James Harden was frustrated the Los Angeles Clippers could not win on a historic night in their new arena, as they opened the NBA season with an overtime defeat.
Harden had 29 points and 12 rebounds for the Clippers but missed a free throw with six seconds left of overtime, which would have tied the game against the Phoenix Suns.
Instead, they suffered a 116-113 defeat in the Intuit Dome, despite leading 99-90 late in the fourth quarter.
Up until that final throw, Harden had kept Los Angeles in the game and almost won it for them before Kevin Durant tied the score with 21 seconds remaining of normal time.
The star was left frustrated that they could not get a win over the line.
"I'm so disappointed that we didn't get the win," Harden said. "You know what I mean? That's like one of the most frustrating things that I can think about as far as tonight.
"Like just history in Inglewood. The Intuit Dome. The fans came out, they showed up, and we got the short end of the stick.
"But I think they gave us a great, great energy tonight and I think the more they continue that the better our results will be. So, we appreciate the fans. We got to do our part, and they definitely did theirs tonight.
"Individually, for me, I got to play way better. I think it was just having that week off, getting adjusted to the pace of the game.
"All of the above. Shooting the ball well, something that I can control, taking better shots. … And then just turning the ball over. Not just getting a quality shot possession by possession. … My play has to be a lot better."
Durant scored 25 points and Bradley Beal added 24 to help the Suns make a winning start to the NBA under Mike Buldenhozer.
"You know [the fans are] excited [in overtime]," Durant said.
"They were this close to getting a stop, and then I raised up and shot that and made it. Then it was silent in there. That's one of the best feelings, especially late in a game."
Kevin Durant scored 25 points, Bradley Beal added 24 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Clippers 116-113 in overtime Wednesday night, spoiling Los Angeles' Intuit Dome debut in the opener for both teams.
James Harden had 29 points and 12 rebounds for the Clippers. He had a chance to send it to double overtime but missed the second of two free throws with 4.8 seconds remaining.
Jusuf Nurkic gave the Suns a three-point advantage with a pair of free throws. The Clippers had one last chance to send it to another extra session, but Grayson Allen forced a turnover near midcourt after the inbounds pass.
The victory made a winner out of new Suns coach Mike Budenholzer.
Ivica Zubac had 21 points for the Clippers but fouled out with 2:15 remaining in overtime.
The Clippers had a 99-90 lead before the Suns scored 11 straight points to go back on top. Devin Booker had four points during Phoenix's rally but fouled out with 1:27 remaining. Harden scored four straight points to give Los Angeles a 103-101 advantage before Durant tied it with a 15-footer with 21.2 seconds remaining.
Lillard, Antetokounmpo power Bucks
Damian Lillard scored 30 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo added 25 and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 124-109 in the season opener for both teams.
Lillard scored 15 points in the third quarter and finished with six 3-pointers, nine rebounds and five assists.
Antetokounmpo shot 8 for 11 from the floor and had a game-high 14 rebounds as Milwaukee got double-figure scoring from six players.
Taurean Prince and Bobby Portis scored 16 points apiece for the Bucks, who shot 53.8 percent (43 of 80) from the field and connected on 16 of 37 from long range.
Tyrese Maxey scored 25 points and Andre Drummond had 13 points and 11 rebounds for Philadelphia, which was without injured stars Joel Embiid and Paul George, who are sidelined due to knee injuries.
Milwaukee used a 25-12 run in a six-minute span of the second quarter to pull away. Prince hit consecutive 3s to extend the lead to 51-39 with 2:49 left in the first half.
Ball lifts Hornets in return
LaMelo Ball had 34 points and 11 assists in his return from an ankle injury and Grant Williams sank a go-ahead 3-pointer with 40 seconds left to help the Charlotte Hornets rally for a 110-105 win over the Houston Rockets.
Jalen Green scored five quick points to tie it for the Rockets before Williams put the Hornets on top with his step-back 3 to make it 106-103.
Ball, who was playing in his first regular-season game since Jan. 26, added two free throws to secure the victory. He made four 3-pointers and all 10 of his free throws.
Green led Houston with 28 points and Alperen Sengun added 25 points and 18 rebounds in his return after missing the last 19 games of last season with a severely sprained ankle.
The Hornets used a 10-0 run that spanned from late in the third quarter to early in the fourth to close the gap and put themselves in position for the win after trailing by as many as 16 points in the third quarter.
Charlotte’s Brandon Miller had six points in 11 minutes before sitting out the second half with soreness in his left hip.
Jamaican race drivers Tommi Gore and Senna Summerbell delivered an outstanding performance on Sunday, earning a podium finish in the ADAC GT4 Racing Series in Germany. Competing as the "Reggae Racers," the duo secured third place in the first race and finished in the top five in the final race, marking Jamaica’s first-ever trophies in the prestigious European racing series.
