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Showing posts from January, 2020

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Lakers vs. Blazers Live Stream: How to Watch, TV Channel, Start Time

Find out how to watch Lakers vs. Blazers on Friday. The Lakers host the Blazers Friday in Los Angeles' first game since the shocking death of Kobe Bryant. Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others died last Sunday in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif. The Lakers were set to host the Clippers on Tuesday, but that game was postponed Monday night in the wake of the crash. Los Angeles has not played since last Saturday night, when it fell 108-91 to the Philadelphia 76ers. In that contest, LeBron James passed Bryant for third on the NBA's all-time scoring list.  How to Watch:  When: Friday, Jan. 31 Time: 10:00 p.m. ET TV: ESPN Stream: WatchESPN Portland enters Friday's matchup coming off a 13-point win over the Rockets on Wednesday. The 21-27 Blazers still find themselves out of the playoff picture, but currently sit just a few games from the West's No. 8 seed. At 36-10, the Lakers have the conference's best record.  Fans have been s...

Russo tosses 4 TDs as Temple routs Bucknell 56-12

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Anthony Russo passed for 409 yards and four touchdowns and Temple breezed to a 56-12 victory over Bucknell on Saturday in a season opener for both teams. Russo, who finished 32-of-41 passing, completed 23 of 31 attempts with three TDs in the first half as the Owls opened up a 35-9 lead at intermission. Russo led the Owls on a 12-play, 75-yard drive on their first possession, capped by an 8-yard scoring strike to Jadan Blue. Jager Gardner added TD runs of 11 and 1 yards on Temple's next two possessions for a 21-0 first-quarter lead. Russo made it four straight TD drives when he hooked up with Isaiah Wright for a 12-yard score and a 28-0 lead early in the second quarter. Bucknell got on the scoreboard for first-year coach Dave Cecchini when Gavin Pringle picked off a Russo pass and returned it 36 yards for a TD and Ethan Torres hit the first of his two field goals to cut the deficit to 28-9. But Russo answered with a 51-yard scoring strike to Re'mahn Davis ...

Morehead State dominates Union 44-7 in opener

MOREHEAD, Ky. (AP) Redshirt junior Pat Pappas threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more scores in his first career start and Morehead State won its season opener 44-7 against NAIA member Union College on Thursday night in the programs' first gridiron matchup in 73 seasons. Pappas completed 15 of 21 passes for 236 yards, with scoring strikes of 21 yards to Jacob Peters, 48 yards to Jordan Huffman and 34 yards to Hunter Richardson. Pappas opened the scoring with a 1-yard run, and Jova Smith's 2-yard run made it 16-0 in the second quarter. The Pioneer League Eagles scored all five times they reached the red zone and outgained the Bulldogs 587 total yards to 315. Morehead State had a 294-34 edge in rushing yards, led by Issiah Aguero, (131 yards on 13 carries). Beau Griego, Eldee Edwards and Isaiah Tigler each grabbed interceptions, with Tigler's fourth-quarter pick leading to Earl Stoudemire's 7-yard TD run on the following drive. The Bulldogs scored late in the ...

Gophers avoid upset with 28-21 win over South Dakota State

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Don't tell coach P.J. Fleck that Minnesota's narrow win against FCS South Dakota State on Tuesday wasn't good enough. The Big Ten Gophers were double-digit favorites for the season's first game against their neighbors from the southwest, who nearly beat Minnesota in 2009, long before Fleck joined the Gophers. So, when Mohamed Ibrahim finally put the Gophers ahead late in the fourth quarter, Fleck was ready to enjoy a win no matter how others perceive the narrow victory. ''There's hard wins, there are no bad wins, and that is my message to the football team today,'' Fleck said. ''There are no bad wins. That's a really good football team out there.'' Ibrahim plunged up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown run with 5:39 remaining and Minnesota avoided an upset with a 28-21 win at home against South Dakota State on Thursday night. Winston DeLattiboudere recovered a fumbled exchange between Jackrabbits quarterback J...

