CLIPPERS-TRAIL BLAZERS
Clippers open the season with a 114-106 win over Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Blake Griffin had 27 points and 13 rebounds and the Los Angeles Clippers opened the season Thursday night with a 114-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
It was a contentious game that had fans booing the officials after two flagrant fouls on Portland players in the fourth quarter. Chris Paul hit a 3-pointer that gave the Clippers a 102-90 lead with 4:07 left and the crowd headed for the exits.
Damian Lillard’s layup got the Blazers within 107-102 with 35.9 seconds left but the rally fell short.
It was the season opener for the Clippers, the last team in the Western Conference to start the season. Portland opened at home on Tuesday with a 113-104 victory over the Utah Jazz.
Paul also finished with 27 points for the Clippers. Lillard led the Blazers with 29 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out late.
SEAHAWKS-WILSON
Seahawks’ Russell Wilson expects to play despite injury
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson expects to play Sunday against New Orleans despite a pectoral injury suffered Monday night in a tie with Arizona.
Wilson said Thursday that he’s being cautious with the injury and is thankful he has a few more days of treatment and recovery before playing against the Saints.
“The great thing is my ankle is no longer listed,” Wilson quipped.
Wilson has played through one injury after another so far this season. A high ankle sprain in Seattle’s regular-season opener against Miami, a sprained MCL in Week 3 against San Francisco and now the pectoral injury have slowed Wilson all season.
“It’s a little sore but I think we’ll be fine and get over it and just continue to rehab at the highest level as much as I can,” Wilson said.
Wilson also revealed that he was originally told the sprained MCL should have kept him out for four weeks. Wilson has not missed a snap in any of the three games since injuring the knee. The pectoral injury forced Wilson to be limited in practice on Wednedsday and Thursday. It’s the first time in his five seasons in Seattle that he’s been unable to fully participate in a regular season practice.
SEAHAWKS-HARRY POTTER
Forget Quidditch, Harry Potter author is a Seahawks fan
DENTON, Wash. (AP) — Seattle Seahawks star Richard Sherman is a huge Harry Potter fan.
So with Halloween looming, Sherman agreed to a request from his son. He donned a cape and grabbed a wand for his weekly media session, presenting a very authentic Harry Potter look.
His display came three days after the Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals played to a 6-6 tie in the desert that left Sherman dehydrated. Sherman acknowledged on Wednesday that “five quarters of football is pretty tough, but Quidditch — the Beaters, the Chasers, trying to find the Golden Snitch — is tough.”
Summoning such terms from the Harry Potter books earned the Seahawks at least one new fan. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling wrote in a post Thursday: “Did I ever mention that I’m a #Seahawks fan? Well, I am.”
Well, not quite.
She added: “(Don’t ask me who plays for them apart from R Sherman.)”
ALASKA-UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Alaska university officials propose sports team cuts
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — University of Alaska officials are seeking permission from the NCAA to reduce the number of sports programs at two campuses while maintaining status as Division II institutions.
Officials have proposed cutting men’s and women’s skiing at both the University of Alaska Anchorage and University of Alaska Fairbanks. Officials also have proposed cutting men’s and women’s indoor track at the Anchorage campus.
Under the proposal, the number of sports at Anchorage and Fairbanks would fall below the required minimum of 10 for Division II status. University officials are seeking to stay below that threshold for five years.
This comes as the state struggles with a multibillion-dollar deficit that has forced cost-cutting.
University officials say they’ll have to re-evaluate their approach if the request is denied.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
