Devin Booker labelled the fit-again Bradley Beal's return as a "game-changer" as the full-strength Phoenix Suns put the Charlotte Hornets to the sword on Friday.
Beal returned to the court after a five-game absence due to an ankle injury, collecting seven assists as the Suns condemned the Hornets to a 10th straight NBA loss with a 133-119 victory.
Booker racked up 35 points, while Kevin Durant had 21 and 11 assists to go with another free-scoring showing, although the former credited Phoenix's roster for a resounding triumph over the struggling Charlotte.
"It's a game-changer, being at full strength," Booker said. "The offense was moving, the ball was hopping around and we were getting the best available shot."
Beal also managed six points and three rebounds in a 30-minute performance, while Jusuf Nurkic had 24 and 16 rebounds, Eric Gordon scored 21 and Grayson Allen posted 16.
"It's just good to be back on the floor," Beal said. "We got the win and finish the game, that's all I cared about tonight."
On the well-rounded scoring, Beal added: "That's what we want, that's the beauty of it.
"There's a lot of threats out there, guys who are very versatile. We can shoot the ball really well."
Phoenix went back-to-back with NBA victories for the first time since a seven-game run that ended on November 29, much to the delight of coach Frank Vogel, who also hailed Beal.
"I loved his floor game tonight," Vogel said about his returning player. "A lot of times [in returning from injury] guys will have a tendency to force, but he let the game come to him.
"We have a team that is selfless. We have a chance to be special."
The Hornets were again without the injured LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward, though Terry Rozier led the way with 42 points on 14-of-21 shooting.
Charlotte coach Steve Clifford conceded the Hornets "just couldn't stop" the Suns before adding: "With that effort, that approach, really not a good second half [Thursday] night, getting in here late, guys playing big minutes last night. I was proud of them."
Jenson Button and Damon Hill have paid tribute to Indy 500 winner Gil De Ferran, who has died aged 56.
The Brazilian reportedly suffered a heart attack in Florida.
Button wrote on Instagram: “Still in shock that we lost one of the good ones so young, one of the best behind the wheel and all round great guy Gil De Ferran. I will miss that wonderful smile, rest in peace my friend.”
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Fellow Formula One world champion Hill tweeted: “One of the nicest guys I ever met. He made me laugh. He got it.
“Jesus, Gil, you left too soon. My sincere condolences to his lovely family and all who knew him (there are many, many, many) and all at McLaren. He was a fighter and a winner. Big loss.”
De Ferran won the Indy 500 for Team Penske in 2003.
Team boss Roger Penske said in a statement: “We are terribly saddened to hear about today’s tragic passing of Gil De Ferran. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Angela, Anna, Luke and the entire De Ferran family.
“Gil defined class as a driver and as a gentleman. As an INDYCAR Champion and an Indianapolis 500 winner, Gil accomplished so much during his career, both on and off the track.
“Gil was beloved by so many. He was a great friend to the Team Penske and INDYCAR family, as well as the entire international motorsports community. Gil’s passing is a terrible loss and he will be deeply missed.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 of his 40 points in the second half to help the surging Oklahoma City Thunder pull away for an impressive 119-93 road win over the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets on Friday.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished 14 of 20 from the field and a perfect 10 for 10 from the free-throw line to lead the upstart Thunder to their sixth win in seven games.
Oklahoma City, which last reached the playoffs in the 2019-20 season, is now 21-9 and percentage points ahead of Denver for second place in the Northwest Division.
Chet Holmgren added 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting for the Thunder, who outscored Denver by a 34-20 margin in the third quarter to turn a six-point half-time lead into a commanding 88-68 advantage.
The Nuggets had a six-game winning streak halted despite another efficient outing from Nikola Jokić, who made 9 of 10 field goal attempts while compiling 19 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Jokic's primary teammates were off the mark, however. Jamal Murray missed 11 of 15 field goal attempts while being held to nine points, while Michael Porter Jr. was 4 of 12 and ended with 12 points.
Antetokounmpo, Lillard rally Bucks past Cavaliers
The Milwaukee Bucks got 34 points and 16 rebounds from Giannis Antetokounmpo and a big second half from Damian Lillard to rally for a 119-111 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in a clash of the Central Division's top teams.
Lillard scored 24 of his 31 points after half-time to help Milwaukee overcome an early 15-point deficit and post its ninth win in 10 games. The Bucks extended their lead on second-place Cleveland to six games in the division.
The Cavaliers had won five of six coming in and got top scorer Donovan Mitchell back from a four-game absence, with the four-time All-Star registering 34 points and nine assists in his return. Cleveland also got a big effort from Jarrett Allen in defeat, as the centre amassed a career-high 30 points, 12 rebounds and six assists while finishing 15 of 17 from the field.
Cleveland owned a 50-35 lead midway through the second quarter before the Bucks closed the gap to 59-52 at the break. Milwaukee then opened the third quarter on a 12-2 run, then later put together an 11-0 spurt to claim an 88-73 advantage with under three minutes remaining in the period.
Both Antetokounmpo and Lillard had 14 points in the pivotal third quarter.
The Cavs were able to cut Milwaukee's lead to 115-111 inside the final minute, but didn't make a shot the rest of the way and the Bucks sealed the game with four late free throws.
Milwaukee finished 25 of 28 from the foul line, while Cleveland attempted just nine free throws on the night.
Wagner, Banchero lead Magic over Knicks
Franz Wagner had 32 points and Paolo Banchero added 29 as the Orlando Magic got back on track with a 117-108 victory over the New York Knicks.
Orlando bounced back from Wednesday's 20-point home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers behind strong performances from its two young stars. Wagner finished 11 of 19 from the field to go along with nine rebounds, while Banchero had 10 boards and scored 15 points in the second half.
