UNDATED (AP) β Kyrie Irving more than made up for the absence of LeBron James when the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 99-94 last night. Irving posted the greatest scoring performance of his four-year NBA career, shooting 11-for-19 from 3-point range while scoring a league season-high 55 points.
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) β Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is officially done for the season after having surgery yesterday to repair his torn right rotator cuff. Bryant is expected to need nine months to recover from his third straight season-ending injury, but the Lakers say their superstar doesn’t believe his career is finished. Bryant hurt his right shoulder while dunking last week in New Orleans.
PHOENIX (AP) β New England Patriots starting center Bryan Stork practiced on a limited basis Wednesday in preparation for Sunday’s Super Bowl against Seattle. Stork is listed as questionable for the game, along with cornerback Brandon Browner, linebacker Dont’a Hightower, defensive tackles Chris Jones and Sealver Siliga and receiver Brandon LaFell. Safety Earl Thomas is the only player listed as questionable on the Seahawks’ injury report.
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) β Top seed Serena Williams and No. 2 Maria Sharapova have advanced to the Australian Open final. Williams weathered a barrage of big serves and heavy groundstrokes in the first set before beating 19-year-old Madison Keys 7-6, 6-2. Sharapova has reached the Australian Open final for the fourth time after cruising to a 6-3, 6-2 triumph over No. 10 Ekatarina Makarova.
WASHINGTON (AP) β A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that free-agent reliever Casey Janssen and the Washington Nationals have agreed to a one-year contract with a one-year option. Janssen had spent his entire big league career with the Toronto Blue Jays, going 29-24 with 90 saves and a 3.52 ERA since 2006. He compiled a 3.94 ERA last season, converting 25 of his 30 save opportunities.
