Gary Payton II is heading back to the Golden State Warriors less than a year after departing the reigning NBA champions, according to ESPN senior NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.
The guard signed with the Portland Trail Blazers as a free agent during the offseason after helping the Warriors win their fourth championship in the space of eight years.
However, Payton was sidelined for several months after undergoing core muscle surgery and did not make his Blazers debut until their 135-106 win over the Detroit Pistons last month.
But the 30-year-old was reportedly traded back to the Warriors on a hectic trade deadline day, with the Blazers receiving five future second-round picks.
Kevin Knox was also traded to the Warriors as part of a three-team trade with the Pistons, who received James Wiseman in the opposite direction while also trading Saddiq Bey to the Atlanta Hawks.
Wiseman, the second overall pick from the 2020 NBA Draft, had bounced between the Warriors' active roster and their G League affiliate, but he could not justify the luxury tax expenses that would have been associated with retaining him on the roster. According to The Athletic's John Hollinger, the Warriors will save a combined $51million in salary and luxury tax this season, and $85m next season by cutting their losses.
Elsewhere, the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics bolstered their three-point shooting and depth after agreeing a trade with Oklahoma City Thunder for 10-year NBA veteran Mike Muscala.
According to The Athletic, the Thunder will receive Justin Jackson and two future second-round picks as part of the deal.
There has also been activity involving Western Conference leaders, the Denver Nuggets, who have traded youngster Bones Hyland to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for two future second-round picks.
Earlier in the day, Kevin Durant completed a stunning trade to the Phoenix Suns from the Brooklyn Nets, who have lost two All-Star starters in as many days after also trading Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks this week.
According to ESPN, the Suns gave the Nets three players in Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and Jae Crowder, plus four unprotected first-round picks and a 2028 pick swap.
Reportedly part of the Durant trade, Jae Crowder is heading to the Milwaukee Bucks with the Nets receiving five second-round picks, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Ireland have brought in Rob Herring for injured hooker Dan Sheehan for Saturday's huge Six Nations clash with France, who named an unchanged line-up.
Sheehan started nine of Ireland's past 10 matches, but a hamstring injury sees him drop out for the match at the Aviva Stadium in a possible title and Grand Slam showdown.
Herring will deputise for Sheehan, while Conor Murray has been passed fit to continue his half-back partnership with captain Johnny Sexton, who was himself a fitness doubt.
"It's not nice for Dan," Ireland head coach Andy Farrell said on Thursday. "He's a fantastic player at the top of his game. Anyone would miss a player in that kind of form.
"I sound like a broken record, but it's great because this is exactly what's going to happen down the track in the World Cup.
"International rugby is only going to get bigger and better so it's always going to be about the squad.
"When you get to the World Cup, you've a small squad. There's rightly a 12-day turnaround as far as concussions are concerned, so you're always going to be numbers down."
Jamison Gibson-Park, Tadhg Furlong and Cian Healy all missed Ireland's opening 34-10 win over Wales and remain out of the matchday 23 to face France.
Ireland, who finished second to France in last year's tournament, are ranked number one in the world and have won 21 of their past 22 home games, including each of the past 12.
They host a France side on a 14-match winning run – their best ever streak – most recently overcoming Italy 29-24 in a tight contest last weekend.
Fabien Galthie has stuck with the same XV that started the game in Rome, meaning Romain Ntamack is retained at number 10, despite Matthieu Jalibert's impact from the bench.
Francois Cros returns to the replacements' bench as one of two changes, along with Baptiste Couilloud, with Thomas Lavault and Nolann Le Garrec dropping out.
"Firstly, we have gone with the same personnel due to the performance [against Italy], the victory with a bonus point, which meant they achieved their target," Galthie said.
"Coherence, too, as it is three weeks that we have worked with this group.
"And also confidence because we have confidence in our players who for three years have progressed together; that is why there are no surprises in the starting XV."
France have won each of their past three meetings with Ireland, this after winning just one of their previous nine Test encounters (D2 L6).
