• The Canadian Press

    Donovan Mitchell healthy, ready to make second playoff run with Cavs a year after painful early exit

    INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Donovan Mitchell understands what's at stake — all of it. In the weeks ahead, his reputation, his stature among the NBA's stars, maybe even his future with Cleveland, is on the line. An uneven season filled with twists, turns and injurie s for the Cavs has returned Mitchell to the playoffs, where he will be judged. There's weight and pressure. Nothing new. "Comes with the territory,” Mitchell said. After being s lowed by a left knee injury since the All-Star break, Mitc

  • The Canadian Press

    Raptors backup centre Jontay Porter gets lifetime ban from NBA

    TORONTO — Jontay Porter has been banned from the NBA for life. The former Toronto Raptors backup centre's punishment was announced on Wednesday after the NBA completed its investigation into gambling allegations against Porter. The league found that Porter violated its rules by disclosing confidential information to sports bettors, limiting his own participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games. All three are prohibited under the NBA's collective bargaining agr

  • The Canadian Press

    Bucks' Damian Lillard makes progress with his adductor issue before the start of the playoffs

    MILWAUKEE (AP) — Damian Lillard took a small step forward Wednesday in his bid to be ready for the start of the Milwaukee Bucks' Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with the Indiana Pacers. Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Lillard got back on the practice floor and did some shooting and “all of the walk-through stuff." Lillard hadn't practiced on Tuesday after a sore left adductor bothered him the final weekend of the regular season. The Bucks have Thursday off as they get ready for Game 1

  • The Canadian Press

    Denver Nuggets realize defending their NBA championship will be a tough task in improved West

    DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets met coach Michael Malone's challenge not to let up after winning the franchise's first NBA title. Nikola Jokic somehow got even better with another historic season that made him the odds-on favorite to win the MVP award for the third time in four years, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr. and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope all stepped up their games this season and Jamal Murray had another terrific year despite missing 23 games with various