ReportWire

Tag: Professional basketball

  • Trail Blazers beat Pacers in Lillard’s return from injury

    Trail Blazers beat Pacers in Lillard’s return from injury

    [ad_1]

    PORTLAND, Ore. — Jerami Grant scored 28 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers over the Indiana Pacers 116-100 on Sunday night.

    Blazers star Damian Lillard scored 21 points and had six assists in his first game since returning from a calf strain he suffered on Nov. 19. He’s missed 12 games so far this season.

    “It felt good especially coming off last night. We picked up a big win and I just wanted to encourage the team and bring that energy to get us on a win streak,” Lillard said. “I felt normal, I felt good. I think this time it wasn’t as bad as the first time.”

    Anfernee Simons had 22 points and six assists on the night, while Jusuf Nurkic had 19 points and six rebounds.

    The win helped Portland sweep a back-to-back set after winning in Utah on Saturday night.

    One night after Grant and Simons combined to score 78 points in a win at Utah, Lillard wanted to make sure his return didn’t lead to them turning down their own offense.

    “Don’t let me stop you from being aggressive,” Lillard said of Grant and Simons, who combined to score 50 in Sunday’s win. “I’m going to have the ball in my hands and I’m going to find opportunities to do what I do. That’s what I do.”

    Myles Turner led the Pacers with 24 points and nine rebounds. Buddy Hield had 22 points in support as the Pacers were without starting point guard Tyrese Haliburton.

    Lillard connected on his first field goal attempt — a step back 3-pointer from the corner. With Lillard back in uniform, Portland kept the Pacers at bay for much of the game. Although the Pacers jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter by hitting six of 10 shots, Portland was in control for most of the game.

    “I think at the start of the second half we lost some of our principles defensively,” Turner said. “We got a little too excited offensively and it hurt our defense. We need to play 48 minutes of basketball.”

    The Blazers were hot from the outside, shooting 17 of 40 (42.5%) from the 3-point line. Ball movement was key for Portland as they had 32 assists on 42 made field goals.

    “If we’re really going to win, then it has too be collective,” Lillard said. “It’s really encouraging for me to see it really unfold.”

    Lillard picked up his third foul in the second quarter and the Blazers took him out for the final 2:24 of the first half. During Lillard’s stint on the bench to close the first half, the Blazers extended their lead to 54-49.

    A 3-pointer by Grant extended the lead to 69-53 with 8:54 left in the third quarter and a 3-pointer by Simons pushed the lead to 89-67 with under two minutes in the quarter. Portland took a 93-74 lead into the final period.

    Portland held 22 point leads several times on Sunday night.

    The Pacers showed some grit to start the fourth quarter, cutting the Portland lead to 11 a few times but that was as close as they would get in the final period.

    HALIBURTON OUT

    Haliburton missed his first game of the season with a groin injury on Sunday.

    Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said he also expects Haliburton to sit out when the Pacers travel to the Bay Area to face off against the Golden State Warriors.

    UP NEXT

    Indiana: At Golden State Warriors on Monday night.

    Portland: Host the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.

    ———

    AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Booker scores 44, Suns top Kings 122-117 for 5th straight

    Booker scores 44, Suns top Kings 122-117 for 5th straight

    [ad_1]

    Devin Booker had 44 points, eight rebounds and six steals, and the Phoenix Suns extended their winning streak to five with a 122-117 victory over the Sacramento Kings

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Devin Booker had 44 points, eight rebounds and six steals, and the Phoenix Suns extended their winning streak to five with a 122-117 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night.

    Deandre Ayton added 17 points and 12 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season for Phoenix, which has won six of seven.

    Booker closed out his second-highest point total of the season by knocking down a pair of free throws with 6.8 seconds left after Torrey Craig secured an offensive rebound. He scored 49 points in a loss to Utah earlier in the month.

    Damion Lee scored 15 points off the bench, hitting three 3-pointers. Mikal Bridges finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. He hit a three-pointer with just over a minute left to stretch the lead to 10.

    Malik Monk scored 30 points for the Kings, his fourth game over 20 points this season.

    Domantas Sabonis finished with 17 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. The Kings have lost three straight after a seven-game win streak.

    Kevin Huerter scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Huerter’s dunk with 35 seconds left cut the Suns’ lead to three.

    Keegan Murray scored 11 points. The rookie from Iowa had scored in single digits in the Kings’ last three games.

    The first half featured 16 ties and eight lead changes. Phoenix opened the second half on a 14-2 run after trailing by one.

    TIP-INS

    Suns: G Chris Paul missed his 10th consecutive game with right heel soreness. … Booker was given a technical foul with 3:41 left in the first quarter.

    Kings: F Trey Lyles was ruled out due to a non-COVID illness… Sabonis recorded his 12th double-double of the season, which is the second-most in the NBA. … The Kings have scored over 100 points in every game this season.

    UP NEXT

    Suns: Host Chicago on Wednesday.

    Kings: Host Indiana on Wednesday.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Bogdanovic, Pistons beat Jazz for back-to-back road wins

    Bogdanovic, Pistons beat Jazz for back-to-back road wins

    [ad_1]

    Bojan Bogdanovic scored 23 points and Kevin Knox II had a season-high 21 points, including a career-best six 3-pointers, to boost the Detroit Pistons to their second straight road win, 125-116 over the Utah Jazz

    SALT LAKE CITY — Bojan Bogdanovic scored 23 points and Kevin Knox II had a season-high 21 points, including a career-best six 3-pointers, to boost the Detroit Pistons to their second straight road win, 125-116 over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.

    Marvin Bagley III scored a season-high 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting and Alec Burks added 18 points.

    The Pistons had lost seven in a row overall and 10 straight on the road before beating Denver on Tuesday, their first away victory this season. Despite playing back-to-back, the Pistons were quicker to the loose balls and seemed to grab all the 50-50 rebounds.

    Malik Beasley led Utah with 29 points and a season-high eight 3s while Jordan Clarkson had 24 points and Collin Sexton, starting for the injured Mike Conley (knee), set a career high with 12 assists.

    Bogdanovic spent three years with the Jazz before he was traded in the deal that brought Kelly Olynyk to Utah. He played his best in clutch situations, as Jazz fans saw him do often.

    After the Jazz got within 113-110 with 3:49 to play, Bogdanovic found Burks for a 3-pointer and added two free throws while the Pistons held Utah scoreless for 3:22.

    The Pistons were up by as many as 14 in the first half before settling for a 66-54 halftime advantage, bolstered by a 15-2 edge in second-chance points.

    Beasley had 14 more 3s than any other reserve player in the league coming into the game and continued to give the Jazz instant offense, especially on a night when they struggled defensively.

    The Pistons continually drove the lane and made layups or found wide-open 3-point shooters in the corners.

    TIP-INS

    Pistons: Scored 17 points off nine Jazz turnovers in the first half. … Shot 25 of 27 from the line and had nine steals. … Killian Hayes (left calf) did not play in the second half.

    Jazz: Lauri Markkanen, who leads the Jazz in scoring at 22.4 points per game, was scoreless in the first half and finished with 13 points. … Clarkson moved into fifth all-time for 3s made in Jazz history with 551, passing Bogdanovic. … Kessler, who had five rejections, is the leading shot blocker among rookies.

