LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Kyrie Irving led by example Friday, scoring 20 of his 38 points in the third quarter as his Boston Celtics defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 122-116. Irving, coming off a 27-point, 18-assist performance in a win over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, added 11 assists and seven rebounds as the Celtics won their second straight in the wake of a three-game skid. Over his last two games, Irving has averaged […]
Sports — International
Sharapova says revenge not behind Wozniacki Open upset
by Neil SANDS Agence France Presse MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Maria Sharapova denied revenge was a motivating factor behind her shock win over defending Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki on Friday. The five-time Grand Slam winner dumped the Dane from the tournament in a three-set thriller 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to claim her biggest scalp since completing a drugs ban in 2017. At the time, world number three Wozniacki was an outspoken critic of the way […]
Siakam bounces in winner as Raptors edge Suns
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Pascal Siakam banked in the winning shot at the final buzzer as the Toronto Raptors won their eighth consecutive home game with a 111-109 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. Siakam’s basket, which was upheld by a video review, bounced off the backboard and went in after Suns’ Mikal Bridges had tied it 109-109 with 13 seconds to go. “I just wanted to take the last shot, whatever […]
Pacquiao ready for Broner in Las Vegas return
by Rob Woollard Agence France Presse LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Manny Pacquiao is aiming to offer fresh evidence that life begins at 40 when the Filipino veteran takes on Adrien Broner on Saturday in his first fight in Las Vegas for more than two years. Pacquiao, who celebrated his 40th birthday last month with a lavish birthday party in the Philippines, defends his WBA regular welterweight crown against Broner at the MGM Grand […]
Griffin fined over ref spat
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin was fined $15,000 on Thursday following a clash with a game official earlier this week, the NBA announced. Griffin was caught hurling an expletive at a member of the officiating crew during Detroit’s 100-94 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday. “Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin has been fined $15,000 for verbal abuse of a game official,” a statement said. Former Los Angeles Clippers […]
Kanter’s assassination fears taken seriously by NBA: Silver
by Steven GRIFFITHS Agence France Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver insisted he takes the issue of player safety “very seriously” following New York Knicks star Enes Kanter’s decision to miss his team’s game in London amid fears he would be killed for his political views. Turkey-born Kanter was due to play for the Knicks against the Washington Wizards in the NBA’s annual regular-season showcase at London’s O2 Arena on Thursday. […]
Sharapova claims underdog status against Wozniacki
MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Maria Sharapova has declared herself the underdog in her blockbuster third round clash with Australian Open defending champion Caroline Wozniacki, despite having five Grand Slam titles to the Dane’s one. Sharapova has struggled since returning from a drugs ban in 2017 and is seeded 30th at the tournament, while Wozniacki is third seed after claiming her maiden major at Melbourne Park last year. But the 31-year-old Russian has been in sizzling […]
James misses Lakers road trip, to return to practice next week
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James will miss at least two more games as he recovers from a groin injury but has been cleared to resume practice next week, the Los Angeles Lakers said Wednesday. James has not played for the Lakers since limping out of his team’s December 25 victory over the Golden State Warriors last month at the Staples Center. Since then the Lakers’ form has nosedived, with the Western Conference […]
Warriors score record 51 points in 1st quarter in win over Nuggets
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The reigning champion Golden State Warriors amassed an NBA record 51 first-quarter points Tuesday on the way to a 142-111 win over Denver in a duel for the Western Conference lead. The Warriors moved half a game ahead of the Nuggets atop the West, seizing control with a blistering opening period that included 10 three-pointers — a franchise record for a first quarter. They broke the previous league record […]
Sixers crush Timberwolves in Butler’s first clash with former team
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Philadelphia forward Jimmy Butler’s first game against his former team was no contest Tuesday as the 76ers destroyed the Minnesota Timberwolves 149-107. Sixers center Joel Embiid scored 31 points and pulled down 13 rebounds and guard Ben Simmons fell just shy of a triple-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in an NBA clash that Philadelphia controlled from start to finish. The Sixers scored 83 points in […]
James takes part in shoot-around on eve of medical exam
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James took part in the team’s shoot-around on Tuesday, a day before he was due for another evaluation of the groin injury that has sidelined him since December 25. “He didn’t do the up-and-down stuff,” Lakers coach Luke Walton said. “He did the half-court shooting and passing.” James, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, was to miss his 11th game when the Lakers hosted […]
Japan Olympic chief denies corruption allegations
by Natsuko Fukue Agence France Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — The head of Japan’s Olympic Committee Tuesday denied involvement in a suspect payment made before Tokyo was awarded the 2020 Games, while apologizing for any possible impact on the hosting of the event. French investigating magistrates have indicted Tsunekazu Takeda as they probe two payments of 2.8 million Singapore dollars ($2.1 million) made before the Japanese capital was chosen to host the Olympics. During […]