Basketball

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Oklahoma City went back to the lineup it used throughout the first three rounds of the playoffs on Friday night, returning Isaiah Hartenstein to the starting five for Game 4 of the NBA Finals against Indiana.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — At the NBA Finals, Indiana coach Rick Carlisle is trying to shine a light on what he considers an important cause.

Russell Westbrook will not be exercising his $3.5 million player option with the Denver Nuggets for next season and will instead become a free agent, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Friday.

NEW YORK (AP) — Caitlin Clark’s arrival and a major surge in viewers over the past year led to ION Television reaching a multiyear agreement on Friday to extend its broadcasting partnership with the WNBA.

SÃO PAULO — Canada dropped a 63-53 decision to Brazil at the IWBF men's wheelchair basketball under-23 world championship on Thursday. Canada led 44-43 after three periods but the host side pulled away in the fourth.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Pacers aren't celebrating. The Oklahoma City Thunder aren't panicking. The NBA Finals scoreboard is what it is — Pacers 2, Thunder 1 — going into Game 4 of the best-of-seven title series on Friday night.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — TJ McConnell stole inbounds passes not once, not twice, but three times in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. He waved his arms, pumped his fists and shouted at an already delirious crowd to make more noise.

Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14, first in the Western Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (50-32, fourth in the Eastern Conference) Indianapolis; Friday, 8:30 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Thunder -6; over/under is 225.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Game 1, a loss on the opposition’s final shot. Game 2, an easy win. Game 3, another loss to fall behind in the series again.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Rickea Jackson scored a career-high 30 points, Azura Stevens had 19 points and 10 rebounds and the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Las Vegas Aces 97-89 on Wednesday night.