    UP NEXT

    Pistons: At Phoenix on Friday.

    Jazz: At Golden State on Friday.

    ———

    AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Adebayo scores 30, Heat storm back to stun Suns 113-112

    Adebayo scores 30, Heat storm back to stun Suns 113-112

    [ad_1]

    MIAMI — Elite scorer. Elite defender.

    Devin Booker got to his spot. Jimmy Butler got there, too. And Butler rose to the moment, capping a brilliant comeback win for the Miami Heat.

    Bam Adebayo scored 30 points, including a pair of go-ahead free throws with 35 seconds left, and Butler’s block was part of a frantic finish as the Heat rallied from a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Phoenix Suns 113-112 on Monday night.

    “Those two guys are really the foundational heartbeat pieces to our team,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We follow their warrior spirits. They’re just so tough, the epitome of being two-way basketball players.”

    Phoenix had three shots to win on its final possession — a missed layup by Cameron Payne, the jumper from Booker from the right elbow that Butler blocked, and then a 3-pointer from Booker that bounced off the rim, with Butler hounding him again.

    “Tough break for us,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. “Our guys fought like heck to have a chance to win.”

    Butler finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists for Miami. Caleb Martin and Kyle Lowry each scored 15 for Miami, which got back to .500 at 7-7.

    “I love the fact that we won this game on the defensive end,” Butler said.

    Adebayo outscored the Suns by himself in the last eight minutes, 12-10. Phoenix missed 12 of its 16 shots in that span, while Miami finished 8 for its last 12.

    Booker led the Suns with 25 points. Duane Washington Jr. added 21 and Deandre Ayton finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Suns, who shot only four free throws compared to Miami’s 25.

    “That is hard to swallow … a physical game like that, where everybody’s bumpin’, we only get four free throws,” Williams said. “This is becoming really hard to swallow. You feel like you can’t even talk about it because you’re going to be fined.”

    The Heat went 22 for 25 on those tries from the line, the 13th consecutive game where they shot at least 80% from the stripe — extending their franchise record.

    It was the first time an NBA team shot four free throws in a game since May 16, 2021 — also the Suns, against San Antonio.

    Torrey Craig’s layup with 8:03 left put Phoenix up 102-89, the Suns’ biggest lead of the night. The Heat outscored Phoenix 24-10 the rest of the way.

    “We’ve had tests all year, and some of those games we didn’t finish,” Adebayo said. “They were nothing but experience for a game like this.”

    Both teams were missing key guards. Miami’s Tyler Herro was out for the fourth consecutive game with a sprained left ankle, and Phoenix’s Chris Paul sat with right heel soreness.

    TIP-INS

    Suns: The Suns don’t believe Paul’s heel issue is long-term. “Day-to-day,” coach Monty Williams said. … Phoenix lost back-to-back games for the first time this season. … The Suns had been 7-0 in games in which they led by at least 13 points.

    Heat: Among those in the crowd — Wayne Gretzky, Odell Beckham Jr. and Melvin Ingram. … Dewayne Dedmon had 12 for the Heat, including a pair of 3-pointers late in the third to stop a Phoenix run. … Adebayo also had 10 rebounds.

    LOWRY 2K

    Lowry’s first 3-pointer was the 2,000th of his career. He’s the 12th player in NBA history to make that many.

    BIRTHDAY REF

    South Florida native Dedric Taylor was one of the referees, working on his 47th birthday. Taylor worked for the City of North Miami Beach Parks & Recreation Department and was a UPS driver before getting into the NBA.

    UP NEXT

    Suns: Host Golden State on Wednesday

    Heat: Visit Toronto on Wednesday.

    ———

    More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • 6 killed after vintage aircraft collide at Dallas air show

    6 killed after vintage aircraft collide at Dallas air show

    [ad_1]

    DALLAS — Two historic military planes collided and crashed to the ground in a ball of flames during a Dallas air show, leaving six people dead, officials said.

    National transportation officials were investigating the cause of Saturday’s collision, which came three years after the crash of a World War II-era bomber in Connecticut that killed seven, and amid ongoing concern about the safety of air shows involving older warplanes.

    Emergency crews raced to the crash scene at the Dallas Executive Airport, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the city’s downtown. News footage from the scene showed crumpled wreckage of the planes in a grassy area inside the airport perimeter.

    The in-air collision during the Wings over Dallas air show claimed six lives, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins tweeted Sunday, citing the county medical examiner. Authorities are continuing to work to identify the victims, he said. It was not clear if there were any injuries or fatalities on the ground. Dallas Fire-Rescue told The Dallas Morning News there were no reports of injuries there.

    Anthony Montoya saw the two planes collide.

    “I just stood there. I was in complete shock and disbelief,” said Montoya, 27, who attended the air show with a friend. “Everybody around was gasping. Everybody was bursting into tears. Everybody was in shock.”

    Officials did not specify how many people were inside each plane, but Hank Coates, president of the company that put on the air show, said one of the planes, a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber, typically has a crew of four to five people. The other, a P-63 Kingcobra fighter plane, has a single pilot.

    No paying customers were on the aircraft, said Coates, of Commemorative Air Force, which also owned the planes. The aircraft are flown by highly trained volunteers, often retired pilots, he said.

    The National Transportation Safety Board took control of the crash scene, with local police and fire providing support, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said. The Federal Aviation Administration also was going to investigate, officials said.

    “The videos are heartbreaking,” Johnson said on Twitter.

    The planes collided and crashed about 1:20 p.m., the FAA said in a statement.

    Victoria Yeager, the widow of famed Air Force test pilot Chuck Yeager and herself a pilot, was also at the show. She didn’t see the collision, but did see the burning wreckage.

    “It was pulverized,” said Yeager, 64, who lives in Fort Worth.

    “We were just hoping they had all gotten out, but we knew they didn’t,” she said of those on board.

    The B-17, a cornerstone of U.S. air power during World War II, is an immense four-engine bomber used in daylight raids against Germany. The Kingcobra, a U.S. fighter plane, was used mostly by Soviet forces during the war. Most B-17s were scrapped at the end of World War II and only a handful remain today, largely featured at museums and air shows, according to Boeing.

    Several videos posted on social media showed the fighter plane appearing to fly into the bomber, causing them to quickly crash to the ground and setting off a large ball of fire and smoke.

    “It was really horrific to see,” said spectator Aubrey Anne Young, 37, of Leander, Texas. Her children were inside the hangar with their father when it happened. “I’m still trying to make sense of it.”

    A woman next to Young can be heard crying and screaming on a video that Young uploaded to her Facebook page.

    Air show safety — particularly with older military aircraft — has been a concern for years. In 2011, 11 people were killed in Reno, Nevada, when a P-51 Mustang crashed into spectators. In 2019, a bomber crashed in Hartford, Connecticut, killing seven people. The NTSB said then that it had investigated 21 crashes since 1982 involving World War II-era bombers, resulting in 23 deaths.

    Wings Over Dallas bills itself as “America’s Premier World War II Airshow,” according to a website advertising the event. The show was scheduled for Nov. 11-13, Veterans Day weekend, and guests were to see more than 40 World War II-era aircraft. Its Saturday afternoon schedule of flying demonstrations included the “bomber parade” and “fighter escorts” that featured the B-17 and P-63.

