Philadelphia Eagles fan, 18, dies after falling from pole during celebration

A Temple University student died Tuesday after falling from a street pole during the Philadelphia Eagles NFC Championship celebration on Sunday night.

Tyler Sabapathy, 18, was on top of a pole when he slipped off, hit his head on the ground and suffered a serious brain injury, local ABC affiliate WPVI reported.

Sabapathy was taken to a local hospital on Sunday night, but he died from his injuries on Tuesday, according to a statement from Temple.

“The loss of a promising 18-year-old man like Tyler is both tragic and traumatic,” university president John Fry and vice president Jody Bailey said in a statement. “There are no words that can make sense of it, and the entire Temple community mourns his passing.”

Sabapathy, a Toronto native, was a freshman at the school and a member of the club gymnastics team. He was majoring in exercise and sports science at Temple’s College of Public Health.

— New York Daily News

Sixers star forward George sits out again against Lakers with injured finger

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George sat out Tuesday night against Los Angeles with an injured finger, the 15th game he’s missed this season.

George sustained tendon damage to the little finger on his non-shooting left hand when he jammed it Saturday against Chicago. George will be evaluated again ahead of Wednesday’s game against Sacramento but he was not expected to miss extended time.

Joel Embiid also sat out again against the Lakers and was expected to miss the game against the Kings. He did warm up against the Lakers in full uniform a day after he was spotted at practice performing handstands.

The 34-year-old George had already missed games this season with knee and groin injuries, and because of load management. He’s averaged 17.1 points and had just scored 30 points in a win Friday over Cleveland in the first season of a four-year, $212 million free-agent deal.

Lakers’ Davis has abdominal strain and will get re-evaluated in about a week

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis strained his abdomen Tuesday and will be re-evaluated in about a week.

Davis’ injury occurred during the first quarter of the Lakers’ 118-104 loss at Philadelphia. The five-time all-NBA performer walked to the locker room with his right hand over his stomach when he left with 2:10 to go in the first quarter.

Lakers officials announced the severity of Davis’ injury Wednesday while noting that he had returned to Los Angeles and would be re-evaluated in approximately a week.

The Lakers are at Washington on Thursday and at New York on Saturday before returning to Los Angeles for a road game with the Clippers on Tuesday.

Davis is averaging 25.7 points and 11.9 rebounds this season.

Warriors to retire Iguodala’s No. 9 jersey

SAN FRANCISCO — As Andre Iguodala moves around town in the Bay Area these days, he is regularly stopped by fans eager to praise him for how he carried himself while playing for the Golden State Warriors.

For his grit and his drive. For doing all the little things many never saw.

Some even share how his example influenced the way they raise their own kids — because that’s how much he has meant to big-time basketball both on the court and off it.

The Warriors announced Tuesday that Iguodala is becoming the seventh player to have his number retired by the franchise — set to join Rick Barry (24), Wilt Chamberlain (13), Nate Thurmond (42), Al Attles (16), Chris Mullin (17) and Tom Meschery (14).

Golden State will honor Iguodala and hang his No. 9 jersey following an afternoon game against Dallas on Feb. 23, meaning former teammate Klay Thompson will have the chance to be there.

“Andre will go down as one of the smartest, shrewdest and most unique and successful players ever to wear a Warriors uniform,” owner Joe Lacob said.

Iguodala retired in October 2023 after 19 NBA seasons and four championships with Golden State, including an NBA Finals MVP award in 2015. Shortly after announcing he was done playing, Iguodala became the acting executive director of the National Basketball Players Association.

The 41-year-old Iguodala was the No. 9 pick in the 2004 NBA draft out of Arizona and played in 1,231 career games. He spent eight seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, one in Denver, six with the Warriors, two in Miami and the last two back for Golden State.

Clark’s foundation awards grants to 4 Iowa charities days before her No. 22 is retired

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Basketball star Caitlin Clark has awarded $22,000 grants through her foundation to four Iowa charities that she said inspired her during her time at the University of Iowa.

The recipients announced Wednesday are the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital, Coralville Community Food Pantry, Boys and Girls Club of the Corridor and Special Olympics Iowa-East Central.

“One of my favorite things about Iowa City is the way the community is connected and how everyone supports each other,” Clark said. “It is something I felt during my time here and is important to me that I stay connected with. I am proud to be a part of each of these organization’s efforts and the meaningful impact they provide for the people of Iowa.”

Clark previously has provided product donations and participated in events and fundraising efforts for the four organizations, and she has said visiting the children’s hospital was one of her favorite activities when she was at Iowa.

“The foundation is thrilled to support these organizations given their alignment with our mission statement and the three core pillars of uplifting youth through education, nutrition, and sports,” Caitlin Clark Foundation president Mary Coffin said.

Indiana Fever re-sign Mitchell, keeping intact All-Star pairing with Clark

INDIANAPOLIS — Caitlin Clark will have both of her All-Star teammates back next season after the Indiana Fever announced Wednesday that they re-signed free agent guard Kelsey Mitchell.

Terms of the deal were not immediately available.

Playing alongside Clark in the backcourt last season, Mitchell posted the best statistical season of her seven-year career. She started 38 of 40 games, averaging 19.2 points while shooting 46.8% from the field and 40.2% from 3-point range.

Mitchell also had 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game as she counseled Clark about making the adjustment from college to the WNBA — and the enormous expectations placed on Clark as she won the league’s Rookie of the Year Award and was named The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year.

Clark, Mitchell and Aliyah Boston formed the nucleus of an Indiana team that made its first playoff appearance since 2016.

Mitchell was the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2018 out of Ohio State. She was also an All-Star in 2023 and led the Fever in scoring every season from 2019-22.

— Associated Press