Sports News Roundup: Soccer-Messi misses Miami's Hong Kong friendly as organisers face govt funding cut; Judo-France's Riner wins gold at Paris Grand Slam ahead of Olympics and more

Riner then ended up winning the fight by ippon. NBA roundup: Hawks top Warriors, Stephen Curry (60 points) in OT Dejounte Murray extended the game with a jumper in the final seconds of regulation, then scored seven consecutive points in overtime, allowing the host Atlanta Hawks to overcome a 60-point explosion by Stephen Curry for a 141-134 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Soccer-Messi misses Miami's Hong Kong friendly as organisers face govt funding cut

Lionel Messi's three days of adulation in Hong Kong ended in heartbreak for his fans as the Argentine did not take to the field in Inter Miami's 4-1 win against a local League XI in a friendly played in front of a sellout crowd on Sunday. Spectators chanted "refund" and the Hong Kong government said match organisers Tatler Asia may face a reduction in funding after Messi stayed on the bench during the match.

Judo-France's Riner wins gold at Paris Grand Slam ahead of Olympics

France's triple Olympic gold medallist Teddy Riner won an eighth Paris Grand Slam title on Sunday after defeating South Korean Kim Minjong by o-uchi-gari in the men's +100kg final, six months ahead of the Paris 2024 Games. Riner, a record 11-times individual world champion, had struggled during his semi-final against Uzbek world number three Alisher Yusupov and almost lost by ippon before the decision was overruled. Riner then ended up winning the fight by ippon.

NBA roundup: Hawks top Warriors, Stephen Curry (60 points) in OT

Dejounte Murray extended the game with a jumper in the final seconds of regulation, then scored seven consecutive points in overtime, allowing the host Atlanta Hawks to overcome a 60-point explosion by Stephen Curry for a 141-134 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night. Capping a wild sprint to the regulation finish line for teams on the second night of a back-to-back, the Hawks forged a 123-123 tie when Murray nailed a 14-footer with 4.6 seconds remaining.

Angels sign RHP Jose Cisnero to one-year contract

The Los Angeles Angels continued to overhaul their bullpen with the signing of right-handed reliever Jose Cisnero to a one-year contract worth $1.75 million. Cisnero, 34, went 3-4 with two saves, a 5.31 ERA, 70 strikeouts and 25 walks in 59 1/3 innings over 63 relief appearances for the Detroit Tigers in 2023. He finished 18 of those games.

Women's Top 25 roundup: No. 8 Ohio State tops No. 10 Indiana

Jacy Sheldon registered 25 points as No. 8 Ohio State earned a vital home win over No. 10 Indiana 74-69 on Sunday in Columbus, Ohio. Cotie McMahon complemented Sheldon's production with 20 points and seven rebounds for Ohio State before fouling out in the final minutes. Taylor Thierry and Rebeka Mikulasikova each chipped in 11 points for the Buckeyes (19-3, 10-1 Big Ten), who won their ninth straight game and scored their second Top 10 victory this season.

Former Jets TE Richard Caster dies at 75

Former New York Jets tight end Richard Caster died on Friday. He was 75. According to the Clarion Ledger in Mississippi, Caster died after a battle with Parkinson's disease.

Bill Belichick thanks Patriots fans, remembers 'amazing moments'

Former Patriots coach Bill Belichick took out a full-page ad in Sunday's edition of The Boston Globe, thanking New England fans for their support over his long tenure with the team. "Nowhere in America are pro sports fans as passionate as in New England and for 24 years, I was blessed to feel your passion and power. The Patriots are the only NFL team representing SIX states but in reality, Patriots Nation knows no borders," he started his letter, which ran on page A3 of Sunday's paper.

NFL-Taylor's Version: Swift-related Super Bowl bets include Kelce proposal

While Taylor Swift has not revealed if she will jet across the Pacific Ocean to cheer on boyfriend Travis Kelce at the Feb. 11 Super Bowl in Las Vegas, that has not stopped online sportsbooks from offering bets that revolve around her presence at the game. Novelty bets around major sporting events are nothing new but several sports betting companies decided to have some fun with the Swift-Kelce craze after the Kansas City Chiefs punched their Super Bowl ticket.

Soccer-New Jersey awarded 2026 World Cup final, Mexico gets opener

The 2026 World Cup final will be held in New Jersey at the home of the National Football League's New York Giants and New York Jets, world soccer's governing body FIFA announced on Sunday, along with the entire schedule for the global soccer showcase. The 48-team World Cup, which will conclude on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

NFL-Las Vegas planning Super Bowl supernova to cement status as sports hub

Take Las Vegas and the NFL, add the world's hottest pop star, a love story that has social media spinning like a slot machine, two superb teams and you get what might be a landmark Super Bowl cementing Sin City's status as a global sports hub. Already the United States' biggest sporting party, Las Vegas is promising a Super Bowl supernova around the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers showdown on Feb. 11.