    Arthur Alan Wolk is a Philadelphia aviation attorney who flew in air shows for 12 years. After watching the air show video and hearing the maneuvers described as “bombers on parade,” Wolk told The Associated Press on Sunday that the P-63 pilot violated the basic rule of formation flying.

    “He went belly up to the leader,” Wolk said. “That prevents him from gauging distance and position. The risk of collision is very high when you cannot see who you are supposed to be in formation with and that kind of joinup is not permitted.”

    He added, “I am not blaming anyone and to the greatest extent possible, air shows, the pilots and the aircraft that fly in them are safe. Air shows are one of the largest spectator events in America and it is rare that a tragedy like this occurs.”

    Wolk said it takes extensive training and discipline to fly in an air show setting. The air show qualifications of the P-63 pilot are not known.

    ———

    Bleed reported from Little Rock, Arkansas. Bobby Caina Calvan in New York City, Ken Miller in Oklahoma City and Dave Kolpack in Fargo, North Dakota, contributed to this report.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • 6 killed after vintage aircraft collide at Dallas air show

    6 killed after vintage aircraft collide at Dallas air show

    [ad_1]

    DALLAS — Six people were killed after two historic military planes collided and crashed to the ground Saturday during a Dallas air show, officials said.

    “According to our Dallas County Medical Examiner, there are a total of 6 fatalities from yesterday’s Wings over Dallas air show incident,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins tweeted Sunday. He said authorities are continuing to work to identify the victims.

    The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and a Bell P-63 Kingcobra collided and crashed around 1:20 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. The collision occurred during the Commemorative Air Force Wings Over Dallas show.

    Several videos posted on social media showed the fighter plane appearing to fly into the bomber, causing them to quickly crash to the ground and setting off a large ball of fire and smoke.

    Air show safety — particularly with older military aircraft — has been a concern for years. In 2011, 11 people were killed in Reno, Nevada, when a P-51 Mustang crashed into spectators. In 2019, a bomber crashed in Hartford, Connecticut, killing seven people. The NTSB said then that it had investigated 21 accidents since 1982 involving World War II-era bombers, resulting in 23 deaths.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Bentancur’s late brace eases pressure on Spurs coach Conte

    Bentancur’s late brace eases pressure on Spurs coach Conte

    [ad_1]

    LONDON — Rodrigo Bentancur struck twice late on as Tottenham came back from behind three times to beat Leeds on Saturday.

    A thrilling 4-3 win in the Premier League may have seen Spurs manager Antonio Conte avoid uncomfortable questions heading into the World Cup — but it required a late rescue act from Bentancur.

    The Uruguay midfielder leveled to make it 3-3 in the 81st minute before hitting the winner two minutes later.

    It meant Rodrigo’s double and Crysencio Summerville’s opener for Leeds counted for nothing after Spurs’ fightback.

    Conte has endured a difficult period as the World Cup has approached, with recent home losses for Tottenham to Liverpool and Newcastle, and exiting the League Cup in midweek at the hands of Nottingham Forest.

    It didn’t look like getting any better for the Italian as Summerville put Leeds ahead in the 10th minute.

    Tottenham equalized 15 minutes later when Ivan Perisic’s cross was punched by Illan Meslier to Harry Kane, who fired home his 13th goal of the season.

    Rodrigo put Leeds ahead again two minutes before halftime when volleying Rasmus Kristensen’s header past Hugo Lloris.

    Tottenham was level six minutes after the break.

    Dejan Kulusevski got in behind the Leeds defense and found Kane, who saw a shot blocked by Kristensen. Ben Davies was first to follow up and, while Kristensen got in front of his effort, he could only divert the ball onto Meslier and it rolled over the line.

    Rodrigo fired in his second in the 76th after controlling Marc Roca’s pass and drilling into the corner beyond Lloris to make it 3-2.

    Spurs responded quickly with Bentancur chested down on the edge of the area and firing through a number of players into the back of the net.

    The winner came when Kulusevski dribbled past Robin Koch and was able to draw Meslier out of his goal. He then squared for Bentancur to slot home his fifth goal of the campaign.

    Leeds’ Tyler Adams was sent off for a second yellow card late on to round off a dramatic clash.

    ———

    AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup

    ———

    James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Sabonis scores 21 points, Kings top Mitchell, Cavs 127-120

    Sabonis scores 21 points, Kings top Mitchell, Cavs 127-120

    [ad_1]

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Domantas Sabonis scored 21 points and the Sacramento Kings overcame another big performance by Donovan Mitchell to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 127-120 on Wednesday night.

    Mitchell scored 38 points on 16 of 28 shooting as the Cavaliers lost their second in a row following an eight-game winning streak. He began the game averaging 31.2 points per game this season.

    “Different nights it’s different things,” Mitchell said.

    Harrison Barnes had a season-high 19 points for Sacramento. He had zero points in the Kings’ loss to Golden State on Monday.

    “I have confidence in myself,” Barnes said. “I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs … although some nights are good, some nights are not. I don’t think it’s changed how my spirit is.”

    De’Aaron Fox added 15 points and eight assists for the Kings. He was subbed out with 8:44 left in the fourth quarter but returned for the final two minutes.

    Trey Lyles had 16 points, including four 3-pointers, off the Sacramento bench. Malik Monk added 14 points.

    Keegan Murray also had 14 points. The 22-year-old rookie from Iowa had not scored in double-digits in the Kings’ last three games.

    Mitchell also had five rebounds and four assists.

    Caris LeVert had 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Jarrett Allen had 20 points and seven rebounds for Cleveland.

    “A lot of it is communication,” LeVert said “Tonight was (spent) a lot of transition. Sacramento is a fast team.”

    The Kings never trailed and led by as many as 15 until Cleveland took its first lead with 9:13 left in the fourth on a basket by Kevin Love. He had nine points and eight rebounds.

    “We ran the same play down the stretch at least 15 times,” Kings coach Mike Brown said. “Great team effort, the staff was great across the board, and the fans were fantastic tonight. … We’re all learning and growing together.”

    Cavaliers guard Darius Garland had six points, his second-lowest scoring performance since scoring four points in a season-opening loss to Toronto.

    “He had a rough night,” Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We all know what Darius is capable of … shots weren’t going for him. He was battling to try and figure it out.”

    BICKERSTAFF PRAISES BROWN

    Brown worked under Bickerstaff’s father, Bernie, as a video coordinator.

    “It’s awesome (he’s a head coach) because I have known Mike since I was 13,” Bickerstaff said. “He worked for my dad as a video coordinator when I was growing up. There’s no better person than Mike Brown. You don’t find people (like that) in our business.”

    TIP-INS

    Cavaliers: LeVert was given a technical foul with 3:26 left in the second quarter. … Mitchell has scored 30 points or more in eight of 10 games. … Cleveland had 64 points in the paint. Sacramento had only 40.

    Kings: Luke Walton returned to Sacramento for the first time as an assistant coach for the Cavaliers. Walton coached the Kings for two full seasons before being fired after 17 games last season. … Sacramento ranked 29th in the NBA in free throw percentage coming into Wednesday. They shot 30 of 35.

    UP NEXT

    Cavaliers: In San Francisco to play the Warriors on Friday.

    Kings: Travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Friday.

