Sport

Basketball history in 30 images

From peach baskets in Massachusetts to millions of fans around the world, basketball has become one of the top global sports. While the basics remain the same—shoot ball into hoop—there have been a lot of changes along the way, most of them for the better.

Watch: Newshub presenters McRoberts, Bridge can't avoid 'pūkana cam' at Warriors game

The NRL team gave fans plenty to cheer about in their late comeback for the draw.

Officials celebrate 'inseparable link' between the games and peace

Officials celebrate 'inseparable link' between the Olympic Games and peace ahead of the torch lighting ceremony. Hundreds gathered in Ancient Olympia to witness the ceremony that kicks off the games.

Scheffler overwhelmed with gratitude after second Masters title win

Scottie Scheffler expresses gratitude after securing his second Masters title in three years with a closing 68 at Augusta National, finishing four shots ahead of Sweden's Ludvig Aberg.

Phoenix sign 16-year-old winger Sloane-Rodrigues to three-year contract

The NZ U17 international could have been a target for A-League expansion club Auckland FC.

Mo Salah tipped to leave Liverpool after £200m transfer bid as three replacements identified

Mo Salah has just over a year left on his contract with Liverpool and after being linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, the Egyptian forward has now been told he should leave Anfield

Tactix power past Steel in ANZ Netball Premiership derby

Tactix: 52 Steel: 35 Led by new centurion Kimiora Poi, the Tactix have beaten the Steel 52-35 in the first Southern derby of the 2024 ANZ Premiership. The result...

McLaren F1 team bracing for "damage limitation" in Chinese GP

McLaren team boss Andrea Stella says he is expecting Formula 1's return to China to be an exercise in "damage limitation" for his squad given its large number of low-speed corners.

Cricket: Howzat? David Boon wins Boony's test shirt

David Boon has won a cricket club's raffle for David Boon's last Australian test shirt, but it's not what you're thinking.

Max McRae scores maiden European Rally Championship triumph

Max McRae notched up a maiden win in the European Rally Championship after taking out the Junior ERC class at the Rally Hungary 2024 season opener.

Pulse open ANZ Premiership campaign with hardfought victory over Stars

The Wellington team were eliminated from the 2023 playoffs by their northern rivals.

Rory McIlroy makes decision on LIV Golf

Over the past few days, there have been rumors swirling that LIV Golf had made an offer to superstar golfer Rory McIlroy and that McIlroy was considering joining the Saudi-backed league. But he shut down those talks this week. During an interview with Todd Lewis of the Golf Channel, Rory McIlroy made it clear that he will not be joining LIV Golf and doesn’t know where the rumors came from. “I honestly don’t know why these things get started,”...

30 fascinating facts you didn't know about the Summer Olympics

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris is around the corner, but the Olympic Games have been making history for centuries. From the Games' Greek origins to their first foray into South America, the Olympics are known for bringing nations all over the world together to celebrate the very best in athletics. And even if you don't care much about sports, there's no denying the magic of the Olympics. In order to get into the Olympic spirit and the emotions that come with it, check out this gallery of fascinating facts you probably didn't about this extraordinary sporting event.

Marc Skinner praises stunning Mary Earps save as Manchester United overcome Chelsea

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner lauded Mary Earps after the FA Cup semi-final victory over Chelsea, saying her superb second-half save was "up there" with David Seaman's famous effort in 2003. Earps pulled off a fantastic diving stop to keep out Lauren James' header early in the second period of United's 2-1 victory at Leigh Sports Village that set up a Wembley showdown with Tottenham on May 12.

How do you build an NFL contender?

Oh brother: Remembering some of MLB’s most notable siblings

Olympic kākahu blessed ahead of Paris Games

The Māori King, Kiingi Tuheitia, has blessed the feathered cloak to be worn by New Zealand's flag bearers at the Olympic Games.

Ellesse Andrews wins gold at Nations Cup track cycling meet

New Zealand's Ellesse Andrews has completed a triumphant return from injury, winning gold at the Nations Cup track cycling meet in Canada.

NFL Draft Prospect Breakdown - Offensive Line

Mikel Arteta tells Arsenal to 'stand up and be counted' after Aston Villa blow

Mikel Arteta has told his Arsenal players to "stand up and be counted" after their Premier League title bid took a hit with defeat to Aston Villa.

Gounon replaces Habsburg for Alpine Hypercar debut at Imola's WEC round

Jules Gounon will replace the injured Ferdinand Habsburg in the Alpine Hypercar squad for this weekend’s Imola round of the World Endurance Championship.

Paris Olympics flame lit at Greek cradle of ancient games

The flame that will burn at the Paris Olympics was kindled on Tuesday at the site of the ancient games in southern Greece. Cloudy skies prevented the traditional lighting, when an actress dressed as an ancient Greek priestess uses the sun to ignite a silver torch - after offering a symbolic prayer to Apollo, the ancient Greek sun god. Instead, a back-up flame was used that had been lit on the same spot on Monday, during the final rehearsal. Credit International Olympic Committee, 72-hour usage

Positive results for DS Penske in Misano

With two front-row starts, Jean-Eric Vergne demonstrated the potential of both DS Penske cars at the races in Misano. The results could have been even better, but the points scored by both cars on Saturday, followed by JEV's seventh place on Sunday, bodes well for the future.

All Blacks star Barrett extends with NZ Rugby through 2028, confirms Leinster sabbatical

The Barrett brothers lived in Ireland for 15 months, while dad Kevin played professionally there.

Mock Draft 9.0 17-32: Wide receivers and offensive tackles aplenty

Football round-up: Was that the Phoenix’s greatest ever win?