Sneed has 4 TDs, leads Montana past South Dakota 31-17

VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) - Dalton Sneed threw for a career-high 430 yards and had three passing touchdowns and another rushing to lead 25th-ranked Montana to a 31-17 win over South Dakota in the season opener for both teams on Saturday. Sneed was 37 of 52 with two interceptions for the Big Sky squad. His 16-yard pass to Samori Toure put the Grizzlies up 7-3 and he followed with a 2-yard run to help build a 17-10 lead at the half. In the third quarter, Sneed connected with Samuel Akem for a 43-yard score and Marcus Knight from 6 yards out. Akem and Toure both had nine receptions, Akem for 158 yards and Toure for 142. Jerry Louie-McGee had eight catches to push his career total to 185 and is now seven shy of matching the school record. Austin Simmons, who threw for 3,142 yards last season, was 23 of 33 for 246 yards and two touchdowns for the Coyotes. Kody Case had 11 catches for 144 yards with touchdown plays of 3 and 9 yards. South Dakota had won 16 straight home openers.

Blackman helps C. Arkansas rally to 35-28 win over WKU

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) Carlos Blackman threw his only pass of the night, an 80-yard scoring strike to Lujuan Winningham, and followed it with a 1-yard rushing score as Central Arkansas rallied to score three fourth-quarter touchdowns to knock off Western Kentucky 35-28 in the opening game of the season for both schools on Thursday night. The Bears trailed 28-14 going into the final quarter. Breylin Smith hit Winningham from the 20 for a TD to close to 28-21 before Central Arkansas took its first lead of the game after Blackman's rushing score. WKU drove to UCA's 33 in the final minute, but Isaiah Macklin broke up a fourth down pass attempt and the Bears took over with 50 seconds remaining. Smith passed for 324 yards and three scores. Winningham caught eight passes for a career-best 222 yards and three TDs. Gaej Walker, who sprinted 68 yards for a score on Western Kentucky's first offensive play of the season, finished with 152 yards rushing.

Central Connecticut rallies past Fordham 26-23

NEW YORK (AP) — Francis Cole kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired and Central Connecticut rallied last in a season-opening 26-23 victory over Fordham on Saturday. Central Connecticut led 8-0 after one quarter on the strength of Kenyata Huston's 34-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion pass from Tyshaun James to quarterback Aaron Winchester. Fordham answered with an 8-yard scoring pass from Tim DeMorat to Hamze El-Zayat, but the two-point try failed and left the Rams trailing 8-6. The Blue Devils added to their lead in the second quarter when Winchester kept a drive alive with a 14-yard run on third-and-11 then connected with James for a 14-yard TD and a 15-6 halftime lead. Andrew Mevis booted a 24-yard field goal on the Rams' first possession of the third quarter to cut their deficit to 15-9 and Fordham took a 16-15 lead when DeMorat found El-Zayat for a 14-yard score with 2:26 remaining in the quarter. Fordham forced a three-and-out, but Dexter Lawson interc...

Moss runs for TD, No. 14 Utah beats BYU 30-12 in opener

PROVO, Utah (AP) Utah's defense picked up where it left off last season. BYU paid a steep price for it. The No. 14 Utes scored three touchdowns off three BYU turnovers to pull away for a 30-12 victory on Thursday night in the opener for both teams. Utah left no doubt about how strong its defense could be this season. Over the final 30 minutes, the Cougars gained just 104 yards on 18 total plays. ''We heard all the time about how they had a great offense,'' safety Julian Blackmon said. ''They have a great team for sure, but we know that man-for-man we're the better team. So at the end of the day, we just wanted to come out and prove that.'' Utah's defense did its part, and Zack Moss highlighted the offensive effort. Moss ran for 181 yards and a touchdown to help the Utes (1-0) earn their ninth straight victory in the 100th game in the Holy War rivalry. The senior suffered a hand injury in fall camp and wore a protective splint after the...

