Sports — International

Alcaraz makes winning return to reach Argentina quarters

Buenos Aires, Argentina (AFP) — Carlos Alcaraz made a winning return to tennis after a four-month injury absence on Wednesday, defeating Serbia’s Laslo Djere to advance to the quarter-finals of the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires. The 19-year-old Spaniard showed signs of ring-rustiness during a two-hour battle on the Court Guillermo Vilas before sealing a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 victory against Djere, the world number 57. World number two Alcaraz, who will play another Serb, Dusan […]

Blockbuster Durant to Suns deal tops busy NBA trade deadline

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Kevin Durant’s blockbuster move from Brooklyn to Phoenix turned the Suns into a major title contender and sparked a flurry of NBA trade deadline deals Thursday by roster-boosting rivals. The 34-year-old superstar joined Suns All-Star guards Chris Paul and Devin Booker plus Bahamian center Deandre Ayton, the top pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, to create what might be the NBA’s most powerful lineup. Phoenix sent four first-round NBA Draft […]

Lakers acquiring Russell in three-team deal that sends Westbrook to Jazz: reports

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Los Angeles Lakers are poised to trade Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz in a three-team deal that will bring Minnesota’s D’Angelo Russell to the Lakers, US media reported on Wednesday. ESPN reported that the Lakers will also land Minnesota’s Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt while the Timberwolves will receive Jazz guards Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker as well as draft picks. The Jazz will receive Westbrook along […]

LeBron James: The man who would be King

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James, blessed with unparalleled basketball skills, exceptional longevity and unafraid to use the platform of NBA superstardom, has forged a unique destiny in his quest to be the best player of all time. For twenty years, more than half his life, the player dubbed The Chosen One by Sports Illustrated when he was still in high school has embraced excellence. Now the top scorer in NBA history after […]

LeBron James breaks NBA all-time points-scoring record

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James finally eclipsed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the most prolific scorer in NBA history on Tuesday, breaking a 39-year record that many throughout basketball believed would never be beaten. The Los Angeles Lakers star, playing in his 20th season in the NBA, passed Abdul-Jabbar’s longstanding total of 38,387 points after nailing a 21-foot shot late in the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder. James flung his arms aloft in […]

Pelicans down Lakers, James 36 points from NBA record, Curry hurt in Warriors win

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The New Orleans Pelicans snapped a 10-game losing streak with a 131-121 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, even as Lakers superstar LeBron James crept closer to the NBA all-time scoring record. Brandon Ingram shook off a scoreless first quarter to lead the Pelicans with 35 points. CJ McCollum added 23 and Trey Murphy added 21 as New Orleans turned the tide against a Lakers team that […]

James, Davis lead Lakers rally, two ejected as Cavs down Grizzlies

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James continued to close in on the NBA’s all-time scoring record as the Los Angeles Lakers pulled out a thrilling 112-111 victory over Indiana on Thursday. James, who entered the game needing 89 points to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the league’s all-time leading scorer, put up 26 points. He now needs 63 to surpass Abdul-Jabbar — who has held the record since before James was born. The Lakers […]

Saudi Arabia captures cycling in sports charm offensive

by Jacques KLOPP Agence France-Presse AL-ULA, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Cycling is the newest gem in Saudi Arabia’s expanding collection of sporting jewels as the conservative Gulf monarchy and its neighbors invest hugely in sport to burnish their international image and diversify their economies. This week’s Saudi Tour is the first of three stage races in the Arabian Peninsula in February, with competitions also scheduled in Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Among the riders […]

NFL superstar Brady announces ‘retiring for good’

Record-breaking NFL quarterback Tom Brady announced on Wednesday that he was “retiring for good” at the age of 45, one year after reversing his decision to quit the sport. Brady, whose Tampa Bay Buccaneers team lost in the wildcard round of the NFL playoffs last month, made his announcement in a social media video. “Good morning, I’ll get to the point right away: I’m retiring for good,” Brady said, sitting by a beach. Brady won […]

‘Matter of time’ before scoring record falls says LeBron

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — LeBron James said Tuesday it’s only a “matter of time” before he passes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the greatest scorer in NBA history after edging closer to the long-standing NBA record. James’ 28-point triple-double in the Los Angeles Lakers’ win over the New York Knicks means the 38-year-old superstar needs just 89 more points to eclipse Abdul-Jabbar’s mark of 38,387. At his current rate of scoring, James is on target […]

Banchero sparks Magic over Sixers, Doncic 53 routs Pistons

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Paolo Banchero led a second-half fightback as the Orlando Magic overturned a 21-point deficit to upset the Philadelphia 76ers 119-109 on Monday. Banchero, the number one pick in last year’s draft, scored 29 points from 11-of-22 shooting with nine rebounds and three assists to give Orlando another notable win after last week’s defeat of league-leading Boston. In other games across the NBA on Monday, Luka Doncic returned from injury […]

Ryan Reynolds says Wrexham football adventure is ‘greatest experience’

WREXHAM, United Kingdom (AFP) – Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds has hailed his involvement with non-league side Wrexham as the “greatest experience” of his life after he jetted in to watch his team in the FA Cup. Reynolds and fellow actor Rob McElhenney took over the National League side in 2020 and Reynolds spoke of his affection for the club ahead of their fourth-round match against Sheffield United at the Racecourse Ground on Sunday. “Genuinely speaking it […]