Jalen Suggs contributed 21 points for the Magic, who never trailed after stringing together a 14-1 run in the second quarter that turned a 33-33 tie into a comfortable 47-34 lead.
The Knicks battled back behind Julius Randle, who finished with 38 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, but could only get their deficit down to five points in the game's late stages.
Wagner helped Orlando hold on by recording 10 of his points in the fourth quarter.
Jalen Brunson had 20 points for New York, which has now lost two straight, but was held to 4-of-15 shooting from the field.
Sam Reinhart had two goals and Carter Verhaeghe scored the game-winner with 6:23 remaining to lift the Florida Panthers to a 4-3 win over the Eastern Conference-leading New York Rangers on Friday.
Aleksander Barkov recorded three assists to tie a franchise all-time record in that category and help the Panthers to a third straight victory. The Florida captain now has 415 career assists, matching former teammate Jonathan Huberdeau for the most in club history.
The Rangers rallied from an early two-goal deficit to draw even at 3-3 when Mika Zibanejad scored short-handed with 7:45 left to play. The deadlock was short-lived, however, as Verhaeghe whipped a wrist shot past New York goaltender Jonathan Quick just 1:22 later to put the Panthers back in front.
Florida's Evan Rodrigues had the lone goal of the first period, and Reinhart increased the lead to 2-0 with just over seven minutes elapsed in the second before the Rangers got goals from Artemi Panarin and Will Cuylle less than 90 seconds apart.
Reinhart sent the Panthers back ahead before the end of the second, however, by redirecting a shot from Barkov past Quick with Florida on a power play.
Sergei Bobrovsky finished with 31 saves for Florida, while Quick stopped 28 shots in just New York's second loss in its last seven games.
Stars' Hintz completes hat trick with overtime winner
Roope Hintz finished off a hat trick by scoring with 7.9 seconds left in overtime to give the Dallas Stars a thrilling 5-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
Dallas bounced back from blowing a two-goal third-period lead when Hintz knocked home a feed from Jason Robertson with time winding down in overtime. The hat trick was the fifth of the standout centre's career.
Robertson finished with two assists, while Jamie Benn and Joe Pavelski each had a goal and an assist as the Stars improved to 6-1-1 over their last eight games.
Tyler Johnson had two goals for Chicago, including a power-play tally with 2:36 remaining in regulation that tied the game at 4-4.
Johnson also scored the game's first goal, three minutes before teammate Cole Guttman converted a pass from Lukas Reichel midway through the first period for a 2-0 Blackhawks' lead.
Dallas then recorded the next four goals, beginning with Hintz's first of the night that came under a minute after Guttman's tally. Hintz and Pavelski both scored in the second period to put the Stars ahead before Benn extended the lead to 4-2 with just over two minutes elapsed in the third.
Jason Dickinson later brought the Blackhawks back within one by beating Dallas goaltender Scott Wedgewood with 11:02 left in the third.
Petr Mrazek had 30 saves for Chicago, which has now dropped seven of its last nine games (2-6-1). Wedgewood recorded 25 saves for the Stars.
Kraken edge Flyers in OT to extend point streak
Justin Schultz's goal with 2:25 left in overtime extended the surging Seattle Kraken's winning streak to four games with Friday's 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Schultz slid a pass from Oliver Bjorkstrand past Flyers goaltender Carter Hart in extra time shortly after Seattle secured an eighth consecutive game with at least one point (6-0-2), which ties a franchise record.
Joey Daccord allowed a short-handed goal to Philadelphia's Travis Konecny in the first period, but kept the Flyers off the board thereafter in a 27-save effort.
Hart, who also finished with 27 saves, had a shutout going until Vince Dunn scored on a power play 5:45 into the third period to tie the game at 1-1.
Philadelphia has now lost three of its last four games but is now 6-0-3 over a nine-game point streak on the road.
Gary Anderson has warned against putting excessive pressure on 16-year-old Luke Littler ahead of his clash against Raymond van Barneveld at the World Darts Championship.
Littler, the world youth champion, is the youngest player to reach the last 16 and was born 21 days after Van Barneveld won the most recent of his five world titles in 2007.
The pair will face off at Alexandra Palace on Saturday, and two-time world champion Anderson is worried about the amount of attention being put on Littler at such a young age.
“If it goes tits up with Luke give yourselves a pat on the back,” Anderson told reporters. “Let the boy play darts. I’ve been downstairs and he’s got cameras, zoom calls, meetings…Let the boy play darts.
“He’s had a great tournament, he’s done well. What if it all goes Pete Tong now? You boys have ruined that. Let the boy play darts, He’s 16 years old.
“Keep having that boy mic’ed up, doing interviews when he should be on the practice board. You’ve seen it a thousand times. Every year there’s a boy come through.
“You’ve not got a clue how many young darts players coming through the system who are the next big thing and then there’s the pressure on it and it all goes Pete Tong. We’ve seen it in the past.”
Van Barneveld set up the meeting with Littler with a 4-1 win over Jim Williams.
“I will love to play Luke Littler,” he said. “When I was 16 I was playing with Lego and Playmobile, we didn’t have the internet or whatever.
“This guy is amazing, and I am looking forward so much to that game. He is a quality player and I can’t wait to meet him tomorrow night.”
Nick Smith, Ascot’s director of racing and public affairs, has been recognised in the New Year Honours list.
Smith, who has worked at the track since 2000, has been made a lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order, which rewards personal services to the monarch and their household.
The King and Queen enjoyed a first Royal Ascot success in June when Desert Hero – who went on to finish third in the St Leger – won the King George V Stakes, sparking joyous scenes in the winner’s enclosure.
Smith also pointed to Hukum and Westover’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes duel as another particular 2023 highlight, along with Frankie Dettori’s Royal meeting performance, headlined by a roof-raising Gold Cup success aboard Courage Mon Ami.
