Sports
Chris Paul’s back, Suns clinch top seed with win in Denver
![Chris Paul’s back, Suns clinch top seed with win in Denver Chris Paul’s back, Suns clinch top seed with win in Denver](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/1648275743_Chris-Paul2.jpg)
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Chris Paul was wanting to rejoin his teammates who had been having all of the enjoyable even when that meant enjoying his first sport in 5 weeks at altitude.
Paul returned from a damaged proper wrist that sidelined him because the All-Star break to assist the Phoenix Suns win their seventh straight sport and wrap up the highest seed within the NBA playoffs with a 140-130 victory over Denver on Thursday evening.
“I’ve been enjoying pickup, 3-on-3, 2-on-2, however 5-on-5 is completely totally different, particularly when your first sport again is in Denver. I imply, whew!” mentioned Paul, who had 17 factors and 13 rebounds in serving as the best wingman for Devin Booker, who scored a season-high 49 factors and 10 assists.
The quantity on Booker’s thoughts, nevertheless, wasn’t 49.
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, drives previous Denver Nuggets ahead Jeff Inexperienced, middle, who’s screened by Suns middle Deandre Ayton in the course of the second half of an NBA basketball sport Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Denver.
(AP Photograph/David Zalubowski)
“Sixty wins is one thing I by no means even considered, to be fully sincere,” he mentioned.
“Now we have a particular staff, it is that straightforward,” Paul mentioned. “However simply being again for the warmup stuff, the pregame stuff, you realize what I imply? There’s nothing like being a part of this staff. I’m simply glad that I may get again.”
The Suns trailed a lot of the sport, however used a 36-24 fourth quarter to enhance to their NBA-best street report to 30-6.
“To beat that staff, you need to play nearly good basketball,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone mentioned. “We did it for stretches tonight, however down the stretch they confirmed why they’re one of the best staff within the NBA.”
The Suns, who received 11 of the 15 video games whereas their 12-time All-Star level guard was out, lead the NBA with a 60-14 report and are attempting to make the NBA Finals for a second straight season after shedding to Milwaukee final 12 months.
“I don’t suppose one individual in our locker room wasn’t eager about 60 wins and what it meant,” Suns coach Monty Williams mentioned after rising from his boisterous locker room.
“I believe getting Chris again tonight gave us a ton of confidence,” Williams mentioned. “And E-book having the most effective performances I’ve seen him have since I’ve been right here … the truth that he’s not within the MVP dialog is simply considerably foolish.”
The big contingent of Suns followers positive serenaded Booker with chants of “MVP! MVP!” each time he stepped as much as the road — and he responded by sinking 15 of 17 free throws.
Williams mentioned earlier than tip-off he was going to restrict Paul’s minutes however that did not occur.
“I’m a liar. I mentioned I wasn’t going to play him within the 30s. However I used to be speaking to him and he stored letting me know he was advantageous,” Williams mentioned. “And as soon as he will get going you don’t want to mess with that rhythm.”
The Nuggets received 28 factors from Nikola Jokic, 23 from rookie Bones Hyland and 21 from Aaron Gordon. They shot 59.3% from the ground, however Phoenix was even hotter, hitting at a 60.5% clip.
Mikai Bridges added 22 factors for the Suns, and it was his basket that gave Phoenix the lead for good at 115-114.
Booker was 16 of 25 from the sector, whereas Bridges was 8 of 9. Booker, Bridges and Deandre Ayton performed nicely in Paul’s absence and Ayton had a career-high 35 factors Wednesday evening in a comeback victory at Minnesota. He had 16 on Thursday evening.
The Suns had been frightened that Paul would possibly miss the rest of the common season due to the thumb harm, however the veteran has been energetic in current practices in a push to return.
And although the Suns did advantageous with out Paul, Booker mentioned he was thrilled “to see him again there and see him getting his legs again.”
With a nine-game lead over second-place Memphis with eight video games left for each groups, the Suns wrapped up one of the best report within the NBA and home-court all through the playoffs.
“It’s particular, man,” Paul mentioned. “It’s been 17 years for me and solely the second time I’ve been on a staff that received 60 video games.”
TIP-INS
Suns: Phoenix received off to a gradual begin, falling behind 9-2 however Paul’s first basket tied it at 15 on the 6:33 mark. … Booker fouled Hyland exhausting on a shot that wasn’t whistled after which received fouled on the different finish on a 3-point attempt. He made all three foul pictures whereas boos rang down from the group.
Nuggets: Hyland sank 5 of seven 3-pointers within the first half when he scored 19 factors. Alongside the way in which he he surpassed Jamal Murray’s rookie report of 115 3-pointers in a season. … Jokic had an uncharacteristic eight turnovers, identical as the complete Suns staff.
