Sports — International

NBA-worst Cavs cut ties with Smith in post-LeBron revamp

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — J.R. Smith, who helped the Cleveland Cavaliers win the 2016 NBA title, will no longer play for the league-worst Cavs as they try to rebuild after losing superstar LeBron James. The Cavaliers announced that Smith, a 33-year-old guard, “will no longer be with the team as the organization works with JR and his representation regarding his future.” The move comes hours after the release of an interview with Smith by […]

NBA star Durant fined $25k for harsh words to heckler

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for an obscenity-laced response to a heckler during a loss Saturday at Dallas. The violation, technically, for directing inappropriate language toward a fan, took place with 61 seconds remaining in the first quarter of the Mavericks’ 112-109 victory over the reigning NBA champions. A cell phone video of the confrontation obtained by TMZ Sports showed […]

Embiid leads 76ers win, Westbrook falls in NBA return

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Joel Embiid scored 33 points and grabbed 17 rebounds to power Philadelphia over the Phoenix Suns 119-114 on Monday, keeping the 76ers the NBA’s only unbeaten team at home. The 24-year-old Cameroonian 7-footer made 12-of-23 shots from the floor and added three steals as the Sixers improved to 9-0 at home and 12-7 overall despite trailing 62-57 at half-time. “It was good,” Embiid said. “We can’t be taking possessions off. […]

Pacquiao, Roach at loggerheads over reunion

by Rob Woollard Agence France Presse LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao said Tuesday he hopes to be reunited with long-time trainer Freddie Roach for his January bout against Adrien Broner but admitted he had not spoken to the veteran cornerman about renewing their partnership. Pacquiao ended a 16-year association with Roach ahead of his victory over Lucas Matthyse in Kuala Lumpur in July, breaking up one of boxing’s most […]

UFC to open ‘world’s largest MMA center’ in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, China (AFP) — UFC made a major play for the potentially huge Chinese market on Tuesday, saying it will invest $13 million to open the world’s largest MMA training and development base in Shanghai. Performance Institute Shanghai will open in mid-2019 and help nurture the next generation of Chinese mixed martial arts fighters, the United States-based UFC said. The announcement was made four days ahead of UFC’s first event in Beijing — last year […]

NBA fines Heat’s Richardson for tossing shoe into stands

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Monday for throwing one of his shoes into the stands during a game. The incident took place with 6:31 remaining in the fourth quarter of Miami’s 113-97 home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. Richardson was assessed a technical foul and ejected from the game for the violation. It was the first ejection in four […]

Pacquiao teases Mayweather rematch after January bout

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Filipino veteran Manny Pacquiao revealed Monday he has spoken with Floyd Mayweather about a possible sequel to their 2015 superfight, but said no decision would be taken on a rematch until the New Year. Speaking in New York to confirm details of his January 19 fight against Adrien Broner, Pacquiao said he had discussed a rematch with Mayweather during a recent trip to Japan. “When I met up with […]

Pacquiao, Broner bout confirmed for January 19

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Filipino veteran Manny Pacquiao confirmed Monday he will defend his WBA world welterweight crown against Adrien Broner in Las Vegas on January 19, ending a two-year absence from the ring in the United States. At a press conference in New York, officials confirmed that Pacquaio, 39, will clash with Broner at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Pacquiao holds the World Boxing Association’s regular welterweight crown, a step below US […]

Djokovic sets sights on 2019 after ‘phenomenal season’

  by John WEAVER Agence France-Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Novak Djokovic set his sights on the Australian Open on Sunday after a painful defeat in the ATP Finals at the hands of Alexander Zverev took some of the gloss off an incredible season. The Serbian world number one looked unbeatable heading into Sunday’s final, winning all four of his matches in London in straight sets and not dropping serve once. But his 21-year-old […]

James scores 51 points against former team as Lakers beat Heat

MIAMI, United States (AFP) — LeBron James returned to Miami for the first time as a Los Angeles Laker Sunday, dropping 51 points on his former team in a 113-97 NBA victory over the Heat. James, who led the Heat to four NBA Finals appearances and two titles before returning to his hometown club Cleveland, made it look easy from the opening tipoff, scoring 19 points in the first quarter on the way to a […]

Warriors’ Green sidelined with toe sprain

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Golden State Warriors said Draymond Green will sit out his team’s Saturday clash with the Mavericks in Dallas due to a sprained toe rather than because of any lingering effects of his spat with teammate Kevin Durant. Green missed two games last week against Milwaukee and Brooklyn after hurting a toe on his right foot against Memphis. “We decided to give him some time off,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr […]

76ers beat Hornets despite Walker’s 60, Mavs shock Warriors

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Philadelphia’s Jimmy Butler delivered the overtime dagger as the 76ers withstood 60 points from Kemba Walker in a 122-119 NBA victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday. Another nail-biter saw the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors drop a 112-109 decision to the Mavericks in Dallas. Slovenian rookie Luka Doncic scored 24 points, including the jump shot that put Dallas ahead for good with 1:10 remaining. The Warriors, missing […]