He said: “I’m obviously absolutely delighted and honoured. It’s been a fantastic journey working for Ascot for so long and it’s nice to have it recognised.
“It’s been a brilliant year at the racecourse with the King and Queen having a winner, Frankie Dettori lighting up Royal Ascot this year, a vintage King George and full fields for the Shergar Cup, so we really couldn’t ask for much more.”
A hallmark of the Royal meeting in recent years has been the international challenge, with over 200 overseas runners competing at the fixture since 2003.
Australian speedsters such as Choisir, Black Caviar and Nature Strip have graced the Berkshire turf and while American regular Wesley Ward was out of luck this year, George Weaver’s Crimson Advocate ensured one prize crossed the Atlantic after holding off Relief Rally in the tightest of finishes to the Queen Mary Stakes.
Smith and the Ascot team are now about to embark on their search for 2024 international contenders as they strive to make Royal Ascot even bigger and better in the future.
“We’re just about to start our overseas campaign in Australia, Japan, the United States and suchlike, looking for those horses to populate the Royal meeting. That will all start in earnest and hopefully build up to another fantastic meeting in June,” Smith added.
Other racing figures also featured on the Honours list, with Thoroughbred Breeders Association chair Julian Richmond-Watson – owner of Oaks victor Look Here – made an OBE.
Richard Linley, the British Horseracing Authority’s former senior inspector of courses, has been made an MBE, with both recognised for their services to racing.
Kevin Sinfield paid tribute to his “incredible” friend Rob Burrow after the former Leeds Rhinos team-mates were awarded CBEs in the New Year Honours list.
Sinfield and Burrow have raised over £15million to combat Motor Neurone Disease through a series of attritional challenges since Burrow was diagnosed in 2019.
Earlier this month, Sinfield completed his ‘7 in 7 in 7’ challenge in which he ran seven ultramarathons in seven cities across Britain and Ireland in seven days.
“I think it is really special that Rob has been recognised again,” said Sinfield.
“The bravery and courage that Rob and his amazing family have shown as he is fighting MND is wonderful; to open the front door and to show the world what it’s like to live with it, he’s been incredible.
“I think the whole family have shown us all what a great family look like and they’ve been so inspirational.”
Sinfield was awarded an MBE in 2014 in recognition of his rugby league career, and subsequently an OBE in 2021 for his fundraising work to help find a cure and help those living with MND.
Burrow said he hoped to receive his award together with Sinfield after his hopes of a joint investiture in 2021, when Burrow received an MBE for his work for the MND community, was scuppered due to illness.
Burrow said: “I am honoured to receive the CBE on behalf of the MND community.
“It is always pleasing to have another opportunity to bang the drum for the whole community and ensure that those living with MND are remembered, especially at this time of year.
“I am particularly pleased that my good friend Kevin Sinfield is also receiving a CBE.
“I hope Kevin and I can go to the palace together in the New Year to enjoy another special occasion together again.”
Following his first quest of seven marathons in seven days in 2020, Sinfield ran 101 miles in under 24 hours from Welford Road in Leicester to Headingley in 2021.
Last year’s challenge ended on the pitch at half-time during the men’s World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand at Old Trafford.
Sinfield said he was “humbled” by his award which he dedicated to the MND community.
“I certainly was not expecting the award and this has never been about any recognition, this is about raising money and awareness for the MND community and for fighting for Rob so I feel very humbled by the whole thing,” added Sinfield.
“I feel like I’m the one getting singled out but it’s been a real team effort from everybody. I can’t do it on my own. I need everybody to do their bit and it’s been an incredible journey.”
Broadcaster Jeff Stelling says being made an MBE in recognition of his work with the Prostate Cancer UK charity is the “icing on the cake” for his incredible career.
Stelling is best known as the highly animated presenter of Sky’s Soccer Saturday programme, which he anchored for 25 years until stepping down at the end of last season, and for lending his first name to his colleague Chris Kamara’s often-used phrase “Unbelievable Jeff”.
But it is his role as an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK, where he has walked 34 marathons and been the spearhead for raising more than £1.7million since 2016, which he takes most pride in and has now received recognition for in the New Year Honours List.
“I am very proud to have had the opportunity to do it,” he told the PA news agency.
“It’s been great to help raise awareness, but the fundraising has been done by the hundreds and hundreds of people who come and walk with me. All I do is put one foot in front of the next one and lend my name to the marches.
“People think they’re going to be pretty miserable affairs but they’re not, they’re a celebration of life. Every day doing it is a day of joy.
“I’m doing a job that most people would give an arm and a leg for. So whilst I’ve had a wonderful and fortunate career, I’m glad that the MBE is in recognition more than anything of the charity work.”
The charity’s chief executive Laura Kerby said: “We’re thrilled that the ‘unbelievable’ Jeff Stelling has been honoured. For nearly a decade, Jeff has been an incredible ambassador to Prostate Cancer UK, helping us raise crucial awareness of the disease throughout the footballing community.
“During his years in the Sky Sports Soccer Saturday studio, Jeff proudly wore our ‘Man of Men’ badge every week, inspiring football fans to learn more about this cancer which affects one in eight men, and many of them have taken an action which has saved lives.
“On behalf of Prostate Cancer UK, and all the men and families we represent, we are so proud to have Jeff on our team and thankful for his selfless efforts. This honour is richly deserved.”
Stelling himself recalled one such encounter where simply wearing the charity badge had saved a life.
“At the end of the very first day (of the first of 10 marathons from Hartlepool to Wembley in 2016) we ended up at Marske on the north-east coast, blistered, shattered, not knowing what we’d let ourselves in for and thinking we couldn’t possibly do a second day,” he said.
