Basketball

SAN FRANCSICO (AP) — A day after leading Portland past his former Golden State team, Gary Payton II rejoined the defending champion Warriors to give them a boost down the stretch after being traded by the Trail Blazers.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Three years after the Minnesota Timberwolves acquired D'Angelo Russell for what then was their dream pairing with Karl-Anthony Towns, they traded him for a much older point guard.

NEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Durant is leaving Brooklyn, as Kyrie Irving just did and James Harden before that. Loading up on superstars didn't pay off in Brooklyn. “Let’s be honest there,” general manager Sean Marks said.

Phoenix now has NBA champion and perennial All-Star Kevin Durant. Dallas now has NBA champion and perennial All-Star Kyrie Irving. In Los Angeles, the Lakers and Clippers have more depth. Memphis and New Orleans just acquired more shooters.

DENVER (AP) — The Western Conference-leading Denver Nuggets picked up center Thomas Bryant from the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-team deal that also saw guard Bones Hyland wind up with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri preached patience as his team's fan base called for big moves — either buying or selling — at the NBA trade deadline.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Kevin Love wasn't moved at the NBA's trade deadline, and the Cavaliers don't expect him to leave anytime soon.

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown has a broken bone in his face, the team confirmed on Thursday in an injury update that did not specify how long he will be out.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Charlotte Hornets have traded center Mason Plumlee to the Los Angeles Clippers for point guard Reggie Jackson and a 2028 second-round draft pick, according to a person familiar with the situation.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans have reached an agreement to trade Devonte' Graham and four second-round draft choices to San Antonio in exchange for Josh Richardson, a person familiar with the move said Thursday.