BASKETBALL
Harden under investigation
Houston Rockets guard James Harden was allegedly involved in a nightclub incident that is under investigation by the Scottsdale Police Department in Arizona. The incident took place at about 2:30am on Saturday last week, police said. TMZ reported that a member of Harden’s entourage got into a fight, and when a woman started to record the scuffle, Harden grabbed her wrist and threw her phone onto a nearby roof. The woman, who was treated for a wrist injury at a hospital, said one of Harden’s associates offered her US$200 for the phone and that Harden later gave her US$300 to pay for a replacement. Police on Monday confirmed that they are looking into the allegations, but told the Arizona Republic that it was “far too early” to know Harden’s role.
SOCCER
Bus crash kills 12 fans
A bus loaded with fans overturned on a highway in Ecuador after a game, killing at least 12 people and injuring 30, Ecuadoran police said on Monday. The accident happened on Sunday afternoon as Barcelona SC fans were heading back to Guayaquil following a draw against a team from Cuenca. Police said they were investigating to determine what happened, but witnesses told local media that the bus was seen trying to overtake other vehicles shortly before the crash. The team has decided to honor the dead with a memorial service at their stadium.
BASEBALL
Ball sells for US$623,369
A ball with the signatures of Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner and eight other greats of the game has sold for US$623,369, SCP Auctions said on Monday. The players all signed the ball on the same day in 1939, when they gathered to become the first class to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame. That crushes the previous record of US$345,000 for a signed ball set in 2013. The winner was identified only as a southern California collector. The only original inductee who did not sign it was Lou Gehrig, who on that day was headed to a hospital where he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
SOCCER
La Liga, Facebook ink deal
La Liga yesterday announced a landmark deal with Facebook that would allow viewers in the Indian subcontinent to watch every game over the next three seasons free of charge on the social network. All 380 league matches for the new season, which begins on Friday, would be available to viewers in India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, La Liga said. “One of our goals for the last two years has been to offer content to the widest audience possible, so partnering with free platforms like Facebook, which has 270 million users in India, is key to us,” La Liga head of digital strategy Alfredo Bermejo said.
BASKETBALL
Anthony signs with Rockets
Carmelo Anthony has signed a one-year, US$2.4 million deal with the Houston Rockets. Anthony was traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Atlanta Hawks last month, before the Hawks released him. The 34-year-old joins a team led by MVP Harden and star point guard Chris Paul. The Rockets hope the addition is to help them contend for their first title since 1995.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care