Sports — International

Trump acolyte Kari Lake loses Arizona governor race

  Los Angeles, United States | AFP | by Huw GRIFFITH Donald Trump loyalist and prominent election denier Kari Lake has lost her bid to be governor of Arizona, US networks projected Monday, rounding out a difficult week for the former president as he readies a new run for the White House. Lake, a former TV anchor, had been seen as one of Trump’s most reliable picks heading into the midterm elections, but her defeat […]

Djokovic to get visa for 2023 Australian Open: reports

Sydney, Australia | AFP | Former world number one Novak Djokovic will be granted a visa to play in the 2023 Australian Open tennis Grand Slam tournament, local media reports said Tuesday, despite his deportation from the country in January. The Australian government had decided to grant the unvaccinated Serb a visa, overturning a three-year ban after his ejection from the country, said national broadcaster ABC and other media. Australia’s immigration ministry and Tennis Australia […]

Celtics down Thunder to stretch NBA win streak to seven

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Jayson Tatum scored 27 points and Jaylen Brown added 26 to lead the Boston Celtics over Oklahoma City 126-122 on Monday, stretching their NBA win streak to seven games. Marcus Smart added 22 points, Al Horford had 12 points and 11 rebounds and Tatum also contributed 10 rebounds as the Celtics improved to 11-3 on the season while the Thunder fell to 6-8. The Celtics, down by seven at halftime […]

Embiid’s 59 points lead Sixers past Jazz, Garland’s 51 not enough for Cavs

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Joel Embiid scored 59 points to carry the Philadelphia 76ers to a 105-98 victory over Utah on Sunday, just one of two 50-point performances that lit up the NBA night. Cleveland guard Darius Garland scored 27 of his 51 points in the fourth quarter, but his heroics weren’t enough to prevent the Cavaliers from surrendering their first defeat on their home floor, 129-124 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Embiid’s epic […]

US livid as basketball star Griner moved to Russian penal colony

  Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russia is moving US basketball star Brittney Griner to a penal colony after she lost an appeal against a drug conviction, her lawyers said Wednesday, drawing a sharp rebuke from the White House. Griner, who has been jailed for nine years for possession of a small quantity of cannabis oil, was transferred out of a detention centre on November 4, her legal team said. She “is now on her […]

NBA’s Nets suspend Irving at least five games in anti-semitism furore

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — The Brooklyn Nets suspended Kyrie Irving for at least five games on Thursday, saying they were “dismayed” by the NBA star’s response after he was criticized for posting a link to anti-semitic material. The Nets said in a statement they had made repeated efforts over the past several days to work with Irving on the issue to “help him understand the harm and danger of his words and actions, […]

Nadal stunned by Paul at Paris Masters as Alcaraz cruises

Rafael Nadal crashed out of the Paris Masters in the second round on Wednesday after losing in three sets to American Tommy Paul, boosting Carlos Alcaraz’s hopes of finishing the year as world number one. Nadal was playing his first singles match in two months after a short break at home in Mallorca with his wife and newborn son. The 22-time Grand Slam champion shook off an early break in the opening set by winning […]

Brooklyn Nets slump again after Nash sacking

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Zach LaVine produced a fourth-quarter scoring blitz as the Chicago Bulls piled on the misery for the crisis-hit Brooklyn Nets with a 108-99 win on Tuesday. A tumultuous day that began with Brooklyn’s sacking of head coach Steve Nash ended with the Nets blowing a 12-point third-quarter lead as Chicago surged to victory at the Barclays Center. Interim coach Jacque Vaughn took over on the sidelines for the Nets, […]

Nets hold off Pacers for second win of NBA season, Bucks march on

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Kevin Durant scored 36 points on a milestone night Monday to help the Brooklyn Nets fend off the Indiana Pacers 116-109 — claiming a badly needed second win of the NBA season. As the Nets ended a four-game slide, the Milwaukee Bucks remained the only unbeaten team in the league, improving to 6-0 with a hard-fought 110-108 victory over the Detroit Pistons. The Bucks, led by 31 points from […]

Lakers beat Denver for first triumph of NBA season

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James scored a game-high 26 points and the Los Angeles Lakers became the last NBA team to win a game this season, defeating Denver 121-110 on Sunday. Anthony Davis added 23 points and 15 rebounds while Russell Westbrook came off the bench to contribute 18 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as the host Lakers improved to 1-5 by ending their futility run. “We needed this one,” Davis […]

Lakers woes continue, Giannis sparks Bucks over Nets

by Rob Woollard Agence France-Presse LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Los Angeles Lakers’ miserable start to the season continued on Wednesday as the winless NBA giants crashed to a fourth straight defeat against the Denver Nuggets. Nikoka Jokic scored 31 points and hauled down 13 rebounds in a 110-99 win for Denver that left the Lakers rooted to the foot of the Western Conference standings at 0-4. LeBron James finished with 19 points […]

Booker sparks Suns over Warriors as Thompson ejected

by Rob Woollard Agence France-Presse LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Devin Booker scored 34 points as the Phoenix Suns overpowered Golden State 134-105 in a hard-fought clash that saw Warriors star Klay Thompson ejected for the first time in his career. Booker produced another 30-point scoring exhibition for the third straight game as the Suns laid down an early marker against the defending NBA champions. The 25-year-old Phoenix talisman was also at the center […]