Jordan smack was ‘endearment’

Hornets owner Michael Jordan says lightly smacking the back of second-year guard Malik Monk’s head in closing seconds of Wednesday night’s win against the Pistons was a “tap of endearment.”

Monk and teammate Bismack Biyombo ran from the bench on to the court to celebrate as Jeremy Lamb launched a 22-footer game-winning shot with 0.3 seconds left. Officials gathered at the scorer’s table and assessed the Hornets a one-shot technical foul for having six men on the floor.

Jordan told The Associated Press Thursday there was no malicious intent when he playfully smacked Monk on the back of his head.

The Hornets owner, said, “It was like a big brother and little brother tap. No negative intent. Only love!”

The Pistons made the one technical foul shot, but Lamb’s basket was allowed to stand and the Hornets won, 108-107.

Soccer

FRENCH LEAGUE CANCELS GAMES AMID CIVIL UNREST >> Three more French league soccer matches have been postponed at the request of authorities.

Saturday’s match between Amiens and Angers, as well as Sunday’s Brittany derby between Guingamp and Rennes, and Marseille’s home game against Bordeaux will now be played at a later date.

The French league says the reason for the cancellations is because police forces are being stretched.

Saturday’s matches between Nantes and Montpellier, and Caen and Toulouse have also been postponed.

But Nice’s home game against Saint-Etienne initially set for Friday and then among those postponed will now go ahead on Sunday.

The also league said the Caen match against Toulouse will be played on Tuesday.

Six matches were postponed last week amid security concerns about anti-government protests. Those six matches are rescheduled for Jan. 15 and 16.

Swimming

U.S. SETS WORLD RECORD >> The United States has set a world record in the 4x50-meter mixed medley relay at the world short-course swimming championships.

Caeleb Dressel, Kelsi Dahlia, Michael Andrew and Olivia Smoliga won in 1 minute, 36.40 seconds, finishing .65 seconds ahead of the Netherlands.

American swimmers held the previous record of 1:37.17 set in Glasgow in 2013.

Also, Kirill Prigoda of Russia set a world record in the 200 breaststroke. Prigoda won in 2:16.

Koch held the previous record of 2:00.44 set in Berlin in 2016.