Gore and Summerbell, who drive the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport #32 with its distinctive Jamaican design, made history not only by reaching the podium but also by becoming the first Jamaican team to participate in the renowned ADAC GT4 Series. The competition, which runs across six legendary race courses in Germany and Austria, featured some of the best drivers in Europe, making the achievement even more remarkable.
For Gore and Summerbell, both sons of prominent Jamaican race drivers, the result marks a significant step in their careers. The 22-year-old Summerbell and 19-year-old Gore have quickly established themselves as rising stars on the international racing scene.
Reflecting on their success, Gore credited their mid-season switch to W&S Motorsport as a pivotal moment. "We ended up switching teams mid-season to W&S Motorsport, driving their Porsche GT4 RS. This was a great move and allowed us to showcase our talent," he said. "Since the move, we’ve finished in the top 10 in four out of the last six races, including three top-five finishes and a podium in the penultimate race."
Gore added, "Another great result to end off the year, along with the podium yesterday! Actually putting us 14th overall in the championship with only scoring points for the last three events in the Porsche!"
The team’s strong performance in Germany against experienced professional drivers, some with over three years in the championship, impressed their new team and demonstrated the potential of Jamaican motorsport talent. "Immediately having the pace in a new car and being able to fight on track with much more experienced and accomplished drivers was a testament to our local roots and the level of Jamaican motorsport," Gore explained.
Gore and Summerbell’s efforts saw them currently 14th overall in the championship, a commendable achievement for their first season in the series. Their success has garnered attention both in Jamaica and Europe, and the duo is eager to continue representing their country on the international stage.
The Reggae Racers expressed their gratitude for the support from their sponsors, including S Hotel, Q8 Oils, Sandals Resorts, Visit Jamaica (JTB), Sherwin Williams, Barita Investments, the Jamaica Sim Racing Association (JSRA), Mobay Freight Services, and Bell Safety.
With a promising future ahead, Gore and Summerbell are poised to continue building on their achievements and representing Jamaica with pride in the world of motorsport.
Jamaica's bodybuilders made their mark at the 51st Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding Championships in Georgetown, Guyana, held from October 19-20, bringing home five medals in a competitive field that featured over 200 athletes from more than 20 countries. While the host nation dominated the event with 25 medals, Jamaica held their own with two gold and three silver medals.
Leading the charge for Jamaica were Rayon Henry and Sean Taylor, who both captured gold in their respective categories. Henry, fresh off winning a national title, triumphed in the Medium Class (176 cm), showcasing his refined physique and superior form. Taylor, competing in the Short Class (170 cm), delivered a standout performance after a challenging year, rebounding from earlier fourth-place finishes in the Muscular Men’s Physique and Men’s Physique Short Class to claim the top spot.
Nicolas Wilson also impressed on his international debut, taking home a silver medal in the highly competitive Bodybuilding Middleweight category (80 kg). Wilson's disciplined preparation paid off, as he made a strong impression against seasoned competitors, proving that he's a rising talent in the sport.
On the women’s side, Jamaica’s national champion Dianne Brown captured a silver medal in the Bikini Fitness Tall Class (169 cm). A former pageant expert, Brown dazzled both the audience and the judges with her flawless physique and commanding stage presence, solidifying her place among the top contenders in the region. Shana Davis Roman added another silver to Jamaica's medal tally in the Fitness Challenge, displaying exceptional athleticism and versatility in the demanding category.
Natasha Gordon also delivered commendable performances, placing fourth in both the Bikini Fitness Open and Masters divisions, contributing to the overall success of Jamaica’s six-member team, which was led by former JABBFA and CAC President, Lt. Col. Bruce Bartley.
Despite competing against a large field of athletes, Jamaica’s bodybuilders proved they could hold their own on the international stage, bringing home valuable hardware from the prestigious event.
Novak Djokovic has confirmed his withdrawal from next week's Paris Masters.
The 24-time major winner announced via his social media channels he will not be participating in the ATP Masters event at Paris-Bercy, where he is a seven-time champion.
Djokovic was a gold medal winner at the Paris Olympics in August, while he has already reached finals at Wimbledon and Shanghai this season, in which he has a 37-9 record.
The Serb featured in last week's inaugural 6 Kings Slam in Riyadh, where he finished in third place after defeating long-time rival Rafael Nadal.
"Unfortunately I won't be playing @rolexparismasters this year," he wrote on Instagram Stories.
"Sorry to everyone who was hoping to see me play there. Wishing all the players, sponsors, organisers and fans a great tournament. I have a lot of great memories winning seven titles there and hope to be back with you next year."
Team Jamaica returned to the island earlier this week as five-time winners of the Caribbean Golf Association’s 4-Ball Championship, which was held in Trinidad and Tobago at the Plantation Golf and Country Club.
Since 2020, when Jamaica won the overall trophy or the Ambrose Gouthro Cup, the island’s golfers have distinguished themselves by winning the cup each year including this year having amassed 73 points over Trinidad and Tobago’s 56.
