LOS ANGELES, United States: Aaron Gordon scored 38 points as the Denver Nuggets shrugged off the absence of Nikola Jokic to halt the Golden State Warriors’ seven-game winning streak with a 114-105 victory over their NBA Western Conference rivals on Monday.
A dazzling display from Gordon inspired what was ultimately a comfortable win for Denver, who were missing regular starters Jokic and Jamal Murray from their line-up.
The absentees were barely felt by Denver though, who startled the Warriors early at San Francisco’s Chase Center and led for most of the game.
The Warriors threatened to stage a late rally after slashing the Nuggets’ fourth-quarter lead from 15 points to three points, but Denver pulled away in the closing stages to secure a deserved win.
Gordon finished with 38 points, six rebounds and three assists while Michael Porter Jr. provided offensive support with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
The Warriors were always chasing the game after failing to threaten from long range, making just eight of 33 three-point attempts. Jimmy Butler led the Golden State scorers with 23 points.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr lambasted his side’s “awful” performance.
“We played poorly out of the gate and never found rhythm and they played great,” Kerr said. “The right team won. We didn’t deserve that. We were awful.”
Denver improved to 44-25 to remain in third place in the West. The Warriors dropped to 39-29 and are sixth in the standings.
The Los Angeles Lakers are just behind Denver in fourth place in the West after a 125-109 blowout over the San Antonio Spurs.
With LeBron James still injured, Austin Reaves led the Lakers scoring with 30 points while Luka Doncic had 21 points with nine rebounds and 14 assists.
Elsewhere, the in-form Houston Rockets staged an incredible second-half comeback to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers, overturning a 25-point third-quarter deficit to win 144-137 in an overtime thriller.
The struggling Sixers – who received another gloomy injury bulletin with news that Paul George would miss the remainder of the regular season – stunned Houston after outscoring the hosts 44-28 in the first quarter.
After leading 78-57 at half-time, the Sixers stretched their advantage to 25 points early in the third quarter.
But Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks led a dramatic turnaround as the Rockets suddenly began to find their shooting range, outscoring the Sixers 45-24 in the third quarter.
The Rockets knotted the score at 131-131 with 3.9secs remaining, before dominating overtime to bring up their seventh straight win to remain second in the Western Conference on 44-25, 12.5 games behind leaders Oklahoma City.
Quentin Grimes led Philadelphia with 46 points including eight three-pointers, while Green and Jabari Smith Jr. topped the Houston scoring with 30 points apiece.
There was another overtime thriller in Minnesota, where Obi Toppin finished with 34 points, 10 rebounds and two assists to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 132-130 win over the Timberwolves. Anthony Edwards led the Wolves scoring with 38 points.
In New York, 28 points from Mikal Bridges powered the Knicks to a 116-95 defeat of the visiting Miami Heat.
The Knicks, who improved to 43-24 to remain third in the Eastern Conference rankings, effectively decided the contest after blitzing Miami 41-15 in the third quarter, stretching the lead to 27 points early in the fourth before cruising home.
Miami fell to 29-39 and are ninth in the East.
The Detroit Pistons continued their pursuit of the Knicks in the East with a 127-81 thrashing of the New Orleans Pelicans in the Big Easy.
Detroit improved to 38-31 to stay in sixth place in the East.
The Pelicans are now 18-51, one place off the bottom of the Western Conference ahead of Utah, who slumped to their 54th defeat of the campaign in a 111-97 loss to Chicago.
No Jokic, no problem as Gordon, Nuggets stun Warriors
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No Jokic, no problem as Gordon, Nuggets stun Warriors
- A dazzling display from Aaron Gordon inspired what was ultimately a comfortable win for the Denver Nuggets
- Gordon scored 38 points, six rebounds and three assists to halt the Golden State Warriors’ seven-game winning streak
Kovac sets sights on Champions League spot as Dortmund welcome Wolfsburg
“We’re within striking distance again,” Kovac said
BERLIN: Resurgent Borussia Dortmund will seek the help of their crowd as the 12th man when they host mid-table Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga with a Champions League spot within reach after a difficult campaign, manager Niko Kovac said on Friday.
Dortmund, who were 11th earlier this year, have turned their season around after Kovac took charge in February and now sit sixth, three points behind Freiburg who occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot.
“We’re within striking distance again,” Kovac said ahead of Saturday’s match at the 81,365-capacity Westfalenstadion.
“The game is very important. We’re focusing on our opponents, because we’re dependent on the other teams and we have to do our homework ... It’s about showing the same energy as in the last few games.
“If we play our game like we have in recent weeks, I’m convinced that we can unleash a force with the crowd that Wolfsburg will find difficult to counter.”
Dortmund have taken 13 points from their last five games to climb the table and have three games left to salvage their campaign.
If not the Champions League, they can still qualify for the Europa League, with RB Leipzig in fifth — a point above Dortmund.
