NEW YORK — LeBron James and his new Philadelphia 76ers teammates crashed the New York Knicks’ season-opening celebrations on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), beating the defending NBA champions, 106-100, on the night they raised their title banner at Madison Square Garden. James, 41, and entering a record-extending 24th NBA season with his fourth team, scored 14 points and handed out seven of the 76ers’ 28 assists in a tantalizing glimpse of how he will be a facilitator for younger teammates like Tyrese Maxey — who led all scorers with 28 points. “I could be a lot better,” James told broadcaster NBC. “Still getting my rhythm, obviously just a little bit over two weeks with the new squad. “But I like the way we played. I think we played exceptionally well, especially defensively.” Jaylen Brown, the former Boston Celtics star who arrived in Philly in a stunning trade for Paul George in July, scored 19 points with eight rebounds and six assists, and center Joel Embiid added 13 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 21 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 19 points with 12 rebounds, but after regaining the lead in the third quarter, the 76ers repelled every Knicks charge. The Knicks ended a 53-year title drought with their victory over the San Antonio Spurs in last season’s NBA Finals. Knicks legends including Bill Bradley, Earl Monroe and Walt Frazier handed out the Knicks’ championship rings in an emotional pregame ceremony at the Garden, where the crowd featured diehard celebrity Knicks fans like Ben Stiller and Spike Lee along with other famous faces including rocker Jon Bon Jovi and L commissioner Roger Goodell. Before the club’s third championship banner was raised to the rafters, NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Brunson told fans the Knicks were “ready to turn the page as a team.” “But one thing I would like to say — the joy that this city had this summer we’d love to replicate that again,” Brunson said of a Knicks team aiming to be the first repeat champions since 2018. James, a four-time NBA champion and the league’s all-time leading scorer, admitted that winning on another team’s ring ceremony night was especially satisfying. “It’s pretty special,” he said. In the nightcap of the opening day triple-header, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points, and the Oklahoma City Thunder rode a hot start to a 116-104 victory over Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. Wembanyama, widely tipped to end Gilgeous-Alexander’s two-year MVP reign, made just one basket in 13 attempts, an alley-oop dunk to end the third quarter. He made his presence felt with 13 rebounds and six blocked shots, and scored 12 points largely, thanks to 10 free throws. But the Spurs, led by 24 points from Stephon Castle, ultimately had no answer for an OKC outfit “hungry” after their title defense ended in a seven-game loss to San Antonio in last season’s Western Conference finals. Tempers flare “Obviously this is the team that eliminated us from achieving our goal,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “But for us, I think it was more like we’re just happy to be back. It’s a longer summer when you don’t win, and we felt that this summer.” There was plenty of tension between the young teams tipped to duel for supremacy in the West for years to come. Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox was whistled for a flagrant foul after throwing Thunder center Chet Holmgren to the court early in the second quarter, sparking a shoving match that resulted in multiple technical fouls. The Spurs made a disciplined start to the third quarter and twice got the deficit to seven in the second half only for the Thunder to pull away again. The NBA’s 81st season tipped off in Detroit, where the Pistons used a fierce second-half fightback to spoil George’s 38-point Celtics debut in a duel of last season’s top two regular-season teams. Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren scored 22 points each, and Duncan Robinson scored 15 of his 21 in the fourth quarter as the Pistons rallied for a 121-113 victory with the aid of a 23-0 scoring run.  AFP

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida — Junior Caminero took bites from a massive bone-in tomahawk steak in between questions from reporters inside a beer-soaked clubhouse as teammates danced around, sprayed bubbly and celebrated the Tampa Bay Rays’ third American League (AL) pennant. The Rays and their low payroll and small-ball style are heading to the World Series seeking the first championship in franchise history. After a three-game sweep of the rival New York Yankees in their Division Series, the Rays eliminated the Cleveland Guardians in six games by winning three in a row to close out the AL Championship Series (ALCS). Next up is a matchup against the National League champion Milwaukee Brewers, another thrifty club from a small market that also has never won a World Series. Caminero, the All-Star third baseman who hit 42 homers during the regular season, finally connected for the first time in the postseason, launching a drive off the left-field foul pole to give the Rays a four-run cushion in the seventh inning of a 7-3 win on Monday (Tuesday in Manila). He savored every second of his home run trot, emphatically pounding his chest before reaching first base and imitating Randy Arozarena’s signature pose before crossing the plate while his former Tampa Bay teammate watched from the stands. “Tampa, this is for you!” Caminero shouted to fans after the game. “Come on now! Let’s go!” Veteran slugger Yandy Díaz, who guaranteed a Game 6 victory through an interpreter on Sunday, also blasted a two-run shot, going deep in the eighth after the Guardians closed to 5-3. Díaz also celebrated with a slow trot that wasn’t quite as demonstrative. Díaz held the tomahawk steak, a tradition he started when the Rays clinched the AL East title, and flexed his arms while taking sprays of sparkling wine from teammates. “Protein, medium well, big biceps,” Díaz said with a smile. The Rays have time to enjoy their victory before heading to Milwaukee to face the Brewers in Game 1 on Friday night. They got here by winning 98 games in the regular season, thanks to excellent pitching, strong defense and a group of unselfish hitters with a knack for bunting and playing fundamental baseball. They opened the season with a payroll of $90.5 million that ranked 26th in the majors. “These guys deserve it. It’s a special group,” Rays President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander said. “These guys did an unbelievable job coming together, exploding for 98 wins and building belief in one another. I’ve never seen a group come together like this one has with so many different ways to beat an opponent on a given night, so many ways to play to the scoreboard. They don’t bludgeon people; they just find ways to win and a lot of different ways to do it.” The Rays are in the postseason for the sixth time under manager Kevin Cash. They lost the World Series to the Dodgers in 2020 and the Phillies in 2008.

