Curry dazzles on Thompson’s return at Chase Center as Warriors down Mavs

Curry dazzles on Thompson’s return at Chase Center as Warriors down Mavs
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a shot on Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks at Chase Center on Nov. 12, 2024 in San Francisco, California. (Getty Images via AFP)
Short Url
Updated 13 November 2024
Follow

Curry dazzles on Thompson’s return at Chase Center as Warriors down Mavs

Curry dazzles on Thompson’s return at Chase Center as Warriors down Mavs
  • The 34-year-old was given a guard of honor by cheering Golden State staff upon his arrival at the Chase Center before fans wearing nautical caps roared their appreciation for the player
  • Joel Embiid made his long-awaited first appearance of the season but was unable to prevent the Philadelphia 76ers from sliding to a 111-99 defeat to the New York Knicks

LOS ANGELES: Stephen Curry scored 37 points as the Golden State Warriors spoiled Klay Thompson’s return to the Bay Area with a thrilling 120-117 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the opening round of the NBA Cup on Tuesday.

Thompson — a beloved member of four NBA championship-winning Golden State teams before joining Dallas in July — received a rapturous welcome in his first game back in San Francisco since his departure.

The 34-year-old was given a guard of honor by cheering Golden State staff upon his arrival at the Chase Center before fans wearing nautical caps roared their appreciation for the player who famously used to commute to work in his fishing boat.

But despite delighting the home crowd with six three-pointers in a 22-point haul, Thompson was upstaged by former teammate Curry who produced a stunning fourth-quarter performance to drag the Warriors over the line.

The Mavericks looked poised to snatch victory after battling into a six-point lead at 114-108 with just over three minutes remaining.

But Curry then took over with 10 unanswered points — including one sensational step-back three from 28 feet — to put Golden State into a 118-114 lead, before adding two late free throws to seal the win.

“There was a lot of emotion but both teams wanted to win,” Curry told TNT television. “It was a playoff-like atmosphere, with great players making great plays. That’s why we love the competition.”

Luka Doncic led Dallas’s scorers with 31 points while Kyrie Irving added 21.

In other games, Joel Embiid made his long-awaited first appearance of the season but was unable to prevent the Philadelphia 76ers from sliding to a 111-99 defeat to the New York Knicks.

Embiid missed the first six games of the season as the team managed his rehabilitation from a left knee injury, and was suspended for three games after a locker room altercation with a journalist.

Embiid’s lack of game time was apparent in a sluggish performance that saw him finish with 13 points, five assists and three rebounds.

“He was a little rusty,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse said.

“But I thought he played with some pretty good competitive spirit for what he can do out there.”

With Embiid not firing on all cylinders, the Knicks dominated for long periods, leading for almost the entirety of the game before pulling away in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Sixers 33-24.

Karl-Anthony Towns impressed with 21 points, 13 rebounds and six assists while O.G. Anunoby led the scoring with 24 points.

In Boston, the Atlanta Hawks pulled off the shock of the opening round, defeating the in-form Celtics 117-116 despite missing injured talisman Trae Young.

A game which saw the lead change hands 14 times looked to have swung decisively in favor of the home side midway through the third quarter as the Celtics raced into a 15-point lead.

But Dyson Daniels led a late rally which included 11 points in the fourth quarter, and Onyeka Okongwu tipped in the winning basket with 6.1sec left on the clock to snatch victory.

Daniels led Atlanta’s scorers with 28 points while Larry Nance Jr. added 19 with Jalen Johnson and Clint Capela chipping in with 18 points each.

The victory was sweet for Atlanta, who had suffered a 123-93 mauling by the Celtics at home on Nov. 4.

Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said Atlanta “outplayed us in every facet of the game.”

“They beat us on all the margins and they deserved to win,” Mazzulla said.

Elsewhere, the Phoenix Suns downed the Utah Jazz 120-112 while the Milwaukee Bucks beat Toronto 99-85.

The NBA Cup was introduced last season as a way of providing a knockout competition in the early months of the league season.

All 30 league teams are drawn into six groups of five, with eight teams advancing to single-elimination knockout rounds, with the semifinals and final taking place in Las Vegas on Dec. 14-17.


Pacquiao is back, but how back is he? Saturday’s fight against Barrios will reveal all

Pacquiao is back, but how back is he? Saturday’s fight against Barrios will reveal all
Updated 1 min 8 sec ago
Follow

Pacquiao is back, but how back is he? Saturday’s fight against Barrios will reveal all

Pacquiao is back, but how back is he? Saturday’s fight against Barrios will reveal all
  • It will be Pacquiao’s first fight since losing by unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas nearly four years ago
  • Pacquiao: I’m going to prove to everyone that I’m in great condition
  • Barrios, a 30-year-old from San Antonio, is a -275 favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook to spoil Pacquiao’s return

LAS VEGAS: Manny Pacquiao insisted he was back, and from a purely technical standpoint, he was correct.

