Four-team deal to send Howard to L.A.
NBA: The Orlando Magic’s Dwightmare appears to be nearing an end.
The Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers reached a deal in principle on a four-team trade that would send Howard to the Lakers, ESPN reported late Thursday night.
In turn, the Magic definitely were set to receive Denver shooting guard Arron Afflalo, Denver forward Al Harrington, Philly center Nikola Vucevic, Philadelphia rookie small forward Moe Harkless and one future first-round pick from each of the three other teams.
Meanwhile, the deal also would send Orlando swingman Jason Richardson and L.A. center Andrew Bynum to the Sixers and Philly swingman Andre Iguodala to the Nuggets.
The deal, as reported, no doubt will leave many Magic fans underwhelmed. Earlier in the day, it appeared that the Magic might receive All-Star Pau Gasol from the Lakers, but Gasol is no longer in the mix, a league source familiar with the deal told the Orlando Sentinel.
Swede Lindberg takes lead in LPGA event
Golf: Pernilla Lindberg holed birdie putts of 40 and 50 feet and added three 25-footers in a round of 7-underpar 64 to take a two-shot lead after the rainy opening round of the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic at Sylvania, Ohio.
The 26-year-old Swede, a former Oklahoma State player, hasn’t finished in the top 10 of an LPGA event in her three years and 36 starts as a pro. She has missed the cut in six of her 10 starts this season.
Two shots back were Angela Stanford, Japan’s Mika Miyazato, South Korea’s Chella Choi, LSU grad Meredith Duncan, Thailand’s Numa Gulyanamitta and France’s Karine Icher. Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., shot a 71.
• Jutanugarn continues run: Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn won two matches in the U.S. Women’s Amateur to advance to the quarterfinals at The Country Club in Cleveland.
The 16-year-old Jutanugarn, coming off a successful title defense last week in the Junior PGA Championship, routed Bethany Wu of Diamond Bar, Calif., 6 and 4 in the morning, and edged Australia’s Ashlee Dewhurst 3 and 2 in the afternoon in the round of 16.
Jutanugarn will face Erynne Lee of Silverdale, Wash., in the quarterfinals.
Bettman claims lockout may happen
NHL: With time running out on NHL labor talks, commissioner Gary Bettman cautioned that the league is prepared to lock out its players if a new collective bargaining agreement is not reached by Sept. 15, when the current deal expires.
Saying a “wide gap” still existed between the two sides on numerous issues, Bettman added the potential for a lockout is something the NHL Players’ Association has been aware of for much of the past year.
NHLPA executive director Don Fehr referred to the split as “a meaningful gulf.”
Marquette reports possible violation
Colleges: Marquette has reported a possible rules violation involving its men’s basketball program to the NCAA, athletic director Larry Williams said.
The nature of the violation was not disclosed. Williams said the school is conducting a joint review with the NCAA and has no further comment.
Marquette coach Buzz Williams is 96-45 in four years as coach, including 46-26 in Big East play. The Golden Eagles have advanced to the NCAA tournament in all four seasons since Williams took over for Tom Crean, including back-to-back appearances in the regional semifinals.
• Petrino addresses affair: Bobby Petrino regrets the affair that led to his April firing, and the former Arkansas football coach said he hopes to return to the sidelines.
Petrino, speaking publicly for the first time since his firing in an interview with ESPN, acknowledged the affair with former football staffer Jessica Dorrell and said he is in counseling with his wife, Becky.
Matthews captures third stage in Utah
Cycling: Michael Matthews won the third stage and Christian Vandevelde retained the overall lead at the Tour of Utah.
Matthews broke away from the pack twice, emerging first from the peloton in the final sprint over the last six miles. He finished the 85.7-mile stage from Ogden that featured 8,542 feet of vertical climbs in 3 hours, 24 minutes, 7 seconds.
Swiss rider Michael Schar was second, and Brent Bookwalter finished third for the second time in three days.