Kevin Durant notched his first career triple-double with 25 points, 13 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 119-109 win over the Golden State Warriors.
The three-time NBA scoring champion has endured some growing pains this season trying to improve his floor game, with a bump in his assist number coinciding with an increase in his turnovers, too.
He came in averaging four turnovers per game, the fourth-worst in the league.
KNICKS 88, PACERS 76
In New York, Carmelo Anthony had 26 points and nine rebounds to help New York bounce back from its first loss of the season with a win over Indiana.
J.R. Smith added 13 points and Raymond Felton had 11 for the Knicks in their only home appearance over a span of seven games. After falling 105-95 at Memphis on Friday, the Knicks (7-1) go right back on the road to start another three-game trip today in New Orleans.
In a game that was ugly, neither team shot 40 percent, but the Knicks built a big early lead, went up by as much as 20 and were never challenged.
NETS 99, KINGS 90
In Sacramento, California, reserve forward Andray Blatche scored 22 points to lead Brooklyn over Sacramento for their fifth straight win. The Nets (6-2) matched the team’s best start since the 2002 to 2003 season when they went to the NBA finals, losing to San Antonio in six games.
Deron Williams had 14 points and 10 assists for the Nets, whose longest winning streak last season was three games. MarShon Brooks had nine of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, Brook Lopez had 13 points and four blocks and C.J. Watson had 13 points for Brooklyn.
RAPTORS 97, MAGIC 86
In Toronto, DeMar DeRozan scored 20 points and Amir Johnson had 14 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter to lead Toronto over slumping Orlando.
Andrea Bargnani had 17 points, Linas Kleiza scored 10 of his 12 points in the fourth and Jose Calderon had a season-high 18 assists for the Raptors, who had lost six of their previous seven home meetings with Orlando.
Glen Davis led the Magic with 16 points and 12 rebounds, E’Twuan Moore scored 16 points and Arron Afflalo had 15.
Nikola Vucevic had 12 points and six rebounds, ending his streak of three straight double-doubles.
76ERS 86, CAVALIERS 79
In Philadelphia, Evan Turner had 19 points and nine assists to lead Philadelphia over reeling Cleveland.
Spencer Hawes and Jrue Holiday each added 14 points for the Sixers, who have won two straight and five of seven.
Alonzo Gee scored 17 and Anderson Varejao and Tristan Thompson had 14 apiece for Cleveland, who have lost six in a row.
Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters combined for 14 points on 6-for-27 shooting. They came in averaging a combined 39.1 points, a league-best for a starting backcourt.
The Cavaliers had won eight of their last 10 games in Philadelphia.
PISTONS 103, CELTICS 83
In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Greg Monroe had 20 points and 13 rebounds, Jason Maxiell added 15 points and Detroit beat Boston for their first home win of the season.
The Pistons (2-9) had blown double-digit leads in each of their first three home games, but the Celtics, playing their fourth game in five nights, hit only four three-pointers and trailed by as many as 22 points.
Rajon Rondo finished with 10 assists to extend his double-digit streak to 34 games, the third longest in league history. Magic Johnson had a 46-game streak between 1983 and 1984 and John Stockton had a 37-game run in 1989.
BLAZERS 102, BULLS 94
In Portland, Oregon, Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum scored 21 points apiece as Portland beat Chicago for their first three-game winning streak since opening last season 3-0.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely