boards. No. 3 overall pick Jabari Smith Jr. had 12 points and 12 rebounds.
LAKERS 95, MAVERICKS 84
Cole Swider scored 16 points to spark Los Angeles past Dallas.
Swider sank 4 of 6 from 3-point range for the Lakers (3-2). Jay Huff had 13 points, Javante McCoy scored 12 and Scotty Pippen Jr. 11.
A.J. Lawson had 19 points to lead the Mavericks (0-5) &mdash; the only team without victory in the event. Moses Wright scored 17 with six boards. Jaden Hardy scored 15 but had seven of Dallas' 19 turnovers. Lawson turned it over six times. Jerrick Harding had 11 points and five assists.
HEAT 86, CLIPPERS 83
Kyle Allman Jr. scored 26 points, sinking a go-ahead 3-pointer with 31 seconds left, and Miami rallied past Los Angeles.
Allman added seven rebounds and six assists for the Heat (2-3). Dru Smith had 22 points and Jamal Cain pitched in with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Miami outscored Los Angeles 31-20 in the final quarter
Reggie Perry, Jay Scrubb and Xavier Moon all scored 16 for the Clippers (2-3).

RJ Nembhard Jr. had 16 points and six assists, Isaiah Mobley added 15 points and 10 rebounds, and the Cleveland Cavaliers held off the Atlanta Hawks 94-90 on Saturday in the NBA Summer League.
Mobley, a second-round pick in this year's draft, grabbed six rebounds on the offensive end and added four assists for the Cavaliers (3-2). Fellow second-rounder Luke Travers pitched in with 14 points and five boards. Cam Young scored 15 points. First-round pick Ochai Agbaji did not play.
Tyrese Martin scored 21 to top the Hawks (2-3). Chaundee Brown Jr. added 17 points. Chris Clemons finished with 16 points, while Tyson Etienne scored 13.
Atlanta's top pick A.J. Griffin &mdash; 17th overall &mdash; did not play.
PISTONS 102, MAGIC 86
Jules Bernard had 22 points and nine rebounds, Charlie Moore had 21 points and eight assists, and Detroit cruised past Orlando.
Bernard sank all three of his 3-point attempts for the Pistons (3-2). Braxton Key added 15 points, while Stanley Umude scored 13. Detroit sat first-rounders Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren for the finale.
Justin James had 18 points to lead the Magic (2-3). Tommy Kuhse added 13 points, while Zavier Simpson and Daniel Oturu scored 10 apiece.
Orlando dropped its final three games without top pick Paolo Banchero. The Magic decided to pull Banchero from the event just hours before a showdown with No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren and Oklahoma City.
TIMBERWOLVES 89, HORNETS 86
Kevon Harris scored 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting to help Minnesota fend off Charlotte.
Harris hit all four of his 3-pointers for the Timberwolves (2-3). Wendell Moore Jr. had 15 points, while second-round pick Josh Minott scored 12. Marial Shayok had seven points, 10 rebounds and four steals.
JT Thor finished with 28 points and five steals for the Hornets (2-3). Justin Minaya scored 10 points and Mark Williams, the 15th overall pick, had eight points and seven rebounds.
Thor completed a three-point play, then buried a 3-pointer to get the Hornets within 88-86. Jacob Gilyard sank 1 of 2 free throws with 4.9 seconds left and Minott blocked Bryce McGowens' 3-pointer to end the game.
SPURS 90, GRIZZLIES 87
Malaki Branham made five 3-pointers and scored 23 points to help San Antonio turn back Memphis.
Branham, the 20th overall pick, was 5 of 8 from distance to help the Spurs (1-4) notch their first win in their final try. DJ Stewart added 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while Robert Woodard II had six points to go with 10 rebounds.
Kenneth Lofton Jr. paced the Grizzlies (2-3) with 27 points and 12 rebounds. First-rounder David Roddy added 19 points. Ronaldo Segu and Kennedy Chandler scored 13 and 10, respectively.
Lofton sank a 3-pointer with 2:07 remaining to give Memphis an 87-86 lead. Branham answered with a 3 and Blake Wesley &mdash; the No. 25 pick &mdash; hit 1 of 2 free throws with 4.1 seconds left to cap the scoring. Dakota Mathias missed a 3-pointer on the game's final shot.
