LOS ANGELES, United States: Jayson Tatum delivered 31 points and 12 rebounds to spark the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics over Milwaukee 113-107 on Sunday despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 43-point performance for the Bucks.
The Celtics improved to 9-2, two games behind unbeaten Cleveland in the Eastern Conference, while the host Bucks slid to 2-8.
Payton Pritchard scored 18 points off the Boston bench while Derrick White and former Buck Jrue Holiday each scored 15 points and Jaylen Brown added 14 for the Celtics.
“Team effort,” Holiday said. “It’s not easy doing it by yourself. We did it collectively.”
Greek star Antetokounmpo also grabbed 13 rebounds and elbowed Brown to the floor at one point, then offered a hand to help him up only to pull it away when Brown reached for it.
“Giannis is a child,” Brown said afterward. “I’m just focused on helping my team get a win.”
The win eased the memory of two lopsided Boston losses in Milwaukee last season.
“It’s nice,” Holiday said. “We got blown out twice last year so getting this win here with my family in the building is awesome.”
The Bucks led 69-58 at half-time but the Celtics grabbed a 87-84 edge entering the fourth quarter and closed with a 9-5 run to seal the triumph, Tatum scoring seven in the crucial stretch.
“We just picked up the intensity,” Holiday said of the third-quarter rally. “We came out, hit shots, not getting too ahead of ourselves and getting back to Celtics basketball.”
In a showdown of Western Conference contenders, Golden State’s Stephen Curry scored 36 points, hitting 7-of-13 3-point shots, to lead the Warriors in a 127-116 victory at Oklahoma City that left both clubs 8-2.
The Thunder, led by 24 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, lost star big man Chet Holmgren in the first quarter with a right hip injury after a fall and being helped off the court.
At Minneapolis, Tyler Herro scored 26 points and reserve Nikola Jovic made a game-winning 3-point play with 7.1 seconds remaining to give Miami a 95-94 victory at Minnesota.
Jaden McDaniels tipped in a 3-point miss by Mike Conley with nine seconds remaining to give the Timberwolves a 94-92 lead, but Jovic answered with a layup and free throw for the deciding points.
Conley missed a final 3-point shot to seal Miami’s triumph, which snapped a three-game Heat losing skid and three-game T-Wolves win streak.
In another late thriller, Michael Porter’s basket with 6.1 seconds remaining gave the Denver Nuggets a 122-120 home victory over Dallas.
Three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic had a triple double with 37 points, 18 rebounds and 15 assists to lead Denver while Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 43 points for the Mavericks.
With star forward Kevin Durant out due to a left calf strain, the Phoenix Suns fell to 8-2 with a 127-118 overtime loss to visiting Sacramento.
Keegan Murray tipped in a missed shot by DeMar DeRozan with 3.2 seconds remaining to give the Kings a 111-110 lead but Devin Booker’s free throw lifted the Suns level to force overtime.
DeRozan, who had a game-high 34 points, scored eight consecutive points for a 119-113 Kings edge and the Suns never led again, De’Aaron Fox scoring the last six in overtime.
Bradley Beal scored 28 to lead Phoenix, whose win streak ended at seven.
The NBA-worst Philadelphia 76ers outlasted visiting Charlotte for a 107-105 overtime victory, improving to 2-7 on the season.
LaMelo Ball’s 3-pointer with eight seconds remaining lifted Charlotte level at 97-97 to force overtime.
In overtime, Charlotte’s Grant Williams made a free throw with 0.1 of a second remaining and missed the next in hopes of a game-tying tip-in, but the 76ers grabbed the rebound to win.
At Indianapolis, Bennedict Mathurin scored 38 points and Tyrese Haliburton added 35 points and 14 assists to lead the Indiana Pacers over New York 132-121.
Orlando, meanwhile, had 23 points from Franz Wagner in a 121-94 home rout of Washington while Houston edged host Detroit 101-99 behind Alperen Sengun’s 27 points and Memphis routed host Portland 134-89.
Celtics defeat Bucks despite big night for ‘child’ Giannis
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Celtics defeat Bucks despite big night for ‘child’ Giannis
- Celtics survive Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 43-point performance for the Bucks
- The Bucks led 69-58 at half-time but the Celtics grabbed a 87-84 edge entering the fourth quarter
Game Changers Falcons defeat Kites in World Tennis League thriller
- Falcons lead the way in table after second successive win
ABU DHABI: The Game Changers Falcons continued their impressive run in the World Tennis League’s third season, claiming a hard-fought 24-21 victory over the Kites in their match at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
The win marked the Falcons’ second successive triumph, placing them atop the points table with 53 points.
