The Utah Jazz have said this season will be centered on developing their young building blocks like forward Taylor Hendricks, but now he’s likely gone for the season.

Ja Morant’s ability to take over a game hasn’t diminished.

The Utah Jazz did more than carve out a place in this city.

Jalen Suggs hit three 3-pointers in the final three minutes and finished with 15 points as the Orlando Magic beat the Utah Jazz.

Tyrese Maxey scored a career-high 51 points hours after being selected to his first All-Star Game, helping the Philadelphia 76ers overcome star center Joel Embiid’s absence for a 127-124 victory over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night.

The Detroit Pistons have agreed to trade Marvin Bagley III and Isaiah Livers to the Washington Wizards for Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

Lauri Markkanen had 33 points and 13 rebounds and Collin Sexton added 22 points and 10 assists to lead the Utah Jazz past the Philadelphia 76ers 120-109 on Saturday night.

There had never been a day in NBA history where five teams all scored at least 140 points.

The Detroit Pistons are on the verge of NBA infamy.

Kelly Olynyk scored 25 points and the short-handed Utah Jazz beat Detroit 119-111 on Thursday night for the Pistons’ 25th straight loss — one short of the NBA single season record.

Keegan Murray made 12 3-pointers, two shy of the NBA record, and scored a career-high 47 points to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 125-104 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night.

Luka Doncic had 40 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists playing only three periods after the first first-half triple-double of his career in the Dallas Mavericks’ 147-97 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.

Mavericks star Luka Doncic had 29 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the first, first-half triple-double of his career in Dallas' game against the Utah Jazz.

The Los Angeles Lakers completed an unbeaten run through group play in the NBA In-Season Tournament with a 131-99 victory over the Utah Jazz.

Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Sunday, two days after he publicly criticized officiating following his team’s loss to Utah.

Ben Fratrik knows excellence. He coached current NBA rookie Brice Sensabaugh at Lake Highland Prep in Orlando a little more than a year ago.

Nikola Jokic is a finalist to win a third straight NBA MVP award, with Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo the players who can stop him.

The Orlando magic lost their Thursday night match against the Utah Jazz after Lauri Markkanen scored 31 points and Talen Horton-Tucker added 23.

Russell Westbrook has been waived by the Utah Jazz and according to a published report, the nine-time All-Star is expected to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Toronto forward Pascal Siakam, Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards and Sacramento guard De’Aaron Fox have been added to the player pool for the All-Star Game as injury replacements.

Damian Lillard scored a season-high 60 points, hitting nine 3-pointers, and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Utah Jazz 134-124 on Wednesday night.

Donovan Mitchell had 46 points in his return to Utah, but the Jazz rallied late behind Jordan Clarkson to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 116-114.

After missing a month with a sore right heel, Chris Paul returned Wednesday night against the NBA-leading Boston Celtics.

Jordan Clarkson scored 23 points, reserve Collin Sexton added 22 and the Utah Jazz beat the Los Angeles Clippers 110-102.

Lauri Markkanen had 27 points and 12 rebounds, Jordan Clarkson added 20 points and the Utah Jazz continued their remarkable start to the season with a 130-116 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Take note: The Utah Jazz evidently need a new hashtag.

Rudy Gobert has been traded by the Utah Jazz to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a massive package of players and draft picks, a person with knowledge of the blockbuster deal said.

As the Utah Jazz spent time talking to candidates to become their next coach, Will Hardy quickly rose to the top of their list.

A person with knowledge of the negotiations says Boston Celtics assistant Will Hardy has accepted an offer to become the coach of the Utah Jazz.

The Utah Jazz face an unexpected search for a new coach.

A jersey worn by Kobe Bryant in his rookie season, including two playoff games, will be sold at auction.

Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson each scored 24 points and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Utah Jazz 98-96 on Thursday night in Game 6 to wrap up the first-round series.

Luka Doncic had 33 points and 13 rebounds in his first home playoff game coming off a calf injury and the Dallas Mavericks routed the Utah Jazz 102-77 for a 3-2 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Rudy Gobert gave Utah the lead with an alley-oop dunk with 11.0 seconds left and the Jazz held off the Dallas Mavericks 100-99 on Saturday in Game 4 to tie the first-round series.

