Marcus Smart Says He Has Heard Racist Remarks From Celtics Fans: 'It's Sad And Sickening'Asked about Kyrie Irving's comments about Boston fans, Celtics guard Marcus Smart said that he is hoping that the Boston crowd will treat all players -- whether they're in a Celtics or a Nets uniform -- with respect. Jayson Tatum Good To Go For Celtics-Nets Game 3Celtics forward Jayson Tatum practiced on Thursday and is good to go for Friday night's must-win Game 3 against the Brooklyn Nets. Jalen Mills Explains Why He Switched To No. 2 With PatriotsJalen Mills says switching to No. 2 is cool, but it also has a deeper meaning for the new Patriots defensive back. Long Snapper Joe Cardona On Playing For New England Patriots: 'I Never Thought I'd Be In The NFL'The Patriots long snapper says there is a different energy in the building knowing that fans will be returning to Gillette Stadium in the fall. Bruins-Islanders Game 1 Set For Saturday Night At TD GardenWe don't have a full series schedule just yet, but at least we know when the Bruins and the Islanders will begin their second-round series.<doc-sep>The Telegraph Two of the surprise packages of this clay-court season have been British – initially Dan Evans, who made a deep run in Monte Carlo, and more lately Cameron Norrie, who played his second final in three weeks on Sunday. Unfortunately, Norrie wasn’t able to land a maiden ATP title in Lyon. But then he was up against Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has been the dominant force of 2021 outside the slams, and now stands at No 1 in the table of most rankings points gained since January 1. Nevertheless, it had been a hugely creditable effort for Norrie to go this far, especially when you consider that he took out top seed Dominic Thiem on Thursday, and then trounced big-hitting Russian Karen Khachanov in Saturday’s semi-final, losing only two games in the process. Norrie has come to clay late in his career, but it feels like this is developing into his favourite surface. He has one of the heaviest left-handed forehands in the game, loaded with top-spin, and uses it like a miniature version of Rafael Nadal. The result has been a tally of 14 wins and only four losses since he began his European clay-court swing in Barcelona. So while the French Open, which starts next Sunday, has traditionally been a graveyard of British hopes, there are reasons to hope that this year’s event could deliver some more positive results. Norrie’s previous final in Estoril had been a nervewracking affair which he eventually lost on a deciding-set tie-break to the more experienced Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Sunday was more straightforward for Tsitsipas, who needed only 69 minutes to hammer home a 6-3, 6-3 victory. It was Tsitsipas’ second title of the clay-court sequence, after he won Monte Carlo in mid-April, taking out Evans in the semi-final along the way. He has become a serious contender to upset the establishment – specifically Nadal and Novak Djokovic – at Roland Garros over the next few weeks. “I felt in good shape from the beginning of the tournament,” said Tsitsipas afterwards. “I am proud of today’s match, I knew it would be a difficult one against Cameron, who has been showing great tennis this week. He has been winning against good players and showing what the left hand can do on clay. “It was not an easy match today. I had to handle the nerves and I am proud of my performance and the way I stayed focused towards my goal.” On this year’s results, meanwhile, both Evans and Norrie stand among the world’s 20 most successful men. Evans is at No 16 and Norrie No 14. The next challenge for them both is to convert that ATP Tour form into a deep run at a major.<doc-sep>The Telegraph Two of the surprise packages of this clay-court season have been British – initially Dan Evans, who made a deep run in Monte Carlo, and more lately Cameron Norrie, who played his second final in three weeks on Sunday. Unfortunately, Norrie wasn’t able to land a maiden ATP title in Lyon. But then he was up against Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has been the dominant force of 2021 outside the slams, and now stands at No 1 in the table of most rankings points gained since January 1. Nevertheless, it had been a hugely creditable effort for Norrie to go this far, especially when you consider that he took out top seed Dominic Thiem on Thursday, and then trounced big-hitting Russian Karen Khachanov in Saturday’s semi-final, losing only two games in the process. Norrie has come to clay late in his career, but it feels like this is developing into his favourite surface. He has one of the heaviest left-handed forehands in the game, loaded with top-spin, and uses it like a miniature version of Rafael Nadal. The result has been a tally of 14 wins and only four losses since he began his European clay-court swing in Barcelona. So while the French