The Brooklyn Nets have confirmed that Kevin Durant has sprained the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee, and he will be "reevaluated in two weeks."
Durant sustained the injury with 1:05 remaining in the third quarter of the Nets' 102-101 win over the Miami Heat on Sunday when Jimmy Butler fell into him after having his shot blocked by Ben Simmons.
The 2014 NBA MVP briefly stayed in the game but headed for the locker room when the Nets called a timeout 30 seconds later.
Brooklyn confirmed the result of scans on Monday, posting on Twitter: "Kevin Durant has been diagnosed with an isolated MCL sprain of the right knee. The injury occurred during the third quarter of last night's game at Miami. Durant will be reevaluated in two weeks."
Durant injured the MCL in his left knee in January last year, missing approximately a month and half while rehabbing, but ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said of his latest issue: "There's optimism Durant will miss less time than he did with a six-week absence last season".
The 12-time NBA All-Star is averaging 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists this season and will hope to be back soon for a Nets team that has rallied after a slow start to be 27-13 and second in the Eastern Conference.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy believes they have yet to play to their full potential despite entering the playoffs on a 10-game winning streak.
The Niners clinched the second seed in the NFC playoffs on Sunday as they thrashed the Arizona Cardinals 38-13 in their regular-season finale.
San Francisco will face arch rivals the Seattle Seahawks in the opening Wild Card round matchup on Saturday, in which they are heavy favourites having swept the Seahawks in the regular season.
The 49ers' winning streak has been made all the more remarkable by the fact much of it has come with Purdy, who began the season as their third-string quarterback, under center.
Purdy came in for Jimmy Garoppolo, who had been enjoying the best season of his career after replacing the injured Trey Lance in Week 2, when Garoppolo suffered a broken foot in the first quarter of the Week 13 win over the Miami Dolphins.
The seventh-round rookie, the last pick in this year's draft, has since won all five of his starts, across which the 49ers have averaged an NFL-leading 33.6 points per game.
Yet alarmingly for the Seahawks and any future 49ers playoff opponents, Purdy still sees room for them to grow.
"I feel great. I feel like everyone else is feeling great," Purdy told a post-game press conference. "When you're on a roll, you're on a win streak, you feel like, man, the groove and how we're playing together, it feels really good when we're on it.
"I think a lot of us are real with ourselves too though. I feel like we still haven't played to our full potential yet.
"And so, we look at it as a challenge, but we're also excited because it's like, man, if we do play to our full potential, what else could we do?
"So, those are the kind of things that we ask ourselves every day and we're excited about. But I'm excited moving forward for being on a win streak."
The Cleveland Browns have fired defensive coordinator Joe Woods following their disappointing 2022 season.
Woods was hired in 2020 when Kevin Stefanski took over as head coach, and their partnership quickly produced results as the Browns reached the Divisional round of the AFC playoffs in Stefanski's first season.
But the Browns have since failed to replicate their success of 2020 and followed up an 8-9 2021 campaign by going 7-10 in 2022.
The Cleveland defense fared well in 2021, finishing 13th by points allowed and fifth by yards allowed.
Those numbers dropped off significantly in 2022, with the Browns 20th by points allowed and 14th in yards allowed.
A significant problem area for the Browns was giving up explosive plays. They conceded 65 plays of 20 yards or more; only 10 teams allowed more.
The Browns also struggled to defend the run, giving up 135.2 yards per game on the ground, with Cleveland ranked 25th in that regard.
"I'd like to thank Joe for his hard work and dedication in his three seasons as our defensive coordinator," Stefanski said.
"I will always have the utmost respect for Joe, the person and the coach.
"Unfortunately, we didn't perform up to our standards enough this season, and we all share in that responsibility.
"We all wish Joe and his family the best in the future."
Quay Walker has apologised for shoving a member of the Detroit Lions' training staff in the Green Bay Packers' season-ending loss on Sunday.
Needing only to win to reach the playoffs, the Packers suffered a surprise 20-16 defeat to the Lions at Lambeau Field.
Walker was disqualified on the Lions' go-ahead scoring drive in the fourth quarter after pushing a trainer as he attempted to tend to Detroit running back D'Andre Swift.
Former Packers running back Jamaal Williams scored his second rushing touchdown three plays later to put the Lions up for good, with Aaron Rodgers then intercepted on the next drive, allowing Detroit to kill the clock and Green Bay's hopes of an unlikely Super Bowl run.
Walker's show of ill-discipline was not his first of his rookie year, the first-round pick having also pushed a member of the Buffalo Bills' practice squad on the sideline after a play in the Packers' Week 8 loss.