TOAST MALONE
In his first feedback since his multi-year contract extension was introduced this week, Nuggets coach Michael Malone mentioned, “It is so empowering when you have got possession proceed to consider in you. Clearly, seven years in a single place in a lifetime on this enterprise. And to know that we now have work to do and we’ll be right here for some time longer. is simply actually, actually thrilling for me and my household.”
UP NEXT
Suns: Host Philadelphia on Sunday.
Nuggets: Host Oklahoma Metropolis on Saturday evening.
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Sports
France's Finot breaks steeplechase record, proposes to boyfriend
![France's Finot breaks steeplechase record, proposes to boyfriend France's Finot breaks steeplechase record, proposes to boyfriend](https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2024/08/07124940/alice-finot-scaled.jpg)
French athlete Alice Finot celebrated breaking the European women’s 3000m steeplechase record in Tuesday’s final by proposing to her boyfriend after the race.
Finot finished fourth with a time of 8:58.67 behind medalists Winfred Yavi of Bahrain, Peruth Chemutai of Uganda and Faith Cherotich of Kenya. It marked the first time four women broke nine minutes.
Finot then went to the stands to hug her boyfriend — triathlete Bruno Martínez Bargiela from Spain — and got down on one knee to propose with an Olympic pin. Bargiela said yes and Finot pinned his shirt.
French athlete Alice Finot broke the European steeplechase record, finishing fourth in the final and proposed after. 🥹 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/BreMAAsq2A
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 7, 2024
“I told myself that if I ran under nine minutes, knowing that nine is my lucky number and that we’ve been together for nine years, then I would propose,” Finot told reporters, per the Daily Mail.
“I don’t like doing things like everyone else. Since he hadn’t done it yet, I told myself that maybe it was up to me to do it. So, I gave a pin that I ran with to my boyfriend. On it, it says: Love is in Paris.”
With her proposal, Finot joined a growing list of Olympians getting engaged at the Paris Games.
Last week, China’s Huang Ya Qiong left her badminton mixed doubles final with a gold medal and a diamond ring after her boyfriend, Liu Yu Chen, a Chinese badminton player also competing in Paris, surprised her with flowers and a proposal. Huang said yes.
On Friday, French skiff sailing partners Sarah Steyaert and Charline Picon were proposed to by their respective boyfriends after winning bronze in the women’s skiff 49erFX. Their boyfriends promised Steyaert and Picon that they would get engaged if the sailing partners medaled.
U.S. shot putter Payton Otterdahl proposed to his girlfriend, Maddy Nilles, in front of the Eiffel Tower on Sunday, one day after placing fourth in the men’s shot put final. On Monday, U.S. rower Justin Best got engaged to his girlfriend, Lainey Duncan, live on the “Today” show.
The day before the Opening Ceremony, men’s handball player Pablo Simonet proposed to field hockey player Maria Campoy during a photo op for Argentina’s athletes in the Olympic Village.
(Photo: Hannah Peters / Getty Images)
Sports
Michael Phelps was 'pretty disappointed' by US men's swimming team's results at Paris Olympics
![Michael Phelps was 'pretty disappointed' by US men's swimming team's results at Paris Olympics Michael Phelps was 'pretty disappointed' by US men's swimming team's results at Paris Olympics](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/Michael-Phelps3.jpg)
The U.S. men’s swimming team’s performance at the Paris Olympics left legendary American swimmer Michael Phelps “disappointed.”
The 23-time Olympic gold medalist did not hold back when he expressed his thoughts on Team USA’s overall performance at this year’s Summer Games.
“For me as a whole, I was pretty disappointed to see the U.S. swimming results,” Phelps told USA Today. “Obviously, there were a few standout swims. And those you have to recognize.”
Phelps added that he was concerned about the team’s prospects in four years when Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Olympics. Phelps believes the U.S. no longer holds a competitive advantage over other countries in the sport.
Former Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps of the U.S. reacts as he is interviewed on the pool deck ahead of the evening session at the 2024 Summer Olympics July 28, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
“For me, one of the things that I’ve always said over the last couple years is the rest of the world is catching up,” Phelps said. “I think a lot of the things that we’ve done as a country for so long, the other people are catching up. They’re doing the same thing.”
USA MEN’S WATER POLO ADVANCES TO SEMIFINALS AFTER LAST-MINUTE GOAL, EPIC SHOOTOUT
The pool closed at the Paris Olympic Aquatic Centre with the U.S. men’s team earning one individual gold medal. This marked the first time since the 1956 Games the American men ended the Olympics with only one individual gold medal.
