Philadelphia local news, sports, jobs, cars, homes

Category: Sports Wires

  • Hall of Fame quarterback Sonny Jurgensen dies at age 91

    Hall of Fame quarterback Sonny Jurgensen dies at age 91

    Sonny Jurgensen, the Hall of Fame quarterback whose strong arm, keen wit and affable personality made him one of the most beloved figures in Washington football history, has died. He was 91.

    A Washington Commanders spokesperson confirmed Friday the team learned of Jurgensen’s death that morning from his family.

    Jurgensen arrived in Washington in 1964 in a surprise quarterback swap that sent Norm Snead to the Philadelphia Eagles. Over the next 11 seasons, Jurgensen rewrote the team’s record books.

    Eagles players (from left) Sonny Jurgensen, Pete Retzlaff, Timmy Brown and Tommy McDonald in 1963.

    He topped 3,000 yards in a season five times, including twice with Philadelphia, in an era before rules changes opened up NFL offenses. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and remains the only Washington player to wear the No. 9 jersey in a game.

  • Austin Reaves scores 35 to help Lakers snap the Sixers’ five-game winning streak

    Austin Reaves scores 35 to help Lakers snap the Sixers’ five-game winning streak

    LOS ANGELES — Austin Reaves scored 35 points in just 25 minutes, and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame Luka Doncic’s departure with a left leg injury for a 119-115 victory over the 76ers on Thursday night.

    LeBron James had 17 points and 10 assists for the Lakers, who snapped Philadelphia’s five-game winning streak with a big second-half rally in their first game back from an eight-game road trip.

    Joel Embiid had 35 points and Tyrese Maxey added 26 points and 13 assists for the Sixers, who blew a 14-point lead and nearly came back from a 16-point deficit in the second half of their first loss since Jan. 26.

    The Sixers got under the tax and took a small step back at the NBA trade deadline

    The Lakers led 110-94 with four minutes left, but the Sixers closed the gap to 116-113 when rookie VJ Edgecombe stole James’ inbounds pass and hit a three-pointer with 36 seconds to play. James had eight turnovers.

    But Maxi Kleber fed Rui Hachimura for a dunk with 12 seconds left, and the Lakers hung on.

    With 12-of-17 shooting and five three-pointers while coming off the bench, Reaves was phenomenal despite playing on a minutes restriction in his second game back from a 5½-week absence with a calf injury.

    But just when the Lakers’ core was finally healthy again, Doncic went down during their fifth win in seven games.

    Lakers guard Luka Doncic (right) left their game against the Sixers with a leg injury.

    The NBA’s leading scorer limped to the locker room with 3 minutes, 3 seconds left in the first half after apparently hurting his leg on the far end of the court moments earlier. He didn’t return for the second half due to what the Lakers called left leg soreness.

    Reaves, Doncic and James were playing in only their 10th game together during a season in which all three have struggled with significant injuries.

    The Lakers took their first lead with Reaves’ back-to-back three-pointers to open the fourth on a 21-6 run.

    The Sixers continue their west coast roadtrip by facing the Phoenix Suns on Saturday (9 p.m., NBCSP).

  • Rams QB Matthew Stafford edges Patriots’ Drake Maye for the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award

    Rams QB Matthew Stafford edges Patriots’ Drake Maye for the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award

    SAN FRANCISCO — Matthew Stafford walked away with the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award and a declaration that he’s returning to the Los Angeles Rams for another season.

    Stafford edged Drake Maye for the MVP award on Thursday night in the closest race since Peyton Manning and Steve McNair were co-winners in 2003.

    Stafford received 24 of 50 first-place votes while Maye got 23. But Maye has a chance to go home this week with a Vince Lombardi Trophy. He leads the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl on Sunday.

    Stafford, who turns 38 on Saturday, wants another opportunity to try to win his second Super Bowl ring with the Rams.

    “Oh yeah, I’ll be back. It was such an amazing season and I play with such a great group of guys and great group of coaches that I was lucky enough to finish this season healthy, and I want to make sure that I go out there and see what happens next year,” Stafford told the AP.

    Stafford brought his four daughters — all dressed in identical black-and-white dresses — to the stage to accept the award.

