Sports — International

LeBron James breaks NBA all-time points-scoring record

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James finally eclipsed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the most prolific scorer in NBA history on Tuesday, breaking a 39-year record that many throughout basketball believed would never be beaten. The Los Angeles Lakers star, playing in his 20th season in the NBA, passed Abdul-Jabbar’s longstanding total of 38,387 points after nailing a 21-foot shot late in the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder. James flung his arms aloft in […]

Pelicans down Lakers, James 36 points from NBA record, Curry hurt in Warriors win

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The New Orleans Pelicans snapped a 10-game losing streak with a 131-121 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, even as Lakers superstar LeBron James crept closer to the NBA all-time scoring record. Brandon Ingram shook off a scoreless first quarter to lead the Pelicans with 35 points. CJ McCollum added 23 and Trey Murphy added 21 as New Orleans turned the tide against a Lakers team that […]

James, Davis lead Lakers rally, two ejected as Cavs down Grizzlies

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James continued to close in on the NBA’s all-time scoring record as the Los Angeles Lakers pulled out a thrilling 112-111 victory over Indiana on Thursday. James, who entered the game needing 89 points to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the league’s all-time leading scorer, put up 26 points. He now needs 63 to surpass Abdul-Jabbar — who has held the record since before James was born. The Lakers […]

Saudi Arabia captures cycling in sports charm offensive

by Jacques KLOPP Agence France-Presse AL-ULA, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Cycling is the newest gem in Saudi Arabia’s expanding collection of sporting jewels as the conservative Gulf monarchy and its neighbors invest hugely in sport to burnish their international image and diversify their economies. This week’s Saudi Tour is the first of three stage races in the Arabian Peninsula in February, with competitions also scheduled in Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Among the riders […]

NFL superstar Brady announces ‘retiring for good’

Record-breaking NFL quarterback Tom Brady announced on Wednesday that he was “retiring for good” at the age of 45, one year after reversing his decision to quit the sport. Brady, whose Tampa Bay Buccaneers team lost in the wildcard round of the NFL playoffs last month, made his announcement in a social media video. “Good morning, I’ll get to the point right away: I’m retiring for good,” Brady said, sitting by a beach. Brady won […]

‘Matter of time’ before scoring record falls says LeBron

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — LeBron James said Tuesday it’s only a “matter of time” before he passes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the greatest scorer in NBA history after edging closer to the long-standing NBA record. James’ 28-point triple-double in the Los Angeles Lakers’ win over the New York Knicks means the 38-year-old superstar needs just 89 more points to eclipse Abdul-Jabbar’s mark of 38,387. At his current rate of scoring, James is on target […]

Banchero sparks Magic over Sixers, Doncic 53 routs Pistons

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Paolo Banchero led a second-half fightback as the Orlando Magic overturned a 21-point deficit to upset the Philadelphia 76ers 119-109 on Monday. Banchero, the number one pick in last year’s draft, scored 29 points from 11-of-22 shooting with nine rebounds and three assists to give Orlando another notable win after last week’s defeat of league-leading Boston. In other games across the NBA on Monday, Luka Doncic returned from injury […]

Ryan Reynolds says Wrexham football adventure is ‘greatest experience’

WREXHAM, United Kingdom (AFP) – Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds has hailed his involvement with non-league side Wrexham as the “greatest experience” of his life after he jetted in to watch his team in the FA Cup. Reynolds and fellow actor Rob McElhenney took over the National League side in 2020 and Reynolds spoke of his affection for the club ahead of their fourth-round match against Sheffield United at the Racecourse Ground on Sunday. “Genuinely speaking it […]

Lakers’ James, Davis ruled out of Monday clash with Nets

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) – Los Angeles Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis will sit out Monday’s NBA game against the Nets in Brooklyn, the Lakers announced on Sunday. On the first night of back-to-back games, James will be held out with a sore left ankle, the Lakers said on their injury report. Davis, recently returned from a 20-game absence with a stress injury in his right foot, will be sidelined as the team […]

Djokovic defies controversy to surge into Australian Open final

Melbourne, Australia | AFP | Friday 1/27/2023 by Martin PARRY Novak Djokovic put aside the controversy surrounding his father to surge into a 10th Australian Open final Friday and close in on a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam crown. Only Stefanos Tsitsipas stands in his way after the Serb romped past unseeded American Tommy Paul 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. Another title on Sunday will move Djokovic alongside Rafael Nadal with 22 […]

‘I’m my own psychologist’: Sabalenka tames her inner tiger

by Daniel HICKS Agence France-Presse Melbourne, Australia (AFP) — A year ago, Aryna Sabalenka’s serve was in pieces and she was having to scrape through fraught battles in Australia as her fragile emotions were laid painfully bare. Now she stands on the brink of a major breakthrough after finally reaching a Grand Slam final at the fourth attempt. The 24-year-old Belarusian will face Elena Rybakina on Saturday in the final of the Australian Open knowing […]

James masterpiece in vain as Clippers sink Lakers

MIAMI, United States (AFP) – LeBron James took another stride towards the NBA’s all-time scoring record with a dazzling 46-point performance but could not stop the Los Angeles Lakers falling to a 133-115 blowout against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday. The 38-year-old basketball icon rolled back the years with the latest in a string of virtuoso performances, draining a career-best nine three-pointers in what was ultimately a futile effort against a Clippers side led by […]