Bobby Finke set the world record Sunday to win gold in the 1,500-meter freestyle and help the U.S. avoid a shutout.
![Bobby Finke holds the gold](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/Bobby-Finke3.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
U.S. gold medalist Bobby Finke poses after the men’s 1500-meter freestyle during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Paris La Defense Arena in Nanterre, Paris, Aug. 4, 2024. (Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images)
“Bobby Finke, last night, swimming. That was unbelievable,” Phelps said after Finke won the gold medal. “I have chills right now talking about it. That was one of the greatest swims in the Olympics, in my opinion. Being able to break that world record in the matter that he did it. Just taking it out, challenging the other guys just to make a move. He was prepared.”
![Michael Phelps at golf](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/Michael-Phelps2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Former U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps attends the men’s golf individual stroke play of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Le Golf National in Guyancourt, Aug. 1, 2024. (Emmanuel Dunand/AFP via Getty Images)
The U.S. men’s swimming team has won at least one individual gold medal in every Olympics since the 1900 Games, which were also held in Paris.
Team USA did take the gold in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. The Americans won silver in the 4×100 medley relay, an event the U.S. has dominated in recent years.
Overall, the American swimmers won 28 medals, with Katie Ledecky leading the way on the women’s side. Team USA won a total of eight golds, edging Australia’s seven.
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Sports
For Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley, preseason opener versus Seattle is just a start
![For Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley, preseason opener versus Seattle is just a start For Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley, preseason opener versus Seattle is just a start](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/38a16d2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x1575+0+0/resize/1200x630!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F61%2F14%2Fb3d98976468e9283f44ef90dae58%2F1323589-sp-0726-henley-2-rcg.jpg)
The Chargers have listed Los Angeles native Daiyan Henley as the starting left inside linebacker on the team’s first posted depth chart of the Jim Harbaugh era but, despite the hype surrounding his progress, his psyche is unmoved.
“Reaching the NFL, that was the dream,” Henley said. “But now, it’s what’s next, and I haven’t gotten to what’s next as there is so much work to be done.”
Running alongside veteran Denzel Perryman with the first-team defense, the 2023 third-round draft pick continues to impress and aims to build trust with his coaches and teammates.
Henley’s speed and ability to cover ground have earned praise from coaches and teammates. All-Pro Derwin James noted that Henley plays like a safety at linebacker.
Henley has shown high energy on the field, where his patience sometimes has to outweigh his drive to be physical, especially in coverage.
“My first day with pads, I felt like I still had something to prove,” Henley said.
He credits his development to former All-Pro NaVorro Bowman, a San Francisco 49ers legend whose game Henley seeks to emulate.
“We get to see him do the things that we want to do,” Henley said about watching Bowman’s film. “That’s the best thing about having Coach Bo.”
Henley restrains his eagerness for physical contact, for instance when he lines up across from tight end Stone Smartt during “non-contact” team drills. That makes him eager to unleash his physical style in the first preseason game Saturday at home against the Seattle Seahawks.
“I am looking forward to the Seahawks tight end,” Henley said. “There ain’t no leash; let me off.”
Joshua Palmer nicked
The Chargers expect veteran receiver Joshua Palmer to carry a big load this season, but the last two practices have been challenging for him as he spent extra time with trainers on the sidelines.
Palmer made a diving catch Tuesday as he collided with Deane Leonard in the end zone. The wideout stayed down momentarily before trainers helped him off the field as he flexed his right knee. He later returned to practice.
After making another great catch Wednesday, Palmer groaned loudly and left the field, clearly bothered by his right leg. He walked along the sidelines and stretched with trainers. He was absent from individual catching and full team drills for the rest of practice, carrying his helmet.
Ladd McConkey also spent another practice working with trainers on the sidelines for a still undisclosed injury.
NCAA punishes Harbaugh
Harbaugh is being punished by the NCAA for recruiting violations during his tenure as Michigan’s head coach.
The organization announced Wednesday a four-year show-cause order, stating that Harbaugh made impermissible contact with recruits and players during the COVID-19 pandemic. The penalty bans Harbaugh from college athletics until August 2028, only taking effect if he unexpectedly returns to college football within the next four years.
The NCAA stated, “Harbaugh engaged in unethical conduct and failed to cooperate when he denied any involvement in impermissible recruiting contacts despite substantial information to the contrary.”
Harbaugh was not scheduled to speak with the media Wednesday.
This case is separate from the investigation into impermissible scouting and sign-stealing allegations during Michigan’s 2023 championship season, for which the Big Ten Conference suspended Harbaugh for three games.
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