Source: 76ers set to hire Rivers as new coach
NFL postpones game after 2 more positive tests
PHILADELPHIA >> There’s a new Doc in Philadelphia — one charged with reviving a 76ers organization that fell far short of NBA championship expectations.
The 76ers reached an agreement Thursday with Doc Rivers to become the latest coach to try and lead the Sixers to their first NBA championship since 1983, a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press.
Rivers takes over for Brett Brown, who was fired after the 76ers were swept in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Rivers was fired about two weeks after the Los Angeles Clippers wasted a 3-1 series lead and lost to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals.
Rivers also coached the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics, winning the NBA title with the Celtics in 2008.
Pro football
TITANS BACK TOWAITING AF
TER NFL POSTPONES GAME >> The Tennessee Titans find themselves back in a waiting mode, hoping the NFL allows them back inside
their headquarters by Tuesday. Their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers is now postponed until later in the season because of the league’s first COVID-19 outbreak.
The NFL postponed Sunday’s game in Nashville after one additional Titans player and one personnel member tested positive for COVID-19. The NFL said a new game date will be announced “shortly.” That puts Tennessee — and Pittsburgh — on a bye week sev
eral weeks ahead of schedule
he Titans are scheduled to host Buffalo (3- 0) on Oct. 11 depending on the results of daily testing.
With the two new cases, the Titans’ total is now 12: five players and seven other orga nization members since last Saturday.
Tennis
KENIN TAKES A WHILE TO
WIN, DJOKOVIC BREEZES INTO 3RD ROUND >> Fourthseeded American Sofia
Kenin started slowly under a closed roof on Court Philippe Chatrier before pulling out a 3- 6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Ana Bogdan in the second round of the French Open.
It was far easier for topranked Novak Djokovic when he followed Kenin on Chatrier and routed Ricardas Berankis 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
Roberto Carballes Baena advanced by beating ninthseeded Denis Shapovalov 7- 5, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 3- 6, 8- 6 in a match lasting five hours.
Carballes Baena will next play 18th- seeded Grigor Dimitrov, who has never reached the fourth round at Roland Garros.
In other women’s matches, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova beat Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 6-3. Also, No. 8 Aryna Sabalenka beat Daria Kasatkina 7-6 (6), 6-0, but Danish teen Clara Tauson’s surprise Roland Garros run ended when she lost to unseeded American Danielle Collins 6-2, 6-3.
Olympics
BILL TO REFORM USOPC, PRO
TECT ATHLETES APPROVED BY CONGRESS >> A bill that would give Congress the power to dissolve the U. S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s board of directors and would more than double the federation’s funding for the U.S. Center for SafeSport is headed to President Donald Trump for his signature after passing the House unanimously.
The bill was written in response to the sex abuse scandal involving Larry Nassar, the longtime team doctor for USA Gymnastics and the Michigan State athletic program, who abused more than 300 athletes, according to a congressional report. Nassar is serving decades in prison after being convicted on charges related to his abuse of athletes under the guise of treatment.
The bill proposes the USOPC provide $20 million to the center, which opened in 2017 and has the exclusive authority to respond to allegations of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct within the USOPC and its affiliated governing bodies for individual sports.
College football
STANFORD CB ADEBO OPTS OUT OF SEASON >> Stanford cornerback Paulson Adebo is opting out of the 2020 season to prepare for next year’s NFL draft.
Adebo was projected as one of the top cornerbacks in the country after leading the nation with 38 passes defensed to go along with eight interceptions his past two seasons for the Cardinal.
Motor sports
INDYCAR SETS 17 RACES AND
STOP IN NASHVILLE ON 2021 SCHEDULE >> IndyCar announced a 17-race schedule for 2021 that includes a stop at Texas Motor Speedway before the Indianapolis 500 for the first time ever.
The season will open March 7 on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, for the 10th consecutive year.
Long Beach, Toronto, Portland and the season finale at Laguna Seca all return after 2020 cancellations.