He was introduced to a woman who said she had seen Stelling wearing the badge, discovered what it represented and then read on to find out the symptoms of prostate cancer.
“Lo and behold her husband had all the symptoms. He went and got tested, got treatment,” Stelling said.
“She just wanted to say thank you – that just by wearing the badge you have saved my husband’s life and he will be OK.
“The cancer was so far advanced that had she not Googled it then, he would have been dead. Over the years since then, it’s a story I have had repeated to me time and time again.”
Stelling was renowned as Soccer Saturday’s presenter for the amazing statistics he always had at his fingertips.
Asked how he achieved it, he said: “It was the old ‘painting the Forth Bridge’ job. As soon as one programme finished, you started on the next one.
“I would throw myself into the statistics, probably from the Wednesday I would spend almost exclusively doing statistics and my wife thought I was the saddest man in the world.”
One stat he was particularly pleased to have up his sleeve was the fact that Gareth Jelleyman, then at Mansfield, had never been sent off. At least not until the Stags’ League Two match at Cheltenham on October 29, 2005.
“Then there it was, in the 90th minute,” Stelling recalled.
“I could use the line I’d been waiting about a year to use – ‘Gareth Jelleyman’s been sent off. Let’s hope he hasn’t thrown a wobbly’.
“What I do for a job is not a matter of life and death. I’ve had a lot of fun and my only ambition is to carry on having fun.”
Stelling did recall an instance where the essentially light-hearted programme proved more significant.
“One day I got a staggering letter. It was from a young woman who was in the depths of despair and considering ending her life, she said she was just in a long, dark tunnel and she couldn’t see a way of getting out of it,” he said.
“Her brother was a football fan, she was not at the time. He put on Soccer Saturday. She said she saw this raving buffoon swinging his arms around and shouting at the camera and coming out with all sorts of wild statistics.
“And she said it would be an achievement if next Saturday, when Jeff’s on, I’m still alive. She said the next Saturday she was still alive, and the Saturday after, and it became a sort of bizarre game between her and death, to try and reach the next week.
“She managed to climb out of that tunnel. She has gone on to be a nurse, saving other people’s lives. It was the most inspirational letter. At times (presenting the programme) you thought ‘what are we doing here? It’s fun and it’s frothy but it’s all a bit worthless’.
“But when you get a letter like that it does give extra meaning to the programme.”
The extraordinary charity work of Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow has been recognised in the New Year Honours List alongside three of England’s Women’s World Cup football stars.
Sinfield and Burrow, who were Leeds Rhinos team-mates during trophy-laden rugby league careers, have received CBEs for services to motor neurone disease awareness.
Millie Bright, Mary Earps and Lauren Hemp have also been honoured for their part in helping the Lionesses reach the World Cup final in the summer.
Bright, who captained the team in the absence of fellow defender Leah Williamson, receives an OBE while goalkeeper Earps and forward Hemp are made MBEs. England came up just short, losing 1-0 to Spain in the final in Sydney having won the European Championship in 2022.
Sinfield has raised over £15million since his friend Burrow was diagnosed with MND, an incurable and life-limiting condition, in December 2019.
Earlier this month Sinfield, 43, completed the ‘7 in 7 in 7’ challenge by completing seven ultramarathons in seven cities in as many days.
Sinfield said: “I think it is really special that Rob has been recognised again. The bravery and courage that Rob and his amazing family have shown as he is fighting MND is wonderful; to open the front door and to show the world what it’s like to live with it, he’s been incredible.”
Burrow said: “I am particularly pleased that my good friend Kevin Sinfield is also receiving a CBE. I hope Kevin and I can go to the palace together in the new year to enjoy another special occasion together again.”
Another MND fundraiser from the world of sport, Rob Wainwright, will receive an OBE. Wainwright is the founder of the Doddie Aid event which raises funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Wainwright’s former Scotland rugby union team-mate Doddie Weir was diagnosed with MND in 2016 and died in November last year.
Wainwright said: “This is a tremendous honour, and it’s one I accept on behalf of the whole Doddie Aid community.
“Doddie was a force of nature, and I was very proud to call him a friend. Like everyone who he knew, who he inspired, I have been galvanised to do whatever I can to end MND.”
Peter Shilton, who holds the England men’s team caps record with 125 appearances between 1970 and 1990, receives a CBE for services to football and gambling harm prevention.
World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont’s knighthood has been upgraded to a Knight Grand Cross, while former England cricketer Stuart Broad receives a CBE.
Broad, 37, announced his retirement from the sport during the final Ashes Test in the summer and he bowed out in stunning fashion by hitting a six off his final ball and taking the match-winning wicket as England levelled the series at the Oval.
Marcus Trescothick, who played 76 Tests for England, will receive an OBE for services to mental ill health. He works as a mental health ambassador for the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA).
Elsewhere in football, Bill Bush, a senior advisor at the Premier League, receives a CBE. Two senior figures at anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out, its chair Sanjay Bhandari and its head of development Troy Townsend, have each been made MBEs.
One of the sport’s best-loved broadcasters, former Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling, was also made an MBE for services to sport, broadcasting and charity. BBC sports presenter Hazel Irvine will receive the same honour.
Howard Wilkinson, who managed Leeds to the First Division title in 1992 and briefly managed England in a caretaker capacity in 1999, has been made an OBE, as has Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham.
Brighton chairman Tony Bloom receives an MBE and former Scotland manager Alex McLeish an OBE for services to charity.
Christian Horner, the team principal and chief executive of Red Bull Racing, receives a CBE in a year when his team won Formula One’s constructors’ championship and Max Verstappen won the drivers’ title.
Ron Dennis, the former McLaren team principal, has been knighted for services to charity.
Goalkeeper Maddie Hinch, an Olympic hockey gold medallist in 2016, becomes an OBE while race-walker Tom Bosworth has been made an MBE.
