Teaching basketball to kids in the US is becoming a bit muddled, and the NBA is seeking solutions
Victor Wembanyamaโs on-court warmup session before games when he played in France would last for about an hour.
Nuggets are fifth straight NBA champ to falter in quest to repeat but maintain high hopes for future
Denver coach Michael Malone first broached the subject with his team in training camp, reminding them no NBA champion had won back-to-back titles since the Golden State Warriors did it in 2018.
Wolves reach conference finals brimming with talent and tenacity in quest for first NBA championship
The Minnesota Timberwolves advanced to the Western Conference finals for the first time in two decades Sunday night when they roared back from a 20-point deficit to defeat the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets 98-90.
Nuggets blow 20-point lead, struggle from field as Timberwolves end their title defense in Game 7
The Denver Nuggets couldnโt quiet an epic second-half comeback by Minnesota or the noise emanating from a boisterous Timberwolves locker room.
The Nuggets are playing like champions again and putting the Timberwolves on the ropes
None of the five teams to win the NBA championship prior to Denver last year advanced past the second round of the playoffs the following season.
Pacers, Nuggets looking to even conference semifinals following key Game 3 victories
The Indiana Pacers and Denver Nuggets managed to fight their way back into the NBA's conference semifinals with key Game 3 victories Friday night.
Nuggets bounce back with 117-90 blowout of Timberwolves behind 24 points from energized Murray
Jamal Murray rebounded from a rough start to the Western Conference semifinals with 24 points to lead the Denver Nuggets on a 117-90 romp in Game 3 that made the Minnesota Timberwolves the last team in the NBA to lose in this postseason.
Coach Malone reminds the Nuggets they're the defending champs and asks them to play like it
Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone says he reminded his team they are the defending champions and issued a challenge to both act like it and play like it.
Edwards, Towns lead Wolves' 106-80 blitz of Murray, Jokic for 2-0 series lead over champion Nuggets
Another dominant performance by the Minnesota Timberwolves has the reigning but reeling NBA champion Denver Nuggets on the cusp of a stunning early exit from the playoffs.
Jamal Murray tosses heat pack, Michael Malone screams at officials as Nuggets frustrated in Game 2
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray lost his cool on the bench and tossed a heat pack onto the court.
Nuggets know physicality, stopping Edwards' supporting cast are keys to tying series with Wolves
Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone says it's about time his team snaps out of its slow starts.
Recovering from knee surgery, Finch in 2nd row of Timberwolves bench for series opener with Nuggets
After having knee surgery, Minnesota coach Chris Finch was in the second row of the bench for Game 1 of a second-round series with Denver on Saturday night.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone: defense of NBA title won't get any easier against Wolves in Round 2
The Denver Nuggets needed just five games to dispatch the Los Angeles Lakers from the playoffs for a second consecutive year.
A tale of two centers: Jokic is trying to stay on top and Embiid is trying to stay on the court
Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid are the NBAโs main men in the middle, the two centers combining for the last three MVP awards in the regular season with perhaps another coming soon.
Nikola Jokic leads NBA champ Denver Nuggets past LeBron James and Lakers 114-103 in playoff opener
Nikola Jokic had 32 points and 12 rebounds, and the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets powered past LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 114-103 in their Western Conference playoff opener.
Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. heads into playoffs against Lakers after trying week for family
Michael Porter Jr.'s teammates on the Denver Nuggets say their starting forward seems to be handling his family's troubles well as the team heads into the playoffs.
Jokic scores 31, Nuggets top Spurs 117-106 in front of record crowd in Texas' capital city
Nikola Jokic scored 31 points and the Denver Nuggets beat San Antonio 117-106 on Friday night in a game played in the Texas capital as the Spurs drew a record crowd in their bid to broaden their regional fan base.
LeBron James reaches 40,000 points to extend his NBA career scoring record
LeBron James reached 40,000 points Saturday night, still going strong in his 21st NBA season as he tries to put the career scoring record out of reach.
Jokic, Nuggets fend off gritty 76ers 111-105 as Embiid sits out for 4th consecutive time in Denver
Nikola Jokic had 26 points and 16 rebounds but was denied his rematch with fellow MVP contender Joel Embiid when the Denver Nuggets fended off the short-handed but gritty Philadelphia 76ers 111-105.
Nuggets' Gordon needs 21 stitches after cuts to face and hand from dog bite, AP source says
A person with knowledge of the situation says Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon needed 21 stitches after suffering lacerations to his face and right hand while being bitten by a family dog on Christmas.
Jamal Murray edging closer to return from hamstring injury and will join Nuggets on 5-game trip
Jamal Murray is edging closer to a return from a hamstring injury and will join the Denver Nuggets on their upcoming five-game trip.