NEW YORK — The L Players Association ( LPA) called for an investigation into medical care for Jalen Hurts regarding blood clots on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) while the league’s medical director supported treatment by the Philadelphia Eagles. Eagles quarterback Hurts was placed on injured reserve and is expected to miss the remainder of the season after blood clots were found in his lungs following an earlier clot in his left calf. The Eagles and Hurts’ agent said the star passer has deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary embolisms. Hurts, who led Philadelphia to a Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs last year, told team medical staff about the injury after being stepped on during a practice in London. He was diagnosed with a superficial blood clot in his calf and played against Jacksonville in London before flying home, where more examinations showed blood clots in his lungs. The league, according to a report in The Athletic, is not punishing the Eagles for how the case was handled. The L players union wants more information about the situation. “The LPA is not aware of any L investigation into the medical care provided to Jalen Hurts,” the LPA said in a statement. “In fact, the league previously informed the union that it did not plan to review the care he received. “Before conclusions are drawn about how this situation was handled, there must be a full investigation into what occurred. “Determining the facts is essential to ensuring players receive the highest level of care and protection going forward.” Dr. Allen Sills, the L chief medical officer, said on Tuesday at the L meetings that while he could not speak on specifics about Hurts for patient privacy reasons, he supported the Eagles and the actions taken.   AFP

PARIS — Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) made it three wins from three in this season’s Champions League, beating Barcelona, 4-2, thanks to late goals from Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), while Liverpool clinched a dramatic comeback victory over Villarreal. Phil Foden scored a hat-trick as Manchester City thrashed AEK Athens, 5-1, while there were also much-needed wins for Roma and Napoli. PSG kept their place at the top of the league-phase table, but could yet count the cost of injuries suffered by Ousmane Dembele, Marquinhos and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia at the Parc des Princes. “We don’t feel superior to any team, but we trust in ourselves, in everyone who starts and who comes off the bench,” Paris midfielder Ruiz told Movistar. “There’s still a long way to go.” Barcelona twice levelled against the two-time defending champions, but were ultimately well beaten as they slipped to their first defeat of the season. “We tried to play how we wanted to play, we pressed them very high. There were a lot of fantastic things on show today,” said Flick, whose team had won their previous 11 games in all competitions this term. Kvaratskhelia hit the post, Dembele hobbled off and Ferran Torres was denied by Barca goalkeeper Joan Garcia in a fast-paced opening. PSG took a deserved lead in the 38th minute as Desire Doue collected the ball outside the area and thumped a shot into the bottom corner. Garcia made another excellent save shortly after the break from Achraf Hakimi, before Xavi Espart burst through to level for Barca against the run of play. Kvaratskhelia and Marquinhos both pulled up injured within seconds of each other and had to leave the field. The home team continued to press, though, and Lucas Hernandez restored their advantage 18 minutes from time with a brilliant header. AFP

Magnolia had the luxury of resting its usual stars as its young guns stepped up to lead the Hotshots to a 107-103 takedown of Rain or Shine in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup.

Cyril Cloyd Ongcoy captured the bronze medal in the men"s 1500m T12/13 event at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Japan on Wednesday.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said the Oklahoma City Thunder are “hungry” for more success after exacting a small measure of revenge on the San Antonio Spurs in their NBA season-opener on Tuesday. Gilgeous-Alexander launched his account for the 2026-2027 campaign with a 32-point display as Oklahoma City scored a 116-104 win on the road over the team

LeBron James said the Philadelphia 76ers still had plenty of room for improvement after launching their NBA season with an impressive opening night victory over the New York Knicks on Tuesday. James, 41, launched his quest for a fifth NBA championship with 14 points and seven assists in a 106-100 defeat of the reigning NBA

MEXICO CITY — Sergio “Checo” Perez has been back in Formula 1 for less than a season and is already contemplating retirement. The Mexican driver said Tuesday that bringing Cadillac into a leading role in the sport’s top tier will take time, but he does not plan on competing with the team for much longer. “It’s a project that requires more time than I initially thought,” Perez said in an interview with Televisa network. “I think giving a specific number (of years) is difficult, but it won’t be much longer.” The 36-year-old Perez missed last season when Red Bull dropped him, but returned with Cadillac as it made its debut in the top category. His best results this season are a pair of 14th-place finishes. In addition, he has retired from five races due to various issues. “People who understand Formula 1 know the level I am driving at. It brought me great satisfaction to prove to myself that the circumstances of recent years were what kept me from showing my full talent,” he added. Cadillac, which also has Valtteri Bottas driving for the team, is bottom of the constructors’ championship, having yet to score a single point. “I’m aware that we are much closer to the end than the beginning, but that’s why I want to fully enjoy these Grands Prix — they are a dream,” Perez said. Perez explained that a key reason for considering retirement is wanting to spend more time with his wife, Carola Martínez, and their four children. “What really holds me back (from continuing) is my kids. I would love to stay as long as Fernando (Alonso), for example, but my children are at an age where I want to be around more,” he added. For now, Perez is gearing up to compete in the United States Grand Prix later this week before heading to his home race, the Mexican Grand Prix, where he will reach 300 Formula 1 starts. “I’m excited about projects outside of motorsport,” he said. “I want to finish my time in Formula 1 on a high note, and all I can say is that we will know when (I retire) soon.”

Veteran Chinese hurdler Wu Yanni has responded to renewed public criticism following her bronze-medal finish in the 100m hurdles at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, revealing recent physical health struggles and vowing to continue competing for as long as her body allows. In a series of interview videos released on Tuesday and Wednesday, the outspoken athlete addressed accusations of being “high-profile” and “talking big”. “My mother thinks I talk too big, but I don’t think I do,” Wu said....