There were also MBEs for gymnasts Becky and Ellie Downie, Helen Housby, who was part of the England side which won netball gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and former BDO world darts champion Keith Deller.
England’s World Cup captain Millie Bright said she was “gobsmacked” to learn she was being made an OBE in the New Year Honours List, and was initially worried that the letter confirming the accolade was a parking fine.
Bright leads a trio of Lionesses to be recognised after the team’s march to the World Cup final in August, with goalkeeper Mary Earps and forward Lauren Hemp being made MBEs.
The 30-year-old Chelsea defender, who got engaged to her partner Levi Crew on Christmas Day while on holiday in Mauritius, was elated to receive the OBE but feared the worst to begin with.
Asked for her reaction to the news, she told PA: “Gobsmacked. It’s something you never imagined, something that never crossed my mind.
“Levi opened the letter for me because I was at training. He saw what it was straight away and he was like ‘oh my God, I’ve got to tell her’. So he sent me a message saying ‘you’ve got a letter, it’s really important’.
“I thought ‘oh God, what have I done? Am I in trouble again? It’s probably a parking fine or something like that.
“It’s something that you treasure forever and you can tell your kids and grandkids (about). It’s something to be proud of.
“Everyone in my family sacrificed so much for me to be where I am. So whenever I win anything, or get awarded something, it really is for more than just me. That’s why I love playing in a team sport, because without everyone else you wouldn’t be the person or the player you are.”
Bright, from Killamarsh in north Derbyshire, admitted 2023 had featured a lot of ups and downs.
A knee injury suffered in March threatened to rule her out of the World Cup and meant she missed the run-in as her club won a fourth successive Women’s Super League title.
Ultimately she recovered and skippered the Lionesses in the absence of Euro 2022 captain Leah Williamson, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
“It was 50-50 making the World Cup,” she said.
“You never know how rehab is going to go, you never know how your injury is going to react. I actually had a really hard rehab – I couldn’t get rid of the swelling, the knee was taking so long to recover and to be able to stay in that mindset that I was going to make it was really hard.
“Then obviously after (the World Cup) coming back into the league, the knee flaring up again and having to take time out again. Everything comes at a price and I’d do it all again – I’d rush back for another World Cup if I needed to and pay the price later.
“Overall the year has been incredible – winning trophies, leading the girls out in a World Cup final. There are moments that come once in a lifetime and you never know when you’re going to get the next moment. That’s the thing with football, nothing’s granted, but that’s part of the chase. Hopefully 2024 brings the same, if not better.”
Bright’s England team-mate Hemp came within inches of being the hero in the final against Spain, hitting the crossbar in a match England lost 1-0.
The Manchester City star, who scored a vital equaliser in first-half injury time in the quarter-final against Colombia, said she felt “very privileged and honoured” by the MBE.
“It’s a huge achievement not only for me, but my family and everyone who loves our beautiful game. It’s been an incredible few years,” she said in a statement.
“I’d like to dedicate my MBE to everyone that has supported me in my career so far, and everyone behind the scenes for continuing to push boundaries to get women’s football to where it is today.”
Earps enjoyed a stellar year too, saving a penalty in the final to keep England in the game and helping her club Manchester United finish second in the WSL.
She also earned plaudits for calling out sportswear manufacturer Nike over its failure to produce England goalkeeper replica kits, and earlier this month won the public vote to be named the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year.
Following a five-year absence, Kemahl 'The Hitman' Russell returned to the ring three times for a total of eleven rounds in 2023. Despite limited ring time, he claimed the Newcomer-of-the-Year award as a member of the Toronto-based ‘United Boxing Promotions’ stable, further reclaiming his reputation, as he climbs through the middleweight ranks.
As the name of the award suggests, the honour is awarded to the best first-year fighter. To determine the winner, boxers, who have competed during the current year, must first be nominated for the award, then votes are cast by fans, media, and promotional staff. Notwithstanding the other nominees, it was Russell who emerged winner through the 2023 selection process.
The official announcement was made on Thursday, December 28th, by United Boxing Promotion boss Tyler Buxton.
“Kemahl made a big impact in his first year, three fights with three knockouts, the Hitman is a fan favorite," Buxton said.
Russell, 34, has won 16 of 17 fights, scoring 14 knockouts in the process since turning professional in July of 2013. The highly-touted middleweight boxer, has built a reputation as a devastating puncher. For this year, he dominated all three of his fights leaving a succession of opponents on the canvas unable to continue.
The Hitman’s first saw action in 2023 on April 29, against Argentina’s Marcos Jesus Cornejo (4KO), and then Mexico’s Juan Carlos Raygosa (4KO) on September 9. He closed out his year's campaign with a knockout win over former Mexican Champion Rafael Amarillas Ortiz (3KO) on December 2.
“I am pleased but not surprised that I won the award. I also think that I am deserving of it based on my performances throughout the year,” said Russell.
“I mean what I said and said what I mean, I did exactly what I said I was going to do throughout the year," he added.
Russell has been training with Grant’s MMA, under the watchful eye of trainer and owner Ryan ‘RG’ Grant. Grant shared that the award sets the stage for his charge heading into the New Year.
“Onward and upward from here, he had a monster year, he looked really good getting back into the swing of things after being off for a period of time," Grant noted.
And as it relates to his expectation for Russell in the coming year, Grant has set bit targets.
“The middleweight division is open, so a huge move can be made in 2024 to take the division over," he declared.
Buxton echoed Grant’s sentiment.
“I expect Kemahl to be in the top 15 by the end of 2024."
The expectations from trainer and promoter can be overwhelming for some, but a confident Russell embraces the moment while he is on the cusp of ushering in the next chapter of his career.
