When the contestants for the NBA All-Star competitions were revealed Thursday night, the Celtics had one letdown that was followed by some better news. Forward Kelly Olynyk, a native of Toronto who openly expressed an interest in competing in the 3-point shootout in his hometown, was not selected. But Boston point guard Isaiah Thomas was chosen to take part in the Skills Challenge. The league ultimately went with mostly bigger names in the 3-point contest, headlined by All-Stars Stephen Curry (Warriors), Klay Thompson (Warriors), Chris Bosh (Heat), James Harden (Rockets), and Kyle Lowry (Raptors). J.J. Redick (Clippers), who leads the league in 3-point shooting, was also selected, along with Khris Middleton (Bucks) and Devin Booker (Suns). Olynyk entered Thursday ranked 13th in the NBA in 3-point percentage at 41.7. Redick leads the league at 48.2 (100 of 249). Olynyk has hit at least one 3-pointer in 35 of his 50 games this season and has made multiple threes in a game 17 times. In the Skills Challenge, Thomas, a first-time All-Star, will be joined by Patrick Beverley (Rockets), Jordan Clarkson (Lakers), DeMarcus Cousins (Kings), Anthony Davis (Pelicans), Draymond Green (Warriors), C.J. McCollum (Blazers), and Karl-Anthony Towns (Timberwolves). Defending champ Zach LaVine of Minnesota will be joined in the dunk contest by Andre Drummond of Detroit; Aaron Gordon of Orlando; and Will Barton of Denver.
ADAM HIMMELSBACH
Spurs’ Ginobili out for 1 month after groin injury Spurs guard Manu Ginobili will be out for at least a month after undergoing surgery for a testicle injury he suffered with 2:26 remaining in San Antonio’s win over New Orleans Wednesday night. Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson had his back turned to Ginobili as he was working toward the basket when he spun quickly and struck the 38-year-old guard squarely in the groin with his right knee . . . Former NBA All-Star Jayson Williams, 47,who served more than a year in prison for the 2002 accidental shooting death of a limo driver, has been charged with drunken driving after he crashed his vehicle in the upstate New York rural town of Delaware, 95 miles northwest of New York City . . . President Barack Obama applauded the Golden State Warriors during their White House visit for revolutionizing professional basketball with what he described as a “small-ball nuclear lineup’’ that specialized in great shooting and passing.
BaseballDodgers value Kendrick’s versatility in $20m deal
The Dodgers finalized their $20 million, two-year contract with free agent Howie Kendrick, bringing the second baseman back in part because of his willingness to play multiple positions. Kendrick, 32, had turned down a $15.8 million, one-year qualifying offer from the team in November, leaving the Dodgers as the only club able to sign Kendrick without giving up a 2016 amateur draft pick in the opening rounds as compensation . . . Rays pitcher Drew Smyly won baseball’s first salary arbitration case this year, dealing Tampa Bay its first loss in seven arbitration hearings. A three-person panel sided with the 26-year-old lefthander’s request for a raise of $3.75 million over the Rays’ offer of $3.2 million . . . Reliever Fernando Rodney and the Padres completed their one-year, $2 million contract. The 38-year-old righthander enters spring training as the likely replacement for closer Craig Kimbrel, who was traded to the Red Sox.
Colleges
Northeastern men fall at home to William & Mary
Omar Prewitt scored a game-high 28 points and triggered a 27-10 second-half run, sending William & Mary past Northeastern at Matthews Arena, 86-77. Freshman Jeremy Miller set a career high with 23 points, but the Huskies (12-12, 4-7 Colonial Athletic Association) dropped their fifth straight game . . . Daniel Hamilton had 16 points and 13 rebounds in Connecticut’s 77-57 victory at Memphis . . . Mariella Fasoula had 19 points and six rebounds for the Boston College women but it was not enough as the Eagles (13-9, 1-8 ACC) suffered a 67-62 conference loss against Miami at Conte Forum . . . Sarah Hope, a junior guard from Medway, hit the winning shot with 0.6 seconds left in Boston University’s 51-49 win over Navy at Case Gym.
Miscellany
Retiring Stewart to miss start of NASCAR season
Tony Stewart will miss the start of his final NASCAR season after fracturing his back in an accident on an all-terrain vehicle Sunday. He had surgery Wednesday for a “burst fracture of the L1 vertebra,’’ said his Stewart-Haas Racing team. Stewart is expected to make a full recovery and race sometime this year . . . X Games biker Dave Mirra died in Greenville, N.C., from what police described as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 41.