BULLS 119, 76ERS 104
Marko Simonovic scored 26 points, Malcolm Hill added 23 and Chicago breezed past Philadelphia.
Simonovic made 11 of 15 shots and grabbed eight rebounds to help the Bulls (4-1) close out with three straight wins. Carlik Jones scored 15 points but had seven of Chicago's 15 turnovers. Dalen Terry, the 18th overall pick, had three points, two assists and two rebounds in nine-plus minutes.
Charlie Brown Jr. led the 76ers (2-3) with 21 points. Grant Riller scored 19. Trevelin Queen had 16 points and seven of Philadelphia's 21 turnovers. Filip Petrusev scored 14.
NETS 102, CELTICS 95
Cam Thomas scored 25 points, David Duke Jr. added 24 and Brooklyn knocked off Boston.
Thomas added six assists for the Nets (3-2), while Duke handed out five. Kessler Edwards scored 15 points and Day'Ron Sharpe had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Juhann Begarin topped the Celtics (3-2) with 25 points. Mfiondu Kabengele scored 18. Second-rounder JD Davison &mdash; Boston's only pick in the draft &mdash; totaled 17 points and 10 rebounds.
KINGS 92, ROCKETS 81
Jeriah Horne scored 20 points to lead Sacramento over Houston
Jared Rhoden pitched in with 15 points and seven rebounds for the Kings (3-2). Sacramento chose to sit No. 4 overall pick Keegan Murray for the finale.
Tari Eason, the No. 17 pick in the draft, had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets (2-3). TyTy Washington Jr. scored 15 points, while Daishen Nix had 14 points and seven boards. No. 3 overall pick Jabari Smith Jr. had 12 points and 12 rebounds.
LAKERS 95, MAVERICKS 84
Cole Swider scored 16 points to spark Los Angeles past Dallas.
Swider sank 4 of 6 from 3-point range for the Lakers (3-2). Jay Huff had 13 points, Javante McCoy scored 12 and Scotty Pippen Jr. 11.
A.J. Lawson had 19 points to lead the Mavericks (0-5) &mdash; the only team without victory in the event. Moses Wright scored 17 with six boards. Jaden Hardy scored 15 but had seven of Dallas' 19 turnovers. Lawson turned it over six times. Jerrick Harding had 11 points and five assists.
HEAT 86, CLIPPERS 83
Kyle Allman Jr. scored 26 points, sinking a go-ahead 3-pointer with 31 seconds left, and Miami rallied past Los Angeles.
Allman added seven rebounds and six assists for the Heat (2-3). Dru Smith had 22 points and Jamal Cain pitched in with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Miami outscored Los Angeles 31-20 in the final quarter
Reggie Perry, Jay Scrubb and Xavier Moon all scored 16 for the Clippers (2-3).

Check out this recap of Saturday's NBA Summer League action.

Nembhard, Mobley lead Cavs past Hawks 94-90 in Summer League

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Brandon Boston Jr. had 22 points and eight rebounds and the Los Angeles Clippers used a 32-9 fourth quarter to beat the Utah Jazz 82-65 on Friday in the NBA Summer League.
Los Angeles scored just 11 points in the third quarter before opening the fourth on a 24-4 run for a 74-60 lead.
Jay Scrubb added 14 points and Cameron Reynolds had 12 for Los Angeles (2-2). 
Leandro Bolmaro led Utah (2-2) with 19 points. Johnny Juzang scored eight of Utah’s opening 12 points, and finished with 14. Tacko Fall, a 7-foo-6 center, had eight points, nine rebounds and four blocks. 
76ERS 97, NUGGETS 71
Grant Riller scored 18 points and Trevelin Queen added 17 as Philadelphia routed Denver.
Riller scored 13 points, in just six first-half minutes, to help Philadelphia build a 48-27 lead. Denver shot just 25.6% from the field in the first half, including 4 of 17 from 3-point range. The 76ers led 69-39 late in the third quarter.
Isaiah Joe had 14 points and four 3-pointers for Philadelphia (2-2). Justin Smith and Aminu Mohammed each scored 10 points.
Mbaye N’Diaye scored 12 points and Christian Braun had 11 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals for Denver (2-2). 
THUNDER 90, WARRIORS 82
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl had 15 points and 14 rebounds, Jalen Williams had 10 points with six assists and Oklahoma City beat Golden State.