Open, which starts next Sunday, has traditionally been a graveyard of British hopes, there are reasons to hope that this year’s event could deliver some more positive results. Norrie’s previous final in Estoril had been a nervewracking affair which he eventually lost on a deciding-set tie-break to the more experienced Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Sunday was more straightforward for Tsitsipas, who needed only 69 minutes to hammer home a 6-3, 6-3 victory. It was Tsitsipas’ second title of the clay-court sequence, after he won Monte Carlo in mid-April, taking out Evans in the semi-final along the way. He has become a serious contender to upset the establishment – specifically Nadal and Novak Djokovic – at Roland Garros over the next few weeks. “I felt in good shape from the beginning of the tournament,” said Tsitsipas afterwards. “I am proud of today’s match, I knew it would be a difficult one against Cameron, who has been showing great tennis this week. He has been winning against good players and showing what the left hand can do on clay. “It was not an easy match today. I had to handle the nerves and I am proud of my performance and the way I stayed focused towards my goal.” On this year’s results, meanwhile, both Evans and Norrie stand among the world’s 20 most successful men. Evans is at No 16 and Norrie No 14. The next challenge for them both is to convert that ATP Tour form into a deep run at a major.<doc-sep>Garrett Ellwood/Getty Images The Boston Celtics traded Jabari Bird to the Atlanta Hawks, according to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes. Bird, a second-round pick in the 2017 draft, has yet to appear in a game this season. The Boston Globe's Adam Himmelsbach reported Wednesday that Boston was looking to move him in order to lower the team's luxury-tax bill and free up a roster spot. "Bird would then be waived by the team that was paid to acquire him," Himmelsbach wrote. According to Yahoo Sports' Keith Smith, trading Bird could be part of Boston's long-term pursuit of New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis: Bird stepped away from the Celtics in September after prosecutors charged him with assault and battery after he allegedly choked and kicked his girlfriend at his home, per the Boston Herald's Laurel J. Sweet: "'During the argument, the defendant began strangling her using one of his hands, and also threw her against a wall,' [Assistant Suffolk District Attorney Khyati Short] said. 'After that, he began strangling her with two hands, approximately a dozen times.' Short said Bird would throttle the accuser until 'she went limp,' then start the torment all over again once she caught her breath. 'She did lose consciousness at one point for a few seconds, and when she awoke found herself on the floor under the defendant's bed. When she stuck her head out he began to kick her multiple times,' Short said. According to ESPN.com, Bird returned to court in January and pleaded not guilty to charges of witness intimidation and threatening to commit a crime, which were new charges in the case. Video Play Button Videos you might like The Cal product appeared in 13 games as a rookie for the Celtics in 2017-18, averaging 3.0 points and 0.6 assists.<doc-sep>
The Boston Celtics had been waiting for the NBA to finish its handling of Jabari Bird’s domestic assault case before deciding on how to proceed. They’d hoped to have that settled by now so they could move on with the business of basketball, but Bird’s case is yet to be resolved. So the Celtics today decided to move on and they traded Bird to the Atlanta Hawks. Boston trading guard Jabari Bird to Atlanta, league sources tell Yahoo Sports. — Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 7, 2019 The Atlanta Hawks are immediately waiving Bird, and it’s believed Boston sent cash to the Hawks as part of the deal to do so. By not waiving Bird themselves, the Celtics will not have to pay the luxury tax on his salary. This move also opens a roster spot, which means the Celtics can be active on the buyout market, which is expected to involve some good players. Boston can offer a prorated portion of its taxpayer mid-level exception, $5.3 million, in a multi-year deal. It’s possible Ainge could use that spot for a useful player now and structure the contract to add non-guaranteed years for use in a potential Anthony Davis trade. Bird still faces multiple charges, including domestic assault, in connection with the September incident. He was arraigned last week on new charges stemming from the original arrest, and he’s expected back in court on February 13. He has not been with the team since his arrest. The NBA’s domestic violence policy is set through the Collective Bargaining Agreement with players. If Bird is convicted or pleads guilty or no contest, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver could go as far as banning him from the NBA.