    ———

    More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • NBA All-Star player Dwight Howard headed to Taiwan

    NBA All-Star player Dwight Howard headed to Taiwan

    [ad_1]

    TAIPEI, Taiwan — Eight-time NBA All Star Dwight Howard is headed to Taiwan to play for the Taoyuan Leopards in the island’s top division.

    “I can’t wait to see the fans, eat the food and have the best time ever … and bring a championship,” the 36-year-old center said in a social media post.

    Alongside baseball, basketball is the most popular sport in Taiwan, with both girls and boys high school championships broadcast island-wide.

    Howard has collected league records with a clutch of teams, notably the Orlando Magic, and signed a one-year contract with the Los Angles Lakers in 2021.

    The Leopards are among six teams in the T-1 league, which features numerous players from the U.S. and Europe.

    The club did not provide details of the deal with Howard.

    ———

    More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Today in History: November 8, Hitler’s “Beer-Hall Putsch”

    Today in History: November 8, Hitler’s “Beer-Hall Putsch”

    [ad_1]

    Today in History

    Today is Tuesday, Nov. 8, the 312th day of 2022. There are 53 days left in the year.

    Today’s Highlight in History:

    On Nov. 8, 1923, Adolf Hitler launched his first attempt at seizing power in Germany with a failed coup in Munich that came to be known as the “Beer-Hall Putsch.”

    On this date:

    In 1793, the Louvre began admitting the public, even though the French museum had been officially open since August.

    In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln won reelection as he defeated Democratic challenger George B. McClellan.

    In 1889, Montana became the 41st state.

    In 1935, the movies “Mutiny on the Bounty,” starring Clark Gable and Charles Laughton, and “A Night at the Opera,” starring the Marx Brothers, premiered in New York.

    In 1942, Operation Torch, resulting in an Allied victory, began during World War II as U.S. and British forces landed in French North Africa.

    In 1950, during the Korean War, the first jet-plane battle took place as U.S. Air Force Lt. Russell J. Brown shot down a North Korean MiG-15.

    In 1966, Republican Ronald Reagan was elected governor of California, defeating Democratic incumbent Pat Brown.

    In 1974, a federal judge in Cleveland dismissed charges against eight Ohio National Guardsmen accused of violating the civil rights of students who were killed or wounded in the 1970 Kent State shootings.

    In 2000, a statewide recount began in Florida, which emerged as critical in deciding the winner of the 2000 presidential election. Earlier that day, Vice President Al Gore had telephoned Texas Gov. George W. Bush to concede, but called back about an hour later to retract his concession.

    In 2002, the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved Resolution 1441, aimed at forcing Saddam Hussein to disarm or face “serious consequences.” President George W. Bush said the new resolution presented the Iraqi regime “with a final test.”

    In 2011, an asteroid as big as an aircraft carrier zipped by Earth in the closest encounter by such a massive space rock in more than three decades.

    In 2016, Republican Donald Trump was elected America’s 45th president, defeating Democrat Hillary Clinton in an astonishing victory for a celebrity businessman and political novice. Republicans kept their majorities in the Senate and House.

    Ten years ago: Jared Lee Loughner was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the January 2011 shootings in Tucson, Arizona, that killed six people and wounded 13 others, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Longtime baseball executive and Hall of Famer Lee MacPhail, 95, died in Delray Beach, Florida.

    Five years ago: In a speech to South Korean lawmakers in Seoul, President Donald Trump warned North Korea, “Do not underestimate us.” Director Ridley Scott decided to cut Kevin Spacey out of the already-completed movie “All the Money in the World” because of the sexual misconduct allegations against Spacey and reshoot his many scenes using Christopher Plummer, just six weeks ahead of the film’s release date. Garth Brooks continued his winning streak as entertainer of the year at the Country Music Association Awards.

    One year ago: A U.S. House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection issued subpoenas to six more associates of former President Donald Trump who were involved in his efforts to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election. The U.S. fully reopened to many vaccinated international travelers, allowing families and friends to reunite for the first time since the coronavirus emerged. A new mandate in the city of Los Angeles required people visiting shopping malls, theaters, gyms or nail salons to verify they were vaccinated against COVID-19. President Joe Biden welcomed the NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks to the White House; the Bucks were the first NBA champions to visit the White House in nearly five years.

    Today’s Birthdays: Actor Alain Delon is 87. Singer-actor Bonnie Bramlett is 78. Singer Bonnie Raitt is 73. TV personality Mary Hart is 72. Former Playboy Enterprises chairman and chief executive Christie Hefner is 70. Actor Alfre Woodard is 70. Singer-songwriter Rickie Lee Jones is 68. Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro is 68. Rock musician Pearl Thompson (The Cure) is 65. Singer-actor Leif Garrett is 61. Chef and TV personality Gordon Ramsay is 56. Actor Courtney Thorne-Smith is 55. Actor Parker Posey is 54. Actor Roxana Zal is 53. Singer Diana King is 52. Actor Gonzalo Menendez is 51. Rock musician Scott Devendorf (The National) is 50. Actor Gretchen Mol is 50. ABC News anchor David Muir is 49. Actor Matthew Rhys is 48. Actor Tara Reid is 47. Country singer Bucky Covington is 45. Actor Dania Ramirez is 43. Actor Azura Skye is 41. Actor Chris Rankin is 39. TV personality Jack Osbourne is 37. Actor Jessica Lowndes is 34. R&B singer SZA is 33. New York Yankees outfielder and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton is 33. Singer-actor Riker Lynch is 31. Country singer Lauren Alaina is 28. Actor Van Crosby (TV: “Splitting Up Together”) is 20.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Lue: No timetable for Leonard’s return to Clippers’ lineup

    Lue: No timetable for Leonard’s return to Clippers’ lineup

    [ad_1]

    LOS ANGELES — Kawhi Leonard sat out for the eighth time this season for the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night, and there’s no timetable for his return.

    Leonard has appeared in just two games for the Clippers since the season began on Oct. 20. He’s averaging 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and two assists. He missed all of last season while rehabbing from surgery for a partially torn ACL in his right knee.

    “We knew coming off an ACL it wasn’t going to be a straight line. We talked about it before the season,” coach Tyronn Lue said before the Clippers hosted the Utah Jazz. “The biggest thing is he’s progressing well. We’re just going to follow the lead of our medical staff. We got to be smart about the situation.”

    Leonard didn’t join the Clippers on their recent two-game trip to Texas. Lue said Leonard has been working out on his own.

    “He’s progressing and he’s getting better, so that’s the most important thing,” the coach said. “There’s really not a timeframe of when he’s going to be back.”

    The Clippers have major aspirations to win the franchise’s first NBA championship and Leonard figures heavily in those plans.

    The team was 5-4 and had won three in a row heading into Sunday night.

    ———

    AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Nike splits with Kyrie Irving amid antisemitism fallout

    Nike splits with Kyrie Irving amid antisemitism fallout

    [ad_1]

    Nike has suspended its relationship with Kyrie Irving and canceled its plans to release his next signature shoe, the latest chapter in the ongoing fallout since the Brooklyn Nets guard tweeted a link to a film containing antisemitic material.

    The shoe giant announced Friday night that it will halt its relationship with Irving, who has been suspended by the Nets for what the team called a repeated failure to “unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs.”