Hammond leads way with 3 TDs, Air Force beats Colgate 48-7

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AP) Air Force was in no rush to pass. So the Falcons just rushed their way to a runaway win. Donald Hammond III scored three of Air Force's seven rushing touchdowns and the Falcons ran their record to 24-0 against teams from the Football Championship Subdivision by beating Colgate 48-7 on Saturday. Kadin Remsberg added two scores for Air Force, which moved to 13-0 in season openers under coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons didn't throw a pass until the third quarter - their only attempt of the game. There was no need to air it out as they amassed 423 yards on the ground. Fullback Taven Birdow gained 80 yards to lead a balanced rushing attack. ''We were more physical than them. They weren't ready for us to be physical with them,'' Hammond said. ''They were playing kind of soft so we shoved it down their throat.'' With lightning in the area at halftime, the crowd was encouraged to head to their cars and wait out the a...

Riddle throws for 4 TDs, Mercer rolls over W. Carolina 49-27

CULLOWHEE, N.C. (AP) Robert Riddle threw for four touchdowns and Tyray Devezin ran for two more as Mercer got off to a fast start on its way to a 49-27 victory over Western Carolina in the season opener and initial Southern Conference encounter of the season on Saturday. David Durden returned the opening kickoff 82 yards and three plays later Riddle hit Devezin on a 12-yard scoring strike and the Bears were on their way to victory. On the next series, Riddle hit Durden for a 32-yard TD toss to go up 14-0. The Bears continued the onslaught in the second period as Riddle found Tucker Cannon for an 85-yard touchdown bomb, the second longest offensive play in school history. Deondre Johnson broke for a 64-yard scoring scamper on Mercer's next possession. Riddle threw for 190 yards and four scores in the first half. Western Carolina's Tyrie Adams, who threw for 360 yards, ran for 185 and scored four touchdowns in a 59-46 loss last year, threw for 318 yards and had 34 yards on t...

Northern Illinois renews rivalry, beats Illinois State 24-10

DEKALB, Ill. (AP) Ross Bowers threw a pair of touchdown passes to Tyrice Ritchie, including a 66-yard fourth-quarter bomb to put the Huskies on top for good, and Thomas Hammock won his coaching debut at his alma mater as Northern Illinois knocked off Illinois State, 24-10 in a season opener Saturday night. The game marked the 57th meeting between the in-state rivals, but the first since September 9, 2000 when the Huskies pummeled the Redbirds 52-0. Hammock made his first career start at tailback for NIU in that game, rushing for 140 yards on 29 carries. The teams traded first-half field goals and neither team managed to get into the end zone until Bowers found Ritchie from 22-yards out with 2:11 left in the third quarter. Illinois State answered on its next series when Brady Davis found Taylor Grimes with a 42-yard touchdown pass to start the fourth quarter. On the first play of the Huskies' next possession, Bowers hit Ritchie on a short pass that turned into a 68-yard go-ahead...

Report: Big Ten Proposes One-Time Transfer Rule for All Student Athletes

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The Big Ten is looking to shake up the college football landscape with its latest proposal. The Big Ten is looking to shake up the college football landscape with its latest proposal that could give athletes more freedom to transfer. The conference has proposed legislation which would allow student athletes in every sport to transfer one time without sitting out a year at their new school, according to CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd . NCAA undergraduate students are not always granted immediate eligibility when they transfer to a new school. 20 sports allow a one-time transfer, but football, men's and women's basketball, ice hockey, and baseball do not. Currently, only graduate students are allowed to transfer immediately for their remaining year(s) of eligibility. Underclassmen who transfer must sit out one year for an academic year-in-residence at their new university. "We have five sports that are not allowed to transfer in this day and age. That is something we nee...