    He thanked his team and saved his wife and daughters for last: “You’re unbelievable cheerleaders for me. I appreciate it. I am so happy to have you at the games on the sideline with me, and I can’t wait for you to cheer me on next year when we’re out there kicking (butt).”

    It was Stafford’s way of announcing he will be back next season after contemplating retirement.

    Myles Garrett was a unanimous choice for the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award after setting a season record for sacks with 23.

    All-Pro wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba beat out Christian McCaffrey for the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year award.

    New England’s Mike Vrabel beat out Jacksonville’s Liam Coen for the AP NFL Coach of the Year award, becoming the seventh coach to win it with two different teams.

    McCaffrey became the first running back to win the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 24 years.

    Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger was a runaway winner for the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

    Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan ran away with the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

    Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels won the AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year award in the first season of his third stint with the team.

    A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league completed voting before the playoffs began. Votes were tabulated by the accounting firm Lutz and Carr.

    Voters selected a top 5 for the eight AP NFL awards. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.

    Josh Allen, the 2024 NFL MVP, received two first-place MVP votes, and Justin Herbert got the other one.

    Stafford, who earned first-team All-Pro honors for the first time in his 17-year career, finished with 366 points to Maye’s 361. Allen placed third with 91 points, Christian McCaffrey (71) was fourth and Trevor Lawrence (49) came in fifth.

    It’s McCaffrey’s second top-five finish in three years, more than any other non-quarterback since the weighted point system was implemented in 2022.

    Stafford led the NFL with 4,707 yards passing and 46 TDs. He threw eight picks and finished second to Maye with a 109.2 passer rating. Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams lost to Seattle in the NFC championship game.

    Maye had 4,394 yards passing, 31 TDs and eight picks. The second-year pro led the league in passer rating (113.5) and completion percentage (72).

    Coach of the Year

    Vrabel can get his first Super Bowl title as a head coach Sunday if the Patriots beat the Seahawks. He received 19 first-place votes to Coen’s 16 and finished with 302 points.

    Vrabel, the 2021 Coach of the Year winner with the Titans, led the Patriots from worst to first in the AFC East, a 10-win turnaround in his first season in New England.

    Coen had 239 points after leading the Jacksonville Jaguars to 13 wins and an AFC South title in his first season.

    Seattle’s Mike Macdonald got eight first-place votes and finished third (191). Chicago’s Ben Johnson received one first-place vote and came in fourth (145). San Francisco’s Kyle Shanahan had six first-place votes to place fifth (140).

    Defensive Player of the Year

    Garrett received all 50 first-place votes to become the ninth player to win DPOY multiple times and second unanimous choice following J.J. Watt, who did it in 2014. Cleveland’s edge rusher also was a unanimous All-Pro selection. Garrett previously won the award in 2023.

    “It doesn’t just start with me,” he said. “It starts with great teammates, a great organization, great coaches being able to put us in position. I’m thankful for every single one of teammates to help get me up here. It’s not possible without them.”

    Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. finished second with 77 points, Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons came in third (63) followed by Broncos edge rusher Nik Bonitto (52) and Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (42).

    Garrett surpassed both Michael Strahan (22.5) and T.J. Watt (22.5) when he sacked Joe Burrow in the final game of the regular season.

    Offensive Player of the Year

    Smith-Njigba got 14 first-place votes to McCaffrey’s 12 and finished with 272 points. McCaffrey, who won the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, had 223 points.

    Smith-Njigba caught 119 passes and led the league with 1,793 yards receiving. He had 10 TDs.

    Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, a unanimous All-Pro like Smith-Njigba, finished third with eight first-place votes and 170 points. Falcons All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson was right behind him with six first-place votes and 168 points.

    Comeback Player of the Year

    McCaffrey, San Francisco’s All-Pro do-it-all back, received 31 first-place votes and 395 points, outgaining Aidan Hutchinson. Garrison Hearst was the last running back to win it in 2001.

    Hutchinson got nine first-place votes and 221 points. Dak Prescott came in third with six first-place votes and 167 points. Lawrence got two first-place votes and finished fourth (130). Stefon Diggs came in fifth (40).

    Philip Rivers and Chris Olave each received one first-place vote.

    McCaffrey played in just four games in 2024 due to bilateral Achilles tendinitis followed by a season-ending PCL knee injury. He returned to play every game for the 49ers and had 2,126 yards from scrimmage and 17 TDs.

    Defensive Rookie of the Year

    Schwesinger received 40 first-place votes and had 441 points to become the sixth player in the last 45 seasons to win the award after not being picked in the first round. Shaq Leonard (2018) and DeMeco Ryans (2006) were the only others in the last 20 seasons. Cleveland selected Schwesinger in the second round at No. 33 overall.

    Versatile Seahawks defensive back Nick Emmanwori got seven first-place votes and finished second (199).

    Offensive Rookie of the Year

    McMillan earned 41 first-place votes after catching 70 passes for 1,014 yards and seven TDs.

    Saints quarterback Tyler Shough got five first-place votes and finished second with 168 points, way behind McMillan’s 445.

    Assistant Coach of the Year

    McDaniels received 17 of 50 first-place votes and finished with 249 points. Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph placed second with 10 first-place votes and 176 points.

  • Olympics: Finland-Canada women’s hockey game postponed due to norovirus outbreak

    Olympics: Finland-Canada women’s hockey game postponed due to norovirus outbreak

    MILAN (AP) — Finland’s women’s hockey team’s preliminary round opener against Canada on Thursday has been postponed due to a stomach virus depleting Finland’s roster.

    The game was rescheduled to Feb. 12.

    The decision to postpone the game was announced shortly after Finland completed its early afternoon practice with just eight skaters and two goalies. The remaining 13 players were either in quarantine or isolation due to a norovirus that began affecting the team on Tuesday night.

    The postponement provides Finland two extra days to rest before playing the U.S. on Saturday. Had their game against Canada not been postponed, Finnish officials were considering the possibility of a forfeiture.

    “While all stakeholders recognize the disappointment of not playing the game as originally scheduled, this was a responsible and necessary decision that reflects the spirit of the Olympic Games and the integrity of the competition,” Olympic officials announced.

    “All stakeholders thank teams, partners, and fans for their cooperation and understanding, and look forward to the rescheduled game being played under safe and appropriate conditions.”

    Team Finland officials were already weighing the likelihood of not playing before the game was postponed.

    Coach Tero Lehterä said it could be unfair to ask his 10 healthy players to compete in a full game. Lehterä also said the team has to take into account the possibility of Canadian opponents being infected as well.

    “Most of them are getting better but not healthy enough to play. And there’s the chance that if we would play, it could influence Team Canada and their health as well,” Lehterä said following practice.

    “But I couldn’t risk my players if they were ill yesterday to play tonight because that would be wrong against the individual,” he added.

    Lehterä said the first sign of the illness became apparent on Tuesday night — and after the team held a full practice earlier in the day.

    The rescheduled game falls on the second of two consecutive off days during the women’s tournament, and a day before the quarterfinals open.

    The 53-year-old Lehterä is in his first year coaching the women’s team. He played for the Finland national team in the 1990s and previously coached men’s teams.

    Lehterä did his best to stay upbeat despite the situation. At one point, he joked the last time he competed in a game with 10 players was in a beer league outing.

    “It might become a strength. I got to think positive,” he said. “We might be stronger when we come out of this. You never know.”

    Lehterä then noted the potential of facing adversity was among his first messages to the team last summer.

    “Some things might happen, you never know what happens. And you only worry about the things that we can affect,” Lehterä said. “And this is not something we can do anything about it. We have no say whether we play or not. It’s not up to us. When we’re told to show up, we show up. Whether it’s five, six, seven, 15 or 20 [players].”

    Finland captain Jenni Hiirikoski, making her fifth Olympic appearance, said players were leaning on each other for support.

    “It’s not nice, definitely. But we try to focus one day at a time,” the 38-year-old defender said. “The big thing has been how we tolerate different things. I think we try to help each other, whatever it is, and how it goes. So it’s just stay calm and focused.”

    Finland, along with Czechia, entered the tournament as medal contenders behind the two global powers — the favored Americans and defending Olympic champion Canada.

