Lakers’ James takes overall lead in second fan returns of NBA All-Star Voting presented by Google

NEW YORK — The Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James has surpassed the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Dončić and the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo to lead the NBA in the second fan returns of NBA All-Star Voting presented by Google. James has taken an 82,001-vote lead over Dončić among all Western Conference players. The NBA All-Star Game …

Pelicans' Williamson progresses to full-court, 5-on-5 drills

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — When Zion Williamson finished his first full-court, five-on-five work since returning to practice last week, he spent extra one-on-one time with assistant coach Fred Vinson on the free throw line. Ultimately, the Pelicans will require Williamson to successfully make crucial free throws sooner rather than later. Coach Alvin Gentry refrained from …

Paul George exits game vs. Pistons with hamstring tightness

Paul George did not play in the second half of the Clippers’ 126-112 win Thursday against Detroit due to hamstring tightness. The six-time All-Star finished with 12 points, three rebounds and three assists in 16 minutes of action. Shortly before halftime, George headed to the locker room and was initially reported as potentially returning to …