Sports

Celtics’ Tatum, Jazz’ Mitchell land rich extensions – reports

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Utah’s Donovan Mitchell landed lucrative extensions to their NBA rookie deals, US media reported Sunday on the second day of the league’s free agency negotiating period. The Salt Lake City-based Deseret News was among the outlets reporting that all-star guard Mitchell had agreed a five-year contract extension worth a guaranteed $163 million with the Jazz. The deal has escalators that could bring Mitchell’s five-year total […]

Thompson out for season after torn Achilles: Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson is expected to miss the entire 2020-2021 NBA season after suffering a torn right Achilles tendon, the team announced on Thursday. Thompson — who missed all of last season after a knee injury sustained in the 2019 NBA Finals — had limped out of a workout on Wednesday with an injury to his right leg. An MRI scan early Thursday confirmed Thompson’s season-ending […]

Timberwolves take Edwards first overall in NBA draft

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves made University of Georgia standout Anthony Edwards the first overall selection in the 2020 NBA draft on Wednesday. The Timberwolves, who finished 19-45 in the coronavirus-disrupted 2020 season, opted for Edwards, who averaged 19 points per game as a freshman, to bolster a roster that includes young stars Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell. The 2020 draft comes barely four weeks after LeBron James and the Los […]

Warriors sharp-shooter Thompson injured in workout

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson suffered a leg injury during a workout on Wednesday, the NBA team confirmed without elaborating. News that Thompson was hurt trickled out in US sports media, with few details available apart from the fact that it was a lower leg injury. “We will provide further updates as appropriate,” the Warriors said in a brief statement. Thompson, 30, was scheduled to return in the […]

Phoenix rising for Paul in Thunder trade

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Ten-time All-Star Chris Paul is set to join the Phoenix Suns from the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of a blockbuster deal that sends four players and a draft pick the other way, reports said on Monday. ESPN reported that Paul and team-mate Adel Nader would head to the Suns in exchange for Kelly Oubre, Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome and Jalen Lecque. Oklahoma City would also receive a 2022 […]

NBA approves 2020-21 season deal

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — The NBA’s board of governors formally approved a deal for a shortened 2020-2021 season on Tuesday, with the new campaign tipping off on December 22. An NBA statement said the league’s board unanimously approved adjustments to the current collective bargaining agreement, which has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The statement said the league would continue to negotiate with the National Basketball Players Association on other aspects of the […]

Ronaldo still positive for coronavirus before Barcelona game

  TURIN, Italy (AFP) — Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive again for coronavirus on the eve of Juventus’s Champions League clash against his great rival Lionel Messi’s Barcelona, according to media reports in Italy and Portugal. Portuguese TVI reported that Ronaldo “has once against tested positive for Covid-19” following a swab carried out by Juventus. The 35-year-old is now awaiting the result of a UEFA test which, if also positive, would rule him out of […]

Tyronn Lue agrees to become next coach of LA Clippers: reports

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Tyronn Lue, who coached the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA title, has agreed to become the next head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, according to multiple reports Thursday. ESPN and USA Today reported that Lue has agreed to replace Doc Rivers, who parted ways with the Clippers just over two weeks ago, with ESPN saying the deal was for five years. Lue, 43, served as the lead […]

Amid heartache of defeat, Butler grateful for Miami home

ORLANDO, United States (AFP) — After a sometimes rocky path through the NBA, Jimmy Butler found a home in Miami, and the Heat’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals doesn’t change that. “Just the bond that this group built,” Butler said of what he’ll treasure from the season with the Heat — including some three months in the NBA’s quarantine bubble in Orlando, Florida. “I wouldn’t give that back for the […]

Lakers’ LeBron James named NBA Finals MVP

ORLANDO, United States (AFP) — LeBron James was named Most Valuable Player of the 2020 NBA Finals after powering the Los Angeles Lakers to their 17th championship with a victory over the Miami Heat. It’s the fourth time in four championship runs that James has captured MVP honors, after he did so with Miami in 2012 and 2013 and with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. © Agence France-Presse

LA Lakers crush Miami Heat to capture 17th NBA title

ORLANDO, United States (AFP) — A Los Angeles Lakers team led by superstar LeBron James dominated the Miami Heat 106-93 on Sunday to win a record-equalling 17th NBA championship but their first in a decade. James added another chapter to an epic career, fueling the Lakers with a triple-double of 28 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists and capturing his fourth NBA title with a third different team, as well as earning NBA Finals Most […]

LeBron not thinking about legacy as Lakers chase NBA title

ORLANDO, United States (AFP) — LeBron James says he is not thinking about his basketball legacy as he closes in on a fourth NBA Finals victory with the Los Angeles Lakers here Friday. James is within touching distance of yet another championship as the Lakers head into game five in Orlando with a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven series against the Miami Heat. But while a fourth championship ring is certain to stir debate about […]