Jamaica will face Lebanon in World Group II of the Davis Cup after the draw at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) office in London on Thursday.
The Jamaicans advanced to World Group II after defeating Estonia 3-2 in a playoff tie at the Eric Bell National Tennis Centre in Kingston from February 4-5.
Lebanon fell into World Group II, where they will ne the seventh seed, after losing 3-1 to Ukraine in the Group I playoffs on February 2-3 in Poland.
The tie will be played in September and is a Lebanon home fixture.
Anthony Joshua's biggest motivation is now money as he prepares to revive his career when taking on Jermaine Franklin.
Two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua faces Franklin at London's O2 Arena on April 1 looking to bounce back from successive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
Franklin was beaten by Dillian Whyte in his most recent fight in November, that being the American's only defeat in 22 professional bouts.
Joshua is now determined to battle his way back to the top of the heavyweight division, starting with victory over Franklin in his homeland.
Asked at a press conference on Thursday what his biggest motivation is for taking on the fight, Joshua said: "Money, money, money. I like making money, straight up.
"I've been broke, my family's been broke, I know what this s*** means. I always built businesses outside of boxing, out of fear of going back to square one.
"But when I'm said and done, no one will care about me anymore, so I'll make the most of it while I'm here.
"My own expectations are my pressure, but pressure is being broke, worrying about your bills.
"Look what's happening in Syria, Turkey – the earthquake that just happened. Me going to fight is a blessing, no pressure."
Joshua lost the WBA, IBF and WBO belts with his defeat to Usyk in September 2021 and failed to win them back when they met again in Jeddah last August.
Having won each of his first 22 professional bouts, all but one of those by knockout, Joshua has now lost three of his past five fights since June 2019.
However, the Briton insists the pain of losing to Andy Ruiz Jr and twice to Usyk is motivating him to put even more into his boxing between now and retirement.
"I still feel really fresh and young," he said. "I made a conscious decision last year to put my heart into boxing and nothing else.
"It's not just the mind, where your head's at, it's your heart.
"Throughout my career, this is probably the most serious I've taken it. Everything I've been through – positive, negative – I'm using it to fuel my camp now."
Franklin has a 21-1 record following his defeat to Whyte, with 14 of his previous victories coming by way of knockout.
It will be Joshua's first fight with coach Derrick James in his corner, with the 33-year-old spending time in the United States training in preparation for his return to action.
"The world hasn't seen the best of Anthony Joshua," James said. "He's a great fighter. Great athleticism, great foot movement, very intellectual first and foremost.
"He understands this sport and understands what I'm asking him to do."
President of Tennis Jamaica John Azar is pleased with the team’s performance in their recently concluded Davis Cup Group Two playoff match against Estonia at the Eric Bell National Tennis Centre in Kingston from February 4-5.
The Jamaicans won the tie 3-2 to advance to group two of the Davis Cup for the first time in over 25 years.
“I think the team played incredibly well. It’s one thing when we as the national association set the big stage for them but it’s another thing when they actually come out and perform,” Azar told SportsMax.TV.
Rowland “Randy” Phillips got the ball rolling for the hosts with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over Kristjan Tamm, a win that Azar said set the tone for the rest of the tie.
“Randy Phillips played the first match and set the tone for the players that played after him. He was incredible as he always is,” said Azar.
Match two saw Jamaican number one Blaise Bicknell come from a set down to beat Kenneth Raisma 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 and put the Jamaicans 2-0 up.
The Estonians got on the board in match three when Raisma and Jurgen Zopp got the better of John Chin and Daniel Azar in doubles 6-1, 6-2 before Bicknell secured victory for the Jamaicans after Tamm was defaulted after losing a first set tiebreak in match four. Johannes Seeman got a consolation 6-1, 6-0 victory over Jacob Bicknell in the fifth match.
Azar was also elated with the crowd turnout at the tie, the first time Jamaica has hosted a Davis Cup tie since 2007.
“I think it was what we expected and more,” he said.
“The crowd turned out in their numbers, were loud and very supportive and, as I’ve always said, when you have a home tie in any sport, the crowd can tend to be a bit of a deciding factor so we’re definitely grateful for those who came out and showed their support. There were a lot of Tennis fans in attendance but also a lot of sporting fans in general,” he added.
The team will find out their next opponent at the group two draw at the ITF office in London.
“We’re into group two which is a stage we haven’t been for over 25 years so we’ll see when the draw, which is done at the ITF office in London, comes out who our next opponent is. I think the next tie will be in September and we’ll see if it’s a home or away tie. Obviously, we’re hoping it will be a home tie and, if we’re that fortunate, we’ll look into expanding the capacity at the Tennis centre and hope for an even bigger turnout.”
Warren Gatland has left experienced trio Alun Wyn Jones, Taulupe Faletau and Justin Tipuric out of Wales' starting line-up for Saturday's Six Nations clash against Scotland.
Wales were beaten 34-10 on home soil by Ireland in their tournament opener last weekend as Gatland's first game back in charge after replacing Wayne Pivac ended in defeat.
Gatland has rung the changes to his pack ahead of facing Scotland at Murrayfield, with British and Irish Lions veterans Jones, Faletau and Tipuric making way.
Jones and Tipuric have been left out of the matchday squad entirely, while Rhys Davies could make his Test debut from the replacements' bench.
Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza will make their first starts for Wales, who have also added Tommy Reffell to their back row.
"We created opportunities last week but weren't clinical enough in terms of finishing them off," said Gatland, who has won all 10 matches against Scotland as Wales head coach.
"We need to start better. We gave away stupid penalties and unforced penalties when we weren't really under a lot of pressure so that's been an area that we've spoken about."
Wales have won 13 of their past 15 matches against Scotland in the Six Nations (L2), including six of their seven matches at Murrayfield during that run (L1).
Scotland also named their 15-man team on Thursday, with Zander Fagerson returning to the front row in the only change from the 29-23 victory over England.
Fagerson, who missed the win at Twickenham having only recently recovered from a hamstring injury, replaces the benched WP Nel.
Last week's Calcutta Cup hero Duhan van der Merwe is joined in the back three by Kyle Steyn and Stuart Hogg, who continues at full-back.
Gregor Townsend has also named an unchanged bench, meaning no place in the squad for Hamish Watson, despite recovering from concussion.
Scotland have won their opening Six Nations fixture in each of the past three years, but they went on to lose to Wales in round two in both 2021 and 2022.
However, since beating Scotland in that most recent meeting 12 months ago, Wales have gone on to win just twice in 11 matches, losing their last three in a row.
Scotland XV: Stuart Hogg, Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, George Turner, Zander Fagerson; Richie Gray, Grant Gilchrist; Jamie Ritchie (c), Luke Crosbie, Matt Fagerson.
Replacements: Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, WP Nel, Jonny Gray, Jack Dempsey, George Horne, Blair Kinghorn, Chris Harris.
Wales XV: Liam Williams; Josh Adams, George North, Joe Hawkins, Rio Dyer; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens (c), Dillon Lewis, Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard, Christ Tshiunza, Tommy Reffell, Jac Morgan.
Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Rhys Carre, Leon Brown, Rhys Davies, Taulupe Faletau, Rhys Webb, Rhys Patchell, Alex Cuthbert.
Josh Hart is heading to the New York Knicks in a deadline-beating trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, and Damian Lillard is going to miss him.
Hart was pulled from Portland's team on Wednesday, despite warming up with colleagues ahead of the clash with the Golden State Warriors.
Portland won without him, Lillard managing 33 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in a 125-122 victory.
The Knicks will give Portland Cam Reddish and a 2023 first-round pick in exchange for 27-year-old Hart, who has previously played in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans.
Ryan Arcidiacono and Svi Mykhailiuk are also going to Portland before Thursday's deadline, according to reports.
Lillard posted a message on Instagram after his triple-double feat, captioning a picture of himself and Hart: "All love and respect … no extras bra!"
