LOS ANGELES, United States: Joel Embiid’s tough season took another turn for the worse on Friday as Philadelphia’s star center exited early in the 76ers’ 121-107 NBA loss to Indiana after being struck in the face.
The Cameroon-born big man, who won Olympic gold with the United States in Paris this year, was fighting for a rebound under the Pacers’ basket when he was inadvertently elbowed by Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin.
Embiid had 12 points with four rebounds and five assists before departing moments before halftime and the Sixers said after the game he had been diagnosed with a sinus fracture and would be evaluated further over the weekend.
Embiid was playing just his second game back after missing seven contests. He has played just six games this season as he battled a troublesome left knee and served a three-game suspension for an altercation with a journalist.
The Pacers, fueled by 32 points and 11 assists from Tyrese Haliburton, led most of the way. Pascal Siakam added 23 points and eight rebounds and Obi Toppin chipped in 20 points off the bench for Indiana.
Tyrese Maxey scored 22 points to lead Philadelphia, who also saw rookie Jared McCain take a scary hit to the back of the head.
McCain needed help from teammate Paul George to get to the free throw line before briefly exiting, but he cleared concussion protocol and returned to the game.
The league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers bounced back from a loss to Miami with a 115-105 victory over the Washington Wizards, who suffered their 18th defeat in 19 games.
Darius Garland scored 24 points and Jarrett Allen added 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavs, who improved to 22-4 to bolster their lead over reigning champions Boston atop the Eastern Conference.
Washington, led by 27 points from forward Bilal Coulibaly, kept it close and led by three early in the third quarter.
Cleveland connected on just 39.6 percent of their shots from the field, but they out-shot Washington 28-9 from the free-throw line and parlayed 18 Wizards turnovers into 26 points.
Despite their stellar record, Allen said the Cavs need to “keep improving on the little things.”
“I still think we have a long way to go to be the team that we want to be,” he said.
Elsewhere, Kevin Durant scored 30 points in his return from injury to help the Phoenix Suns beat the Utah Jazz 134-126.
Devin Booker scored 34 points to lead the Suns, who had lost all three games with Durant sidelined by a sprained left ankle.
Anthony Edwards scored 23 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 97-87 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, who were without superstar LeBron James for a second straight game.
Julius Randle scored 21 points, Jaden McDaniels added 18 and Rudy Gobert contributed 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who beat the Lakers for the second time this month.
James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, was sidelined again by a sore left foot, but the 39-year-old has also been excused from team activities because of personal reasons and coach JJ Redick said before Friday’s game he didn’t know when James would return.
Anthony Davis carried the Lakers’ scoring load with 23 points and 11 rebounds and Austin Reaves returned from a five-game injury absence to score 18.
But the Lakers, who coughed up 22 turnovers, never led.
The Memphis Grizzlies grabbed a fourth straight win, beating the Brooklyn Nets 135-119 behind 28 points and 10 assists from Ja Morant.
Pacers defeat Sixers as Embiid injured after blow to face
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Pacers defeat Sixers as Embiid injured after blow to face
- The Cameroon-born big man was fighting for a rebound under the Pacers’ basket when he was inadvertently elbowed by Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin
Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club announces showjumping calendar with total prize money of $1.36m
- The Abu Dhabi International Showjumping Event takes place from Jan. 24-26
ABU DHABI: The Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club has announced its 2025 showjumping calendar, with a series of events that will see local and international stars compete for a total prize purse of $1.36 million.
Among the highlights is the Abu Dhabi International Showjumping Event, which will take place from Jan. 24 to 26 and feature the renowned CSI4*-W International Show Jumping Competition, and the prestigious Grand Prix World Cup Qualifier.
This announcement coincides with the unveiling of the ADEC’s state-of-the-art equestrian and lifestyle destination, an expansive venue spanning 54 acres.
The facility features indoor, covered, and outdoor arenas, lush grass paddocks, extensive hacking tracks, and premium arena seating.
Ali Al-Shaiba, director-general of the ADEC, said in a statement: “We are proud to unveil this new, immersive venue in time for the showjumping season. This world-class development further affirms the UAE’s commitment to preserving and promoting our equestrian heritage on a global stage.
“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and President of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club for his continuous support and guidance, which has been instrumental in elevating the sport to international audiences.”
The Abu Dhabi International Showjumping Event will also feature a Country Flags Parade and Indoor Drone Show.
Romario Shepherd and Nicholas Pooran lead MI Emirates to vital win over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
- Captain Pooran top scorer as his team retains 2nd place in the DP World ILT20 table
ABU DHABI: The MI Emirates produced a clinical display with both bat and ball to hand the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders a 28-run defeat at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Tuesday.
