BASKETBALL
Anthony out in Houston
Carmelo Anthony is done in Houston. Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey released a statement Thursday saying the team is "parting ways" with Anthony and "working toward a resolution." Anthony played just 10 games for the Rockets after signing a one-year, $2.4 million deal during the offseason. He was traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Atlanta Hawks in July before the Hawks released him to clear the way for him to sign with the Rockets. Houston thought he could be the piece it needed to finally get past Golden State and win its first championship since back-to-back titles in 1994-95. Instead the Rockets limped out to a 6-7 start and the emergence of undrafted rookie Gary Clark made it appear that Anthony would have to take a reduced role. The 34-year-old is a 10-time All-Star who has had a tough time over the last two seasons. He averaged a career-low 16.2 points in 78 starts in a tumultuous season for the Thunder last season before coming to Houston -- and accepting a reserve role for the first time in his 16-year career. Eight of Anthony's 10 appearances for the Rockets came off the bench after he had started all 1,054 games he'd played in his first 15 NBA seasons.
FOOTBALL
Durkin continued to work
Former University of Maryland football coach DJ Durkin continued to communicate with assistant coaches and develop game plans for the team after being placed on administrative leave amid media reports alleging abusive treatment of players, according to multiple sources. The sources said Durkin told a task force that assistant coaches sent him game film to review so he could help create game plans. Sources also said Durkin's continuing role was shared with and discussed by the state university system's Board of Regents, which cleared him Oct. 30 to return as coach before he was dismissed one day later by university President Wallace Loh. Whether university officials approved Durkin's involvement while on leave is in dispute. Durkin told the regents his activity was approved by Athletic Director Damon Evans, two sources said. And Durkin told the task force he was responding to requests for advice from the assistants and that the university had not limited such contact. But in a statement late Wednesday, a university spokeswoman said Durkin "was not to perform coaching duties while on administrative leave" and that neither Evans nor Loh had granted permission for him to do so. The university declined to make Evans available to be interviewed. Durkin's attorney Jeffrey Klein said his client would have no comment. Former regents chairman James Brady and vice chairman Barry Gossett also declined to comment.
LSU, Miles settle
LSU and Les Miles have completed a $1.5 million lump-sum settlement that relieves the university of paying its former coach an additional $5 million through 2023. Vice chancellor and director of athletics Joe Alleva said the agreement allows both parties to "move on." Miles was fired four games into the 2016 season, but was due a buyout of around $12.9 million at the time. LSU was able to pay Miles' buyout in installments over about eight years, but the settlement saves LSU money in the long term while removing any disincentives for Miles to pursue another college coaching job immediately. If the buyout had remained in place, Miles would have had to count his salary from a new college head coaching job against what LSU owed him. Alleva said negotiations with Miles and his representatives were "very positive" and achieved a "mutually agreed upon goal" for all parties.
Lynch visits Dolphins
Paxton Lynch, a quarterback selected by Denver in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft, had a workout with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday but was not signed, according to a team source. During his workout, Lynch threw passes to former Cowboys receiver Brice Butler, who was signed by Miami to bolster the team's depleted depth due to injury at the position. The Dolphins are on their bye week, and players have been given the week off. Lynch, who has appeared in five NFL games with four starts, was released by the Broncos at the beginning of the season. He has completed 61.7 percent of his passes with 4 touchdowns, 4 interceptions and a 76.7 career passer rating.
TENNIS
Federer advances
Roger Federer advanced to the last four of the ATP Finals at London for a record-extending 15th time with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Kevin Anderson on Thursday. Six-time champion Federer needed only a set to advance and produced his best performance at the season-ending tournament to end the round-robin stages with a 2-1 win-loss record. Dominic Thiem's 6-1, 6-4 victory over Kei Nishikori earlier had left Federer with a modest task and ensured that Anderson became the first South African ever to reach the semifinals. Federer looked as if he was about to give up a break advantage for the second time in as many service games when he dropped to 0-40 attempting to close out the opening set at 5-4, but the 20-time Grand Slam champion found his first serve when it mattered most to hold. Anderson hadn't faced a break point in winning his first two matches. Federer, though, broke him twice more in the second set to claim top spot in the group and avoid a potential semifinal meeting with top-ranked Novak Djokovic.
GOLF
Howell in lead
Charles Howell bundled up and made birdies Thursday for an 8-under 64 that gave him a two-shot lead in the first round of the RSM Classic at St. Simons Island, Ga. Howell played the Plantation course at Sea Island Resort without a bogey. Defending champion Austin Cook (Jonesboro, Arkansas Razorbacks) and J.J. Spaun also were on the Plantation course and each had a 6-under 66. Tournament host Davis Love III had two bogeys and still managed a 67. The Seaside course was more exposed to the chilly, blustery conditions. The best score there belonged to Brian Harman and Peter Uihlein at 4-under 66. Andrew Landry (Razorbacks) shot an even-par 70. David Lingmerth (Razorbacks) had a 2-over 72.
Olson ahead by 1
Amy Olson shot a 9-under 63 Thursday to take a one-shot lead over Brittany Lincicome and Nasa Hataoka after the first round of the LPGA's season-ending CME Group Tour Championship at Naples, Fla. Olson had two separate streaks of four consecutive birdies, finished with nine overall and never dropped a shot at Tiburon Golf Club. Lincicome started with five consecutive birdies on her way to a 64. Also at 8 under was Japan's Hataoka. Lexi Thompson had five birdies and an eagle in a 7-under 65, putting her alone in fourth. Gaby Lopez (Arkansas Razorbacks), who won last week's Blue Bay tournament at Hainan Island, China, shot a 1-under 71 and is tied for 35th.
BASEBALL
Japan takes series 5-1
Sosuke Genda hit a three-run triple that chased starter Brian Johnson in a four-run second inning, and Japan beat the MLB All-Stars 4-1 Thursday for their fifth victory in the six-game series. Genda scored on Ryosuke Kikuchi's sacrifice fly off Erasmo Ramirez at the Nagoya Dome in Nagoya, Japan. NL Rookie of the Year Ronald Acuna Jr. homered in the eighth against Yu Sato. MLB loaded the bases on singles by Eugenio Suarez, Mitch Haniger and Kevin Pillar, but Sato escaped the one-out jam by striking out Robinson Chirinos and Chris Taylor. Johnson gave up 4 runs, 5 hits and 1 walk, getting just 3 outs, and was the loser. Winner Shotaro Kasahara struck out 4 and gave up 4 hits in 4 2/3 innings, and Yasuaki Yamasaki got 3 consecutive outs for his second save. Japan used the series to prepare for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Sports on 11/16/2018