Luka Doncic is out again for the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of their playoff series against the Utah Jazz.

Devin Booker scored 33 points and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns overcame a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Utah Jazz 111-105 on Friday night.

Ja Morant could return to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night against the New Orleans Pelicans after missing just more than two weeks with a sore right knee.

The NBA plans to keep its next All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, despite its opposition to Utah’s ban on transgender youth athletes playing on girls teams.

Klay Thompson scored 36 points and the Golden State Warriors erased a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Utah Jazz 111-107.

Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points, Rudy Gobert added 16 points and 14 rebounds and the Utah Jazz stayed hot with a 118-114 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

LeBron James scored 15 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied for a 14-point second half deficit to defeat the Utah Jazz 106-101 Wednesday night.

Donovan Mitchell scored 24 points and collected seven rebounds to lead the Utah Jazz to a 114-99 victory over the Orlando Magic.

Bojan Bogdanovic scored 23 points and Donovan Mitchell had 14 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists as the Utah Jazz shut down Golden State in a 111-85 victory that snapped the Warriors’ nine-game winning streak.

Devin Booker scored 33 points, Chris Paul had 15 of his a season-high 27 points in the fourth quarter, and the Phoenix Suns rallied for a 115-109 win over the short-handed Utah Jazz.

Jordan Poole scored 20 points to lead a balanced Golden State scoring attack, and the Warriors held off a late Utah rally to beat the Jazz 94-92.

LeBron James scored 25 points and Stanley Johnson had 10 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 101-95 win over the Utah Jazz.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has had surgery to repair a core injury that has been causing him abdominal pain.

The first time that Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, the NBA didn’t even have health and safety protocols.

Bojan Bogdanovic scored a season-high 36 points and the Utah Jazz stretched their road winning streak to 10 games by beating the Denver Nuggets 115-109.

Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points and the Utah Jazz beat the COVID-19-depleted Dallas Mavericks 120-116.

The Los Angeles Clippers are the kings of the NBA's playoff comeback.

Terance Mann scored a career-high 39 points and the Los Angeles Clippers advanced to a conference final for the first time in the franchise’s 51-year history, beating the Utah Jazz 131-119 on Friday night.

Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell were in Utah’s starting lineup for Game 6 on Friday night, with the Jazz facing elimination in the second-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard is officially out for Friday night’s Game 6 of the Western Conference second-round series against the Utah Jazz, but coach Tyronn Lue did not have any update on if it will be longer.

Paul George had 37 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 119-111 victory over the Utah Jazz in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinals series.

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George each scored 31 points — the second straight game they have both had over 30 points — and the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Utah Jazz 118-104 in Game 4 Monday night to even their Western Conference second-round series at two games apiece.

The Los Angeles Clippers find themselves in familiar territory — down 2-0 in their second straight playoff series and seeing one player outplay their two superstars.

Donovan Mitchell scored 37 points and the Utah Jazz forced nine straight misses down the stretch to outlast the Los Angeles Clippers 117-111 and take a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series.

Donovan Mitchell scored 45 points to lead the Utah Jazz to a 112-109 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals series.

Donovan Mitchell scored 26 of his 30 points in the first half and the Utah Jazz advanced to the second round of the playoffs, beating the Memphis Grizzlies 126-110 on Wednesday night in Game 5.

Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points, and the top-seeded Utah Jazz grabbed a 3-1 lead by holding off the Memphis Grizzlies 120-113.

Donovan Mitchell scored 10 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter and the top-seeded Utah Jazz beat the Memphis Grizzlies 121-111 on Saturday night to take a 2-1 lead in the first-round series.

The New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz all say they have banned fans after incidents in their respective arenas.

Donovan Mitchell scored 25 points in his much-anticipated return from a sprained ankle and the Utah Jazz overcame Ja Morant’s franchise-record 47 points in a 141-129 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night, tying the first-round playoff series at a game apiece.

Utah’s Jordan Clarkson, the only player to come off the bench and score 40 points in a game this season, was announced Monday as the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year.