The TSL Hawks, victorious in the day’s earlier match, trail in second with 47 points, followed by the Kites with 46 points and the HonorFX Eagles with 34.
The evening began with a dramatic women’s doubles encounter as Simona Halep and Jasmine Paolini gave the Kites an early advantage, breaking the Falcons’ serve to lead 2-0.
However, the Falcons’ pairing of Elena Rybakina and Caroline Garcia regrouped to level the score and eventually pulled ahead to lead 5-3. The Kites mounted a comeback to tie the score at 6-6, forcing a tiebreak. Displaying resilience, Rybakina and Garcia prevailed, securing the set 7-6 and giving the Falcons an early lead.
In the women’s singles, Rybakina extended the Falcons’ momentum, dominating Halep throughout the set. With powerful and consistent play, Rybakina secured a 6-4 victory, pushing the Falcons’ overall lead to 13-10.
The mixed doubles match showcased intense competition, as Paolini and Nick Kyrgios faced off against Caroline Garcia and Denis Shapovalov. The set remained evenly matched at 5-5 before Paolini and Kyrgios broke serve and held their own to win 7-6, reducing the Falcons’ lead.
Then Andrey Rublev delivered a decisive performance for the Falcons. Building on his stellar form from the season opener, Rublev broke Kyrgios’ serve to lead 4-2. While Kyrgios attempted a comeback, Rublev held firm, closing out the set 6-4 and sealing the Falcons’ 24-21 win.
Speaking after the match, Kyrgios expressed his enthusiasm for the World Tennis League’s format.
He said: “Every game counts in the World Tennis League. When you look at the statistics, it doesn’t matter if a match seems lopsided — you want to fight for your team, and I love that.
“For me, this is the perfect return because it’s not overwhelming; (it’s) just the right amount of tennis. I also love the mixed doubles format. I never imagined seeing myself and Paolini on the same court, on the same side of the net, and that is really cool to witness.”
Bulked-up Tyson Fury promises ‘war’ in Usyk rematch in Saudi Arabia
- Their first unification bout of the four-belt era was decided by a narrow split-decision
RIYADH: Tyson Fury weighed in at the heaviest of his career on Friday as he vowed to go to war with Oleksandr Usyk in their world title rematch.
The Englishman, albeit fully clothed, tipped the scales at 281 pounds (127.4kg) — 19lb heavier than when he lost to the Ukrainian in their unification bout in May.
Usyk, also dressed against the winter chill at Riyadh’s Wonder Garden amusement park, weighed 226lb, 2.5lb heavier than seven months ago.
Fury’s added weight shows he’s out to physically dominate the smaller Usyk on Saturday. He offered only one word — “war” — to the interviewer as he left the stage.
“When a 20 stone (280lb) man hits you on the jaw, compared to a man at 17 stone, it’s a bit different,” Fury told Sky Sports earlier.
The 36-year-old “Gypsy King” desperately needs the win to erase his sole career defeat at the hands of the mobile, elusive Usyk in Riyadh in May.
The first unification bout of the four-belt era was decided by a narrow split-decision, although Fury was saved by the bell after a standing eight count in the ninth round.
Only three belts — IBO, WBC and WBO — are up for grabs after Usyk vacated the IBF title to focus on the rematch, instead of facing mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois.
The Ukrainian has already amassed one of the great boxing careers after winning Olympic gold and becoming undisputed cruiserweight champion before stepping up to heavyweight.
A low-key build-up ignited on Thursday when the two fighters faced off for a marathon 11 minutes at their press conference, despite attempts to separate them.
On Friday, they faced each other for just a few seconds before parting.
Usyk, 37, comes in undefeated at 22-0 with 14 knock-outs, while 6ft 9ins (206cm) Fury, the taller man by six inches (15cm), is 34-1-1 with 24 KOs.
Victory for Usyk — briefly a soldier after the Russian invasion — would be a fillip for his embattled country after nearly three years of war with its giant neighbor.
