Draymond Green's one-game suspension handed to him by the NBA was in part due to being a "repeat offender".
That is according to the league's executive vice president and head of basketball operations, Joe Dumars, who explained the reasoning behind the ban for the Golden State Warriors star, meaning Green will miss Game 3 of their NBA playoffs first-round series against the Sacramento Kings.
The Kings lead the series 2-0, with the incident occurring in Game 2 on Monday when Sacramento's Domantas Sabonis appeared to grab at Green's leg after falling to the ground.
Green responded by stomping on Sabonis' ribs, and while the Lithuanian was issued a technical for his involvement, Green was ejected with a flagrant two, with Dumars confirming via an NBA statement that the four-time All-Star would be suspended for one game.
Speaking to ESPN, Dumars said: "Here's what it came down to: excessive and over-the-top actions, conduct detrimental and a repeat offender. That's what separates this where you end up with a suspension."
He added: "You know what the situation is, but you have to set that aside and look at the facts in front of you... [Being a] repeat offender weighs as heavy as anything."
On whether Sabonis got away lightly with his involvement, Dumars said: "Sabonis was penalised in the game with a technical foul, and Golden State gets the free throw.
"It wasn't like [Sabonis] didn't get off without any punishment, but we didn't think that rose to the level of excessive and over-the-top, conduct detrimental and repeat offender.
"That's why you separate those two and deal with one act on the court, and then another act."
This was Green's 17th career ejection, with the ban being his fourth suspension.
Game 3 of the series takes place at Chase Center on Thursday.
Pascal Gross has signed an extension to his deal at Brighton and Hove Albion, meaning Seagulls fans can expect their team to keep creating plenty of chances.
The 31-year-old has been at Brighton since arriving from Ingolstadt in 2017, contributing 23 goals and 33 assists in 184 Premier League games for the club.
Since Gross came to England's top-flight in Brighton's first season after promotion from the Championship, only Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne (535) has created more chances than his 388, ahead of Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold (381) and Mohamed Salah (361).
Brighton announced on Wednesday that the German midfielder has extended his stay at the Amex Stadium until 2025.
Novak Djokovic was forced to come from a set down to beat Luca Van Assche 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-2 in the Srpska Open second round on Wednesday.
Teenager Van Assche took a big step towards a stunning victory after going a set ahead, but the world number one rallied to seal his progression against the stubborn Frenchman.
Djokovic, who admitted his right elbow "was not in an ideal condition" earlier this week after a shock exit at the Monte Carlo Masters, was not at his brilliant self as Van Assche took the first set by finding two crucial breaks in the tie-break.
The Serbian improved, though, and he dominated the second set by holding all five of his service games and breaking twice to take the match to a decider.
With the first two games of the final set going against serve, Djokovic took over to win four of the next six and secure a comeback triumph.
Just over a month ahead of the French Open, Djokovic will be glad to have battled to victory in Banja Luka as he prepares for an attempt to win a record 23rd grand slam title at Roland Garros having already claimed the Australian Open crown earlier this year.
Real Betis legend and former Spain winger Joaquin will retire at the end of the season.
The 41-year-old announced on Wednesday he will call time on a career of incredible longevity when Betis' campaign comes to an end.
Captain Joaquin made his Betis debut 23 years ago and returned to the LaLiga club in 2015 following spells with Valencia, Malaga and Fiorentina.
Only the great Andoni Zubizarreta has made more LaLiga appearances than Joaquin's incredible 615, with the ex-Spain goalkeeper playing 622 times in the Spanish top flight.
Betis have nine games remaining this season, so Joaquin could take that record, although he has started only once this term.
He won the Copa del Rey for a second time with Betis last April and lifted the same trophy during his time with Valencia in 2008.
Joaquin won 51 caps for his country, playing in two World Cups and one European Championship.
He said in a video posted on social media by Betis: "Life is a constant evolution, the secret is to have the ability to adapt to changes, face each day as a challenge and always put a little bit of art into everything.
"The road is full of emotions, names and moments keep resonating in my head. Oh, that magical night at the end of April in which I was able to fulfil a dream!
"Time flies so fast. Nothing is forever they say, but they are wrong. Don't you know art? It is inspiration, emotion and transformation. For 23 years I have tried to make football an art and to be remembered from generation to generation.
"From the classic to the contemporary. Now all that remains is to hang up my boots, my art. A window into eternity."
Tottenham and Brighton and Hove Albion have each been fined £100,000 for the touchline clash during their Premier League encounter earlier this month.
The incident occurred in the 58th minute of Spurs' 2-1 win over the Seagulls, which saw both bosses – Cristian Stellini and Roberto De Zerbi – sent to the stands.