Hart responded: "It's always love my brother ... no one I respect more."
Lillard told reporters it was a blow to see Hart leave, but a part of the game you have to accept.
"It's tough. I think for everybody who's been here, the entire time that I've been here, one of the hardest parts is when you form a friendship or form a bond with somebody," Lillard said.
"Everybody's looking at, what are they doing on the court? What can they do to get better? Everybody else is looking at it from a business standpoint and how to improve and all these things.
"But we get up and spend time with each other every day. We're on the plane together. We're in the practice facility. We're in a training room. We're in the locker room. We're in the cold tub. We're in the steam room."
Quoted by Oregon Live, Lillard said of such relationships: "We spend more time with each other than we do with our family.
"That makes it hard and especially with Josh, because we actually formed a friendship and you just get used to people being around. Anytime that happens, it's tough.
"He wanted to be in Portland. When you get people to come here and know that they want to be here, but the business takes over, it's just unfortunate.
"So, like I said, it's part of the business. It's the thing that I struggle with the most about it, but it's part of it. That's what we sign up for."
Hart is averaging a career-high 8.2 rebounds this season, although his points-per-game tally is down at 9.5, having been 14.9 in the last campaign.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin appeared in Phoenix on Wednesday to collect an honour for his charitable work just over a month after collapsing against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The 2021 NFL draft pick was rushed to hospital after he suffered a cardiac arrest during the January 2 regular season game, but has since shown remarkable progress in his recovery.
In the wake of his collapse, which led to the cancellation of the game, donations totalling more than $9million (£7.4m) were raised for the Chasing M's Foundation, for which Hamlin had backed a toy drive in 2020.
Taking to the stage at the Phoenix Convention Center with his parents in a surprise appearance during Super Bowl week, he was named the winner of the NFLPA Alan Page Community Award.
The 24-year-old vowed to continue making a difference.
"Giving back to my community has always been a big part of who I am," Hamlin said.
"I'm thankful to my father, who's right here behind me.
"Growing up, just watching him do community days in our community, and I just always was waiting on my time when it came. One of my favourite quotes is that it's a blessing to be a blessing.
"With that being said, I plan to never take this position for granted and always have an urgent approach in making a difference in the community where I come from and also communities across the world."
Hamlin's foundation received a $100,000 donation for his further work.
The Bills saw their season ultimately come to an end in the playoffs against the Bengals after they were eliminated in the Divisional round in a 27-10 loss.
LeBron James deserves to be acknowledged as one of the NBA's all-time greats, according to Kyrie Irving as he paid tribute to his former team-mate's achievements.
The Los Angeles Lakers veteran overhauled Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring record during a 133-130 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder this week.
Having needed 36 to break the figure, the 38-year-old posted 38 to end the game with 38,390 career points to his name, further underlining his status as one of the sport's giants.
Irving, who was recently traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Dallas Mavericks, played with James at the Cleveland Cavaliers, and was effusive in his admiration for his latest record.
"I just enjoy seeing him celebrate himself, in those moments where a lot of hard work that doesn't necessarily get talked about or seen by others is on full display," he said.
"I got a chance to play three special years with him. It's a celebration to witness history like that, within the game that's so special to all of us.
"We should acknowledge when greatness is in front of us.
"I know we've all [these] superlatives for LeBron. You've got the stans on one side, you've got the real supporters on one side.
"I think it's just great for the game that we can all come together collectively to celebrating somebody and his accomplishments like that."
A four-time NBA champion and four-time MVP pick, James is also a two-time Olympic Gold Medallist after success at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
Irving made his Mavericks debut during a 110-104 win against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, scoring a team-high 24 points.
Dallas Stars coach Peter DeBoer hailed his side's willingness to be unbowed physically by the Minnesota Wild after taking a 4-1 win on Wednesday.
A superb performance between the posts from Jake Oettinger, in which the goaltender made 38 saves, helped the hosts to a first regulation win since January 21.
