Connect with us

Sports

Lakers hold off Pelicans' 2nd-half surge to earn No. 7 seed in NBA Playoffs

Published

on

Lakers hold off Pelicans' 2nd-half surge to earn No. 7 seed in NBA Playoffs

The Los Angeles Lakers are heading to the first round of the NBA Playoffs as they defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 110-106, on Tuesday night.

The Lakers are now the No. 7 seed in the West, and they will be pitted against the Denver Nuggets, the reigning NBA champions, in the first round. 

At one point, the Lakers had an 18-point lead, but Zion Williamson, who finished the game with a season-high 40 points, took a perfect alley-oop feed from Jose Alvarado to tie it at 93 apiece with less than four minutes to play. 

LeBron James, #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers, looks on during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2024 Play-In Tournament on April 16, 2024 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. (Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

Advertisement

Williamson would tie it again with 3:13 to play with a floater in the lane, but he was hurt during the score – something the home team did not want to see. He went back to the locker room, slamming his towel into the floor as his injury was clearly enough to need further testing. 

There was no word throughout the rest of the game on what exactly Williamson was dealing with. 

With Williamson out now, the Lakers and Pelicans went back and forth on the scoreboard, as LeBron James knocked down two free throws, followed by the Pelicans’ answer with a Larry Nance Jr. dunk. James came right back with a fadeaway two-pointer to regain a four-point lead for the Lakers. 

LAKERS LEGEND MAGIC JOHNSON RIPS ‘RIDICULOUS’ IDEA TEAM SHOULD LOSE PLAY-IN GAME TO AVOID FACING NUGGETS

The score was 101-100 with less than a minute to play following Nance missing one of two free throws, and D’Angelo Russell had ice in his veins when Austin Reaves kicked one out for a wide open three. He buried the shot and turned around to say something to the Pelicans’ bench, as the Lakers now owned a four-point lead with 51.1 left on the clock. 

Advertisement

CJ McCollum would hit his mid-range jumper to cut the Lakers’ lead to two, and the Lakers tried to kill the clock with James at the top of the key. When his fadeaway shot did not reach the rim, Davis fought through traffic in the paint, caught the rebound and got fouled on the way up. 

Davis knocked down both free throws, the biggest of the night, against his old team. 

Zion Williamson, #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans, drives against Taurean Prince, #12, and LeBron James, #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers, during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on April 16, 2024 in New Orleans. (Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Needing an answer, it was McCollum again on the other end of the floor, making a driving layup with 11 seconds to play. McCollum would immediately foul Reaves, and the Pelicans could only hope he missed free throws to give them a chance. 

However, Reaves knocked them both down, and even though Nance made a shot at the other end with three seconds left, Davis hit two more free throws. They made 11 consecutive free throws to end the game, which is what good teams do to close out their opponent. 

Advertisement

Despite the loss, the Pelicans still have a chance to become the eighth and final seed in the West. They will take on the winner of the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings game later Tuesday night.

Looking at the stat sheet, all five Lakers starters finished with double-digit points, but none better than James, who had 23 on 6-of-20 shooting and a perfect 10-of-10 from the charity stripe. He also had nine rebounds and nine assists, falling just short of a triple-double. 

Russell had a great night from the field, shooting an even 50% (7-of-14) including 5-of-11 from three-point territory for 21 points. Davis had 20 points and 15 rebounds for a double-double, while Reaves finished with 16 points, and Rui Hachimura had 13 of his own. 

D’Angelo Russell, #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers, celebrates during the first half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on April 16, 2024 in New Orleans. (Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Advertisement

For the Pelicans, Alvarado played a key role off the bench at point guard, totaling 10 points and seven assists. McCollum, despite hitting big shots late, was just 4-of-15 from the floor for nine points, going 1-of-9 from beyond the arc.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. 

Advertisement

Sports

Trump to present FIFA World Cup winners with trophy

Published

on

Trump to present FIFA World Cup winners with trophy

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

President Donald Trump will present the FIFA World Cup trophy to the winner of the match between Spain and Argentina on Sunday, a White House official confirmed to Fox News.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said last month on “Fox & Friends” that he and Trump would deliver the trophy to the winning team’s captain on the field of New York/New Jersey Stadium.

WATCH ARGENTINA VS SPAIN LIVE

Reece James of Chelsea lifts the FIFA Club World Cup trophy on stage with President Donald Trump after Chelsea’s victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025 final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

Advertisement

Infantino also said at the time that Trump would attend the contest. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the president’s attendance “a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America’s ability to host the world on the grandest stage.”

Trump was on stage during the FIFA Club World Cup trophy presentation after Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

Earlier in the World Cup, Trump got involved in one of the World Cup’s biggest controversies, calling Infantino and requesting a review of Folarin Balogun’s red card. Balogun was suspended for Team USA’s Round of 16 match, but he was later ruled eligible for the game.

President of FIFA Gianni Infantino and President Donald Trump prepare to present the trophy to Chelsea FC following the World Cup final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on July 13, 2025. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

Advertisement

Trump has yet to attend a World Cup match, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio was spotted at the U.S. Men’s National Team’s opener against Paraguay, a 4-1 win on June 12.

The president was awarded the first FIFA Peace Prize at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., during the World Cup final draw in December.

President Donald Trump speaks after receiving the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the World Cup 2026 Final Draw. (Amber Searls-Imagn Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Trump recently attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, while the White House played host to UFC Freedom 250 last month. An IndyCar race will take place in Washington, D.C., next month.

