SPORTS SHORTS
NHL: Jury trial for 5 players granted
The five hockey players charged with sexual assault in Canada have asked for and been granted a trial by jury. There was no word when the trial for Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the Devils, Carter Hart of the Flyers, Dillon Dube of the Flames and former NHL player Alex Formenton will be set. Daniel Brown, one of the lawyers representing Formenton, confirmed the request for a jury trial in an email Wednesday to the Associated Press.
MLB: Wife of Tim Wakefield dies
Stacy Wakefield, 53, the widow of former Red Sox knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield, died Tuesday about five months after her husband.
Both Stacy and Tim were battling cancer before their deaths. The Red Sox announced Stacy’s passing and distributed a statement from the Wakefield family. The Wakefields married in 2002; they are survived by their son, Trevor, and daughter, Brianna.
The Yankees have added another utility candidate to the mix, claiming Jahmai Jones off waivers from the Brewers on Wednesday. To open a spot on the 40-man roster, they designated corner infielder Jordan Groshans for assignment. Jones, 26, has played second base in the majors and outfield in the minors. — Greg Joyce
Hector Ortiz, who spent the past 18 years as a manager and coach in the Rangers organization, died Wednesday after a long battle with cancer. He was 54.
NBA: Lakers rally to beat Clippers
LeBron James scored 19 of his 34 points during a brilliant fourth quarter, leading the Lakers back from a 21-point deficit for a dramatic 116-112 victory over the Clippers in Los Angeles.
In Toronto, Luka Doncic had 30 points, 16 assists and 11 rebounds on his 25th birthday for his 11th triple-double of the season as the Mavericks beat the Raptors 136-125.
In Chicago, DeMar DeRozan scored 35 points and the Bulls outlasted the Cavaliers 132-123 in overtime.
ETC.: No. 4 Tennessee wins
Dalton Knecht matched his career high with 39 points, including 27 in the second half, to lift No. 4 Tennessee to a 92-84 victory over No. 11 Auburn in Knoxville, Tenn.
Virgil, the former WWE star best known for being the bodyguard for the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, has died, according to a post on his verified Instagram account. Michael Jones, known in the ring as Virgil, was 61.