Michael Malone agrees to contract extension with reigning NBA champion Nuggets, AP source says
The Denver Nuggets have extended the contract of coach Michael Malone after he guided the franchise to its first NBA title, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
NBA season set to begin with ring night in Denver, and a slew of challengers for title
Damian Lillard went to Milwaukee, Bradley Beal went to Phoenix, Jrue Holiday ended up in Boston and Chris Paul ended up with Golden State.
Brendan Malone, former Detroit 'Bad Boys' assistant and father of Nuggets coach, dies at 81
Brendan Malone, father of Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone and champion of โThe Jordan Rulesโ that helped the Detroit Pistons beat the Chicago Bulls on the way to two championships, has died at 81.
New rest rules don't bother NBA players, who say they only want to sit out when they are hurt
With a new โplayer participation policy,โ the NBA has made it clear that healthy players should be on the court.
Bruce Brown opts out of his contract with the NBA-champion Nuggets, AP source says
Bruce Brown is set to become a free agent after declining his $6.8 million player option with the NBA-champion Denver Nuggets.
Nuggets try to avoid letdown with 1 win to go for team's first title
Everything from the history books to the way theyโve played through most of the postseason suggests the Denver Nuggets are on the verge of capturing their first NBA title in 47 years in the league.
Jokic and Murray both have triple-doubles, Nuggets beat Heat 109-94 for 2-1 lead
Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray became the first teammates in NBA Finals history to both record triple-doubles, and Denverโs two stars made sure the Nuggets reclaimed the lead in the series by beating the Miami Heat 109-94 in Game 3 on Wednesday night.
Game 3 awaits in the NBA Finals, with Heat loose and Nuggets facing adversity
Erik Spoelstra has preached about the value of adversity for months, not shying away from saying that it helped the Miami Heat get to these NBA Finals.
Heat dominate Nuggets in 4th quarter of NBA Finals again, and this time get the win
It was a popular theme before the NBA Finals started โ about how the Nuggets, an up-tempo team with fresh legs that could exploit the mile-high altitude in Denver, would have a good chance to wear down the Miami Heat.
For Nuggets rookie Christian Braun, praise from mom is high praise indeed
Nuggets rookie Christian Braun gets high praise from coach Michael Malone, and his star teammates Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray also rave about the rookie.
Heat looking to get to the line more, while Nuggets vow to be better in Game 2
For the Miami Heat, shooting at Denverโs 5,280 feet of mile-high altitude during Game 1 of the NBA Finals wasnโt a problem.
With matchup finally set, Nuggets' Malone says beating Heat will be 'biggest challenge of our lives'
The Denver Nuggets are glad they get to stay in Denver for the start of their first NBA Finals appearance but that doesn't mean they're taking the Miami Heat lightly.
One win away from NBA Finals, Nuggets credit teamwork for playoff dominance
The Denver Nuggets are on the brink of the first NBA Finals trip in franchise history after winning the first three games of the Western Conference finals over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lakers and Nuggets both take lessons from LA's comeback that fell short in West opener
The Los Angeles Lakers have to feel good about avoiding a blowout at Denver in the opener of the Western Conference finals.
Denver Nuggets focused on vanquishing LeBron James and Lakers, not ghosts of the past
The Denver Nuggets aren't concerned about their horrendous history against the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA playoffs as they begin their Western Conference finals against L.
Jokic has triple-double, Nuggets beat T-wolves for 3-0 lead
Nikola Jokic had his seventh career triple-double in the playoffs with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists as the Denver Nuggets fended off the Minnesota Timberwolves 120-111 to take a 3-0 lead in their first-round NBA playoff series.
Big dunk leaves rim crooked, delays Celtics-Nuggets game
The rim was bent, nobody seemed to know how to fix it and for 35 minutes Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets players struggled to stay warm in a bizarre scene that left Celtics star Jaylen Brown fuming.
Rare buzzer-beater helps outmanned Nuggets beat Mavs 98-97
Vlatko Cancar hit a buzzer-beater from near midcourt when the final 2 seconds of the first half were replayed after the break, and the outmanned Denver Nuggets went on to beat the Dallas Mavericks 98-97.
Jokic, Nuggets keep Lakers winless with 110-99 victory
Nikola Jokic had 31 points and 13 rebounds, Jamal Murray hit a big 3-pointer and the Denver Nuggets kept the Los Angeles Lakers winless with a 110-99 victory Wednesday night.
Nikola Jokic notches triple-double as Nuggets top Warriors
Nikola Jokic had a triple-double of 26 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists playing with a sore right wrist he had taped, and the Denver Nuggets beat Golden State 128-123 in a rematch of the teamsโ first-round playoff series won by the Warriors in five games on their way to the title.
