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 […]
Sports
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 […]
Wuhan football team land in Spain despite virus fears
MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Chinese football team Wuhan Zall were allowed to enter Spain on Wednesday for a training camp near Malaga, despite fears of spreading the coronavirus. The virus broke out in December in Wuhan in central China and has already killed 132 people and infected 5,974 in the country’s mainland. Yet Wuhan Zall, who play in the Chinese Super League, have been given permission to land in southern Spain, where they have […]
Super Rugby to monitor air quality in new season
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) Super Rugby on Wednesday announced it will monitor air quality at venues and cancel games if smoke from Australia’s unprecedented bushfires presents a safety risk. The tournament’s organizing body SANZAAR, said a panel of experts would look into any troubling forecasts, Air Quality Index or particulate readings and other warning signs and make recommendations about games going ahead. The ultimate decision to cancel a match will lie with SANZAAR’s executive committee, the body’s […]
‘Heartbroken, devastated’ LeBron vows to continue Kobe legacy
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — NBA superstar LeBron James said Monday he was “heartbroken and devastated” over the death of Kobe Bryant, vowing in an Instagram post to continue Bryant’s legacy with the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant, a five-time NBA champion in 20 seasons with the Lakers, died Sunday at age 41 in a helicopter crash only hours after Lakers star James overtook him for third on the league’s all-time scoring list. “I’m heartbroken […]
‘Warrior’ Kobe among handful of NBA’s greatest legends
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Kobe Bryant combined rare shooting skills, a tireless work ethic, fierce competitiveness, mental toughness and creativity to become one of the NBA’s greatest players, according to his fellow basketball legends. Bryant, who died on Sunday aged 41 in a helicopter crash, was recalled as an iconic figure on and off the court who inspired younger players and delighted fans worldwide, embracing a global audience that adored him. “He was […]