    Finland is a four-time Olympic bronze medalist, with the last coming at the 2022 Beijing Games. And the team has won bronze at the past two world championships, beating Czechia both times.

    Though the 2022 Beijing Games were played amid the Coronavirus pandemic, no games were postponed during a competition that took place in front of few fans and with participants limited to a closed bubble.

    The closest a hockey game came to being postponed or forfeited happened during a preliminary round meeting between Canada and Russia. Team Canada refused to take the ice for pregame warmups and the game time was delayed because COVID test results of Russian players were not available.

    As a compromise, Canada agreed to begin the game after officials ruled all participants had to wear facemasks.

    AP Hockey writer Stephen Whyno contributed.

  • Washington Post cuts a third of its staff in a blow to a legendary brand

    Washington Post cuts a third of its staff in a blow to a legendary brand

    The Washington Post laid off one-third of its staff Wednesday, eliminating its sports section, several foreign bureaus, and its books coverage in a widespread purge that represented a brutal blow to journalism and one of its most legendary brands.

    The Post’s executive editor, Matt Murray, called the move painful but necessary to put the outlet on stronger footing and to weather changes in technology and user habits. “We can’t be everything to everyone,” Murray said in a note to staff members.

    He outlined the changes in a companywide online meeting, and staff members then began getting emails with one of two subject lines — telling them their role was or was not eliminated.

    Rumors of layoffs had circulated for weeks, ever since word leaked that sports reporters who had expected to travel to Italy for the Winter Olympics would not be going. But when official word came down, the size and scale of the cuts were shocking, affecting virtually every department in the newsroom.

    “It’s just devastating news for anyone who cares about journalism in America and, in fact, the world,” said Margaret Sullivan, a Columbia University journalism professor and former media columnist at the Post and the New York Times. “The Washington Post has been so important in so many ways, in news coverage, sports and cultural coverage.”

    Martin Baron, the Post’s first editor under its current owner, billionaire Jeff Bezos, condemned his former boss and called what has happened at the newspaper “a case study in near-instant, self-inflicted brand destruction.”

    Journalists pleaded with Bezos for help

    Bezos, who has been silent in recent weeks amid pleas from Post journalists to step in and prevent the cutbacks, had no immediate comment.

    The newspaper has been bleeding subscribers in part due to decisions made by Bezos, including pulling back from an endorsement of Kamala Harris, a Democrat, during the 2024 presidential election against Donald Trump, a Republican, and directing a more conservative turn on liberal opinion pages.

    A private company, the Post does not reveal how many subscribers it has, but it is believed to be roughly 2 million. The Post would also not say how many people it has on staff, although the New York Times estimated that more than 300 journalists were let go.

    The Post’s troubles stand in contrast to its longtime competitor the New York Times, which has been thriving in recent years, in large part due to investments in ancillary products such as games and its Wirecutter product recommendations. The Times has doubled its staff over the past decade.

    Eliminating the sports section puts an end to a department that has hosted many well-known bylines through the years, among them John Feinstein, Michael Wilbon, Shirley Povich, Sally Jenkins, and Tony Kornheiser. The Times has also largely ended its sports section, but it has replaced the coverage by buying The Athletic and incorporating its work into the Times website.

    The Post’s Book World, a destination for book reviews, literary news and author interviews, has been a dedicated section in its Sunday paper.

    A half-century ago, the Post’s coverage of Watergate, led by intrepid reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, entered the history books. The Style section under longtime Executive Editor Ben Bradlee hosted some of the country’s best feature writing.

    All Mideast correspondents and editors laid off

    Word of specific cuts drifted out during the day, as when Cairo Bureau Chief Claire Parker announced on X that she had been laid off, along with all of the newspaper’s Middle East correspondents and editors. “Hard to understand the logic,” she wrote.

    Lizzie Johnson, who wrote last week about covering a war zone in Ukraine without power, heat, or running water, said she had been laid off, too.

    Anger and sadness spread across the journalism world.

    “The Post has survived for nearly 150 years, evolving from a hometown family newspaper into an indispensable national institution, and a pillar of the democratic system,” Ashley Parker, a former Post journalist, wrote in an essay in The Atlantic. But if the paper’s leadership continues its current path, “it may not survive much longer.”