Gabe Brown and Jaden Shackelford each scored 12 points for Oklahoma City (3-1). Eugene Omoruyi scored 11 points and Vit Krejci had 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Chet Holmgren did not play.
Jonathan Kuminga scored 16 points and James Wiseman added 14 for Golden State (1-3). Quinndary Weatherspoon added 11 points and Gui Santos had 10.
KINGS 82, SUNS 69
Keegan Murray continued his strong Summer League showing with 21 points and 10 rebounds, Neemias Queta added 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting and also grabbed 10 rebounds to help Sacramento beat Phoenix. 
Murray, picked No. 4 overall in June's draft, is averaging 23.3 points and 7.3 rebounds after four games in Las Vegas. DJ Steward added 14 points for the Kings. 
Ish Wainright led Phoenix with 13 points and McKinley Wright IV added 11 points, eight rebounds and two steals. 
WIZARDS 97, PACERS 79
Jordan Schakel scored 21 points with seven rebounds and five assists, Jordan Goodwin added 19 points and three steals and Washington beat Indiana.
Isaiah Todd hit three 3-pointers and finished with 17 points and eight rebounds for Washington. Tahjere McCall scored 13 points, Jaime Echenique added 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocks for the Wizards. 
Kendall Brown led Indiana with 14 points and Aaron Nesmith added 12. 
Johnny Davis (back tightness), picked No. 10 overall by the Wizards in last month's draft, and Bennedict Mathurin (toe), who Indiana selected No. 6 overall, did not play. 
RAPTORS 88, HEAT 78
Dalano Banton scored 18 points, Armoni Brooks 17 and Jeff Dowtin added 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists to help Toronto beat Miami. 
Ron Harper Jr. scored 14 points and Rodions Kurucs 13 for the Raptors. 
Kyle Allman Jr. led the Heat with 17 points, Orlando Robinson added 13 points and 11 rebounds and Javonte Smart also scored 13 points. Haywood Highsmith scored 10 points. 
LAKERS 102, PELICANS 94
Cole Swider hit five 3-pointers and finished with 21 points, Javante McCoy added 14 points and seven assists to help Los Angeles beat New Orleans and eliminate the Pelicans from Summer League championship contention. 
Max Christie scored 12 points, Mason Jones added 11 and Jay Huff had 10 points and four blocks for the Lakers. Scotty Pippen Jr. finished with 11 points and seven assists. 
Jared Harper led the Pelicans with 20 points. Deividas Sirvydis made 4 of 7 from 3-point range and finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, John Petty Jr. scored 16 points and Tyrique Jones had 11 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. 
Dyson Daniels, a 6-foot-6 19-year-old who New Orleans selected No. 8 overall in last month's draft, didn't play for the Pelicans.
___
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Brandon Boston Jr. had 22 points and eight rebounds and the Los Angeles Clippers used a 32-9 fourth quarter to beat the Utah Jazz 82-65 on Friday in the NBA Summer League.
Los Angeles scored just 11 points in the third quarter before opening the fourth on a 24-4 run for a 74-60 lead.
Jay Scrubb added 14 points and Cameron Reynolds had 12 for Los Angeles (2-2).
Leandro Bolmaro led Utah (2-2) with 19 points. Johnny Juzang scored eight of Utah&rsquo;s opening 12 points, and finished with 14. Tacko Fall, a 7-foo-6 center, had eight points, nine rebounds and four blocks.
76ERS 97, NUGGETS 71
Grant Riller scored 18 points and Trevelin Queen added 17 as Philadelphia routed Denver.
Riller scored 13 points, in just six first-half minutes, to help Philadelphia build a 48-27 lead. Denver shot just 25.6% from the field in the first half, including 4 of 17 from 3-point range. The 76ers led 69-39 late in the third quarter.
Isaiah Joe had 14 points and four 3-pointers for Philadelphia (2-2). Justin Smith and Aminu Mohammed each scored 10 points.
Mbaye N&rsquo;Diaye scored 12 points and Christian Braun had 11 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals for Denver (2-2).
THUNDER 90, WARRIORS 82
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl had 15 points and 14 rebounds, Jalen Williams had 10 points with six assists and Oklahoma City beat Golden State.
Gabe Brown and Jaden Shackelford each scored 12 points for Oklahoma City (3-1). Eugene Omoruyi scored 11 points and Vit Krejci had 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Chet Holmgren did not play.
