Lakers rally to beat Suns, Knicks bounce back against Pacers

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis goes to the basket against Phoenix Suns center Oso Ighodaro during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles. (AP)
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Updated 26 October 2024
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Lakers rally to beat Suns, Knicks bounce back against Pacers

  • The Bulls spoiled Milwaukee’s first home game of the season on Friday with a 133-122 victory over the Bucks
  • Buddy Hield had another big game in his second contest with Golden State, scoring 27 points off the bench

LOS ANGELES: Anthony Davis scored 35 points and LeBron James added 21 as the Los Angeles Lakers erased a 22-point deficit to beat the Phoenix Suns 123-116 for a second victory to start the NBA season on Friday.

It’s the first time since the 2010-2011 season that the Lakers have started a season 2-0. Davis, who scored 36 points in a season-opening win over Minnesota, was key again.

“I’m just trying to play the game the right way,” said Davis, who added eight rebounds, four assists, a steal and two blocked shots.

Davis said defensive adjustments were the key to turning things around against Kevin Durant and the Suns, who outscored the Lakers 38-23 in the first quarter to take control.

“They made some tough shots, but we were letting them get out in transition, we were turning the ball over early,” Davis said. “They had 14 points in transition in the first seven minutes of the game, that’s not us.”

The Lakers, down by nine at halftime, turned it around in the third quarter, when a 9-0 scoring burst saw them grab an 83-81 lead. They would push the advantage to as many as 12.

Durant led the Suns with 30 points. Devin Booker scored 23, but after connecting on better than 61 percent of their shots in the first half, Phoenix were held to 41.9 percent shooting in the second.

In New York, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges looked right at home at Madison Square Garden, scoring 21 points apiece to help the Knicks to a 123-98 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

Towns, acquired in a three-team trade from Minnesota days before training camp, added 15 rebounds and two blocked shots in his first home game for his new team.

“It definitely hits different to be home,” Towns said of playing his first game at the Garden as a Knick.

Bridges, who arrived in July in a cross-town trade with the Brooklyn Nets, made eight of 12 shot attempts as the Knicks shook off a blowout season-opening loss to the reigning champion Boston Celtics.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks in scoring with 26 points and Josh Hart added 20 as the Knicks gained a small measure of revenge against a Pacers team that ousted them in seven games in the second round of last season’s playoffs.

Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 20 points off the bench as star guard Tyrese Haliburton — the cornerstone of Indiana’s potent offense — missed all eight of his shot attempts to finish with zero points.

Chicago’s Coby White scored 35 points as the Bulls spoiled Milwaukee’s first home game of the season on Friday with a 133-122 victory over the Bucks.

The Bulls withstood a 38-point, 11-rebound double-double from Milwaukee’s two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose big night included a monster dunk over Nikola Vucevic.

Damian Lillard added 28 points and eight assists for the Bucks, but it wasn’t enough in the end.

In a back-and-forth battle featuring 14 lead changes, Chicago seized the lead for good late in the third quarter and were up by seven going into the fourth.

Milwaukee cut the lead to just one point in the first minute of the fourth, but Chicago forward Patrick Williams drained a three-pointer to ignite a 13-1 Bulls run and Chicago closed it out comfortably.

Buddy Hield had another big game in his second contest with Golden State, scoring 27 points off the bench as the Warriors trounced the Utah Jazz 127-86 in Salt Lake City.

Hield connected on 10 of 14 shots, making seven three-pointers. In less than 20 minutes on court he added four rebounds, six assists and a steal.

Stephen Curry added 20 points. Andrew Wiggins had 10 points and 13 rebounds and the Warriors limited the Jazz to 31.5 percent shooting in a dominant defensive display.


Iran beat Pakistan in Asian polo qualifiers’ finals in Riyadh

Updated 7 sec ago
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Iran beat Pakistan in Asian polo qualifiers’ finals in Riyadh

  • Iran defeated Pakistan with an aggregate score of 32–30 over two-leg matches
  • Saudi Polo Federation chief highlights the high level of competition from both teams

RIYADH: The Iranian national polo team have qualified for the 2025 World Cup in the US after beating Pakistan in the 2025 Federation of International Polo (FIP) Arena World Polo Championship Asia qualifiers.

Held in western Riyadh at the Nofa Equestrian Resort, Iran defeated Pakistan with an aggregate score of 32–30 over two-leg matches, a media statement said on Saturday.

The medal ceremony was attended by Piero Dillier, president of the Federation of International Polo, and Faisal bin Duwaiyes, CEO of the Saudi Polo Federation, who awarded the medals to both teams.

Bin Duwaiyes said that the successful hosting of the event was a continuation of Saudi Arabia’s achievements in organizing regional and international sporting events.

“This success was made possible by the unwavering support of the Kingdom’s leadership and the close attention of the Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, he said.

SPF’s CEO highlighted the high level of competition and strong performances from both teams throughout the matches.