Finals football is locked in for Wellington, so how does the crucial win over the Victory stack up, asks Mathew Nash.

Hockey: Privately owned league answers Black Sticks' wishes

Why is hockey turning to private ownership and what will it mean for New Zealand's best players?

Breakers reportedly active in ANBL free agency, signing NBA draftees Bolden, King

Coach Mody Maor is starting with an almost clean slate for the 2024/25 season.

Trailblazhers sue Boston Marathon organizers and Newton police chief

Trailblazhers, an all-female running crew, is suing the Boston Marathon organizers, the city of Newton and the Newton police chief for barricading them from last year's marathon.

Jon Rahm reveals a Masters competitor “wouldn’t even look at my face”

Rahm was playing in his first Masters as a member of LIV Golf and his expectations were met, on every front.

Scheffler's caddie incredible $1.45m earnings after Masters triumph

Scottie Scheffler's triumph at the Masters has led to another major windfall for his caddie Ted Scott as the American continued his stunning season.

Warriors forward Tevaga sidelined by hamstring niggle, but coach Webster 'excited' by injury toll

"Can we find a win, are we tough enough... and are we a true squad?"

Fox fails to capitalise on strong start to US Masters third round, drops outside top 20

The Kiwi has put together another mixed performance.

Why the signs were always evident that Sainz could cut it at the top

OPINION: In his first column for Autosport, the 2012 team boss of the yet-to-be-employed-for-2025 Ferrari star recalls his high-pressure season in Formula 3

Power Rankings: who are the top 15 teams in hockey ahead of the playoffs?

Klopp faces up to Liverpool's lack of momentum after losing to Palace at Anfield

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp specifically cited the impact of damaging results against rivals Manchester United in Liverpool's recent loss of momentum in the title race.

Verstappen: Not smart to pick returning China for F1 sprint weekend

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen thinks it was "not the smartest thing" to hold a sprint event at this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix, which returns after a five-year absence.

Pochettino lays down the law after Chelsea's 'unacceptable' penalty antics in 6-0 win

Cole Palmer's four-goal haul in Chelsea's thumping 6-0 win over Everton was overshadowed by what Mauricio Pochettino called 'unacceptable' behaviour as two of his players were involved in a physical altercation over who should take a penalty.

Kiwis star Manu signals code switch to Japanese rugby club Toyota Verblitz

The Sydney Roosters centre was a Golden Boot winner for New Zealand in 2022.

Chance to do treble again an 'inspiration and motivation' - Bernardo Silva

Bernardo Silva is motivated by the prospect of making history as Manchester City chase an unprecedented second successive treble. City have put themselves in a strong position to retain the three trophies they won in glorious fashion last year after taking control of the Premier League title race at the weekend. Pep Guardiola's side are now two points clear of rivals Arsenal and Liverpool with six games remaining.

Veteran halfback Perenara makes surprise return to All Blacks relevance

The stars have aligned for the 80-test international, says Newshub's Ollie Ritchie.

Former All Blacks coach Ian Foster signs with Japanese club

Former All Blacks coach Ian Foster has signed on as head coach with Japanese club Toyota Verblitz for next season.

Netball: ANZ Round 1 wrap - Next generation of defenders on show

Analysis - The first round of netball's ANZ Premiership gave a glimpse into the next generation of defenders and the Silver Ferns coach might need to fast-track some of them.

'Tornado' hits Staffordshire town as strong winds batter the UK

A tornado appeared to hit a town in Staffordshire on Monday as strong winds battered much of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Police said they attended the scene in St Giles Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, just before 7.45am on Monday morning after the strong gusts which damaged roofs.

Sutton tops final BTCC pre-season test

Reigning champion Ash Sutton was quickest in the final official pre-season British Touring Car Championship test at Donington Park.

Where were the last Olympics Games? And the edition before that one? See how many you can remember

When choosing locations for the Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) specifically gives the honor of holding the Games to a city rather than a country. Indeed, the selection process, international politics, and investment involved with the Olympics has made the host city selection a major deal. Usually held every four years, the international sporting event was only ever cancelled due to World War I (1916) and World War II (1940 and 1944), and postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic (2020). This year, the Games will be held in Paris. To get into the Olympic spirit, click on to recall the past host cities in the event's modern history.

'Get ready for a war': Hurricanes not underestimating Fijian Drua for Suva clash

The Hurricanes lost to the Drua 27-24 in Fiji last year.

Phil Mickelson hints at major LIV Golf change

One of the biggest differences between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour is that the Tour events are typically 72-hole tournaments while LIV Golf events are 54-hole tournaments. But it sounds like LIV Golf could be considering a change in that regard. During a recent interview following his final round at the Masters this weekend, LIV Golf star Phil Mickelson teased a potential major change for LIV Golf, suggesting that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if the...

Premier League title race state of play as Manchester City gain upper hand

Manchester City took the initiative in the Premier League title race by hammering Luton on Saturday before rivals Liverpool and Arsenal both lost on Sunday. Here, the PA news agency looks at the state of play with six games remaining. Momentum shift While City took only a two-point lead in what remains a close race, the momentum swing felt significant as they jumped from third to first. The manner of their 5-1 win also sounded a warning, while Arsenal were outplayed in the second half as they lost 2-0 to Aston Villa and Liverpool missed a hatful of chances as Crystal Palace held on for a 1-0 upset. Commitments in other competitions mean City do not play their next league game until April 25 at Brighton, by which point their rivals will both have played twice more knowing they need wins to put the pressure back on Pep Guardiola's side. Arsenal have the first chance to get back on track, away at Wolves late on Saturday evening, with Liverpool travelling to Fulham the following day.

Can the Boston Bruins take the next step during the 2024 NHL Playoffs?