Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Federer downs injured Isner in Miami for 101st career title
Roger Federer defeated a hobbling John Isner 6-1 6-4 for his 101th career title at the Miami Open on Sunday. Holder Isner struggled to continue late in the second set, hampered by pain in his left foot.
Pac-12 Player of Year Nowell to enter NBA draft
Guard Jaylen Nowell, the reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year, is taking his game to the NBA, he announced Sunday on Twitter. The Washington sophomore guard, named to the All-Pac-12 first team, said he will enter the 2019 NBA Draft, set for June 20.
MLB roundup: Harper launches first Phils HR in win over Braves
High-priced offseason acquisitions Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto hit their first home runs for Philadelphia and sparked the Phillies to an 8-6 win over the visiting Atlanta Braves on Saturday. Realmuto ripped a two-run shot into the center field bleachers that put the Phillies ahead to stay in the fifth inning, and Harper hammered a 465-foot solo homer in the seventh. Maikel Franco was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and homered for the second straight game.
NHL roundup: Islanders down Sabres, clinch playoff spot
Anthony Beauvillier scored twice Saturday night for the New York Islanders, who capped one of the most remarkable stories of the NHL regular season by clinching a playoff berth with a 5-1 win over the visiting Buffalo Sabres. Jordan Eberle, Michael Dal Colle and Ryan Pulock also scored for the Islanders (46-26-7), who will return to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 thanks to a raucous victory in a building they thought they'd left in the spring of 2015.
NBA roundup: Harden's 50-point triple-double lifts Rockets over Kings
James Harden recorded a 50-point triple-double, and the Houston Rockets fended off the hot-shooting Sacramento Kings for a 119-108 victory on Saturday at Toyota Center. Harden posted his ninth 50-point game on the season while producing 50 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. With the Rockets clinging to a 101-100 lead midway through the fourth quarter, Harden sank three free throws, converted back-to-back floaters, and added a 3-pointer to extend the advantage to 111-102. Harden reached 50 points with two free throws with 48.8 seconds remaining. The 50-point triple-double was the fifth of his career.
Warriors blow out Hornets, lead West by one game
The Golden State Warriors vented their frustration over a controversial loss in their previous game on the playoff-hopeful Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night, using a 71-point first half to pave the way to a 137-90 blowout in Oakland, Calif. Stephen Curry (25) and Klay Thompson (24) combined for 11 3-pointers, helping the Warriors win a game in which DeMarcus Cousins was ejected in the second quarter for a flagrant foul.
Auburn tops Kentucky for first Final Four berth
There will two debutants at the Final Four ball this year. Auburn joins Texas Tech as first-time participants on college basketball's biggest stage after a 77-71 overtime victory over Kentucky on Sunday in the Midwest Region final in Kansas City. The Tigers will face the Virginia Cavaliers in Saturday's national semifinals.
No. 3 Texas Tech upsets top-seeded Gonzaga, earns first trip to Final Four
Third-seeded Texas Tech made history Saturday, using its trademark sticky defense to shut down top-seeded Gonzaga's high-scoring offense and produce a 75-69 win in the West Regional final at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. "We're trying to build a program at Tech like a Gonzaga," Red Raiders coach Chris Beard said afterward. "The Final Four is awesome and all that, but the most cool thing is I get to coach these guys again."
Michigan State edges Duke to reach Final Four
Often using a lineup fractured because of injuries, Michigan State found the right combination in the East Region final. "I can't tell you how enjoyable it is because I know what these guys have been through," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said.
NBA player Porzingis denies rape allegation: lawyer
The lawyer for National Basketball Association player Kristaps Porzingis on Sunday denied an allegation that his client sexually assaulted a woman in 2018. "We are aware of the complaint ... and unequivocally deny the allegations," the lawyer, Roland Riopelle, said in a statement to Reuters.
