Messi’s brilliance continues with two goals, two assists in Inter Miami’s 5-1 win over Columbus Crew
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida: Inter Miami was in a midseason slump just a week ago. Lionel Messi made sure it didn’t last long.
Novak Djokovic Sport News
Indiana Pacers beat New York Knicks 125-108 in Game 6 to reach NBA Finals
INDIANAPOLIS: Pascal Siakam scored 31 points, Tyrese Haliburton had 21 points and 13 assists, and the Indiana Pacers pulled away for a 125-108 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 6 on Saturday night to reach the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history. Obi Toppin added 18 points and six rebounds against his former team as the gold-clad crowd gave the starters a roaring ovation when they departed with 47.2 seconds left. Indiana will visit Oklahoma City for Game 1 on Thursday night. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 24 points. Karl-Anthony Towns had 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson added 19 points as the Pacers’ relentless ball pressure forced New York into 17 turnovers. The Knicks still have not reached the Finals since 1999, and they couldn’t extend the series in a game that was tough and physical right from the start. Whether it was Towns limping after drawing a foul or Haliburton holding his jaw when he took a shot that knocked him to the ground, the tone was set early — and never really changed with so much at stake. Indiana finally broke open a close game by opening the second half on a 9-0 run to take a 78-63 lead courtesy of three straight 3-pointers — two from Thomas Bryant and one from Andrew Nembhard.
Scottie Scheffler has flawless card and surges into lead at the Memorial
DUBLIN, Ohio: Scottie Scheffler was at his best on a tough day at Muirfield Village, opening with 13 straight pars and then pouring it on at the end for a 4-under 68 that gave him a one-shot lead Saturday over Ben Griffin at the Memorial. Scheffler birdied four of his last five holes, finishing with a birdie from just inside 15 feet. He took the lead when Griffin missed a 3-foot par putt on the final hole. At stake for Scheffler is a chance to win for the third time in his last four tournaments and join Tiger Woods as the only back-to-back winners at the Memorial. “I don’t know what the scoring average was today, but I was definitely proud of the way I finished and it was really challenging,” Scheffler said. “Through 13 holes, I felt like I was playing really good and I was only even par.
Djokovic races into French Open fourth round
PARIS: Novak Djokovic was in a hurry on Saturday as the 24-time Grand Slam winner dismissed world number 153 Filip Misolic 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 to book his place spot in the last 16 at Roland Garros. The three-time French Open champion needed just over two hours to beat his Austrian opponent in the night session on Court Philippe Chatrier. Djokovic had previously joked that he was not keen on potentially playing the late match on center court on Saturday as it would overlap with the UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan. “It’s going to be PSG that I will support. I will definitely watch it if I’m not playing night session,” said AC Milan fan Djokovic. “Yeah, that will be nice.
Novak Djokovic scheduled to play during Champions League final
Novak Djokovic has had his request to watch the Champions League final denied after being scheduled to play on Saturday night.
Real Madrid sign Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool
MADRID: Real Madrid have signed defender Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool on a deal until 2031, the Spanish giants said on Friday. The 26-year-old England international’s contract at Anfield was drawing to an end but Madrid paid a fee to bring him in earlier so he can play in the Club World Cup. Right-back Alexander-Arnold, who has just won the Premier League title with Liverpool, came through the academy of his boyhood club and won the Champions League in 2019. He also won the Premier League in 2020 and 352 appearances for the club. The defender joins former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid, with the Spaniard appointed as their new coach to replace Carlo Ancelotti. Alexander-Arnold’s close connections to Liverpool meant that his announcement that he was leaving the club was viewed with disgust by some supporters and he was booed in the penultimate match of the season. But after club figures including former manager Jurgen Klopp and Mohamed Salah urged fans to remember the contribution he has made to Liverpool’s success over the last six years, he was roundly cheered when he lifted the Premier League trophy at Anfield last Sunday. The defender joins a Real Madrid side which failed to win a major trophy this season. Alexander-Arnold has been criticized for his defensive concentration at times but brings supreme passing vision and attacking edge down the right flank. Real Madrid have struggled at right-back this season with Dani Carvajal recovering from a long-term knee injury and winger Lucas Vazquez enduring a torrid time there out of position. Alexander-Arnold could make his Real Madrid debut when they face Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in their opening Club World Cup match on June 18 in Miami. Real
Dubai Basketball keep title dreams alive with overtime win against seven-time champions
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball edged out seven-time ABA League champions Partizan Mozzart Bet in Game 2 of the semi-finals — winning the pivotal clash 100-95 in the final five minutes of overtime to square the series.
De Bruyne is Manchester City’s ‘greatest player’ says club chairman as Guardiola prepares team for Club World Cup
ABU DHABI: Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak has provided his annual review of the season to the club’s official online channel. In Part 1 of the interview he discussed the challenges of the 2024-2025 campaign, the departure of a club legend and his trust in manager Pep Guardiola. Here are some of the highlights.