    The Nets made that move Thursday, banning Irving without pay for at least five games, and a day later, Nike made its decision. Those actions followed widespread criticism — from, among many others, the Anti-Defamation League and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

    “At Nike, we believe there is no place for hate speech and we condemn any form of antisemitism,” the Beaverton, Oregon-based company said. “To that end, we’ve made the decision to suspend our relationship with Kyrie Irving effective immediately and will no longer launch the Kyrie 8.”

    Irving has had a signature line with Nike since 2014.

    “We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the situation and its impact on everyone,” Nike said.

    Irving signed with Nike in 2011, shortly after becoming the No. 1 pick in that year’s NBA draft. Irving’s first signature shoe was released three years later, and the popularity of the Kyrie line led to him making a reported $11 million annually just from the Nike endorsement.

    The Kyrie 8 was expected to be released in the next week. Previous models of his shoes were still for sale on the Nike website Friday night.

    LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, who won a title alongside Irving when they were Cleveland teammates in 2016, said his position is simple: Hate speech, in any form, can’t be tolerated.

    “There’s no place in this world for it,” James said. “Nobody can benefit from that and I believe what Kyrie did caused some harm to a lot of people.”

    James, who has been with Nike for the entirety of his 20-season NBA career, said he still has great fondness for Irving.

    “We as humans, none of us are perfect,” James said. “But I hope he understands how what he did and the actions that he took were just harmful to a lot of people.”

    Irving posted a tweet — which has since been deleted — last week with a link to the documentary “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” which includes Holocaust denial and conspiracy theories about Jews. In a contentious postgame interview session last Saturday, Irving defended his right to post what he wants.

    The fallout only continued from there. The NBA put out a statement over the weekend that didn’t name Irving but denounced all forms of hate speech. Fans wearing “Fight Antisemitism” shirts occupied some courtside seats at the Brooklyn-Indiana game on Monday night, a day after he took down the tweet. The Nets and coach Steve Nash parted ways Tuesday, a development that has been overshadowed by the Irving saga.

    On Wednesday, Irving said he opposes all forms of hate, and he and the Nets each announced that they would each donate $500,000 toward groups that work to eradicate it. Silver then issued a new statement calling on Irving by name to apologize, and Irving refused to give a direct answer when asked Thursday if he has antisemitic beliefs.

    That, evidently, was the last straw for the Nets, who suspended him. Hours later, Irving posted an apology on Instagram for not explaining the specific beliefs he agreed and disagreed with when he posted the documentary.

    “To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize,” Irving wrote. “I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled Anti-Semitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the Documentary.”

    A day later, Nike — which had also been criticized for not moving more swiftly — took action.

    Irving becomes the second celebrity in less than two weeks to lose a major shoe deal over antisemitism. Adidas parted ways with Ye — the artist formerly known as Kanye West — late last month, a move the German company said would result in about $250 million in losses this year after stopping production of its line of Yeezy products as well as halting payments to Ye and his companies.

    For weeks, Ye made antisemitic comments in interviews and on social media, including a Twitter post that he would soon go “death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE,” an apparent reference to the U.S. defense readiness condition scale known as DEFCON.

    Irving has expressed no shortage of controversial opinions during his career. He repeatedly questioned whether the Earth was round before eventually apologizing to science teachers. Last year, his refusal to get a COVID-19 vaccine led to him being banned from playing in most of the Nets’ home games.

    The Nets played at Washington on Friday, winning 128-86 without Irving. The 42-point win matched the fourth-largest in Nets franchise history.

    Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks said earlier Friday that Irving’s apology was a step forward, but many other steps will be required before he can resume playing.

    “There is going to be some remedial steps and measures that have been put in place for him to obviously seek some counseling … from dealing with some anti-hate and some Jewish leaders within our community,” Marks said. “He’s going to have to sit down with them, he’s going to have to sit down with the organization after this, and we’ll evaluate and see if this is the right opportunity to bring him back.”

    ———

    AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Doncic’s 30-point streak hits 8 games as Mavs beat Raptors

    Doncic’s 30-point streak hits 8 games as Mavs beat Raptors

    [ad_1]

    DALLAS — Luka Doncic scored 35 points, his eighth consecutive game of at least 30 to begin the season, as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Toronto Raptors 111-110 on Friday night.

    The only other NBA player to score 30 or more points in the first eight games of a season is Wilt Chamberlain, who did it in the first eight games of 1959-60 and the first 23 games of 1962-63.

    Doncic played 37 minutes and passed the 30-point mark with 18.7 seconds left in the third quarter on a turnaround fadeaway jumper.

    The Raptors cut a 19-point third-quarter deficit to 108-105 with 35.5 seconds left. Doncic sank the first of two free throws with 15.9 seconds to gain a four-point lead. O.G. Anunoby drove for a dunk with 11 seconds left. Spencer Dinwiddie hit two free throws with 3 seconds to go, making the score 111-107. Anunoby hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

    Dinwiddie had 21 points and seven assists for the Mavericks, who have won three straight games after splitting their first six.

    The Mavericks outscored the Raptors 14-2 during the first four minutes of the second half to build a 73-57 lead. During the run, Doncic had a 3-pointer, two free throws, two steals, a rebound and an assist.

    Anunoby scored 27 points, Pascal Siakam 18 and Chris Boucher 17 off the bench for the Raptors, who came off wins of 30 points and 43 points. The latter, at San Antonio on Monday, was the franchise’s largest road victory margin.

    Doncic scored 14 points in the first quarter, playing the full period, and added only two in the second quarter, playing only the final 4½ minutes.

    TIP-INS

    Raptors: G Fred VanVleet, fourth in the NBA in steals, missed his third-consecutive game with lower back stiffness. Coach Nick Nurse said he thought VanVleet would play after going through a full practice on Thursday. “I’m expecting him pretty soon to be back,” Nurse said.

    Mavericks: C Dwight Powell, a Toronto native, made his second start of the season, replacing JaVale McGee in the starting lineup.

    UP NEXT

    Raptors: Begin a home-and-home with Chicago at home on Sunday.

    Mavericks: Host Brooklyn on Monday.

    ———

    AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Nike splits with Kyrie Irving amid antisemitism fallout

    Nike splits with Kyrie Irving amid antisemitism fallout

    [ad_1]

    Nike has suspended its relationship with Kyrie Irving and canceled its plans to release his next signature shoe, the latest chapter in the ongoing fallout since the Brooklyn Nets guard tweeted a link to a film containing antisemitic material.

    The shoe giant announced Friday night that it will halt its relationship with Irving, who has been suspended by the Nets for what the team called a repeated failure to “unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs.”

    The Nets made that move Thursday, banning Irving without pay for at least five games, and a day later, Nike made its decision. Those actions followed widespread criticism — from, among many others, the Anti-Defamation League and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

    “At Nike, we believe there is no place for hate speech and we condemn any form of antisemitism,” the Beaverton, Oregon-based company said. “To that end, we’ve made the decision to suspend our relationship with Kyrie Irving effective immediately and will no longer launch the Kyrie 8.”

    Irving has had a signature line with Nike since 2014.

    “We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the situation and its impact on everyone,” Nike said.

    Irving signed with Nike in 2011, shortly after becoming the No. 1 pick in that year’s NBA draft. Irving’s first signature shoe was released three years later, and the popularity of the Kyrie line led to him making a reported $11 million annually just from the Nike endorsement.