In a post on Twitter, Walker wrote: "I want to apologise publicly about what happened Sunday night. I reacted off of my emotions again and take full responsibility of making another stupid decision.
"Since then I've questioned myself on why did I do what I did when the trainer was doing his job!! I was wrong!!
"I understand I have to face everything that comes with the decision I've made and I'm definitely paying for it now.
"Also to explain my frustration in the tunnel. I wasn't upset about being kicked out, I just knew I messed up again and was wrong for what I did and couldn't believe I did it again.
"To the Detroit Lions and to the entire training staff including the person I did that to. I'm sorry."
Besiktas have denied "completely untrue" reports on-loan striker Wout Weghorst is close to joining Manchester United.
Netherlands international Weghorst emerged as a surprise target for United last week as manager Erik ten Hag widens his search for a new attacking player.
The 30-year-old has impressed for Besiktas this campaign, scoring nine goals in 18 appearances after joining on a season-long loan from Burnley in July.
Weghorst was reported to have an exit clause in his loan arrangement that would allow him to leave should the Super Lig side be paid a €2.5million (£2.2m) compensation fee.
However, Besiktas refuted those claims on Monday in a statement published on their official website.
"After our match against Kasimpasa, there was a need to make a statement due to speculative news in the media about our player Wout Weghorst," the statement read.
"The claim there's an exit clause in our player's contract, stating it can be terminated with a €2.5m compensation in case of an offer from the Premier League, is fictitious.
"The news the player in question will leave the team on Tuesday is completely untrue. The initiative regarding Wout Weghorst belongs entirely to Besiktas.
"We also state that if there is a development on this issue, our esteemed community and the public will be informed."
Weghorst came to global prominence during the 2022 World Cup when scoring twice as a substitute in the Netherlands' quarter-final against Argentina, which they lost on penalties.
He previously scored 70 goals in 144 games for Wolfsburg and 45 goals in 86 outings for AZ, but he netted just twice in 20 Premier League matches with Burnley, who were relegated at the end of last season.
Discussing Weghorst's future at the weekend, Besiktas sporting director Ceyhun Kazanci told NTV: "He is our football player now.
"There is no clause in our contract with Burnley that includes returning or leaving at half-time. Our contract ends at the end of the season.
"If we accept [any proposals], the contract will be terminated. Otherwise, he won't be able to go anywhere until the end of the season."
While Besiktas are hopeful of retaining Weghorst, the Turkish side are reportedly looking to terminate the loan of midfielder Dele Alli and send him back to Everton.
Alli has scored one goal in seven league appearances for Besiktas, who are fifth after 16 matches.
Guyana is set to build a new squash facility to enhance the country’s ability to host future international tournaments.
The new facility, which will also have doubles courts for the first time in the country's history, will be built at the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue in Georgetown and is funded by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport at the approximate cost of G$65 million, and should be ready for usage within six to eight months.
Minister Charles Ramson Jr. made this announcement on Saturday and members of the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) and national players welcomed it with cheers after he further indicated that construction is to commence on January 9.
In detailing some of the plans, the minister revealed the building would cost approximately G$25M while the internal fittings for the courts are about G$40M.
To fast-track the process, the plan is to begin the installation of equipment at an appropriate point during construction so as not to wait until the building is finished to commence inputting the internal fittings.
Noting it is a joint effort between the National Sports Commission (NSC) and GSA, the minister firmly believes the completion of this facility will place Guyana in good standing to host Central American and Caribbean (CAC), and Pan American Championships in the near future.
“Once it is completed, we will be able to put our bids in of hosting senior games, and all of the sports we have identified as core sports, for which squash is one of them, we are looking to have the larger Championships being held here,” Ramson Jr. told the gathering.
According to Ramson Jr., the aim is to host the Senior Pan American Championships which would be a “big achievement” for Guyana and it will increase the competitive pool.
“It is important we set our targets early about what we want to do and take all of the sports and sports in general,” he lamented.
There is also the “unquantifiable factor” of inspiring the next generation to represent Guyana by being able to see top-level athletes compete in Guyana, and ideally, create a winning culture.
Additionally, Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, who had touted the construction of the courts in July as Guyana prepared to host the Junior Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Championships, noted its importance that infrastructural development is vital to support the developing Sport Academies.
“This shows that we are doing exactly what we said we would do. I know we are speaking about squash but other disciplines will be able to have this sort of support from the government,” Ninvalle expressed.
