Butler triple-double leads Warriors over Raptors as Curry hurt

Butler triple-double leads Warriors over Raptors as Curry hurt
Golden State Warriors’ Jimmy Butler III drives against Toronto Raptorss’ Jakob Poeltl in 4th quarter during Dubs' 117-114 win in NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco on Thursday. (AP)
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Updated 21 March 2025
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Butler triple-double leads Warriors over Raptors as Curry hurt

Butler triple-double leads Warriors over Raptors as Curry hurt
  • The Bucks bounced back from their loss at Golden State on Tuesday with a 118-89 romp past the short-handed Lakers in Los Angeles
  • The Pacers won another close one in Indianapolis, where Bennedict Mathurin scored 28 points and pulled down 16 rebounds in a 105-99 overtime victory over the Brooklyn Nets

LOS ANGELES: Draymond Green scored 21 points and Jimmy Butler added a 16-point triple-double as the Golden State Warriors held off the Toronto Raptors 117-114 on Thursday despite an early exit for Stephen Curry.

Butler added 11 rebounds and 12 assists for the Warriors and Green chipped in seven rebounds, five assists and four steals as Golden State kept their hold on sixth place in the Western Conference and direct entry into the playoffs.

Trailing by as many as seven in the third quarter, Golden State took a 93-92 lead into the final period even after losing Curry, who took a frightening fall under the basket.

Curry, who was nursing a sore back before he sat out Tuesday’s win over Milwaukee, was treated on the court before departing with what the team called a pelvic contusion.

“He just kind of fell on his pelvic, tailbone area,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said, adding that Curry was having an MRI scan after the game to assess the injury.

“He was trying to come back (into the game), he thought he might’ve been able to come back and we just decided not to risk anything,” Kerr added.

In other games the Bucks bounced back from their loss at Golden State on Tuesday with a 118-89 romp past the short-handed Lakers in Los Angeles.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 28 points and Gary Trent Jr. added 23 off the bench for Milwaukee, who were without Damian Lillard who sat out with a sore right calf.

The Lakers, still without superstar LeBron James as he recovers from a groin injury, also had Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves on their long list of absentees, both with sprained ankles.

James’s son Bronny James and Dalton Knecht led the Lakers’ scoring with 17 points apiece, Bronny connecting on seven of his 10 shots on the way to his first double-digit scoring game.

But Milwaukee led by as many as 35 in the wire-to-wire victory, which kept the fifth-placed Bucks one game behind the fourth-placed Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference.

The Pacers won another close one in Indianapolis, where Bennedict Mathurin scored 28 points and pulled down 16 rebounds in a 105-99 overtime victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

The Pacers have now won three straight games by six or fewer points to improve to 40-29 — boosting their lead over the Bucks and Detroit Pistons for fourth place.

Myles Turner scored 23 points with 10 rebounds and five blocks, including a huge rejection of Keon Johnson with 22.2 seconds left in overtime that preserved a two-point lead.

T.J. McConnell and Mathurin added two free-throws apiece in the waning seconds to seal the victory for a Pacers team again without star guard Tyrese Haliburton because of a sore back.

Mathurin had sent it to overtime with three free-throws to tie it up at the end of regulation.

“Another amazing finish,” said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. “Mathurin was spectacular, especially in the fourth quarter.”

Brooklyn’s Trendon Watford was ejected late in the fourth quarter after a scuffle that saw Indiana’s Andrew Nembhard and Turner receive technical fouls. Nembhard was ejected in overtime after getting a second technical for jawing with officials.

The New York Knicks, third in the East, failed to find their offensive groove in a 115-98 loss to the Hornets in Charlotte.

The Knicks have dropped six of their last nine games and again felt the effects of Jalen Brunson’s continued absence with a sprained right ankle.

LaMelo Ball scored 25 points to lead the Hornets and Miles Bridges added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the hosts, who snapped a two-game skid.

OG Anunoby scored 25 for the Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns added 24 points and 10 rebounds, but New York never led after the opening quarter.


