Established 1961 Sport TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021 Nets end road trip with win over Clippers Ingram powers Pelicans • T’Wolves fire head coach LOS ANGELES: James Harden fin- Largest comeback ished with 37 points and 11 rebounds as Elsewhere, Brandon Ingram scored the Brooklyn Nets improved to 7-0 33 points as the New Orleans Pelicans against Pacific Division teams this sea- engineered their largest comeback in son with a 112-108 victory over the Los team history Sunday by overcoming a Angeles Clippers on Sunday. The Nets 24-point deficit to beat the Boston went a perfect 5-0 on their western Celtics 120-115 in overtime. Ingram hit swing road trip and extended their win the go-ahead three pointer with 34 sec- streak to a season-high six games. onds remaining in the overtime. Harden recorded the 77th career Zion Williamson had 28 points and 10 double-double and added seven assists rebounds, and Josh Hart had 17 points at Staples Center arena in southern and 10 rebounds in the win. Jayson Tatum scored 32, Jaylen Brown had 25, California. “We just kept our compo- and Tristan Thompson and Kemba sure,” he said. “Down the stretch we Walker added 14 each to lead the wanted to get a good shot every single Celtics. After an exchange of baskets to time and we came out with the win. start the overtime scoring, Williamson “We are a very confident team that made one of two free throws. continues to grow.” Brown made a layup to give Boston a Kyrie Irving scored 28 points with 112-111 lead with 72 seconds left. eight assists while Joe Harris, DeAndre Ingram tied it with a free throw and Jordan and Bruce Brown scored 13 each added a three-pointer to give the for the Nets. Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant Pelicans a 115-112 lead in the overtime. missed his fourth straight game with an Walker missed a three-pointer, and Hart injured hamstring. The Nets also lost hit two free throws for a five-point lead forward Jeff Green with an apparent with 18 seconds left as New Orleans LOS ANGELES: James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots the ball during the game against the LA Clippers on Sunday at STAPLES shoulder injury after a collision with closed it out. Center in Los Angeles, California. — AFP Clippers guard Patrick Beverley with Lonzo Ball made one of two free just under three minutes left. throws at the end of the fourth quarter Pascal Siakam scored 23 points and had Timberwolves president Gersson Rosas Minnesota has been hit hard by Kawhi Leonard tallied 29 points and to give the Pelicans a one-point lead seven rebounds and eight assists for said in a statement. “These are difficult injuries and COVID-19 issues this sea- 13 rebounds, while Ivica Zubac finished with 32 seconds left in regulation. the Raptors. decisions to make, however this change son, with starting guard D’Angelo with 13 points and eight rebounds in the Williamson then executed a three-point is in the best interest of the organiza- Russell out for up to six weeks after loss. Paul George had 34 points and play to give the Pelicans a 108-106 lead Wolves sack coach tion’s short and long-term goals.” undergoing surgery on his left knee. seven rebounds but sat out the game’s with six seconds left. Tatum scored on a The Minnesota Timberwolves fired Saunders was 43-95 as coach of the Karl-Anthony Towns contracted the crucial moments down the stretch short shot with 0.2 left to send the game head coach Ryan Saunders on Sunday Timberwolves in two-plus seasons. They coronavirus and suffered a wrist injury, because Los Angeles wanted to limit his into the extra session. after a disappointing 7-24 start to the have won just seven of 31 games and resulting in him playing just 11 games so minutes in the game. “We had to bring Also, Fred VanVleet scored 23 points NBA season. “We would like to thank lost eight of their past nine for the worst far this season. Toronto Raptors assis- him back to get the game close,” said and had nine assists as the Toronto Ryan for his time and commitment to record in the NBA. Saunders’ sacking tant coach Chris Finch is believed to be Clippers coach Tyronn Lue. “The Raptors defeated the visiting the Timberwolves organization and wish comes after Minnesota lost 103-99 to the frontrunner for the job to replace biggest thing is he is healthy.” Philadelphia 76ers 110-103 in Florida. him the best in the future,” the New York Knicks on Sunday. Saunders. — AFP.