Dillon Brooks had 31 points and seven rebounds and the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies beat the top-seeded Utah Jazz 112-109 in the opening game of their first-round playoff series.

Denver’s Nikola Jokic finished ninth in the MVP voting last season.

The play-in field isn’t quite set.

Bojan Bogdanovic scored 22 points to help the Utah Jazz beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 109-93.

The NBA’s 3-point dependence is stronger than ever.

Devin Booker scored 31 points, Mikal Bridges added 18 and the Phoenix Suns pulled into a tie for the top spot in the Western Conference by beating the Utah Jazz 121-100 on Friday night.

D’Angelo Russell had a season-high seven 3-pointers and scored 27 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied to beat the Utah Jazz 105-104.

Dennis Schröder hit the tying basket to force overtime and finished with 25 points and the Los Angeles Lakers held off the Utah Jazz 127-115 in a game between short-handed teams.

Donovan Mitchell scored 22 points before leaving the game with a sprained ankle in the third quarter, and the NBA-leading Utah Jazz beat the Indiana Pacers 119-111.

Dwyane Wade is an NBA owner.

Donovan Mitchell scored 37 points to lead the Utah Jazz to their 23rd straight home victory with a 122-103 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Devin Booker scored 35 points, Chris Paul added 29 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Utah Jazz 117-113 in overtime Wednesday night in an entertaining matchup between the top two teams in the NBA.

Donovan Mitchell scored 22 points and the Utah Jazz set an NBA record for 3-pointers in a half in a 137-91 win over the short-handed Orlando Magic, extending their franchise-best home winning streak to 22.

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives around Brooklyn Nets forward Joe Harris (12) in the first half during an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)SALT LAKE CITY – Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points and the Utah Jazz routed the short-handed Brooklyn Nets 118-88 on Wednesday night. This matchup between Eastern and Western Conference contenders lost some luster when the Nets James Harden was scratched due to a sore neck. At halftime, the Jazz led 63-38 – the lowest scoring first half of the season for Brooklyn. Even with all their stars, the Nets have struggled defensively this season and relied on their supercharged offense to get their wins.

Nurse was upset at the end of Toronto's 115-112 loss to the Utah Jazz, a game in which the Jazz took 41 free throws, compared with the Raptors' 14. After the game, Nurse said it “just didn’t seem like they were going to let us win tonight,” without offering specifics. The 27-shot difference in free throw attempts between the teams was the second largest in the NBA this season, topped by the 28-shot difference Houston had over Golden State on Wednesday. Entering Sunday, the Raptors were shooting 4.5 free throws per game fewer than opponents this season, the second-largest disparity in the league. Ad___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid dunk s the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. The NBA was providing private flights for all players to and from the All-Star Game. A number of players — All-Star captain LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers among them — openly wondered in recent weeks why the game was being played. Ad“I don't want to say we didn't have a choice, but it's in our CBA and our CBA says there has to be an All-Star Game every year," Beal said. “There's a lot of language in there that can kind of get ugly if we didn't necessarily come down and go through with the All-Star Game.

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, right, goes up for a shot against Utah Jazz's Bojan Bogdanovic, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. The game included four players who will be participating in Sunday’s All-Star game in Embiid and Simmons, and Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert of the Jazz. AdThe Jazz beat Philadelphia 134-123 on Feb. 15 in Utah when Embiid sat with a back injury. The 76ers couldn’t free their shooters for a tying 3, so Embiid stepped back and drained one himself with 5.9 seconds remaining. Mitchell had 33 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Jazz, who lost their second straight.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) goes to the basket over Utah Jazz forward Georges Niang, left, and center Rudy Gobert, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, March 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)NEW ORLEANS – Zion Williamson had 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, and the New Orleans Pelicans held off a late Utah charge to beat the NBA-leading Jazz 129-124 on Monday night. Williamson scored 15 points and added a pair of assists in the quarter. ... Utah had its highest scoring second quarter of the season with 41 points ... Utah shot 45.5% (46 of 101), including 17 of 43 from 3-point range. Pelicans: Hart scored 13 points to go with seven rebounds.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points and Joe Ingles filled in well again at point guard in place of Mike Conley to help the Utah Jazz beat the Orlando Magic 124-109 on Saturday night. Utah bounced back from a loss a night earlier in Miami, improving to 6-1 following a defeat. The NBA-leading Jazz have lost consecutive games just once all season and not since Jan. 6 when they were 4-4. The Jazz led my 19 in the fourth quarter and improved to 25-0 when leading after three periods. Magic All-Star center Nikola Vucevic scored 34 points, but missed out on his 24th double-double by two rebounds.