“The ring rust is gone now so every time out, I feel stronger and faster. I moved through the middleweight rankings, made a mark and gained new fans. Next year, will be even more exciting," Russell said.
The Newcomer-of-the-Year award not only recognizes another achievement in the career of Russell, but also sets the stage for even bigger things in the coming year. With anticipation mounting as he climbs through the rankings, Buxton promised that 2024 fight news would be coming soon.
Anthony Davis lauded the Los Angeles Lakers for "playing the right way" after condemning the Charlotte Hornets to yet another defeat on Thursday.
Davis had 26 points and eight rebounds as the Lakers cruised to a 133-112 victory, moving the 17-time NBA champions up to 17-15 on the season and giving their playoff hopes a much-needed boost.
Davis was thrilled with his team's display on Thursday, telling reporters: "Guys were playing for each other, playing the right way.
"I'm able to bank some minutes, especially going into a tough back-to-back in Minnesota and New Orleans, it helps us as a team."
Two days before he turns 39-years-old, LeBron James had 17 points and 11 assists in helping the Lakers to the win, and Davis hailed the impact the four-time MVP continues to have, saying: "It's always good things that happen when the ball is in his hands.
"He makes great reads. He's a student of the game. He's seen every coverage and made a lot of great reads throughout his career, so every time we can get the ball in his hands, it's good for us."
The Hornets, meanwhile, lost for the ninth consecutive game, their longest losing run since 2014. The defeat dropped Charlotte to 7-22 on the season.
Head coach Steve Clifford lamented injuries to the likes of Gordon Hayward and Mark Williams, as well as the continued absence of LaMelo Ball, that have hampered the team on their six-game road trip.
"Our guys have worked hard, [but] they know we're short-handed," Clifford said. "This is a tough trip. A lot of times in this league, it's not just how many injuries you have, but when they come. Unfortunately for us, we've had more than our share of injuries, and this is not the time to be short-handed.
"But we played 41 good minutes the other night [against the Los Angeles Clippers]. We were right there. We've just got to defend."
Luke Littler and Raymond van Barneveld will clash in the last 16 of the World Darts Championship on Saturday.
Forty years separate 16-year-old Littler, the youngest player to reach this stage of the tournament, and the 56-year-old five-time world champion.
Here the PA news agency underlines the vast differences between the duo as they go head to head for a place in the quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace.
Experience
Van Barneveld won his fifth and most recent world title in on New Year’s Day in 2007, 21 days before Littler was born.
The Dutchman has also won a number of major ranking crowns in both the PDC and BDO organisations.
Littler won his first senior event at the 2021 Irish Open at the age of 14.
He won the World Youth Championship in Minehead last month, averaging 102.16 in the final, to qualify for Ally Pally.
Skill
As of Friday afternoon, Littler was one of only 10 players to average over 100 in a single match in this year’s tournament so far. His statistics of 106.12 in his first round win over Christian Kist ranking second only behind Stephen Bunting’s 107.28 against Ryan Joyce.
Littler also averaged over 90 in his subsequent victories over Andrew Gilding and Matt Campbell, and has lost just two sets in the tournament so far.
Van Barneveld averaged almost 100 in his first win over Radek Szaganski, but less than 90 in his win over Jim Williams.
Fuel
Littler’s penchant for kebabs has provided plenty of food for thought with one London takeaway promising him free meals for life if he wins the world title, while an establishment in his hometown of Warrington is advertising Littler’s ‘favourite kebab’ on its menu.
Van Barneveld is less likely to opt for the takeaway option. His 2022 campaign almost came unstuck after a bout of food poisoning brought on by a dodgy Chinese.
Instead, the Dutchman said he expected to celebrate Christmas with a “gourmet dinner” after his opening win.
What they say
There is no disguising the age discrepancy between the pair as they prepare for one of the most eagerly awaited darts clashes of recent times.
“It would be unbelievable to play Raymond,” said Littler. “I used to imitate him all the time – stood in my nappy, celebrating like Barney.”
Van Barneveld responded: “The guy is amazing. When I was 16 I was playing with Lego and Playmobile, we didn’t have the internet or whatever.”
Raymond van Barneveld set up a mouthwatering clash with teenage sensation Luke Littler after fighting through to the last 16 of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
Van Barneveld was far from at his best but still beat Jim Williams 4-1 to secure a Saturday clash with 16-year-old Littler, who was born 21 days after the Dutchman won the most recent of his five world titles in 2007.
Van Barneveld told Sky Sports: “I will love to play Luke Littler. When I was 16 I was playing with Lego and Playmobile, we didn’t have the internet or whatever.
“This guy is amazing, and I am looking forward so much to that game. He is a quality player and I can’t wait to meet him tomorrow night.”
Van Barneveld was not required to find top gear against Williams, a former BDO runner-up who finished with a higher average but managed to hit only seven of his 28 doubles.
Having nudged into a 3-1 lead and moved one leg from victory at 2-0, Van Barneveld missed five match darts and allowed the Welshman a glimmer of hope as he pulled back to level in the set.
But backed by the sizeable Ally Pally crowd, Van Barneveld nailed double eight for the match to book his place in the last 16 for the first time since 2018.
He added: “I was lucky to win this afternoon’s game. You have to be clinical and if you’re 2-0 up (in legs) you have to hit that double 16, and I let him back in at 2-2.
“The crowd were helping me but in the end you’re the one who throws the darts. I was in control but I felt a little bit nervous and I’m happy to go through.”
Littler, the world youth champion, is the youngest player to reach the last 16 after reeling off three impressive victories, including averaging over 106 in his first round win over Christian Kist.
Jonny Clayton joined Van Barneveld in the last 16 as he saw off Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski 4-2, while Australia’s Damon Heta edged to a 4-3 win over Dutchman Berry van Peer.
