Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
NBA-Cavs forward Thompson suspended for 25 games after positive drug test
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson has been suspended without pay for 25 games for violating the National Basketball Association's (NBA) anti-drug program, the league said on Tuesday. Thompson, who is averaging 3.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 36 games this season, tested positive for ibutamoren and SARM LGD-4033, according to a league statement.
NFL-Veteran referee Vinovich to lead Super Bowl officiating crew
In a season where officiating has once again been a hot-button issue, the National Football League (NFL) announced on Tuesday that veteran referee Bill Vinovich will lead the officiating crew for this year's Super Bowl. This will mark the third time Vinovich, who has been an official in the NFL since 2001, has served as the referee for the championship game.
Bucks fire coach Adrian Griffin after 43 games
Adrian Griffin's tenure as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks is over after 43 games. Griffin, 49, was fired Tuesday despite guiding Milwaukee to a 30-13 record, second-best in the Eastern Conference behind the Boston Celtics (34-10) entering the day.
Olympics-James and Curry headline USA Basketball player pool
LeBron James and Stephen Curry headlined the 41-player pool revealed by USA Basketball on Tuesday in the first step toward assembling the team that will seek the gold medal in the men's basketball tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The pool, from which a 12-member team will be selected, includes 28 players who have represented the United States at an Olympics and/or the FIBA Basketball World Cup and who together have collected 23 Olympic or World Cup gold medals.
Tennis-Djokovic and Gauff labor into Australian Open semis, Sinner and Sabalenka sprint
Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff were both made to toil for semi-final places on a blazing Tuesday at the Australian Open but organizers were spared a ridiculously late finish as Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner roared through the night session. Two epic battles in the afternoon meant defending women's champion Sabalenka did not walk onto Rod Laver Arena until well after 9 p.m. but the Belarusian made light of Czech Barbora Krejcikova, winning 6-2 6-3 to ease pressure on the schedule.
Report: Chargers in 'striking distance' with Jim Harbaugh
The Los Angeles Chargers are within "striking distance" of a deal to make Jim Harbaugh their new head coach, NFL Network reported Tuesday. Harbaugh, fresh off a national championship at Michigan, is meeting with the Chargers for a second time Tuesday. He also has interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons.
Young Venezuelan players get ready for US Major League Baseball
Two young Venezuelans this month signed contracts with million dollar-bonuses for major league baseball teams in the United States, becoming the highest-priced prospects from the South American country in years. Jose Perdomo and Yovany Rodriguez, both 17 years old, received million-dollar bonuses from the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets, respectively, after signing their professional baseball contracts.
Raiders hire Tom Telesco as GM
Tom Telesco is staying in the AFC West Division, as the Las Vegas Raiders hired the former Chargers general manager to the same position on Tuesday. Telesco, 51, led the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers' front office from 2013-23 before the franchise dismissed both him and coach Brandon Staley after a disastrous 63-21 loss in Week 15 -- to the rival Raiders.
First-period flurry sparks Senators' win over Canadiens
Ridly Greig and Jake Sanderson scored 41 seconds apart in the first period and the visiting Ottawa Senators continued their recent dominance over the Montreal Canadiens with a 4-1 victory on Tuesday night. Ottawa's Shane Pinto scored in his second contest of the season following a 41-game suspension for violating the NHL's gambling rules. Mathieu Joseph added an empty-netter for the Senators, who have outscored the Canadiens 40-18 during an eight-game series winning streak.
Reports: Dodgers, LHP James Paxton agree to $11M deal
Add another potential starter to the Los Angeles Dodgers' spendy offseason. ESPN reported left-hander James Paxton agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal pending a physical, an important footnote considering he has a total of 25 starts since the 2020 season due to back and elbow surgeries.
