In Brief
Wizards tap Brooks as new head coachWASHINGTON — Scott Brooks is on his way to Washington, the latest move made by the Wizards that could have the added benefit of enticing Kevin Durant to return home this summer.The Wizards reached agreement with Brooks to become the team’s new coach, said two people familiar with the deal. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.The sides agreed on a five-year deal, one of the people told the AP.
Curry on sidelines as Warriors loseHOUSTON — James Harden scored 35 points, including the game-winner with 2.7 seconds left, and the Houston Rockets took advantage of Stephen Curry’s absence to get a 97-96 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.The victory cuts Houston’s deficit to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. Game 4 is Sunday in Houston.
Stewart returning to NASCAR todayCHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tony Stewart has been cleared to return to racing and will be back in his car Friday at Richmond International Raceway.The three-time NASCAR champion missed the first eight races of the season with a fractured vertebra suffered in a January all-terrain vehicle accident. The injury occurred one week before Stewart was scheduled to start his final season in NASCAR. He’s retiring at the end of this year.
Darkness suspends Texas Open playSAN ANTONIO — Brendan Steele topped the Texas Open leaderboard at 8 under through 13 holes when the first round was suspended because of darkness.Steele, whose only PGA Tour victory came in the tournament five years ago, was unable to finish the opening round after play was delayed for 3 1/2 hours because of morning rain.Among those who did finish, Charley Hoffman had a 6-under 66, a stroke ahead of Stuart Appleby and Peter Malnati.Defending champion Jimmy Walker opened with a 75.
Ryu shoots 9-under for LPGA leadDALY CITY, Calif. — So Yeon Ryu shot a tournament-record 9-under 63 to take the first-round lead in the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic.Playing in the first group of the day off the 10th tee, the South Korean player had seven birdies in an eight-hole stretch on the back nine and added two more on the front nine at Lake Merced.Taiwan’s Candie Kung and Japan’s Haru Nomura were two strokes back at 65.