Nico de Boinville will miss key rides aboard highly-touted duo Willmount and Jeriko Du Reponet at Newbury on Saturday following a fall at Doncaster on Friday.
The 34-year-old was riding 13-8 favourite Therapist for his boss Nicky Henderson in the La-Z-Boy At KC Sofa’s Fillies’ Juvenile Maiden Hurdle when coming to grief at the second-last flight, suffering a suspected collarbone injury.
It continues a mixed Christmas period for the rider who tasted success aboard his star mount Constitution Hill and hot Triumph Hurdle prospect Sir Gino at Kempton, but was unseated from Shishkin at the second last when leading Boxing Day’s King George VI Chase.
De Boinville told Sky Sports Racing: “I think it’s a collarbone job. I’ve got to go to the X-Rays and see how we are.
“What can you do, you can’t cry about it.”
Fresh from a first Grade One victory at Aintree on Boxing Day, it is fellow Seven Barrows rider James Bowen who will take De Boinville’s place aboard Willmount in the Coral Challow Hurdle and Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite Jeriko Du Reponet in the Coral Committed To Safer Gambling ‘Introductory’ Hurdle.
Bowen also picks up the ride on Steal A March for the King and Queen on the Newbury card, with David Bass taking Bowen’s place aboard outsider Brave Jen in the Challow.
Guyana’s horse racing calendar for 2024 kicks off with an eight-race card on New Year’s Day Monday at Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC) racecourse in Berbice.
Racing officials are pursuing continued growth of the sport in the country coming off a robust 2023 campaign.
This was confirmed by Nasrudeen Mohamed Jnr, head of Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC), the country’s leading horse racing promoters.
“This year was a tremendous season for the sport. It generated a renewed confidence in the sport. This was underlined by the record number of horses imported into the country,” Mohamed Jnr said.
“It was the first time horses were imported from Brazil to compete in the country. Over 60 horses were imported from Trinidad and the USA to improve the racing and breeding stock. This demonstrates that horsemen are looking at the future by purchasing horses in-utero (in foal). I wish to thank those horsemen for their foresight, and confidence in the sport’s future," he added.
The feature event on the card is billed as a battle of the sexes rematch between Sunday’s winner Spankhurst (gelding) and runner-up Bossalina (mare), and Derby winners Red Ruby and Firecracker.
Meanwhile, the Guyana-bred two-year-olds will be competing on the card that is written to recognise and promote the Guyana-bred horses, who continue to keep the sport alive.
Nicky Henderson is counting on the experience of Willmount coming to the fore as the exciting novice bids to maintain his unbeaten record in the Coral Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.
Bought for £340,000 after impressing in the pointing field, Willmount performed as expected in his bumper season, winning twice at Doncaster for former trainer Neil Mulholland and creating a taking impression in the process.
Switched to Seven Barrows in the off-season by his owner Olly Harris, he picked up from where he left off for his new handler, registering a bloodless 13-length victory on his hurdling bow at Newbury in November.
He is now tasked with becoming Henderson’s third winner in the final Grade One of the calendar year and is in fact just the second runner he will saddle in the race since Champ’s success in 2018.
“We’re running him because he has a bit of experience and we wanted to split up him and Jeriko (Du Reponet), which was the main idea,” said Henderson.
“He’s a pretty sensible sort of horse and he behaves like he has been at it a while, which he has been in fairness. He had a point-to-point and then two bumpers and one run over hurdles and he knows what he is doing, I hope.
“I hope he’s a horse with a bright future, but it’s a good race – a very competitive race.”
It will be the first time Willmount will race beyond two miles under rules and although Henderson admits he may end up campaigning over further in the future, the trainer does have slight concerns about the prospect of testing ground at the Berkshire venue.
On the step up in trip, he added: “I don’t think it is imperative, I must admit. He doesn’t scream to you that he wants further, but I hope he will cope with it.
“The ground would be the biggest concern. This will be very hard work, I anticipate.”
Paul Nicholls is the race’s most successful trainer and has dominated the contest in recent years, winning the last three renewals.
Denman, Stage Star, Bravemansgame and Hermes Allen all feature on the roll of honour and the Ditcheat handler has a strong hand once again with both Champion Bumper third Captain Teague and the unbeaten Farnoge attempting to uphold the champion trainer’s fine record in the contest.
“We have two nice chances in a red-hot renewal of this Grade One which we have won for the past three years and the more it rains, the better for both my runners,” Nicholls told Betfair.
“Captain Teague ran well when a close second last time at Cheltenham under a penalty. He is an exciting prospect and will gallop all day.”
On Farnoge, he added: “He is unbeaten for us having won his bumper last season and both starts over hurdles and has earned a shot at the Challow as I don’t think he is far behind Captain Teague.
“He made all the running at Ascot, the form looks useful, he stays well, keeps on winning and soft ground will be ideal for him.”
Another heading to the contest with a lofty reputation is Jonjo O’Neill’s Johnnywho, who is unbeaten both between the flags and under rules and sports the green and gold of owner JP McManus, while Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Man is yet to put a foot wrong since finishing runner-up to Gidleigh Park in a bumper and runs in the colours of Harry Redknapp.
Masaccio was just touched off by a smart Seven Barrows operator in Jingko Blue over course and distance earlier this month and represents the Alan King team that won this in 2016 with Messire Des Obeaux.
Meanwhile, Neil King has elected to step Lookaway up in trip after his three-race winning run came to an end when a gallant second in the Greatwood Hurdle.
“I thought we had the best handicapped horse in England going into the Greatwood, but Mr Henderson had one better, but he ran a terrific race to finish second,” said King.
“He’s been in very good form since, we just gave him a little break afterwards to get ready for Newbury but we had plenty of time on our hands, so he is raring to go now.
“After the Greatwood, both Jack (Quinlan) and I feel that stepping him up in trip might be the way forward to seek out a bit of improvement in him and as a Grade One we need to improve.
“It looks a competitive renewal, but he deserves his place in the line-up and I’m sure if he was trained by Mr Henderson or Mr Nicholls he would be half the price that he is.”
Course runner-up Brave Jen is a second runner in the race for Henderson, with Ella Pickard’s Bullets Hill completing the line-up.
Jeriko Du Reponet returns to the scene of his impressive debut attempting to enhance his burgeoning reputation in the Coral Committed To Safer Gambling ‘Introductory’ Hurdle on Saturday.
Trained by Nicky Henderson, the point winner became the talk of the town when dazzling at Newbury on the pre-Coral Gold Cup gallops morning and lived up to expectations when taking to the track, with an easy three-and-a-quarter-length victory over course and distance.
Already favourite with most firms for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, he now faces stiffer opposition as he continues to build up his experience ahead of bigger assignments to come.
“He’s a big horse and he’s only had one point-to-point and one hurdle race which didn’t tell us very much,” said Henderson. “But he did what he had to and was learning all the way.
“This is a better-quality field and we will see how we go here.”
Lying in wait for the four-year-old are four rivals, including Alan King’s Lingfield scorer and 94-rated Flat performer Paradias and Hughie Morrison’s Secret Squirrel, who is three from three following a taking success at Kempton on his hurdles debut.
“He’s only four and is very inexperienced. He hasn’t been through the point-to-points and hasn’t ran on the Flat, so is still really green really,” said Morrison.
“I’m not sure it’s the right thing to do and he probably should be running in a softer novice but the ground could be even worse soon and in two weeks’ time it could be rained off, snowed off or even frozen.
“It’s all about experience and the Henderson horse looks like the next Sprinter Sacre, Altior, Shishkin-type heir apparent there and a 95-rated Flat horse can make a pretty decent jumper as I know from Not So Sleepy, so he could run very well and finish third.
“But it isn’t too far from home and so far Newbury has avoided a lot of the rain, well the worst of it. I just want him to have a nice experience.”
Henderson will also hope to taste success with the King and Queen’s Steal A March in the Coral Racing Club Join For Free Handicap Hurdle.
The eight-year-old was well fancied for a Cheltenham Festival handicap last term before injury struck and now returns from 369 days off the track bidding to pick up where he left off, having scored at Wincanton when last seen.
Dan Skelton’s Get A Tonic impressed when bolting up over course and distance earlier this month and is likely to be a warm order for a repeat, while Paul Nicholls’ Irish Hill was well held on that occasion but is now tried in first-time blinkers off a mark 1lb lower than his last successful rating.
Nicholls told Betfair: “I’m putting a pair of blinkers on Irish Hill to try to sharpen him up because I’m not convinced he put everything in last time at this track.
“Hopefully he can go well off a mark of 127.”
A competitive field has also assembled for the Coral Mandarin Handicap Chase, where Surrey Quest is one of the leading contenders.
Formally trained at Seven Barrows, he made a brilliant start to life in the care of ex-Henderson assistant Toby Lawes when a fast-finishing six-and-a-half-length scorer at Huntingdon and now tries to follow up after an 8lb rise.
“He won well on his debut for Toby and will certainly appreciate the extra distance,” said Clive Hadingham, co-founder of Surrey Racing with Steve Grubb.
“He had a minor op after that race and, while he’s in great shape, he would have preferred this race to be a week later. The ground will be perfect – he wouldn’t want any more rain – but we are happy to take a chance.”
Nikola Jokic registered another triple-double as the Denver Nuggets earned their sixth successive win on Thursday, while Tyrese Haliburton joined him in enjoying a big statistical night for the Indiana Pacers.
Jokic had 26 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in less than three quarters as the Nuggets recorded a 142-105 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, who were without the injured Ja Morant.
It was Jokic's 11th triple-double of the season, and he also shot 11-of-11 from the field and made all three of his free throws before exiting the game near the end of the third period.
Jokic now sits fourth in the NBA's all-time charts for triple-doubles with 116, behind Russell Westbrook (198), Oscar Robertson (181) and Magic Johnson (138).
Denver coach Michael Malone, however, says the Serbian is uninterested in individual accolades and was more concerned with ensuring the Nuggets continued their push at the top of the Western Conference.
"I don't know how many MVPs you could say this about, but Nikola doesn't care about how many shots he's getting," Malone told The Denver Post.
"He was 11-for-11 tonight. He doesn't care about that. If Jamal [Murray] has got it going, he's clapping for Jamal.
"He takes more joy in his team-mates' success than his own and that's the true definition of being selfless. He lives it every day."
Jokic himself said: "It's a miss and make game. Of course, sometimes you miss, sometimes you make. Today I made all my shots. There's not going to be a lot of those nights."
He was not the only player to enjoy a memorable outing on Thursday, with Pacers guard Haliburton scoring 21 points and adding a career-high 20 assists in a 120-104 win over the Chicago Bulls.
Having led by as many as 25 points, the Pacers found themselves 93-90 down in the fourth quarter before Haliburton took over, hitting back-to-back three-pointers to put his team ahead.
The 23-year-old then scored or assisted on Indiana's next 16 points as they improved to 16-14 with their second straight win.
Haliburton also avoided committing a single turnover, making him just the second player to record 20 points and 20 assists without a miscue in league history, after Chris Paul in 2016.
However, he insisted his eye-catching figures were only made possible by his team-mates, saying: "I've done a terrible job taking care of the ball lately, so it was good to see zero turnovers again.
"You don't get 20 assists without guys making shots."
Center Myles Turner heaped praise upon Haliburton's performance, saying: "That's what he's been doing pretty much since he's been here.
"It's been phenomenal to watch, phenomenal to be a part of."
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