Pacers avoid second straight home-court playoff exit, routing Thunder to force Game 7

Pacers avoid second straight home-court playoff exit, routing Thunder to force Game 7
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren during game six of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. (Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)
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Updated 20 June 2025
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Pacers avoid second straight home-court playoff exit, routing Thunder to force Game 7

Pacers avoid second straight home-court playoff exit, routing Thunder to force Game 7
  • Thunder fans expecting to celebrate NBA title see hopes dashed
  • The winner-take-all Game 7 is Sunday night in Oklahoma City

INDIANAPOLIS: The Indiana Pacers did not let another home-court opportunity slip away Thursday night.

Not with a raucous crowd on its feet almost from start to finish, not with Reggie Miller and nearly a dozen former Pacers cheering them on and certainly not with the first NBA title in franchise just two wins away.

So the Pacers dug down, fought through injuries and finally played their way. They knocked down 3-pointers, forced turnovers and had the heavily gold-clad crowd doing high-fives between the third and fourth quarters as Indiana extended its season with a 108-91 victory over the the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The winner-take-all Game 7 is Sunday night in Oklahoma City.

This wasn’t just a win-or-go-home scenario for the Pacers.

They’ve been motivated all season by the bitter memories of losing their last two home games by three points each in the 2024 Eastern Conference finals as the injured Tyrese Haliburton watched helplessly from the sideline. Boston used that four-game sweep to fuel its record 18th title run.

And they blew a seven-point lead in the final 11 minutes of Game 3, giving away the home-court advantage they stole on Haliburton’s last-second winner in Game 1.

This time, it wasn’t even close.

Indiana took control midway through the second quarter and spent the rest of the night pulling away as a smattering of Oklahoma City fans watched glumly.

Sure, one difference was Haliburton’s ability to overcome the strained right calf that made him so ineffective in the Game 5 loss that put Indiana on the cusp of elimination.

But after convincing team trainers he could play and still be effective, the Pacers rebounded from missing their first eight shots to make 8 of the next 10. Then, as usual, it was off to the races.

Indiana forced 12 first-half turnovers, outscoring the Thunder 16-3 on fast break and 19-3 in bench points while using 11-0 and 6-0 to extend the margin to 64-42 at halftime. Defensively, they were even better in the second half.

Though they didn’t force as many turnovers, they held the Thunder scoreless more than five minutes while forcing seven straight misses to start the third quarter — working the crowd into a frenzy as they rolled to a 70-42 lead.

Miller flailed his arms in the air in a Jalen Rose jersey. Metta World Peace waved a towel and Lance Stephenson repeatedly pumped his fists. Even John Haliburton, Tyrese’s father, cherished the moment.

But finishing their home season with a win is only the first part of the equation. Now they must go on the road and replicate what they just did if they are to achieve their ultimate goal — winning a title.


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Thunder fans expecting to celebrate NBA title see hopes dashed

In Oklahoma City, fans who confidently flocked to the Paycom Center expecting to celebrate the Thunder’s first NBA championship on Thursday night went home facing the possibility that their team might not win the title.

Thousands of fans with high hopes filed into Oklahoma City’s home arena to watch on the big screen.

Instead, Indiana rolled to a 108-91 win, and now Thunder’s passionate fans will wait anxiously for Game 7 on Sunday in Oklahoma City.

The lower two levels at the Paycom Center were nearly filled before the tip, and the big screen was lowered for a better view. The crowd roared early when Jalen Williams dunked to give Oklahoma City an 8-2 lead.

Indiana dominated from there and led 64-42 at halftime.

Fans remained hopeful, but the energy dissipated when the Thunder failed to score for the first five minutes of the third quarter. The crowd gained some hope when Tony Bradley was called for a technical foul against Isaiah Hartenstein.

Indiana maintained control, and fans finally started to file out after Ben Sheppard hit a 3-pointer in the closing seconds of the third to put the Pacers up 90-60. Those who stayed stood and cheered as time ran out.

It’s been a long wait for Thunder fans. The city first hosted an NBA team during the 2005-06 season, when the New Orleans Hornets relocated after Hurricane Katrina. Oklahoma City’s fans fell in love with the team and young point guard Chris Paul, who would be named rookie of the year.

The Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008, and Oklahoma City’s fans feverishly supported their new team despite its early struggles. The Thunder had contending teams with young stars Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden.

Even with all that talent, they couldn’t break through. They lost to LeBron James’ Miami Heat in the NBA Finals in 2012. Durant left for the rival Golden State Warriors in 2016. A team with Westbrook, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony couldn’t get out of the first round.

The end of Oklahoma City’s misfortune seemed to have arrived this season, when the Thunder had the league’s best record. Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander helped the Thunder put the Pacers on the brink of elimination with wins in Games 4 and 5. Now, the misery will continue if Oklahoma City doesn’t win Game 7.


