The Denver Nuggets have won their first NBA championship with a 94-89 victory over the Miami Heat in game five of the NBA finals.
In a back-and-forth affair, the Nuggets were able to hold off a late rally from Miami and claim the Larry O’Brien trophy in front of their home fans.
Nikola Jokic again led the way for Denver with 28 points, while Jimmy Butler finished with 21 after a late flurry brought the Heat agonisingly close to forcing a game six back in Miami.
Some early struggles from deep gave the Heat a seven-point lead at half-time, but Denver clamped down defensively in the second half and held Miami to just 38 points over the final two quarters.
Eight-straight points and a pair of clutch free throws from Butler put the Heat back in front by one with less than two minutes remaining, but the visitors were ultimately unable to claw their way back again after Denver’s Bruce Brown grabbed an offensive rebound and tip-in.
Bruce Brown scored the go-ahead layup with 1:30 remaining and the Denver Nuggets held on for a 94-89 win over the Miami Heat on Monday to clinch the first NBA championship in franchise history.
Denver overcame a 10-point second-quarter deficit to oust the underdog Heat in five games and secure the first title in the team's 47-year NBA tenure. Nikola Jokić led the second-half rally and finished with 28 points and 16 rebounds, while Michael Porter Jr. added 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Miami was seeking to become the first No. 8 seed out of a conference to win a championship and had guard Tyler Herro active for the first time since he broke his right hand in the team's playoff opener on April 16. The 2021-22 NBA Sixth Man of the Year did not play, however.
Kylian Mbappe has told Paris St Germain he will not take up a one-year contract extension, according to reports, so could be sold this summer or will be able to leave as a free agent at the end of next season.
The 24-year-old, signed from Monaco for £160million in 2018 which was a world-record fee for a teenager, continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid.
According to reports, France World Cup winner Mbappe left the PSG hierarchy stunned by the decision which was presented in a formal letter and follows on from Lionel Messi announcing his departure to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami.
PSG now appear set to have to weigh up whether to sell Mbappe – who scored a hat-trick in France’s defeat by Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final – or see him leave the club for nothing at the end of his current deal in June 2024.
Reports in France had suggested PSG were hopeful over an extension to Mbappe’s contract.
However, Real Madrid could now step up their interest as they look to bolster the forward line after veteran Karim Benzema’s move to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
Matt Fitzpatrick admits he is as confused as anyone about the direction golf is heading in but insists it will not affect his thinking when he begins the defence of his US Open title on Thursday.
The dust is still settling a week on from the shock announcement of the commercial merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and PIF (Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund), which has been the backer of the breakaway LIV Golf.
On the face of it golf’s bitter civil war appears to be over but under the surface there are many so-far unanswered questions and residual feelings of resentment by a large section of the two main tours’ membership at how they have been treated in the whole saga.
But although several days have passed since PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan went on live network television in the United States with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan to announce the surprise deal there are very few details about how things will work, and that has led to dissent among the rank and file.
“I guess the whole thing is confusing. It was confusing last year,” said the Sheffield golfer, who swerved a question about whether those players who remained loyal to the established tours should be suitably compensated for missing out on LIV’s millions.
“I don’t think anyone knows what’s going on. Are we signing with the PIF? Are we not signing with the PIF? I have no idea.
“Even though I guess it is confusing, it’s pretty clear that nobody knows what’s going on apart from about four people in the world.”
That will not cloud his thought process when it comes to mounting a defence of his breakthrough major title from Brookline 12 months ago.
View this post on Instagram“No, I think it’s over-rated. I think you’re not going to be stood on the first tee thinking ‘Oh what’s going on in the golf world?’.“You’re thinking, ‘It’s a par four, where do I need to hit it? Where is the wind?’ That’s all you’re thinking about.”
Fitzpatrick will have plenty of things to think about at the Los Angeles Country Club, which he last saw in February on a reconnaissance mission.
That differs from Brookline, a course on which nine years earlier he had won the US Amateur.