The other islands in the six-team championship were Bermuda in third place with 38 points, the Bahamas on 34, Barbados on 23, and the Cayman Islands placed sixth with nine points.
Jamaica entered the championship with the largest number of golfers, numbering twenty, followed by host country Trinidad and Tobago with sixteen. There were six-trophy categories within the championship. Jamaica won four of the six categories, came second in one and fifth in the other, while putting on a dominant display over its Caribbean partners. The male/female trophy breakdown showed three wins and a fifth place for the men, while the women won one and came second in the other.
Dr. Mark Newnham and Owen Samuda teamed up to capture the Francis Steele & Perkins Cup for the senior men ahead of Bermuda after posting seven under par 209 over the three rounds, to one under par 215 by Bermuda. They had two very good rounds of three under par each for the second and third rounds, respectively, while scoring one under par 71 in the first round.
The duo of Radcliff Knibbs and Keith Stein posted even more impressive scores to take the Higgs & Higgs Trophy. Their three-day total of eleven under par 205 resulted from three under par 69 in the first round and four under par 68 in the last two rounds. The B team of Metry Seaga and Mike Glieckman came in second with a four under par 212 score, while Trinidad came in third with one over par 217.
The Ashraph Ali Trophy for Masters or men over 70 went to Jamaica’s men’s team of Dorrel Allen and Victor Hudson. They posted a combined score of 220 to share the trophy with the Bahamas, who posted the same score.
The local duo of Andre Dhanpaul and Delroy Johnson were no match for Bermuda in the quest for the Ramon Baez Romano Trophy for mid amateur men. Bermuda’s total score was nine under par 207 while Jamaica posted 24 over par 240 for fifth place.
The combination of Michelle McCreath and Maggie Lyn grabbed the Dessie Henry Trophy for females 45 and over. They scored 252 ahead Trinidad and Tobago’s 264 in second place.
Trinidad and Tobago turned the tables on Jodi Munn-Barrow and Lisa Gardner to take the Maria Nunes Trophy for ladies 25 and over. Trinidad and Tobago’s combined score of 240 was just two strokes ahead of Jamaica’s 242.
President of the Jamaica Golf Association, Jodi Munn-Barrow, expressed delight at the accomplishment.
“I am extremely proud of team Jamaica at this year’s 4-Ball Championships, victorious in all except one category this year and a second place finish. We continue to streak five years as overall champion and everybody went out there, the team played hard, the conditions were tough, course was windy but we all played to our game plan and I am very very proud of all of all of the team members," she said.
Another star wide receiver is on the move, as NFL.com reported on Wednesday that the Kansas City Chiefs are finalising a trade with the Tennessee Titans for five-time Pro Bowl selection DeAndre Hopkins.
The Titans will reportedly receive a fifth-round draft pick that can become a fourth-rounder if certain conditions are met. Tennessee will also retain some of Hopkins' remaining salary to facilitate the trade.
Hopkins, who recorded his seventh career 1,000-yard season in 2023, fills an obvious need for the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs, who have been hit hard by injuries at the wide receiver position.
Kansas City lost top wideout Rashee Rice to a season-ending right knee injury in Week 4 and is also without projected starter Hollywood Brown, who is recovering from shoulder surgery and aiming to return for the playoffs. Veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster is also currently sidelined after injuring his hamstring in the Chiefs' win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Hopkins has just 15 catches totalling 173 yards and one touchdown in six games this season while hindered by the 1–5 Titans' instability at quarterback, but bounced back from a pair of injury-plagued campaigns during his first season in Tennessee in 2023. The three-time All-Pro registered 75 receptions for 1,057 yards with seven touchdowns while playing in all 17 games.
The 32-year-old missed a total of 15 games over the course of the 2021 and 2022 seasons while then with the Arizona Cardinals. Hopkins dealt with hamstring and knee injuries in 2021 and sat out the first six games of 2022 while serving a suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Tennessee signed Hopkins, who spent his first seven seasons with the Houston Texans from 2013-19, to a two-year, $26 million contract following his release by the Cardinals in May 2023.
The 6–0 Chiefs are the NFL's lone unbeaten team this season despite an offence that's lacked consistency. Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes has just one 300-yard passing game thus far and has thrown more interceptions (eight) than touchdown passes (six).
Hopkins became the third accomplished veteran wide receiver to be traded in just over a week. The New York Jets acquired six-time Pro Bowl honouree Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders on Oct. 15, and the Buffalo Bills swung a deal with the Cleveland Browns for Amari Cooper the same day.
When Canadian professional golfer and celebrity entertainer Todd Keirstead stands out on course, it is not just for his remarkable skills but for the way he’s using his talents to give back.
Known for his extraordinary trick shots that leave spectators amazed, Keirstead, who has been playing golf for over 20 years, found a way to turn his passion for the game into a powerful tool for charitable fundraising, and his unique blend of showmanship and philanthropy was on full display in Jamaica recently.