Oman hire Carlos Queiroz as coach in push for World Cup qualification

Oman hire Carlos Queiroz as coach in push for World Cup qualification
Updated 15 July 2025
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Oman hire Carlos Queiroz as coach in push for World Cup qualification

Oman hire Carlos Queiroz as coach in push for World Cup qualification
  • The veteran Portuguese tactician led Iran into the 2014 and 2018 World Cups
  • The 72-year-old Queiroz has also coached Real Madrid, Portugal, Egypt, Colombia and Qatar

MUSCAT: Oman hired Carlos Queiroz as their national-team coach Tuesday ahead of autumn games that will determine if the country advances to the World Cup for the first time.

The veteran Portuguese tactician led Iran into the 2014 and 2018 World Cups and will take over with immediate effect.

Oman and five other countries — Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar — have reached the fourth round of qualifying. From groups of three, the two winners will qualify for the 2026 World Cup next summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The fourth-round draw will be on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The matches are in October. After those, there’s one additional round — the second-place finishers square off in November for a spot in a playoff tournament.

“This comes as part of efforts to improve the team’s performances for upcoming games,” the Oman Football Association said in a statement.

Queiroz replaces Rashid Jaber, who led Oman to a fourth-place finish in the third round to keep qualification hopes alive.

The 72-year-old Queiroz has also coached Real Madrid, Portugal, Egypt, Colombia and Qatar.
Queiroz was fired as Qatar coach in December 2023 after 11 games in charge.


Barcelona star Yamal faces backlash for reportedly hiring people with dwarfism for birthday party

Barcelona star Yamal faces backlash for reportedly hiring people with dwarfism for birthday party
Updated 15 July 2025
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Barcelona star Yamal faces backlash for reportedly hiring people with dwarfism for birthday party

Barcelona star Yamal faces backlash for reportedly hiring people with dwarfism for birthday party
  • Yamal, 18, could face an investigation for reportedly hiring people with dwarfism
  • Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights said such hirings ‘take us back to the Middle Ages’

BARCELONA: Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has been criticized and could face an investigation for reportedly hiring people with dwarfism as entertainers during his lavish 18th birthday party this weekend.
Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights has asked prosecutors to open a probe into the hiring and exposition of the entertainers. Ministry director Jesús Martín Blanco told Europa Press that such hirings “take us back to the Middle Ages.”
A local association for people with disabilities had already condemned the alleged hirings, saying it would take action “legally and socially” against those responsible for promoting such actions.
Spanish radio station RAC1 published an interview with one of the entertainers who said he was in the party. The man said they were all treated with respect. He complained about the reaction against Yamal for hiring them.
Yamal celebrated his birthday with a party filled with celebrities. It also included some of his Barcelona teammates.
In May, Yamal signed a contract extension to stay at Barcelona until 2031. He helped the Catalan club clinch a domestic treble — La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. His big season came after he helped Spain win the European Championship in the summer of 2024.


South African Mokwena to coach Algerian champions Mouloudia

South African Mokwena to coach Algerian champions Mouloudia
Updated 15 July 2025
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South African Mokwena to coach Algerian champions Mouloudia

South African Mokwena to coach Algerian champions Mouloudia
  • His move to Algiers follows one season with Moroccan outfit Wydad Casablanca
  • Mokwena will come up against two other former South African Premiership coaches in the Algerian championship

JOHANNESBURG: South African Rulani Mokwena was named coach of Algerian champions Mouloudia Alger on Monday, ending weeks of speculation as to where the 38-year-old would work in the 2025/26 season.

His move to Algiers follows one season with Moroccan outfit Wydad Casablanca. He left after finishing third in the national league and failing to qualify for the CAF Champions League.

Here, AFP Sport also reports on a setback for Sudanese giants Al Hilal as they chase a place in the forthcoming Champions League in the latest football news across Africa.


Mokwena will come up against two other former South African Premiership coaches in the Algerian championship.

German Josef Zinnbauer, the former Orlando Pirates tactician, guided JS Kabylie to second place behind Mouloudia last season and qualification for the Champions League.

Another German, Sead Ramovic, led Chabab Belouizdad to third place and entry to the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup. His previous clubs include TS Galaxy in South Africa.

Young Orlando Pirates forward Mohau Nkota is joining Saudi Pro League club Ettifaq, the Soweto club announced.

Last season was his first with the Buccaneers first team and he scored 12 goals in 39 appearances, including three in Champions League victories over Belouizdad and Mouloudia in Algeria.

The 20-year-old will join fellow African Wissam Chaouali, a Tunisian defender, at a club that finished seventh in the Pro League last season, 33 points behind champions Al Ittihad.