Jonathan Kuminga scored 16 points and James Wiseman added 14 for Golden State (1-3). Quinndary Weatherspoon added 11 points and Gui Santos had 10.
KINGS 82, SUNS 69
Keegan Murray continued his strong Summer League showing with 21 points and 10 rebounds, Neemias Queta added 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting and also grabbed 10 rebounds to help Sacramento beat Phoenix.
Murray, picked No. 4 overall in June's draft, is averaging 23.3 points and 7.3 rebounds after four games in Las Vegas. DJ Steward added 14 points for the Kings.
Ish Wainright led Phoenix with 13 points and McKinley Wright IV added 11 points, eight rebounds and two steals.
WIZARDS 97, PACERS 79
Jordan Schakel scored 21 points with seven rebounds and five assists, Jordan Goodwin added 19 points and three steals and Washington beat Indiana.
Isaiah Todd hit three 3-pointers and finished with 17 points and eight rebounds for Washington. Tahjere McCall scored 13 points, Jaime Echenique added 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocks for the Wizards.
Kendall Brown led Indiana with 14 points and Aaron Nesmith added 12.
Johnny Davis (back tightness), picked No. 10 overall by the Wizards in last month's draft, and Bennedict Mathurin (toe), who Indiana selected No. 6 overall, did not play.
RAPTORS 88, HEAT 78
Dalano Banton scored 18 points, Armoni Brooks 17 and Jeff Dowtin added 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists to help Toronto beat Miami.
Ron Harper Jr. scored 14 points and Rodions Kurucs 13 for the Raptors.
Kyle Allman Jr. led the Heat with 17 points, Orlando Robinson added 13 points and 11 rebounds and Javonte Smart also scored 13 points. Haywood Highsmith scored 10 points.
LAKERS 102, PELICANS 94
Cole Swider hit five 3-pointers and finished with 21 points, Javante McCoy added 14 points and seven assists to help Los Angeles beat New Orleans and eliminate the Pelicans from Summer League championship contention.
Max Christie scored 12 points, Mason Jones added 11 and Jay Huff had 10 points and four blocks for the Lakers. Scotty Pippen Jr. finished with 11 points and seven assists.
Jared Harper led the Pelicans with 20 points. Deividas Sirvydis made 4 of 7 from 3-point range and finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, John Petty Jr. scored 16 points and Tyrique Jones had 11 points, 13 rebounds and four assists.
Dyson Daniels, a 6-foot-6 19-year-old who New Orleans selected No. 8 overall in last month's draft, didn't play for the Pelicans.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Brandon Boston Jr. had 22 points and eight rebounds and the Los Angeles Clippers used a 32-9 fourth quarter to beat the Utah Jazz 82-65 on Friday in the NBA Summer League.
Los Angeles scored just 11 points in the third quarter before opening the fourth on a 24-4 run for a 74-60 lead.
Jay Scrubb added 14 points and Cameron Reynolds had 12 for Los Angeles (2-2).
Leandro Bolmaro led Utah (2-2) with 19 points. Johnny Juzang scored eight of Utah&rsquo;s opening 12 points, and finished with 14. Tacko Fall, a 7-foo-6 center, had eight points, nine rebounds and four blocks.
76ERS 97, NUGGETS 71
Grant Riller scored 18 points and Trevelin Queen added 17 as Philadelphia routed Denver.
Riller scored 13 points, in just six first-half minutes, to help Philadelphia build a 48-27 lead. Denver shot just 25.6% from the field in the first half, including 4 of 17 from 3-point range. The 76ers led 69-39 late in the third quarter.
Isaiah Joe had 14 points and four 3-pointers for Philadelphia (2-2). Justin Smith and Aminu Mohammed each scored 10 points.
Mbaye N&rsquo;Diaye scored 12 points and Christian Braun had 11 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals for Denver (2-2).
THUNDER 90, WARRIORS 82
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl had 15 points and 14 rebounds, Jalen Williams had 10 points with six assists and Oklahoma City beat Golden State.
Gabe Brown and Jaden Shackelford each scored 12 points for Oklahoma City (3-1). Eugene Omoruyi scored 11 points and Vit Krejci had 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Chet Holmgren did not play.
Jonathan Kuminga scored 16 points and James Wiseman added 14 for Golden State (1-3). Quinndary Weatherspoon added 11 points and Gui Santos had 10.
