Nuggets’ Murray tears ACL, out indefinitely
The Denver Nuggets will be without Jamal Murray indefinitely after the dynamic point guard suffered a torn ACL in his left knee.
The Nuggets announced the diagnosis in a statement Tuesday. It’s a big blow to a team coming off a season in which it advanced to the Western Conference finals and is hoping to make another deep postseason run.
Murray was hurt late in a loss at Golden State on Monday night. He drove the lane, tried to elevate off his left foot and fell to the ground, instantly grabbing his knee in pain.
Coach Michael Malone expressed immense concern soon after Murray’s injury. Same with his teammates and players around the league, who posted their well-wishes on social media.
Before Monday, the 24-year-old Murray had missed four games with a sore right knee. He is averaging 21.2 points and 4.8 assists this season as the Nuggets sit in fourth place in the West.
BOBBY ‘SLICK’
LEONARD,
88, PACERS HALL OF FAME COACH, DIES » Bobby “Slick” Leonard, the former NBA player and Hall of Fame coach who won three ABA championships with the Indiana Pacers and spent more than a half century with the organization, has died. He was 88.
His death was announced by the Pacers on Tuesday. No details were given. He had been in failing health in recent years.
Leonard had a record of 573-534 in 14 seasons as a coach, the last 12 with the Pacers. He also made the winning free throws in the 1953 NCAA Tournament to give the Indiana Hoosiers the second of its five national titles and was later named one of the school’s 50 greatest players. The two-time AllAmerican led the Hoosiers to Big Ten titles in 1953 and 1954 before joining the U.S. Army.
NFL
ARIZONA SIGNS RB CONNER TO ONE-YEAR DEAL » The Cardinals have signed running back James Conner to a one-year contract.
The Cardinals made the move after starting running back Kenyan Drake announced he was signing with the Las Vegas Raiders a few weeks ago. Conner is expected to join Chase Edmonds as the Cardinals’
main options in the backfield next season.
The 25-year-old Conner played his first four seasons in Pittsburgh and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2018. He ran for a career-high 973 yards and 12 touchdowns that year.
Tennis
MEDVEDEV OUT OF MONTE
CARLO AFTER POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST » Secondranked
Daniil Medvedev withdrew from the Monte Carlo Masters following a positive COVID-19 test.
The ATP said Medvedev has been placed in isolation. His condition is being assessed by the tournament doctor and the ATP medical team.
The clay-court tournament is back on the calendar with no fans attending after it was canceled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The ATP said Medvedev was replaced in the main draw and withdrawn from doubles competition.
College football
TENNESSEE STATE MAKES EDDIE GEORGE HIRING OFFICIAL » Tennessee State announced the hiring of former Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George as the school’s football coach.
This is George’s first coaching job. News of George’s pending hire emerged Sunday as the Tigers were finishing the season. They finished 2-5 on the season, which was moved to the spring because of the coronavirus pandemic, giving former coach Rod Reed a career 58-61 record in 11 seasons.
Golf
VACCINATED PGA TOUR PLAYERS
WON’T NEED COVID-19 TESTS » Players on the PGA Tour and affiliated circuits who have been fully vaccinated no longer will be required to take COVID-19 tests to play in tournaments, Golf Digest reported.
“As the COVID-19 vaccine is becoming more readily available, more individuals are being vaccinated,” said an email sent to players, obtained by the publication. “PGA Tour Health and Safety protocol requires individuals to continue testing onsite until 14 full days have passed since their second dose (Moderna & Pfizer) or 14 full days since their single dose (Johnson & Johnson). Once 14 days have passed, individuals are no longer required to take a COVID-19 test when considered ‘inside the bubble’ at PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions or Korn Ferry Tour events.”