Who is the best? Shai and Jokic in NBA playoffs

Who is the best? Shai and Jokic in NBA playoffs
Updated 17 sec ago
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Who is the best? Shai and Jokic in NBA playoffs

Who is the best? Shai and Jokic in NBA playoffs
  • Oklahoma City’s record-breaking season meets Denver’s championship pedigree in Western Conference clash

DUBAI: The first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs was nothing short of spectacular, filled with jaw-dropping moments, dramatic finishes, and two thrilling Game 7 matchups.

Now, as the second round tips off, all eyes are on the highly anticipated clash between the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and the fourth-seeded Denver Nuggets, a series headlined by a battle between NBA regular season Most Valuable Player frontrunners Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

This matchup is not just about advancing to the Western Conference finals. It also has the potential to answer one of basketball’s most debated questions among media and fans: Who is the best player in the world right now?

Jokic is coming off a historic regular season, becoming just the third player in NBA history after Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook to average a triple-double. He is also the first center to achieve this feat, finishing with 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. On the other side, Gilgeous-Alexander led the league in scoring with 32.7 points per game, guiding Oklahoma City to an NBA-best 68-14 record.

At some point during the postseason the NBA will announce the winner of the MVP award and present the Michael Jordan Trophy. The three finalists, Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, reflect the elite tier of the league, although Antetokounmpo is widely expected to finish third in the voting.

The MVP race adds an extra layer of intensity to this series. While the award is based solely on regular-season performance and will not be influenced by playoff results, the head-to-head battle offers players an opportunity to strengthen their case in the eyes of fans.

History shows that MVP rivalries often bring out legendary playoff performances. Michael Jordan delivered exactly that when facing MVP winners Charles Barkley in 1993 and Karl Malone in 1997, reaffirming his status as the best player in the world. 

Against Barkley’s Suns, Jordan erupted for 55 points in Game 4, one of the highest-scoring games in NBA finals history, and led the Bulls to a third straight title. In 1997, he outshone Malone and hit the game-winning shot in Game 1, setting the tone for another championship run.

This year, Gilgeous-Alexander may have the edge in the MVP conversation. Voters often factor in team success, and with the Thunder finishing first in the league, his leadership and consistency are difficult to ignore. Jokic, despite posting another historic season, could be impacted by voter fatigue after already winning the award three times.

Denver enter the second round fresh from a commanding 120-101 win over the Clippers in Game 7 at Ball Arena, a result that sent a strong message to Oklahoma City that the defending champions are still a force to be reckoned with.

Meanwhile, the Thunder cruised past the Memphis Grizzlies with a first-round sweep, earning a full week of rest. While the break can help players recover, it may also disrupt their rhythm, a factor that has affected playoff teams in the past.

Adding to the storyline, this series marks the first time franchise icon Russell Westbrook has faced the Thunder in a playoff series, and his first postseason return to Oklahoma City in front of fans. The emotional weight of that moment is sure to resonate with both the crowd and the team. Westbrook played a key role in Denver’s Game 7 blowout win over the Clippers, contributing with energy, expertise in defense, and veteran presence off the bench.

The Thunder had a historic 2024–25 NBA season, finishing with a league-best 68–14 record (.829), the top mark in the Western Conference and the best in franchise history. They dominated on both ends of the floor, leading the league with a +12.9 point differential per game and setting a new NBA record with 54 double-digit victories, surpassing the mark held by the legendary 1971–72 Lakers.

This remarkable season positions Oklahoma City as a strong favorite in their matchup against the Denver Nuggets. However, it would be a mistake to count out Nikola Jokic and his battle-tested crew, who won the NBA championship just two seasons ago, and bring valuable playoff-winning experience. With elite talent on both sides and MVP stakes in the spotlight, this series promises to be one of the most thrilling showdowns of the postseason.

Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets tips off at 5:30 a.m. (Gulf Standard Time) on Tuesday, May 6.


‘I want to be the best’: Kuwait’s Eman Almudhaf eyes debut success at PFL MENA in Jeddah

‘I want to be the best’: Kuwait’s Eman Almudhaf eyes debut success at PFL MENA in Jeddah
Updated 6 min 30 sec ago
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‘I want to be the best’: Kuwait’s Eman Almudhaf eyes debut success at PFL MENA in Jeddah

‘I want to be the best’: Kuwait’s Eman Almudhaf eyes debut success at PFL MENA in Jeddah
  • The 32-year-old faces Brazil’s Shamara Braga in a women’s featherweight showcase bout at Onyx Arena on May 9

JEDDAH: Undefeated Kuwaiti mixed martial arts standout Eman Almudhaf is determined to be victorious in her long-awaited SmartCage debut at PFL MENA 1 on May 9 at the Onyx Arena in Jeddah.