The MI Emirates had the likes of Romario Shepherd and team captain Nicholas Pooran to thank as they played a crucial part in helping their side get to within two points of the table toppers. Their bowlers were in fine form, with four of them picking a wicket each while Alzarri Joseph and Shepherd bagged two each to derail the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ chase.
Put into bat first, the MI Emirates started off well, with openers Kusal Perera and Muhammad Waseem. After the duo put on a 42-run stand, Sri Lankan Perera was the first to depart for 23, just before the end of the powerplay. In walked Tom Banton who, along with Waseem, ensured the MI Emirates kept the scoreboard ticking over.
Halfway into the innings Banton was dismissed for nine and, soon after, Waseem followed on 38. Skipper Pooran was joined by Kieron Pollard, but the veteran right-hander found it tough to get going and was eventually knocked over by Ali Khan for five.
At this point, the score read 102/4, with just over six overs to go.
Dan Mousley was the next to fall for six, after which Shepherd joined his captain for the final phase of the innings. Pooran, striking cleanly, was closing in on his half-century before Jason Holder had his number after a well-made 49.
That put the focus on Shepherd in the final few overs. The big-hitting right-hander then went through the gears and smashed three maximums along with four boundaries, to finish with an unbeaten 38 from 13 deliveries. The MI Emirates, who had slowed down for a few overs in the middle, eventually posted 186/6.
The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders got off to a quick start, as openers Kyle Mayers and Andries Gous took the attack to the MI Emirates bowlers. Mayers, who smashed three sixes, scored 22 off 14 deliveries, before Dan Mousley ran him out with a fine a piece of fielding. That ended a 39-run stand in the fourth over, after which the MI Emirates took control.
Akeal Hosein dismissed Joe Clarke for three, after which Shepherd accounted for Michael-Kyle Pepper for five and Alishan Sharafu for four. At the end of an action-packed powerplay, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders were 56/4.
Waqar Salamkheil cleaned up Laurie Evans for seven, and Zahoor Khan then had Gous caught out in the deep for 34, which put further pressure on the Knight Riders. That brought Sunil Narine and Andre Russell to the middle, and the big-hitting batters put on a half-century stand, raising hopes of a comeback.
However, in the 18th over, Narine was caught at cover for 13, and Fazalhaq Farooqi then cleaned up David Willey in the 19th. Russell, who remained unbeaten on 37 from 23 deliveries, could not take his side over the line as the MI Emirates came away with a comfortable win.
Player of the match Shepherd said: “It feels good, and we knew how important this game was. I was relaxed because Nicholas Pooran was there and I was just trying to get to the last over and see what I could get. Whenever you do well in one department it gives you confidence.”
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders captain Narine said, “We were going good till the 18th over, but we had to have a fielder in for the slow over-rate and Shepherd is a powerful player. And we lost a cluster of wickets, but still played good cricket, and we started off good. We need to get on top of the key moments.”
Brief Scores
MI Emirates beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 28 runs
MI Emirates 186/6 in 20 overs (Nicholas Pooran 49, Romario Shepherd 38 not out, Muhammad Waseem 38, Jason Holder 2 for 38, Ali Khan 2 for 58)
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 158/9 in 20 overs (Andre Russell 37 not out, Andries Gous 34, Romario Shepherd 2/14, Alzarri Joseph 2/33, Waqar Salamkheil 1/13)
Player of the Match: Romario Shepherd
Buttler rejects calls for England to boycott Afghanistan match
- Captain Jos Buttler says England’s match against Afghanistan at the Champions Trophy should go ahead after calls for a boycott over the Taliban regime’s assault on women’s rights
KOLKATA: Captain Jos Buttler says England’s match against Afghanistan at the Champions Trophy should go ahead after calls for a boycott over the Taliban regime’s assault on women’s rights.
A group of more than 160 British politicians have written to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) calling for England not to play the match in Lahore on February 26.
Since returning to power in 2021 the Taliban have effectively banned the participation of women in both sport and broader public life.
That puts the Afghanistan Cricket Board at odds with the rules of governing body the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Buttler said sports and politics should be kept separate.
“Political situations like this, as a player you’re trying to be as informed as you can be,” he told reporters ahead of the first T20 against India in Kolkata on Wednesday.
“The experts know a lot more about it, so I’ve been trying to stay in dialogue with Rob Key (managing director of ECB) and the guys above to see how they see it.
“I don’t think a boycott is the way to go about it,” he added.
“Certainly as a player, you don’t want political situations to affect sport. We hope to go to the Champions Trophy and play that game and have a really good tournament.”
The ECB have resisted calls for a boycott, with chief executive Richard Gould saying instead he would “actively advocate” for collective action by the ICC instead.