KINGS 82, SUNS 69
Keegan Murray continued his strong Summer League showing with 21 points and 10 rebounds, Neemias Queta added 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting and also grabbed 10 rebounds to help Sacramento beat Phoenix.
Murray, picked No. 4 overall in June's draft, is averaging 23.3 points and 7.3 rebounds after four games in Las Vegas. DJ Steward added 14 points for the Kings.
Ish Wainright led Phoenix with 13 points and McKinley Wright IV added 11 points, eight rebounds and two steals.
WIZARDS 97, PACERS 79
Jordan Schakel scored 21 points with seven rebounds and five assists, Jordan Goodwin added 19 points and three steals and Washington beat Indiana.
Isaiah Todd hit three 3-pointers and finished with 17 points and eight rebounds for Washington. Tahjere McCall scored 13 points, Jaime Echenique added 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocks for the Wizards.
Kendall Brown led Indiana with 14 points and Aaron Nesmith added 12.
Johnny Davis (back tightness), picked No. 10 overall by the Wizards in last month's draft, and Bennedict Mathurin (toe), who Indiana selected No. 6 overall, did not play.
RAPTORS 88, HEAT 78
Dalano Banton scored 18 points, Armoni Brooks 17 and Jeff Dowtin added 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists to help Toronto beat Miami.
Ron Harper Jr. scored 14 points and Rodions Kurucs 13 for the Raptors.
Kyle Allman Jr. led the Heat with 17 points, Orlando Robinson added 13 points and 11 rebounds and Javonte Smart also scored 13 points. Haywood Highsmith scored 10 points.
LAKERS 102, PELICANS 94
Cole Swider hit five 3-pointers and finished with 21 points, Javante McCoy added 14 points and seven assists to help Los Angeles beat New Orleans and eliminate the Pelicans from Summer League championship contention.
Max Christie scored 12 points, Mason Jones added 11 and Jay Huff had 10 points and four blocks for the Lakers. Scotty Pippen Jr. finished with 11 points and seven assists.
Jared Harper led the Pelicans with 20 points. Deividas Sirvydis made 4 of 7 from 3-point range and finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, John Petty Jr. scored 16 points and Tyrique Jones had 11 points, 13 rebounds and four assists.
Dyson Daniels, a 6-foot-6 19-year-old who New Orleans selected No. 8 overall in last month's draft, didn't play for the Pelicans.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Brandon Boston Jr. had 22 points and eight rebounds and the Los Angeles Clippers used a 32-9 fourth quarter to beat the Utah Jazz 82-65 on Friday in the NBA Summer League.
Los Angeles scored just 11 points in the third quarter before opening the fourth on a 24-4 run for a 74-60 lead.
Jay Scrubb added 14 points and Cameron Reynolds had 12 for Los Angeles (2-2).
Leandro Bolmaro led Utah (2-2) with 19 points. Johnny Juzang scored eight of Utah&rsquo;s opening 12 points, and finished with 14. Tacko Fall, a 7-foo-6 center, had eight points, nine rebounds and four blocks.
76ERS 97, NUGGETS 71
Grant Riller scored 18 points and Trevelin Queen added 17 as Philadelphia routed Denver.
Riller scored 13 points, in just six first-half minutes, to help Philadelphia build a 48-27 lead. Denver shot just 25.6% from the field in the first half, including 4 of 17 from 3-point range. The 76ers led 69-39 late in the third quarter.
Isaiah Joe had 14 points and four 3-pointers for Philadelphia (2-2). Justin Smith and Aminu Mohammed each scored 10 points.
Mbaye N&rsquo;Diaye scored 12 points and Christian Braun had 11 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals for Denver (2-2).
THUNDER 90, WARRIORS 82
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl had 15 points and 14 rebounds, Jalen Williams had 10 points with six assists and Oklahoma City beat Golden State.
Gabe Brown and Jaden Shackelford each scored 12 points for Oklahoma City (3-1). Eugene Omoruyi scored 11 points and Vit Krejci had 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Chet Holmgren did not play.
Jonathan Kuminga scored 16 points and James Wiseman added 14 for Golden State (1-3). Quinndary Weatherspoon added 11 points and Gui Santos had 10.
KINGS 82, SUNS 69
Keegan Murray continued his strong Summer League showing with 21 points and 10 rebounds, Neemias Queta added 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting and also grabbed 10 rebounds to help Sacramento beat Phoenix.
