Sports News Roundup: Grizzlies set NBA mark with 73-point winning margin; Panthers overturn 3-goal deficit vs. Sabres and more

Saudi Arabia is hosting a grand prix for the first time this weekend, a night race around a street circuit in Jeddah, with rights groups accusing the country of using the event to deflect scrutiny from abuses. Tennis-National bodies back WTA suspension of China tournaments over Peng concerns National tennis federations hailed the leadership of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) in representing and protecting players' rights after its decision to suspend tournaments in China over the treatment of former doubles world number one Peng Shuai.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Motor racing-Hamilton edges Verstappen in opening Saudi practice

Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton drew first blood as he edged out Formula One title rival Max Verstappen to go fastest in the opening practice session for the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Briton lapped the 6.1-km long circuit in one minute, 29.786 seconds in his Mercedes, pipping Verstappen by just 0.056 seconds.

Juventus say prosecutors looking into terms of Ronaldo sale

Juventus said Italian prosecutors had ordered a new search of its offices under an investigation into the Serie A club's financial accounting and were also examining the terms of the sale of star player Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United. Publishing a supplement to an investor document for a share issue on Thursday, Juventus reiterated that it had always acted in compliance with existing laws and it was fully collaborating with authorities.

Motor racing-Hamilton speaks out on human rights ahead of Saudi F1 debut

Seven-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton expressed concern about human rights in Saudi Arabia on Thursday and indicated he did not feel comfortable about having to race in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia is hosting a grand prix for the first time this weekend, a night race around a street circuit in Jeddah, with rights groups accusing the country of using the event to deflect scrutiny from abuses.

Tennis-National bodies back WTA suspension of China tournaments over Peng concerns

National tennis federations hailed the leadership of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) in representing and protecting players' rights after its decision to suspend tournaments in China over the treatment of former doubles world number one Peng Shuai. Peng was unseen in public for nearly three weeks after she posted a message on social media in November accusing China's former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli of forcing her into sex, with her whereabouts becoming a matter of international concern.

Cycling-Israel round of Track Champions League cancelled, London prepares for finale

The UCI Track Champions League will culminate in this weekend's double-header in London after the final round scheduled for Israel on Dec. 11 was cancelled because of the new Omnicron coronavirus variant. It is the second round of the new competition to be cancelled, after a Paris leg was also scrapped for COVID-19 related reasons.

NHL roundup: Panthers overturn 3-goal deficit vs. Sabres

Aaron Ekblad had two goals and an assist and Anton Lundell scored twice the as Florida Panthers rallied from a three-goal deficit to beat the Buffalo Sabres 7-4 in Sunrise, Fla. Sam Reinhart and Jonathan Huberdeau each had a goal and three assists for the Panthers, who are 13-1-0 at home. Lucas Carlsson logged a goal and an assist, and Carter Verhaeghe and MacKenzie Weegar each produced two assists.

NBA roundup: Grizzlies set NBA mark with 73-point winning margin

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 27 points to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a franchise record for points and the biggest winning margin in NBA history, 152-79 over the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. The previous NBA record for largest margin of victory was 68, by the Cleveland Cavaliers over the Miami Heat on Dec. 17, 1991. Memphis' previous record for points was 144, set in January 2007 against the Golden State Warriors.

Cricket-Yorkshire say all members of coaching team have left the club

All members of Yorkshire's coaching team have left, including director of cricket Martyn Moxon and coach Andrew Gale, the club said on Friday as it vowed to regain trust and rebuild after being rocked by allegations of institutional racism. First team coach and former captain Gale was suspended last month as part of a probe into an alleged anti-Semitic tweet he sent in 2010 while Moxon had been absent from work due to a "stress-related illness".

Tennis-Major sports leagues unlikely to follow WTA sanction on China

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) sent shockwaves through the sports world this week when it suspended tournaments in China out of concern for Peng Shuai, but larger and more invested leagues are not expected to follow suit. WTA chairman Steve Simon remains unconvinced that Peng, a former world No. 1 in doubles, is able to speak or move freely after her three-week disappearance since accusing a former top Chinese official of sexual assault.

Boxing-Italian boxer Testa comes out as gay after Olympic success

Italy's Olympic bronze medal-winning boxer Irma Testa has come out as gay, saying her success at the Tokyo Games earlier this year gave her the strength to make her sexual orientation public. The 23-year-old boxer won bronze in the women's featherweight category at Tokyo 2020. She previously competed at Rio 2016 where she lost in the quarter-finals while she also won gold in the 2019 European Championships.

(With inputs from agencies.)