Keirstead’s appearance at the Baxter Canadian Travel Advisors Golf Tournament at the Sandals Golf and Country Club was more than just for an exhibition of incredible talent, as his jaw-dropping trick shots were designed with a larger goal in mind –raising funds for the Sandals Foundation’s junior golf programme, an initiative aimed at fostering the next generation of golfers in Jamaica.
The programme helps provide access to golf for young players who might otherwise not have the opportunity to engage with the sport, offering training, equipment, and mentorship.
“Anything that involves giving back is near and dear to my heart and I love when kids are introduced to this sport. This sport has given me so much; it's allowed me to travel the world and if I can give back, plus put a smile on kids face and show them what can be done through golf,” Keirstead told SportsMax.Tv.
“I also have a national adaptive golf programme where I work with people with varying disabilities and injuries, showing them that they can play the game of golf again because a lot of them gave up the game because they don't think they can play. But if I can show them that, yes, maybe you can't play the way that you used to, but here's an adaptive way to play golf, which is such an incredible sport,” he added.
While his impressive abilities—which involve performing shots blindfolded and even hitting balls from various parts of people’s bodies—saw him once win Trick Shot of the Year, complemented by features on ESPN, Sports Illustrated, TSN, and TMZ, Keirstead’s focus extends far beyond simply entertaining the crowd.
For Keirstead, who survived skin cancer in 2023 when he endured seven surgeries in just four months, every shot he takes is a chance to bring attention to causes that matter, as he is driven by a mission to empower and educate.
“I’ve always believed that golf can be more than just a sport; it can be a vehicle for change. I was doing a demonstration back in 2014, and I realised a lot of the shots that I was doing for pure entertainment value were actually emulating the individuals I was with. So I was hitting golf balls blindfolded, and there were individuals that lost their sight. I was swinging golf balls with one arm, showing the correlation between golf and tennis, and there were arm amputees present,” Keirstead, who is also a part of Paragolf Canada, explained.
“I was hitting golf balls off my knees, and there were people present with double leg amputations. So it immediately turned the light bulb on to me that this wasn't so much entertaining anymore; it was more inspiring, showing these individuals who suffered horrific physical situations, here's an adaptive way to play. I've travelled around the world, working with wounded military people, people in car accidents, individuals that suffered drugs, and just giving back to them through the game of golf,” he shared.
According to Keirstead, the Sandals Foundation’s junior golf programme is a perfect fit for his mission, as it is focused on providing resources and support to budding young golfers who dream of making it big in the sport.
In fact, the cheerful personality believes that by combining his passion for golf with a deep commitment to giving back, he is demonstrating that charity doesn’t have to come in the form of a traditional donation—it can come in the form of time and a willingness to inspire others.
“I would love to work at different golf courses here in Jamaica, helping draw tourism here as well and give the whole island an experience. Being able to give back through what I love doing is a gift, and if I can use my platform to help young golfers get the opportunities they deserve, that’s what makes it all worthwhile,” he declared with a broad smile.
“It’s amazing to see how something as simple as a golf ball can create a ripple effect of change. When these kids are given the opportunity to play, to learn, and to grow in the sport, they’re also learning life skills—discipline, focus, resilience, and that’s what we’re really investing in,” Keirstead ended.
Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Hong Kong Open due to a foot injury as she races to be fit for the Billie Jean King Cup next month.
Raducanu has not played since retiring midway through her quarter-final against Daria Kasatkina in the Korea Open last month.
The Briton revealed she had sprained ligaments in her foot and has subsequently missed four tournaments, including the China and Wuhan Open.
Raducanu was targeting a return at next week's WTA 250 event in Hong Kong, but has pulled out of the event after confirming she would not be fit to feature.
"I'm sorry to say that I will not be able to play in Hong Kong next week. Whilst my foot is making good progress, I need a little more time before I am match fit," she wrote on X.
"I hope to be able to come back and play this tournament in the future! In the meantime, I am doing what I can to be ready for BJKC [Billie Jean King Cup]."
But the world number 55's latest withdrawal has raised concerns about her chances of competing for Great Britain at the Billie Jean Cup.
Raducanu is in Great Britain's squad of five players for the competition, joining Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson and Olivia Nicholls.
Anne Keothavong's side take on Germany on November 15 in Spain, though Raducanu faces an uphill battle to be fit.
Guyana put on a dominant display at the CAC Bodybuilding Championships over the weekend, securing 333 points to top the overall standings. The host nation fielded 25 athletes and took home 25 medals, including seven golds, edging out Barbados, who finished second with 327 points. El Salvador placed third with 165 points.
The highlight of the event for the host nation was Emmerson Campbell, the National Men’s Physique Champion, who earned a prestigious Pro Card after winning gold in the Men’s Physique up to 173cm category. Despite finishing second in the overall pose-off, Campbell’s physique was deemed superior, securing him the professional status he had been striving for over the years.