NBA All-Star Game Players to Wear No. 24 and No. 2 to Honor Kobe and Gianna Bryant

Team LeBron will wear No. 2 and Team Giannis will wear No. 24 to honor Gianna and Kobe Bryant. This year's NBA All-Star Game jerseys will pay tribute to Kobe and Gianna Bryant and the seven others who died in Sunday's helicopter crash in California . Team LeBron [James] will wear No. 2, while Team Giannis [Antetokounmpo] will sport No. 24–Gianna and Kobe Bryant's jersey numbers, respectively. Gianna played at Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, Calif., where Kobe coached her team. The NBA and NBPA announced that both teams will wear jersey patches displaying nine stars, representing those who lost their lives in the accident. The league also changed the format of the All-Star Game to honor Bryant and his No. 24 jersey. Every quarter will be a mini-game for charity before an untimed final quarter with a target score that will decide which team wins. Scores will be reset—back to 0-0—at the start of the second and third quarters, then restored to begin the fourth quart...

Report: Carmelo Anthony Not Expected to Play vs. Lakers While Grieving Kobe Bryant's Death

Carmelo Anthony did not travel with the Trail Blazers to Los Angeles for Friday night's game. Carmelo Anthony is not expected to play with the Trail Blazers against the Lakers on Friday night, according to Stadium's Shams Charania . According to Charania, Anthony will miss the game while he is still mourning Kobe Bryant's death. Anthony and Bryant were set to have dinner together in Los Angeles on Thursday night.  Blazers PR announced on Thursday that Anthony did not fly with the team to Los Angeles. Anthony posted a tribute to Bryant on Instagram on Wednesday saying the Lakers legend was supposed to attend Friday night's game. He also said he recently spoke with Bryant about coaching his 13-year-old daughter Gigi's team, and Anthony joked with Bryant that he needed to give the team a day off. Kobe Bryant, Gigi Bryant and seven others died in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday . They were traveling from Orange County, Calif., to Thousand Oaks, Calif....

Should the Dallas Mavericks Be Concerned About Luka Doncic's Repeated Injuries?

Dallas Mavericks team reporter Mike Fisher gives insight on the team's handling of Luka's latest injury. For the second time this season, Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic will miss time due to an ankle injury. With the team looking to climb the tight Western Conference standings, will Luka's injury hurt their chances in making a deep playoff run? Dallas Mavericks team reporter Mike Fisher gives insight on the team's handling of Luka's latest injury.

NBA Trade Rumors: Wolves 'Dangle' Andrew Wiggins for D'Angelo Russell

Stay up to date with the latest NBA news and rumors as the trade deadline approaches. The Timberwolves "dangled" an Andrew Wiggins for D'Angelo Russell trade with the Warriors, according to The Athletic's Anthony Slater.  Wiggins has one of the worst contracts in the NBA, with three years and $94 million remaining after this season. This, for a league average player at best. Russell just signed a four-year, $117 million contract this past offseason.  Their salaries are similar, but as it stands now, an upfront, player-for-player trade would not work under the cap. The Warriors would have to give up another player—one of their young assets—and, considering how much more valuable Russell is than Wiggins, this 'dangling' was clearly a non-starter for Golden State, no matter how many draft picks the Wolves may or may not have "dangled." Regardless, it's "the league's worst-kept secret" that the Wolves are aggressively pursuing Rus...

Shaq Buys Laptop for Shopper Who Offered Condolences for Deaths of His Sister and Kobe Bryant

A man at Best Buy offered his sympathies to Shaquille O’Neal after the deaths of his sister and Kobe Bryant. Shaq told him he’d cover his purchase. A man shopping at a Georgia Best Buy got quite the surprise when he ran into Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, and Shaq made the moment even more unforgettable.  Patrick Martin says he was at the Best Buy in McDonough, Ga., south of Atlanta, looking to buy a laptop on Wednesday when he spotted Shaq. Martin offered his sympathies to NBA legend for the recent death of Kobe Bryant and O’Neal’s sister, Ayesha Harrison-Jex, who died in October after a battle with cancer .  Moved by the gesture, Shaq told Martin the laptop was on him. Martin wrote in a Facebook post that O’Neal told him to “get the nicest one in here and I'll pay for it.” That sort of random act of kindness is nothing new for Shaq. He’s purchased musical equipment for a fan in a Guitar Center , shoes for a teenager with size 18 feet  and a house ...