Tempers had become flared during a game in which Brighton saw two goals and a penalty claim denied after VAR checks, before going on to lose to their hosts.
When asked about the incident after the game on April 8, Spurs interim head coach Stellini told Sky Sports: "I don't like to be involved when there is a fight or something too aggressive. I'm quiet and focused on the game.
"I try to do my job. I want to speak only about my team and the game, not what happened between us and them on the bench."
Fellow Italian De Zerbi responded to BBC Sport: "I am used to always respecting everyone and I want the same towards me."
The FA charged both clubs for the "mass confrontation" and confirmed the fines on Wednesday, saying: "Both clubs admitted they failed to ensure that their benches conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and did not behave in a way which is improper during the 58th minute."
Toni Kroos is "on the right track" to sign a new deal with Real Madrid.
The former Germany midfielder is only under contract with Los Blancos until the end of the season and had stated that he could retire this year.
Kroos joined Madrid from Bayern Munich in 2014 and has played a big part in their success during his long spell at the club.
The 33-year-old suggested he is set to extend his stay in the Spanish capital.
He told reporters: "Everything is on the right track, but I also respect what the club wants: how and when it communicates.
"There is a good relationship that I have with the club over the years and this issue has already been discussed for a while."
Kroos added: "There is absolute trust on both sides. The club knew from the beginning that I was not going to do anything stupid.
"Theoretically, I could have signed for another team from January 1, but we didn't even start with this nonsense. There is a lot of trust there. I will most likely stay that way for a while."
Kroos produced a typically influential display in a 2-0 win in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Chelsea on Wednesday, with the holders securing a 4-0 aggregate victory.
On Wednesday, Spanish publication AS reported that Kroos' team-mate Karim Benzema had agreed an extension to his contract at Madrid.
Manchester United have welcomed Marcus Rashford back into the fold for their trip to Sevilla in the Europa League.
Rashford, who has scored 28 goals this season, suffered a groin issue in United's 2-0 win over Everton at Old Trafford on April 8.
The England international subsequently missed last week's 2-2 draw with Sevilla in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final tie, as well as United's 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.
However, Rashford has travelled to Spain for Thursday's second leg at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, with Luke Shaw also returning from injury after not featuring since April 2.
Bruno Fernandes is not available to Erik ten Hag due to suspension, though.
Scott McTominay is also out.
Thiago Silva has warned things could get worse before they get better for Chelsea unless the club "stop and put a strategy in place".
Chelsea lost 2-0 to Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday to exit the Champions League 4-0 on aggregate at the quarter-final stage.
The Blues also fell short in both domestic cup competitions and are 11th in the Premier League, despite spending more than £600million on new players over the past year.
That has coincided with the Todd Boehly-led consortium taking over from Roman Abramovich, with the new backers having nothing to show for their investment so far.
The owners have already sacked Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, with Frank Lampard brought back as caretaker manager, but Silva hopes lessons will be learned.
"I think the first step has been made, an incorrect step, but it has been made," he told TNT Sports following Chelsea's European exit.
"We can't be blaming the managers if we don't take responsibility. It's a hard period for the club, with a lot of indecision.
"Change of ownership, new players arriving – we had to increase the size of the changing room because it didn't fit the size of the squad.
"A positive point is that there are amazing players in the squad, but on the other hand, there are always players that are going to be unhappy."
Chelsea have made 17 signings over the past two transfer windows – both loan and permanent arrivals – leaving a number of players struggling for any meaningful action.
"There is always going to be someone upset because not everyone can play," Silva said. "The manager can only pick 11 from a squad of 30-something – that's tough.
"Some can't make the squad. We signed eight in January, so we need to stop and put a strategy in place, otherwise next season we could make the same mistakes."
Chelsea are winless in seven matches, losing five of those, including all four since Lampard was brought in as Potter's temporary successor.
Veteran centre-back Silva, who is nearing the end of his third season with Chelsea, accepts it is down to him and his team-mates to step up.
"Everybody talks too much about replacing managers. I think we, as players, must also take responsibility," he said.
"We have had three managers this season, plus a fourth with Bruno [Saltor] where we failed to win. We have lost today, and with Lampard, we have failed to win.
"Everybody is talking about the manager, but we must look at what has been done wrong and try to change."
Chelsea have seven Premier League games remaining, starting with the visit of London rivals Brentford next Wednesday.
Marcus Rashford and three other Manchester United first-team players returned to training on Wednesday in a major boost for their Europa League quarter-final second-leg trip to Sevilla.
Rashford suffered a groin injury in United's 2-0 win over Everton on April 8 and was subsequently ruled out for "a few games".
Although not deemed a serious injury, Rashford's form this season has seen his importance to United increase exponentially, with his 28 goals across all competitions already comfortably his best season.