Remalton Siland also delivered an impressive performance, winning gold in the Men’s Physique Masters Open and earning two bronze medals in fitness and the seniors up to 170 cm category. Julio Sinclair added to Guyana’s success with a gold in the Men’s Bodybuilding over 90 kg.
Delrae Mclean claimed bronze in the Men’s Bodybuilding Masters 40-49 years class and silver in the seniors up to 75 kg. Overseas-based athlete Rawle Greene took silver and bronze in the men’s bodybuilding seniors up to 85 kg and the masters class.
Guyana’s medal haul continued with Anthony Bayley, who won gold in the Men’s Junior Physique, and Christina Ramsammy, who secured two silver medals in the Bikini Masters over 35 and Women’s over 35 Bodybuilding categories. Angelica Barroncas earned silver in the Wellness Masters over 35.
Additional medalists included Jamal Pollydore, Joel Caldeira, Orlanzo Valenzuela, Kadeem Bowen, and Christopher Anthony, rounding off a dominant performance by the host nation at the CAC Bodybuilding Championships.
The Rough Fight League (RFL) Ocho is set to take place this Saturday, October 26, at Funland in Hope Gardens, Kingston, promising an action-packed night of mixed martial arts (MMA) and kickboxing. The event, which starts at 8 pm, will feature eight thrilling bouts, including two high-profile main events that fans won’t want to miss.
Headlining the card, Shiaeinie ‘Da Great’ Blake, a dominant figure in Caribbean MMA, will make his professional debut against Daron ‘Avatar’ Weir. Blake, who has held the number one spot across three weight classes in the Caribbean, will be tested by Weir, an accomplished boxer now stepping into the professional MMA scene. “We expect fireworks from that,” said event organizer Kyle Chin. Weir’s transition to MMA promises an explosive bout, as both fighters bring top-tier experience in their respective disciplines.
In another main event, Theron ‘The Iron Prince’ Rose Green will take on Jaheem ‘Imru Makonnen’ Morrison in an amateur welterweight championship fight. Rose Green, an emerging MMA star who has already made waves with wins in Trinidad and Jamaica, will face Morrison, a skilled kickboxer building a strong reputation in the sport. “It’s a classic wrestler versus striker match-up,” Chin explained, noting Rose Green’s well-rounded skill set, honed through international competition in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, beach wrestling, and MMA.
'Tank' Thompson
Adding to the excitement is Tyrece ‘Tank’ Thompson, the 2024 Pan American Super Heavyweight International Mixed Martial Arts Champion, who will be competing against Samuel Campbell. Thompson, fresh off his Pan Am gold, will look to continue his dominance in the super heavyweight division.
The event will also see the pro debut of Demar ‘Force’ Haslam, RFL’s 145-pound amateur champion, who will face Nakia Anderson in what promises to be another intense match. “It’s going to be an exciting night,” Chin said, emphasizing that the card will feature a mix of MMA and kickboxing fights, showcasing the depth of talent in the region.
This is the first major RFL event of the year, following the pandemic-induced hiatus. “We did have a level of consistency with seven events, but we are trying to return to that now,” Chin said, adding that the sport continues to grow in Jamaica. “Jamaica has always been known as a strong striking country. We have good boxing, karate, kickboxing, and now we are seeing an evolution in our game.”
With a new venue, a stacked fight card, and the return of some of Jamaica’s top combat athletes, Rough Fight League Ocho is set to be an unforgettable night for MMA and kickboxing fans.
Tickets for the event can be purchased at Jacana New Kingston, Jangas Soundbar, The Life Store and Jacana Manor Park.
Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown says it was "like a lid on the basket" as the team failed to break the record for the most 3-pointers in a single game despite having numerous attempts to do so.
The defending champions got off to a perfect start in their NBA opener, beating the new-look New York Knicks 132-109 on Tuesday.
Al Horford had tied the record in the fourth quarter, making Boston's 29th 3-pointer of the game (level with Milwaukee Bucks), but with nine minutes left to play, Boston failed to make their next 13 consecutive attempts.
Otherwise, it was the Celtics' day, as Jayson Tatum started their celebrations with 37 points and 10 assists, while Derrick White scored 24.
Brown added 23 himself but was left in disbelief that they had been unable to break the record after the start they had.
"It was almost like we got jinxed or something," Brown said. "It was like when we were just playing, having fun, playing our style of basketball, everything was going in.
"And then once the crowd got into it, and we started hunting them [3-pointers], we couldn't even hit the broadside of the barn. Everything was off. We got a bunch of great looks, and it was like a lid on the basket.
"So that just shows, like, we're not a team that's hunting 3s. We play the game, and we do what we're supposed to do, but I think towards the end it was tough because we wasn't playing the way we had normally played. But we still had a bunch of great looks."
The Knicks were tipped to be the Celtics' toughest opponents in the Eastern Conference this year but struggled to cause their opponents any real issues.