    The Kyrie 8 was expected to be released in the next week. Previous models of his shoes were still for sale on the Nike website Friday night.

    Irving posted a tweet — which has since been deleted — last week with a link to the documentary “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” which includes Holocaust denial and conspiracy theories about Jews. In a contentious postgame interview session last Saturday, Irving defended his right to post what he wants.

    The fallout only continued from there. The NBA put out a statement over the weekend that didn’t name Irving but denounced all forms of hate speech. Fans wearing “Fight Antisemitism” shirts occupied some courtside seats at the Brooklyn-Indiana game on Monday night, a day after he took down the tweet. The Nets and coach Steve Nash parted ways Tuesday, a development that has been overshadowed by the Irving saga.

    On Wednesday, Irving said he opposes all forms of hate, and he and the Nets each announced that they would each donate $500,000 toward groups that work to eradicate it. Silver then issued a new statement calling on Irving by name to apologize, and Irving refused to give a direct answer when asked Thursday if he has antisemitic beliefs.

    That, evidently, was the last straw for the Nets, who suspended him. Hours later, Irving posted an apology on Instagram for not explaining the specific beliefs he agreed and disagreed with when he posted the documentary.

    “To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize,” Irving wrote. “I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled Anti-Semitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the Documentary.”

    A day later, Nike — which had also been criticized for not moving more swiftly — took action.

    Irving becomes the second celebrity in less than two weeks to lose a major shoe deal over antisemitism. Adidas parted ways with Ye — the artist formerly known as Kanye West — late last month, a move the German company said would result in about $250 million in losses this year after stopping production of its line of Yeezy products as well as halting payments to Ye and his companies.

    For weeks, Ye made antisemitic comments in interviews and on social media, including a Twitter post that he would soon go “death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE,” an apparent reference to the U.S. defense readiness condition scale known as DEFCON.

    Irving has expressed no shortage of controversial opinions during his career. He repeatedly questioned whether the Earth was round before eventually apologizing to science teachers. Last year, his refusal to get a COVID-19 vaccine led to him being banned from playing in most of the Nets’ home games.

    The Nets played at Washington on Friday, winning 128-86 without Irving. The 42-point win matched the fourth-largest in Nets franchise history.

    Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks said earlier Friday that Irving’s apology was a step forward, but many other steps will be required before he can resume playing.

    “There is going to be some remedial steps and measures that have been put in place for him to obviously seek some counseling … from dealing with some anti-hate and some Jewish leaders within our community,” Marks said. “He’s going to have to sit down with them, he’s going to have to sit down with the organization after this, and we’ll evaluate and see if this is the right opportunity to bring him back.”

    ———

    AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Jimmer’s new goal: The U.S. Olympic team, in 3×3 basketball

    Jimmer’s new goal: The U.S. Olympic team, in 3×3 basketball

    [ad_1]

    MIAMI LAKES, Fla. — Jimmer Fredette has already had quite a basketball life. National college player of the year at BYU. An NBA lottery pick. Played for five different NBA teams. Played professionally in China, played as a pro in Greece as well.

    His next target: France.

    Specifically, France in the summer of 2024.

    Fredette is trying to be part of USA Basketball’s 3×3 team for the Paris Olympics, and the sharpshooter’s first big step toward making that a reality comes this weekend when he’ll play for the Americans in the FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup in Miami.

    “Paris, that’s the hope and the goal with this whole thing,” Fredette said. “It’s a good way to stay competitive, keep playing but also be able to be with my family more. Having three little kids, a couple in school, it’s hard to leave them for a long time. So, it’s a great opportunity. I’m super excited about it.”

    The native of Glens Falls, New York, now makes his home in Denver, with his wife and their three kids. Fredette, if he wanted to, could be playing in China right now; he’s played over there for many years and it’s been a lucrative experience. He also has played in Greece. But it’s also meant being away from home, and that doesn’t interest him much anymore.

    Enter 3×3.

    U.S. coach Fran Fraschilla, a longtime college and draft broadcaster and analyst for ESPN, gave Fredette a call to gauge his interest. Fraschilla was a pretty good recruiter when he coached in college, and he got Fredette to commit pretty easily.

    “He’s unbelievable and he’s still got game,” Fraschilla said. “When he came to training camp in New York a couple weeks ago, we were hoping he’d be as good as we thought he was. And he was. He’s Jimmer. In the right circumstance, he can literally play anywhere in the world, including the NBA. I think Jimmer, unfortunately, was never in the right places in the NBA that valued what he can do. He can give us six to 10 weeks a year and he’ll have a great shot at being part of our Olympic team if we qualify.”

    The U.S. didn’t get a men’s team qualified for 3×3 when it debuted on the Olympic program in Tokyo. The women not only qualified, but the team of Kelsey Plum, Stefanie Dolson, Allisha Gray and Jackie Young won gold at those games for the U.S.

    The U.S. has a team in the women’s side of the AmeriCup this weekend as well, with Veronica Burton, Lexie Hull, NaLyssa Smith and Camille Zimmerman set to play for coach Jennifer Rizzotti. Fredette will be joined on the men’s side by Canyon Barry, Kareem Maddox and Dylan Travis.

    The tournament starts Friday; the U.S. women will play two games then, while the men will play two games Saturday. The quarterfinals, semifinals and medal-round games are all Sunday for both men and women.

    “Jimmer is as good a player outside the NBA right now, in America, as anybody would have,” Fraschilla said.

    The 3×3 game is very fast; games are played to 21 points, field goals inside the arc are worth one point, beyond the arc are worth two points. Games last no more than 10 minutes, with a 12-second shot clock and no breaks after scores. It’s constant movement, a very different game than the one that Fredette has played most of his life.

    “But there are things I feel comfortable with,” Fredette said. “When I get the ball, and I’m dribbling and I’m in space, I’ll be able to create a play and make shots. There’s a lot of space in this game if you use it correctly, which is very, very helpful.”

    It’s also played outside. Wind can affect some shots. Weather can make conditions tough. It’s not always ideal for shooters, and ego might keep some — particularly those who have played at Fredette’s level — from trying the 3×3 game.

    He’s embracing it.

    “For me, it’s a new challenge,” Fredette said. “I was getting a little stagnant with 5-on-5 basketball, going overseas, leaving my family. All that stuff is really difficult on me. I wasn’t having fun doing it for a couple of those last years because I couldn’t always be with people that I really loved.”

    His family couldn’t be with him in China when he was there.

    If all goes right, they’ll be with him in Paris in a couple years.

    “I think about the opening ceremony with Team USA, being able to watch all the events, being able to play and get to compete for a gold medal,” Fredette said. “I mean, how cool is that?”

    ———

    AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Nash out as Nets coach after poor start, more controversy

    Nash out as Nets coach after poor start, more controversy

    [ad_1]

    NEW YORK — Steve Nash is out as Brooklyn Nets coach after a disappointing start and more controversy surrounding Kyrie Irving.

    The Nets announced Tuesday that they had parted ways with the Hall of Fame point guard, a day after they beat Indiana to improve to 2-5.

    Nash made it to this season after Kevin Durant said he wanted him out this summer, but not much longer. The Nets have been another mess, with bad play on the court and bad headlines off it.

    The biggest — again — was created by Irving, who posted a link to an antisemitic work on his Twitter page last week, drawing criticism from Nets owner Joe Tsai.