Bin Duwaiyes underscored the significance of the presence of Federation of International Polo officials and sport experts. He described it as a valuable opportunity for Saudi administrative and technical personnel to gain experience and further contribute to the development of polo in the Kingdom.


Barcelona ready for Real test after Champions League exit, says Flick

Updated 58 min 34 sec ago
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Barcelona ready for Real test after Champions League exit, says Flick

  • Barca lead the Spanish top-flight by four points over second-placed Real
  • “After the defeat in Milan, everyone knows it’s not easy... but we’re doing things right,” Flick told reporters

BARCELONA: Barcelona’s players have discussed last week’s Champions League elimination and are ready to put their disappointment behind them as they prepare to face LaLiga title rivals Real Madrid, manager Hansi Flick said on Saturday.

Barca, who suffered a 4-3 Champions League semifinal defeat by Inter Milan on Tuesday, lead the Spanish top-flight by four points over second-placed Real.

With four matches left in the season, a home win on Sunday would move Flick’s side one victory away from their 28th Spanish league title.

“We’re doing well. After the defeat in Milan, everyone knows it’s not easy... but we’re doing things right. We’ve talked about what we want to do in these two weeks,” Flick told reporters.

“There are four more games to go. El Clasico is important, we have to show how well we can play. We have to show confidence. The players are doing very well... We’ve been talking about what they are thinking, what they are feeling.

“We had to talk about it as a group. Everyone knows that in a Clasico you have to give 100 percent. You have to be active, intense, dominant. Real Madrid is a very good team, and we need the fans.”

Barcelona have conceded 10 goals in their last four games across all competitions, leading to questions over their solidity and the team’s use of a high line when defending.

Flick, however, is content with his back line.

“When we started, I was clear about the philosophy... There have been games, especially at the beginning, where we saw doubts, but the team has adapted well,” he said.

“They have also been improving and are happy with the style and how we want to play. When you see the quality of the players you are happy.”

Flick also singled out defender Inigo Martinez for praise.

“He likes to play deeper, and it’s unbelievable to see how he’s adapted,” the German said.

“He’s a leader and focuses on winning every game. He works hard in every training session.

He shares his positive feelings with his teammates and he is a fighter. A great leader.”

Flick said striker Robert Lewandowski, returning from a hamstring injury, and full back Alejandro Balde would not start against Real.

“Gerard Martin and the rest of the players are doing very well,” Flick said.

“After this match, we have three more games left. Maybe they (Lewandowski and Balde) will get minutes in the second half, I think Balde is ready for that.”


Foreign cricketers head home as India-Pakistan tension disrupts world’s biggest T20 league

Updated 10 May 2025
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Foreign cricketers head home as India-Pakistan tension disrupts world’s biggest T20 league

  • The lucrative Indian Premier League was suspended for one week Friday
  • The Pakistan Super League was postponed less than 24 hours after the Pakistan Cricket Board had announced it would try to move the remaining games to Dubai

NEW DELHI: The military tension between India and Pakistan has put the biggest Twenty20 cricket league in the world on hold while another one has been suspended for indefinite period.

The lucrative Indian Premier League was suspended for one week Friday while the Pakistan Super League was postponed less than 24 hours after the Pakistan Cricket Board had announced it would try to move the remaining eight games of the league to Dubai.

Leading foreign cricketers on both sides of the border have already started leaving for their respective countries and the Board of Control for Cricket in India is yet to announce the revised schedule.

There were reports in Indian media on Saturday that IPL organizers have shortlisted three southern cities — Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad — to host the remaining 16 games, provided it gets Indian government approval to resume.

The packed international cricket schedule could see some of the leading foreign players miss the remaining IPL games if the league extends beyond its scheduled May 25 final.

The IPL is the most popular cricket tournament in the world and runs between March and May. This year it has featured 65 international cricketers from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, England and Afghanistan.

Several dozen foreign cricketers who weren’t picked in the IPL auction were drafted into the PSL, which was due to end May 18.

The decision to postpone IPL on Friday came after a night of artillery exchanges between Indian and Pakistani soldiers across their frontier in Kashmir, amid a growing military standoff that erupted following an attack on tourists in the India-controlled portion of the disputed region.

On Friday night and Saturday, overseas cricketers and broadcast staff were given permission to fly out to their respective home countries, reducing the chance that the tournament would be resumed. There are about 70 overseas players in the IPL this season.

The BCCI said the decision to suspend the tournament was made “in the collective interest of all stakeholders.”

“While cricket remains a national passion, there is nothing greater than the nation and its sovereignty, integrity, and security of our country,” the BCCI statement said.

The suspension came after the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala in northern India was abandoned Thursday evening when the power went out during a government-mandated blackout. Players from both teams returned by train late Friday to New Delhi.

Punjab’s next game against Mumbai Indians had already been moved from Dharamsala to Mumbai because of the closure of several airports in the Indian northwestern corridor.

