Sports — International

Toronto Raptors beat Golden State to capture NBA title

OAKLAND, United States (AFP) — The Toronto Raptors captured their first NBA crown on Thursday, defeating Golden State 114-110 to become the first league champion from outside the United States by dethroning the defending titleholders. Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam each scored 26 points while Kawhi Leonard and reserve Fred VanVleet each added 22 as Toronto won the best-of-seven series four games to two. The Raptors became the first Canadian club to win a major […]

Blues beat Bruins in seven to capture first NHL championship

LOS ANGELES, CA (AFP)  — Goaltender Jordan Binnington made 32 stops as the St. Louis Blues captured their first Stanley Cup in franchise history with a 4-1 game seven win over Boston that capped a storybook season. Captain Alex Pietrangelo and Conn Smythe Trophy winner Ryan O’Reilly each had a goal and an assist as an improbable Blues turnaround saw them go from the worst team in the NHL in early January to claim their first championship […]

Family tragedy taught Kawhi to enjoy life and hoops

by Jim SLATER OAKLAND, United States (AFP) — After coping with the trauma of his father’s murder as a 16-year-old, Kawhi Leonard has no difficulty putting basketball in its proper perspective. On Thursday, the Toronto Raptors star will try to lead the Canadian franchise to their first NBA Finals crown, and the first for any team from outside the United States, with victory in game six at Golden State. Leonard’s 31.1 points a game in […]

Warriors set for emotional NBA Finals showdown with Raptors

by Jim SLATER OAKLAND, United States (AFP) — Playing for injured star Kevin Durant in a farewell to the arena when they became a dynasty, the Golden State Warriors are set for an emotional NBA Finals showdown Thursday against Toronto. The Raptors own a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven championship series despite a 106-105 loss Monday in which Durant ruptured his right Achilles tendon in his first game back after missing a month with a […]

Trail Blazers guard Lillard wins NBA Citizenship Award

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, a seven-year NBA veteran, was named Wednesday as this year’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award winner by the Professional Basketball Writers Association. The media panel annually awards the honor, named for a former NBA commissioner, to an NBA player, coach or trainer showing outstanding community service and dedication. Lillard was given the award for his work within supporting and inspiring high school students […]

Durant’s shock injury exit stuns NBA Finals rivals

by Jim SLATER TORONTO, Canada (AFP) — When Golden State star Kevin Durant went down 12 minutes into his long-awaited comeback game Monday in the NBA Finals, players on both sides were stunned. Durant, the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, suffered a right Achilles tendon injury in the Warriors’ 106-105 victory over Toronto, trimming the Raptors’ lead to 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. “It was a real shock when he went down,” […]

JUST IN: Warriors edge Raptors to keep NBA title hopes alive

TORONTO, Canada (AFP) — Stephen Curry scored 31 points and Klay Thompson added 26 as the defending champion Golden State Warriors edged Toronto 106-105 Monday to sustain their hopes of winning the NBA Finals. The Warriors pulled within 3-2 in the best-of-seven championship series and forced a sixth game Thursday at Oakland, California, with game seven if needed back in Toronto on Sunday. On a night when Warriors star Kevin Durant returned from a right […]

Harden, Davis among NBA stars set for USA World Cup camp

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — NBA scoring champion James Harden and star center Anthony Davis were among 20 players named Monday by USA Basketball to its national team camp for this year’s Basketball World Cup. The two-time defending champion Americans seek a third consecutive crown and a berth in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the global showdown August 31-September 15 in China. Harden averaged 36.1 points a game for the Houston Rockets last season […]

Durant’s return for Warriors in NBA Finals was a short one

TORONTO, Canada (AFP) — Golden State star forward Kevin Durant left Monday’s fifth game of the NBA Finals against Toronto with what appeared to be a reaggravation of the same right calf injury that had kept hinm sidelined for a month. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Durant, the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, had been medically cleared to play after missing nine games with the injury. Durant sparked Golden State immediately, scoring […]

Durant will return for Warriors against Raptors in NBA Finals

TORONTO, Canada (AFP) — Golden State star forward Kevin Durant will play in Monday’s fifth game of the NBA Finals, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said, ending his nine-game layoff with a right calf injury. The 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player has been sidelined for more than a month as the defending NBA champions have been taken to the brink of defeat by the Toronto Raptors, who lead the best-of-seven series 3-1. Durant […]

NBA star Tony Parker announces retirement

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Former San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker confirmed his retirement from basketball on Monday after 18 seasons in the NBA. The 37-year-old French international, who won four NBA titles with the Spurs between 2003 and 2014 announced his decision in a post on Twitter. “It’s with a lot of emotion that I retire from basketball, it was an incredible journey!” Parker wrote. “Even in my wildest dreams, I never […]

Former Red Sox star David Ortiz shot in ambush at Dominican Republic bar

  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Former Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was ambushed by a man who got off a motorcycle and shot him in the back at close range Sunday night in his native Dominican Republic, authorities said. Dominican National Police Director Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte said Ortiz was at the Dial Bar and Lounge in Santo Domingo around 8:50 p.m. when the gunman approached from behind and shot him. Ortiz […]