“I seem to remember just last year just thinking about the tournament, just the US Open,” he said.
“It was obviously different because I had a tie to the golf course and the history there, so probably was easier for me to mentally focus on that and be in a better place than obviously all this confusion that’s going on this week.
“I guess in this day and age you’d like to think there might be some artificial intelligence you could use to kind of plot your way around. That’s probably something I’ll have to look into.”
Fitzpatrick admits finally getting a win over the line in a major has done wonders for his self-belief, even if a back problem has restricted him this season.
A year ago he rose to the occasion coming down the stretch, memorably hit a brilliant approach from a fairway bunker to 20 feet to save par and secure a one-shot victory over Will Zalatoris, who missed a birdie putt to force a play-off.
“It’s obviously been a huge boost. Winning last year gave me the boost that when I played my best or when I play well I can compete with anyone and I can win a major,” added the 28-year-old, who revealed he took the US Open trophy on holiday with him to Italy last summer, stopping off at Capri, Amalfi and Positano.
“I think that was the biggest thing for me to take away, (now) turning up to events knowing that (if) my game feels in good shape I’ve got a chance to win this week.
“Maybe previously I’ve almost felt like I played well and not necessarily competed in majors, whereas now I feel like it’s kind of the opposite.
“As long as my game is there or thereabouts, I feel like I can perform.”
The Toronto Raptors' Fred VanVleet is declining his $22.8million player option for 2023-24, and will become an unrestricted free agent in July.
The news was first reported Monday by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who also noted it's possible VanVleet returns to the Raptors under a new deal.
As one of the top point guards entering free agency, however, VanVleet will likely receive some enticing offers this summer.
Undrafted out of Wichita State, VanVleet has played his entire seven-year career with the Raptors and was instrumental to their 2019 title.
A first-year All-Star in 2021-22 when he averaged a career-high 20.3 points per game and 6.7 assists per games, VanVleet averaged 19.3 points, a career-best 7.2 assists and 1.78 steals to rank third in the NBA last season.
With averages of 17.5 points, 6.3 assists and 1.75 steals over the last four seasons, he is one of three NBA players (along with Dejounte Murray and Jrue Holiday) to average at least 17 points, 6 assists and 1.5 steals over that span.
Over the last three seasons, his average of 37.1 minutes per game trails only Toronto teammate Pascal Siakam.
Sleep-deprived Manchester City winger Jack Grealish admits he has had “the best day and night” as the club celebrated their treble-winning season following the capture of the Champions League title.
Even a typical Manchester downpour and passing lightning storm could not dampen spirits as Pep Guardiola and his squad paraded their newly-acquired European Cup alongside the Premier League trophy and FA Cup.
City returned from Istanbul on Sunday afternoon and it has been one long party – with celebrations set to continue for a while longer as Grealish was overheard to ask striker Erling Haaland: ‘Are we having it?’ while on their one-mile tour around the city centre.
Haaland’s response was to empty a bottle of champagne over the £100million signing, who later told a large crowd assembled in St Peter’s Square: “For the past 24 hours I’ve had the best day and night. To be fair I don’t think I’ve had any sleep.”
The players had arrived for their parade via Metrolink tram from the Etihad Stadium but the weather delayed proceedings somewhat.
Supporters had expected to be let into the fanzone in front of the stage at 5pm but due to the threat of lighting storms that was pushed back by 90 minutes.
Rain started falling shortly after 6pm and, as a result, the start of the proceedings was delayed by 40 minutes but it did not deter the fans who came out in their droves to cheer on City’s squad and manager Guardiola, all wearing matching ‘Treble winners’ T-shirts.
Halfway around those now-drenched T-shirts started to be dispensed with as City’s 52-goal striker Haaland threw his into the crowd and, with the rest of the squad, arrived on stage 45 minutes later than expected still topless.
“We had to be the best parade with this rain, otherwise it is not Manchester,” Guardiola said to the delight of the waiting crowd.