    “Since becoming head coach, Steve was faced with a number of unprecedented challenges, and we are sincerely grateful for his leadership, patience and humility throughout his tenure,” general manager Sean Marks said in a statement.

    “Personally, this was an immensely difficult decision; however, after much deliberation and evaluation of how the season has begun, we agreed that a change is necessary at this time.”

    The Nets may move quickly to replace Nash. A person with knowledge of the matter said the Nets were in discussions with suspended Boston coach Ime Udoka — a former Brooklyn assistant who is not with the Celtics this season because he was found to have violated team rules by having a relationship with a female staffer within the organization. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because those talks were not revealed publicly.

    ESPN first reported the talks between Udoka and the Nets. The Nets said a decision on the team’s next coach would be made in the near future.

    Nash led the Nets to a 92-62 record and the playoffs in both full seasons, his first as an NBA coach. But they lost Irving and James Harden to injuries during their second-round loss to Milwaukee in 2021, then were a first-round flop last season after trading Harden during the middle of the season.

    Much of the Nets’ problems during the latter season were caused by Irving being unavailable for most of their home games because he refused to get vaccinated for the coronavirus, as mandated at the time in New York City.

    Nash handled it all as best as possible, but apparently not good enough for his best player. Durant said he wanted to be traded this summer if the Nets didn’t fire Marks and Nash, but Tsai stood by them and Durant eventually pulled back his request.

    Nash downplayed that before this season began, saying he didn’t believe the reports were entirely true and that they had quickly talked through their issues.

    But things started poorly this season and Nash gave some his hardest criticism of the team during his tenure after their loss to Indiana on Saturday night, calling their defensive effort a “disaster” and saying he didn’t see desire or will.

    “We have to look deep, deep inside ourselves and what we want to do, what we want to accomplish,” Nash said. “Do we want to give up on this because it’s been difficult early, or do we want to stay the course and start to build something?”

    Much of that was ignored because the focus was on Irving’s combative news conference defending his tweet, and the Nets beat the Pacers in the rematch Monday to end a four-game skid.

    But Nash’s tenure ended anyway a day later, hours before Brooklyn is set to host Chicago. Jacque Vaughn will serve as acting head coach against the Bulls.

    Tsai alluded to the constant turbulence around the team in his statement thanking Nash.

    “My admiration and respect for him grew over time as he brought hard work and positive attitude to our organization every day, even in periods of exceptional storm surrounding the team,” Tsai said.

    Nash thanked the Tsai family and Marks for giving him the opportunity, calling the job “an amazing experience with many challenges that I’m incredibly grateful for.”

    Marks chose his former teammate as coach in 2020 despite no experience in the job, citing Nash’s ability to be a connector of personalities as a player. Nash was a two-time MVP with the Phoenix Suns who ended his 18-year career third on the NBA’s list with 10,335 assists.

    But his schemes were criticized as the Nets struggled defensively throughout his tenure and often didn’t show the ball-moving style of play on offense that his Suns teams did, instead relying on Durant, Irving or Harden to isolate.

    Beyond the player changes, Nash also had to adapt to changes on his bench. Mike D’Antoni, the two-time NBA Coach of the Year, stepped down as his assistant after one season, and Udoka left to become coach of the Celtics.

    ———

    AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds contributed to this story.

    ———

    AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Clippers edge Rockets 95-93 on George’s clutch jumpers

    Clippers edge Rockets 95-93 on George’s clutch jumpers

    [ad_1]

    LOS ANGELES — Paul George hit a go-ahead jumper with six seconds remaining, finishing with 35 points as the Los Angeles Clippers edged past the Houston Rockets 95-93 on Monday night to snap a four-game losing streak.

    Ivica Zubac added 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Clippers, who played without Kawhi Leonard and John Wall. Leonard missed his fifth game and Wall sat out his second, both because of knee injury management.

    K.J. Martin scored 23 points off the bench to lead the Rockets (1-8), who dropped their fourth in a row.

    George’s 3-pointer tied the game 93-all with 39 seconds remaining. That got fans on their feet for the final seconds.

    George stole the ball from former Clipper Eric Gordon. After another timeout, Reggie Jackson inbounded to George, who hit a jumper that gave the Clippers their first lead of the fourth quarter.

    Gordon’s shot missed at the buzzer and he gestured to indicate he thought he’d been fouled.

    George had three costly turnovers in the final minutes after hitting a 3-pointer that drew the Clippers within two earlier in the fourth. His first led to a dunk by Kevin Porter Jr. After George’s second turnover, he got called for an offensive foul.

    George fed Zubac for a dunk that again got the Clippers within two. But Jalen Green answered with a basket to keep Houston ahead.

    Martin, who finished four points off his career high, got hot late in the third and early in the fourth. Tari Eason and Martin combined to score 11 points in a row to put Houston back in front, 76-71, late in the third.

    Martin had Houston’s first five points of the fourth before missing two free throws with the Rockets clinging to a two-point lead.

    The teams traded narrow leads in the third, when George scored 12 points.

    TIP-INS

    Rockets: Jae’Sean Tate reaggravated the ankle injury that forced him to miss the season’s first four games. He’s day-to-day and will be re-evaluated in Houston.

    Clippers: Robert Covington remains in the NBA’s health and safety protocols. … Los Angeles has won seven of its last eight against the Rockets.

    LEONARD TO STAY HOME

    Leonard won’t be joining the Clippers for their quick two-game trip to Texas this week.

    “He’s frustrated. He wants to be out on the floor,” coach Tyronn Lue said. “Then not being on the floor, now you can’t travel. He wants to travel, but the doctor says it’s not the right thing to do right now with the stiffness (in his knee) and what he’s going through.”

    UP NEXT

    The teams meet again Wednesday in Houston.

    ———

    AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Nash hopes Nets ‘grow’ after Irving’s film controversy

    Nash hopes Nets ‘grow’ after Irving’s film controversy

    [ad_1]

    NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash said Monday that he hopes the organization will grow together in the aftermath of Kyrie Irving sharing the link to an antisemitic film on his social media platforms.

    The star guard for the Nets posted a link for the film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” on Twitter on Thursday. The synopsis on Amazon said the film “uncovers the true identity of the Children of Israel.”

    Irving has been criticized for sharing the link by the NBA, the Anti-Defamation League and Nets owner Joe Tsai, among others.

    During his pregame availability Monday, Nash said he has not been involved in the discussions between organizational decision makers and Irving regarding his handling of the situation and whether there was internal consideration to enact disciplinary action.

    “We know there’s always an opportunity for us to grow and understand new perspectives,” Nash said. “And I think the organization is trying to take that stance or they may communicate through this, and try to all come out in a better position and with more understanding and more empathy for every side of this debate and situation.”

    Irving said Saturday he embraced all religions and defiantly defended his right to post whatever he believes.

    “I’m not going to stand down on anything I believe in,” Irving said. “I’m only going to get stronger because I’m not alone. I have a whole army around me.”

    Irving took down the tweet Sunday night.

    ———

    AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Bey, Cunningham lead Pistons past defending champ Warriors

    Bey, Cunningham lead Pistons past defending champ Warriors

    [ad_1]

    DETROIT — Saddiq Bey scored 28 points, Cade Cunningham was an assist short of a triple-double and the Detroit Pistons beat the defending champion Golden State Warriors 128-114 on Sunday night to end a five-game losing streak.