Therefore his absence was a frustrating blow to United and manager Erik ten Hag, but there appears to be a chance he could feature at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Thursday.
In the first of two games Rashford missed, United remarkably surrendered a 2-0 lead at home to Sevilla, with a couple of freak own goals late on allowing Jose Luis Mendilibar's side to rescue a 2-2 draw that never looked plausible such was the hosts' dominance.
Luke Shaw, Marcel Sabitzer and Tyrell Malacia – the scorer of one of those own goals against Sevilla – were also back on the training pitch on Wednesday.
Shaw has not played since sustaining an unspecified injury during the 1-0 win over Brentford on April 5.
His return would be particularly welcome following the news of Lisandro Martinez being ruled out for the rest of the season with a metatarsal injury, as Shaw has regularly filled in at centre-back this season.
Sabitzer's issue was also not made known to the media after his late withdrawal from the starting XI to face Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
The Austrian scored both of United's goals in the first leg against Sevilla, though he may find it difficult to get back into the side on Thursday given the high standard exhibited by his replacement Christian Eriksen in the 2-0 victory at the City Ground.
Manchester United need to win the Europa League for this season to be considered a real success, former striker Dimitar Berbatov has told Stats Perform.
Erik ten Hag's side are locked at 2-2 in their quarter-final with Sevilla heading into Thursday's second leg in Spain after throwing away a two-goal lead last week.
United ended a six-year trophy drought by lifting the EFL Cup in February and also have an FA Cup semi-final against Brighton and Hove Albion next weekend.
With a top-four finish in the Premier League now looking a formality, Berbatov is eager to see United go all the way on the continent to make this a truly memorable season.
"Winning the trophy is always a good thing," said Berbatov, speaking on behalf of Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
"But to be successful, in my opinion, really, really successful, I think they should qualify for the Champions League and win the Europa League. That'll be an amazing season.
"If they qualify for the Champions League and don't win Europa League, then in my mind will be an okay season because of [the EFL Cup] they won.
"But I think with Ten Hag now in charge, seeing the team can perform really well, everybody knows what they need to do on the pitch, the appetite for big things should grow.
"I always connect United with [being] the top one. But this is something that is left in my mind from my time there. Obviously, my time is different to now.
"Man City are top in the Premier League, and everybody's challenging for their spot. United know they have a way to go to catch them. But they're on the right track."
United led Sevilla 2-0 at Old Trafford in the first leg thanks to Marcel Sabitzer's first-half double, only for late own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire to level up the tie.
It marked the first time United had failed to win a European match in which they led by two goals since a 3-3 draw with Basel in September 2011.
The Red Devils now have their work cut out, as Sevilla have won 23 of their past 26 home matches in the Europa League, a competition they have won four times in nine years.
Berbatov, who twice finished a Champions League runner-up with United, urged his former side to learn from last week and stay focused right until the final whistle.
"I think now it's 50-50. If you are two goals up going into the second leg, then it's a different game," he said.
"Now it's 2-2, purely because of the lack of concentration in the first game and two own goals. Now they have made their life difficult and they know that.
"That's why I say it's 50-50 – Sevilla are a dangerous team. They have a lot of history in the competition and they know how to get out of difficult situations.
"Again, the only thing I can say is United need to be fully concentrated for 90, 95 minutes, 100 minutes, it doesn't matter. Stay concentrated until the end. They have the quality.
"They've been struck with some injuries, but Ten Hag knows how to manage and get the best out of players. The only thing I want to see is concentration for the whole game."
United have faced Sevilla four times without winning in European competition – their joint-most against a side without winning in Europe, alongside Atletico Madrid.
Dimitar Berbatov and Ben Foster featured in Enterprise Rent-A-Car's 2022/23 UEFA Europa League campaign content, Mission Masterclass. You can view episode one in full at: https://youtu.be/XTCqaMGIvyI
The Seattle Kraken are not settling for a first playoff win despite stunning the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.
In their second season, the Kraken have made the postseason for the first time and began their campaign with a 3-1 Game 1 win on the road against the Avs.
That made Seattle the first team in the expansion era to beat the defending champions in their first playoff game, with the previous three debutants playing such matchups losing both Game 1 and the series.
This was especially impressive as Colorado had won the first game in each of their previous six playoff series, the longest Game 1 winning streak in the NHL.
Now, the Kraken are in a great position to advance as the 10th expansion team to win their first playoff game. Eight of the previous nine won the series.
Alex Wennberg, who had a goal and an assist, knows there is a long way to go, though, even if Seattle enjoyed shutting up their critics.
