Below is a summary of the latest sports news.
The Houston Rockets trade frustrated Harden versus the Brooklyn Nets
The Houston Rockets have traded security guard James Harden for Brooklyn, the Nets announced Thursday after the All-Star’s eight-time relationship with the Western Conference team collapsed this week. Harden, the 2018 NBA MVP, said the Rockets are “just not good enough” this season as they sit in second place in the Western Conference with a 3-6 record, prompting the 31-year-old to do so to say that the situation could not be fixed.
NTSB will hold a hearing on February 9 to determine the likely cause of Kobe Bryant’s fatal crash
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced Wednesday that it would hold a hearing on February 9 to determine the likely cause of the January 2020 helicopter crash in which retired NBA star Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven more people were killed. The board said in June that the pilot of the Sikorsky S-76B helicopter that crashed into hilly terrain outside of Los Angeles was likely disoriented in the fog.
NHL recap: Leafs Notch OT wins against Canadiens
Morgan Rielly scored 3:24 in overtime and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the visiting Montreal Canadiens 5-4 in the season opener for both clubs on Wednesday night. Montreal’s Phillip Danault missed a breakaway in overtime, and then Rielly converted a pass from John Tavares in a duel for the game winner.
Sailing: Top Gun on Water with flight key for the America’s Cup fight
Geared more like fighter jet pilots than sailors, three crews from the UK, Italy and the US are starting a series of dog fights this week to win the Prada Cup in New Zealand. The INEOS Team UK, the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team and the New York Yacht Club American Magic have the chance to challenge the Emirates Team New Zealand for the 36th America’s Cup.
Brown’s trainer Kevin Stefanski gets back to work
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is out of the basement and back in his office at team headquarters in Berea, Ohio. Stefanski returned to the team after a positive COVID-19 test last week forced him to isolate himself in his home. Stefanski saw the team’s first playoff win since 1994 from an awkward distance on the first floor of his family home.
American Keys Tests Positive For COVID-19 To Miss The Australian Open
American Madison Keys said Thursday she tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the Australian Open in Melbourne next month. The world number 16 said she got a positive result before going to Australia and is now self-isolating in her home.
Alex de Minaur wins Antalya Open
Fourth Alex de Minaur from Australia secured his fourth ATP Tour singles title of his career after Alexander Bublik from Kazakhstan lost two games in the first set of the Antalya Open final in Turkey on Wednesday. The eighth Bublik was unsuccessful when he sustained an injury to his right ankle in his semi-final win against Frenchman Jeremy Chardy on Tuesday.
NBA recap: Damian Lillard puts 40 as Blazer-Clip Kings
Damian Lillard set season highs with 40 points and 13 assists, and the Portland Trail Blazers bounced back from 19 points behind in the third quarter, scooping a 132-126 win over hosts Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. CJ McCollum contributed 28 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as Portland won its best fourth game in a row. Lillard and McCollum each made six 3-point points for the Trail Blazers, which were 23 of 48 behind the arch and shot a total of 48.9 percent.
Murray had doubts about the Australian Open after testing positive for COVID-19
Former British world champion Andy Murray is in doubt for next month’s Australian Open after organizers confirmed Thursday that he had tested positive for the new coronavirus. 33-year-old Murray was given a wildcard by the organizers for the main draw of the first Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne.
Russian athletes propose the folk song “Katyusha” to replace the anthem: reports
Russian athletes on Thursday proposed playing the patriotic folk song “Katyusha” for international sporting events for the next two years while Russia’s national anthem is banned for doping violations, news outlets reported. ‘Katyusha’ is a song that gained great popularity during World War II and, according to some reports, inspired the name of the Katyusha rocket launchers of the Soviet Union.
(With contributions from agencies.)