Kovac also managed Wolfsburg between 2022 and 2024 and the Croatian is wary of the Lower Saxony side, even though Dortmund have a superb record against them at home.
Dortmund have not lost in their last 11 Bundesliga home games against Wolfsburg, winning nine. Wolfsburg have scored just one goal at Westfalenstadion since the 2016-17 season.
“They’re dangerous from set pieces and in transition. We have to be careful there,” Kovac said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing everyone (at Wolfsburg) again but we also know the importance of the game. Friendships will be put aside for 90 minutes.”
PSG’s injured Dembele to miss Strasbourg trip, eyeing return for Arsenal
- Dembele is PSG’s top scorer this season with 33 goals in all competitions
- “Tomorrow he won’t play, that’s for sure,” Luis Enrique told reporters
PARIS: Paris St. Germain forward Ousmane Dembele will miss their Ligue 1 trip to Strasbourg with a hamstring strain, manager Luis Enrique said on Friday as the French side look to have him back for next week’s Champions League semifinal second leg against Arsenal.
Dembele is PSG’s top scorer this season with 33 goals in all competitions and also netted the winner in their 1-0 first leg victory at Arsenal, but the 27-year-old came off in the 70th minute, going straight down the tunnel with an apparent injury.
PSG confirmed he had a hamstring strain and that his “condition is progressing well,” with further assessments to be conducted in the coming days.
“Tomorrow he won’t play, that’s for sure,” Luis Enrique told reporters, while also declining to confirm if he will rotate his squad with the Ligue 1 title already in the bag.
“We’re going to do what we’ve been doing up to now, with the same idea. Nothing has changed.
“The most important thing is that every minute spent wearing the PSG jersey is useful for matches in other competitions.”
PSG lost their chance to go an entire league season unbeaten when they suffered a 3-1 defeat by Nice last weekend.
Luis Enrique’s side can still finish the season unbeaten on the road but the Spaniard has no interest in that record as they prepare to face Arsenal on Wednesday and Reims in the French Cup final later this month.
“It’s a match we’re preparing for in the Champions League, in the Coupe de France, not for the unbeaten record,” he said.
“It would be great to win the match in Strasbourg, but the motivation is to prepare for the Champions League match, not to break an unbeaten record.”
PSG have fallen in the Champions League knockout stages in recent years and have the opportunity to return to the final for only the second time as they chase a treble.
“We want to achieve this objective of playing this final, but there is still the semifinal second leg,” said Luis Enrique, who previously won the treble coaching Barcelona.
“There is not much time to rest, you have to manage all of this. We, the coaches, go for the best. I’ve been a top-level coach for several years and it’s part of the job.”
Malaysia triumph in Quadrangular series final with gritty 18-run win over Saudi Arabia
- Malaysia successfully defended a total of 135 for 7, bowling Saudi Arabia out for 117 in 19.2 overs
KUALA LUMPUR: Saudi Arabia faced Malaysia in the final of the Malaysia Quadrangular at Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, and it was a surprise when the hosts chose to bat first, given that both previous encounters between the two strongest teams in the tournament had been convincingly won by the side chasing.
But the decision proved inspired, as Malaysia successfully defended a total of 135 for 7, bowling Saudi Arabia out for 117 in 19.2 overs to secure an 18-run victory.
Honors had been even in the earlier meetings between the sides. In the first match, Malaysia defeated Saudi Arabia by five wickets, thanks largely to an unbeaten 93 from Virandeep Singh. But Saudi Arabia hit back in the second encounter, chasing down their target with a seven-wicket win driven by a brilliant opening stand of 100 in 9.1 overs from Faisal Khan and Abdul Waheed.
In the final, Saudi Arabia’s opening bowlers quickly put their side in control with a superb burst using the new ball. Ishtiaq Ahmad brought his experience, while his partner Imtiaz Khan, playing just his third T20I, struck with the final ball of his first over to bowl Aslam Khan and claim his maiden international wicket.
Malaysia were 13 for 1 after two overs when Ishtiaq removed Syed Aziz, caught by Faisal Khan. Imtiaz then took the key wicket of Virandeep Singh, who was caught behind for just one off five balls, leaving Malaysia struggling at 21 for 3 in the fourth over.
Amir Khan and Ahmed Aqeel led a steady recovery, guiding the hosts to 62 for 3 at the halfway stage. The fourth wicket fell at 97 in the 15th over when Amir was dismissed by Zain Ul Abidin for 38, ending a 76-run partnership spanning 11.1 overs. Zain struck again, bowling Sharvin Muniady for a dangerous 20 off nine balls.
Imtiaz returned to bowl the 19th over and took his third wicket by dismissing Vijay Unni, finishing with figures of 3 for 26. Ishtiaq delivered an excellent final over, removing Ahmed Aqeel for a vital 44 off 42 balls and returning 2 for 18 from his four overs, as Malaysia closed on 135 for 7.