AP source: Nuggets and Wizards agree to 4-player swap
A person with knowledge of the negotiations says the Denver Nuggets have agreed to a deal that would send guards Will Barton and Monte Morris to the Washington Wizards for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith.
Curry, Poole, Thompson lead Warriors past Nuggets, 118-113
Stephen Curry and Jordan Poole scored 27 points each, Klay Thompson made six 3-pointers on his way to 26 points and the Golden State Warriors muscled past the Denver Nuggets 118-113 on Thursday night to take a 3-0 lead in the playoff series.
Curry scores 34 points off bench, Warriors lead Nuggets 2-0
Stephen Curry came off the bench for a second straight game and showed heโs healthy at last, scoring 34 points to lead the Golden State Warriors past the Denver Nuggets 126-106 for a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series.
Paul's back, Suns clinch top seed with 140-130 win in Denver
Chris Paul returned from a broken right wrist to help the Phoenix Suns wrap up the top seed in the NBA playoffs with a 140-130 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.
Nuggets-Warriors off; Rivers, Malone enter NBA protocols
The NBA postponed Golden State's game with Denver on Thursday, the same day that Philadelphiaโs Doc Rivers and Denverโs Michael Malone entered the NBAโs health and safety protocols.
Jokic, Morris fracas mars Nuggets' 113-96 win over Heat
Nikola Jokic had 25 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists before the NBA MVP was ejected for violently slamming his shoulder into Markieff Morris, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat 113-96 on Monday night.
![Suns spoil Nikola Jokic's MVP party, beat Nuggets 116-102](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/FJsV-SyGIdq1RFXo57T-71fkZZc=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/BSYWMRLGUJFV7GRMVXIJHS2L4Y.jpg)
Suns spoil Nikola Jokic's MVP party, beat Nuggets 116-102
Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns spoiled Nikola Jokicโs MVP celebration with a 116-102 victory over Denver on Friday night in Game 3 that put โThe Jokerโ and the rest of the reeling Nuggets on the brink of a quick second-round exit.
![Jokic scores 38, Nuggets beat Blazers 128-109 to even series](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/SZu9yCcFPqWt72qvZlpgYbxmf0Y=/800x524/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/T5STTIGQWFFKXC3VHTGF3ZRYAU.jpg)
Jokic scores 38, Nuggets beat Blazers 128-109 to even series
Nikola Jokic scored 38 points to overcome a 3-point shooting barrage from Damian Lillard and the Denver Nuggets evened the first-round series by beating the Portland Trail Blazers 128-109 in a chippy Game 2.
![Lillard leads 3-point barrage, Blazers beat Nuggets 123-109](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/33V0vfiDSElA1u9HcOwGsnnGWFw=/800x570/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/SWUXLFT5KBFIJKZLX5EOV4LPSU.jpg)
Lillard leads 3-point barrage, Blazers beat Nuggets 123-109
Damian Lillard scored 34 points and led Portlandโs 3-point barrage that sparked the Trail Blazersโ 123-109 win over the Denver Nuggets in the opener of their first-round playoff series Saturday night.
![Stephen Curry, Warriors welcome back fans and beat Nuggets](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/9wnItUFuWewDu68XNEGBZkJJ6BI=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/JLAI36QZLZAWTEZGBY5QNCJ6BI.jpg)
Stephen Curry, Warriors welcome back fans and beat Nuggets
Stephen Curry scored 32 points, Draymond Green had 19 assists and 12 rebounds, and the Golden State Warriors welcomed back fans for the first time since the pandemic began by beating the Denver Nuggets 118-97.
![NBA says injury rate this season down slightly from normal](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/KOanAuxI7Cf826j7EzUvC3CpFcw=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/PY2ESXTUNNH35HSS6KN54PAPQE.jpg)
NBA says injury rate this season down slightly from normal
The NBA says the rate of players needing to miss games because of injuries is down from last season and within the normal range for what the league has seen over the last five seasons.
![Jokic leads Nuggets to 8th straight win by beating Spurs](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/M9FMqBKEdIYHDK2iV5SjHAy5VsI=/1600x1125/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/RJJTDQK7SVBUXBXUMXVE3TOP74.jpg)
Jokic leads Nuggets to 8th straight win by beating Spurs
Nikola Jokic had 26 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds, and the Denver Nuggets held off the San Antonio Spurs for a 121-119 win when DeMar DeRozanโs shot attempt at the buzzer rolled out.