NBA DFS Daily Plays - Friday, 1/31 (DraftKings, FanDuel and Yahoo)

Expert NBA DFS DraftKings, FanDuel and Yahoo DFS daily plays for Friday, January 31 NBA DFS (Friday, January 31) This is Corey Parson's latest edition SI Fantasy's NBA DFS daily plays. We have a big NBA DFS slate for a Friday night. All seven games on the main slate have a total of over 220, so fantasy points should be easy to come by, and there are also a ton of marquee matchups. Memphis vs. New Orleans has the highest total on the slate, and both of these young teams are competitive. Jaren Jackson Jr. will not play for Memphis due to suspension. The Mavericks and Rockets play in Houston, but Luka Doncic is out with an ankle injury. The night concludes in Los Angeles, where the Lakers face the Blazers. PG/SG Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns DraftKings: $9,100,  FanDuel: $8,900,  Yahoo: $40 Devin Booker's skill set alone and the way he has been paying of late makes him one of the best plays on the slate. Couple that with the disappointment of not making the All-Star tea...

NBA Trade Deadline Matchmaker: Finding New Homes For Five Compelling Targets

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NBA trade season has been quiet—but what will happen once the clock begins to start ticking? We play matchmaker for five trade targets. We’ve seen only a slow drip of rumors rather than a deluge thus far with less than a week remaining until the trade deadline on Feb. 6. There are few clear sellers in the current market, with a deep slate of teams pushing for playoff spots in both conferences. There are no superstars forcing their way out. The league’s contenders have financial hurdles to clear before making a major deal. The deadline could be relatively muted compared to prior seasons. But the current uncertainty doesn’t have to dissuade us from considering some of the market’s more intriguing options as we roll into February. Former champions are dissatisfied and an impressive young point guard could be on the market. There are quality players to be had if a creative GM can conjure up the right package. With that in mind, we at The Crossover decided to end the week by playing m...

Wizards' Bradley Beal on All-Star Game Snub: 'It's Disrespectful'

Bradley Beal was surprised he didn't make the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. On Thursday, Wizards guard Bradley Beal learned he wouldn't be going to the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, despite having played in it each of the past two seasons. "I'm a little pissed off about it," he said after Washington's 121-107 win over the Hornets. "But I know how I am. I was kinda expecting it honestly. "It's disrespectful, but the real ones know." Beal entered Thursday night's action averaging 28.6 points per game, which, according to Elias Sports Bureau , would be the most points per game entering the All-Star break by a player not named an All-Star in 41 years. Beal scored 34 points and added nine rebounds and nine assists in his team's victory on Thursday. The Florida product's scoring average has increased by more than three points this season. Six first-timers were named reserves on Thursday night. The full list reserves is as followed: ...

Report: Helicopter in Kobe Bryant Crash Lacked Certification Necessary For Flight

The helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant reportedly did not have the necessary federal certification to fly on Sunday. The helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people that crashed into the mountainside in Calabasas, Calif. on Sunday did not have the necessary federal certification to fly, according The New York Times. While the flight's pilot, Ara Zoboyan, was certified to fly using instruments, Island Express Helicopters, which owned the Sikorsky S-76B that crashed, did not have the necessary certification, according to The Times. Because of the company's certification limitations, Zoboyan was required to fly only in conditions of "sufficient visibility" to navigate visually. According to CNN, Island Express Helicopters is "suspending all flight service for operation reasons," but declined to provide any other details regarding the suspension.  "All services (regular and charter) were immediately suspende...

