Sports — International

Clippers ink extension with forward Paul George

LOS ANGELES, United States ( AFP) — The Los Angeles Clippers will be keeping Paul George in his Southern California home for four more years, signing the veteran NBA forward to a contract extension reportedly worth up to $226 million. “As a kid growing up in Southern California, I always dreamed of playing in Los Angeles, where my friends and family could come watch me play,” George said in a statement. “I am proud to […]

Harden joins Rockets with Silas confident of success

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Three-time reigning NBA scoring champion James Harden reported to the Houston Rockets training camp Tuesday with coach Stephen Silas confident he can build a successful relationship with the superstar guard. Harden was tested for Covid-19 as part of the NBA’s safety protocol and could practice with the Rockets ahead of their pre-season opener on Friday at Chicago. “That’s pretty much all I know,” Silas said. “Him getting tested in Houston […]

Mayweather to stage exhibition against YouTuber Logan Paul

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Floyd Mayweather announced Sunday he is set for an exhibition boxing match against popular YouTube personality Logan Paul at an undetermined venue early next year. No details were released about the former boxing champion’s latest exhibition, other than it would be held on February 20. The 43-year-old Mayweather has not had a serious boxing match since fighting Andre Berto in 2015, the same year he battled Filipino champion Manny […]

Davis agrees to five-year deal with Lakers, report

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Los Angeles Lakers are poised to sign Anthony Davis to a five-year contract worth tens of millions of dollars just one day after they locked up superstar LeBron James with a two-year extension, the US media reported Thursday. Davis’ contract is worth $190 million and it comes on the heels of his first season in Los Angeles where he combined with James to lead the Lakers to their […]

Rockets ship Westbrook off to Wizards in exchange of point guards

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Houston Rockets agreed to send disgruntled point guard Russell Westbrook to the Washington Wizards for former first round draft pick John Wall, the Wizards announced on Wednesday. The Wizards also received a first round draft pick in the blockbuster deal which reunites Westbrook with former Oklahoma City Thunder coach Scott Brooks. The trade ends a single season in Houston for the 32-year-old Westbrook, who spent the previous 11 […]

LeBron James agrees to contract extension with Lakers: report

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Reigning NBA finals MVP LeBron James, who will turn 36 this month, has agreed to a two-year, $85 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, his agent Rich Paul said on Wednesday. The extension means James will make $39.2 million next season and will be a Laker through the 2022-23 season, American sports broadcaster ESPN reported Paul as saying. James will also make $41.1 million in 2021-22 and […]

Australia’s former NBA championship winner Andrew Bogut retires

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — NBA championship-winning centre Andrew Bogut announced his immediate retirement from basketball Tuesday after a 15-year career. The 36-year-old Australian, who was the NBA’s top draft pick in 2005 for the Milwaukee Bucks, said the coronavirus shutdown had given him the time to reflect on his future. “The decision hasn’t been an easy one, but I think its the right decision,” he said on his podcast ‘Rogue Bogues’. “I’ll be retiring from […]

Maradona’s doctor investigated for involuntary manslaughter

  BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AFP) — Diego Maradona’s personal doctor was on Sunday being investigated for involuntary manslaughter four days after the Argentina legend suffered a fatal heart attack, prosecutors in San Isidro near Buenos Aires reported. Police raided Leopoldo Luque’s surgery and home in search of possible evidence pointing to negligence, according to television images. The probe was triggered by concerns raised by three of Maradona’s daughters Dalma, Giannina and Jana over the treatment […]

Celtics’ Tatum, Jazz’ Mitchell land rich extensions – reports

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Utah’s Donovan Mitchell landed lucrative extensions to their NBA rookie deals, US media reported Sunday on the second day of the league’s free agency negotiating period. The Salt Lake City-based Deseret News was among the outlets reporting that all-star guard Mitchell had agreed a five-year contract extension worth a guaranteed $163 million with the Jazz. The deal has escalators that could bring Mitchell’s five-year total […]

Thompson out for season after torn Achilles: Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson is expected to miss the entire 2020-2021 NBA season after suffering a torn right Achilles tendon, the team announced on Thursday. Thompson — who missed all of last season after a knee injury sustained in the 2019 NBA Finals — had limped out of a workout on Wednesday with an injury to his right leg. An MRI scan early Thursday confirmed Thompson’s season-ending […]

Timberwolves take Edwards first overall in NBA draft

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves made University of Georgia standout Anthony Edwards the first overall selection in the 2020 NBA draft on Wednesday. The Timberwolves, who finished 19-45 in the coronavirus-disrupted 2020 season, opted for Edwards, who averaged 19 points per game as a freshman, to bolster a roster that includes young stars Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell. The 2020 draft comes barely four weeks after LeBron James and the Los […]

Warriors sharp-shooter Thompson injured in workout

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson suffered a leg injury during a workout on Wednesday, the NBA team confirmed without elaborating. News that Thompson was hurt trickled out in US sports media, with few details available apart from the fact that it was a lower leg injury. “We will provide further updates as appropriate,” the Warriors said in a brief statement. Thompson, 30, was scheduled to return in the […]