![Murray scores historic 50 as Nuggets down crumbling Cavs](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/m_CmZZgFH-SFIxYkKPR1ZWhTxBI=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/24GTW47COFG67BKXFWSZENEZBQ.jpg)
Murray scores historic 50 as Nuggets down crumbling Cavs
Denver Nuggets' Jamal Murray (27) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers' Cedi Osman (16) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)CLEVELAND โ Not himself of late, Jamal Murray got a lecture from Nuggets coach Michael Malone about being more aggressive and not passing up open shots. Following the game, Murray was unaware that he had done something unique. โWith the exception of Murray, we took some steps in the right direction,โ Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. They made their first 12 shots, opened a 22-point lead in the second half and then let Murray close out the Cavs.
![Jokic powers Nuggets by Lakers, Davis re-aggravates Achilles](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/pWt9L4xMETJ3wztFLvSXJdMD0ys=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/TI7PHHEGNJEEFKZYNUNQRRALRU.jpg)
Jokic powers Nuggets by Lakers, Davis re-aggravates Achilles
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)DENVER โ The sight of Anthony Davis limping off the court was hard for the Los Angeles Lakers to shake. Nikola Jokic recorded his sixth triple-double of the season and the Denver Nuggets beat the Lakers 122-105 on Sunday night in a game in which Davis re-aggravated his sore right Achilles. Now, the only thought for the Lakers is the result of Davis' MRI on Monday for what the team called a strain. For his big game, Jokic credited a new mindset. Entering the game, Davis was questionable with what was described as right Achilles tendinosis.
![Middleton, Antetokounmpo lead Bucks past Nuggets 125-112](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/lYm7XhpEnoi0RvQYhtP4_b1BskE=/1600x1115/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/JYFWELUYAJEWRELSEI3OHNCRLU.jpg)
Middleton, Antetokounmpo lead Bucks past Nuggets 125-112
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, moves to the rim as Denver Nuggets forward JaMychal Green defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, in Denver. Middleton had 29 points and a career-high 12 assists, Antetokounmpo scored 30 points and the Milwaukee Bucks won their fifth straight game by beating the Denver Nuggets 125-112 on Monday night. โWe still find ourselves trying to figure out how to be a team that plays a lot better in the second half,โ Malone said. โWeโve lost three in a row because we havenโt defended anybody.โTIP-INSBucks: The Bucks outrebounded the Nuggets 50-38. โHope that he's going to be well.โMAIN ATTRACTIONAsked about the marquee matchup between Jokic and Antetokounmpo, Malone feigned hurt feelings.
![A very rare NBA day: Curry, Jokic score 50 in losses](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/MbfLWbyq6IH-VQf_-tvJnwtX8i0=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/COAU7JAU6FHNBAQESLR5ISGH7U.jpg)
A very rare NBA day: Curry, Jokic score 50 in losses
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry instructs teammates during an offensive possession in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic were part of history Saturday. The NBA had two 50-point scorers in losing efforts on the same day for only the third time. Jokic scored 50 points in Denverโs loss to Sacramento, and Curry scored 57 points as Golden State fell in Dallas. There have been five 50-point efforts in the NBA so far this season, including Curryโs season-high, 62-point in the win over Portland.
![Durant scores 34, Nets charge back from 18 down, top Nuggets](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/ZocaTO6_mePMgv6mkEVyFXh_JnI=/1600x1093/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NEAGOWPQKNCNDLWUM2CZWFE2BA.jpg)
Durant scores 34, Nets charge back from 18 down, top Nuggets
(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)NEW YORK โ Kevin Durant had 34 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds, Bruce Brown made a huge contribution while starting for the absent Kyrie Irving, and the Brooklyn Nets rallied from 18 down to beat the Denver Nuggets 122-116 on Tuesday night. Durant followed with Brooklyn's next six points, including a 3-pointer that essentially put it away at 120-113 with 27 seconds to play. They want to come out and compete, and everybody came with it tonight, especially in the second half,โ Durant said. Nets: Before the game, coach Steve Nash wasn't sure if Durant would play Wednesday at New York. โWe have to judge these things day to day and moment to moment.โ Durant said afterward he planned to play.
![Chris Paul helps Suns hold off Nuggets, improve to 5-1](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/HW37-3ON7r4QPLOcBDr_C4bnZ98=/1600x1060/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/C2KUKS3O2RFSFINVYKCPHCLMQ4.jpg)
Chris Paul helps Suns hold off Nuggets, improve to 5-1
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, looks for a shot over Denver Nuggets guard Facundo Campazzo during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Denver. Moments like this are precisely why the Suns acquired Paul in a deal with Oklahoma City. โHim being able to knock down shots, and the ability and will to take those shots, is huge for us,โ Suns coach Monty Williams said. But on the advice of Paul, Williams decided to challenge the play. The Denver big man is posting big numbers but his production isnโt translating into wins as the Nuggets fell to 1-4.