Basketball

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah forward Lauri Markkanen sat out the Jazz's game Thursday night against the San Antonio Spurs because of lower back spasms. Markkanen is averaging a team-high 18.0 points along with 7.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — LaMelo Ball isn’t afraid of anything when he steps on the basketball floor. But the Charlotte Hornets point guard apparently still gets a little spooked by clowns.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Chet Holmgren gets tired of addressing what he considers a manufactured rivalry with Victor Wembanyama, but he understands the hype. Wembanyama is 7-foot-3, and Holmgren is 7-foot-1.

Oklahoma City Thunder (4-0, first in the Western Conference) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (1-3, 11th in the Western Conference) Portland, Oregon; Friday, 10 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Oklahoma City faces Portland in Western Conference action Friday.

Chicago Bulls (3-2, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Brooklyn Nets (2-3, 10th in the Eastern Conference) New York; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Chicago plays Brooklyn in Eastern Conference action Friday.

Denver Nuggets (2-2, ninth in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-2, seventh in the Western Conference) Minneapolis; Friday, 9:30 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Western Conference foes Minnesota and Denver square off.

Orlando Magic (3-2, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (5-0, first in the Eastern Conference) Cleveland; Friday, 7 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Orlando takes on Cleveland in Eastern Conference action Friday.

Sacramento Kings (2-2, eighth in the Western Conference) vs. Atlanta Hawks (2-3, ninth in the Eastern Conference) Atlanta; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Atlanta and Sacramento face off in non-conference action.

Los Angeles Lakers (3-2, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. Toronto Raptors (1-4, 14th in the Eastern Conference) Toronto; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Toronto and Los Angeles face off in non-conference action.