    Fearing for the future, Parker was among the staff members who left the newspaper for other jobs in recent months.

    Atlanta paper also makes cuts

    Also on Wednesday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which stopped print editions and went all-digital at the end of last year, announced that it was cutting 50 positions, or roughly 15% of its staff. Half of the eliminated jobs were in the newsroom.

    Murray said the Post would concentrate on areas that demonstrate authority, distinctiveness and impact, and resonate with readers, including politics, national affairs, and security. Even during its recent troubles, the Post has been notably aggressive in coverage of Trump’s changes to the federal workforce.

    The company’s structure is rooted in a different era, when the Post was a dominant print product, Murray said in his note to the staff. In areas such as video, the outlet hasn’t kept up with consumer habits, he said.

    “Significantly, our daily story output has substantially fallen in the last five years,” he said. “And even as we produce much excellent work, we too often write from one perspective, for one slice of the audience.”

    While there are business areas that need to be addressed, Baron pointed a finger of blame at Bezos — for a “gutless” order to kill a presidential endorsement and for remaking an editorial page that stands out only for “moral infirmity” and “sickening” efforts to curry favor with Trump.

    “Loyal readers, livid as they saw owner Jeff Bezos betraying the values he was supposed to uphold, fled The Post,” Baron wrote. “In truth, they were driven away, by the hundreds of thousands.”

    Baron said he was grateful for Bezos’ support when he was editor, noting that the Amazon founder came under brutal pressure from Trump during the president’s first term.

    “He spoke forcefully and eloquently of a free press and The Post’s mission, demonstrating his commitment in concrete terms,” Baron wrote. “He often declared that The Post’s success would be among the proudest achievements of his life. I wish I detected the same spirit today. There is no sign of it.”

  • Jets hire former Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich as OC

    Jets hire former Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich as OC

    Frank Reich and Aaron Glenn are teammates again with the New York Jets, looking to turn around the fortunes of a frustrated franchise.

    Reich was hired Wednesday by Glenn as the Jets’ offensive coordinator — 30 years after they played together on New York’s 1-15 team. The former NFL and Stanford head coach replaces Tanner Engstrand, who agreed to part ways with the team last week after one season running the Jets’ offense.

    Amid a major coaching staff shakeup this offseason, the 64-year-old Reich gives Glenn an experienced play caller and veteran presence on the offensive side of the ball. The team hired first-time defensive coordinator Brian Duker last week to replace Steve Wilks, who was fired with three weeks left in the season.

    “Frank has a rare combination of experience, creativity, and calm under pressure,” Glenn said in a statement issued by the Jets.

    Reich met in person with Glenn and the Jets on Tuesday after the team also sat down with Darrell Bevell and Greg Roman, other finalists for the job. The team had video meetings last week with all three candidates, as well as with Ronald Curry and Lunda Wells.

    Reich went 4-8 as Stanford’s interim coach last season and was working in a senior adviser role for the Cardinal, who hired Tavita Pritchard as their coach in November. Reich was previously a head coach in the NFL for Indianapolis and Carolina.

    He played 14 years in the NFL as quarterback, including during the 1996 season with Glenn when the Jets under Rich Kotite had the fewest wins in franchise history.

    “He’s lived this game from every angle — as a quarterback in this league and as a coach who’s led offenses at the highest level,” Glenn said. “He is unique in his ability to see the game for what it is right now and adapt when appropriate. Frank understands offense and how to utilize the strengths of players.

    “I am looking forward to how he will help this team have success.”

    Reich went 40-33-1 with two playoff appearances in 4½ seasons as the head coach of the Colts before being fired in 2022. Reich, who was let go in midseason in back-to-back years, went 1-10 in a brief stint as Carolina’s coach in 2023. He previously had stops as the offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers (2014-15) and Eagles (2016-17), helping Philadelphia win the Super Bowl during the 2017 season.

    Reich spent last year as Stanford’s interim head coach, replacing Troy Taylor, and led the Cardinal to their most victories since 2020.

