New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player on Monday.

BARCELONA — Unhappy Lionel Messi missed Barcelona’s first training session of the new season on Monday, days after his shock announcement that he wants to leave the only club he has played for professionally.

All but the most impassioned fans wrote off the Thunder heading into the 2019-20 season, and seemingly with reason. After All-Stars Paul George and Russell Westbrook departed for greener pastures, even advanced metrics pegged them to miss the postseason; in fact, conventional wisdom had them winning some 30-odd games and finishing in the lowest fourth of their conference. Head coach Billy Donovan was stuck with middling talent even as a trove of draft assets gave general manager Sam Presti leeway to oversee a rebuild. Under the circumstances, pundits foresaw a year of transition.

KAWHI LEONARD had 33 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists and the Los Angeles Clippers eliminated the Dallas Mavericks from the playoffs with a 111-97 victory in Game 6 on Sunday in the National Basketball Association (NBA) bubble near Orlando.

SPAIN’S Jon Rahm sunk a breathtaking 66-foot putt to win the BMW Championship on Sunday in a thrilling playoff victory over American Dustin Johnson.

THE PANEL currently investigating alleged quarantine violations of some collegiate teams are scheduled to meet online on Tuesday to discuss further the issue and possibly come up with a decision on sanctions to be handed down if so needed.

THE CURRENT situation with the coronavirus pandemic has presented a lot of challenges to people but one could work through them by embracing a “winning mindset.”

LEWIS HAMILTON took another step towards a record-equalling seventh Formula One title on Sunday with a dominant lights-to-flag victory in the Belgian Grand Prix.

NEW YORK — As chatty spectators so often learn the hard way, silence is golden in the sport of tennis.

ANTHONY DAVIS scored 43 points and LeBron James added 36 to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 131-122 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night near Orlando to win the Western Conference first-round series in five games.

THE LARGEST and most credible esports companies and personalities in the Philippines have come together under the revamped banner of the Philippine E-sports Organization (PeSO). Backed by telecommunications giant, Smart Communications, PeSO is comprised of the most recognizable names in Philippine esports — Bren Esports, Gariath Concepts, Mineski Philippines, The Nationals, PlayBook Esports, Tier One Entertainment, TV5, and TNC Holdings.

KOBE PARAS inked a new deal with Chooks-to-Go to serve as its ambassador, Saturday afternoon.