Murray, picked No. 4 overall in June's draft, is averaging 23.3 points and 7.3 rebounds after four games in Las Vegas. DJ Steward added 14 points for the Kings.
Ish Wainright led Phoenix with 13 points and McKinley Wright IV added 11 points, eight rebounds and two steals.
WIZARDS 97, PACERS 79
Jordan Schakel scored 21 points with seven rebounds and five assists, Jordan Goodwin added 19 points and three steals and Washington beat Indiana.
Isaiah Todd hit three 3-pointers and finished with 17 points and eight rebounds for Washington. Tahjere McCall scored 13 points, Jaime Echenique added 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocks for the Wizards.
Kendall Brown led Indiana with 14 points and Aaron Nesmith added 12.
Johnny Davis (back tightness), picked No. 10 overall by the Wizards in last month's draft, and Bennedict Mathurin (toe), who Indiana selected No. 6 overall, did not play.
RAPTORS 88, HEAT 78
Dalano Banton scored 18 points, Armoni Brooks 17 and Jeff Dowtin added 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists to help Toronto beat Miami.
Ron Harper Jr. scored 14 points and Rodions Kurucs 13 for the Raptors.
Kyle Allman Jr. led the Heat with 17 points, Orlando Robinson added 13 points and 11 rebounds and Javonte Smart also scored 13 points. Haywood Highsmith scored 10 points.
LAKERS 102, PELICANS 94
Cole Swider hit five 3-pointers and finished with 21 points, Javante McCoy added 14 points and seven assists to help Los Angeles beat New Orleans and eliminate the Pelicans from Summer League championship contention.
Max Christie scored 12 points, Mason Jones added 11 and Jay Huff had 10 points and four blocks for the Lakers. Scotty Pippen Jr. finished with 11 points and seven assists.
Jared Harper led the Pelicans with 20 points. Deividas Sirvydis made 4 of 7 from 3-point range and finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, John Petty Jr. scored 16 points and Tyrique Jones had 11 points, 13 rebounds and four assists.
Dyson Daniels, a 6-foot-6 19-year-old who New Orleans selected No. 8 overall in last month's draft, didn't play for the Pelicans.

Brandon Boston Jr. had 22 points and eight rebounds and the Clippers used a 32-9 fourth quarter to beat the Jazz 82-65.

Clippers use 32-9 4th quarter to beat Jazz at Summer League

KHIMKI, Russia (AP) &mdash; A lawyer for WNBA star Brittney Griner at her drug possession trial in Russia on Friday gave the court a U.S. doctor&rsquo;s letter recommending she use medical cannabis to treat pain.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and standout for the Phoenix Mercury, was arrested at Moscow&rsquo;s Sheremetyevo Airport in February after customs officials said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of transporting drugs.
In court last week, Griner pleaded guilty and acknowledged possessing the canisters but said she had no criminal intent and said they were in her luggage because she packed hastily in her return to Russia to play for the UMMC Ekaterinburg basketball team during the WNBA&rsquo;s offseason.
In Russia&rsquo;s judicial system, admitting guilt doesn&rsquo;t automatically end a trial. Since that plea, her court sessions have focused on in-person and written testimony to her good character and athletic prowess.
Griner wore a Nirvana T-shirt as she sat inside the defendant&rsquo;s cage that is customary in Russian courtrooms. At one point, she held up a photo of fellow WNBA players wearing her name and No. 42 on their uniforms in tribute during part of Sunday&rsquo;s All-Star Game in Chicago.
&nbsp;

KHIMKI, Russia (AP) &mdash; A lawyer for WNBA star Brittney Griner at her drug possession trial in Russia on Friday gave the court a U.S. doctor&rsquo;s letter recommending she use medical cannabis to treat pain.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and standout for the Phoenix Mercury, was arrested at Moscow&rsquo;s Sheremetyevo Airport in February after customs officials said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of transporting drugs.
In court last week, Griner pleaded guilty and acknowledged possessing the canisters but said she had no criminal intent and said they were in her luggage because she packed hastily in her return to Russia to play for the UMMC Ekaterinburg basketball team during the WNBA&rsquo;s offseason.
In Russia&rsquo;s judicial system, admitting guilt doesn&rsquo;t automatically end a trial. Since that plea, her court sessions have focused on in-person and written testimony to her good character and athletic prowess.