Kobe Bryant's Former Agent and Friend Rob Pelinka Issues His First Statement After Kobe's Death

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka was Kobe Bryant's former agent and friend. In his statement, Pelinka eulogizes Kobe and Kobe's 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, who was also killed in the helicopter accident. SI Lakers Team Reporter Melissa Rohlin shares the news of the statement and how Rob Pelinka is dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy. 

Los Angeles Lakers Hold Practice Before First Game After Kobe Bryant's Death

SI's Melissa Rohlin reports from the Los Angeles Lakers practice facility in El Segundo, California, where the team held its final practice before Friday's game against the Portland Trailblazers. The game will be the first the Lakers have played since Kobe Bryant's tragic death, and the team did everything it could to try to keep the mood light around practice today, including playing some football.

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka Releases Statement on Kobe Bryant's Death

Rob Pelinka released a statement on his longtime client Kobe Bryant on Thursday. On Thursday, Lakers GM and Vice President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka released a statement regarding the death of Lakers legend, and Pelinka's former client, Kobe Bryant. "On Sunday, I lost my best friend and my sweet goddaughter. With that, there has been an amputation of part of my soul," Pelinka said in a statement. "Kobe was a force of nature, deep and obsessed with excellence. He was wise, determined, passionate. A visionary beyond measure. A dedicated and loving husband, and a "girl-dade" like no other. When he walked into a room, the energy ignited. He was high voltage, with a motor that had no limits. His mind had an infinite capacity to learn. He was, simply put, the most inspirational athlete of our time. What the world may not know, is that he was also the best friend anyone could ever imagine... "Their lives have shown me that death has no victory....

Kyrie Irving’s Relationship with Kobe Bryant Represents NBA Brotherhood

Kyrie Irving’s relationship with Kobe Bryant was the epitome of the NBA icon’s connection with the league following his retirement. Throughout his life, Kobe Bryant reached out to others to learn how to be the greatest. Whether it was a call to Dwyane Wade for pick-and-roll advice , to Kevin Durant about pindowns or to UConn coach Geno Auriemma about what to teach in a defensive drill for his daughter, Gianna’s, team, he was never shy to pick the minds of the best at their craft. That Mamba Mentality was one of the traits Kyrie Irving shared with his mentor, Bryant. When asked which current NBA players Bryant had kept the most contact with, the first name that came to his mind was Irving’s. In an interview with SiriusXM last March , Bryant recalled the time Irving called Bryant via FaceTime after the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame a 3-1 deficit and won the 2016 NBA Finals in Game 7 against the Warriors. He was sitting on the couch with Gianna when his phone rang. “Kyrie’s in the l...

Kyrie Irving Pays Tribute to the Late Great Kobe Bryant

SI's Robin Lundberg reacts to Kyrie's tribute why he believes Kyrie and Kobe are forever bonded in a way that is bigger than basketball. For the first time since the tragic death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi, Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving opened up to the public and shared his respects towards his mentor Kobe Bryant. SI's Robin Lundberg reacts to Kyrie's tribute why he believes Kyrie and Kobe are forever bonded in a way that is bigger than basketball.

Loud ‘Sell the Team’ Chant Breaks Out as Knicks Embarrassed by Grizzlies

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James Dolan reportedly “singled out a teenager” who was among those chanting. Just do it already, Jim James Dolan is one of my five least favorite Americans (politicians excluded). I can’t stand the guy. Everything he has in life is a direct result of having inherited his father’s cable company. He’s gotten rich off of running two entirely foolproof businesses: a literal monopoly and an NBA franchise. Cablevision and the Madison Square Garden Company would have printed money no matter who was in charge, but Dolan thinks being the boss makes him important.  The worst thing about Dolan is that he’s incredibly stubborn and petty. The Knicks have been nothing short of a laughing stock under his control. He could sell the team, cash out for billions of dollars (to add to the billions he already has) and tour the country with his goofy blues-rock band for the rest of his life. But not only does he refuse to do that, he takes great offense when anyone suggests he does. When one fan t...

