Basketball

HOUSTON (AP) — When Fred VanVleet joined the Houston Rockets in 2023, they were one of the worst teams in the NBA having won just 42 games combined in the previous two seasons.

PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia was sitting in his usual spot courtside back in January when he came to a startling yet unmistakable conclusion.

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics are days away from beginning their quest to repeat as NBA champions . But guard Jrue Holiday is celebrating a much smaller victory.

CHICAGO (AP) — Arturas Karnisovas insisted he has a plan to lift the Chicago Bulls after years of mediocrity. The team's top basketball executive also had a request.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard is off blood-thinning medication and has been cleared for full basketball activity, a major step forward in his return from the deep vein thrombosis that has kept him out for the last month.

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Pistons hit rock bottom not long ago, suffering from the embarrassment of the longest single-season losing streak in league history and slumping to the NBA's worst record for a second straight year.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Sacramento Kings and general manager Monte McNair have agreed to part ways, two years after McNair helped end the longest playoff drought in NBA history.

Klay Thompson has played in 33 NBA Finals games. Been to the playoffs nine times. Has four championship rings in his collection. He knows how the big stage feels. Don't tell him the play-in tournament doesn't matter.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.

CHICAGO (AP) — Tyler Herro scored 38 points, and the Miami Heat dominated the Chicago Bulls 109-90 on Wednesday night to advance in the Play-In Tournament.