Sports — International

Aussie Simmons scores triple double to power Sixers past Clippers

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Australia’s Ben Simmons delivered his sixth triple-double of the season as the Philadelphia 76ers won their 25th home game with a 110-103 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday. Simmons, of Melbourne, finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists and American center Joel Embiid had 26 points and nine rebounds for the Sixers, who extended their win streak to three straight. Embiid shook off some boos […]

Woods weighs in on golf’s distance dilemma

by Rebecca BRYAN LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Tiger Woods says “bifurcation” in the rules of golf to allow recreational players to use different equipment from professionals should be considered in the quest to curb ever-increasing hitting distance in the game. “It’s on the table whether we bifurcate or not,” Woods said, noting that differing equipment rules could keep the game more enjoyable for the less-skilled while still limiting the distance professionals could hit […]

James, Durant, Curry in US basketball Olympic pool

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James and injured superstars Steph Curry and Kevin Durant were named on Monday in a 44-strong pool of players in contention for spots on the United States Olympic basketball team. A statement from USA Basketball named three-time Olympic champion James and Los Angeles Lakers team-mate Anthony Davis in the player group, which will eventually be whittled down to a 12-man roster. “This is the first step in USA […]

Number one defense in NBA smothers Magic; Bucks win 112-95

By Robert Beltran EBC Florida Bureau ORLANDO, Fla. (Eagle News) – The number one defense, Milwaukee Bucks proved to be too much for the Orlando Magic, defeating them 112-95. The Bucks out-rebounded the Magic 52 to 36 and held them to only 37.8% field goal shooting and 25% from beyond the arc. “You know overall, I think the defense for four quarters to hold them to 95 is what we want to do. We had […]

Walker scores 27 as Celtics win seventh straight

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Kemba Walker scored 27 points and hit a pair of clutch three-pointers late in the game as the Boston Celtics stretched their winning streak to seven games with a 112-111 win over Oklahoma City. Walker hit two threes from almost the exact same spot in the final three minutes to seal the win for Boston in front of a crowd of 18,200 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. With the […]

Clippers land Morris for playoff push at NBA trade deadline

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Los Angeles Clippers, pushing to improve at Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, obtained power forward Marcus Morris from New York on a busy day of dealmaking for league clubs. Trade information was all from multiple media reports as clubs worked to make deals involving several teams or decided not to change the roster with just over two months remaining until the playoffs. The Clippers, powered by 2019 NBA Finals […]

Howard returns to Slam Dunk event at NBA All-Star Game

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Former Slam Dunk Contest champion Dwight Howard, NBA All-Stars Damian Lillard and Trae Young and Toronto’s Pascal Siakam are highlight entrants into the All-Star Saturday Night festivities announced Tuesday by the league. The 35th Slam Dunk event, 34th 3-Point Contest, and 17th NBA Skills Challenge will top festivities on February 15 in Chicago on the eve of the 69th NBA All-Star Game. Eight-time All-Star Howard, who returns to the […]

Brooklyn Nets lose Irving for a week with knee sprain

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Brooklyn Nets star guard Kyrie Irving will be sidelined for at least a week after an MRI exam Sunday revealed the extent of a right knee injury, the NBA club announced. Irving suffered a medial ligament sprain in his right knee, the MRI revealed, sidelining him until a scheduled re-evaluation in one week. The injury came in the fourth quarter of Brooklyn’s 113-107 loss Saturday at Washington. Irving became […]

Westbrook, Lowry highlight NBA reserves

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Oklahoma City’s Chris Paul and Houston’s Russell Westbrook, who were traded for each other in the offseason, highlight the reserves for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game next month in Chicago. Paul will be making his 10th appearance and Westbrook his ninth as they are two of seven reserves added from the Western Conference, the league announced on Thursday. They are joined by Portland’s Damian Lillard, who is making his […]

Mavs’ Doncic sidelined again with ankle injury

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic injured his right ankle again in practice Thursday and will miss the NBA team’s Friday game against the Houston Rockets, coach Rick Carlisle said. Carlisle said Doncic wouldn’t make the trip to Houston and would undergo an MRI exam. He offered no further details on the severity of the injury. “We obviously hope it’s not serious,” Carlisle said, “but don’t know.” The 20-year-old Slovenian […]

Vanessa Bryant says ‘completely devastated’ by death of Kobe and daughter

by Greg Heakes LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) –Vanessa Bryant spoke out Wednesday for the first time since her husband Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna were killed in a horrific helicopter crash, saying the family is “completely devastated” by the tragedy. Vanessa, who married Kobe in 2001 when she was still a teenager, took to Instagram to communicate her grief but said she was at a loss for words. “We are completely devastated by the […]

StubHub to donate fees from Lakers game to Bryant family foundation

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — As prices soared for the Los Angeles Lakers’ first NBA game since the death of team icon Kobe Bryant, StubHub said it would donate all fees from sales on the ticket marketplace site to the Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation. The Lakers host the Portland Trail Blazers at the Staples Center on Friday night. Their scheduled Tuesday game against the Los Angeles Clippers had been canceled in the […]