Jalen Brunson scored 22 points for New York, and new addition Karl-Anthony Towns had just 12 points and seven rebounds.
Despite the disappointing opener, coach Tom Thibodeau is already looking to how they can improve for their next game.
"It's Game 1," Thibodeau said. "We didn't have that much time yet. But it's early, and you got to learn from it.
"So, our thing is to get better from this and watch film, and I think it was a great test for a team like this, who are already up there.
"It's a good test, and we'll learn from that and try to build on what we got to do with our habits and everything."
The Celtics are next in action against the Washington Wizards on Thursday, while the Knicks will take on the Indiana Pacers a day later.
Charles Leclerc insisted that Ferrari are "still targeting the title" after the Italian-based team claimed a dominant one-two at the United States Grand Prix.
Leclerc, who claimed an eighth win of his career last weekend, is now just 22 points behind McLaren's Lando Norris in the drivers’ standings after sealing a fifth podium in the last six races.
And with team-mate Carlos Sainz finishing just behind him, it has given Ferrari a significant boost in the constructors' battle, with their new total of 496 meaning that they trail second-placed Red Bull by only eight points, while McLaren remain in the lead on 544.
"Yeah, very, very happy," Leclerc answered. "Now we are still targeting the title – it's a long way to go, but it's a good start to this triple header."
Sainz echoed his team-mate's confidence heading into the final five races of the season, with the pair enduring a difficult campaign last year that saw them finish fifth and seventh respectively in the drivers' championship.
Both Leclerc and Sainz have already surpassed their season totals from the 2023 campaign, and the Spaniard is looking forward to his final five races with the Scuderia before he joins Williams next year.
"Last year, we spent all of the races defending, losing position," Sainz explained.
"This year, it looks we can just go on attack mode, don't think too much about tyres and just push and overtake which is fun, and enjoy it a lot, and I just hope it stays like that until the end of the year."
However, team principal Fred Vasseur was more measured in his approach to challenging for both titles, saying Ferrari are focused on "pure performance" going forward rather than on their position in the constructors' standings.
"We're not thinking about the championship, and I want to keep the team in this mood because I think it’s important to be focussed on pure performance, session after session, and not to have somewhere in your mind the championship," Vasseur said.
"One week or two weeks ago, everybody was speaking about McLaren. Before this, it was Mercedes and before this, it was Red Bull. We have to take it with a bit of distance. We never spoke about something like this because we know it’s still a long way.
"If something can arrive at the end, it will be more by the performance day per day than by the approach of the overall championship. We know perfectly that next week will be a completely different challenge.
"We will start from scratch, and you can have a completely different result in Mexico in one week time."
DRIVERS TO WATCH
Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
Having put on an impressive performance in Austin last time out, Leclerc will be keen to make inroads to Norris and beyond in the drivers' championship.
Leclerc took the eighth of his Formula 1 wins at the last United States Grand Prix. If he takes another victory in the remaining five races, it will be his best year in terms of race triumphs in the competition (that would be four, surpassing the three in 2022).
He has also won two of the last four races in Formula 1 (Italy and the United States), as many wins for the Monegasque in the competition as in the previous 55 (Monaco 2024 and Austria 2022).
And Leclerc will be confident of adding to that tally, having enjoyed recent trips to Mexico. He is the only driver on the current grid to achieve at least two pole positions at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez (2019 and 2023).
Should he do so again, he will become the third driver to achieve three in Mexico City after Ayrton Senna (three) and Jim Clark (four), and the first to repeat pole position around the circuit since the Brazilian legend did so in 1988 and 1989.
Ferrari enter the weekend with confidence. They achieved their second one-two of the season last time out (also in Australia). If they can do that again, it will be the first time since Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen in 2008 that the Italian team have managed three in a single year.
Max Verstappen – Red Bull
However, after winning the sprint race and finishing ahead of championship rival Norris, Max Verstappen will be looking to increase his advantage in the drivers' standings to try and wrap up his fourth consecutive title as soon as possible.
But the Dutchman has now gone eight races without a pole position and nine without a triumph - his worst respective streaks since the penultimate round in 2020, when he went 17 qualifying rounds without a win and 11 consecutive races without a victory.
Verstappen, though, will be confident of halting that streak around a track he has enjoyed in recent years. The Red Bull driver (five) is only behind Lewis Hamilton (six) for podium finishes around the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, though the three-time world champion has scored more points (147) than the Briton (137).
The Dutchman has won all three races corresponding to Mexico City since the naming change back in 2021. Only in Abu Dhabi (four) has he won more in a row in his Formula 1 career.
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 354
2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 297
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 275
4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 247
5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – 215
Constructors
1. McLaren – 544
2. Red Bull – 504
3. Ferrari – 496
4. Mercedes – 344
5. Aston Martin – 86
LeBron James said that it was "always family over everything" after making NBA history alongside son Bronny during the Los Angeles Lakers' season opener.
