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SAN ANTONIO (AP) This trip looked a lot like Kawhi Leonard’s last game in San Antonio. LaMarcus Aldridge and Derrick White each had 17 points, and the Spurs beat Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers 107-97 on Friday night. “They wanted it more and it showed tonight,” Clippers guard Patrick Beverly said. “You’ve got to congratulate them. They came in here with an edge, with more of a thirst, and it showed.” The Spurs stopped the Clippers’ seven-game win streak in Leonard’s second appearance in San Antonio as an opponent. Leonard finished with 19 points on 8-for-23 shooting. “This wasn’t just any old team,” San Antonio’s DeMar DeRozan said. “It’s a high-caliber team in our conference. We went out there and compete, compete, compete and the outcome came out our way.” San Antonio had lost two straight and 12 of 14, but it found its footing against Los Angeles and its former teammate. Leonard spent his first seven seasons in San Antonio before demanding a trade. He was shipped off to...

LOS ANGELES (AP) The Clippers’ offense wasn’t doing much through three quarters, so they buckled down on defense and narrowly avoided getting beat by a couple of former teammates. Paul George hit a go-ahead 3-pointer against his old team with 25 seconds left, lifting Los Angeles over the Oklahoma City Thunder 90-88 on Monday night to improve to 8-1 at home. “It’s any other game but it was fun to see familiar faces and share some laughs,” George said. With the Clippers minus Kawhi Leonard for the third straight game because of a bruised left knee, Oklahoma City tied the score at 86 on a 3 by ex-Clipper Danilo Gallinari. Chris Paul made two free throws after being fouled by George for an 88-86 lead, but George’s 3 put Los Angeles back ahead 89-88. Maurice Harkless was then called for a foul on Gallinari that was overturned following a replay challenge by Clippers coach Doc Rivers. “I’m changing my opinion. I think the challenge is good for the game,” joked Rivers, who had been crit...

LOS ANGELES (AP) After just 12 games together, Anthony Davis and LeBron James already know how to share the workload in their formidable partnership. Davis struggled to find his offensive game against Sacramento, so James did most of the heavy lifting with 29 points and 11 assists. But when the Lakers needed a big defensive play at the buzzer, Davis got both hands around it. James hit two free throws with 5.5 seconds to play, and Davis blocked Harrison Barnes' driving shot at the buzzer with two hands to end Los Angeles' 99-97 victory over former coach Luke Walton and the Kings on Friday night. Davis had only 17 points in his second lowest-scoring performance for the Lakers, but he came through late to seal their 10th win in 11 games. Davis had little rhythm with the ball in his hands, so James consciously took the lead on offense while Davis waited for the chance to back him up. ''It definitely increases my mindset defensively,'' said Davis, who sat out t...

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma City Thunder kept battling. Dennis Schroder scored 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and had seven assists to help the Thunder beat the New Orleans Pelicans 109-104 on Friday night. Abdel Nader scored 19 points and Danilo Gallinari had 17 for Oklahoma City, which had been 1-4 in its previous five games. Steven Adams added 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Thunder, including the final four points in the last minute. After losing their first seven games decided by five points or less, the Thunder have won two in a row. ''I thought it was a really good team win, just because a lot of guys stepped up and contributed,'' Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan said. ''We did a fairly good job of closing the game out. I thought top to bottom, everybody that was out there really contributed in a big way.'' Brandon Ingram had 26 points and eight rebounds to lead New Orleans. J.J. Redick added 16 points for the Pelicans but ...

WASHINGTON (AP) Knowing he's the on- and off-court leader of a revamped roster filled with youth and inexperience, Bradley Beal was pleased to see the way his Washington Wizards reacted to what he called ''laying an egg.'' One game after a lackluster loss, the Wizards ended Detroit star Andre Drummond's 20-20 streak and picked up their second victory of the young season, beating the depleted Pistons 115-99 in a half-empty arena Monday night. ''Still a lot of things we've got to work on, get better at,'' said Beal, who had 22 points and six assists. ''But it is definitely a good sign to see, after last game.'' Two nights earlier, Washington was beaten by 22 points at home by the Minnesota Timberwolves, who were missing the suspended Karl-Anthony Towns. So what if Detroit was without Blake Griffin (left hamstring and knee), Derrick Rose (right hamstring) and Reggie Jackson (lower back)? ''It's the NBA. There ar...

