Basketball

ATLANTA (AP) — Seeing his short-handed team struggle in a loss to Atlanta only made Phoenix coach Monty Williams all the more eager to see Kevin Durant in a Suns uniform.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Reserves Cole Anthony and Bol Bol each scored 17 points to lead the Orlando Magic to a 115-104 win over the Western Conference-leading Denver Nuggets on Thursday night. Wendell Carter Jr.

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.