The card for the PFL MENA’s highly-anticipated second season in Jeddah features an exciting crop of newcomers, which includes Almudhaf, who faces fellow PFL debutant Shamara Braga from Brazil in a women’s featherweight showcase bout.

The 32-year-old Almudhaf owns a pristine 4-0 professional MMA record, with all her wins coming by way of stoppage.

Ahead of her maiden appearance, the UAE Warriors veteran has made her goals clear: “I want to be the best.”

While it may sound like a lofty goal, it is one that Almudhaf expects out of herself, especially since she has already made history as the first female fighter from Kuwait to join the PFL.

More than just the distinction of being the first, Almudhaf is proud to be blazing a path for athletes like herself. “Being the first Kuwaiti female fighter in the PFL is great, of course.

“We’re showing that we belong in this sport at the highest level, just as much as anyone,” she said.

Almudhaf relishes the opportunity, especially since she was a witness to PFL MENA’s immensely successful first season.

“I did follow some of the fights, especially when the Kuwaiti fighters were on. I did follow last season’s finals as well,” she revealed. “I’m impressed by the level of talent and how fast the league is growing.”

“I’m very excited to be part of the biggest show in the Middle East right now,” she added.

In her first assignment under the PFL MENA banner, Almudhaf will take on a dangerous and significantly more experienced fighter in Braga, who owns a 5-3 professional record.

While her opponent has had more fights, Almudhaf is unfazed.

“My opponent looks tough and has double the cage experience I have, but technically and tactically, I believe that I’m better in all aspects of the game,” she said.

“I predict a dominant performance.”

Almudhaf will not have the luxury of a full fight camp for her PFL debut, but she is confident that her years of work have prepared her well for this opportunity.

“Though it was a relatively short-notice fight, I have always been training and staying ready for any opportunity that comes,” she explained. “I can’t wait to show all the work I’ve put in, not just for this fight but from all my years of training.”

While Almudhaf hails from Kuwait, she sharpens her skills in the UK, training out of the famed London Fight Factory and Great Britain Top Team stables.

“I’m incredibly proud to represent Kuwait and the MENA region, as well as both my teams in the UK, London Fight Factory and Great Britain Top Team,” she shared.

Almudhaf hopes she can become an inspiration for another generation of Kuwaiti athletes. “If I had any advice, it would be to stay focused, work hard, and don’t let anyone limit you.”

She added: “Yes, of course, there are many challenges, different ones at each stage of my career, but I believe that having the belief in myself, a big passion for the sport, and a strong team around me helps me face any obstacle along the way.”


Lewandowski back to Barcelona squad for 2nd leg against Inter Milan in the Champions League

Lewandowski back to Barcelona squad for 2nd leg against Inter Milan in the Champions League
Updated 12 min 14 sec ago
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Lewandowski back to Barcelona squad for 2nd leg against Inter Milan in the Champions League

Lewandowski back to Barcelona squad for 2nd leg against Inter Milan in the Champions League
  • The striker missed four games, including last week’s thrilling first leg against Inter in Barcelona, when the teams drew 3-3
  • The 36-year-old Lewandowski is having one of his best seasons with Barcelona, having scored 40 goals

BARCELONA: Barcelona is getting a boost in attack with the return of Robert Lewandowski ahead of Tuesday’s second leg against Inter Milan in the Champions League.
Lewandowski was included in the squad on Monday after being sidelined for about two weeks because of a left thigh injury.
The striker missed four games, including last week’s thrilling first leg against Inter in Barcelona, when the teams drew 3-3.
The Polish striker was injured in a Spanish league match against Celta Vigo on April 19.
“After two weeks working on his recovery and training with the squad on Sunday, he has been given the all clear to return to action,” Barcelona said.
The 36-year-old Lewandowski is having one of his best seasons with Barcelona, having scored 40 goals in total, including 11 in the Champions League. He leads the Spanish league with 25 goals, one more than Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick rested nearly all of his regular starters in the team’s 2-1 win at Valladolid in the Spanish league on Saturday. With four games each remaining, Barcelona has a four-point lead over Madrid ahead of next Sunday’s “clasico” between the rival teams.