    With the Jets, Reich inherits an offense that finished last in the NFL in passing yards and 29th in both total yards per game and points per game this season. With Justin Fields benched after starting just nine games, the Jets are likely to add a veteran quarterback in free agency and perhaps target a potential future starter in the NFL draft.

    Fields and undrafted rookie Brady Cook, who started the last four games, are the only Jets quarterbacks under contract for next season. The team will have to make a major decision on running back Breece Hall, who is coming off his first 1,000-yard rushing season but is scheduled to be a free agent. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who was limited to seven games because of a knee injury after having 1,000 yards receiving in his first three years, is expected to be healthy and ready to play at the start of next season.

    Reich was a backup to former Jets and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason for three years at Maryland before becoming a starter during a season in which he led the Terrapins to a 42-40 victory over Miami after trailing 31-0 at halftime. He was a third-round draft pick of Buffalo in 1985 and spent most of his 10 years with the Bills as Jim Kelly’s backup.

    During the 1992 season, Reich stepped in for an injured Kelly during the playoffs and rallied the Bills from a 32-point deficit to beat the Houston Oilers in the wild-card round in what was then the biggest comeback in NFL history.

    Reich was the first quarterback in Carolina Panthers history in 1995 before joining the Jets the next season. He spent his final two years with Detroit. Reich began his coaching career as an intern with the Colts in 2006.

  • Jalen Hurts leads NFC past AFC in high-scoring Pro Bowl Games flag football exhibition

    Jalen Hurts leads NFC past AFC in high-scoring Pro Bowl Games flag football exhibition

    SAN FRANCISCO — Jalen Hurts said the flag football played in the Pro Bowl Games doesn’t have the negative connotation that it may have once had.

    If anything, Hurts believes the NFL’s all-star exhibition is as competitive as ever.

    “It is like being a kid again but it also turns competitive with everything’s that at stake,” the Eagles quarterback said after throwing three touchdown passes in the NFC’s 66-52 win over the AFC on Tuesday night. “Even with the (2028) Olympics, there’s a lot of guys that have a great passion to go out there and represent.”

    There was plenty of representation from both sides in the high-scoring event, which was played indoors this year at the Moscone Center — a convention center near downtown San Francisco — before a crowd of 3,100.

    It was the first time the Pro Bowl was held during Super Bowl week, and the host city was well represented, with 49ers greats Jerry Rice and Steve Young — who have a combined 20 Pro Bowl selections — serving as head coaches. The Super Bowl is Sunday at the 49ers’ home, Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

    Dak Prescott of the Cowboys wore a bucket hat and passed for four touchdowns, while the Lions’ Jared Goff threw two TD passes.

    For the AFC, the Bengals’ Joe Burrow threw for a touchdown and was credited with a passing and receiving score on the same play when he and Dolphins running back De’Von Achane pulled off a trick play in the first half.

    It was a good day all around for Burrow and his Bengals teammates.

    Cincinnati wide receiver Tee Higgins caught touchdown pass from Burrow’s backup, Joe Flacco, while receiver Ja’Marr Chase had a highlight on defense — a one-handed interception of Goff that he returned 50 yards for a TD.

    Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders started for the AFC and threw for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Sanders was a late addition to the event as the replacement for Drake Maye, who’s preparing to lead the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

    Broncos tackle Garrett Bolles got in on the fun, catching one of Sanders’ TD throws.

  • VJ Edgecombe scores 25 as Sixers beat Warriors 113-94 for fifth straight win

    VJ Edgecombe scores 25 as Sixers beat Warriors 113-94 for fifth straight win

    SAN FRANCISCO — Rookie VJ Edgecombe had 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, Andre Drummond added 12 points and 12 rebounds, and the 76ers won their fifth straight game, 113-94 on Tuesday night over the Golden State Warriors, who were missing Stephen Curry because of a painful right knee.

    Trendon Watford had 16 points and eight rebounds off the bench while Adem Bona made all five of his first-half field goals in nine minutes to help the Sixers to a 58-57 lead at the break. Bona finished with 11 points.

    Joel Embiid not sweating All-Star Game snub: ‘I don’t need any validation from anybody’

    Philadelphia’s second bus arrived only about 75 minutes before tipoff because of Bay Area traffic, but coach Nick Nurse was unconcerned about his team having a prolonged warmup since it was the second game of a back-to-back. The Sixers beat the Clippers 128-113 on Monday.