Griner wore a Nirvana T-shirt as she sat inside the defendant&rsquo;s cage that is customary in Russian courtrooms. At one point, she held up a photo of fellow WNBA players wearing her name and No. 42 on their uniforms in tribute during part of Sunday&rsquo;s All-Star Game in Chicago.
&ldquo;The attending physician gave Brittney recommendations for the use of medical cannabis,&rdquo; said her lawyer, Maria Blagovolina. &ldquo;The permission was issued on behalf of the Arizona Department of Health.&rdquo;
Medical marijuana is not legal in Russia.
The defense on Friday also submitted tests she underwent as part of an anti-doping check, which didn&rsquo;t detect any prohibited substances in her system.
The next hearing of Griner&rsquo;s case was scheduled for July 26.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have said they are doing all they could to win her release, as well as that of other Americans the U.S. considers &ldquo;wrongly detained&rdquo; by Russia, including former Marine Paul Whelan who is serving 16 years on an espionage conviction.
Washington may have little leverage with Moscow, though, because of strong animosity over its military operation in Ukraine.
&ldquo;In the hearings yesterday and today what became very clear is the tremendous amount of respect and admiration both in the United States and here in Russia where Miss Griner has been playing basketball for seven years, not only for her professional achievements but for her character and integrity,&rdquo; U.S. Embassy charge d&rsquo;affaires Elizabeth Rood said outside the courthouse in the Moscow suburb of Khimki, where the airport is located.
The director and team captain of UMMC Ektaerinburg testified on her behalf on Thursday.
Russian media have speculated that Griner could be swapped for Russian arms trader Viktor Bout, nicknamed &ldquo;the Merchant of Death,&rdquo; who is serving a 25-year sentence in the U.S. after being convicted of conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens and providing aid to a terrorist organization.
Russia has agitated for Bout&rsquo;s release for years. But the wide discrepancy in the seriousness of their cases could make such a trade unpalatable to Washington. Others have suggested that Griner could be traded along with Whelan, who is serving 16 years in Russia on an espionage conviction that the U.S. has described as a setup.
The State Department&rsquo;s designation of Griner as wrongfully detained moves her case under the supervision of its special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, effectively the government&rsquo;s chief hostage negotiator. The classification has irritated Russia.
Asked about the possibility of Griner being swapped for a Russian jailed in the U.S., Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, the senior Russian diplomat, has noted that until her trial is over &ldquo;there are no formal or procedural reasons to talk about any further steps.&rdquo;
Ryabkov warned that U.S. criticism, including the description of Griner as wrongfully detained and dismissive comments about the Russian judicial system, &ldquo;makes it difficult to engage in detailed discussion of any possible exchanges.&rdquo;
Griner&rsquo;s detention has been authorized through Dec. 20, suggesting the trial could last months. Griner&rsquo;s lawyers, however, said they expect it to conclude around the beginning of August.

A lawyer for WNBA star Brittney Griner at her drug possession trial in Russia on Friday gave the court a U.S. doctor&rsquo;s letter recommending she use medical cannabis to treat pain.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and standout for the Phoenix Mercury, was arrested at Moscow&rsquo;s Sheremetyevo Airport in February after customs officials said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of transporting drugs.
In court last week, Griner pleaded guilty and acknowledged possessing the canisters but said she had no criminal intent and said they were in her luggage because she packed hastily in her return to Russia to play for the UMMC Ekaterinburg basketball team during the WNBA&rsquo;s offseason.
In Russia&rsquo;s judicial system, admitting guilt doesn&rsquo;t automatically end a trial. Since that plea, her court sessions have focused on in-person and written testimony to her good character and athletic prowess.
Griner wore a Nirvana T-shirt as she sat inside the defendant&rsquo;s cage that is customary in Russian courtrooms. At one point, she held up a photo of fellow WNBA players wearing her name and No. 42 on their uniforms in tribute during part of Sunday&rsquo;s All-Star Game in Chicago.
&ldquo;The attending physician gave Brittney recommendations for the use of medical cannabis,&rdquo; said her lawyer, Maria Blagovolina. &ldquo;The permission was issued on behalf of the Arizona Department of Health.&rdquo;
Medical marijuana is not legal in Russia.
The defense on Friday also submitted tests she underwent as part of an anti-doping check, which didn&rsquo;t detect any prohibited substances in her system.
