NBA issues fines for Hornets-Mavs fight
The NBA fined three players a total of $85,000 on Friday for their roles in a dustup during a game between Charlotte and Dallas.
The Mavericks’ James Johnson was fined $40,000. For the Hornets, Cody Martin lost $25,000 and Caleb Martin $20,000.
The commotion happened with about 2:40 left in Wednesday’s game, a 118-99 victory by Charlotte.
The NBA said Johnson deliberately pushed Cody Martin out of bounds, “aggressively confronting him and initiating the incident.” Cody Martin’s fine was for pushing Johnson in retaliation and making contact with a game official.
Caleb Martin was fined for entering the action and making contact with a referee.
NFL: Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari will miss the rest of the season after the three-time Pro Bowl selection injured his knee in practice Thursday. Packers coach Matt LaFleur confirmed the severity of the injury Friday. The injury comes six weeks after the standout left tackle agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth up to $105.5 million with a $30 million signing bonus.
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Leonard Floyd has gone to a hospital after feeling abdominal pain shortly before practice. Floyd left the Rams’ training complex for the hospital Friday as a precaution, a team spokesman said. Floyd ranks eighth in the NFL with 9 ½ sacks in his strong debut season with the Rams (9-6), who host the Cardinals on Sunday. ... The Los Angeles Chargers will be without six starters, including both of their Pro Bowl selections, for Sunday’s season finale at Kansas City. Wide receiver Keenan Allen has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Allen, who is tied for fifth in the league with 100 receptions, missed last week’s game against Denver due to a hamstring injury he suffered in the Dec. 13 game against Atlanta. Tight end Hunter Henry will miss his second straight game as he remains on the COVID-19 list. Defensive end Joey Bosa is out for the second straight week due to a concussion and shin injury. Offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga (foot), cornerback Casey Hayward Jr. (hamstring) and safety Rayshawn Jenkins (foot) have also been ruled out along with reserve linebacker Malik Jefferson (shoulder).
College football: BYU quarterback Zach Wilson is entering the NFL draft. Wilson announced the decision Friday on Twitter. “After much thought prayer and consideration, I’m excited to announce that I will be declaring for the 2021 NFL draft,” Wilson tweeted. “I pray that I will always back Cougar Nation proud.” Wilson passed for 3,692 yards and 33 touchdowns with three interceptions this season as a junior to help the Cougars finish 11-1. He capped his BYU career with a victory over UCF in the Boca Raton Bowl.
Soccer: Tomas Soucek scored the first English Premier League goal of 2021 as West Ham beat Everton 1-0 on Friday. Soucek struck for the visitors in the 86th minute to end Everton’s streak of four league wins. The Toffees remained on 29 points with West Ham 10th on 26. Leader Liverpool has 33 points. With no fans allowed due to coronavirus restrictions, West Ham’s David Moyes registered his first win at Goodison Park as an opposition manager.