Sports News Roundup: Calgary 2026 Winter Games bid; Davis Cup finals; NHL concussions lawsuit

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Clinical Djokovic tames Isner, Zverev edges Cilic

The last time Novak Djokovic played at the O2 Arena he suffered a chastening defeat at the hands of home hero Andy Murray which confirmed the end of his dominance at the top of the men's game. His return to the ATP Finals on Monday, after missing the 2017 edition because of an elbow injury, offered conclusive proof that the Serb is once again top dog.

Olympics: Calgary 2026 Winter Games bid plebiscite too close to call

The plebiscite on the troubled Calgary 2026 Winter Olympics bid on Tuesday will be a tight race but if the Canadian city survives the vote it could go on to land the Games, bid CEO Mary Moran said. The citizens of Calgary will vote on whether the bid to host the Games should go ahead, as concerns over the cost and size of the event have scared off other cities.

NBA Roundup: Harden hot as Houston cooks up home win

Rockets 115, Pacers 103 James Harden scored a game-high 40 points and Houston won on its home floor for the first time this season.

NFL Report: Chargers LB Perryman out for season

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman will miss the rest of the season after injuring his left leg on Sunday, according to an NFL Network report Monday. Per the report, Perryman has a damaged lateral collateral ligament in his knee and likely needs hamstring surgery as well. His recovery is expected to take three to four months, meaning he should be ready for offseason workouts.

Owner Mark Davis on Raiders' start: 'It's on me'

Owner Mark Davis took responsibility for the Oakland Raiders hitting eight losses with seven games to play in 2018. "Where this team is right now is my fault. We haven't been able to build a 22-man roster," Davis said in an interview with ESPN, referring to the starting lineups on offence and defence. "We haven't been able to give this team a chance to win because the reconstruction failed. We failed from 2014 on to have a roster right now."

Zverev will not play in revamped Davis Cup finals

Germany's Alex Zverev says he will not take part in a revamped Davis Cup finals showpiece event in Spain next November. Changes to the 118-year-old team event will see the competition turned into a week-long competition taking place in November, with 18 nations battling for the title.

Tentative settlement reached in NHL concussions lawsuit

The NHL and attorneys for retired players on Monday announced a tentative settlement in the concussions lawsuit filed against the league. The lawsuit, handled in federal court in Minnesota, involves more than 100 former players who claim the NHL failed to better prevent head injuries or warn players of the risks while also promoting violent and dangerous play.

NHL roundup: 5-goal period lifts Panthers over Senators

Aleksander Barkov scored twice as the Florida Panthers won their fourth straight game, scoring five goals in the second period to defeating the visiting Ottawa Senators 5-1 on Sunday afternoon. Barkov, an All-Star last season, scored both of his goals in that second period. After a slow start this season, he has five goals. Florida also got goals from Jonathan Huberdeau, Troy Brouwer and Frank Vatrano.

Djokovic backs Federer in preferential treatment row

World number one Novak Djokovic leapt to the defence of great rival Roger Federer on Monday after claims that the Swiss enjoys preferential treatment on Tour. Frenchman Julien Benneteau caused a stir during an interview on French radio station RMC Sport on Sunday in which he said tournament referees were often kinder to Federer when it came to scheduling his matches.

NFL Report: Patriots WR Edelman avoids serious injury

New England Patriots wideout Julian Edelman is not expected to miss much if any, time due to a minor ankle injury, ESPN reported Monday. Edelman played 54 snaps (82 per cent) in Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans and was limping slightly on his left leg after a pass to him on fourth-and-6 early in the fourth quarter was knocked away.

(With inputs from Reuters)

(With inputs from agencies.)