DALLAS (AP) Kristaps Porzingis made his first shot on a 3-pointer and later drove for a tying finger-roll layup that probably reminded the New York Knicks why the 7-foot-3 Latvian with unique offensive skills was once the future of their franchise. The Knicks ended up with the most important thing in their first meeting with their former star: the win, just their second in nine games this season. Marcus Morris scored a season-high 29 points, and New York overcame a career-high 38 points in another triple-double for 20-year-old phenom Luka Doncic, beating the Dallas Mavericks 106-102 on Friday night. Porzingis, who scored 28 points, injured his left knee in his last game with the Knicks on Feb. 6, 2018. He didn't play again until making his Dallas debut this season when the Mavericks decided he wouldn't play last season following the blockbuster trade in January. Almost exactly 21 months since that game, Porzingis played with a purpose early and helped erase a 12-point defi...

BOSTON (AP) Kemba Walker scored 39 points in his first game back after leaving the court on a stretcher, with his neck in a brace. It was almost enough to make the Boston fans forget about the guy he replaced. But not quite. On a night the fans seemed more interested in taunting former Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving, Walker returned from a neck injury to score a season high and lead Boston to a 121-110 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night. ''I've been over it. I could have played last game, honestly,'' Walker said. ''If I'm on the court, I'm on the court. I wasn't thinking about anything (but) wanting to win.'' Walker left Boston's game against Denver on Friday after a head-to-torso collision with Semi Ojeleye and missed Monday's game against Sacramento. He played 31 minutes on Wednesday, adding six rebounds and four assists. He scored 13 in the third quarter, when the Celtics scored nine in a row to turn a on...

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Carmelo Anthony smiled easily in a hallway outside the Trail Blazers’ locker room and asserted that he “felt great” after the first game of his 17th NBA season, even if his new team couldn’t keep pace with Jrue Holiday, Brandon Ingram and a largely revamped Pelicans squad that is showing signs of figuring some things out. “It felt great just to be back into the flow of the game, be back on the court, be back to where I think I belong,” Anthony said. “As far as conditioning, though, I felt absolutely great out there. There was minor things, but it was more of the flow of things, and getting used to how the team plays and sets and getting used to the guys on the team.” Holiday had 22 points and 10 assists, Ingram added 21 points in his return from a four-game absence, and New Orleans beat Portland 115-104 on Tuesday night for its second straight victory and third in four games. Anthony finished with 10 points while Portland leading scorer and four-time All-Star Damia...

CHICAGO (AP) Trailing by one in the closing minutes, the Chicago Bulls were looking for someone to hit the big shots. Zach LaVine delivered the baskets they needed. LaVine scored 26 points, Otto Porter Jr. added 22, and the Bulls overcame a big effort by Derrick Rose against his former team to beat the Detroit Pistons 112-106 on Friday night. Rose delighted the hometown crowd with 23 points and seven assists. But the Bulls came away with the win after dropping three in a row while handing the Pistons their fourth loss in five games. LaVine put Chicago ahead for good with back-to-back 3-pointers and added four free throws in the final 11.5 seconds. ''Somebody's got to step up to the plate,'' he said. ''I think I'm that dude.'' Porter did his part, shooting 8 of 12 and nailing three 3's. Wendell Carter Jr. added 16 points and 11 rebounds, and the Bulls snapped a seven-game losing streak against the Pistons. ROSE'S RETURN Rose got a ...

