Sports — International

Kevin Durant guides red-hot Nets past Raptors

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Kevin Durant scored 31 points to post his 10th consecutive game of 20 or more points, as the Brooklyn Nets routed the host Toronto Raptors 116-103 on Sunday. Durant also had seven rebounds and seven assists, as Brooklyn won their fifth straight game in front of a crowd of 19,800 at Scotiabank Arena. “Our defense was there when we needed it to be,” Durant said. “We got stops and […]

SEA Games in Vietnam rescheduled for May 2022

HANOI, Vietnam (AFP) — The Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam, postponed this year due to the pandemic, will be held in May 2022, the country’s Olympic Committee said Friday. The regional Olympics were scheduled to take place in Hanoi and 11 other locations in Vietnam from November 21 to December 2. But a devastating wave of coronavirus which hit many of the provinces due to be hosting Games events forced the postponement. The event will […]

Lowry, Heat too hot for Mavericks

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Kyle Lowry put on an exhibition of three-point shooting as the Miami Heat outgunned Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks 125-110 on the road in Texas on Tuesday. Miami star Lowry made six of nine from three-point range to finish with 22 points as the Heat improved to 6-1 to move to the top of the Eastern Conference. Lowry’s virtuoso performance from beyond the arc was complemented by impressive […]

Davis injury scare for Lakers, Warriors stay unbeaten

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Los Angeles Lakers overcame the absence of LeBron James and an injury scare to Anthony Davis on Tuesday to beat the San Antonio Spurs in overtime as the Golden State Warriors extended their unbeaten start to the season. Lakers star Davis finished with 35 points, 17 rebounds and four assists while Russell Westbrook weighed in with 33 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a 125-121 win over […]

Mature’ Hornets beat Brooklyn for third straight win

LOS ANGELES, United States(AFP) — Miles Bridges scored a team-high 32 points as the Charlotte Hornets won their third straight to spoil the Brooklyn Nets’ home debut with a 111-95 win on Sunday. Charlotte, who trailed by eight points at halftime, shook off a slow start by outscoring the Nets 61-37 in the second half. The Hornets are 3-0 and off to their best-ever start to a season. “That just shows where our growth is,” […]

Michael Jordan sneakers sell for nearly $1.5 million, an auction record

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — A pair of sneakers worn by NBA superstar Michael Jordan early in his career sold for nearly $1.5 million on Sunday, setting a record price at auction for game-worn footwear, Sotheby’s said. The red-and-white shoes were worn by the iconic player in the fifth game of his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, and Nike’s Jordan-affiliated brand quickly became a sensation both on and off the court. “The most […]

Antetokounmpo leads Bucks in Nets blowout, LeBron’s Lakers stumble

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 32 points as the Milwaukee Bucks launched the defence of their NBA crown on Tuesday with a 127-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, as LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were outgunned by the Golden State Warriors. Antetokounmpo picked up where he left off in guiding the Bucks to victory in the NBA Finals last season, leading an emphatic all-round offensive display that included 14 […]

Around 96% NBA players vaccinated against Covid-19: Silver

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Monday that around 96% players in the league have now been vaccinated against Covid-19 despite union opposition to a league-wide mandate. Speaking to reporters on the eve of the new NBA season, which tips off on Tuesday, Silver said the number of vaccinated player had increased and was expected to go higher after the season starts. “Roughly 96% of our players are vaccinated, and […]

Rejuvenated LeBron, Lakers eye return to NBA summit

by Rob Woollard LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers launch their bid to return to the summit of the NBA on Tuesday with a new roster and a rejuvenated mindset after a badly needed first full off-season in two years. A year ago, James had only just finished leading the Lakers to their 16th NBA championship with a 4-2 series victory over the Miami Heat after a grueling […]

NBA star Irving ‘doing what’s best for me’ in declining Covid vaccine

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving says he’s “doing what’s best for me” in declining a Covid-19 vaccine, a move that will see him sidelined from NBA play. Irving addressed the issue on Instagram Live on Wednesday, confirming that he hoped to be back on the floor with teammates eventually. But he said he would not bow to pressure to be vaccinated, while insisting he was neither anti- nor pro-vaccines. […]

Nash says Nets don’t expect Irving for NBA home games

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash said the NBA team understands that star guard Kyrie Irving won’t be unavailable for home games because he remains unvaccinated for Covid-19. A vaccination mandate by New York City means Irving may not play in home games unless he receives the injection. Similar regulations would keep the seven-time All-Star out in road games at San Francisco, Los Angeles and against the New York Knicks […]

US Open champ Raducanu loses opening match at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, United States (AFP) — Emma Raducanu crashed out of the WTA Indian Wells tournament in the second round on Friday, losing 6-2, 6-4 to Aliaksandra Sasnovich in her first match since her stunning US Open triumph in September. On September 11, the British 18-year-old shocked the tennis world at Flushing Meadows by becoming the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title. But on Friday, she looked rusty in her first match since […]