Saturday’s fight is just the latest high-profile sports event bankrolled by oil money in Saudi Arabia, confirmed this month as host of the 2034 football World Cup.
Formula One, LIV Golf, top tennis and a parade of senior football stars are among the recent acquisitions as the world’s top oil exporter tries to diversify its crude-reliant economy and update its ultra-conservative image.
Earlier, according to reports, there was good news for Fury when the pre-fight rules meeting decided he would not have to shave off his bushy beard, despite concerns from Usyk’s team that it could cushion punches.
“He has a beard and there’s been a lot of fighters over the years who’ve fought with beards, and that’s it,” promoter Frank Warren told Sky Sports.
Saudi Arabia conclude preparations for 26th Gulf Cup
- The camp, which ran from Dec. 12 to Friday, put the Green Falcons through an intensive training program under the guidance of head coach Herve Renard
RIYADH: The Saudi national football team on Friday completed its preparatory training camp in Riyadh ahead of the start of the 26th Gulf Cup, set to take place in Kuwait from Saturday to Jan. 3 next year.
The camp, which ran from Dec. 12 to Friday, put the Green Falcons through an intensive training program under the guidance of head coach Herve Renard.
The final training session, held at Al-Shabab Club Stadium, included warm-up drills, possession exercises, and a mini-game played on half the pitch.
Star player Salem Al-Dawsari, who is returning from injury, participated in the warm-up exercises alongside his teammates and underwent additional specialized training with the fitness coach to fine-tune his readiness for the tournament.
Following the training session, the Saudi delegation departed for Kuwait.
Head coach Renard will hold a press conference on Saturday at the tournament’s media center at the Crown Plaza Hotel, where he will outline the team’s strategy and expectations ahead of their opening match against Bahrain on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia have won the Gulf Cup on three occasions — with the first title in 1994 and the last win coming in 2004 — and have been on the losing side of four finals since 2009.
Bento looks to take UAE’s recent form into 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait
- The Portuguese’s tenure saw an uplifting turnaround in November with emphatic World Cup qualifying victories
DUBAI: Arabian Gulf Cups have become a source of acute anguish for UAE head coaches.
Past glories, stellar reputations or World Cup qualifying progress have been no shield to their ruinous effects.
Shock defeat to Oman in the 23rd event’s showpiece in 2018 provided an unfulfilling start to Alberto Zaccheroni’s reign. Beaten World Cup 2010 finalist Bert van Marwijk was dismissed in the wake of Group A elimination by Qatar in 2019 and Rodolfo Arruabarrena was wounded through 2023’s Group B exit in bottom spot, despite being one of few big hitters to send a full-strength squad.
Such pitfalls awaited current incumbent Paulo Bento on Thursday upon arrival in Kuwait alongside his intriguing, and much-debated, selection for this winter’s 26th running.
The Portuguese’s tenure experienced an uplifting turnaround in November with emphatic World Cup 2026 qualifying victories against Kyrgyzstan and familiar-foes Qatar — whom they open against in Group A on Saturday at Sulaibikhat Stadium.
Arabian Gulf Cup glory is always vital for an ambitious nation keen to add to victories in 2007 and 2013. The true target, however, must be to maintain momentum ahead of March’s resumption of the greater quest to make North America’s grand event.
“In my opinion, we should separate both things,” Bento pragmatically responded on Abu Dhabi Sports when quizzed about the relationship between these twin aims. “This is a competition (Arabian Gulf Cup) that has its own schedule.
“I would say it is a specific competition. But, it cannot have any kind of influence on what we are going to do in March (World Cup 2026 qualifying’s resumption).”
The ex-Portugal and South Korea tactician will soon discover whether this demarcation is plausible, or fanciful.
Eyebrows were raised by a roster that failed to contain Al-Wasl golden boy Ali Saleh and Al-Ain’s AFC Champions League winning center-back Khalid Al-Hashemi. Renewed zest fueled by record goal scorer Ali Mabkhout’s bountiful summer switch to Al-Nasr has not sparked a recall, despite a glaring lack of center forward options.
Surprise also followed a debut call-up for unheralded naturalized midfielder Solomon Sosu, who has played one minute in ADNOC Pro League this term for Al-Ain. Full-back Faris Khalil has not even entered the top-flight fray this season for fallen holders Wasl, yet is in Kuwait.
