Basketball

DENVER (AP) — Denver Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth had big plans at the trade deadline in the form of acquiring another center or frontcourt player to serve as a backup to Nikola Jokic. It didn't work out.

BOSTON (AP) — Klay Thompson scored 25 points, Daniel Gafford gave the Mavericks 15 rebounds in what could be his last start at center for a while and Dallas beat the Boston Celtics 127-120 on Thursday night in their NBA Finals rematch.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic is now expected to make his debut with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night against the Utah Jazz, coach JJ Redick says. Doncic hasn't played since Christmas due to a strained left calf.

BOSTON (AP) — Mavericks center Anthony Davis was ruled out for Thursday night's NBA Finals rematch against the Boston Celtics, coach Jason Kidd said, pushing his Dallas debut back to Saturday at the earliest.

LeBron James got drafted No. 1 — again. And while the NBA considers one day having a U.S. vs. the World format for its midseason showcase, there will be a taste of what that could be at this year's All-Star Game as well.

TORONTO (AP) — Brooklyn Nets coach Jordi Fernandez is stepping down as coach of Canada's senior men’s national basketball team, Canada Basketball announced Thursday.

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas hopes to see his team make a playoff push, even if it means a lower draft pick.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder signed rookie second-round draft pick Ajay Mitchell to a multi-year contract and Branden Carlson to a two-way contract on Thursday.

The final numbers from the trade deadline: no fewer than eight current and past All-Stars, some of them recent All-NBA selections, some among the league's highest scorers and even three Olympic gold medalists, all headed to new homes.

The Washington Wizards traded guard Jared Butler and four second-round draft picks to the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday for guard Reggie Jackson and a 2026 first-rounder.