Basketball

TORONTO — Canada's best men's basketball players were left wanting more in 2024. Hamilton's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished second in NBA MVP voting for the 2023-24 season, the best performance among a record-high 27 Canadians in the league.

DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks will be without top scorers Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving after they were ruled out of Thursday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers because of injuries.

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without forward Isaac Okoro for several weeks after he suffered a sprained right shoulder.

Milwaukee Bucks (14-11, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (23-4, first in the Eastern Conference) Cleveland; Friday, 7:30 p.m.

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Hawks backup guard Kobe Bufkin will undergo surgery to deal with lingering shoulder issues, knocking him out for the rest of the season.

TORONTO — It's one step forward, one back when it comes to injuries for the Toronto Raptors. All-star Scottie Barnes was upgraded to questionable by the Raptors on Wednesday after he participated in a full-contact practice at OVO Athletic Centre.

TORONTO — An expert in gaming law expects former Toronto Raptors centre Jontay Porter will likely be sentenced to a prison term and face other punishments.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo stood side-by-side during the postgame celebration after the NBA Cup final. Antetokounmpo was holding the MVP trophy. Lillard was holding the bigger trophy.

New Orleans Pelicans (5-22, 15th in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (17-9, third in the Western Conference) Houston; Thursday, 8 p.m.

Oklahoma City Thunder (20-5, first in the Western Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (17-11, fourth in the Eastern Conference) Orlando, Florida; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Thunder -5.