BASKETBALL
Embiid to donate winnings
Cameroonian big man Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers is to give his winnings from yesterday’s NBA All-Star Game to homeless shelters, the team announced on Saturday. Embiid, a four-time NBA All-Star who turns 27 on Tuesday next week, committed the money — at least US$100,000 — to Philadelphia groups, including Project HOME, Youth Service Inc and Sunday Breakfast Mission. “So many have fallen on such hard times during the pandemic,” Embiid said. “I felt it was important to provide more support for individuals and families struggling with homelessness and food insecurity ... I’m continually grateful for all of the support that Philadelphia and the fans have given me, not just around All-Star, but all my years in the league. I will continue to help in any way I can,” he added.
SPRINTING
Jacobs wins 60m in Torun
Italy’s Lamont Marcell Jacobs on Saturday stormed to gold in the men’s 60m at the European indoor championships in Torun, Poland. Jacobs, who was born in the US, but raised in Italy by his Italian mother, clocked an impressive 6.47 seconds. The 26-year-old, who reached the semi-finals of the 100m at the 2019 world outdoor championships in Doha, turned on the afterburners to leave the rest of the eight-strong field chasing his shadow. Spain’s Oscar Husillos, in 46.22 seconds, took gold in the men’s 400m, going one better than in Glasgow two years ago. There was a gold for the Netherlands in the women’s 400m, with Femke Bol cruising home in 50.63 seconds to claim a crushing win ahead of home favorite Justyna Swiety-Ersetic, in 51.41 seconds.
CYCLING
Van der Poel wins solo race
Mathieu van der Poel on Saturday powered to victory in the Strade Bianche one-day classic men’s cycling race, with a solo finish on the Piazza del Campo in Siena to complete a Dutch double after Chantal van den Broek-Blaak won the women’s race. The Alpecin-Fenix team rider pulled ahead on the Via Santa Caterina climb with 740m to go and crossed the line five seconds ahead of France’s world road champion Julian Alaphilippe, with Colombian Egan Bernal third, 20 seconds adrift. “This is an iconic race and I really wanted to win it,” said Van der Poel, who became the first Dutchman to win after clocking 4 hours, 40 minutes, 29 seconds over 184km on the famous white dirt rounds around Siena.
HOCKEY
Wilson banned for seven
The NHL on Saturday slapped Canadian Tom Wilson with a seven-game ban, after the Washington Capitals forward delivered a vicious hit to the head of Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo. Wilson charged at the 24-year-old American and slammed his head into the end boards during an NHL game on Friday night in Washington. The unsuspecting Carlo was trying to play the puck and did not see Wilson coming. Carlo raised both hands to his head and dropped to the ice after the hit. He eventually stood up, was helped to the dressing room and was transported by ambulance to a Washington area hospital, where he was treated and released. Wilson was not given a penalty on the play from either of the referees on the ice. Boston’s Jarred Tinordi later challenged Wilson to a fight.
SSC Napoli will have to wait one more week to seal the Serie A title after on Sunday being held to a goalless draw at Parma, while closest rivals Inter drew 2-2 in a dramatic game with SS Lazio. Antonio Conte’s team stayed one point ahead of Inter and were unfortunate not to win after twice striking the woodwork through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Matteo Politano, while Scott McTominay also had a free-kick tipped onto the crossbar. The away side thought they would be handed a chance to take the points from the penalty spot in the 96th minute when David Neres
Omar Marmoush’s stunning long-range strike on Tuesday upstaged Kevin de Bruyne on the Manchester City great’s Etihad farewell. Marmoush let fly from about 30m to put City ahead in their 3-1 win against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. The victory moved Pep Guardiola’s team up to third in the standings and left qualification for the UEFA Champions League in their own hands heading into the last round of the season. “It’s really important. To be in the Champions League after what happened [this season] will be really nice,” the City manager said. De Bruyne was making his final home appearance for City before
Brighton & Hove Albion’s Jack Hinshelwood on Monday sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory against Liverpool to leave the English Premier League champions without a win since clinching the title. Arne Slot’s side took the lead through Harvey Elliott’s early opener before Yasin Ayari equalized at the American Express Stadium. Dominik Szoboszlai restored Liverpool’s advantage just before halftime, but Brighton staged a late fightback as Kaoru Mitoma leveled before Hinshelwood came off the bench to net with his first touch. Liverpool have taken just one point from their three matches following the title-clinching rout of Tottenham Hotspur on April 27. The Reds have lost at
Logan O’Hoppe, Taylor Ward and Matthew Lugo homered, and the Los Angeles Angels spoiled Clayton Kershaw’s season debut, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-9 on Saturday night to take the first two games of the three-game series. Kershaw allowed three runs and threw 38 pitches in the first inning. The three-time National League Cy Young Award winner lasted four innings, giving up five runs on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Shoulder, toe and knee injuries limited Kershaw to seven games last season, and his 2025 debut was delayed as he recovered from multiple offseason surgeries. O’Hoppe had two hits with
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