The next hearing of Griner&rsquo;s case was scheduled for July 26.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have said they are doing all they could to win her release, as well as that of other Americans the U.S. considers &ldquo;wrongly detained&rdquo; by Russia, including former Marine Paul Whelan who is serving 16 years on an espionage conviction.
Washington may have little leverage with Moscow, though, because of strong animosity over its military operation in Ukraine.
&ldquo;In the hearings yesterday and today what became very clear is the tremendous amount of respect and admiration both in the United States and here in Russia where Miss Griner has been playing basketball for seven years, not only for her professional achievements but for her character and integrity,&rdquo; U.S. Embassy charge d&rsquo;affaires Elizabeth Rood said outside the courthouse in the Moscow suburb of Khimki, where the airport is located.
The director and team captain of UMMC Ektaerinburg testified on her behalf on Thursday.
Russian media have speculated that Griner could be swapped for Russian arms trader Viktor Bout, nicknamed &ldquo;the Merchant of Death,&rdquo; who is serving a 25-year sentence in the U.S. after being convicted of conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens and providing aid to a terrorist organization.
Russia has agitated for Bout&rsquo;s release for years. But the wide discrepancy in the seriousness of their cases could make such a trade unpalatable to Washington. Others have suggested that Griner could be traded along with Whelan, who is serving 16 years in Russia on an espionage conviction that the U.S. has described as a setup.
The State Department&rsquo;s designation of Griner as wrongfully detained moves her case under the supervision of its special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, effectively the government&rsquo;s chief hostage negotiator. The classification has irritated Russia.
Asked about the possibility of Griner being swapped for a Russian jailed in the U.S., Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, the senior Russian diplomat, has noted that until her trial is over &ldquo;there are no formal or procedural reasons to talk about any further steps.&rdquo;
Ryabkov warned that U.S. criticism, including the description of Griner as wrongfully detained and dismissive comments about the Russian judicial system, &ldquo;makes it difficult to engage in detailed discussion of any possible exchanges.&rdquo;
Griner&rsquo;s detention has been authorized through Dec. 20, suggesting the trial could last months. Griner&rsquo;s lawyers, however, said they expect it to conclude around the beginning of August.

Brittney Griner's lawyer gave the court a U.S. doctor’s letter recommending she use medical cannabis to treat pain.

Brittney Griner's lawyer: WNBA star had doctor’s note for cannabis use

NEW YORK (AP) — The G League Ignite said Friday that the team has struck a multiyear deal to relocate to Henderson, Nevada.
The Ignite had been training in Walnut Creek, California, since their inception and played home games this past season in Las Vegas, about 15 miles from their new home. 
The team exists to develop young prospects in preparation for the NBA Draft. It has featured three eventual top-10 picks — Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga last year, Dyson Daniels this year — in its first two seasons. 
“With avid sports fans in the Las Vegas area who have quickly embraced their hockey, football and WNBA teams, we can’t wait for NBA G League Ignite to showcase its future NBA stars and exciting brand of basketball,” G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim said.
The team’s new arena, the Dollar Loan Center, is a 5,500-seat building that opened earlier this year. It also is home to American Hockey League affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights — the Henderson Silver Knights — and the Indoor Football League’s Vegas Knight Hawks.
___
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The G League Ignite said Friday that the team has struck a multiyear deal to relocate to Henderson, Nevada.
The Ignite had been training in Walnut Creek, California, since their inception and played home games this past season in Las Vegas, about 15 miles from their new home.
The team exists to develop young prospects in preparation for the NBA Draft. It has featured three eventual top-10 picks &mdash; Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga last year, Dyson Daniels this year &mdash; in its first two seasons.
&ldquo;With avid sports fans in the Las Vegas area who have quickly embraced their hockey, football and WNBA teams, we can&rsquo;t wait for NBA G League Ignite to showcase its future NBA stars and exciting brand of basketball,&rdquo; G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim said.
The team&rsquo;s new arena, the Dollar Loan Center, is a 5,500-seat building that opened earlier this year. It also is home to American Hockey League affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights &mdash; the Henderson Silver Knights &mdash; and the Indoor Football League&rsquo;s Vegas Knight Hawks.

The G League Ignite said Friday that the team has struck a multiyear deal to relocate to Henderson, Nevada.