Roope Hintz scored a goal and proided an assist, while there were also scores from Jamie Benn, Radek Faksa and Jani Hakanpaa as the Stars extended their point streak to seven games.
Having furthered their lead atop the Western Conference, DeBoer was delighted to see his side square up to the physical challenge offered by the Wild.
"[It was a] a good win," he said at American Airlines Center. "They made it difficult. They're a big, physical team that came in here and tried to impose that game on us.
"I loved our response. I thought we didn't back down. Physically, [we] didn't take a step back. I thought we played exactly how you have to play against a team like that."
After a goalless first period, the Stars took charge in the second with three scores and never looked likely to relinquish their lead.
Wild coach Dean Evason felt his side lack a cutting edge, with Joel Eriksson Ek the only man to find the back of the net.
"We just didn't find a way to score a goal," he said. "We''e doing a lot of real good things.
"[There are] a lot of positives in this hockey game. We have to obviously stay as positive as we can. We play tomorrow night."
The Wild next face the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday, while the Stars are not back in action until they face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.
Zion Williamson will miss the All-Star Game due to a hamstring injury that has kept the New Orleans Pelicans forward out for over a month.
Williamson has not played since doing damage when facing the Philadelphia 76ers on January 2.
The 22-year-old will also miss the Pelicans' next three games and will not be ready for the All-Star Game at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on February 19.
Williamson's fitness will be assessed after the All-Star break.
Looking at his absence, Pelicans coach Willie Green said: "Not before the All-Star break, we're probably not going to see the starting five we started the season with, no."
Williamson had been due to feature with LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic on Team LeBron.
The Pelicans are 29-27 in the Western Conference, sitting seventh following three consecutive wins.
Williamson's continued absence is a big blow for New Orleans, as he has averaged 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 29 games this season.
The top overall pick from the 2019 NBA Draft has been unfortunate with injuries early in his career.
He managed only 24 games in his rookie season, and after appearing back on track with a spectacular 2020-21 campaign where he played 61 games and earned an All-Star appearance, he then went on to miss the entire 2021-22 season.
Kyrie Irving described his Dallas Mavericks debut as an "incredible" experience after playing a lead role in victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
An NBA champion alongside LeBron James seven years ago with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Irving joined the Mavericks this week after a stint with the Brooklyn Nets.
The Mavs scored a 110-104 road win against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday and Irving shot a team-high 24 points.
Asked at courtside how his debut felt, Irving told ESPN: "Incredible. I had natural nerves out here, so I was just trying to play well, but it feels good to get acclimated.
"It's been a long 96 hours to say the least, but I'm just grateful I got to play the game I love with some guys that were selfless out there, and it just feels good."
Luka Doncic is sidelined for now due to a heel problem but is expected back within days, with Dallas now sitting fourth in the Western Conference.
The prospect of linking up with Doncic excites the new arrival, who spoke of what could be expected.
"Just some high-level, high-IQ basketball," Irving said. "It's simple when you play with guys that are selfless and do the little things, and they don't mind other guys being aggressive out there. That's the way the game should be played, a very fast pace, and just doing the little things, details to win.
"We'll take it from day to day. We're trying to get everybody healthy and see where we go from there."
Irving saw lots that pleased him about his new team-mates, saying in a post-game press conference: "I was telling the guys in the locker room I liked how we didn't panic in the last four minutes. We stayed poised. They made their runs, but we made everything tough.
"It just felt good to get this debut out of the way. It's been a long 96 hours, barely any sleep sometimes and just packing my stuff. It was the first time I ever got traded in the middle of the season, so it was new for me.
"But I'm excited that I'm here, and just keep things rolling now."
Tim Hardaway Jr. had 19 points, six assists and five rebounds, and the 30-year-old believes Irving is settling in well.
"It felt like when he came to practice yesterday and came to shoot this morning, you could just tell his energy was great," Hardaway Jr. said.
"He talked to all the guys out there and told us to 'keep doing what you guys are doing, have fun; don't look for me, I'll find a way'.
