Sports — International

Hayward shines as Hornets hand Nets first loss of NBA season

by Rebecca BRYAN LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Gordon Hayward scored 28 points as the Charlotte Hornets cooled off red-hot Brooklyn, handing the Nets their first defeat of the young NBA season 106-104 on Sunday. Terry Rozier — Hayward’s former teammate in Boston — added 19 points and P.J. Washington chipped in 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Hornets, who held the Nets to 42.7% shooting. “Unbelievable win for us,” said Hayward, who […]

Durant, Nets open NBA season with rout of Warriors

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Kevin Durant’s long awaited Brooklyn Nets debut didn’t disappoint Tuesday, the two-time NBA Finals MVP teaming seamlessly with Kyrie Irving in a 125-99 opening day blowout over the Golden State Warriors. Durant hadn’t played since suffering a devastating torn Achilles tendon playing for the Warriors against Toronto in game five of the championship series on June 10, 2019. He was still recovering from surgery when he bolted for the […]

Former MVP Durant ready to ride, at last, with Nets

by Rebecca BRYAN NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Kevin Durant says the quality of his Brooklyn Nets teammates promises him a “smooth ride” in his return from an 18-month NBA absence in the wake of a devastating torn Achilles tendon. The return of one of the NBA’s most formidable scoring threats, the league Most Valuable Player in 2014 and a two-time NBA Finals MVP with the Golden State Warriors — has sparked excitement among […]

Hornets’ Hayward has broken finger on shooting hand

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward has a fracture at the base of his right little finger and will miss at least one pre-season game, the NBA team said Wednesday. The Hornets said Hayward will be listed as day-to-day, indicating the injury on his shooting hand won’t require surgery. Hayward was hurt in the team’s pre-season loss to the Toronto Raptors on Monday. A statement from the club described it as […]

James, Davis make pre-season bow as Lakers edge Suns

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James and Anthony Davis eased into the NBA’s pre-season on Wednesday as the Los Angeles Lakers scored a 112-107 victory over the Phoenix Suns. James, who barely two months ago led the Lakers to their NBA Finals triumph in Orlando, bagged 11 points with two rebounds and two assists during 15 first half minutes in Phoenix. Davis added 10 points with four rebounds in 18 minutes on court. […]

Antetokounmpo agrees record five-year deal with Bucks

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo ended speculation about his future on Tuesday after agreeing a new long-term deal reported to be the biggest in NBA history. Antetokounmpo, who would have been able to enter free agency next year, said in a statement on Twitter he had agreed a five-year deal with the Bucks. “This is my home, this is my city,” the 26-year-old two-time NBA MVP said. “I’m blessed […]

NBA scoring machine Durant shines in unofficial Nets debut

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Kevin Durant scored 15 points Sunday on his unofficial Brooklyn Nets’ debut, 552 days since his last appearance on a court when he tore his Achilles tendon. Durant, arguably the best player in the NBA at the time of his injury, spent his downtime in rehabilitation watching Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo claim two most valuable player awards and LeBron James capture his fourth NBA championship. The Nets are Durant’s new […]

James, Davis to skip NBA preseason opener: report

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James and Anthony Davis will sit out the Los Angeles Lakers’ first exhibition game following the shortest off season in National Basketball Association history, the US media reported Thursday. The Lakers face the Los Angeles Clippers in the first of four exhibition games ahead of the 2020-21 season but Friday’s contest won’t include the star duo, head coach Frank Vogel told reporters at practice on Thursday. The 35-year-old […]

Clippers ink extension with forward Paul George

LOS ANGELES, United States ( AFP) — The Los Angeles Clippers will be keeping Paul George in his Southern California home for four more years, signing the veteran NBA forward to a contract extension reportedly worth up to $226 million. “As a kid growing up in Southern California, I always dreamed of playing in Los Angeles, where my friends and family could come watch me play,” George said in a statement. “I am proud to […]

Harden joins Rockets with Silas confident of success

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Three-time reigning NBA scoring champion James Harden reported to the Houston Rockets training camp Tuesday with coach Stephen Silas confident he can build a successful relationship with the superstar guard. Harden was tested for Covid-19 as part of the NBA’s safety protocol and could practice with the Rockets ahead of their pre-season opener on Friday at Chicago. “That’s pretty much all I know,” Silas said. “Him getting tested in Houston […]

Mayweather to stage exhibition against YouTuber Logan Paul

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Floyd Mayweather announced Sunday he is set for an exhibition boxing match against popular YouTube personality Logan Paul at an undetermined venue early next year. No details were released about the former boxing champion’s latest exhibition, other than it would be held on February 20. The 43-year-old Mayweather has not had a serious boxing match since fighting Andre Berto in 2015, the same year he battled Filipino champion Manny […]

Davis agrees to five-year deal with Lakers, report

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Los Angeles Lakers are poised to sign Anthony Davis to a five-year contract worth tens of millions of dollars just one day after they locked up superstar LeBron James with a two-year extension, the US media reported Thursday. Davis’ contract is worth $190 million and it comes on the heels of his first season in Los Angeles where he combined with James to lead the Lakers to their […]