Napheesa Collier, WNBA Rookie of the Year, remembers Kobe and Gianna | The Jump Napheesa Collier, who won 2019 WNBA Rookie of the Year with the Minnesota Lynx, joins Rachel Nichols, Ramona Shelburne and Matt Barnes to remember Kobe and Gianna Bryant. Collier played at UConn, where Gigi wanted to play. ✔ Subscribe to ESPN+ https://plus.espn.com/ ✔ Get the ESPN App: https://ift.tt/2q1bFzq ✔ Subscribe to ESPN on YouTube: http://es.pn/SUBSCRIBEtoYOUTUBE ✔ Subscribe to ESPN FC on YouTube: http://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoESPNFC ✔ Subscribe to NBA on ESPN on YouTube: http://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoNBAonESPN ✔ Watch ESPN on YouTube TV: http://es.pn/YouTubeTV Exclusive interviews with Rachel Nichols https://urlzs.com/jNURe Stephen A. Smith on ESPN https://urlzs.com/W19Tz ESPN on Social Media: ► Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/espn ► Like on Facebook: https://ift.tt/1bShJBM ► Follow on Instagram: https://ift.tt/2Sf0XUe Visit ESPN on YouTube to get up-to-the-minute sports news coverage, scores, hig...

Huddersfield Town have announced the loan signing of Everton goalkeeper Jonas Lossl until the end of the season, sealing a return to the Terriers for the Dane. The 31-year-old moved to Goodison Park on a free transfer from Huddersfield in the summer but has failed to make any appearances for the Blues so far. Speaking to the club’s official website, Lossl said he had no doubts about making the move back across the Pennines when the opportunity arose. “I’m really happy, it feels like I’m coming back to part of my life here. I really feel at home,” the goalkeeper said. “I followed the club closely and when they called, I wasn’t in doubt. I need to play a bit more again. To come here and help build something again is really big for me. “Huddersfield has a special place in my heart. The things we experienced those two seasons, the ups and downs, we did that together all the way.”   The post Lossl moves back to Huddersfield on loan from Everton appeared first on Footbal...

When a transfer window is preluded by misplaced confidence and secretive flights to meet one of the world’s brightest young stars, yet ends with a panicked dash to sign a more than decade older Chinese Super League striker via email, it can never be sold as anything other than a qualified failure. For Manchester United, this was absolutely not the plan. It is baffling. It is mystifying. It is bewildering. Odion Ighalo, scorer of two goals in his last 32 Premier League appearances for Watford before leaving at his supposed peak *three years ago*, good enough for a club that considers itself the world’s biggest? And as an alternative to Joshua King? Or Danny Ings? Or Teemu Pukki? Or any of the numerous forwards linked with United this past week? It is a laughable indictment of the structure, scouting and strategy in place that they can sign a 30-year-old on the same day they reportedly competed with Middlesbrough to sign Adolfo Gaich, 20, and on the other side of the world. It...

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Flea remembers Kobe Bryant | The Jump Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist and Los Angeles Lakers fan Flea joins Rachel Nichols and Paul Pierce to remember the late Kobe Bryant. ✔ Subscribe to ESPN+ https://plus.espn.com/ ✔ Get the ESPN App: https://ift.tt/2q1bFzq ✔ Subscribe to ESPN on YouTube: http://es.pn/SUBSCRIBEtoYOUTUBE ✔ Subscribe to ESPN FC on YouTube: http://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoESPNFC ✔ Subscribe to NBA on ESPN on YouTube: http://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoNBAonESPN ✔ Watch ESPN on YouTube TV: http://es.pn/YouTubeTV Exclusive interviews with Rachel Nichols https://urlzs.com/jNURe Stephen A. Smith on ESPN https://urlzs.com/W19Tz ESPN on Social Media: ► Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/espn ► Like on Facebook: https://ift.tt/1bShJBM ► Follow on Instagram: https://ift.tt/2Sf0XUe Visit ESPN on YouTube to get up-to-the-minute sports news coverage, scores, highlights and commentary for NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, College Football, NCAA Basketball, soccer and more. More on ESPN.com: https://www.esp...

