TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — The Japanese government plans to impose a virus state of emergency in Tokyo during the Olympics, reports said Wednesday, meaning spectators could be barred from venues. The emergency measures — less strict than a blanket lockdown — will be in force until August 22, several Japanese media outlets reported, following a rise in cases less than three weeks before the Games begin. “The government decided to declare the fourth state of […]
Sports
Paul powers Suns over Bucks in NBA Finals opener
PHOENIX, United States (AFP) — Chris Paul, making his long-sought NBA Finals debut, scored 32 points to lead the Phoenix Suns over Milwaukee 118-105 in Tuesday’s opening game of the championship series. The 36-year-old backcourt maestro, in his 16th season, delivered clutch scoring and added nine assists while Devin Booker added 27 points and 22-year-old Bahamas big man Deandre Ayton had 22 points and 19 rebounds in dominating the Bucks. “I just kept trying to […]
Antetokounmpo will start for Bucks in NBA Finals opener
PHEONIX, United States (AFP) — Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo will start for the Milwaukee Bucks against Phoenix in their NBA Finals opener Tuesday, the Bucks announced barely 30 minutes before tip off. The 26-year-old Greek forward suffered a hyperextended left knee last week in a playoff loss to Atlanta and missed Milwaukee’s past two games, both wins to reach the team’s first NBA Finals since 1974. “We have a lot of confidence […]
NBA issues Beverley one-game ban for knocking down Paul
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley was suspended one game without pay by the NBA on Saturday for knocking down Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul in a playoff loss. Beverley was banned for unsportsmanlike shoving Paul from behind onto the court during a stoppage in play with 5:49 remaining in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s 130-103 Suns’ victory over the host Clippers. Paul’s Suns advanced to the NBA Finals […]
NBA star Doncic leads Slovenia into Tokyo Olympics
PARIS, France (AFP) — NBA star Luka Doncic delivered a triple-double to lead Slovenia over Lithuania 96-85 on Sunday and into their first Olympic basketball tournament. Slovenia punched their ticket to Tokyo with the victory in the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in Kaunas, Lithuania. Doncic, 22, scored 15 of his 31 points in the second quarter and added 11 rebounds and 13 assists to lead Slovenia. Lithuania, led by NBA stalwarts Domantas Sabonis and Jonas […]
Japan PM warns of closed-door Olympics as virus cases rise
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japan’s prime minister warned that the Tokyo Olympics could be held behind closed doors, as virus cases rise in the city just three weeks before the Games begin. Organizers decided last month to set a limit of 10,000 fans or half of each venue’s capacity for events at the pandemic-postponed Games. But Yoshihide Suga repeated cautions that spectators could be locked out of competitions if the situation worsens, with the government […]
Giannis-less Bucks roll over Hawks to take 3-2 series lead
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Milwaukee Bucks showed they are more than a one-man show, using a balanced attack on Thursday to beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-112 in game five of the Eastern Conference finals. Brook Lopez had 33 points, Jrue Holiday had 25 points and 13 assists and Khris Middleton finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds for the Bucks, who grabbed a 3-2 series lead and are one win away reaching […]
Breastfeeding athletes can bring children to Tokyo: organizers
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Breastfeeding athletes will be allowed to bring children to the Tokyo Olympics “when necessary”, organizers have announced, after criticism from mothers over tough rules on bringing family to the Games. The clarification was welcomed by some athletes as a relief, but US football star Alex Morgan slammed organizers for keeping her in the dark about the criteria. Athletes’ families are banned from attending the pandemic-postponed Games, under anti-virus rules that organizers […]
LeBron’s days on Team USA likely done says Colangelo
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — NBA superstar LeBron James has probably played his final game for the United States national team, according to USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo. James, a 36-year-old playmaker for the Los Angeles Lakers, is a two-time Olympic gold medal winner and four-time NBA champion, but he has opted out of the past two Olympic cycles. “Father Time takes its toll,” Colangelo said of James on ESPN on Wednesday. “If […]
Giannis injured as Hawks down Bucks to level series
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a knee injury as the Milwaukee Bucks slumped to a series-leveling defeat against the Atlanta Hawks in their NBA Eastern Conference finals clash on Tuesday. An all-round offensive effort from the Hawks secured a 110-88 victory at the State Farm Arena to square the best-of-seven series at 2-2. Lou Williams, starting in place of the injured Trae Young, led the scoring with 21 points for Atlanta […]
Serena ‘heartbroken’ over Wimbledon exit
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Seven-time champion Serena Williams said she was “heartbroken” to have retired injured from her first round Wimbledon match on Tuesday. “I was heartbroken to have to withdraw today after injuring my right leg,” she said in a statement posted on her Instagram account. The 39-year-old was leading 3-1 in the first set against Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus when she slipped and had to have her right leg examined. She returned […]
George keeps Clippers alive as Suns downed
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Paul George scored 41 points as the Los Angeles Clippers kept their NBA Western Conference finals series alive with a battling 116-102 road victory over the Phoenix Suns on Monday. With the Suns poised to clinch a series victory in front of an expectant home crowd, George once again put the Clippers on his back to stave off elimination from the postseason. The Clippers talisman exploded for 20 points […]