Back in the ring. Back as a headliner.

But back to what he was when Pacquiao was one of the planet’s most dominant fighters, building a massive fanbase and a gold-standard resume that put him in the International Boxing Hall of Fame last month? That is the real question.

He will get a chance to answer it Saturday night when the 46-year-old from the Philippines will try to take the WBC welterweight belt from Mario Barrios. It will be Pacquiao’s first fight since losing by unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas nearly four years ago. His last victory occurred in 2019, a split decision over Keith Thurman.

“Saturday night, it’s going to be a great fight,” Pacquiao said. “It’s been a while that I’ve been out of the ring, but I’m still active and exercising all the time. I’m going to prove to everyone that I’m in great condition.

“I’ve been enjoying training camp like I did in the past, just like when I was 26 years old. The discipline is still the same. Even with my layoff, my passion is still there.”

Barrios, a 30-year-old from San Antonio, is a -275 favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook to spoil Pacquiao’s return. But he needs to bounce back from a split-decision draw on Nov. 15 against Abel Ramos that dropped his record to 29-2-1, 18 wins by knockout.

“Manny is one of a kind,” Barrios said. “He’s not an easy style to copy in training camp. We’ve gotten a lot of different southpaw looks, so I’m feeling extremely comfortable.

“It feels amazing to be in this position. I poured everything into this sport since I was (a) kid, and now I get to walk the (Las Vegas) Strip with my family and see my name all over. It’s something that I’ve always dreamed of. Now it’s my job to show why I’m going to continue to be the champion.”

The buildup to this bout hasn’t come with the usual forced hatred that envelops many title fights. The combatants even chatted during the standard face-off pose at Wednesday’s news conference and then broke into laughter.

Hard to imagine that happening at a Gervonta Davis presser.

Barrios cautioned not to read too much into the mutual respect and admiration when it comes to what the action in the ring might look like, that each boxer would bring his all.

Pacquiao enters with a resume that includes 12 world championships in eight divisions as well as a 62-8-2 record with 39 KOs. He’s considerably older and gives away about seven inches in height to the 6-foot Barrios.

Pacman is back, but how back he truly is will be revealed Saturday night.

“I’ve been a challenger many times and it’s always the same feeling,” Pacquiao said. “I’m excited to take the belt. He’s a good fighter also, but our job is to entertain the fans. We’re going to give them a real fight.”

In the co-main event, WBC super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora (21-1-1, 14 KOs) will face Tim Tszyu (25-2, 18 KOs). Fundora emerged with a split-decision victory over Tszyu on March 30, 2024.

The WBO stripped Fundora of his belt for taking the rematch rather than face mandatory challenger Xander Zayas.

“It doesn’t matter what happened in the first fight because we have the second fight coming up,” Fundora said. “Tune in Saturday, because it’s going to be another great war.”


World Championship of Legends returns for second season

World Championship of Legends returns for second season
Updated 18 July 2025
Follow

World Championship of Legends returns for second season

World Championship of Legends returns for second season
  • Led by Yurav Singh, Team India Champions are looking to retain their title won last year

DUBAI: The World Championship of Legends is gearing up for its second season as Team India Champions, once again led by Yuvraj Singh, look to retain their title.

Co-owned by Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgn and Harshit Tomar, the WCL has six established cricketing nations in India, Australia, England, South Africa, Pakistan and the West Indies.

Team India Champions, owned by UK-based Sports Merchants Ltd., and led by Salman Ahmed, Jaspal Bahra and Sumant Bahl, have bolstered their squad ahead of the new season.

Shikhar Dhawan has joined a team with plenty of experience in the shape of veterans Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, and Robin Uthappa.

The squad includes Yusuf Pathan, Ambati Rayudu, Stuart Binny, Gurkeerat Mann, Siddharth Kaul, Abhimanyu Mithun, Vinay Kumar, Varun Aaron, Piyush Chawla, and Pawan Negi.

The season starts on July 18, with India’s first game on July 20, and will be played across four venues in the UK: Edgbaston in Birmingham, Headingly in Leeds, Northampton, and Leicester County grounds.

The tournament will be broadcast on Star Sports in India and TNT sports in the UK.

The title-winning captain Singh said this week: “It’s been amazing to see how WCL has grown into something that truly connects with cricket fans around the world.

“I’m really excited to be back on the field, playing the game I love, and sharing it with some of the biggest legends. Team India Champions is more than just a squad, it’s a legacy.”

He added that the WCL was “a grand celebration that brings legendary players together, rekindling the magic of the game and to remind everyone why they fell in love with cricket in the first place.

“With the talent and heart this team has, we’re definitely aiming to bring the trophy home again.”

Meanwhile co-owner Ahmed said the team stands for “legacy, leadership, and pride.”

