Basketball

DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets have guard Russell Westbrook available to play Tuesday night for Game 5 of their first-round series with the Los Angeles Clippers. Westbrook was ruled out Saturday because of left foot inflammation.

Stephon Castle made no secret about it: He wanted to be rookie of the year. And he got it done — by a wide margin. The San Antonio Spurs now have back-to-back winners of the award, with Victor Wembanyama last year and Castle this season.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick saw the urgency he was anticipating Tuesday while his team practiced before what could be its final game of a tumultuous season. “I would describe us as on edge,” Redick said. “As we should be.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers has learned to take 10-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard at his word.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Luka Doncic has stepped up to pay the entire expected cost of restoring a vandalized mural depicting Kobe and Gigi Bryant in downtown Los Angeles.

The Sacramento Kings are closing in on a deal with Doug Christie to keep him as coach following an interim stint that ended with a loss in the Play-In Tournament .

Cleveland is into Round 2 and won by 55 points to get there. Golden State is on the brink of Round 2 and had to fight until the very last second to get into that position. In the NBA playoffs, how you win doesn't matter.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — With Jimmy Butler's tailbone still hurting at the end, he came through in remarkable fashion and in every which way despite all the pain.

Golden State Warriors (48-34, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (52-30, second in the Western Conference) Houston; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Rockets -3.5; over/under is 204.

Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (50-32, third in the Western Conference) Los Angeles; Wednesday, 10 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Lakers -5.5; over/under is 209.