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has praised the "fantastic" deal Daniel Levy negotiated over the exit of Christian Eriksen. source https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/11923291/jose-mourinho-praises-spurs-chairman-daniel-levy-over-christian-eriksen-deal

Manchester United have signed Odion Ighalo from Shanghai Shenhua on loan until the end of the season. source https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/11923137/odion-ighalo-manchester-united-sign-striker-on-loan

How much did Premier League clubs spend on transfers during the summer window? We crunch the numbers... source https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/11914068/transfers-premier-league-spending-breakdown-after-deadline-day

Tony Smith dedicated Hull KR's 30-12 win over Wakefield in the opening game of the new Betfred Super League season to former player Mose Masoe. source https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12040/11923269/hull-kr-dedicate-win-to-mose-masoe

Frank Lampard says Chelsea are now underdogs for a top-four Premier League finish after failing to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window. source https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/11923271/frank-lampard-says-chelsea-are-underdogs-for-top-four-after-missing-out-on-transfer-targets

Neil Reynolds, Jeff Reinebold and Rob Ryan are joined by Ryan Fitzpatrick, Eddie George and Shane Vereen ahead of Super Bowl LIV. source https://www.skysports.com/nfl/news/12040/11923272/inside-the-huddle-podcast-super-bowl-liv-special-friday

Jarrod Bowen has completed his Deadline Day transfer from Hull to West Ham. source https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/11922353/jarrod-bowen-west-ham-sign-hull-forward

source https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/11922376/january-transfer-window-learnings-man-utd-need-big-impact-from-bruno-fernandes-and-more

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland made a winning return in Super Rugby when he guided the Chiefs to a 37-29 win over the Blues in the season opener. source https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12040/11923251/british-and-irish-lions-coach-warren-gatland-off-to-winning-start-in-super-rugby

The helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant reportedly did not have the necessary federal certification to fly on Sunday. The helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people that crashed into the mountainside in Calabasas, Calif. on Sunday did not have the necessary federal certification to fly, according The New York Times. While the flight's pilot, Ara Zoboyan, was certified to fly using instruments, Island Express Helicopters, which owned the Sikorsky S-76B that crashed, did not have the necessary certification, according to The Times. Because of the company's certification limitations, Zoboyan was required to fly only in conditions of "sufficient visibility" to navigate visually. According to CNN, Island Express Helicopters is "suspending all flight service for operation reasons," but declined to provide any other details regarding the suspension.  "All services (regular and charter) were immediately suspende...

Clippers coach Doc Rivers and his players agreed the ultimate way to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant is to "not just win tonight, but win it." from www.espn.com - TOP https://ift.tt/2uLg8ys via IFTTT

Bradley Beal is averaging 28.7 points per game this season, but that's not enough for an East All-Star spot, something he called disrespectful. from www.espn.com - TOP https://ift.tt/3aXSO16 via IFTTT

The latest score from the opening match in the Women's Tri-Nations series between England Women and India Women, in Canberra. source https://www.skysports.com/live-scores/cricket/india-women-v-england-women/33683/scorecard

Juventus and Borussia Dortmund have reached a blockbuster deal that will send Emre Can back to the Bundesliga. Transfer Talk has the latest. from www.espn.com - TOP https://ift.tt/37ImxsV via IFTTT

Wyndham Clark shone in the fading light at TPC Scottsdale as he fired a superb 61 to claim a two-shot lead after the first day of the Waste Management Phoenix Open. source https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12040/11922214/wyndham-clark-puts-stars-in-the-shade-with-61-at-phoenix-open

Astros have to move forward from sign-stealing scandal – Dusty Baker | MLB on ESPN The Houston Astros introduced their new manager Dusty Baker and he discusses his excitement for the job, (7:08) as well as how the team will respond to the sign-stealing scandal. ✔ Subscribe to ESPN+ https://plus.espn.com/ ✔ Get the ESPN App: https://ift.tt/2q1bFzq ✔ Subscribe to ESPN on YouTube: http://es.pn/SUBSCRIBEtoYOUTUBE ✔ Subscribe to ESPN FC on YouTube: http://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoESPNFC ✔ Subscribe to NBA on ESPN on YouTube: http://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoNBAonESPN ✔ Watch ESPN on YouTube TV: http://es.pn/YouTubeTV Exclusive interviews with Rachel Nichols https://urlzs.com/jNURe Stephen A. Smith on ESPN https://urlzs.com/W19Tz ESPN on Social Media: ► Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/espn ► Like on Facebook: https://ift.tt/1bShJBM ► Follow on Instagram: https://ift.tt/2Sf0XUe Visit ESPN on YouTube to get up-to-the-minute sports news coverage, scores, highlights and commentary for NFL, NHL, MLB,...