Miami Heat forward Kelly Olynyk (9) goes to the basket as Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)MIAMI – The Miami Heat don't believe in statement wins. “A high-level game," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, “and we had some big plays down the stretch." Duncan Robinson scored 15 and Kendrick Nunn added 12 for the Heat, who held Utah to 29% shooting in the fourth quarter. It was the sixth game in Heat history in which both teams had at least 94 points through three quarters.

FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2015, file photo, Utah Jazz guard Elijah Millsap brings the ball downcourt against the Oklahoma Thunder in the second half during an NBA basketball game in Salt Lake City. Former Jazz player Millsap alleged this week that Utah executive Dennis Lindsey made a bigoted comment to him in 2015. “And in this case, the investigation is being conducted in partnership and in coordination with the Utah Jazz." The incident in question came from an April 2015 exit meeting, which Millsap — the brother of longtime Utah standout Paul Millsap — said was also attended by Jazz coach Quin Snyder. “I’ve never heard anything remotely close to that from Dennis,” Snyder said.

(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)Looking at individual stats reveals nothing about the Utah Jazz. “Nobody’s playing as well as the Utah Jazz in the NBA right now.”AdAt 26-6, the Jazz sit atop the NBA. The Jazz have made 544 3s, the most in NBA history by any team in its first 32 games. But with the way they're playing now, even Vogel concedes that the Jazz are doing a whole lot right. They’re playing like the best team in the league right now.”___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) dunks against the Charlotte Hornets in the second half during an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, in Salt Lake City. Donovan Mitchell and the Jazz enjoyed another record-breaking performance from long range Monday night in a 132-110 victory against the Hornets. The Jazz set their previous mark for 3s with 26 in the first meeting between the teams on Feb. 5. Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball each scored 21 points to lead the Hornets. Jazz: Utah became the fastest team in NBA history to make 500 3-pointers in a season, reaching the milestone in just 31 games.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, right, celebrates with forward Kawhi Leonard during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)LOS ANGELES – Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points, reserve Lou Williams had 19 and the Los Angeles Clippers edged Utah 116-112 on Friday night, snapping the Jazz's nine-game winning streak. Los Angeles played without a center in the fourth, when Morris was added to the rotation and scored 10 points. “We got our guys back and we wanted to win this game,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. His pair of free throws sent Los Angeles into the fourth leading 79-75.

But the Utah Jazz didn’t blink. Clarkson had a season-high 40 points off the bench to send the streaking Jazz past Philadelphia 134-123 in a matchup of conference leaders Monday night despite a career-best 42 points from Ben Simmons. Despite all the highlights from Clarkson and Simmons, it was Royce O’Neale who made the biggest shots down the stretch. Simmons scored eight straight points in the fourth quarter to cut the Jazz lead to 110-104 with 8:40 left. AdJazz: Mike Conley missed his fifth straight game with a sore hamstring.

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) pulls down a rebound as Milwaukee Bucks guard D.J. Augustin, rear, looks on in the second half during an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)SALT LAKE CITY – Rudy Gobert had 27 points and 12 rebounds, and the Utah Jazz beat the Milwaukee Bucks 129-115 on Friday night for their sixth straight victory. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 27 of his 29 points in the second half, but Milwaukee dropped its second straight game after a five-game win streak. The Jazz packed the paint all game on defense and picked up two defensive 3-second violations along the way.

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, right, fights for control of a rebound with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, in Denver. It’s just a game,” Jokic said. I’m going to score however much I need just to win the game.”Jokic matched his career high with 47 points and the fast-starting Nuggets beat the Jazz 128-117 on Sunday to end the NBA’s longest winning streak of the season. Bojan Bogdanovic led the Jazz with 29 points, and Donovan Mitchell had 13 in 31 minutes after missing two games while in concussion protocol. JaMychal Green had all nine of his points in the fourth quarter when the Nuggets got the lead back to 20.