Owen Verwey, GSA President, expressed similar by stating, “I am very much impressed that we have moved from the stage of speaking to now seeing implementation in a real form, that does not always happen but where we are going with the reality, is going to take us to a much higher level.”
Adorning that Guyana’s squash has done tremendously well within the Caribbean, this facility will help them make an impact at the international level, and it boosts their capacity to do more intense training.
Meanwhile, the minister said the works on the tennis court will soon be completed and construction will continue on the home for badminton and table tennis, with the foundation already being laid.
The National Racquet Centre opened in November 2011.
India will be without Jasprit Bumrah for their ODI series against Sri Lanka.
Bumrah, who needs more time to recover from a back injury he suffered before the T20 World Cup last year, is also set to miss much of India's Test series against Australia, which starts on February 9.
The news of Bumrah's setback was confirmed on Monday, on the eve of Rohit Sharma's team taking on Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series.
"It's an unfortunate incident with [Bumrah]," said India captain Rohit.
"The poor guy has been working very hard all this time. Just when he got back to full fitness, he started bowling and everything, the last two days I think this incident happened where he felt a little bit of stiffness in his back.
"It's nothing major, it's just stiffness. But when Bumrah says anything we have to be very cautious about it. I thought it was important for us to make that decision then to just pull him out.
"When we named him [in the squad], he was in the process of getting his workload done. We need to be very careful with him. He had a major injury before the [T20] World Cup. So we just need to be careful."
Brandon Staley defended his decision to play his starters in the Los Angeles Chargers' Week 18 game with the Denver Broncos, insisting they managed their roster "to the best of their ability" despite wide receiver Mike Williams suffering a back injury.
Following the Baltimore Ravens' loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Chargers were locked into the fifth seed in the AFC playoffs ahead of the meeting with the Broncos.
Yet Staley kept quarterback Justin Herbert in the game until the fourth quarter as the Chargers' starters played the majority of a meaningless contest, which they lost 31-28.
Williams left the game with back spasms, though initial X-rays were negative, offering hope the problem will not impact his participation in Saturday's Wild Card round game with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
But Staley rejected criticism of how he managed the game, saying: "There's only 48 guys that you can choose from and these aren't easy decisions.
"Hindsight is perfect for everybody on the outside, but these games are not easy to manage.
"They're not, because you don't have that many players. We did it to the best of our ability.
"We were trying to compete in the game and we only have 48 guys on the team that are active for the game.
"So we wanted to make sure that they went a good ways in this football game and competed at a high level and then when we felt like it was right for them to get out of the game, then that's what we were going to do, slowly phase them out so that we could get ready for next week."
Bill Belichick has confirmed he will continue as head coach of the New England Patriots for a 24th season in 2023.
Turning 71 in April, Belichick has been at the helm since 2000, guiding the Patriots to six Super Bowl rings and establishing the franchise as a dominant force in the NFL.
However, Belichick's Patriots have posted a losing record in two of three seasons since Tom Brady left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, having previously not had a losing season since his first year in charge.
Defeat to the Buffalo Bills in Week 18 saw the Patriots miss out on a playoff spot for the second time in three years but work ahead of the 2023 season is set to begin, with Belichick set to remain in his post.
"Our record is around .500, which is what it has been right around this year. With that, there have been some good things and some not so good things," he told reporters.
"Nobody is satisfied with that, it's not our goal, and we need to improve on that. All of us, there is accountability everywhere, starting with me, the coaching staff, the players, each unit, there are things that we will all address, and that process will start later today.
"We'll begin to turn the page and move on, to start to do the things we need to do to improve our team, to be competitive, and get better results.
"We haven't started that yet, we're still in the wake of yesterday's game. I'm sure there will be different aspects to that, as we evaluate everything, to have a stronger team in the future."
Strasbourg have sacked coach Julien Stephan.
Stephan took charge in July 2021 and led Strasbourg to a sixth-placed finish in Ligue 1 in his first season at the helm.
That was the club's first top-six finish in the top-flight since the 1979-80 campaign, but Strasbourg begin 2023 with relegation a real possibility.
They are second bottom in Ligue 1 with just one win from their 17 games and sit four points adrift of safety.
Assistant Mathieu Le Scornet will take temporary charge, with Strasbourg's first game without Stephan a tough assignment against Lens, who are just four points shy of league leaders Paris Saint-Germain, on Wednesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo will still have the chance to represent Portugal after new head coach Roberto Martinez left the door open for him to compete for the national side.