source https://www.skysports.com/boxing/live-blog/12040/11921877/miami-fight-night-live-demetrius-andrade-vs-luke-keeler-and-youtubers-jake-paul-vs-anesongib

The LPGA have announced that the Blue Bay LPGA tournament due to be held in China in March has been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak. source https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12040/11922212/blue-bay-lpga-tournament-in-china-called-off-due-to-coronavirus-emergency

Some believe pledging to donate his winner's check to bushfire relief is helping semifinalist Alexander Zverev, 22, make a run at winning his first Grand Slam title. from www.espn.com - TOP https://ift.tt/37DYgUC via IFTTT

Vanessa Bryant's and Jeanie Buss' heartfelt Instagram posts about Kobe and Gianna Bryant | The Jump Jorge Sedano, Kendrick Perkins, Paul Pierce and Matt Barnes discuss Vanessa Bryant and Jeanie Buss posting their thoughts on the deaths of Kobe and Gianna Bryant, then preview Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers. ✔ Subscribe to ESPN+ https://plus.espn.com/ ✔ Get the ESPN App: https://ift.tt/2q1bFzq ✔ Subscribe to ESPN on YouTube: http://es.pn/SUBSCRIBEtoYOUTUBE ✔ Subscribe to ESPN FC on YouTube: http://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoESPNFC ✔ Subscribe to NBA on ESPN on YouTube: http://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoNBAonESPN ✔ Watch ESPN on YouTube TV: http://es.pn/YouTubeTV Exclusive interviews with Rachel Nichols https://urlzs.com/jNURe Stephen A. Smith on ESPN https://urlzs.com/W19Tz ESPN on Social Media: ► Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/espn ► Like on Facebook: https://ift.tt/1bShJBM ► Follow on Instagram: https://ift.tt/2Sf0XUe Visit ESPN on YouTube to get up-to-the-minute sport...

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka was Kobe Bryant's former agent and friend. In his statement, Pelinka eulogizes Kobe and Kobe's 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, who was also killed in the helicopter accident. SI Lakers Team Reporter Melissa Rohlin shares the news of the statement and how Rob Pelinka is dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy. 

SI's Melissa Rohlin reports from the Los Angeles Lakers practice facility in El Segundo, California, where the team held its final practice before Friday's game against the Portland Trailblazers. The game will be the first the Lakers have played since Kobe Bryant's tragic death, and the team did everything it could to try to keep the mood light around practice today, including playing some football.

Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook headline the All-Star Game reserves chosen by the league's coaches. Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Brandon Ingram, Bam Adebayo, Jayson Tatum and Domantas Sabonis were first-time selections. from www.espn.com - TOP https://ift.tt/2uQJJq4 via IFTTT

Here we go: 15 multiple-choice questions on the All-Stars and snubs. Shoot your shot. from www.espn.com - TOP https://ift.tt/2uJwqbg via IFTTT

Rob Pelinka released a statement on his longtime client Kobe Bryant on Thursday. On Thursday, Lakers GM and Vice President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka released a statement regarding the death of Lakers legend, and Pelinka's former client, Kobe Bryant. "On Sunday, I lost my best friend and my sweet goddaughter. With that, there has been an amputation of part of my soul," Pelinka said in a statement. "Kobe was a force of nature, deep and obsessed with excellence. He was wise, determined, passionate. A visionary beyond measure. A dedicated and loving husband, and a "girl-dade" like no other. When he walked into a room, the energy ignited. He was high voltage, with a motor that had no limits. His mind had an infinite capacity to learn. He was, simply put, the most inspirational athlete of our time. What the world may not know, is that he was also the best friend anyone could ever imagine... "Their lives have shown me that death has no victory....