(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)SALT LAKE CITY – Playing without leading scorer Donovan Mitchell didn't slow down the Utah Jazz. Utah never trailed in a 116-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. The Jazz overwhelmed the Mavericks on both ends of the court on their way to their 10th straight victory and the NBA overall lead. Gobert’s dominance around the basket took Dallas out of it early and the Mavericks could never get back on track. The Jazz never let the Mavericks draw closer than 12 points the rest of the way.

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, left, lays the ball up as New York Knicks center Nerlens Noel (3) defends in the second half during an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz leaned on their tough defense to keep their win streak alive. Rudy Gobert had 18 points, 19 rebounds and four blocked shots, and the Jazz beat the New York Knicks 108-94 on Tuesday night for their ninth consecutive victory. New York made just 12 total baskets in the second half on the heels of shooting 55.8% from the field before halftime. “In the second half, they became more physical, they took the fight to us,” Rivers said.

(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)SALT LAKE CITY – Donovan Mitchell had 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists as the Utah Jazz routed the Golden State Warriors 127-108 on Saturday night for their eighth straight victory. Curry finished with 24 points, seven rebounds and seven assists to lead Golden State. Curry scored four baskets and assisted on five others to help the Warriors cut the Jazz lead to 36-28. Jazz: Bogdanovic matched his previous career high of seven assists, set in 2016, by halftime. … Utah outrebounded Golden State 69-41, and eight players made a 3-pointer.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) shoots as Utah Jazz center Derrick Favors (15) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)MIAMI – USA Basketball is casting a wider-than-usual net in its roster selection for this summer's rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, two people with knowledge of the situation said Saturday. The additions mean at least 60 players could be on the player-pool list that will be released by USA Basketball in the coming weeks. ESPN first reported that USA Basketball has sent approximately 60 invitations to be part of the player pool. USA Basketball is planning a training camp and exhibition games.

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) blocks the shot of New Orleans Pelicans guard Josh Hart (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)SALT LAKE CITY – Donovan Mitchell scored a season-high 36 points, and the Utah Jazz rallied to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 129-118 on Thursday night for their seventh straight win. Utah shot 50% (44 for 88) from the field it made 50.6% of its shots during a 118-102 victory over New Orleans on Tuesday night. Mike Conley scored 20 points and Jordan Clarkson had 19 for Utah, which has the longest active win streak in the NBA. Eric Bledsoe made a jumper to make it 78-75 Pelicans right before the Jazz took over.

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, left, goes to the basket as New Orleans Pelicans guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)SALT LAKE CITY – Donovan Mitchell had 28 points and seven rebounds, and the Utah Jazz beat the New Orleans Pelicans 118-102 on Tuesday night for their sixth straight victory. Jordan Clarkson added 18 points, six rebounds, and six assists, and reserve Joe Ingles scored 15 points. The Jazz disrupted shots, crashed the boards, and sprinted up the court on numerous possessions to stay a step ahead of the Pelicans. … New Orleans scored 22 points off 14 Jazz turnovers.

FILE - Utah Jazz's Royce O'Neale, right, defends Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New York, in this Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, file photo. Kyrie Irving rejoined the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, saying he took a leave of absence because he just needed a pause. Irving practiced with the team and could play Wednesday in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)NEW YORK – Kyrie Irving rejoined the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, saying he took a leave of absence because he “just needed a pause.”Irving practiced with the team and could play Wednesday in Cleveland. Irving said he was happy to be back with the team, which acquired James Harden during his absence.

Utah Jazz's Derrick Favors (15) defens Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving (11) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK – Kyrie Irving's absence from the Brooklyn Nets has become a costly one. The NBA fined the point guard $50,000 on Friday for violating its health and safety protocols, and said he could return to team activities Saturday — though he won't play in the Nets' game that night. Their next game is Saturday against Orlando, though they ruled him out, listing health and safety protocols on the injury report. In December, Irving was was fined $25,000 by the NBA for not speaking to the media during preseason.