Kobe Bryant missed practice Sunday because of a sore throat, which raised few worries among the Los Angeles Lakers.
If anything, it might just mean a little less trash talk between Bryant and Ron Artest when the Lakers host the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday night.
“We know when it’s [...]

Ricky Hatton’s father says his son won’t hurry a decision on whether to retire after being knocked out by Manny Pacquiao in the second round of their 140-pound title fight.
After being knocked down twice in the opening round, the 30-year-old Briton was flattened in the second by Pacquiao’s left cross in Las Vegas on Saturday [...]

Mine That Bird, the shocking winner of the 135th Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs, is not a certainty to head to the second leg of the Triple Crown, the May 16 Preakness Stakes, trainer Chip Woolley said Sunday morning, though co-owner Mark Allen said, “If he’s doing good, we will run.”
“We’ll let the [...]

The New England Patriots have obtained tight end Alex Smith from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Patriots gave up an undisclosed pick in next year’s NFL draft for the four-year veteran, who was drafted by the Buccaneers in the third round in 2005.
Smith had 129 receptions for 1,252 yards and 11 touchdowns in 58 games. He [...]

Former NFL running back Lawrence Phillips will go to trial on charges that he attacked his girlfriend in 2005.
A San Diego judge ruled Wednesday that the 33-year-old Phillips must stand trial on eight felony charges for two alleged assaults.
He could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
A call to his public defender on [...]