Rob Pelinka said the legacies of his 'best friend' Kobe Bryant and 'sweet goddaughter' Gianna "will live on -- and gain even more power and influence." from www.espn.com - TOP https://ift.tt/2S2kERg via IFTTT

Kendrick Perkins' hilarious Kobe Bryant trash talk story | The Jump Kendrick Perkins joins Jorge Sedano, Paul Pierce and Matt Barnes to tell stories about Kobe Bryant, including one in Las Vegas after the Boston Celtics had beaten the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals, and the time Kobe trash-talked Perk while he was with the Oklahoma City Thunder. ✔ Subscribe to ESPN+ https://plus.espn.com/ ✔ Get the ESPN App: https://ift.tt/2q1bFzq ✔ Subscribe to ESPN on YouTube: http://es.pn/SUBSCRIBEtoYOUTUBE ✔ Subscribe to ESPN FC on YouTube: http://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoESPNFC ✔ Subscribe to NBA on ESPN on YouTube: http://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoNBAonESPN ✔ Watch ESPN on YouTube TV: http://es.pn/YouTubeTV Exclusive interviews with Rachel Nichols https://urlzs.com/jNURe Stephen A. Smith on ESPN https://urlzs.com/W19Tz ESPN on Social Media: ► Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/espn ► Like on Facebook: https://ift.tt/1bShJBM ► Follow on Instagram: https://ift.tt/2Sf0XUe Visit ESPN on YouTu...

Greg Olsen and the Carolina Panthers have mutually agreed to part ways. source https://www.skysports.com/nfl/news/12040/11922206/carolina-panthers-and-greg-olsen-part-ways

All the top stories and transfer rumours from the back pages of Friday's national newspapers... source https://www.skysports.com/football/transfer-paper-talk

Fallon Sherrock has backed Lisa Ashton to "blitz them all" after she became the first woman to win a PDC Tour Card through Q School earlier this month. source https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12040/11922201/fallon-sherrock-lisa-ashton-can-blitz-them-all-on-pdc-tour

Bristol City have signed Burnley striker Nahki Wells on a three-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.. source https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/11921449/nahki-wells-moves-to-bristol-city-from-burnley-on-three-and-a-half-year-deal

Inter Milan have made a fresh bid to try and sign Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud after a late attempt to try and sign Fernando Llorente from Napoli fell through, according to Sky in Italy . source https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/11922013/olivier-giroud-inter-milan-make-new-bid-as-lazio-enter-race-for-chelsea-forward

CLEVELAND (AP) Zion Williamson's NBA road debut didn't have much flash or any fireworks. It wasn't a show, and that was just fine with the hyped rookie. Check off another box. Williamson scored 14 points - all inside - in his first pro game outside New Orleans and Jrue Holiday had 26, leading the Pelicans to a 125-111 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. Playing in just his fourth game, Williamson added nine rebounds in 30 minutes, his most as a pro. He didn't do anything spectacular or particularly crowd pleasing, but that hardly mattered to him or the Pelicans, who are just happy to have the big man on the floor. ''It was great,'' Williamson said. ''We got the win. The crowd's energy was great.'' Brandon Ingram scored 24 and Nicolo Melli made two big 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to slow Cleveland's comeback. Collin Sexton scored 24, rookie Kevin Porter Jr. 21 and Larry Nance Jr. had 17 points and 11 ...

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Joel Embiid had to do it like the kids on the playground, a yell of "Kobe!" as he shot a fadeaway in the one-night-only No. 24 jersey he wore for his basketball idol. Embiid buried the bucket to give him a tidy 24 points - and yes, eight defensive rebounds - in a somber night in Philly dedicated to Kobe Bryant. Embiid returned early from a hand injury, in part to help the Sixers in their push for a better playoff seed in the East, but also because he wanted to honor Bryant. Embiid was a teen in Africa when he first got hooked on basketball watching Bryant in the 2010 NBA Finals. Bryant's style and swagger inspired the 7-foot Embiid to give up volleyball and convince his father he had a new direction in his promising athletic career. "That was the turning point in my life," Embiid said. "It was watching Kobe. After watching, I just wanted to be like him." Wearing No. 24 in honor of Bryant, Embiid powered Philadelphia to a 115-10...

