Reuters Sports News Summary

NBA roundup: Pelicans rally past Celtics in OT Brandon Ingram scored 33 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 34.4 seconds left in overtime, as the host New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 24-point deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics 120-115 on Sunday.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. Mariners president Kevin Mather issues apology for remarks

Seattle Mariners president Kevin Mather issued an apology for eye-raising remarks he recently made, including assessments of how poorly two current and former players spoke English. Mather apologized Sunday night after a video was posted of remarks he made to a local Rotary Club on Feb. 5. In those remarks, he said Mariners prospect Julio Rodriguez "is loud, his English it not tremendous." He also said former pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma's English "was terrible." World number one Barty uncertain of schedule as Osaka closes in

Australian Ash Barty has provided no certainty if she will play regularly on the women's tour amid the COVID-19 pandemic despite Naomi Osaka closing in on her world number one ranking with a fourth Grand Slam title in Melbourne. Barty accepted a wildcard to defend her Adelaide International title this week after making an exit at the quarter-final stage of her home Grand Slam with a defeat to Czech Karolina Muchova. Golf: USGA, R&A propose changes allowing amateurs to accept sponsorships

The Royal and Ancient (R&A) and United States Golf Association (USGA) on Monday announced proposals to change to the rules of amateur status, including removing sponsorship restrictions and allowing amateurs to enter competitions as professionals. As part of its modernisation plans following a review of the rules of amateur status that began in late 2017, the two bodies proposed that amateur players should be allowed to accept cash prizes of up to $750 without losing their status. Nationals sign former All-Star reliever Jeremy Jeffress

Veteran right-hander Jeremy Jeffress will have some work to do to make the Washington Nationals' Opening Day roster after agreeing to a minor league deal with the club Monday, multiple outlets reported. The former first-round draft pick in 2006 will earn $1.25 million if he can earn a roster spot out of spring training, with another $1.25 million available in incentives. Soccer: U.S. women's team 'past the protesting phase' of anthem debate

The U.S. women's national team said their decision to resume standing as a group for the national anthem rather then kneel in protest of racial inequality and police brutality is not the end of the squad's fight for justice. The entire U.S. team, clad in their warmup jackets with the words "Black Lives Matter" on the front, stood for the national anthem ahead of their SheBelieves Cup game on Sunday after some had knelt in the tournament opener last Thursday. Russian hockey star targeted for support of Kremlin critic Navalny, NHL team says

The National Hockey League's New York Rangers said on Monday that star forward Artemi Panarin was being targeted for his support of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny by what it called a fabricated report alleging he assaulted a woman a decade ago. Panarin, 29, is one of the few elite Russian athletes openly critical of President Vladimir Putin. He has publicly backed Navalny, who was jailed this month on what the opposition politician said were politically motivated charges. Timberwolves sack head coach Saunders after league-worst record

The Minnesota Timberwolves have fired head coach Ryan Saunders after a league-worst record of 7-24 left them at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, the National Basketball Association (NBA) team said late on Sunday. They made the announcement after Sunday's 103-99 loss to the New York Knicks. NHL roundup: Bruins leave Flyers in cold

David Pastrnak scored three goals and Nick Ritchie added one goal and one assist to lift the Boston Bruins past the Philadelphia Flyers 7-3 on Sunday in the NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe in Stateline, Nev. Charlie McAvoy, Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederic each contributed one goal for the Bruins, who have won all five meetings against the Flyers this season. Three wins have come in regulation, one in overtime and one in a shootout. NBA roundup: Pelicans rally past Celtics in OT

Brandon Ingram scored 33 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 34.4 seconds left in overtime, as the host New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 24-point deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics 120-115 on Sunday. Zion Williamson had 28 points and 10 rebounds to help lead the largest comeback in New Orleans history, while Josh Hart had 17 points with 10 rebounds and Lonzo Ball scored 16 for the Pelicans. Australian Open beats the odds to lay out a blueprint

Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic were rightly hailed as deserved Australian Open champions at the weekend but the ashen-faced former tennis coach standing behind them on the podium might be considered the real hero of the year's first Grand Slam. Tournament director Craig Tiley and his Tennis Australia team faced down sizeable odds to get the tournament up and running, albeit by the skin of their teeth at times, while much of the world was still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.