BASKETBALL
Westbrook fined $10,000
Russell Westbrook has been fined $10,000 and assessed a postgame technical foul for initiating a confrontation with Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert on Monday. The league made the announcement Tuesday. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard came onto the court as a substitution following a stoppage with 7:55 remaining in the fourth quarter of a 113-96 Game 4 loss to the Jazz. He intervened in an incident between Gobert and Oklahoma City backup point guard Raymond Felton. Westbrook committed four fouls in the first half and finished with five. He had 23 points and 14 rebounds, but had just 3 assists and made 7 of 18 shots. The Thunder trail the Jazz 3-1 and host Utah tonight in an elimination game.
Cavs' Hill questionable
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard George Hill is questionable for tonight's crucial Game 5 against Indiana because of back spasms. Hill has been dealing with back problems since the series opener, when he was flattened by an illegal screen by Pacers forward Trevor Booker. Cavaliers Coach Tyronn Lue said Hill was limited to shooting drills during Tuesday's practice and will start if he can play. Jose Calderon started Game 4 at Indianapolis and scored five points in 19 minutes as the Cavaliers evened the series at 2-2. Cleveland is 24-9 when Calderon starts. Hill is averaging 8.7 points and 1.7 assists in his first postseason with Cleveland, which acquired him at the trade deadline in February. He started 24 games during the season.
Pelicans void 2,500 tickets
The New Orleans Pelicans say they've voided around 2,500 playoff tickets that were purchased improperly during a presale event for the second round of the NBA playoffs. The club said the event was designed exclusively for season-tickets holders, but that codes provided for online purchases were shared with people who were not eligible for the promotion. The Pelicans say they have not previously had a problem with the improper sharing of promotional codes for ticket sales, but that an "unprecedented demand for playoff tickets resulted in tickets being purchased by non-season ticket or partial season ticket holders." The club said it conducted a review of the presale and voided all purchases from unqualified buyers. The Pelicans say they have sought to notify those whose tickets have been voided, as well as businesses which sell Pelicans tickets on the secondary market.
Nets make changes
The Brooklyn Nets have hired former NBA player and Argentine guard Pablo Prigioni as an assistant coach. The Nets also announced Tuesday that former Spurs center Tiago Splitter was hired as a pro scout. Prigioni spent most of his professional career in Spain and won a bronze medal with Argentina in the 2008 Olympics before coming to the New York Knicks in 2012 as a 35-year-old rookie. He spent four years in the NBA with the Knicks, Rockets and Clippers. Splitter helped San Antonio win the 2014 NBA championship before spending the final two seasons of his seven-year career with Atlanta and Philadelphia. The Nets said Splitter, who also played for Brazil's national team, will have added duties related to player on-court development.
FOOTBALL
Gronkowski back for 2018
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski said he is returning for his ninth NFL season. Gronkowski made the announcement in an Instagram post Tuesday. Gronkowski said he met with Coach Bill Belichick to inform him of his intention to return, adding he's "been working out, staying in shape and feel great." Gronkowski previously hinted at considering retirement following New England's Super Bowl loss to the Eagles in February. He appeared in 14 games during the 2017 season and led the team in receiving with 69 catches for 1,084 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Rams pick up 2 options
The Los Angeles Rams have picked up their fifth-year contract options for 2019 on running back Todd Gurley and cornerback Marcus Peters. The Rams announced their easiest decisions of the offseason Tuesday. Gurley led the NFL in all-purpose yards as the league's Offensive Player of the Year last season, thriving in new Coach Sean McVay's offense. He rushed for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns while catching 64 passes for 788 yards and 6 more scores. The Rams acquired Peters from the Chiefs in February, and he is expected to start alongside fellow newcomer Aqib Talib. Peters earned two Pro Bowl selections and had 19 interceptions during his three seasons in Kansas City.
Colts to induct Wayne
The Indianapolis Colts will induct former receiver Reggie Wayne into the team's Ring of Honor during a Nov. 18 game against Tennessee. Wayne spent 14 seasons and played in a franchise record 211 games. He played a key role on Indianapolis' 2006 Super Bowl championship team, made six Pro Bowl appearances and was a first-team All-Pro in 2010. He finished his career with 1,070 receptions, 14,345 yards and 82 touchdown catches -- all second in franchise history to Marvin Harrison. He's 10th in league history in receptions and yards receiving. Wayne will be the 15h inductee, joining a group that includes Bill Polian, who drafted him in 2001, Coach Tony Dungy and four of Wayne's ex-teammates -- Edgerrin James, Peyton Manning, Jeff Saturday and Harrison.
UNC adding transfer RB
North Carolina will add Ohio State transfer Antonio Williams to its backfield. The school announced Tuesday that the running back is transferring with two years of eligibility remaining after he sits out this fall due to NCAA rules. He played in 12 games last year for the Buckeyes and 13 for his career, rushing 63 times for 318 yards and three touchdowns during his time there. Williams was a four-star instate recruit who ran for 7,999 yards at North Stanly. He committed to UNC during high school before ultimately signing with the Buckeyes.
BOXING
Stevenson to defend
Adonis Stevenson of Canada will defend his WBC light heavyweight title against Badou Jack of Sweden in Toronto on May 19. The bout at Air Canada Centre will be the ninth title defense for Stevenson, who is from Quebec. His promoter had hoped to have the fight in Montreal, although his manager wanted it in Toronto. Stevenson (29-1) is a 40-year-old power puncher eyeing a 25th career knockout. He made a title defense in Toronto in 2015 against unheralded Tommy Karpency at Ricoh Coliseum. Jack (22-1-2) is a former WBC super middleweight champion who moved up one weight class to become the WBA's light heavyweight champ with a win over Britain's Nathan Cleverly in August. He vacated that title rather than face mandatory challenger Dmitry Bivol.
TENNIS
Goffin tops Granollers
David Goffin saved a match point to defeat Marcel Granollers of Spain 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2 Tuesday in the second round of the Barcelona Open. Goffin was down 5-1 in the second set before recovering to reach the third round for the second consecutive year in Barcelona. Ecuador Open champion Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain defeated Andreas Haider-Maurer of Austria 6-2, 6-4 to set up a second-round encounter with 10-time champion Rafael Nadal. Sixth-seeded Novak Djokovic will play his second-round match against Slovak Martin Klizan, who defeated Argentine Federico Delbonis 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-4. Tour veteran Feliciano Lopez of Spain defeated Dusan Lajovic of Serbia 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in a second-round match, while Malek Jaziri of Tunisia beat American Ernesto Escobedo 6-4, 6-3.
Sports on 04/25/2018