Sports — International

Hamilton wins chaotic Baku battle to lead title race

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AFP) — Defending world champion Lewis Hamilton claimed his first win of 2018 on Sunday and took over as leader of the title race when he triumphed in a dramatic, crash-strewn Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The 33-year-old Briton, who had struggled for outright pace, managed to steer his Mercedes through a chaotic race and capitalize on others’ misfortunes to register his first victory in seven races and the 63rd of his career. Sebastian Vettel […]

Harden scores 41 as Rockets blast past Jazz in series opener

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — James Harden scored 41 points as the Houston Rockets dominated the Utah Jazz 110-96 on Sunday in the opening game of their NBA Western Conference second-round playoff series. The Rockets, owners of the best record in the regular season, were in control throughout, connecting on 17 of 32 three-point attempts and leading by as many as 27 over a Jazz team that eliminated Oklahoma City on Sunday in the […]

James scores 45 as Cleveland advance in NBA playoffs

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James scored 45 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 105-101 game seven victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday and into the second round of the NBA playoffs. Facing elimination in the first round for the first time, James produced his third 40-point game of the series. He added nine rebounds, seven assists, and four steals and got solid support from his teammates as Cleveland booked […]

Shaquem Griffin becomes first one-handed NFL draft in history

    LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Shaquem Griffin’s odds-defying football journey is set to continue after the linebacker who lost one hand at the age of four was drafted Saturday by the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks chose Griffin in the fifth round (141st overall), making him the first one-handed player ever selected in National Football League entry draft. Getting picked was a dream come true for Griffin as he joins his twin brother, Shaquill […]

Celtics win game seven to oust Bucks from NBA playoffs

  LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Terry Rozier and Al Horford scored 26 points each as the Boston Celtics routed the Milwaukee Bucks 112-96 in game seven to book their spot in the second round of the NBA playoffs. The Celtics’ victory in Saturday’s deciding game was their fourth win at the Boston Garden as the home teams won all seven games in the Eastern Conference series. “We got it done that is the most […]

Pacers rout Cavaliers to force game seven

  LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Victor Oladipo delivered a triple double as the Indiana Pacers crushed the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-87 on Friday to force a game seven in their Eastern Conference playoff series. Oladipo finished with 28 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his first playoff triple double as the Pacers levelled the series at 3-3 in front of a crowd of 17,900 in Indianapolis. They will get a chance to advance to […]

Raptors advance with win over Wizards

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The Toronto Raptors punched their ticket to the second round of the NBA playoffs on Friday with a 102-92 victory over the Washington Wizards. The Raptors notched the first road win of the Eastern Conference first-round series to eliminate the Wizards four games to two. Kyle Lowry scored 24 points to lead the Raptors, who trailed by five going into the fourth quarter but outscored the flagging Wizards 29-14 in the […]

Bucks beat Celtics to stay alive in NBA playoffs

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points to lead Milwaukee to a 97-86 victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday that kept the Bucks alive in the NBA playoffs. With the victory, Milwaukee forced a winner-take-all game seven on Saturday in the Eastern Conference first-round series. “We said as a team before the game that we’re going to play hard, that we’re going to win this game no matter what. Our […]

Curry could return for Warriors on Saturday

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry could return from month-long injury absence on Saturday, when his reigning champion Golden State Warriors open a second-round playoff series against the New Orleans Pelicans. Warriors coach Steve Kerr was cautiously optimistic after Curry went through a full contact practice on Thursday for the first time since spraining a ligament in his right knee on March 23. “Steph practiced at 100 percent, […]

NBA confirms James’ big block on Oladipo was goaltending

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James’ crucial block of Victor Oladipo’s layup in the waning seconds of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ NBA playoff win over the Indiana Pacers was illegal goaltending, the league acknowledged Thursday. In its Last Two Minute Report on officiating in the late stages of Wednesday’s games, the NBA said video taken from above the basket “shows that James blocks Oladipo’s shot attempt after it makes contact with the backboard.” That’s […]

George H.W. Bush recovering in hospital: office

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Former US President George H.W. Bush, admitted to the hospital shortly after the funeral of his beloved wife, has been moved out of intensive care, his office said on Wednesday. Bush, 93, is feeling “good” and focused on the Houston Rockets’ Wednesday night National Basketball Association playoff game, a statement from his office said. The 41st president was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital on Sunday morning, the day after the […]

Durant steers Warriors past Spurs, Sixers advance

OAKLAND, United States (AFP) — Kevin Durant scored 25 points as the Golden State Warriors powered into the Western Conference playoff semi-finals with a 4-1 series victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. The reigning NBA champions, jolted by the Spurs in game four on Sunday, booked their place in the next round with a nervy 99-91 win in front of the home fans at the Oracle Arena. The Warriors will now face the […]