LeBron and Bronny checked into the game together with four minutes left in the second quarter, becoming the first father-son duo to share the court in an NBA game.
The pair spent over two and a half minutes on the court together and in those minutes, Bronny was credited with one offensive rebound on a put-back attempt and finished 0-for-2 from the field.
Bronny also missed an open three-pointer, but left the court to a standing ovation. However, he did not feature again in the Lakers' 110-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
LeBron, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, notched 16 points along with five rebounds and four assists, but was left emotional when asked to describe the historic moment.
"It's always been family over everything," LeBron said.
"For me, I lost a lot of time because of this league, committing to this league, being on the road on times, missing a lot of [Bronny's] things, Bryce's things, Zhuri's things.
"So, to be able to have this moment where I'm working still, and I can work alongside my son – it's one of the greatest gifts I've ever got from the man above.
"I'm going to take full advantage of it."
The Lakers have declined to speculate on how long Bronny will stay on their NBA roster, but Bronny expressed his gratitude at being able to share the court with his father.
"I'm just extremely grateful for everything. I was given an amazing opportunity to come in this league and get better every day and learn every day," Bronny said.
"Going up to the scorer's table with my dad and checking in for the first time, that's a crazy moment I will never forget."
LeBron James and Bronny James became the first father and son to play in the NBA together on Tuesday night during the Los Angeles Lakers' 110-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The 39-year-old superstar and his 20-year-old son played almost 2 1/2 minutes together late in the first half of Bronny's NBA debut. They are also the first father and son to play in the NBA at the same time, let alone on the same team.
Anthony Davis had 36 points and 16 rebounds in a dominant performance for the Lakers, while LeBron scored 16 points and Rui Hachimura added 18.
JJ Redick won his head coaching debut for the Lakers, who hired the 15-year NBA veteran for his first coaching job at any level.
Anthony Edwards scored 27 points for the Timberwolves, who are coming off their best season in 20 years.
Julius Randle had 16 points and nine rebounds, and Donte DiVincenzo had 10 points in their Timberwolves debuts after the trade sending Karl-Anthony Towns to New York three weeks ago.
Davis was phenomenal down the stretch, either scoring or assisting on 13 of Los Angeles’ next 15 points after he returned to the game with 7:09 left. LeBron's 3-pointer put it away.
LeBron officially joined Vince Carter as the only players in NBA history to play in 22 seasons. James is sixth in career games played with 1,493 - not counting his NBA-record 287 playoff games.
Celtics tie 3s record in rout of Knicks
Jayson Tatum continued Boston’s Banner 18 celebration by scoring 37 points and making eight of the Celtics' NBA record-tying 29 3-pointers as Boston rolled to a 132-109 drubbing of the New York Knicks on opening night.
Derrick White scored 24 points, Jaylen Brown added 23 and Tatum had 10 assists for the defending champions, who raised their NBA-leading 18th championship banner to the rafters before the game. Boston led by as many as 35 points before missing its last 13 3-point attempts while trying to break the record.
Jalen Brunson scored 22 points for New York, and new addition Karl-Anthony Towns had just 12 points and seven rebounds.
The new-look Knicks were supposed to be the biggest threat to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference, but even after adding Towns and Mikal Bridges over the summer, they were no match for the team that finished 14 games in front last season.
The Celtics hit their 29th 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter, then fired up two long airballs and 13 misses in a row from beyond the arc as they went for the record set in 2020 by Milwaukee. The crowd chanted “One more 3!” in the final minutes, but on Boston's last possession Payton Pritchard dribbled out the shot clock without making another attempt.
The Philadelphia 76ers will have to wait a little longer to display its new All-Star lineup after announcing Tuesday that Joel Embiid and Paul George will not play in Wednesday’s season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Embiid sat out the entire pre-season due to a sore left knee and is currently on an individualised rehab plan.
The 2022-23 NBA MVP will also be sidelined for Friday’s game at the Toronto Raptors before being re-evaluated. Philadelphia visits the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.
George is also uncertain to play this week after sustaining a left knee bone bruise during the preseason.
The 76ers added the nine-time All-Star in the summer to join fellow All-Stars Embiid and Tyrese Maxey on the roster.
George, a nine-time All-Star, will also be re-evaluated later this week.
Trinidad and Tobago has named a 52-member team for the inaugural Carifta Artistic Gymnastics Championships, which will see a plethora of the regions rising stars showcase their skills at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston, Jamaica, from November 29-30.
The team to represent the Twin Island Republic across 10 categories was selected after a recent two-day trial event at Woodbrook Youth Facility.
Gymnasts were selected from eight clubs, with Tots & Tumblers (28) and Olympia (14) set to field the most representatives at the event, which will also see Barbados, Bahamas, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, along with host Jamaica, in action.