Al Hilal, who have featured in every Champions League since 2004, suffered a setback in their bid to qualify for the 2025/26 edition of the premier African club competition.
The Sudan Elite League pacesetters lost 1-0 to Al Amal Atbara in the fourth round of a mini-league and remain top of the table only on goal difference from Al Zamaleh Umm Ruwaba.

Only two points separate seven of the eight contenders and 16 matches have produced just 18 goals as clubs chase top-four finishes and places in the Champions League and Confederation Cup.

Angolan champions Petro Luanda have hired 48-year-old Spanish coach Franc Artiga as they prepare for their Champions League campaign.

Former Angola forward Flavio Amado had been in charge of the record 19-time national champions, but lacks the necessary coaching qualifications for Confederation of African Football competitions.

Petro have twice reached the Champions League semifinals, losing to Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in 2001 and Wydad Casablanca three years ago.

Namibia, one of many African countries lacking a FIFA-approved stadium, will play their remaining 2026 World Cup home qualifiers against Malawi and Sao Tome e Principe in neighboring Botswana.

The matches in September are earmarked for Francistown, 440 kilometers (274 miles) northeast of the capital Gaborone. They previously hosted qualifiers in Soweto near Johannesburg.

Namibia are unbeaten in Group H after three victories and three draws and lie second, four points behind six-time World Cup qualifiers Tunisia.


Turki Alalshikh announces tickets for blockbuster Canelo vs. Crawford fight

Turki Alalshikh announces tickets for blockbuster Canelo vs. Crawford fight
Updated 15 July 2025
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Turki Alalshikh announces tickets for blockbuster Canelo vs. Crawford fight

Turki Alalshikh announces tickets for blockbuster Canelo vs. Crawford fight
  • Riyadh Season event features 2 of boxing’s biggest names of a generation on Sept. 13
  • Tickets go on sale July 18, with the bouts set to stream on Netflix

LAS VEGAS: Two of boxing’s most dominant forces, undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) and undefeated four-division superstar Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) are set to face off in a Riyadh Season fight for the unified super middleweight championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sept. 13, with tickets to go on sale later this week.

Start of ticket sales were announced Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and president of the Saudi Boxing Federation, who is collaborating with UFC President and CEO Dana White and Sela to promote the highly anticipated showdown.

Canelo is looking to add Crawford to his legendary resume. Capturing a multitude of titles across multiple weight divisions, and defeating the likes of Shane Mosley, Gennady Golovkin and Miguel Cotto, Alvarez has done more than enough to solidify himself as one of the best to ever do it. The proud native of Guadalajara, Mexico, now turns his attention to the undefeated challenger, Terence Crawford, to cement his legacy even further.

Omaha, Nebraska’s Crawford, meanwhile, is setting out to show why he believes he’s the No.1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world with a defining win against Alvarez. The current WBA and interim WBO middleweight champion, Crawford has become a household name by defeating Ricky Burns, Jose Benavidez Jr., Amir Khan, Shawn Porter and Errol Spence Jr. After moving up in weight to 154 pounds against Israil Madrimov, Crawford now sets his sights on Canelo to secure the biggest win of his career.

Canelo vs. Crawford tickets will go on sale July 18 and are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight per person. Presales will begin July 17.


Man City sign kit deal worth reported £1 billion

Man City sign kit deal worth reported £1 billion
Updated 15 July 2025
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Man City sign kit deal worth reported £1 billion

Man City sign kit deal worth reported £1 billion
  • City’s extension of their contract with Puma ranks as the largest kit manufacturing partnership
  • “We joined forces with Puma with the ambition to challenge ourselves and go beyond the expectations,” City Football Group chief executive Ferran Soriano said

LONDON: Manchester City have signed a blockbuster new kit deal with Puma worth a reported £1 billion ($1.34 billion) over the next 10 years.

City’s extension of their contract with Puma ranks as the largest kit manufacturing partnership in Premier League history.

Having agreed a £65 million per year deal with the German company in 2019, City’s new arrangement is believed to be worth a £100 million per year until 2035, according to British media reports.

That figure shatters the £90 million per year deal signed by Manchester United with Adidas in 2023.

Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are both reported to have kit deals worth in excess of £100 million per year.

“We joined forces with Puma with the ambition to challenge ourselves and go beyond the expectations. We have achieved this and more over the last six seasons,” City Football Group chief executive Ferran Soriano said.

“Puma have seamlessly integrated into our organization, and we have enjoyed many historic moments together, engaging fans globally.”

Puma chief executive Arthur Hoeld added: “Puma’s partnership with Manchester City has been a great success both on and off the pitch.

“Trophies, a perfect stage for our performance products and commercial success were exceptional.”

City’s massive deal comes after the club’s first season without major silverware since 2016-17.

Pep Guardiola’s men finished third in the Premier League after winning the title for the previous four seasons.

They also suffered a shock FA Cup final defeat against Crystal Palace and crashed out of the recent Club World Cup in the last 16 against Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.