Lakers add talented big man Drummond
Andre Drummond announced on Instagram that he’s joining the Lakers for the playoff push. Drummond agreed to a buyout Friday from the Cavaliers, who acquired the four-time NBA rebounding champion last year after nearly eight seasons with the Pistons.
Drummond averaged 17.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 25 starts for the Cavs this season but hasn’t played since Feb. 12, when he was benched so the Cavs could give more playing time to youngster Jarrett Allen.
The Lakers have been using the inconsistent
Marc Gasol and the undersized Montrezl Harrell at center. The last Laker to top Drummond’s career average of 13.8 rebounds per game in a season was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975-76, and the Lakers have had just one league rebounding champ in those ensuing 45 years: Dwight Howard in 2012-13.
† The Thunder waived guard Austin Rivers, who they got from the Knicks at the trade deadline.
NFL
Decision on 17th game coming
The NFL is expected to add a 17th game to the regular season during virtual league meetings held Tuesday and Wednesday. The league has had a 16-game schedule since 1978. The preseason likely will be cut to three games.
The 17th game, which the players’ union approved in the collective-bargaining agreement in March 2020, will be against a team from the other conference.
† The Chiefs signed defensive tackle Jarran Reed to a one-year, $7 million deal.
MLB
Twins give Dobnak extension
The Twins reportedly agreed on a five-year, $9.25 million extension for starting pitcher Randy Dobnak. The right-hander, 26, is 8-5 with a 3.12 ERA in 19 career appearances, including 15 starts.
Dobnak will pitch out of the bullpen to start the season.
† Madison Bumgarner will make his second consecutive Opening Day start for the Diamondbacks when they travel to face the Padres on Thursday.
† Brewers reliever Justin Topa (right elbow) will open the
season on the injured list
MISCELLANEOUS
Wolves edge IceHogs
Forward Jamieson Rees scored twice, including the game-winner with 16:34 to go to lift the visiting Wolves (12-2-0-1) to a 5-4 victory against the Rockford IceHogs. Tanner Jeannot, Sean Malone and Ryan Suzuki also scored.
† Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad was taken off the ice on a stretcher with a serious left leg injury during the second period of a 4-1 victory against the host Stars.
† Billy Horschel made only one birdie but was able to defeat Scottie Scheffler 2 and 1 in the championship match to win the Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin, Texas.
† Gio Reyna scored on a deflected shot off a pass from Christian Pulisic in the 30th minute and Pulisic converted a penalty kick in the 59th and the United States beat Northern Ireland 2-1 in a soccer friendly in Belfast. It was the Americans’ first win at a European opponent in six years. The U.S. is ranked 22nd, while Northern Ireland is 45th.
† The U.S. missed its third consecutive Olympic men’s soccer tournament, losing to Honduras 2-1 in a qualification game. The Olympics is an under-23 tournament.
† Rain washed out NASCAR’s Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway in its first attempt to run a dirt race since 1970. They will try again at 3 p.m. Monday.