"Obviously, we played a good game, getting the first franchise win in the playoffs," Wennberg said. "But right now this is Game 1.
"Obviously, we are happy about this performance, but we've got to do it again and do it again.
"[The critics] can do whatever you want. Obviously it comes down to the belief in the group right here.
"Everyone is going to have an opinion about the way we play now, but the focus is always going to be on us. We have a belief in this group."
Previous games between the Kraken and the Avs had hinted at Tuesday's upset, with Seattle winning on both of their trips to Denver this season but losing their sole home game against Colorado.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar added: "Our whole team just wasn't quite good enough. I thought we did some good things. They obviously did more good things."
Former NFL defensive lineman Chris Smith has died aged 31.
Smith was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars out of Arkansas in the 2014 draft and spent eight years in the league, representing teams such as the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns.
He last played in the NFL for the Houston Texans in 2021 before signing for the Seattle Sea Dragons in the XFL in March of this year.
Smith's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed his death on Twitter, saying: "Rest in Peace Chris. Condolences to all his family, friends and loved ones. We will miss you."
Smith's cause of death has not been released.
Several former teammates paid tribute, with Browns tight-end David Njoku declaring on Twitter: "Rest in paradise Chris Smith.
"Hometown hero and a brother to everyone. Such a kind soul. This is heartbreaking."
Smith also played for the Las Vegas Raiders and their former quarterback Derek Carr posted a photo of the two together and wrote: "Love you bro."
AGI (Advantage General Insurance) defeated Almost Capable 2-1 in the final of the KPMG Squash League recently at the Liguanea Club in Kingston to be crowned league champion.
AGI’s Julian Morrison defeated Almost Capable's top player Adam Lee 3-1 (10-21, 21-18, 21-20, 21-20) to give his team an early lead. Tahjia Lumley secured the title when he beat Alan Roper 3-0 (21-18, 21-15, 21-18) in their best of five match-up.
With the title already lost, Daniel Chung clawed back some pride when he beat Stephan Morrison 2 -1 (21-18, 15-21, 21-18).
"Firstly the entire KPMG League was a successful league. I think it was a very good opportunity for everybody who’s playing to be able test their skills at deficit - playing better players,” said Morrison the AGI captain afterwards.
"I love it. I think it was great. I think that everybody played well throughout the entire thing because everybody has gotten through with three-game win.”
Cereal Killers, who lost to AGI in the semi-final, was third while Big Shot was the plate winner that was decided between the top two losing teams. AGI's Dave Morrison was named the Most Valuable Player.
President of the Jamaica Squash Association, Karen Anderson was pleased with how the tournament played out.
"It was fantastic. It brings out everything, the competitiveness, the sportsmanship, the cheering for the underdog, the underdog trying to bring down the big gun,” she said.
“The uniqueness of the event (the handicap system of play) is what makes it and what captures people's enjoyment with it and so we are very excited about the tournament."
Anderson said that the league was very important for the game locally, especially for the juniors who get to play against various types of players at different skill levels as they prepare for the upcoming Caribbean Championships.
According to Rajan Trehan, country managing partner of title sponsor KPMG, "We are thrilled with how the tournament went. I think the format of the game is so interesting. This along with the junior trials and the senior trials within the time period of this tournament, has really given the juniors a lot of practice and given them a basis to step up their game. I think the timing is just perfect for this tournament."
A goal in each half from Natoya Atkinson Tuesday night led Jamaica’s U20 Women to a 2-0 victory over Honduras and a spot in the final round of the Concacaf U20 Championship qualifying competition.
In the keenly contested Group E top-of-the-table clash at the National Football Stadium in Nicaragua, Atkinson opened the scoring in the second-minute of play, bursting through two defenders to score.
Jamaica took the 1-0 lead into the second half aware that only a victory would see them through as Honduras entered the match with a better goal difference after both teams won their first two matches in the group.
However, the second goal would come in stoppage time when Atkinson forced her way past one Honduran defender and eluded another to score the match winner and give Jamaica three wins from three starts in the competition.
Jamaica topped Group E with the maximum nine points while Honduras remained in six following the loss.
Meanwhile, Bermuda picked up their first points of the group stage when they beat Anguilla 3-1.
Panama is also through to the final round after they demolished St Maarten 11-0 to top Group B with the maximum nine points.
Curacao, meanwhile, blanked The Bahamas 7-0 to take second place in the group.
El Salvador moved to the top of Group A after beating St Vincent and the Grenadines 10-0 while Cuba notched their first win of the competition with a 2-0 victory over Martinique.
Canada that has won their first two matches can win Group A if they beat El Salvador on Saturday.
The Canadians at + 27 have a superior goal difference to the Salvadorians, who have a goal difference of +15.
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