Sports — International

Cavs’ Thompson fined $15,000 for ‘gesture’ toward fan

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Cleveland center Tristan Thompson has been fined $15,000 for his “inappropriate gesture” toward a fan after the Cavaliers’ 99-97 victory over the Nets in Brooklyn, the NBA said Thursday. Thompson raised his middle finger toward hecklers Monday as he left the court immediately after the final buzzer. He had scored 19 points and 14 rebounds, and denied Spencer Dinwiddie’s attempt at a potential game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer. “Cleveland […]

Red-hot Curry carries Warriors over Cavs

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Stephen Curry scored 42 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 129-105 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday in an NBA Finals rematch in name only. Curry drained nine three-pointers and Kevin Durant added 25 points on nine of 16 shooting as the Warriors pulled away in the second half against a Cleveland team that bears little resemblance to the LeBron James-led Cavs that battled the […]

Noah signs for Grizzlies

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Free agent Joakim Noah signed for the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday for the remainder of the season, the team announced. The 33-year-old former NBA defensive player of the year joins Memphis after being waived by the New York Knicks in the preseason. Noah was left out in the cold at the Knicks last season after a bust-up with coach Jeff Hornacek. He was placed on indefinite leave from the […]

Canadian boxer Stevenson suffered ‘severe traumatic brain injury’: hospital

MONTREAL, Canada (AFP) — Canadian boxer Adonis Stevenson suffered a “severe traumatic brain injury” and remains in intensive care, his doctors said Wednesday, days after the fighter lost his World Boxing Council light heavyweight title to Ukrainian Oleksandr Gvozdyk. The 41-year-old underwent surgery after the Saturday fight, and “his situation is still stable under the circumstances, but critical,” said doctor Alexis Turgeon. Turgeon noted that Stevenson requires “mechanical respiratory assistance, deep sedation and specialized neurological […]

Serena, Nadal and Murray all confirmed for Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Serena Williams will make her return to the Australian Open for the first time since winning in 2017 when eight-weeks pregnant, it was confirmed Wednesday, with virtually all the world’s top 100 players due at Melbourne Park. That includes injury-prone Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. Williams returned from giving birth to her first child to reach the 2018 Wimbledon and US Open finals, but suffered upset losses in both to leave […]

Curry leads charge as Warriors cruise past Hawks

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson combined for 85 points as the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors used a balanced offense to roll over the Atlanta Hawks 128-111 on Monday. Curry was playing just his second game after missing 11 contests with a groin injury. That meant in order to keep all their big guns happy, the Warriors needed to spread the offense around. Curry finished with […]

Mavs topple Clippers, Lakers ease past Suns

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The short-handed Dallas Mavericks denied the Los Angeles Clippers a fifth straight NBA victory Sunday, dropping the Clippers from first place in the Western Conference with a 114-110 win. Harrison Barnes scored 30 points to lead the Mavericks, who were without star rookie Luka Doncic. But DeAndre Jordan, playing his first game against his former team, chipped in 16 points and 23 rebounds for Dallas, who notched a fourth […]

Westbrook ties Kidd for third-most NBA triple-doubles

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook posted the 107th triple-double of his NBA career on Wednesday to tie Jason Kidd for third on the league’s all-time list. Westbrook scored 23 points, pulled down 19 rebounds and handed out 15 assists in a 100-83 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was the third time this season he notched a “triple-double” — by reaching double digits in three key statistical […]

Cavaliers reportedly trade guard Korver to Utah Jazz

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Veteran sharpshooting guard Kyle Korver is headed back to the Utah Jazz after being traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers, US media reported on Wednesday. Korver, who helped the Cavaliers reach the last two NBA Finals, has been traded for Alec Burks and two future second-round draft picks, The Salt Lake Tribune, the Akron Beacon Journal and other outlets reported. Korver, 37, arrived in Cleveland in January of 2017 in […]

Warriors’ injured star Curry to return in Detroit: coach

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry will make his return from injury against the Pistons in Detroit on Saturday, coach Steve Kerr said Wednesday. Kerr ruled Curry out of the two-time defending champions’ marquee matchup against the league-leading Raptors in Toronto on Thursday, despite the fact that Curry himself is “dying to play”. He said Curry, recovering from a left groin strain suffered in a loss to Milwaukee on […]

Wizards overcome Harden’s 54 points to beat Rockets

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — John Wall scored six of his 36 points in overtime as the Washington Wizards outlasted the Houston Rockets 135-131 in overtime on Monday despite James Harden’s season-high 54 points. Bradley Beal equalled his season-best with 32 points and Markieff Morris finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Wall had two baskets in the extra period and dished out 11 assists. Harden scored 12 points in the first quarter, 11 […]