Playing in his first game since he ruptured his quad tendon on Jan. 23, 2019, Victor Oladipo made a 3-pointer with 10.3 seconds left to force OT against the Bulls. from www.espn.com - TOP https://ift.tt/38Mx32r via IFTTT

Kawhi Leonard said Ara Zobayan, who died in Sunday's helicopter crash, was often his pilot. Kawhi Leonard is uncertain about using helicopters as a mode of transportation after Kobe Bryant 's tragic crash . Leonard has used helicopters to commute to Los Angeles since he joined the Clippers in the offseason. In a conversation during the summer, Bryant mentioned his use of helicopters throughout his time in California. "I talked to him about it before our transition to playing in L.A.," Leonard said on Wednesday to ESPN . "Just seeing how [he] got back and forth from Newport, and he said he was doing it for about 17 years or so." While Leonard has a home close to Staples Center in Los Angeles, he often stays in San Diego. Leonard is a California native and spent two years at San Diego State before being drafted in 2011. To get to and from, Leonard said he adopted the same helicopter program as Bryant.  "Yeah, same pilot, everything," Leonard s...

Lakers practice for first time since Kobe Bryant’s death | SportsCenter with Stephen A. Smith Maria Taylor recaps the Los Angeles Lakers returning to practice for the first time since the death of Kobe Bryant. Michael Wilbon joins Stephen A. Smith to look back at a SC conversation he had with Bryant four years ago. ✔ Subscribe to ESPN+ https://plus.espn.com/ ✔ Get the ESPN App: https://ift.tt/2q1bFzq ✔ Subscribe to ESPN on YouTube: http://es.pn/SUBSCRIBEtoYOUTUBE ✔ Subscribe to ESPN FC on YouTube: http://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoESPNFC ✔ Subscribe to NBA on ESPN on YouTube: http://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoNBAonESPN ✔ Watch ESPN on YouTube TV: http://es.pn/YouTubeTV Exclusive interviews with Rachel Nichols https://urlzs.com/jNURe Stephen A. Smith on ESPN https://urlzs.com/W19Tz ESPN on Social Media: ► Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/espn ► Like on Facebook: https://ift.tt/1bShJBM ► Follow on Instagram: https://ift.tt/2Sf0XUe Visit ESPN on YouTube to get up-to-the-minute sports news coverag...

Neil Reynolds, Jeff Reinebold and Rob Ryan are joined by Kenyan Drake and Leigh Steinberg ahead of Super Bowl LIV. source https://www.skysports.com/nfl/news/12040/11921348/inside-the-huddle-podcast-super-bowl-liv-special-wednesday

Vanessa Bryant, the widow of Kobe Bryant, made her first public statement on Wednesday since the deaths of her husband and daughter, Gianna. Vanessa Bryant, the widow of Kobe Bryant , took to Instagram on Wednesday to make her first public statement since the deaths of her husband and daughter, Gianna. "My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time," Bryant wrote . "Thank you for all the prayers. We definitely need them." Bryant posted the message alongside a photo of herself with Kobe and their four daughters, Natalia, Gianna, Bianka and Capri. She had been married to Kobe since 2001.  "We are completely devastated by the sudden loss of my adoring husband, Kobe — the amazing father of our children; and my beautiful, sweet Gianna — a loving, thoughtful, and wonderful daughter, and amazing sister to Natalia, Bianka, and Capri," Bryant wrote. "We are also devastated for the families who...

It may help grieving fans of Kobe Bryant to hear players like LeBron James talk about losing an icon. But is that asking too much of those who knew him? El Segundo, Calif. — The last time the Lakers’ practice facility was close to being as crowded as it was Wednesday—the team’s first public practice since Kobe Bryant’s death —was Media Day, when the organization was filled with excitement and promise before the start of what’s become, in terms of the on-court product, a wildly successful season. The emotions were a little different this time, as a horde of media from around the world waited for the Lakers’ first public comments since Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash . The mood was somewhere between somber and angsty. Reporters and camerapeople piled on top of each other in preparation for what was a tightly packed scrum around a small backdrop where Frank Vogel, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis were all expected to speak publicly for the...