Despite the strong bowling performance, the match was finely poised. Aqeel and Amir’s stand had given Malaysia something to defend, and early wickets would be key.
Perhaps it was the modest target of 136 that led to a cautious start from the Saudi openers, though Abdul Waheed did strike a six to end the second over. Faisal Khan managed only two singles from seven deliveries before being bowled by Syed Aziz.
Waheed launched into a flurry of boundaries while his partner Waji Ul Hassan remained scoreless. Waji was the third wicket to fall, lbw to Virandeep Singh, and Saudi Arabia found themselves in deep trouble when Waheed was also trapped lbw for 44 off 26 balls, leaving the score at 50 for 4.
Saudi Arabia slumped further to 71 for 7 in the 13th over, with Pavandeep Singh and Vijay Unni taking two wickets apiece. However, Zain Ul Abidin and Nawazish Akhtar revived hopes with an eighth-wicket stand of 43 in 5.3 overs.
With 23 runs needed from the final two overs, Ishtiaq Ahmed joined Zain at the crease.
But Virandeep Singh bowled a brilliant 19th over, conceding just three runs, leaving 20 required from the final six balls.
Ishtiaq was run out from the first ball of Rizwan Haider’s over as he ensured Zain retained the strike. But Zain was caught by Virandeep next ball for 32 off 30, and Saudi Arabia were bowled out for 117 in 19.2 overs.
The hosts claimed the Malaysia Quadrangular title by 18 runs in a tournament marked by eye-catching batting displays but ultimately decided by quality bowling. Rizwan Haider finished with 2 for 11 as Saudi Arabia lost their final three wickets for just three runs.
Ahmed Aqeel was named Player of the Match for anchoring Malaysia’s innings from a perilous 21 for 3, scoring 44 off 42 with two fours and a six. In the end, the hosts edged Saudi Arabia, who had pushed them hard across all three contests.
Both sides proved far too strong for Singapore and Thailand, with the former finishing third after beating Thailand by 30 runs in the play-off.
Mahrez calls on Al-Ahli to embrace opportunity in Asian Champions League final
- “When you play in this type of competition you are ready to win, especially when you play at home,” said Mahrez
- “We have a good opportunity to bring the first Champions League to Al-Ahli”
JEDDAH: Al-Ahli winger Riyad Mahrez has called on his teammates to avoid complacency as the Saudi Pro League side look to win the Asian Champions League Elite title for the first time on Saturday with victory over Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale.
The Jeddah-based club, who have the advantage of playing the final in front of their own fans at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, will be making a third attempt to lift the trophy after final defeats in 1986 and 2012.
But while a squad boasting high-profile signings such as Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, Ivan Toney and Franck Kessie will go into the decider as favorites, the Algeria winger emphasized the need to embrace the opportunity provided by the occasion.
“When you play in this type of competition you are ready to win, especially when you play at home,” said Mahrez.
“We have a good opportunity to bring the first Champions League to Al-Ahli and we will give everything.
“Of course the opponent is not an opponent that we play every week, it’s from Japan and it’s a different team. We have seen them play and we know what approach we can have.
“The most important is to give everything and to enjoy it because maybe some people think finals are every season, but some people might only play one final in their career. So we have to give everything to win the trophy for Al-Ahli.”
Mahrez, 34, is no stranger to success, having been part of the Manchester City side that won the treble of UEFA Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup in 2023 as well as four other English league titles, including with Leicester City in 2016.
He was also a key part of Algeria’s Africa Cup of Nations success in 2019 but is looking to claim his first silverware since switching to Al-Ahli from City last year.
“This is a trophy in another continent, in Asia,” said Mahrez, who has scored nine times in the competition so far.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play in teams that have won a lot of trophies with big players. When you play, any trophy, any cup you play for is always exciting.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I really want to win a trophy with this team, this club and I’ll give everything tomorrow.”
Max Verstappen delighted at birth of his first child with partner Kelly Piquet
- Verstappen had skipped Thursday activities at this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix to be with his partner
MIAMI GARDENS, Florida: Four-time defending Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen and partner Kelly Piquet have announced the arrival of their first child.
“Welcome to the world, sweet Lily,” Verstappen and Piquet wrote Friday on Instagram. “Our hearts are fuller than ever — you are our greatest gift. We love you so much.”
Verstappen had skipped Thursday activities at this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix to be with his partner.
The announcement gave no further details about the birth.
Verstappen and Piquet, the daughter of three-time F1 champion Nelson Piquet, went public with their relationship in 2021. She has a daughter, Penelope, with driver Daniil Kvyat that Verstappen is very close with but this was the first child for Verstappen.
Verstappen, who has 64 career victories, has won the last four F1 titles. He’s won just once this season as McLaren has shown an early edge over Red Bull headed into Sunday’s race, the sixth of the season. He is third in the series standings.
Verstappen won the first two Miami Grand Prix races, while Lando Norris of McLaren scored the first F1 victory of his career at this race last year.
