Sports News Roundup: NBA-LeBron James becomes first player to score 40,000 points; Surfing-Brazil's Medina wins world surfing games, in line for Olympics spot and more

James, who entered the game needing nine points to reach the milestone, used a spin move to create separation from Denver's Michael Porter Jr. and put the ball in with his left hand as the all-time scoring leader continues to put his record further out of reach. Surfing-Brazil's Medina wins world surfing games, in line for Olympics spot Three time world champion Gabriel Medina won surfing's final Olympic qualifying event in Puerto Rico on Sunday, giving him a likely spot in an expanded Brazilian team that will go for gold in the perfect tubes of Teahupo'o in Tahiti in six months time.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Tennis-Nadal hopes to leave Indian Wells unscathed with focus on claycourt season

Rafa Nadal said he hopes to avoid any injury setbacks at Indian Wells so he can be fully fit for the upcoming claycourt season in what could be his final year on the ATP Tour. The 37-year-old, who has won 14 of his 22 Grand Slam titles on the red clay of Roland Garros, has suggested his career could be coming to a close and missed this year's Australian Open due to pain in his surgically repaired hip.

Athletics-Lyles helps U.S. to world indoor 4x400 podium in possible Paris preview

Noah Lyles helped the U.S. team to a silver medal in the 4x400 metres relay -- a distance he rarely runs -- at the world indoor athletics championships on Sunday, a preview perhaps of his Paris Olympic intentions. Running the third leg, the 100 and 200m specialist received the baton in first place and handed off without giving up any ground in a 45.68-second split, the third fastest of his team.

Boxing-Joshua looking to deliver 'statement' win over Ngannou

British heavyweight Anthony Joshua said he wants to deliver a statement win by knocking out former mixed martial arts champion Francis Ngannou in their boxing bout in Saudi Arabia on Friday. Joshua, who lost his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight belts to Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk in 2021, has won his last three fights as the 34-year-old looks to reestablish himself as a top contender in the division.

Tennis-Nadal hails 'amazing' Alcaraz after exhibition defeat

Rafa Nadal said one good thing about nearing the end of his career is that he will not have to face Carlos Alcaraz too many times after the 37-year-old Spaniard lost to his compatriot in an exhibition match in Las Vegas on Sunday. Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, added that the future of Spanish tennis was in good hands with the 20-year-old. Alcaraz has already won majors at the U.S. Open and Wimbledon and is ranked number two in the world behind Novak Djokovic.

NHL roundup: Kirill Kaprizov's hat trick guides Wild past Sharks

Kirill Kaprizov notched a hat trick, completing it with the go-ahead score with 3:59 remaining in the third period, to lift the Minnesota Wild to a 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks on Sunday evening in Saint Paul, Minn. Kaprizov has five career hat tricks, including two in the last two weeks. Frederick Gaudreau also scored for Minnesota, which snapped a three-game winless streak. Matt Boldy recorded a pair of assists.

NBA-LeBron James becomes first player to score 40,000 points

LeBron James on Saturday became the first NBA player to score 40,000 career points, hitting a scoop layup off the glass in the second quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers home game against the Denver Nuggets. James, who entered the game needing nine points to reach the milestone, used a spin move to create separation from Denver's Michael Porter Jr. and put the ball in with his left hand as the all-time scoring leader continues to put his record further out of reach.

Surfing-Brazil's Medina wins world surfing games, in line for Olympics spot

Three time world champion Gabriel Medina won surfing's final Olympic qualifying event in Puerto Rico on Sunday, giving him a likely spot in an expanded Brazilian team that will go for gold in the perfect tubes of Teahupo'o in Tahiti in six months time. Brazil won both the men's and women's team events at the International Surfing Association's world surfing games on the Caribbean island, giving them one extra berth for each gender for the Paris 2024 Games, at the discretion of the National Olympic Committee. Countries are usually restricted to just two spots each for men and women.

NBA roundup: Celtics pound Warriors for 11th straight win

A dominant first half allowed the Boston Celtics to extend their winning streak to 11 games by beating the visiting Golden State Warriors 140-88 on Sunday. Boston made 15 of 24 3-point attempts in the first two quarters and led 82-38 at halftime. Boston's 44-point halftime lead was the largest in the franchise's history.

Austin Eckroat on top as Cognizant Classic heads for Monday finish

Ausin Eckroat will go to sleep with a one-stroke lead at the Cognizant Classic as the final round was suspended due to darkness following a 3 1/2-hour weather delay Sunday in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Eckroat, one of three 54-hole co-leaders, only teed off after the delay had ended at 4:20 local time. He went 2 under through his first seven holes at PGA National's Champion course to get to 15 under.

Athletics-Charlton lowers 60m hurdles world record again at world indoors

Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas is again the sole owner of the women's indoor 60-metre hurdles world record after the 28-year-old blazed to a time of 7.65 seconds at the world indoor championships on Sunday. She beat the previous mark of 7.67 she shared with American Tia Jones.