Candace Parker, Nneka Ogwumike lead Sparks over Mercury

Candace Parker (27 points) and Nneka Ogwumike (22 points) each make key second-half contributions in the 99-88 victory at Phoenix.

Knicks give Coach Mike Woodson a multiyear extension

NBA fines Miami Coach Erik Spoelstra $25,000 for critical comments about officiating in Heat-Pacers playoff series.

For Lakers' Mike Brown, next year will be a stretch

The coach exceeded many critics' expectations in his first season in L.A., but the sense here is that the organization will expect far more next season.

Sparks lose, 92-84, to Minnesota Lynx

Seimone Augustus leads the Lynx, who rally from nine points down. Kristi Toliver and Candace Parker score 23 each to lead the Sparks.

Here are five possible rebuilding blocks for Lakers

Lakers don't have many good options, but they could make moves for Al Harrington, Dwight Howard, Raymond Felton, Beno Udrih or Trevor Ariza.

Kobe Bryant on All-NBA first team for 10th time

Lakers guard is tied for second with an elite group. LeBron James is the leading vote-getter.

76ers force Game 7 against Celtics

Jrue Holiday and Elton Brand lead Philadelphia's 82-75 victory over Boston.

Udonis Haslem ordered to sit out Game 6

The Miami forward is suspended for his flagrant foul on Indiana's Tyler Hansbrough during Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Clippers looking to improve next season

Roster should look familiar, but it's not set in stone.

Some big questions about Lakers' future

Andrew Bynum's option will be picked up, but Pau Gasol doesn't get firm answers in his exit meeting.

Heat seizes control of series with 115-83 rout of Pacers

Miami rolls at home to take 3-2 lead in Eastern Conference semifinals. Indiana may have lost more than game, as forwards Danny Granger and David West are injured. Game 6 is Thursday in Indianapolis.

Sparks defeat Storm in home opener, 74-61

Candace Parker scores 21 points to lead team to its second victory over Seattle.

Lakers' exit meetings have little direction

Kobe Bryant changes his format and will have a longer session with Mitch Kupchak and Mike Brown.

This ending feels different, and time is not on the Lakers' side

Their elimination by Oklahoma City felt more like the end of an era, and the pressing question is 'What now?' Kobe Bryant sounds defiant and confused, Andrew Bynum is unreliable and Pau Gasol has peaked.

It's out with the old as Thunder gallops past Lakers to win series

Lakers were NBA champions in 2009 and '10, but that era is a distant memory after 106-90 Game 5 loss to young, frisky Oklahoma City seals aging team's second straight second-round playoff elimination.

Clippers savor the season, but the future is pressing

Despite being swept out of playoffs by the Spurs, Clippers find many positives to take from their season. But the off-season will bring myriad issues, chief among them Coach Vinny Del Negro's status.

Lakers' Ramon Sessions disappoints in series against Thunder

The point guard had 15 assists and 11 turnovers and struggled to guard Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook.

Brandon Bass takes star turn as Boston beats Philadelphia, 101-85

The forward, acquired by Celtics in December, scores postseason career-high 27 points; Boston takes 3-2 series lead. Boston gets 14 of 16 points early in third quarter to erase 76ers' six-point lead.

The going gets even rougher at playoff time in the NBA

This 'non-contact' sport was always more about banging than beauty, but with bigger stakes and bigger players, most of the fouls are now flagrant and the league's attempted curbs ring hollow.

Lakers' roster-refurbishment options are limited

After second straight West semifinals loss, Lakers are too far over luxury tax threshold to add a major free agent and their only draft pick is 60th overall. That leaves trades, but they need partners.