Sports News Roundup: Soccer-More to come from record-breaking Haaland, says Guardiola; Rugby-DMac ignites another All Blacks flyhalf debate and more

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Soccer-More to come from record-breaking Haaland, says Guardiola

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has broken several records this season but the Norway international still wants to improve his game, manager Pep Guardiola said. Haaland on Sunday became the first player in England's top flight to score 50 goals in all competitions in a season since Tom Waring did so for Aston Villa in 1931.

Rugby-DMac ignites another All Blacks flyhalf debate

New Zealand could be gearing up for another heated flyhalf debate heading into the World Cup with Damian McKenzie staking a strong claim to the All Blacks number 10 shirt with his form for the high-flying Waikato Chiefs. Debates over who should play first five-eighth for the All Blacks are part of New Zealand tradition and go back at least to the days of Grant Fox and Frano Botica in the late 1980s and peaked with Carlos Spencer and Andrew Mehrtens in the 1990s.

NHL-Panthers stun Maple Leafs to draw first blood in playoff series

The Florida Panthers spoiled the Toronto Maple Leafs' long-awaited return to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Tuesday with a 4-2 victory in the opener of their best-of-seven series. From the moment Toronto sealed their place in the second round there has been a palpable buzz all around the city.

Golf-Furyk named U.S. team captain of 2024 Presidents Cup in Montreal

Jim Furyk, a 17-times winner on the PGA Tour, was named on Tuesday as the U.S. team captain for the 2024 Presidents Cup in Montreal. The 2024 edition of the biennial competition, which pits a 12-man U.S. team against a lineup of international players from outside Europe, will be played from Sept. 26-29 at The Royal Montreal Golf Club.

NBA-Dimmed Suns hope to recapture fire at home against Nuggets

The Phoenix Suns return to the Valley with the grim task of turning around their Western Conference semi-final campaign against the Denver Nuggets on Friday, with star point guard Chris Paul's future uncertain. After the Nuggets humbled them 125-107 in Saturday's opener, the Suns improved their defense but little else in Monday's Game 2, losing 97-87.

Cricket-Smith amused by fuss over his England county stint ahead of Ashes

Australia batsman Steve Smith has laughed off criticism in England about his county cricket warmup for the Ashes after some fans and media took exception to his Sussex signing. Australian cricketers have long warmed up for Ashes tours in England in the County Championship but some local pundits fear Smith's stint at Sussex will only give the visitors a helping hand as they seek to retain the urn.

NFL-Players union warns agents over mobile betting apps in memo

The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) has sounded the alarm about the use of sports betting apps, warning agents that the mobile gambling platforms can track their clients' activity, leading to stiff penalties. The NFL last month suspended five players - including three indefinitely - for violating the league's gambling policy, which prohibits any member of the league from "engaging in any form of gambling in any club or league facility or venue."

NBA-Philadelphia 76ers Embiid wins first MVP award

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has won the NBA's Most Valuable Player award for the first time, the league announced on Tuesday. Embiid was chosen over Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, to whom he lost the award in the past two seasons, and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who won back-to-back awards in 2019 and 2020.

Cycling-UCI defends transgender policy after Killips victory

Cycling's governing body the UCI has defended its policy on transgender athletes competing in female events after American Austin Killips fuelled the debate by winning the Tour of the Gila in New Mexico on Sunday. The 27-year-old Killips won the fifth and final stage of the race to become the first transgender cyclist to triumph in an official UCI stage race.

Tennis-Zhang makes history for China by reaching Madrid last eight

Zhang Zhizhen made history at the Madrid Open as he stunned American Taylor Fritz on Tuesday to become the first Chinese player to reach an ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final. The 26-year-old continued his dream run with a 3-6 7-6(5) 7-6(8) defeat of the eighth seed.

(With inputs from agencies.)