    “I’m overjoyed for our guys after the work they put in tonight,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. “That’s what happens with a young, rebuilding team. There are going to be nights like this where people are going to say, ‘Whoa, where did that come from?’ That’s exciting.”

    Cunningham had 23 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to help the Pistons win for the first time since their opening game. Isaiah Stewart added 24 points and 13 rebounds as Detroit’s starters scored 111 points.

    “I think tonight we showed what Pistons basketball is going to be,” Stewart said. “We played defense the way we needed to play it every night, and on offense we were sharing the ball and making sure everyone got shots.”

    Steph Curry had 32 points and Jordan Poole added 30 for Golden State, coming off a 120-113 overtime loss in Charlotte on Saturday. The Warriors played without Klay Thompson (rest).

    “We can’t stop fouling, and something needs to click with our guys,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after his team put Detroit on the line 38 times. “We have to be near the bottom of the league in defensive efficiency and that puts us in some bad spots offensively.”

    Golden State led by 10 early in the second quarter, but the Pistons responded with a 29-9 run to take a 10-point lead of their own. Stewart had 15 points and seven rebounds in the first half, including a rare 3-pointer to put Detroit up 63-55 at halftime.

    Curry was 3-for-8 on 3-pointers in a 15-point half, but the rest of the Warriors went 1-for-13 from behind the arc. Golden State had a 22-12 edge in points in the paint, but Detroit’s jump shooting gave it a decided edge.

    “I think our offense is killing our defense, whether it is floor balance or whether the ball doesn’t move and guys are stagnant,” Draymond Green said. “The two ends aren’t connecting, and in order to be a great team, those two ends have to connect.”

    The Pistons kept rolling in the third quarter, starting with an 11-2 run to go up by 17, 74-57.

    Poole, though, scored 12 points in 52 seconds — a three-point play and three 3-pointers — to cut it to 79-72.

    TIP-INS

    Warriors: Poole and Curry outscored their teammates 62-52 in the first three quarters. Their fellow starters — Green, Kevon Looney and Andrew Wiggins — combined for 19 points on 7-of-24 shooting.

    Pistons: Detroit had more points in the first three quarters (100) than they averaged in four losses (96.3) to the Warriors over the last two seasons. … Rookie C Jalen Duran left in the fourth quarter with a left leg injury. Casey said he would know more on Monday morning.

    UP NEXT

    Warriors: At Miami on Tuesday night.

    Pistons: At Milwaukee on Monday and Wednesday nights.

    ———

    More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Patriots’ Kraft, school statements denounce antisemitism

    Patriots’ Kraft, school statements denounce antisemitism

    [ad_1]

    New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and other members of the sports world are condemning recent incidents of hate speech toward Jewish people — not just the antisemitic comments by the music mogul formerly known as Kanye West, but also outside of a college football game in Florida on Saturday night.

    A day after the NBA and Brooklyn Nets issued disapproving statements in response to Kyrie Irving’s apparent support for an antisemitic film, other team executives and athletes are speaking out against hatred and intolerance, on and off the field.

    At some point during the football game between Florida and Georgia on Saturday night, the phrase “Kanye is right about the jews” was projected on the outside of one of the end zones at the TIAA Bank Field stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. It was a reference to recent antisemitic comments that Ye has made on social media and in interviews — comments that have led to him losing partnerships with Adidas and several other companies.

    The University of Florida and University of Georgia issued a joint statement Sunday morning condemning the hate speech on the stadium and “the other anti-Semitic messages that have appeared in Jacksonville.” The schools also said they “together denounce these and all acts of anti-Semitism and other forms of hatred and intolerance. We are proud to be home to strong and thriving Jewish communities at UGA and UF, and we stand together against hate.”

    Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said on social media his northeast Florida city is “made better because of its diversity. Those who spread messages of hate, racism and antisemitism will not be able to change the heart of this city or her people. I condemn these cowards and their cowardly messages.”

    And Shad Khan, the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who play in the TIAA Bank Field stadium, said on social media that he was “personally dismayed” by the rhetoric, calling it, “hurtful and wrong.”

    “It has to stop. I’m asking everyone to make it their mission to end the ignorance and hate,” Khan said. “Let’s be better.”

    Last year, the Anti-Defamation League recorded 2,717 incidents of harassment, vandalism or violence targeting Jews — the highest annual total since it began tracking these incidents in 1979. The recent antisemitic incidents come four years after the deadliest attack on American Jews, when 11 people were killed at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, and just days before the contentious midterm elections throughout the U.S.

    A nonprofit founded by Kraft took the extra step of planning to air an ad during the Patriots-New York Jets game on Sunday that condemned anti-Jewish hate speech and encouraged people who are not Jewish to speak up against antisemitism.

    “Recently many of you have spoken up,” the 30-second ad from Kraft’s Foundation to Combat Antisemitism said. “We hear you today. We must hear you tomorrow. There are less than 8 million Jewish people in this country. Fewer than are watching this ad. They need you to add your voice.”

    The ad, which was scheduled to air during the first quarter of the game, ends with the hashtag: #StandUptoJewishHate.

    “I have committed tremendous resources toward this effort and am vowing to do more,” Kraft said in a statement. “I encourage others to join in these efforts. My hope is this commercial will continue to enhance the national conversation about the need to speak out against hatred of all types, and particularly to stand up to Jewish hate.”

    Also this week, Nets owner Joe Tsai said he was disappointed by Irving, a seven-time All-Star who appeared to support a film Tsai said was “based on a book full of antisemitic disinformation” when he posted a link for the film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” on Twitter on Thursday.

    Nets coach Steve Nash said the organization had “spoken to Kyrie about it” but didn’t give specifics. The NBA also spoke up Saturday, saying that “hate speech of any kind is unacceptable.”

    “We believe we all have a role to play in ensuring such words or ideas, including antisemitic ones, are challenged and refuted and we will continue working with all members of the NBA community to ensure that everyone understands the impact of their words and actions,” the league said.

    Irving, however, responded in a postgame news conference Saturday, claiming to believe in all religions and saying he is “not a divisive person when it comes to religion.” He added he wouldn’t “stand down on anything I believe in.”

    “Did I do anything illegal? Did I hurt anybody?” Irving said. “Did I harm anybody? Am I going out and saying that I hate one specific group of people?”

    Texas A&M’s football team changed up how it entered the field Saturday night before its 31-28 loss to No. 15 Mississippi. After coming out to “Power” by Ye since 2012, the Aggies instead entered to an instrumental of “Bonfire” by Childish Gambino. Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork criticized West’s comments earlier this week.

    The fallout around Ye’s comments also includes Donda Sports, a brand management agency he founded. Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and Boston Celtics swingman Jaylen Brown terminated their associations with the agency, with Donald and his wife, Erica, denouncing the “displays of hate and antisemitism” by Ye.

    The high-profile basketball team at Ye’s Donda Academy in California also has been affected, with the Los Angeles Times reporting Friday that it had confirmed four major tournaments had dropped the school.

    ———

    AP Pro Football Writer Mark Long, AP Pro Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney and AP Sports Writer Erica Hunzinger contributed to this report.

    ———

    More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

    [ad_2]

    Source link