“We don’t want sunshine, we want rain, so it was perfect. They (fans) are used to the rain.”
The Calgary Flames hired Ryan Huska to be their next head coach on Monday, opting to stay in-house after missing the playoffs this season.
Huska has coached in the Flames organization since taking over as head coach of Calgary’s American Hockey League affiliate in 2014-15.
He joined the Flames as an assistant coach in 2018.
"Following a detailed search process, today we are proud to introduce Ryan Huska as head coach of the Calgary Flames," said Craig Conroy, who was named Flames general manager last month.
"While continuity and familiarity are a benefit, we have witnessed first-hand Ryan's work ethic; he is a clear communicator who builds trust with his players; and he's a critical thinker with a plan.
"Ryan provides 11 seasons of bench experience as a head coach from the WHL and the AHL and over 20 years coaching in total, including knowledge gained as an assistant coach in Calgary for the past five seasons.
“Ryan has earned this opportunity and we are confident he is the right coach for our team."
Huska went 303-164-37 in seven seasons as a head coach in the Western Hockey League and
135-118-27 in four years in the AHL.
He never had a losing record in any of those 11 seasons and reached the playoffs eight times.
"I'm honoured to have earned the trust of Flames ownership, of Craig and the entire management group to coach this team," Huska said.
"My position coming into this is a little different than most as I know our players very well. We have good people in our dressing room, excellent hockey players who want to win.
“My job is to inspire them every single day to help get our team to the next level."
Huska takes over for Darryl Sutter, who led Calgary to a 38-27-17 record last season.
The Flames went 50-21-11 in in 2021-22 to finish with 111 points – the second-most in franchise history - before being eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference semifinals.
Rain and the threat of lightning storms could not dampen Manchester City’s open-top bus parade to celebrate their treble success on Monday evening.
Thousands of fans had lined the streets to cheer on Pep Guardiola’s squad who secured the Champions League trophy with victory over Inter Milan in Istanbul on Saturday night to add to the Premier League title and FA Cup.
Access to the stage show site on St Peter’s Square was initially delayed due to reports of adverse weather conditions and lightning storms in the area, with the club later confirming the start of the trophy parade from Beetham Tower on Deansgate was put back until 7pm.
The team took the tram to St Peter’s Square, where four buses set off down Deansgate and onto Cross Street, before heading via King Street, Brown Street and then Booth Street with the parade scheduled to finish at Nicholas Street.
Defender Nathan Ake held aloft the Premier League trophy to the delight of the City fans who had braved the rain, many following down on foot towards the stage celebrations once the route was clear.
Midfielder Phil Foden waved the Champions League trophy, while Guardiola smoked a cigar as he took in the scenes.
Sports stars and clubs across the world continue to provide an insight into their lives on social media.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the best examples from June 12.
FootballAymeric Laporte slept well.
King Kevin.
Anything metal to check in?
City’s celebrations continued at an open-top bus parade through Manchester’s city centre.
Declan Rice arrived at England camp.
Usain Bolt secured another Soccer Aid win.
Birthday wishes.
Keeping cool in the pool.
Formula OneGeorge Russell celebrated with Jack Grealish.
Esteban Ocon met history-maker Novak Djokovic.
One of the most exciting wins…
CricketBen Stokes was ready for the Ashes.
Pat Cummins revelled in Australia’s success.
Things did not go to plan at Kent.
GolfNick Taylor won the Canadian Open on home soil in spectacular fashion.
Ian Poulter put in the hard yards.
Each year, scores of Jamaican student-athletes take up a variety of academic scholarships, primarily in track and field, swimming and football, to US universities.
That pool could be about to be widened as Darren Dyer, a 22-year-old Jamaican athlete, is making history as the first Jamaican to receive a frisbee scholarship to a US college.
Dyer, who attended St George's College and University of the Commonwealth Caribbean in New Kingston, is set to transfer to Davenport in Michigan to pursue a degree in networking with cybersecurity.
