Sports — International

NBA to wait 2-4 weeks before deciding on return: reports

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — NBA commissioner Adam Silver will study coronavirus outbreak and testing developments for another two to four weeks before the league decides about a return to competition, according to multiple reports. The timetable, shared in a conference call between Silver and club owners, was the first indication about when the league might return from the coronavirus shutdown that began March 12, The Athletic and ESPN reported. “Health is number 1. […]

Smash hit Jordan documentary fills TV void for NBA fans

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — A new Michael Jordan television documentary has become a smash hit for NBA fans whose hope of watching the playoffs these days was scuttled by the coronavirus pandemic. “The Last Dance” details the career of the NBA legend who led the Chicago Bulls to six titles in the 1990s, with editions three and four of the 10-part saga telecast on Sunday. It was the top ESPN telecast in the […]

Japan virus expert ‘pessimistic’ Olympics can be held in 2021

by Sara HUSSEIN Agence France Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — A Japanese expert who has criticised the country’s response to the coronavirus warned Monday that he is “pessimistic” that the postponed Olympics can be held even in 2021. “To be honest with you I don’t think the Olympics is likely to be held next year,” said Kentaro Iwata, a professor of infectious diseases at Kobe University. Japan and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) agreed last […]

Celtics’ Brown pens message of unity amid COVID-19 crisis

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown urged people to “come together” amid the coronavirus pandemic, even as he used an essay in The Guardian to point out that the virus has highlighted inequality in America. Noting that more than 30,000 have died from COVID-19 in the United States — it was 40,000 by Sunday afternoon — the Georgia native added that of “those heart-wrenching numbers, the percentage of African Americans […]

Hemmed in by sofa instead of hills, Dumoulin takes on Amstel in living room

Paris, France (AFP) — Former Giro d’Italia cycling champion Tom Dumoulin took on the Amstel Gold Race on Sunday, hemmed in by his sofa rather than the one-day classic’s standout lung-busting hills. A virtual version of the race took place with amateurs testing themselves against Dutch ace Dumoulin and other professionals over a 26km section of the race. Sunday’s real Amstel Gold was postponed due to the coronavirus to be replaced by an online version. […]

Celtics’ Brown pens message of unity amid COVID-19 crisis

Los Angeles, United States (AFP) — Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown urged people to “come together” amid the coronavirus pandemic, even as he used an essay in The Guardian to point out that the virus has highlighted inequality in America. Noting that more than 30,000 have died from COVID-19 in the United States — it was 40,000 by Sunday afternoon — the Georgia native added that of “those heart-wrenching numbers, the percentage of African Americans […]

Mother of Timberwolves’ Towns dies after virus battle

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Jacqueline Towns, mother of Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns, died Monday of complications of the coronavirus, the NBA team announced. “Jackie, as she was affectionately known among family and friends, had been battling the virus for more than a month when she succumbed on April 13th,” the Timberwolves said in a statement released on Monday. “Jackie was many things to many people — a wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, […]

Rockets’ Westbrook donates 650 computers to needy kids

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Houston Rockets star guard Russell Westbrook has donated 650 computers to children who need the devices with schools shut down because of COVID-19. Westbrook’s Why Not? Foundation teamed with non-profit Comp-U-Dopt to provide computers to children who might other not have access to them. “The generous gift from the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation will allow us to significantly increase our inventory and ensure we can continue to close […]

James hopes Lakers can eventually rekindle their revival season

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James says the abrupt shutdown of the NBA season due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic has left the Los Angeles Lakers feeling like they still have something to prove. The Lakers were in the midst of a revival season, having made the playoffs for the first time in seven years, when the league suspended the 2019-20 season on March 11 after Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. At […]

Blazers’ Lillard wants playoff shot should NBA resume

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — If and when the NBA resumes the 2019-20 season shut down in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, Portland star Damian Lillard wants the Trail Blazers to have a chance to play their way into the post-season. NBA commissioner Adam Silver said this week that the league is considering multiple scenarios for finishing out a season that was halted on March 11 after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested […]

NBA star Antetokounmpo donates masks to Greek city

ATHENS, Greece (AFP) — Greek basketball star Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers donated 10,000 surgical masks to the Athens suburb of Zografou on Wednesday to help fight the coronavirus outbreak. “The municipality of Zografou wants to express its great gratitude to the Antetokounmpo family for offering 10,000 masks to the residents of the city as a measure of protection against the COVID-19 virus,” a statement from the municipality said. The gesture from the family, “in […]

Silver: No NBA decisions likely until May

by Rebecca BRYAN LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says he thinks it will be at least May before any decision can be made about the resumption of the 2019-20 season that was shut down amid the coronavirus pandemic. “Essentially, what I’ve told my folks over the last week is that we just should just accept that, at least for the month of April, we won’t be in a position to […]