Bento has made these decisive calls from a position of strength that seemed impossible after a deflating October, which contained one point from two third-round qualifiers.
He also now has rapid Al-Wahda center-back Lucas Pimenta available for selection. The impressive Brazil-born defender could form one of the continent’s great pairings with dominant Al-Ain defender Kouame Auton as the Whites’ naturalization drive shows no signs of abating.
Bento might want to “separate” Arabian Gulf Cup and World Cup targets, but there will be lessons to learn in Kuwait.
A testing Group A contains a Qatar that have picked a full-strength squad for this event under new boss Luis Garcia, contrary to 2023’s experimental selection. The likes of record 2019 Asian Cup top scorer Almoez Ali and double AFC Player of the Year recipient Akram Afif will, surely, be determined to avenge last month’s consequential 5-0 humbling in Abu Dhabi.
Hosts Kuwait have an entire nation behind them, while their fellow World Cup 2026 third-round competitors Oman are much improved under Rashid Jaber’s stewardship.
“It’s going to be tough, due to many aspects,” said Bento. “They (Group A opponents) have their own goals, as well.
“The first game is going to be difficult (against Qatar) and tough for sure. It will not be easy to win again, after winning two times (in World Cup 2026 qualifying).
“For now, we should think about the first game. Then, step by step, analyze and recover the players, checking the best options for the next games.”
Break out of a demanding Group A, and a collision course could be set for Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
The former come into this competition as reigning champions, plus red-hot favorites to make World Cup 2026. Scheduling for this tournament has been kind, meaning many of their foreign-based stars are available for selection because of winter breaks.
Rare uncertainty surrounds a Saudi Arabia that claimed only one point last month from the returning Herve Renard’s opening pair of World Cup 2026 qualifiers. The Frenchman will be without Roma right-back Saud Abdulhamid, plus Beerschot loanees Faisal Al-Ghamdi and Marwan Al-Sahafi.
Fitness doubts also continue to swirl around Al-Hilal talisman Salem Al-Dawsari.
The challenge will be stiff in this hotly contested regional tournament. However, ample reasons for UAE optimism exist.
A strong run in Kuwait can only bolster belief within Bento’s squad, no matter his understandable attempts to calm expectations — and worrying implications if the reverse occurs.
The Whites sit a tantalizing third in Group A of World Cup 2026 qualifying’s third round, just three points behind second-placed Uzbekistan. This is well within striking distance of automatic entry bequeathed by a top-two finish, with four games remaining.
Contrasting tests await in March at perennial qualifiers Iran and bottom-placed North Korea. Bento’s men must come through those examinations in good health, if dreams of a second-ever World Cup spot are to become real.
The competitive Portuguese will embrace any triumph at 26th Arabian Gulf Cup, as will the country. Mahdi Ali and Bruno Metsu are rightly lionized for this century’s cherished regional wins with the UAE.
Bento is, however, fully aware that his tenure will only truly be judged a success by attaining global aspirations. It is the exclusive club of World Cup qualifiers populated by Mario Zagallo alone that he must enter.
F1 Academy ‘wild card’ entry for Saudi driver Farah Al-Yousef in Jeddah next year
- The all-female event is a support race at the 2025 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabian racing driver Farah Al-Yousef will take to the same track as stars such as Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton when the Formula 1 World Championship returns to Jeddah next year.
The 22-year-old from Riyadh has been selected as the “wild card” entry in the F1 Academy support race during the 2025 Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, which will take place at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit from April 18-20.
Al-Yousef will compete in the all-female F1 Academy races against experienced drivers from countries around the world.
She recently qualified for the Formula Woman World Qualifiers in Dubai, where 50 women from 26 countries competed to qualify for the FW Nations Cup Festival. The event is scheduled to take place in the emirate shortly after the 2025 Saudi Arabian F1 Grand Prix.
Having studied aerospace engineering in the UK, Al-Yousef now plans to focus on her motorsport career. Over the next few months she will test and race behind the wheel of a Formula 4 single-seater car, the same type she will drive in April’s race.
“I’m delighted and so proud to represent my country as the wild card entry for the GP and be the only Saudi Arabia entry for both the GP and the FW Nations Cup,” she said.
“I am so grateful to Saudi Motorsport for assisting me with their support and my training. I can’t wait to start testing again and look forward to having a look at the amazing Jeddah Corniche track.”
