Jokic wins second NBA MVP
A person familiar with the decision said Denver’s Nikola Jokic won his second consecutive most valuable player award after a season in which he finished with numbers never before seen in NBA history.
The NBA was preparing to make the announcement official in the coming days, according to the person who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday.
ESPN, citing sources, first reported that Jokic would be named the MVP. The Nuggets’ 7-foot center was the first player in league history to eclipse 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 assists in a season.
Monty Williams, named NBA coach of the year after leading the Phoenix Suns to a franchise-record 64 wins during the regular season, said the NBA should consider having a special section in the stands reserved for the families of visiting teams in the wake of Chris Paul’s family being harassed during a playoff game in Dallas. The Suns were the NBA’s best team, finishing with eight more wins than any other team.
Brooklyn Nets guard Seth Curry had arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle and is expected to be ready for training camp in the fall.
Islanders fire coach Trotz
The New York Islanders fired coach Barry Trotz after missing the playoffs in his fourth season with the team. General manager Lou Lamoriello made the surprising announcement more than a week after the regular season ended. Trotz coached the Islanders to playoff appearances in each of his first three years with them.
The San Jose Sharks locked up two of their potential free agents early in the offseason, agreeing to twoyear deals with forward Alexander Barabanov and defenseman Jaycob Megna.
The New York Giants resleased veteran cornerback James Bradberry .A starter for the team the last two seasons, including making the Pro Bowl in 2020, Bradberry is a salary-cap casualty. He would have been a $21.9-million cap hit, so cutting him will save about $10 million . ... Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera, who had cancer and made a full recovery, was selected as the 2022 George Halas Award recipient by the Professional Football Writers of America. The Halas Award is given to an NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes adversity to succeed . ... Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay will auction off a favorite guitar from Kurt Cobain to help support the team’s mental health initiative.
Katie Volynets, 20, and Michael Mmoh, 24, earned the U.S. Tennis Assn.’s wildcard entries for the main draw of the French Open . ... Denis Shapovalov overcame a point penalty and a hostile crowd to beat local hope Lorenzo Sonego 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-3 in the first round of the Italian Open.
Atlanta United defender Miles Robinson will likely miss the World Cup for the United States after rupturing the Achilles tendon in his left leg during an MLS game. ... The trial of a pair of former 21st Century Fox Inc. executives and a sports marketing company on charges related to the U.S government investigation of corruption in soccer was postponed to Jan. 3. Hernan Lopez and Carlos Martinez and Full Play Group SA were charged in March 2020 as part of an alleged scheme related to rights to the Copa Libertadores soccer tournament, South America’s club championship. All pleaded not guilty . ... Brazil and Argentina lost their appeals to FIFA and will have to play the World Cup qualifying game that was abandoned within minutes of starting last year in Sao Paulo amid chaos on the field . ... Premier League-bound Fulham extended the contract of American defender Tim Ream through the 2022-23 season.
Former Michigan State basketball standout and NBA player Adreian Payne died in a shooting in Orange County, Fla. He was 31 . ... The CEO of New Era Cap, Christopher Koch, was arraigned on a felony charge of reckless endangerment in Buffalo, N.Y. Prosecutors said he drove his vehicle toward his girlfriend’s ex-husband during an argument over the weekend . ... Ray Scott, 88, the Alabama promoter who helped found the bass fishing industry died late Sunday of natural causes.
UCLA hired California assistant coach Janelle McDonald to take over its gymnastics program, hoping a new voice can help one of the school’s most popular teams regain its championship luster.