"He just gave us that confidence. It felt like he'd been here for a while, while he was on the floor with us, so it was great."
Kevin Durant is heading out of the Brooklyn Nets and will join the Phoenix Suns in a stunning trade, according to reports.
The 34-year-old will be a prize catch for new Suns owner Mat Ishbia, who completed his takeover at Phoenix this week and pledged to create a team that is "the best in class".
Nets team-mate T.J. Warren will join Durant in making the switch, ESPN said, with Phoenix giving the Nets three players in Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and Jae Crowder, plus four unprotected first-round picks and a 2028 pick swap.
The first-round picks will reportedly be for the 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029 drafts.
Durant's exit ahead of Thursday's trade deadline follows the Nets trading Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks, meaning two superstars of the NBA have left Brooklyn within days.
A 13-time All-Star and two-time NBA Finals MVP, Durant has averaged 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists this season.
A knee problem has meant he has not played since January 8, with the Nets going 5-9 in his absence, having won 17 of their previous 19 when Durant featured.
Durant and Irving arrived in Brooklyn together in 2019 but started only 71 regular season games together.
Their exits will mean the Nets have traded their only two players to average above 20 points per game this season.
Durant's move will see him leave a team sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference for the side fifth in the Western Conference.
Jalen Hurts will make some overdue NFL history when he faces off with Patrick Mahomes on Sunday, and the Philadelphia Eagles star made it clear how proud he is of the opportunity to represent a wide range of people in the first Super Bowl matchup of black quarterbacks.
Hurts will look to lead the Eagles to victory over Mahomes' Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII in a mouthwatering clash between two number one seeds at State Farm Stadium.
Mahomes and Hurts are the top two candidates for MVP and, having gone from second-round pick who many doubted could make the grade at the highest level to one of the faces of the league, the former Alabama and Oklahoma quarterback is determined to make those who identify with him a part of his journey proud as it reaches a zenith few would have seen coming this early in his career.
"It’s a ton of pride in everything that’s going on right now," Hurts said at a press conference on Wednesday.
"I think when you're thrust into these situations, you're thrust into these opportunities, you don't really realise the impact your doing until you reflect on it.
"I think, to have these opportunities and be able to represent so many different people, people back home in Texas, quarterbacks that maybe they said they couldn't do something or whatever it is, just believers, it’s something I definitely have in my heart when I'm out there playing.
"I never forget where I come from and most importantly I know there are kids out there watching, always kids that are watching, kids back in Texas, Philly, Florida, Cali, here in AZ, wherever it is, there's always a kid out there watching.
"I heard someone say, I don't know if it was Michael Jordan or Kobe [Bryant], but sometimes you get families and kids that save up all their money just to go to that one game, they may not ever get to see you play in person again, so definitely want to put on a show for them when they come."
Hurts' comments came on the heels of effusive praise from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who unsurprisingly faced several questions about a league first that is over five decades in the making.
Asked why it has taken so long for a Super Bowl with two black quarterbacks, Goodell said during his annual Super Bowl press conference: "You know, there are probably a variety of reasons. Probably none of them good. Because the reality is, there's such great talent at that position, black and white.
"I think we have 11 black starting quarterbacks today. They're some of the best leaders I've ever seen. They're extraordinary. People talk about their talent and their ability to run but they are incredible leaders. They understand the offence they run complex offenses, probably more complex than we've ever run in the past.
"And they really add such an element to the game and I think our game has changed because of their talents. And I think that game has changed on the college level also to develop their talents earlier and that's true for all quarterbacks.
"But I just think it's another example of where diversity makes you better. Think about this league without those 11 great young quarterbacks. Think about the two in the Super Bowl. They make the league better. And that's what we're so proud of."
Kyrie Irving got off to a winning start as the Dallas Mavericks fought out a 110-104 win at the home of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Fresh from his trade from the Brooklyn Nets, Irving shot a team-high 24 points on debut for Dallas.
The Mavs were without Luka Doncic, but the addition of Irving to their ranks meant they had sufficient firepower to overcome the Clippers and rise to fourth in the Western Conference.
