Basketball

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are healthy and heading into their fourth season together, giving the Los Angeles Clippers sky-high hopes that they'll win the franchise’s first championship.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — After reacquainting themselves with the playoffs last season, the Minnesota Timberwolves ramped up the rare energy around them by acquiring three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year award winner Rudy Gobert in a blockbuster trade

NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson has the New York Knicks believing the search for a point guard is over at last.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo has virtually the same set of teammates as last season. The Milwaukee Bucks’ goal is also the same: a second NBA championship.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — This could be the year Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reaches All-Star status.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls made the playoffs for the first time in five years last season and led the Eastern Conference for a little bit.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Pacers open this season with a different goal. They're no longer satisfied with just making the playoffs or advancing beyond the first round.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte Hornets All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball sprained his left ankle in the third quarter of a preseason game against the Washington Wizards on Monday when his foot was stepped on while he was driving to the basket.

Intae Hwang wanted to play basketball. His parents wouldn’t allow it. He reached the NBA anyway.