Sports — International

Late touchdown lifts Steelers over Titans

LOS ANGELES, Nov 3, 2023 (AFP) – Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett found Diontae Johnson with a three-yard touchdown pass with 4:02 remaining Thursday to give the Steelers a 20-16 NFL victory over the Tennessee Titans. Johnson’s first TD catch since the 2021 season capped a 92-yard drive kept going by two third-down conversions and gave the Steelers the lead for good in a back-and-forth battle in Pittsburgh. “It was 655 days since I’d scored,” Johnson […]

Unleashed Harden ‘excited’ for title chance with NBA Clippers

James Harden joined the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday, far later than he wanted but still excited for the chance to win an NBA title with his long-suffering hometown club. The 34-year-old superstar guard, who was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this week, said he plans to make his Clippers debut on Monday when they play at New York. “I’m happy I’m here,” Harden said. “I’m excited to show how good individually and how […]

Djokovic return win, Medvedev loses cool and Zverev grinds through

PARIS, Nov 1, 2023 (AFP) – Novak Djokovic returned to the court on Wednesday, cruising past Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-3, 6-2 and strengthening his hold on top spot in the rankings after his two closest rivals both lost at the Paris Masters. Second seed Carlos Alcaraz tumbled out against qualifier Roman Safiullin late the previous evening and earlier on Wednesday, Daniil Medvedev, seeded third, threw another Paris tantrum as he lost 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 […]

Nuggets mauled by Timberwolves, Celtics stay unbeaten

LOS ANGELES, Nov 2, 2023 (AFP) – The defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets crashed to their first defeat of the season in an upset 110-89 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, while Boston extended their unbeaten start with a brutal thrashing of Indiana. Denver began the season in imperious form, building to a 4-0 start, but were stopped in their tracks after a dominant performance from the Timberwolves at Minneapolis’s Target Center. Anthony Edwards […]

Texas Rangers capture first World Series title

LOS ANGELES, Nov 2, 2023 (AFP) – The Texas Rangers captured the World Series for the first time in the team’s 63-year history on Wednesday, defeating Arizona 5-0 to complete a historic playoff championship run. Marcus Semien’s two-run home run, a run-scoring Mitch Garver single and a pivotal ninth-inning Diamondbacks error produced the runs that enabled Texas to win Major League Baseball’s best-of-seven final by 4-1. “It’s just emotional,” Semien said. “Everything I have ever […]

Jokic triple as Nuggets stay perfect, Curry shines in Warriors win

By Rob Woollard LOS ANGELES, Oct 31, 2023 (AFP) – Nikola Jokic bagged the 107th triple double of his career as the Denver Nuggets extended their unbeaten start to the season with a 110-102 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday. Serbian star Jokic finished with 27 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in another dominant performance by the reigning NBA champions, who made it four wins out of four after leading virtually from start […]

Celtics beat Heat while Wembanyama gets first NBA win

WASHINGTON, Oct 28, 2023 (AFP) – Derrick White put up 28 points as the Boston Celtics beat rivals Miami 119-111 on Friday while NBA Draft top pick Victor Wembanyama starred in his first win for the San Antonio Spurs. Jayson Tatum scored 22 points and Jaylen Brown contributed 27 in a strong all-around display from Boston, with all five starters in double figures as the Celtics won their home opener, a rematch of last year’s […]

Saudi gamer prince announces eSports World Cup

RIYADH, Oct 23, 2023 (AFP) – Saudi Arabia said on Monday it would organise an eSports World Cup starting next year, the latest boost to a sector Riyadh hopes will create tens of thousands of local jobs. “The eSports World Cup is the natural next step in Saudi Arabia’s journey to become the premier global hub for gaming and eSports,” the Gulf kingdom’s de facto ruler, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, said in a statement. Prince […]

LeBron eyes return to summit as 21st NBA season beckons

By Rob Woollard LOS ANGELES, Oct 23, 2023 (AFP) – LeBron James heads into 21st season in the NBA hungrier than ever as he looks to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a record-breaking 18th championship. James, 38, finished last season in a downbeat mood, hinting at possible retirement after the Lakers were comprehensively beaten by the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference finals. But a summer of rest and a reloaded roster has left […]

Lillard and Giannis unite to make Bucks an NBA title threat

MILWAUKEE, Oct 23, 2023 (AFP) – Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, two of the NBA’s top scorers, have united into a dynamic duo that make the Milwaukee Bucks a formidable threat for the 2024 NBA title. The Bucks obtained seven-time All-Star guard Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers last month and united him with seven-time All-Star center Antetokounmpo to create a powerful inside-outside combination along the lines of legends Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. “Having […]

Djokovic to open 2024 at United Cup, but no Nadal

SYDNEY, Oct 20, 2023 (AFP) – World number one Novak Djokovic will open his 2024 season at the mixed teams United Cup in Australia, but injury-plagued Rafael Nadal was not on the Spain team announced Friday. Djokovic will spearhead Serbia at the tournament from December 29-January 7 in Sydney and Perth as he builds towards the defence of his Australian Open title. Nadal was part of the Spain team in 2023 before injuring his hip […]

76ers’ James Harden’s absence raises questions ahead of season opener

WASHINGTON, Oct 19, 2023 (AFP) – James Harden missed Philadelphia 76ers practice for a second consecutive day on Thursday for what the NBA club called personal reasons, leaving his status in doubt for next week’s season opener. Harden, a 34-year-old guard who has won three NBA scoring titles and took his second NBA assists crown last season, has not played in the pre-season for the Sixers. Harden has been at odds with 76ers team president […]