LEBRON JAMES had 38 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to their first NBA finals in a decade with a 117-107 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday near Orlando.

THIS year’s edition of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, organizers of the event said while they lament the unfortunate development they look to staging the championship in its full format next year.

THE long floated showdown between boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor could possibly take place next year, but with added dimension to it as the Filipino champion would use part of the proceeds from the fight to help victims here of the coronavirus pandemic.

PARIS — French Open organizers have had enough problems dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the dwindling number of fans on site and inclement weather, but they faced another controversy on Friday — criticism of the choice of ball for this year’s edition.

JOSE Abreu drilled a go-ahead, bases-clearing double in the fourth inning, and James McCann and Yoan Moncada homered to lift the host Chicago White Sox past the Chicago Cubs 9-5 on Saturday to snap a six-game losing streak.

FORMULA ONE (F1) need not fear any Ferrari favouritism when the Italian team’s former boss Stefano Domenicali replaces Chase Carey as chief executive in January, Red Bull principal Christian Horner said on Friday.

PARIS — Serena Williams finds it ‘weird’ having to stay in a hotel during the French Open despite owning an apartment in Paris, but the American is keeping a positive attitude as she continues her chase of a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.

Heading into Game Five of the Western Conference Finals, pundits were all too ready to consider LeBron James’ mortality. They had cause, to be sure: Even as he finished the regular season second in Most Valuable Player voting, he likewise saw himself relying on an All-Star teammate more than ever for the first time in his career. And as the Lakers plowed through the playoffs, the increased contributions of Anthony Davis, juxtaposed with his noticeable tiring in the crunch of outings, gave rise to valid contentions pointing to his losing battle with Father Time.

ROOKIE Tyler Herro — 20 years old — scored a career-high 37 points, Jimmy Butler added 24, and the Heat held off the Boston Celtics 112-109 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals Wednesday night near Orlando, moving Miami within one win of an NBA Finals berth.

Philippine Basketball Association action is set to come back beginning next month after the government approved the league’s request to hold a tournament “bubble” and resume its currently suspended season.

WORLD BOXING ORGANIZATION (WBO) bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero of the Philippines is set to defend his title this weekend against Duke Micah of Ghana in a fight that the Filipino should like his chances in, according to a local fight analyst.

WHILE they are still awaiting government approval of the Philippine Basketball Association’s  (PBA) request to resume its currently suspended season, the 12 competing teams of the league are already girding for entry into the tournament “bubble” which could happen next week.