The ICC have allowed the Afghanistan men’s team to keep competing in global competitions.
England are clubbed with Afghanistan, Australia and South Africa in the group phase of the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19.
England captain says cricket match against Afghanistan should go ahead despite boycott calls
- This month, over 160 UK politicians signed a letter arguing England should refuse to play ODI in Lahore
- The proposed boycott is to take stand against Afghan Taliban regime’s crackdown on women’s rights
LONDON: England captain Jos Buttler believes their Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan next month should go ahead despite calls for a boycott.
This month, more than 160 UK politicians signed a letter arguing that England should refuse to play the men’s one-day international in Lahore, Pakistan, on Feb. 26 to take a stand against the Taliban regime’s assault on women’s rights.
“Political situations like this, as a player you’re trying to be as informed as you can be,” Buttler was quoted as saying by British media ahead of his side’s first Twenty20 against India on Wednesday. “The experts know a lot more about it, so I’ve been trying to stay in dialogue with (England director of men’s cricket) Rob Key and the guys above to see how they see it. I don’t think a boycott is the way to go about it.”
Female participation in sport has effectively been outlawed since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, a move that puts the Afghanistan Cricket Board in contravention of International Cricket Council rules.
“As a player, you don’t want political situations to affect sport,” Buttler added. “We hope to go to the Champions Trophy and play that game and have a really good tournament.”
At the 2003 Cricket World Cup, England forfeited a game against Zimbabwe in protest at Robert Mugabe’s regime.
Alvarez sends Atletico past Leverkusen late as both sides see red
- The last-gasp victory sends Atletico third in the Champions League table, with the top eight sides all avoiding an extra knockout round
MADRID: Julian Alvarez scored a second-half brace as a 10-man Atletico Madrid came from a goal down to beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 at home on Tuesday, and take a major step toward a top-eight finish.
Barrios was sent off for a nasty, studs-up challenge after 23 minutes and Leverkusen took advantage as Piero Hincapie put the visitors ahead in first-half stoppage time.
Buoyed on by a fiery 70,000-strong home crowd, Atletico lifted in the second, Alvarez finishing off a length-of-the-field counter to equalize after 52 minutes.
Goalscorer Hincapie picked up a second yellow with 14 minutes remaining and Atletico smelt blood, Alvarez taking advantage of some sloppy Leverkusen defending to score in the 90th minute.
“Things looked bleak,” Alvarez said after the match, adding “but by playing our game and staying humble, we got the equalizer.
“Then with 10 against 10, we saw the chance to win.”
The last-gasp victory sends Atletico third in the Champions League table, with the top eight sides all avoiding an extra knockout round.
The win means Atletico have already secured last 16 qualification and who travel to Red Bull Salzburg in their final match.
“These are three very important points and they show us to keep believing in what we do,” Alvarez said.
German champions Leverkusen, who host lowly Sparta Prague next week, finish the night in sixth.
“We didn’t close out the game maturely enough,” Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah lamented to DAZN, saying Atletico lured his side into a “fight.”
“The stadium pushed them and lifted them high... To lose a difficult away game like that, it hurts extremely badly.”
Both sides came into the match in red-hot form. Leverkusen had chalked up 12 straight victories in all competitions while Atletico had 15 wins in a row before Saturday’s surprise La Liga loss at lowly Leganes.
Pre-match, both coaches lavished praise on each other.
Atletico’s Diego Simeone, who coached his side against Alonso when the Leverkusen boss was playing at Real and Bayern, lauded his opposite number for turning side into an “extraordinary team.”
Alonso, who missed Real’s 2014 Champions League final win over Atletico with suspension, praised Simeone’s “intense and perfect relationship” with his club.
On the pitch however there was no love lost, with the referee handing out four yellow cards and a red in the first half.
Leverkusen were in control before referee Davide Massa changed Barrios’ yellow to red after a VAR intervention with 23 minutes gone.
The man advantage supercharged the Germans, who pinned Atletico inside their own area
Leverkusen broke through in first-half stoppage time, Nordi Mukiele lofting a cross for Hincapie to head past Atletico goalie Jan Oblak.
In the second-half, the early control evaporated as both sides played end-to-end, with Atletico using the chaos to equalize.
With Leverkusen on the attack, Antoine Griezmann punted a long pass goalwards, Alvarez forced Tah into a poor clearance, before regathering and guiding a shot into the bottom right.
Leverkusen lost goalscorer Hincapie to a second yellow in the final 15 minutes, prompting Atletico to push higher.
With the visitors failing to deal with a bouncing cross, Alvarez collected the ball and rounded the keeper before converting from a tight angle to snatch a famous comeback victory for the undermanned hosts.
