EVAN MOBLEY

Toronto forward Scottie Barnes has been voted NBA Rookie of the Year, edging Cleveland’s Evan Mobley in a close vote.

Nikola Jokic is a finalist to win a second straight NBA MVP award, along with two-time winner Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid.

Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela missed the second half of the play-in game against Cleveland with a right knee hyperextension.

Kyrie Irving had 34 points and 12 assists, Kevin Durant added 25 points and 11 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets took the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-108 in the play-in opener.

Kevin Love made eight 3-pointers and scored 32 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers took the No. 8 play-in spot — and a matchup against Brooklyn — with a 133-115 win over Milwaukee.

Not since 1998 have the Cleveland Cavaliers made the playoffs without LeBron James.

Joel Embiid had 35 points and 17 rebounds, James Harden scored 21 points and added 11 assists and the Philadelphia 76ers edged the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-114.

By Mat IssaThe NBA rookie class of 2021 has been as advertised and then some, garnering comparison to some of the more memorable draft classes of the 21st century. Now, without further ado, here is your guide to the best rookies in the 2021 NBA Draft class. The thing is, Cleveland wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for Mobley already looking like a seasoned NBA player in his first year. Each of these five rookies possesses the tools necessary to go down as the best of the bunch. — Mat Issa (@matissa15) March 3, 2022Basketball News staff rankingsMat Issa: Cunningham, Barnes, Mobley, Wagner, GiddeyMatt Babcock: Mobley, Cunningham, Giddey, Barnes, WagnerAlex Kennedy: Mobley, Cunningham, Barnes, Giddey, WagnerSpencer Davies: Mobley, Cunningham, Giddey, Barnes, WagnerEthan Fuller: Cunningham, Mobley, Barnes, Giddey, WagnerJustin Lewis: Mobley, Barnes, Cunningham, Giddey, WagnerDrew Maresca: Cunningham, Mobley, Giddey, Barnes, WagnerLooking to go to the hottest concerts, sports, theater & family shows near you?

Karl-Anthony Towns gave big men everywhere something to shoot for.

Obi Toppin won the slam dunk contest, earning a 47 on his final dunk when he needed to do little more than put the ball in the basket after Juan Toscano-Anderson couldn't on his previous try. Toppin, the New York Knicks forward, beat Golden State's Toscano-Anderson in the final round to win the event after finishing second as a rookie. Houston rookie Jalen Green and Orlando guard Cole Anthony failed to advance.

Giannis Antetokounmpo will team up with two of his brothers to compete in a revamped Skills Challenge during the NBA’s All-Star Saturday night.

A person familiar with the decision tells AP that Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman has been rewarded for the team’s turnaround with a contract extension and new job title.

Cavaliers coach J.

Jaylen Brown scored 34 points and the Boston Celtics beat depleted Cleveland 111-101 on Wednesday night to end the Cavaliers’ winning streak at six.

Kyrie Irving’s return to the Brooklyn Nets is starting with a trip to the NBA’s health and safety protocols — and Kevin Durant is joining him.

USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the best players that could be made available at the NBA trade deadline.

Giannis Antetokounmpo came back from a two-game absence and scored 27 points on his 27th birthday to help the Milwaukee Bucks defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-104.

Tyler Herro scored 21 points for Miami in the loss.

Devin Booker scored 35 points, Chris Paul had 12 assists and made four free throws in the final 8.8 seconds the Phoenix Suns extended their winning streak to 14 games, holding off the Cleveland Cavaliers 120-1115.

Stephen Curry scored 20 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter, hitting three straight 3-pointers, and the NBA-leading Golden State Warriors overcame a 13-point deficit to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 104-89 on Thursday night.

Just a handful of games into their first NBA season as teammates, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony sometimes already look like they've been playing together for their entire careers. James scored 26 points, Anthony added 24 while hitting six 3-pointers, and the Lakers snapped the Cleveland Cavaliers' three-game winning streak with a 113-101 victory Friday night. James and Anthony took control down the stretch of the Lakers' third win in four games, with Anthony hitting three 3-pointers to the increasingly raucous cheers of his new fans at Staples Center.

Cade Cunningham is making a strong first impression on the NBA.

The Detroit Pistons selected Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft Thursday night.

Cade Cunningham headlines the top prospects in Thursday's NBA draft in New York.

Evan Mobley made a quick impact with his athleticism and defense for Southern California.

The Trojans (25-7) clipped the high-flying Ducks with their length on the perimeter and 7-footer Evan Mobley in the middle. Oregon and USC have been a big part of the Pac-12's unexpected success in the Circle City. Oregon State and UCLA already advanced, so the showdown between the Ducks and Trojans meant a Pac-12 trio in the Elite Eight. USC had to reach back to the 2006-07 team with Nick Young and Taj Gibson for its last Sweet 16 ride. USC stretched the lead to 20 in the opening 3 1/2 minutes of the second half before the Ducks finally came to life.

(AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)Gonzaga and Baylor spent almost the entire season holding down the top two spots in the Top 25. Makes sense they'd hold down a bunch of spots on The Associated Press All-America teams. The Bulldogs' Corey Kispert and the Bears' Jared Butler led the way with first-team nods Tuesday from the national panel of 63 media members that vote each week in the AP Top 25 poll. Just like the first- and second-team All-Americans, their teams also will be playing in the NCAA Tournament this week. ___AP Basketball Writer John Marshall and AP Sports Writers Michael Marot and Stephen Hawkins contributed to this report.