Irving leaves game after taking elbow to face
Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving left Friday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets after taking an elbow to the face.
Boston center Aron Baynes’ elbow inadvertently struck Irving in the face when he was landing after a rebound attempt at the 10:10 mark of the first quarter. Irving fell to the floor and was bleeding from the nose area as he was escorted back to the locker room.
Irving missed the rest of the game and the team said he was being monitored for possible concussion symptoms.
It is the latest injury concern for Boston. Starting forward Al Horford was out for the second straight game with a concussion. Boston also lost Gordon Hayward for the season after a gruesome leg injury on opening night.
Chicago to host 2020 All-Star game
For the NBA, Chicago was a slam dunk to host the 2020 All-Star game.
The city will host the showcase event for the first time since 1988, when Michael Jordan took off from the foul line in an epic dunk contest and delivered an MVP performance in the game.
Commissioner Adam Silver, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Bulls executives Michael Reinsdorf and John Paxson were on hand Friday for the announcement on the United Center floor.
Silver said Chicago faced “a lot of competition” to bring it back and the city’s plan put it “over the top.”
Renovations in and around the arena, a new 10,000-seat facility on the Near South Side and Emanuel’s desire helped bring in this one. So did a change of heart by the Bulls.
Drummond, Jackson lead Pistons past Hawks
Andre Drummond had 16 points, 20 rebounds and a career-high seven assists, and former Oklahoma City Thunder guard Reggie Jackson made a pair of 3-pointers in the final minute to lift the Detroit Pistons to a 111-104 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.
The Central Divisionleading Pistons won for the seventh time in eight games. Detroit (9-3) is off to its best start since 2005-06, when the Pistons went 10-2 to begin the season and ended up winning 64 games.
The Pistons outscored Atlanta 31-19 in the second quarter and led 57-41 at halftime, but couldn’t shake the Hawks. Atlanta kept it close and finally tied it at 94 when Kent Bazemore made back-to-back 3-pointers.