LA Kings Honor Bryant in First Staples Center Game Since Crash

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The Kings honored Kobe Bryant and the other victims of Sunday's crash with a pregame video tribute and a 24-second moment of silence Wednesday night. LOS ANGELES — All the Los Angeles Kings players showed up to Staples Center wearing Kobe Bryant jerseys before the arena's first sporting event since the retired Lakers superstar's death in a helicopter crash. The Kings also honored Bryant and the other victims of Sunday's crash with a pregame video tribute and a 24-second moment of silence Wednesday night. Los Angeles players wore both the No. 8 and No. 24 versions of Bryant's jersey from his 20-year career with the Lakers. Both teams then wore tribute stickers on the backs of their helmets when the Kings hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning. Kings captain Anze Kopitar said the players collectively decided to wear Bryant's jersey in homage. ''For us as hockey players, being so many years kind of connected to the Lakers, we felt like we've got to ...

Lakers Release Statement on Kobe Bryant's Sudden Death

The statement read that "words cannot express what Kobe means to the Los Angeles Lakers, our fans, and our city." The Los Angeles Lakers took to Instagram on Wednesday to release a statement following  the death of Kobe Bryant  and his daughter, Gianna .  "We are devastated and have been forever changed by the sudden loss of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna," the post reads . "We send our love to Vanessa, the Bryant family, and to the families of the other passengers. Words cannot express what Kobe means to the Los Angeles Lakers, our fans, and our city. More than a basketball player, he was a beloved father, husband, and teammate. Their love and light will remain in our hearts forever. "The Mamba Sports Foundation has set up the MambaOnThree Fund to support the families affected by this tragedy. To help, please visit MambaOnThree.org . For those who are inspired to continue Kobe and Gianna’s legacy in youth sports, please visit MambaSportsFoundat...

Dinwiddie, emotional Irving lead Nets past Pistons, 125-115

NEW YORK (AP) Spencer Dinwiddie scored 28 points in his first game with his new jersey number, Kyrie Irving returned to the lineup to score 20 and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Detroit Pistons 125-115 on Wednesday night. Irving didn't play Sunday at New York after learning of Kobe Bryant's death, and Dinwiddie, a Los Angeles native, was in tears after the game talking about what the Lakers star meant to him. Dinwiddie changed his number from No. 8, one of the numbers Bryant wore, to No. 26 on Tuesday. Irving was friends with Bryant and appeared to be in tears during a pregame tribute to the superstar, when Bryant's numbers 8 and 24 were lit up on the court and on the overhead video screen that showed the longtime Lakers star's highlights. The Nets left two seats open with flowers on them at Barclays Center in honor of Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, who were among the nine people killed in a helicopter crash Sunday. The pair sat in those seats near Brookly...

Oladipo spurs late rally as Pacers run past Bulls in OT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Victor Oladipo's only 3-pointer tied the score with 10 seconds left in regulation, and Malcolm Brogdon scored seven of his 15 points in overtime, helping the Indiana Pacers rally for a 115-106 victory over Chicago on Wednesday night. Oladipo had nine points in his first game back since suffering a season-ending knee injury last January. T.J. Warren had 25 points to lead the Pacers, who have won eight of their last 10. Brogdon also had eight rebounds and nine assists. Chandler Hutchinson finished with a career-high 21 points, while Zach LaVine added 20 for Chicago, which lost its eighth straight in the series. The night belonged to Oladipo, who hadn't played since rupturing a quad tendon in his right last year. Coach Nate McMillan told reporters before the game that Oladipo would come off the bench and be limited to 24 minutes. When he entered the game with 4:12 left in the first quarter, Bulls coach Jim Boylen shook Oladipo's hand at the scorer's ...