In Pakistan, foreign players were flown out of Islamabad in a special chartered flight hours before both countries were engaged in missile and drone attacks on each other’s military bases in the most serious confrontation between the nuclear-armed rivals in decades.

On Thursday, an Indian drone fell inside the complex of the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium hours before the start of a PSL game in which several cricketers from New Zealand, Australia, West Indies, South Africa and England were due to compete.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also interior minister in the Pakistan government, held meetings with foreign cricketers and six franchise owners of the PSL before initially saying the tournament was being moved to Dubai before suspending it.

“Cricket, while being a unifying force and a source of joy, must take a respectful pause,” the PCB said in a statement.

The PCB said it acted on advice from Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The PCB had earlier confirmed the relocation of eight remaining PSL matches to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, citing growing concerns among overseas players and the need to prioritize their safety. But the latest announcement said the PSL was being postponed and gave no indication whether this year’s edition would resume at some point.

England cricketer Sam Billings, New Zealand’s Colin Munro, South African Rilee Rossouw and Jason Holder of West Indies were among 43 foreign cricketers competing in the PSL.

“We have sincere regard for the mental well-being of participating players and the sentiments of our foreign players, and we respect the concerns of their families who want to see them back home,” the PCB said.


Postecoglou ‘hopeful’ Son will return for Spurs against Palace

Updated 10 May 2025
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Postecoglou ‘hopeful’ Son will return for Spurs against Palace

  • South Korea international Son, 32, has missed the club’s past seven fixtures with a foot injury
  • “Half hopeful that we get Sonny some minutes tomorrow so he’ll be the only one that sort of can come back in,” Postecoglou said

LONDON: Ange Postecoglou says he is “half hopeful” that captain Son Heung-min will return on Sunday as he makes plans for Tottenham’s showdown with Manchester United in the Europa League final.

South Korea international Son, 32, has missed the club’s past seven fixtures with a foot injury, including both legs of Tottenham’s 5-1 aggregate win against Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League semifinals.

“Everyone got through OK the other night. Half hopeful that we get Sonny some minutes tomorrow so he’ll be the only one that sort of can come back in,” Spurs boss Postecoglou said on Saturday.

“I think what we do know about Thursday night, playing on an artificial pitch (in Norway) takes a lot out of the players, it’s fair to say they were sore.”

Defenders Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie are expected to be rested against Palace.

Tottenham are a lowly 16th in the Premier League ahead of their match against Palace — a point and a place below United.

But they reached the semifinals of the League Cup and have a chance to win their first silverware for 17 years in the Europa League.

The Australian will bring up a century of fixtures as Tottenham boss in the Europa League final against United in Bilbao on May 21.

“It’d be a nice little bow there for that 100 and it’s been a really full 100,” he said. “It’s fair to say I’ve experienced just about every emotion in it and hopefully the one main emotion we’re all after will be the joy at the end of it.

“We have had a ridiculous injury-riddled season coupled by the fact we’ve done really well in two competitions and that is 60 games.

“So, it has felt — and certainly for me personally it has felt — like a really, really long season.

“But you just get energy and realize what happened the other night and you’re so close to achieving something special that it all dissipates into the background, so you get the energy you need.”


Chopra postpones javelin meet amid India-Pakistan conflict

Updated 10 May 2025
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Chopra postpones javelin meet amid India-Pakistan conflict

  • Chopra’s move came after cricket-mad India and Pakistan suspended their elite Twenty20 leagues on Friday 
  • Neeraj Chopra Classic on May 24, World Athletics Gold category meet, was set to feature host of international names 

BENGALURU: India’s Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra has postponed an eponymous javelin event in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru this month after his country and neighbor Pakistan extended their worst fighting in nearly three decades.
The Neeraj Chopra Classic on May 24, a World Athletics Gold category meet, was set to feature a host of international names including Anderson Peters, Julius Yego, Thomas Roehler and Curtis Thompson.
Chopra’s move came after cricket-mad India and Pakistan suspended their elite Twenty20 leagues on Friday in the wake of the ongoing conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
“This decision has been made after careful thought and consultation, with the wellbeing of athletes, stakeholders, and the broader community as the top priority,” Chopra’s team announced on social media on Friday.
“We believe in the unifying power of sport. But, in this critical moment, standing firm with the nation matters most. All our gratitude and thoughts at this point are only with our Armed Forces, who are at the forefront for our nation.”
Chopra said late last month it was “completely out of the question” that rival and Paris Olympics gold medalist Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan would attend the meet following a deadly Islamist militant attack in Indian Kashmir.
The two countries have clashed since India struck multiple locations in Pakistan on Wednesday that it said were “terrorist camps” in retaliation for the attack in Kashmir, in which it said Islamabad was involved.
Pakistan denied the accusation but both countries have exchanged cross-border firing and shelling and sent drones and missiles into each other’s airspace since then, with dozens of people dying in the violence.
Chopra, who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, said a revised schedule for his event would be provided in due course.