Lakers, Hawks, Celtics Earn Playoff Wins

Atlanta has a 2-0 lead over Milwaukee after beating the Bucks Tuesday, 96-86. Without the suspended Kevin Garnett, Boston crushed Miami, 106-77. Kobe Bryant scored 39 points as the Lakers edged the Thunder.

LeBron James Leads Cavs to Playoff Win

LeBron James scored 40 points as the Cavaliers topped the Bulls, 112-102. The Jazz defeated the Nuggets, 114-111, in Denver. Deron Williams had 33 points and 14 assists in the win.

NBA Playoffs: Lakers, Magic, Mavericks Win

Kobe Bryant scored 21 points as the Lakers beat Oklahoma City, 87-79, in their playoff opener Sunday. Kevin Durant scored 24 for the Thunder. Dwight Howard had nine blocks as Orlando won. Dallas and Portland also recorded victories.

Cavs, Lakers Favored in NBA Playoffs

AP basketball writer Brian Mahoney says Eastern Conference champ Cleveland and the Western Conference winning Lakers roll into the NBA playoffs as favorites.

Kobe Signs Three-year Extension With Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers signed Kobe Bryant to a three-year contract extension. Bryant is a 12-time All-Star averaging 27.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists this season.

Oklahoma City Thunder Shaking Up NBA

In just their second year in Oklahoma City, the NBA's Thunder is near the top ten in attendance. Lead by 21-year-old Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City is nearing its first playoff appearance since 2004-2005, when they were the Seattle Supersonics.

Arenas to Spend 30 Days in Halfway House

Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas has been sentenced to 30 days in a halfway house for his conviction on gun charges stemming from a locker-room confrontation with a teammate.

Prosecutors Want Arenas Behind Bars for 90 Days

Prosecutors say Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas tried to pressure teammate Javaris Crittenton into covering up their locker-room confrontation in December. They want Arenas sentenced to 90 days in prison.

Jordan Takes Over Bobcats

Former NBA great Michael Jordan is breaking new ground as he become the first ex-player to become the principal owner of a team in the league.

Marion Jones Signs With WNBA's Shock

Disgraced Olympic track star Marion Jones has signed with the WNBA's Tulsa Shock and will begin her quest for a pro basketball career at the age of 34.

Iverson Won't Return to 76ers

The 76ers said Tuesday that Allen Iverson would not return for the rest of the season. Iverson has mostly been absent from the team for a month, dealing with an undisclosed illness of his 4-year-old daughter, Messiah.

Shaquille O'Neal to Have Surgery on Thumb

Shaquille O'Neal's season could be over. O'Neal will undergo surgery Monday to repair his injured right thumb.

Ex-NBA Star Williams Sentenced to 5 Years

Former NBA star Jayson Williams tearfully apologized in court where he was sentenced to five years in prison Tuesday for fatally shooting a hired driver in 2002.

McGrady to Knicks in Three-team Swap

Former NBA scoring champ Tracy McGrady was dealt to the Knicks Thursday in a three-team trade involving nine players. McGrady's contract expires after this season.

Cavs Get Jamison in Three-team Trade

The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Antawn Jamison from the Washington Wizards in a three-team trade Wednesday that sent Drew Gooden to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Nuggets Coach Karl Has Neck, Throat Cancer

Nuggets coach George Karl said he's been diagnosed with neck and throat cancer and likely will miss some games. Karl was treated for prostate cancer in 2005.

Record Crowd Sees East Win NBA All-Star Game

Dwyane Wade scored 28 points as the East beat the West, 141-139, in the NBA All-Star game Sunday before the largest crowd ever to watch a basketball game. 108,713 were on hand at Cowboys Stadium for the contest.

Arenas, Crittenton Suspended for Rest of Season

NBA commissioner David Stern has suspended Washington Wizards guards Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton for the remainder of the season for having guns in the locker room.

President Obama Meets With NBA Champion Lakers

President Barack Obama welcomed the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers to the White House Monday. Obama said no team exemplified excellence on the court more than the Lakers did last year in winning their 15th league championship.

NBA All-Star Game Starters Announced

NBA most valuable player LeBron James was the leading vote-getter and will start for the East in the All-Star game to be played February 14th at Cowboys Stadium. Kobe Bryant will make his 12th All-Star game appearance.

Wizards' Arenas Charged With Gun Possession

Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas was charged Thursday with felony gun possession for carrying a pistol without a license.

NBA No. 1 Pick Done for the Season

Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers, the top-pick in the 2009 NBA draft and the reigning college player of the year, will miss the rest of the season because of knee surgery.

Former NBA Star Pleads Guilty to Accidental Killing

Former NBA star Jayson Williams, his personal life in shambles, took responsibility for accidentally shooting his limousine driver to death eight years ago by pleading guilty Monday to assault and agreeing to serve at least 18 months in prison.

Wizards Guard Arenas Suspended Without Pay

NBA commissioner David Stern on Wednesday suspended Washington's Gilbert Arenas for bringing firearms into the locker room.

Jayson Williams Hurt in Crash; Police Suspect Alcohol

Former NBA player Jayson Williams struck a tree with his SUV on Tuesday after veering off an exit, suffering minor injuries. Police say he may have been drinking before the crash.

Arenas Meets With Authorities About Guns in Locker

Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas says he took unloaded guns from his locker in a 'misguided effort to play a joke' on a teammate. Arenas released a written statement Monday after meeting with law enforcement officials.

Report: Arenas, Crittenton Pull Guns on Each Other

Washington Wizards teammates Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton drew guns on each other during a Christmas Eve locker room argument over a gambling debt, according to The New York Post.