BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum didn't want to smile. But sometimes the moment calls for it. The Celtics were trailing 124-123 in the final minute of overtime in their back-and-forth slugfest with the Clippers and Tatum found himself defended by Landry Shamet and Montrezl Harrell. Tatum …

HOUSTON (AP) — After James Harden and Russell Westbrook combined for 78 points Tuesday night, Harden was asked just how dangerous this combination can be when it gets rolling. “It's pretty scary," Harden said. Harden scored 42 points, Westbrook had 36 and Houston snapped Boston's …

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — With most of their lead gone, the Boston Celtics needed someone to make a stop in the final seconds.As usual, Marcus Smart took it upon himself.Smart o stole the ball from Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 5.8 seconds le,fhelping the Celtics hold on …

BOSTON (AP) — As well as the Celtics have played lately, guard Marcus Smart believes they can play even better. Jayson Tatum had seven 3-pointers and scored 32 points to help Boston sneak out of TD Garden with a 112-107 win over struggling Atlanta on Friday night. But with eight of the …

BOSTON (AP) — When the Celtics have needed an offensive lift this season, Jayson Tatum has often been the one to pick up the scoring load. He did it again to help Boston fend off a Magic team fighting to stay in playoff contention. Tatum scored 16 of his 33 points in the second half and the …

BOSTON (AP) — Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski thinks his players might have been looking ahead to this weekend's game against North Carolina.And it almost cost them.“They didn't listen to me,” he said on Tuesday night after the seventh-ranked Blue Devils rallied from a 10-point, …

ATLANTA (AP) — The Celtics turned up the defensive pressure on Trae Young, and turned to Grant Williams for a key basket at the end.It wasn't a masterpiece by any stretch, but it was good enough for Boston's fourth straight win.Jayson Tatum scored 28 points and the Celtics held on for a …

BOSTON (AP) — When he didn't make the All-Star Game, Jaylen Brown decided he'll use the break to rest up for what he hopes will be a long postseason run.“Ain't no reason to cry over spilled milk,” he said Saturday night after scoring 32 points in a 116-95 victory over the …

BOSTON (AP) — After a week that began with Kobe Bryant's shocking death, Celtics forward Jayson Tatum walked into TD Garden longing to hear some good news.He got it on a night that included Boston's remembrance of the player Tatum said first made him want to pick up a basketball.Gordon …

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since Kobe Bryant's death, many still numb and struggling to comprehend his sudden loss.The scoreboard at their training facility posted Bryant's jersey numbers with the rival Lakers — 8 and …

MIAMI (AP) — In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid paid tribute to Kobe Bryant by wearing one of his jersey numbers.Brooklyn’s Spencer Dinwiddie and Orlando’s Terrence Ross are showing their respect by no longer doing so. Boston’s Kemba Walker is considering such a change.And …

MIAMI (AP) — The Eastern Conference standings are not difficult to decipher. There’s Milwaukee on top, and then a five-team race for second place.And the Boston Celtics made the mess even messier.Gordon Hayward scored 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds, Jaylen Brown added 25 points …

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Zion Williamson's authoritative, two-handed dunk as he was fouled by Boston guard Kemba Walker gave an appreciative crowd its first taste of how effectively the New Orleans Pelicans can close out games with the NBA's top draft choice on the court.Williamson had 21 points …

NEW YORK (AP) — Kobe Bryant authored some of his most memorable moments at Madison Square Garden and made himself a centerpiece of the Lakers-Celtics rivalry.Bryant was remembered for that and so much more Sunday after the five-time NBA champion, his teenage daughter and seven others were …

By any measure, Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest players in NBA history.The retired Los Angeles Lakers star, who died Sunday in a helicopter crash at age 41, was proudest of his five championship rings, the most recent in 2010. Only four NBA players who weren’t on the Boston …

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The Boston Celtics were missing a lot of starters. They still had the two they needed: Kemba Walker and Gordon Hayward Walker scored 37 points and Hayward added 22 to help the Celtics rally from a 16-point first-half deficit and defeat the Orlando Magic 109-98 on Friday …

MIAMI (AP) — It’ll be an All-Star rematch: Team LeBron vs. Team Giannis.LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks will be the captains for the NBA All-Star Game, just as they were last season. They earned the captaincies by being the top …

BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum has been the Celtics' savior multiple times this season when his teammates have struggled offensively. He did it again to help key Boston's rout of one of the league's hottest teams. Tatum scored 23 points before leaving the game in the third quarter with a groin …

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Walter McCarty has been fired as Evansville's coach after an investigation revealed additional allegations of off-court misconduct, the university announced Tuesday.Former Butler coach Todd Lickliter was hired late Tuesday to replace McCarty, the university announced. …

BOSTON (AP) — Kemba Walker finally beat LeBron James, and he did it by helping the Boston Celtics send the Los Angeles Lakers to their biggest loss of the season.Walker ended a career-long losing streak against James, scoring 20 points to beat him for the first time in 29 tries and lead the …