In an exclusive interview, Dyer shared his journey to receiving the scholarship and his aspirations to turn professional in the world of frisbee once he completes his education.
The concept of a frisbee scholarship may seem unconventional to many, but Dyer explains how the sport has been rapidly growing in recent years, transitioning from playing in local fields to occupying renowned football stadiums. "Now schools are investing more into the sport because they see opportunity just like other sports. Rugby, lacrosse, all those kind of sports that have grown, they're basically taking this opportunity now," Dyer explains.
Dyer's breakthrough came when a team from the US visited Jamaica to compete in a tournament. Impressed by his talent, Mike Zagman, Head Coach Men's and Women's Ultimate Frisbee Team at Davenport, reached out to American schools, sharing Dyer's footage and information.
This sparked interest from several institutions, revealing the untapped potential of Jamaican frisbee players.
"These opportunities are there; it's just that they don't really know that we play in Jamaica," Dyer remarks. "I'll be the first from Jamaica to be receiving this opportunity."
For those unfamiliar with frisbee, Dyer provides an overview of the game. Comparable to American football, it features end zones where players score goals by catching the frisbee. However, unlike football, frisbee is a continuous sport without frequent stoppages. "You throw the frisbee around as many times as you like until you score it on somebody," Dyer explains.
Similar to netball, players are not allowed to run with the frisbee once caught; instead, they have 10 seconds to release it. Different throws, such as forehand, backhand, overhead, and hammer, add variety and creativity to the game.
As Dyer embarks on this groundbreaking journey, he plans to make the most of his time at Davenport. Scheduled to start in August, he aims to leverage the exposure and training opportunities, including practicing with professional teams from the AUDL (American Ultimate Disc League) that will be using the Davenport facilities. With the sport gaining recognition, Dyer envisions a future where frisbee becomes a viable professional career option for Jamaicans.
Reflecting on his role as a trailblazer for Jamaica, Dyer expresses his optimism for the future of frisbee in his home country. "I see big things coming for Jamaica, especially in this sport," he says proudly. "I'm very proud of myself for getting this opportunity, and I believe more Jamaicans will start to become involved. All we used to play were other sports, and now with scholarships, I feel like more people will be encouraged to participate."
For those interested in joining the frisbee community in Jamaica, Dyer suggests reaching out to the Jamaica Ultimate Page on Instagram or contacting him directly at dar.dyrer on Instagram. He also mentions Zagman as a valuable resource for further information.
Darren Dyer's groundbreaking achievement not only highlights his personal success but also opens doors for future generations of Jamaican frisbee players.
The US Senate has launched an investigation into the planned commercial merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf.
Richard Blumenthal, chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigation, has written to PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan requesting all documents and information relating to the controversial agreement.
Blumenthal has raised concerns over the involvement of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns LIV Golf.
“PIF’s role as an arm of the Saudi government and PGA Tour’s sudden and drastic reversal of position concerning LIV Golf raise serious questions regarding the reasons for and terms behind the announced agreement,” Blumenthal writes.
“Prior to this agreement, PGA Tour was one of the loudest critics of LIV Golf’s affiliation with Saudi Arabia.”
Blumenthal also talks about the “risks posed by a foreign government entity assuming control over a cherished American institution” and notes that the PIF is using its investment in sport to “further the Saudi government’s strategic objectives”.
The PGA’s intention to preserve its tax-exempt status once the merger has been completed raises additional concerns, according to the Democratic Party senator for Connecticut.
The documents requested by the investigation must be provided by June 26, three weeks after news of the merger broke.
While signalling the end of a year of unprecedented disruption in the men’s professional game following the launch of the LIV Golf circuit, the arrangement is highly contentious and has been met with shock by some players.
Tyler Herro will reportedly attempt to return from a broken right hand Monday as the Miami Heat try to force a Game 6 in the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets.
