Basketball

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton appears on the verge of making his 2022-23 debut as he returns from offseason wrist surgery.

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks will be without both of their starting forwards for at least the next three games.

BOSTON (AP) — The Celtics aren't letting Al Horford go anywhere this time. The team announced Thursday that the 36-year-old veteran big man has signed an extension to remain in Boston.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James has questions about the disparity of media scrutiny he believes is being applied to a 1957 photo of Jerry Jones and the recent controversy surrounding Kyrie Irving.

PHOENIX (AP) — Devin Booker made the Chicago Bulls pay for some mediocre defense with a couple early mid-range jumpers. Then he made a few more. And a few more. Suddenly, it was one of those nights for the Suns All-Star guard.

Orlando Magic (5-17, 14th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (14-8, third in the Eastern Conference) Cleveland; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Orlando aims to stop its six-game losing streak with a victory against Cleveland.

Denver Nuggets (14-7, second in the Western Conference) vs. Atlanta Hawks (12-10, sixth in the Eastern Conference) Atlanta; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Trae Young leads Atlanta into a matchup with Denver.

New Orleans Pelicans (13-8, third in the Western Conference) vs. San Antonio Spurs (6-16, 14th in the Western Conference) San Antonio; Friday, 8 p.m.

Indiana Pacers (12-9, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Utah Jazz (13-11, seventh in the Western Conference) Salt Lake City; Friday, 9 p.m.

Philadelphia 76ers (12-10, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (12-9, fourth in the Western Conference) Memphis, Tennessee; Friday, 8 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Ja Morant leads Memphis into a matchup with Philadelphia.