Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Report: OKC's Noel has concussion after fall
Oklahoma City Thunder center Nerlens Noel sustained a concussion but appears to have escaped additional injuries after his head violently hit the court Tuesday night after he fell defending a third-quarter play by Minnesota's Andrew Wiggins. The Athletic reported Wednesday morning that tests showed he didn't break any bones. He was knocked unconscious but was alert when he was taken off the court on a stretcher. He will continue to undergo further evaluations, according to the report.
Fish named U.S. Davis Cup captain
Mardy Fish was named U.S. Davis Cup captain on Wednesday as the men's team competition enters a new era. Fish, winner of six ATP singles titles and a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, takes over from Jim Courier who held the post for eight years before stepping down in September.
Chiefs, Mahomes primed for shootout with Colts, Luck
The Kansas City Chiefs were not students of history this week. Reminders, however, were frequent and could not be silenced, no matter how hard the Chiefs tried while preparing for a divisional home game Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC playoffs.
Ex-Cardinals OF Duncan battling brain cancer
Former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Chris Duncan is battling a recurrence of brain cancer and has left his radio show in the city to fight the disease. "If you pray, please keep him in your prayers," said a tweet from Duncan's radio show, The Turn, in St. Louis. "If you don't, keep him in your thoughts."
NBA roundup: Wiggins scores 40 as Wolves edge Thunder
Andrew Wiggins scored a season-high 40 points as the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 119-117 on Tuesday night. It was Minnesota's first game under interim coach Ryan Saunders, who replaced Tom Thibodeau on the bench. Thibodeau was fired Sunday after the Timberwolves' home win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
WTA roundup: Barty upsets No. 1 Halep in Sydney
Australia's Ashleigh Barty stunned world No. 1 Simona Halep in straight sets in the second round of the Sydney International on Wednesday. Barty converted four of her seven break chances and struck 26 winners in the 6-4, 6-4 victory, compared to just nine winners by the top-seeded Romanian.
Serena's legacy secure despite infamous U.S. Open umpire row: Evert
The legacy of Serena Williams, who next week will compete in her first Grand Slam since her fiery clash with a U.S. Open umpire, will not be harmed by the infamous feud that tarnished the New York final, American great Chris Evert said on Wednesday. When it comes to Williams, who is seeking a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title at the Jan. 14-27 Australian Open, Evert believes it is her remarkable journey from the hardscrabble courts in Compton where she learned the game to the top of the tennis world that will be remembered most.
Golf: McCarron signs hemp oil deal he says will help mind and body
American golfer Scott McCarron is the first PGA Tour player to sign an endorsement deal with a hemp oil manufacturer, the company sponsoring him announced on Wednesday. Colorado-based Functional Remedies said McCarron would be the company's brand ambassador.
ATP roundup: Tsitsipas cruises in Sydney opener
Top-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas dismissed Argentina's Guido Andreozzi 6-3, 6-4 on Wednesday to earn his first tour victory of the season at the Sydney International in Australia. The 20-year-old rising star from Greece broke Andreozzi three times and held off a late comeback bid to reach the quarterfinals, where he will face Andreas Seppi of Italy. The eighth-seeded Seppi defeated Slovakian Martin Klizan 7-6 (2), 6-2.
Reid not targeted for additional testing: statement
Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid was not targeted nor was there any impropriety in his selection for drug testing, said the National Football League and NFL Players Association in a joint statement on Wednesday. The NFL and NFLPA requested that the independent administrator of the league's drug-testing program investigate Reid's claims that he was "randomly" chosen for testing seven times in an 11 week span during the regular season.