Thema Williams Gymnastics Academy (three), Gymnastics Explorers and Lees Gymnastics qualified two, while Academic Flippers, Golden Stars Gymnastics Academy and Mucurapo Artistic Achievers all qualified one athlete.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Gymnastics Federation explained that athletes who qualified were required to make minimum scores and finish in the top four positions within their level and age group to earn an automatic placement on the team.
“The fifth and final spots within each level and age group were subsequently awarded to the fifth place all-around qualifiers out of the trials event,” the federation said in a statement.
Anabeth Vargas (Panama) and Mabel Moreno (Colombia) officiated at the trials.
Team:
USAG Level 1 – Andaya Singh, Azalea Pierre, Brittney Joseph, Genesis Canzius, Imani Regis, Janicia Hall, Krisanne Ramoutar, Ricquel Marcellin, Sophie Espinoza, Yarii Alexander
USAG Level 2 – Ashley Castillo, Avni Lopez, Eemaan Boucaud, Harleigh Chin Leung Kam, Keira-Leigh John, Kenzie Gonzales, Larisah Nevins, Miya Mondesir, Savannah Thomson, Xara Rampersad
USAG Level 3 – Arya Hagley, Bren Newallo-Badal, Cacique Darbeau, Isoke Morgan, Jael Baker, Kyra Johnson, Zariah Dopwell-Gittens, Zoey Ottley
USAG Level 4 – Aaliyah Gosai, Annabelle Aanensen, Asia Ali, Jaelyn Heywood, Me’Hera Callendar, M’Kaiyah Williams, Onia Hepburn
USAG Level 5 – Alicja Chang Kit, Alissa Mathias, Gabriella Christopher
USAG Level 6 – Chelsea Edwards, Haley Caldeira, Soriya Alleyne
USAG Level 7 – Amba Boodansingh, Gabrielle Webb, Michaela Francis, Shanika Joseph, Tessica Laurence, Tyanna Edwards, Yandy Stafford
USAG Level 8 – Annaleigh Edwards, Dailia Burke, Kathryn Alexander
USAG Level 9 – Alora Morang
PAGU Hopes – Shanika Joseph, Yandy Stafford, M’Kaiyah Wiliiams (level one), Annaleigh Edwards, Alora Morang (level two), Dailia Burke (level three)
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has described Red Bull's contentious ride-height device as "outrageous" and demanded the FIA investigate it further.
The build-up to Sunday's United States Grand Prix in Austin – won by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc as Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished third – was dominated by speculation about a device found on the RB20 car.
Rival teams have suggested the device could be used to advantageously alter the car's ride height when teams are in restricted 'parc ferme' conditions.
Under the 'parc ferme' regulations, teams are prohibited from making adjustments to their setups between the end of qualifying and the start of a race.
Constructors' championship contenders McLaren are among the teams to have questioned the device, though Red Bull team principal Christian Horner insisted it was not accessible to use when the car was fully assembled.
Mercedes chief Wolff – a long-time rival of Horner's – has now entered the debate, calling on the FIA to take action.
"My view is from a distance, what I've seen and what I've heard, it's outrageous," Wolff said.
FIA officials were seen observing a demonstration of how the device operates in advance of Sunday's race, but Wolff is not sure those checks were adequate.
"I really liked that, when they put this broom in the car to demonstrate the only way that the height could get changed," Wolff said.
"I wonder how long it took them to make this, and to stick it in there. I didn't know that in Formula One that we were using such devices!
"It's not good enough to say, 'that's it, we promise we're not going to do it again'.
"I cannot speak for the FIA at all. Obviously, that's something that's not been spotted for a long time. I think the leadership of the FIA is going to look at that and say, 'what are we doing with this?'"
The San Francisco 49ers have confirmed Brandon Aiyuk has torn the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee and will miss the rest of the season.
Star wide receiver Aiyuk was injured near the end of the second quarter as the 49ers lost a Super Bowl LVIII rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs, 28-18, on Sunday.
That result dropped them to 3-4 after an injury-plagued start to 2024, with running back Christian McAffrey another big-name absentee.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan suggested after the game that Aiyuk's injury looked serious, and the team's worst fears were confirmed when he undertook additional tests on Monday.
"I talked with him last night, just calling him at his house," Shanahan said of Aiyuk. "He was hurting, just bummed out, exactly how you'd expect.
"But he's a strong dude and spiritual guy and believes everything happens for a reason, so he'll be all right.
"He was definitely a little down last night, and I was just telling him how bad I felt for him and just let him know we're all here for him through this."
Fellow wideout Deebo Samuel, meanwhile, was limited to four snaps against the Chiefs after feeling unwell and was subsequently checked into hospital with a form of pneumonia.
"I think it started acting up in the middle of the night Saturday night or early Sunday morning and then it just evolved as the day went on," Shanahan said of Samuel.
"Once we found out he had the fluid in his lungs after the game, then I believe they sent him over there."
There is no timeline for Samuel's return to action, with the Niners' next outing pitting them against their long-time rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, on Sunday.
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