A move to Al Nassr for Ronaldo after the World Cup came after a turbulent period for the 37-year-old saw him released by Manchester United and then dropped by Fernando Santos during Portugal's campaign in Qatar.
Now in Saudi Arabia, it has not been clear whether the 196-cap forward's time on the international stage would end at the start of a new era under Martinez.
However, speaking at his unveiling on Monday, the former Belgium boss confirmed he will talk to Ronaldo, and other players, before making decisions on the squad.
"Decisions have to be made on the pitch. I won't rush into decisions. I want to meet everyone, and from today I want to talk and meet all the players," he said at a press conference.
"Cristiano is part of that list. He's had 19 years in the national team and deserves respect, let's talk. From there, it's up to me to make the best list for the European Championships.
"Tomorrow we will start working to meet all the players, and Cristiano is one of them.
"We will start a football process to try to get to know all the players who will be able to join this team. We will give a chance to all players and respect all who are already in the team.
"I'm delighted to have them by my side. It's a process that we have to face naturally, responsibly, and we're going to make important decisions for the team."
Portugal begin their qualification campaign for Euro 2024 in March against Liechtenstein and Luxembourg.
Petra Kvitova defeated Elena Rybakina in the pick of the first-round matches at the Adelaide International 2 on Monday.
Two-time Wimbledon winner Kvitova hit 21 winners to 12 unforced errors on her way to a 6-3 7-5 win against reigning SW19 champion Rybakina in a match lasting 87 minutes.
Belinda Bencic, a defeated finalist in this tournament in 2021, also advanced with a 6-3 6-4 win against former world number one Garbine Muguruza to maintain her positive form.
Fellow seeded players Beatriz Haddad Maia and Danielle Collins beat Sorana Cirstea and Karolina Pliskova respectively to book their places in the last 16.
At the Hobart International, favourite Marie Bouzkova saw off Jacqueline Cristian 7-6 (7-2) 6-3, while Lauren Davis defeated Sloane Stephens 6-2 6-2 in an all-American clash.
J.J. Watt feels he could not have had a better farewell from the NFL after his final game for the Arizona Cardinals.
The defensive end registered two sacks in his final career appearance, a 38-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, receiving a standing ovation when he was removed from the action in the final two minutes of the game.
An official stood between the 49ers center and quarterback Josh Johnson, holding off play to allow Watt to have his moment, which continued the tributes for the 33-year-old.
In a team meeting on Saturday, Arizona defensive line coach Matt Burke played a six-minute video tribute to the three-time Defensive Player of the Year – which included messages from his family, alongside the likes of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers.
J.J's youngest brother, T.J., was the first to appear in the video and sparked tears, before both he and Derek Watt made significant contributions in the Pittsburgh Steelers' season-ending win over the Cleveland Browns.
"I absolutely lost it. I was bawling like a baby, and I didn't stop until long into the night," he told reporters.
"I mean, the highlight videos are great, all the plays are cool, but when you hear from the people in your life that are important, from my family, from my friends, and then you hear from people you have the utmost respect for, team-mates, coaches, opponents, it hit me in a different way that I never expected.
"There's no way to explain what it feels like to anybody because the love that I have for them, the pride that I have for them.
"How much fun I have watching them, and then they walk in wearing my jerseys and T.J. gets whatever he had [a half-sack], Derek scores a touchdown.
"I mean, I wanted to win today, but for our family, I couldn't ask for a better send-off.
"I want to thank the 49ers, that was very classy, and their fans, they didn't have to do that. I appreciate them doing that, that was better than I could have expected certainly from that standpoint.
"[I] had my wife and son here and my parents here, I'm thankful and grateful, and I'll always remember it that's for sure."
David Goffin got off the mark with his first victory of 2023 with a straight-sets win over fifth seed Alexander Bublik in round one of the Auckland Open.
The Belgian lost both matches at the inaugural United Cup last week, but he saw off Bublik 6-3 6-4 in 74 minutes to reach the last 16 in New Zealand.
Another seeded player fell at the first hurdle on Monday as Adrian Mannarino lost 6-4 7-6 (7-4) to J.J. Wolf.
Richard Gasquet advanced with a 6-3 6-1 win over wild card Kiranpal Pannu, while Jenson Brooksby beat Fabio Fognini 6-7 (2-7) 6-1 6-3 and will now face Diego Schwartzman.
At the Adelaide International 2, fifth seed Dan Evans suffered a 7-5 7-5 defeat to Mackenzie McDonald.
Fellow seeds Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Miomir Kecmanovic overcame Brandon Nakashima and Kyle Edmund respectively.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