Advertisement

Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

Continue Reading

Sports

Shohei Ohtani scratched from next pitching start, return to mound unclear

Published

on

Shohei Ohtani scratched from next pitching start, return to mound unclear

The Dodgers don’t know when Shohei Ohtani will take the mound next.

He was tentatively scheduled to start Wednesday against the Phillies, after promising initial reports on his recovery from an injection in his left knee. But after seeing his knee’s response to playing catch, the team decided to give him more time.

“We just want to continue to give it the best chance to kind of get into a good spot,” manager Dave Roberts said. “And as he said, as we feel, it’s the pitching and the torque of landing on that leg that kind of gets it upset.”

It was clear enough from catch play that Ohtani’s start would have to be pushed back that Ohtani did not feel the need to test it by throwing off a mound, Roberts said.

“Where we’re at right now, how we’re proceeding, I would say that it’s going to be some time,” Roberts said. “It’s not going to be a day-to-day thing.”

Advertisement

That left a wide range of timeline possibilities, from days to weeks. Roberts did, however, rule out shutting Ohtani down from pitching for the rest of the season.

“I guess anything is possible, but I just don’t think that’s a possibility,” he said.

To fill Ohtani’s spot in the rotation this week, the Dodgers moved right-hander Emmet Sheehan’s start to Monday. Before the rainout bumped the second game of the series against the New York Yankees, Sheehan was scheduled to start Saturday.

For Sunday’s doubleheader, right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the mound in the first game. The bullpen, and potentially multiple innings from the 27th man, will cover the nightcap.

“Honestly, a lot of it is where we’re at and how we’ve put ourselves in a good spot,” Roberts said of the MLB-leading Dodgers. “Could [Ohtani] probably do it? Sure. But right now, the benefits just don’t seem to outweigh the cost at this time of the season. So I think we still have plenty of time to get him to a good spot to then pitch.”

Advertisement

Ohtani, who went hitless in four at-bats as the designated hitter in Friday’s 2-1 win, was set to DH and hit leadoff in Sunday’s first game.

Continue Reading

Sports

England beats France in instant classic to earn third place at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Published

on

England beats France in instant classic to earn third place at 2026 FIFA World Cup

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

It’s the game that no one ever wants to play in, but there was still a lot on the line for both England and France in the third-place match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday.

Both teams hit the pitch at Miami Stadium (also known as Hard Rock Stadium) after some tough semifinal losses: France to Spain, and England to reigning champs Argentina.

France was looking for redemption after coming up short in a tournament where they were widely viewed to be the favorite. Plus, this match presented an opportunity for French star Kylian Mbappe to overtake Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.

WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE

Advertisement

England’s Bukayo Saka scores during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Bronze Medal Match. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

However, they were up against an England team that had played well throughout the tournament and was 2-1 against them in World Cup matches. Their two most offensively potent players this tournament, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, both started the match on the bench.

Well, in the early going, it turns out that England had enough offensive firepower to get things started.

In just the 3rd minute, Declan Rice hit paydirt to open the scoring.

Only about ten minutes later, England put another one in the back of the net; however, it was deemed to have been offside.

Advertisement

But even with the big guns sitting on the bench, England was easily the more offensively productive team early, with Ezri Konsa adding another off of a corner in the 18th minute.

But why not make it three?

In the 37th minute, Bukayo Saka scored a goal that was certainly not how the Three Lions would’ve drawn it up, but it counts just the same.

And while you’re at it, Mr. Saka, just tack on another for good measure.

FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE

Advertisement

England took a 4-0 lead into halftime after one of the most lopsided first halves of the tournament, and few expected France to be on the receiving end, especially with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham still on the bench.

And, honestly, it could’ve been worse.

France bounced back from a nightmare first half, and star Kylian Mbappe scored a pair to take the lead in the Golden Boot race and make history. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)

Fortunately for France, they did exactly what they needed to and came out firing in the second half. Mbappe got them on the board in the 48th minute, and put himself ahead of Messi in the Golden Boot race, and even with him in career World Cup goals at 21.

Then, just minutes later, France’s Bradley Barcola added another to make it a 4-2 game.

Advertisement

So, while the first half was all England, the second was all about France, and in the 66th minute, Mbappe made it 4-3, while also extending his Golden Boot lead and taking over the top spot on the all-time World Cup goals list.

What. A. Match.

Who cares about third place, right?

England’s Jude Bellingham and Reece James celebrate Bukayo Saka’s (center) third goal of the Bronze Final match in Miami. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

But after getting several opportunities to tie it up, England was awarded a penalty kick, and that went to Bukayo Saka, who buried it for the hat trick and to give England a little breathing room late in the match.

Advertisement

It’s hard to believe he didn’t play a single minute in the semifinal loss to Argentina, right?

And that breathing room was important, because France wasn’t going to go quietly.

But England answered back immediately with a beauty from Jude Bellingham, his seventh of the tournament, and that was all she wrote.

Unbelievable.

The final score was, incredibly, 6-4. That was the most goals scored in a World Cup third-place match ever, topping the one in 1958 between France and West Germany.

Advertisement

With that win, England may have come up short when it comes to bringing a World Cup title back home, but that was their best finish in a World Cup since they won it in 1966.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

It was an incredible match, and now there’s only one left and its for the World Cup title.

Spain and Argentina will meet on Sunday afternoon at New York-New Jersey Stadium, with the match scheduled to start at 3 pm ET.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending