Luka Doncic’s hot start propels Lakers to win over Pacers

As long as the Lakers have Luka Doncic on the court, they always have a chance of winning, regardless of the opponent. And regardless of the circumstances. The Lakers’ 128-117 Friday night win over the Pacers at Crypto.com Arena, which was the second night of a back-to-back and witnessed star forward LeBron James and starting center Deandre Ayton watching from the bench in street clothes, was a quick reminder. Doncic, who entered Friday leading the league in first-quarter scoring (11.5 points), got off to one of his signature hot starts, scoring 22 points in the first quarter to give the…

Beaming Newsom schmoozes Dem heavyweights at Jesse Jackson memorial — as Obama makes telling gesture about gov’s future

A Cheshire Cat-looking Gov. Gavin Newsom appeared to use civil rights icon Jesse Jackson’s memorial service Friday as a campaign event — as the rumored 2028 presidential hopeful was spotted schmoozing Democratic heavyweights, including former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. The lame-duck California governor was pictured working the room…

Saks Fifth Avenue parent closing 15 more stores in bankruptcy — here are the locations

Saks Global said Friday it was closing 15 more stores as the luxury retailer, which filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, tries to cut losses and focus on more profitable, higher-end locations. The company has largely completed the process of shutting down underperforming stores with Friday’s announcement, but was still working with some landlords to finalize…

Restaurants turn to mini cocktails to lure customers in age of Ozempic

Bars and eateries are adapting to the Ozempic era by offering mini cocktails. “Mini martinis” as small as 1.5 ounces and flights of “baby negronis” that let you sample different flavors are on a growing number of menus throughout the city and beyond as American waistlines and alcohol consumption continue…

Unpredictable Knicks sent clear message with Spurs domination

What should be most obvious about these Knicks by now is that the moment you want to paint them into a corner in order to declare who they are — They’re contenders! They’re pretenders! They’re Finals bound! They’re frauds! — is exactly the moment when they will all but openly…

Chad Baker-Mazara no longer on USC basketball team

USC’s reeling basketball team suffered a huge setback Sunday, announcing that star guard Chad Baker-Mazara was no longer a member of the program. The departure of the team’s top remaining scorer means that the final image of Baker-Mazara in a Trojans uniform will be him limping through the handshake line…

Battle for soul of Democratic Party centers on Senate primary in Texas

SAN ANTONIO — Democratic Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett’s showdown with local Dem state rep James Talarico has become the latest flashpoint in the battle between moderates and firebrands for the soul of the party. While Crockett has tried to mobilize the party’s far-left base as a raw, brass-knuckled fighter who…

Drugs like Ozempic may have a surprising benefit: study

Talk about a surprise perk. Numerous additional benefits of GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic continue to be discovered, from improving cardiovascular health to potentially preventing dementia and lowering the risk of depression. Now, one more benefit could be added to the list, thanks to new research that found the…

Lakers reveal injury for LeBron James after win vs Warriors

Lakers star LeBron James is questionable for Sunday night’s home game against the Kings, which is the second night of a back-to-back after Saturday’s win over the Warriors.  James, who was the lone player on the team’s injury report, was listed with left foot arthritis.  Rui Hachimura was taken off…

Berkshire Hathaway profit falls on lower insurance income, Occidental writedown

Berkshire Hathaway said on Saturday operating profit fell in the fourth quarter, reflecting lower income from its insurance operations, and wrote down a longstanding investment in Occidental Petroleum.  The quarter was Warren Buffett’s last as the conglomerate’s chief executive, a job now held by Greg Abel. Buffett remains chairman. Berkshire reported ending 2025…

Knicks look like contenders as they stifle Spurs in statement win

The Knicks offense started the game in shambles. Then Jalen Brunson un-shambled it. And they never looked back. The surging Spurs had won 11 straight, looking like an elite team with title aspirations. And, since blowing a double-digit lead to the Spurs on New Year’s Eve, the Knicks had mostly…

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