Clash at Daytona kicks off NASCAR’s 71st racing season
Anthony Davis returned from a three-week absence to score 32 points before his New Orleans Pelicans teammates took over in the fourth quarter of a 122117 victory over the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
Davis, who was booed during his pregame introduction and whenever he touched the ball during his first appearance since asking for a trade and recovering from a finger injury, made 11 of 15 field-goal attempts and 10 of 11 freethrow attempts. He also grabbed nine rebounds.
The All-Star forward sat out the final 15-plus minutes of a close game, but there was no indication of a health issue as he stayed on the bench.
MAGIC WANTS TO CLEAR AIR >> Los Angeles Lakers president Magic Johnson reportedly will hold a meeting with players after a failed attempt at trading many of them for Davis. The meeting will be held this weekend in Philadelphia, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday, citing two unnamed sources.
AINGE CONFIDENT IRVING WILL STAY >> Danny Ainge is confident All-Star guard Kyrie Irving will put a ring on his relationship with the Boston Celtics this summer. Speaking on Boston sports radio 98.5 “The Sports Hub” on Friday, the Celtics’ president said the team and Irving have an “engagement.”
“The way I viewed the situation is that I think a lot of people, because of Kyrie’s announcement at the beginning of the year, thought that it was a marriage,” Ainge said of Irving’s public proclamation last fall that he would remain with the Celtics instead of pursuing free agency. “And I think that it’s more like an engagement. And we’re going to get married on July 1st. I think that engagement is still on, as far as I know.” PISTONS READY TO SIGN ELLINGTON >> The Detroit Pistons are close to signing free agent guard Wayne El- lington, multiple outlets reported. According to Yahoo Sports, Detroit will waive forward Henry Ellenson to make room on the roster. Ellington was bought out by the Phoenix Suns after being traded to Phoenix by the Miami Heat.
MALONE STATUE UNVEILED >> The Philadelphia 76ers unveiled a statue of the late Moses Malone, hours before they retired Malone’s No. 2 at halftime of their 117-110 victory over the Nuggets.