Basketball

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers finally cracked the Denver Nuggets' mastery of this rivalry and extended their playoff lives for at least another game. To absolutely nobody's surprise, LeBron James led the way.

ORLANDO, Fla.

MIAMI (AP) — For two days, the Boston Celtics lamented getting beaten on their home floor. And when they finally got to play again, they let out all the frustration. The result: a defensive masterpiece.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams was on his hands and knees after taking a hard shot to the eye on the opening possession of a pivotal playoff game.

MIAMI (AP) — Jimmy Butler says he wants to play in the NBA playoffs, though there's no timetable for his return from a sprained MCL.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — By the time Franz Wagner finished outscoring Cleveland by himself in the third quarter, what had been a competitive game turned into another rout in this series between the Orlando Magic and Cavaliers.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Damian Lillard underwent an MRI to determine the severity of his Achilles tendon injury, and the Milwaukee Bucks could be without the star guard for Game 4 of their playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, coach Doc Rivers said

Health issues hang over the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks, with all three teams trailing 2-1 in their first-round playoff series going into their respective Game 4s on Sunday.

Minnesota hasn't made the second round of the NBA playoffs since 2004. Indiana hasn't gotten there since 2014. Dallas has gotten there once in the last 13 years. All took big steps toward changing that on Friday.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark crashed the NBA's playoff party Friday night — and drew a standing ovation from her new home fans. Twice. She's hoping to do it all over again in September in the same place. The WNBA's No.