Sports

Durant scores season-high 42 as Nets roll over Pacers

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Kevin Durant scored a season-high 42 points and dished out 10 assists as the first-place Brooklyn Nets won their fourth straight game with a 130-113 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis. Durant scored 22 points in the third quarter as the Nets closed out Thursday’s contest with a 17-7 run and improved to 43-20 with the victory at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Injuries have taken a toll on Brooklyn’s […]

NBA bans Celtics guard Smart one game for referee threat

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart was suspended one game without pay by the NBA on Wednesday for using threatening language to a referee in a Tuesday loss to Oklahoma City. The incidents came during and after the visiting Thunder defeated Boston 119-115, snapping a 14-game losing streak for Oklahoma City. Smart went 4-of-17 from the floor in scoring 14 points and was whistled for a technical foul in the […]

Mayweather to fight YouTube star Logan Paul on June 6

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Former world welterweight king Floyd Mayweather said Tuesday he will face off against YouTube personality Logan Paul in an exhibition bout at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on June 6. “Logan Paul and I are going to fight at Hard Rock Stadium. Mayweather Promotions, Fanmio and Showtime will team up to give you an epic event,” Mayweather wrote on Instagram. A separate post from Mayweather Promotions billed the contest as […]

Booker, Paul shine as Suns halt Knicks win streak

by Rob Woollard LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Devin Booker scored 33 points as the Phoenix Suns snapped the New York Knicks’ nine-game winning streak with a come-from-behind 118-110 victory at Madison Square Garden on Monday. The Suns roared back to life after trailing by 15 points in the first half, outscoring the in-form Knicks by 31-23 in the decisive fourth quarter to complete victory by an eight-point margin. Mikal Bridges added 21 points […]

Durant returns to power first-place Nets past Phoenix

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Kevin Durant scored 33 points in his return from a three-game injury absence as the Brooklyn Nets solidified their hold on first place in the NBA Eastern Conference with a 128-119 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Durant came off the bench early in the second quarter and showed little rust after being out with a thigh injury. In 28 minutes of playing time, Durant shot 12-of-21 from the floor […]

Antetokounmpo leads Bucks past Sixers, Davis looks rusty in return

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 27 points, 16 rebounds and six assists as the Milwaukee Bucks avoided a third consecutive loss with a 124-117 win over the under-manned Philadelphia 76ers. Khris Middleton added 24 points, Bobby Portis had 23 and Brook Lopez 16 for the Bucks, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Jrue Holiday had 12 points and 11 assists for the Bucks, who improved to 36-22 on the season. Milwaukee […]

Nuggets’ Murray has surgery to repair torn knee ligament

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray had surgery to repair a torn left knee ligament and remains out indefinitely, the NBA team said Wednesday. The 24-year-old Canadian tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on April 12 in the Nuggets’ loss to the Golden State Warriors. Just seconds from the end of the contest his knee buckled as he drove to the basket and he collapsed to the […]

Lakers forward Davis expects to return against Mavericks

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP)Los Angeles Lakers star forward Anthony Davis expects to make his NBA return on Thursday after a nine-week injury absence. Davis told reporters in a virtual press conference that he felt “100%” after recovering from a right calf strain and tendinosis. As long as he continued to feel fine after practice on Wednesday, Davis said, he was ready to return. Davis, an eight-time All-Star who teamed with LeBron James to lead […]

Former MMA star Ronda Rousey expecting first child

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Ronda Rousey, who followed Olympic judo bronze with a stellar mixed martial arts career, is expecting her first child with husband Travis Browne. Rousey revealed in a YouTube video on Wednesday that she’s four months pregnant. “I can’t hide it anymore, so it’s time to show it off,” she said with a laugh as Browne gave her a kiss and a hug. It was part of a video that […]

Harden injury setback, out ‘indefinitely’: Nets

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Brooklyn Nets star James Harden has suffered an injury setback during his recovery from a hamstring strain and faces an indefinite layoff, the team announced on Tuesday. A statement from the Nets said Harden’s injury had flared up during an on-court rehab session on Monday. “Following an evaluation today which included an MRI, Harden will remain out indefinitely,” the team said. “Updates regarding his status will be provided as […]

Curry hot streak continues as Warriors down Sixers

by Rob Woollard LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Steph Curry extended his scoring streak with an electrifying 49-point display as the Golden State Warriors upset the Philadelphia 76ers 107-96 on Monday. Curry, who scored 47 points in a defeat to Boston on Saturday, bagged his 11th straight game with 30 points or more to give the Warriors a crucial victory in their fight for a playoff berth. It was another spellbinding performance from the […]

Adebayo’s step-back jumper at buzzer propels Heat to win over Nets

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Bam Adebayo hit a thrilling game winner at the buzzer on Sunday to lift the Miami Heat to a 109-107 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who lost superstar Kevin Durant to another injury. American Adebayo nailed a step-back 14 footer from the baseline as the Heat snapped a three-game losing skid. Both teams were short-handed with the Heat playing without Jimmy Butler (sprained ankle) and the Nets already without […]