Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
NBA roundup: 76ers' Tobias Harris hits game-winner vs. Lakers
Tobias Harris knocked down a 12-foot jumper with 2.4 seconds remaining to lift the host Philadelphia 76ers past the Los Angeles Lakers 107-106 on Wednesday. Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 28 points, Harris added 24 and Ben Simmons compiled his 31st career triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Danny Green had 14 points as the Sixers improved to 10-1 at home.
Top 25 roundup: No. 13 Ohio State rallies past Penn State
E.J. Liddell had 22 points, including the final four points of the game from the free-throw line to break a tie, and No. 13 Ohio State held off Penn State 83-79 on Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio. The score was 79-79 when the Buckeyes (13-4, 7-4 Big Ten) forced Seth Lundy into a turnover and Liddell hit two foul shots for an 81-79 lead with 59 seconds left.
Sterne takes one-shot lead in Dubai Desert Classic opening round
South Africa's Richard Sterne carded a 64 in the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic to finish at eight under for a one-shot lead at the Emirates Golf Club on Thursday. Sterne started on the back nine and had five birdies at the turn before he added four more, offset by a bogey at the par-four sixth, to lead American Kurt Kitayama.
Athletes want their chance to shine at Tokyo Games
While the debate over the political, financial and health implications of holding the Tokyo Olympics in July rages around the world, triple jump gold medal hopeful Will Claye believes a crucial voice is not always being heard - that of the athlete. The Games were postponed last year on safety grounds as the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world and the threat to the health of athletes and the local community is still the major stumbling block to the Olympics going ahead.
Olympics: Federations' finances hit by Tokyo delay, but no bankruptcy fears
The 28 Olympic sports federations have taken a big financial hit due to the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics by a year, but even if the Games were canceled they would not be at risk of bankruptcy, the executive director of the international federations' association said. The 2020 Games have been rescheduled for July after being put off due to the coronavirus outbreak, though there remains a risk they could be canceled if the pandemic worsens.
Marlins sign RHP Anthony Bass to two-year deal
Veteran right-hander Anthony Bass signed a two-year contract with the Miami Marlins, the team announced Thursday. Financial terms were not disclosed by the Marlins, however the deal includes a team option for 2023. MLB Network reported last Friday that the contract was for $5 million guaranteed plus incentives.
Tanaka returning to Japan after seven seasons with Yankees
Pitcher Masahiro Tanaka will return to Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball League, announcing on Thursday he had agreed to go back to the Rakuten Eagles after seven seasons with the New York Yankees. Tanaka, who became a free agent in the offseason after his seven-year, $155 million contract with the Yankees expired, went 78-46 with a 3.74 ERA during his Major League Baseball stint and was named an All-Star for the 2014 and 2019 seasons.
Team owner and former F1 driver Adrian Campos dies at 60
Spanish motor racing team boss and former Minardi Formula One driver Adrian Campos, who helped compatriot and double world champion Fernando Alonso reach the top, has died aged 60. Campos Racing, who have teams in the Formula Two and Three support series, said in a statement on Thursday that their founder had passed away from "sudden coronary disease."
No objections from Olympic partners say Tokyo organizers after call with Bach
Representatives from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic organizing committee told reporters on Thursday there were no doubts or objections from its partners, including the IOC and sporting federations, about Japan hosting the rearranged Games this year.
Tokyo organizers are preparing for the Olympics, which are due to start on July 23, against a backdrop of dwindling public support for the Games in Japan amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
Tennis champion Osaka invests in NWSL side North Carolina Courage
Japan's three-times Grand Slam tennis champion Naomi Osaka has invested in National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team North Carolina Courage to become a team owner, the U.S. top-flight club said on Thursday. "The women who have invested in me growing up made me who I am today, I don't know where I would be without them," Osaka, the world number three, wrote on Twitter.