    Curry exited early from Golden State’s 131-124 loss to Detroit on Friday because of the troublesome knee. Forward Jonathan Kuminga, whose future with the franchise remains uncertain, sat out his fifth straight game with a bone bruise in his left knee.

    Gui Santos and Pat Spencer scored 13 points apiece and Moses Moody added 12 for the Warriors, who lost a third straight game at home.

    Sixers center Andre Drummond finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds against Golden State on Tuesday night.

    With Golden State trailing 16-9 early, Draymond Green and Al Horford hit consecutive three-pointers midway through the first quarter on which they both assisted for the other. Golden State hit eight three-pointers in the opening period and shot 12-for-19 overall from deep. Horford had 10 points playing through foul trouble.

    The Sixers their five-game West Coast swing at the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night (10 p.m., NBCSP).

  • James Harden traded to Cavaliers in deal that sends Darius Garland sent to Clippers, source says

    James Harden traded to Cavaliers in deal that sends Darius Garland sent to Clippers, source says

    James Harden is headed to the Cleveland Cavaliers, with the Los Angeles Clippers agreeing to send the 11-time All-Star back to the Eastern Conference during his highest-scoring season in six years, a person with knowledge of the agreement said Tuesday night.

    ESPN was first to report the deal was finalized.

    The Cavaliers are giving up point guard Darius Garland and a second-round pick, said the person, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade has not yet been approved by the NBA.

    Celtics adding Nikola Vučević in trade with Bulls, source says

    That approval could come by Wednesday, when the Cavaliers and Clippers face off in Inglewood, California.

    Harden is averaging 25.4 points this season, his most since averaging 34.3 points in 2019-20. He’s been a huge part of the Clippers’ resurgence back into playoff — or, at least, play-in — contention after a dismal 6-21 start.

    “He means a lot to our team and we’ve seen it the last three years,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said Monday night when stories began breaking indicating such a move was close. “Who wouldn’t want to have James Harden?”

    Cleveland will become Harden’s sixth team. He played for Oklahoma City, then Houston, then Brooklyn, then Philadelphia and, since 2023, the Clippers.

    Darius Garland (right) was drafted by Cleveland in 2019.

    For the Cavaliers, it seems to be a move for right now — pairing the 36-year-old Harden with another star guard in Donovan Mitchell. For the Clippers, it seems to be a move with an eye on the future — the 26-year-old Garland is a two-time All-Star, averaging 18 points and 6.9 assists this season for Cleveland.

    Harden opted out of the final year of his contract last summer with the Clippers to sign a new deal that would have been worth $81.5 million for this season and the 2026-27 campaign. Next year is at his option, which basically meant he was on a one-year contract anyway.

    He got that deal after averaging 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 8.7 assists and returning to the All-NBA team for the first time since 2019-20.

  • Celtics adding Nikola Vučević in trade with Bulls, source says

    Celtics adding Nikola Vučević in trade with Bulls, source says

    The Boston Celtics are adding some frontcourt depth for the playoff run, agreeing Tuesday to acquire Nikola Vučević from the Chicago Bulls for guard Anfernee Simons, a person with knowledge of the pending trade said.

    There is a package of second-round draft capital also involved in the trade, said the person, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal is still pending the required league approval.

    The 35-year-old Vučević is joining his fourth team after stints with the 76ers, Orlando and the Bulls. He has averaged 16.9 points and 9.0 rebounds this season, roughly matching his career marks of 17.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.

    Simons was with the Celtics for just this season, after coming to Boston in the trade last summer that sent Jrue Holiday to Portland. He averaged 14.2 points this season for the Celtics, who entered Tuesday tied with New York for second in the Eastern Conference despite being without Jayson Tatum all season while he recovers from a torn Achilles tendon.

    The move will also lessen Boston’s tax bill considerably, from about $39 million to roughly $17 million. There are other financial flexibilities that the Celtics pick up as part of the deal as well, which could be turned into other moves.

    Both players are set to be free agents this summer.