“Having legends like Yuvraj Singh lead the side brings not just experience but also immense inspiration for the entire team,” he added.

“We’re not just defending a title, we’re raising the bar for what this team stands for.”


Justin Anderson poised to join Dubai Basketball from Barcelona ahead of 2025-2026 season

Justin Anderson poised to join Dubai Basketball from Barcelona ahead of 2025-2026 season
Updated 18 July 2025
Follow

Justin Anderson poised to join Dubai Basketball from Barcelona ahead of 2025-2026 season

Justin Anderson poised to join Dubai Basketball from Barcelona ahead of 2025-2026 season
  • The 31-year-old will become the team’s seventh signing as they prepare for debut campaign in the EuroLeague

DUBAI: Dubai Basketball has confirmed the signing of American small forward Justin Anderson, the team’s seventh major signing who joins top players from across the world under head coach Jurica Golemac ahead of their Dubai Basketball debut.

The deal will be officially confirmed once Anderson undergoes a medical check ahead of the season start.

The 31-year-old forward, who is 1.98 metres tall, joins from FC Barcelona, where he made his mark with his dynamic leadership and strong defensive capacity. Dubai Basketball and Anderson have agreed on terms until 202X, elevating the club’s elite roster with high-level European and NBA experience.

Anderson featured in 37 EuroLeague games during the 2024-2025 season with FC Barcelona, averaging 7.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in just over 18 minutes per game. Known for his physicality, athleticism, and defensive play, Anderson played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s EuroLeague playoff run as one of the best players on court despite facing a loss in Game 5 of the thrilling quarter-final series against AS Monaco.

Before his stint in European basketball, Anderson kicked off his professional playing journey in 2015. Selected 21st in the NBA Draft, he spent eight seasons in the American league — playing with world-renowned teams including the Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers.

Anderson’s arrival is a sign of Dubai Basketball’s intent to compete at the highest level of European basketball with the best talent. With his wealth of NBA and EuroLeague experience, Anderson brings depth and leadership to a growing roster. As the team prepares for its EuroLeague debut, Anderson is expected to play a central role in shaping Dubai’s identity on an international stage.


Series on the line, India consider Bumrah gamble in Manchester

Series on the line, India consider Bumrah gamble in Manchester
Updated 18 July 2025
Follow

Series on the line, India consider Bumrah gamble in Manchester

Series on the line, India consider Bumrah gamble in Manchester
  • “We know we have got him for one of the last two tests,” assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate told reporters after a training session on Thursday

LONDON: Jasprit Bumrah is a weapon India must use sparingly but with the five-test series against England on the line, the tourists are considering playing their pace spearhead in the fourth test in Manchester next week.

The team management has decided that Bumrah, whose workload has been carefully managed since he returned from a back surgery earlier this year, will play three of the five tests in England.

A victory in Manchester would give England an unassailable 3-1 lead. To prevent that, India are considering playing Bumrah, who skipped the second test in Birmingham, in the next match rather than preserving him for the final test at the Oval.

“We know we have got him for one of the last two tests,” assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate told reporters after a training session on Thursday.

“It’s pretty obvious that the series is on the line now in Manchester, so there will be a leaning toward playing him.”

“But again, we have got to look at all the factors: how many days of cricket are we going to get up there, what do we feel is our best chance of winning that game, and then how that fits in together with the Oval.”

Arguably the best all-format bowler of his era, Bumrah registered five-wicket hauls in both the tests he played on this tour of England, though India lost both in Leeds and Lord’s.

India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who suffered a finger injury at Lord’s, did not bat in Thursday’s practice.

Ten Doeschate was confident Pant will reprise his usual roles in front of the stumps with the bat and behind them with the keeper’s gloves in Manchester.

“Look, I don’t think you’re going to keep Rishabh out of the test no matter what,” former Dutch international ten Doeschate said.

“He batted with quite a lot of pain in the third test and it’s only going to get easier and easier on his finger.”


Jota inducted into Wolves’ Hall of Fame

Jota inducted into Wolves’ Hall of Fame
Updated 18 July 2025
Follow

Jota inducted into Wolves’ Hall of Fame

Jota inducted into Wolves’ Hall of Fame
  • Jota helped Wolves gain promotion to the Premier League in 2018 before joining Liverpool in 2020

Wolverhampton Wanderers have paid tribute to Portuguese forward Diogo Jota by inducting him into the club’s Hall of Fame after he was killed in a car accident earlier this month.
Jota helped Wolves gain promotion to the Premier League in 2018 before joining Liverpool in 2020.
“Diogo was not only a phenomenal footballer, but someone who carried himself with humility and kindness throughout his time at Wolves, and will be sorely missed by all of us,” Wolves’ director of football administration Matt Wild said in a statement late on Thursday.
Billy Wright, Derek Dougan and Steve Bull are among those already inducted in the club’s Hall of Fame, which was established in 2008.