NBA warns stiff penalties for protocol breaches Spence easily beats Garcia
NBA teams that do not comply with league rules designed to minimize the spread of the coronavirus this season could face major penalties such as forfeiting games or draft picks, the league told its franchises Saturday.
The league also said that it and the National Basketball Players Assn. will discuss players, coaches and other staff “being required to receive a coronavirus vaccine” when it becomes available, strongly urged teams to encourage players and personnel to get f lu shots, and said that effective immediately Tier 1 and Tier 2 personnel — which basically means players, coaches and some essential staff — must avoid bars, lounges, clubs, most live entertainment or gaming venues, public gyms, spas and pool areas.
North Carolina State’s men’s basketball game against Connecticut was canceled because of a positive COVID-19 test.
Errol Spence Jr. defended his WBC and IBF welterweight championships with a unanimous decision over Danny Garcia in the Texan’s first fight since a car crash that almost derailed his promising career.
Two judges scored it 116112 for Spence with the other at 117-111 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It was Spence’s third title defense on his home turf and came 14 months after he escaped injury in a high-speed crash near downtown Dallas.
Marvin Vettori won by unanimous decision against Jack Hermansson in the middleweight main event of UFC Vegas 16.
The Tennessee Titans suspended top draft pick Isaiah Wilson for Sunday’s game for violating club rules after already declaring the rookie out against the Cleveland Browns. ... The Detroit Lions released receiver Marvin Hall and tight end Isaac Nauta and downgraded running back D’Andre Swift to doubtful for their game Sunday because of an illness.
Former NFL player Vontaze Burfict was arrested Saturday in Las Vegas, according to court records. Online records for Las Vegas Justice Court said Burfict was charged with misdemeanor battery.
Shane Beamer will be hired as football coach at South Carolina, according to the Associated Press.
Houston Astros owner Jim Crane does not have to testify under oath about his team’s sign-stealing scandal, a judge ruled Friday.
That might happen later in pitcher Mike Bolsinger’s lawsuit against the Astros, if the lawsuit goes forward. Bolsinger sued the Astros in
February, blaming them for his inability to find another pitching job after he was shellacked in a game in Houston in 2017.
— Bill Shaikin
Emiliano Grillo shot a three-under 68 for a oneshot lead going into the final round of the Mayakoba Classic ... Yealimi Noh, 19, closed with a double bogey in the LPGA’s Volunteers of America Classic, dropping her into a tie with Inbee Park and So Yeon Ryu.
Heavy favorite Princess Noor was pulled up entering the stretch, allowing another Bob Baffert entry, Varda, to win the 11⁄ 16- mile race for 2year-old fillies in the Grade 1 $300,000 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos.
— John Cherwa