DeChambeau holds off Howell as cruisers sweep LIV GOLF Korea

DeChambeau holds off Howell as cruisers sweep LIV GOLF Korea
Updated 05 May 2025
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DeChambeau holds off Howell as cruisers sweep LIV GOLF Korea

DeChambeau holds off Howell as cruisers sweep LIV GOLF Korea
  • 6-under 66 by the American helped secure the individual and team titles in Incheon

INCHEON: Crushers GC Captain Bryson DeChambeau finally converted a 36-hole lead into a LIV Golf victory on Sunday but his teammate Charles Howell III did not make it easy for him.

DeChambeau countered Howell’s final-round nine-under 63 with a six-under 66 in a spirited back-nine final-group duel to win the individual title by two shots at LIV Golf Korea presented by Coupang Play.

His Crushers made it a sweep of the trophies at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea by rallying past Smash GC to win the team title.

“Charles and I had a great battle out there,” said DeChambeau, who finished at 19 under. “He never wavered today. It was fun and we had a great time today, but it was intense. Super-intense.”

The individual victory is DeChambeau’s third in LIV Golf, but his first since 2023 — and his first after entering the final round with the lead.

Recent Sundays have ended in disappointment, both in the previous two LIV Golf events in Miami and Mexico City in which DeChambeau led after 36 holes, as well as last month’s Masters in which he led with 16 holes left.

He entered Sunday with a healthy four-shot lead, but Howell — starting the day five back — opened with three consecutive birdies and was four under at the turn. Meanwhile, DeChambeau suffered his only bogey of the week at the par-four sixth and made the turn at even par, his lead reduced to one.

While other players sought to make some noise — 4Aces GC’s Thomas Pieters birdied five of his first six holes while Smash’s Talor Gooch finished strong — the individual title eventually came down to the two Crushers teammates and close friends.

Both turned up the heat on the back nine, with DeChambeau making birdies on four of his next six holes while Howell strung together five consecutive birdies. With three holes remaining, the two were tied at 17 under.

But Howell suffered his only bogey of the day after his tee shot found a fairway bunker at the 16th. DeChambeau followed by creating breathing room at the 17th, rolling in a 15-meter birdie putt before letting out a roar and pumping his fists.

DeChambeau then managed to stay out of trouble — barely — with his tee shot at the par-five 18th, ending the round with a birdie and a big sigh of relief.

“I feel like I’ve been playing some great golf, but I just haven’t gotten the job done,” DeChambeau said.

“That was a lot of tension. Just glad I was able to step up to the plate and get it done. … I was personally pretty nervous on the front nine for whatever reason. … Finally on 17, the bubble burst and I felt really good.”

For Howell, the performance confirms he is back from the stress fracture in his left tibia that knocked him out of action for three months in the middle of last season. The solo second is his first podium result since winning in Mayakoba to start the 2023 season.

“I knew today would be a tough day to catch Bryson and even to try to beat him, but I gave it my best,” Howell said. “I definitely would’ve thought nine-under would have done it, and clearly it didn’t.”

“Any time you shoot nine-under par in the last group, and you still don’t win, it’s a tough day,” he added.


Baniyas crowned champions of third round of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Baniyas crowned champions of third round of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Updated 05 May 2025
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Baniyas crowned champions of third round of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Baniyas crowned champions of third round of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
  • Last day of action at Mubadala Arena saw Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club securing second place and Al-Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club finishing third

ABU DHABI: The third round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship concluded on Sunday at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi with Baniyas Club taking first place.

Competitions for the U-12 and kids categories also saw Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club securing second place and Al-Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club finishing third.

Yousef Abdullah Al-Batran, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “The continued support of the wise leadership for jiu-jitsu reflects its belief in the sport’s importance in promoting physical and mental well-being and instilling noble values. This plays a key role in building a cohesive society where sport is an essential pillar of sustainable development and global leadership.”

Meanwhile, Ahmed Saeed Al-Jarwan, president of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club, praised the high level of organization and wide participation in the event, highlighting the growing popularity of jiu-jitsu in the UAE.

The championship’s fourth round is scheduled for June.