Luka Doncic scores 53 in another spectacular offensive game, carrying Lakers past Blazers 124-118
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 53 points and hit a key jumper in the lane with 27 seconds to play, carrying the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-118 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Doncic produced his 11th career 50-point game and his fourth with Los Angeles while preserving a fourth straight win for the Lakers. The Slovenian superstar added five assists and five rebounds, giving him seven consecutive games with at least 35 points, five assists, five rebounds and five 3-pointers. Damian Lillard and Deni Avdija scored 22 points for the Blazers, who lost for only the second time this season.
NFL tells Brandon Aiyuk he owes the 49ers about $13 million, AP source says
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The NFL has told disgruntled receiver Brandon Aiyuk that he needs to repay the San Francisco 49ers about $13 million he previously received in bonuses as he tries to get reinstated to the team’s roster. A person with knowledge of the situation says the league sent Aiyuk and the NFL Players Association a letter Thursday saying that he owes the 49ers the money based on bonuses he was paid after signing a four-year, $120 million extension before the start of the 2024 season. Aiyuk and new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, met with the team Friday at the Niners' business offices.
LeBron James has a rough return to Cleveland with only his 10th regular-season single-digit game
CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James got a warm reception from Northeast Ohio fans when he was the last of the Philadelphia 76ers’ starters introduced before Friday night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. That was the only highlight for James, who scored in single digits for only the 10th time in 1,630 NBA regular-season games. James was held to eight points as the Cavaliers routed the 76ers 119-95 in an NBA Cup group stage game. The Cavs did not show a video tribute to James during the game, a surprising omission from recent years. And he heard some boos when he touched the ball.
Patriots RB Henderson reveals he is in the hospital undergoing tests for neurological symptoms
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson revealed he has spent several days in the hospital undergoing tests to determine the cause of unexplained neurological symptoms that have affected his strength and coordination. While the tests results have been what he called “reassuring” in coming back positive, the cause of the medical condition remains unknown, Henderson said in a lengthy post on his Instagram account. The 24-year-old Henderson has not practiced since Oct. 29, when he was listed as having an illness, and was ruled out of playing in 24-19 win over Miami on Sunday.
No. 22 New Mexico wins in first game in AP poll in school history, beating Nevada 31-3
RENO, Nev. (AP) — Toa Fa’avae led two first-quarter touchdown drives, Brett Karhu forced a fumble on a sack to set up a score and No. 22 New Mexico won in the first game in the AP poll in school history, beating Nevada 31-3 on Friday night. Fa’avae was 14 of 20 for 150 yards and a touchdown and ran for 34 yards on eight carries for the Lobos (8-1, 5-0 Mountain West). Scottre Humphrey had 17 carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Humphrey capped New Mexico’s opening drive with a 2-yard run and added a 1-yard scoring run in the third. Kiefer Sibley had a 31-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Fa’avae threw a 25-yard TD pass to Cade Keith early in the fourth quarter..
Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis steps away from the NBA to focus on undisclosed health issue
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis announced he is stepping away from basketball to prioritize his health due to an undisclosed matter. Porzingis did not reveal the nature of the issue in a message posted on his X account, and the 31-year-old didn’t make it clear as to whether he’ll resume playing. He wrote his body didn't not respond the way he anticipated while ramping up to return to play. The issue appears to date to last season when the Latvian missed significant time after being acquired by Golden State in a trade with Atlanta. The Warriors, however, fully anticipated Porzingis to be ready for this season after signing him to a two-year, $40 million contract in late June.
Braylon Mullins scores 23 as No. 4 UConn beats No. 16 Michigan 85-77 in rematch of NCAA title game
BOSTON (AP) — Braylon Mullins scored 23 points and connected on 10 of 11 free throws to help No. 4 UConn beat No. 16 Michigan 85-77 in a rematch of last season’s NCAA championship game. Silas Demary Jr. finished with 21 points and seven rebounds. Colben Landrew added 14 points and eight rebounds off the bench for the Huskies at TD Garden, home to the Boston Celtics. In last season’s title game, the Wolverines held off UConn 69-63 despite making only two 3-pointers. This time, Michigan again struggled from beyond the arc, going 7 of 28 against a Huskies team that led by 18 in the first half. Trey McKenney led the Wolverines with 22 points.
Myles Garrett is expected to return for the Rams this weekend after a 7-game injury absence
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Myles Garrett is expected to return to the field for the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at Washington after missing the past seven games with a knee injury. Coach Sean McVay announced Garrett’s likely availability before the last practice of the week. The Rams acquired the two-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in a trade over the summer, but he has played in just one game for his new team. That was the Rams' season-opening blowout loss to the 49ers in Australia. Garrett was ineffective in that game and revealed afterward that he was limited by the knee injury.
Two women's basketball players make hoops for the wrong team on a day of point-blank blunders
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Women's basketball players from New Mexico State and Northwestern State each sank layups on the wrong end of the floor on Friday. One came when Emma Christiano of the Aggies stole an inbounds pass and coasted in for the easy score — for Southern Utah. The other came when Northwestern State's Karma Wynn took a bounce pass and found herself wide-open under the basket. For good reason. That layup was part of Northwestern State's 89-59 loss to Arkansas.
Ex-NFL star Antonio Brown pleads guilty to reduced charge, sentenced to probation in 2025 shooting
MIAMI (AP) — Former NFL star Antonio Brown has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a firearm in connection with a 2025 shooting in Miami. Brown entered the plea to the reduced charge in state court in Miami on Friday. The All-Pro wide receiver avoids prison time after initially being charged with attempted murder. Police said Brown grabbed a handgun from a security staffer and fired two shots at a man he had been in a fistfight with earlier. Brown maintained he was defending himself from an attack as others were trying to steal jewelry from him. The 38-year-old spent 12 years in the NFL, most of it with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