Tim Hardaway Jr. weighed in with 19 points, six assists and five rebounds, and his three-pointer with 26.8 seconds remaining effectively slammed the door shut on the prospect of a late Clippers fightback.
It meant Norman Powell's 24-point game off the bench for the Clippers came in vain.
Celtics sink Sixers but suffer Brown blow
Behind 19-of-35 shooting from three-point range, the injury-hit Boston Celtics had too much for the Philadelphia 76ers, with the Eastern Conference leaders scoring a 106-99 win.
Despite Joel Embiid scoring a game-high 28 points and James Harden weighing in with a 26-point game and 11 assists, the 76ers were sunk by a Boston side who had six players in double figures, led by Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon who both hit 19 points.
Worryingly, Jaylen Brown suffered what the Celtics described as a "facial contusion" when banging into team-mate Jayson Tatum as both went after a rebound in the closing stages of the second quarter.
It forced Brown out of the game and could see him sidelined for an extended spell, with reports claiming he suffered a fracture. That came as a fresh blow to a Celtics side who came into the game without starters Marcus Smart, Al Horford, and Robert Williams.
Brown's injury meant he and Tatum combined for only 16 points. Tatum managed just 12 points but added nine assists and eight rebounds.
It ended the double act's streak of 55 straight regular-season games combining for 40 or more points in games played together. That was the longest streak by a pair of team-mates in the NBA since a 60-game run from the 76ers' Wilt Chamberlain and Hal Greer from 1965 to 1966.
Lillard heroics see Blazers blunt Warriors
Damian Lillard's triple-double helped the Portland Trail Blazers see off the Golden State Warriors, who were again without the injured Stephen Curry.
In Curry's continuing absence, Jordan Poole weighed in with 38 points and Klay Thompson collected a 31-point haul, but reigning NBA champions Golden State went down 125-122 at Moda Center.
Lillard finished with 33 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in a game that was locked at 95-95 heading to the fourth quarter.
Denis Shapovalov suffered defeat at the hands of China's fast-rising Wu Yibing at the Dallas Open.
Wu landed a 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 win against the Canadian Davis Cup winner and former top-10 player in their second-round contest.
World number 97 Wu, who this week became China's second player to reach the ATP top 100, has surged from 1,869th on the ranking list last April and believes he can crack the top 30 by the end of the year.
Speaking after getting the better of Shapovalov, who stands at 27th in the rankings, Wu said: "I've been playing great tennis the past few months. Hopefully I can keep playing good."
Frances Tiafoe cruised into the quarter-finals with a 6-1 6-3 win over fellow American Mackenzie McDonald.
Second seed Tiafoe was playing for the first time since his third-round elimination to Karen Khachanov at the Australian Open last month.
He faced just one break point in the entire match and needed just 59 minutes to deal with the world number 59.
J.J. Wolf, seeded sixth, will face Tiafoe in the last eight after he saw off Romania's Radu Albot in a 6-3 7-6 (7-5) win.
At the Cordoba Open, fifth seed Pedro Cachin was the biggest casualty on Wednesday as he was beaten 6-3 6-4 by Bolivian qualifier Hugo Dellien.
Seventh seed Pedro Martinez was also ousted in the first round, while Bernabe Zapata Miralles was sent packing by Tomas Barrios Vera in the last 16, losing 5-7 6-4 6-3.
Fourth seed Sebastian Baez had no such issues with Italy's Luciano Darderi, however, reaching the quarter-finals as a 6-3 6-4 winner.
Rob Gronkowski thinks Tom Brady could have played on until he was 50.
Brady had a short-lived retirement last year but confirmed he was calling time on his playing days for good on February 1.
The 45-year-old heads into retirement with seven Super Bowl rings, five Super Bowl MVP awards and three NFL MVP prizes to his name among countless records.
Gronkowski played alongside Brady for nine years with the New England Patriots and then linked up with the QB again for two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He thinks Brady could have played at the top level for another five years.