Herro has been out since sustaining the injury in the eighth-seeded Heat's playoff opener at the Milwaukee Bucks on April 16. He was upgraded to questionable Monday after being listed as out earlier in the day.
The 2021-22 NBA Sixth Man of the Year combined for 38 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in two play-in games after averaging 20.1 points and setting career bests with 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game during the regular season.
Herro also established a career high with 203 made 3-pointers in 2022-23, the 18th-most in the league.
After the teams split the first two games of the NBA Finals in Denver, the Heat dropped the next meetings at home to head back to Denver trailing 3-1 in the series.
If the Heat win Monday, Game 6 will be in Miami on Thursday.
The Miami Heat will have Tyler Herro back from a broken right hand Monday as they try to force a Game 6 in the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets.
Herro has been out since sustaining the injury in the eighth-seeded Heat's playoff opener at the Milwaukee Bucks on April 16. He was upgraded to questionable earlier Monday after being listed as out earlier in the day.
The 2021-22 NBA Sixth Man of the Year combined for 38 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in two play-in games after averaging 20.1 points and setting career bests with 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game during the regular season.
Herro also established a career high with 203 made 3-pointers in 2022-23, the 18th-most in the league.
After the teams split the first two games of the NBA Finals in Denver, the Heat dropped the next meetings at home to head back to Denver trailing 3-1 in the series.
If the Heat win Monday, Game 6 will be in Miami on Thursday.
Heather Watson says it is difficult not to feel “hard done by” after a year of struggle on the tour following her career-best Wimbledon performance last season.
The 31-year-old produced the best grand slam display of her singles career in 2022 when she made the second week for the first time, eventually going out in the fourth round.
But it counted for nothing in the rankings as the WTA and ATP stripped the tournament of points in response to the decision to ban Russian and Belarussian players following Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
In normal circumstances Watson would have received 240 points, which would have seen her ranking soar and then seen her gain automatic entry into other tournaments, but the reality saw her scratching around on the second-tier ITF Tour and she has not played in a grand slam since.
“It wasn’t Wimbledon’s fault, it wasn’t their choice but yeah, I do feel a little bit hard done by,” Watson, who beat Jule Niemeier in the first round at the Nottingham Open, told the PA news agency.
“It’s not their fault, but I wish I had the points, it would have been a very different story, but hey-ho.
“I feel like that after Wimbledon I went from an all-time high in my career and then not being awarded any points there really affected my tournament entries, being main draw in grand slams, I probably would have been main draw for the rest of the year and it just had a domino effect.
“I couldn’t get into WTA tournaments so I was playing ITFs and I was winning them all but the points are rubbish so it doesn’t help my ranking at all.
“You are playing top 100 girls in the ITF and I feel like dropping down to play was good for matches and you were playing players who aren’t the same level, but the strength in depth in women’s tennis has grown so much. Rankings-wise it has been a real rubbish year but I have actually won more matches.”
Her win over Niemeier in Nottingham will do little to boost her current ranking of 195, which will leave her needing a wild card if she is to get direct entry into this year’s event at SW19.
Asked whether she will have to qualify, she said: “I don’t know, I have applied for a wild card so I hope I get one.”
Fellow Brit Sonay Kartal is out, though, after a three-set loss to Pole Magdalena Frech.
The British number eight fought back after losing the first set, but Frech came on strong in the decider to ease through 6-3 5-7 6-2.
Top seed and world number eight Maria Sakkari beat Xiyu Wang 6-2 7-6 (6).
There are a host of home players in action on Tuesday, with new British number one Katie Boulter, who has taken over from Emma Raducanu, takes on compatriot Emily Appleton, with Harriet Dart, Katie Swan and Jodie Burrage also due on court.
Andy Murray will also be in action in the men’s Challenger event, fresh from his win at Surbiton last week.
Murray claimed his first title on home soil since Wimbledon in 2016 and is looking to build on that ahead of next month’s event at SW19.
The 36-year-old took part in a light practice on Monday with coach Ivan Lendl by his side.
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