San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
James fined $15K for obscene gesture
LeBron James was fined $15,000 for an obscene gesture Friday by the NBA, which also warned the Lakers superstar about using profane language.
James made the gesture after making a shot late in Los Angeles’ 124-116 overtime victory in Indiana on Wednesday night.
He had missed a loss at New York a night earlier after he was suspended one game for hitting Detroit center Isaiah Stewart in the face and drawing blood last Sunday. He used profanity in his postgame interview after the victory in Indiana when discussing the suspension.
Also Friday, the NBA fined Portland’s Robert Covington $15,000 for throwing his face mask at a referee Wednesday.
EMBIID RETURNS AFTER 9-GAME COVID ABSENCE
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid returned Saturday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves after missing nine games because of COVID-19 protocols.
The four-time All-Star hadn’t played since Nov. 6, with the 76ers going 2-7
without him. Embiid is averaging 21.4 pints and
9.6 rebounds in 10 games this season. He also sat out on Nov. 1 against Portland to rest.
Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers said before the game that Embiid would be a game-time decision. The center went through his normal pregame routine, then received a raucous standing ovation from the fans during introductions.
SUNS 118, KNICKS 97
Devin Booker scored 32 points and visiting Phoenix beat New York 118-97 on Friday night for their 15th straight victory, matching the secondlongest winning streak in franchise history.
Chris Paul had 14 points and 10 assists to help the Suns improve to 16-3. Deandre Ayton added 14
points and 13 rebounds.
Kemba Walker scored 17 points for the Knicks.
KINGS 141
LAKERS 137 (3 OT)
De’Aaron Fox scored 34 points, Buddy Hield added 25 off the bench, including the bucket to force the second overtime, and visiting Sacramento eventually pulled away from Los Angeles on Friday.
LeBron James and Russell
Westbrook had 30 and 29 points, respectively, for the Lakers. Westbrook added 10 rebounds and 11 assists, and Malik Monk chipped in 20 points off the bench.
WARRIORS 118 TRAIL BLAZERS 103
Stephen Curry had 32 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, Andrew Wiggins scored 25 points and host Golden State beat Portland on Friday for its sixth straight victory.
WIZARDS 101, THUNDER 99
Kantavious CaldwellPope scored a season-high 20 points, Bradley Beal also had 20 and visiting Washington rallied past Oklahoma City on Friday.
Lu Dort led Oklahoma City with 21 points. The Thunder have lost seven of eight.
HAWKS 132, GRIZZLIES 100
Trae Young had 31 points and 10 assists to lead visiting Atlanta past Memphis on Friday in a game where the Grizzlies lost point guard Ja Morant to a left knee injury.
The Hawks won their seventh straight, the best active streak in the Eastern Conference.