"Yes, I was [surprised] but I wasn't at the same time," Gronkowski said.
"Football is a tough sport. But the only reason why I'm surprised that he's retired is because I think he could have easily played until like 50 years old, just the way he carries himself, the way he takes care of his body, just the way he preps every single week, week in and week out.
"At the same time, not really surprised. He had an unbelievable career. If you really think about a 45-year-old and was top three in passing yards... so he still went out on top, there's no doubt about it.
"Whatever he wants to do, whatever is going to make him happy, I'm going to support that."
Gronkowski, who retired after the 2021 season, is unsure where Brady might have ended up had he decided to continue his career.
"I don't know, wherever he decided but just loves the game of football," he added. "He just loves it so much. So I really wasn't sure what his plans were or anything.
"But I'm just super excited for him and just happy for him in whatever situation, he decides to do anytime."
Patriots chief executive Robert Kraft mooted the possibility of Brady ending his career at New England, potentially on a one-day contract.
Asked if he would be open to such a situation for himself, Gronkowski replied: "I think that offer's only open for Tom.
"I don't know. If it was offered and presented, it would definitely be a possibility. I love New England. I loved my time there. I've learned so much. I love Mr. Kraft. I love the whole organisation.
"Coach [Bill] Belichick, everyone, I've learned so much there over the nine years. So, if that was presented then that would definitely be something to consider. All because of just how much that place means to me for the rest of my life."
Russell Westbrook's spell with the Los Angeles Lakers is coming to an end as he prepares to join the Utah Jazz ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Lakers plan to send Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones and a 2027 first-round pick to the Jazz; Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley will go the other way.
The Lakers are also reported to be getting D'Angelo Russell from the Minnesota Timberwolves, who will receive Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Mike Conley and a second-round pick compensation in return.
Westbrook's Lakers future had been in doubt, with many expecting him to depart before Thursday's deadline.
The Lakers had apparently been keen on using Westbrook in a trade to acquire Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets.
But his move to the Dallas Mavericks went through quickly after he requested a trade last week.
Westbrook, the 2017 NBA MVP, was claimed to have engaged in a heated verbal exchange with Lakers coach Darvin Ham at half-time during Tuesday's game against his former team the Oklahoma City Thunder, in which LeBron James broke the all-time NBA points record.
While ESPN reports they "dapped up" before leaving after the game, it was another hint of things not being quite right for Westbrook in LA.
Despite their being questions about his form this season, Westbrook is still ranked fifth for assists (391) this season – Russell, one of the Lakers' new arrivals, is tenth (334), though he is averaging more points per game (17.9 to 15.9).
Westbrook is set to play on his fifth team in as many years, having spent time with the Thunder, the Houston Rockets, the Washington Wizards and the Lakers since 2018.
Belinda Bencic stood firm to reach the quarter-finals of the Abu Dhabi Open while fellow favourites Anett Kontaveit and Jelena Ostapenko headed home.
Bencic clinched her second last-eight spot of the year with a 6-4 7-5 win over Marta Kostyuk, though the world number nine was pushed hard by the Ukrainian, who remains without a top-10 win in her career after failing to see through the second set from 5-3 up.
The second seed will next face Shelby Rogers, who advanced courtesy of a walkover following Kontaveit's retirement through injury after falling 4-1 behind in the pair's decisive third set.
Kontaveit was not the only seed to fall, with Ostapenko slipping to a surprise 7-6 (12-10) 6-1 loss against China's Zheng Qinwen.
Fourth seed Veronika Kudermetova fared better, however, racing to a 6-1 7-5 win against Elise Mertens to keep her campaign alive.
At the Linz Open, top seed Maria Sakkari cruised to a straight-sets success against Varvara Gracheva, while Anastasia Potapova battled to a 7-5 3-6 6-3 victory against Jule Niemeier.
Third seed Irina-Camelia Begu was the highest-ranked player to exit in the last 16 in Austria, suffering a 6-2 6-1 defeat against Danish 20-year-old Clara Tauson.
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