In brief: Stewart could still face criminal charges

Motor sports: Tony Stewart could still face criminal charges for running down Kevin Ward Jr. with his sprint car, even if the three-time NASCAR champion didn’t mean to kill Ward, hurt him or even scare him.

Ontario County Sheriff Philip Povero, who announced on Tuesday that the investigation is continuing, has said that his initial findings have turned up nothing that would indicate criminal intent in the crash at the Canandaigua (N.Y.) Motorsports Park.

But legal experts agree that does not mean Stewart is in the clear.

The NASCAR star could be charged with second-degree manslaughter under New York law if prosecutors believe he “recklessly caused the death of another person,” with negligent homicide another possibility, according to criminal law professor Corey Rayburn Yung of the Kansas University School of Law.

“The question over whether someone was reckless is a factual one, and one a prosecutor might let a jury decide,” said Yung, who also posts at the Concurring Opinion blog.

Injury postpones title fight

Mixed martial arts: UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has injured his leg, forcing the postponement of his title fight with Daniel Cormier to Jan. 3.

Jones (20-1) was scheduled to fight Cormier (15-0) at UFC 178 in Las Vegas on Sept. 27 in the mixed martial arts promotion’s most anticipated event of the fall. Instead, Jones and Cormier will headline UFC 182, the promotion’s traditional year-end show in Las Vegas.

• Fighter wanted for assault: Authorities have issued a warrant for the arrest of a mixed martial arts fighter who police suspect of assaulting his ex-girlfriend in Las Vegas.

Court records dated Monday show the 32-year-old fighter known as War Machine is wanted on suspicion of domestic battery, strangulation, lewdness, assault and coercion stemming from an attack police say occurred on Friday.

Pacers expect George to recover

NBA: The Indiana Pacers expect Paul George to make a full recovery from the compound fracture in his right leg. They’re just not expecting that to happen this season.

Eleven days after George’s gruesome injury in a U.S. national team scrimmage, Larry Bird and Frank Vogel said doctors believe the two-time All-Star can be his old self after a long recovery.

What the Pacers don’t know yet is precisely how long that will be. George underwent surgery Aug. 2 and returned to Indianapolis on Aug. 5. He is now recovering at his home.

Vogel said doctors told the team the injury did not involve ligaments, tendons, joints or nerves, some rare good news in what has become a stressful offseason for the Pacers.

Doctors who have not examined George say a full recovery from this kind of injury could take 12 to 18 months. Bird said the physicians who are treating George have not ruled out a longshot, late-season return, though the Pacers won’t rush George back.

• Suns’ Tucker suspended three games: The NBA has suspended Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker for three games following his guilty plea to “super extreme” driving while intoxicated.

The suspension will be served at the beginning of the coming season.

Tucker was sentenced to three days in jail and 11 days’ home detention following his plea last week. “Super extreme” DUI under Arizona law is for persons whose blood alcohol level exceeds .20 percent. Police say that just after his May 10 arrest in Scottsdale, Tucker had a blood alcohol level of .222. The legal limit in Arizona is .08.

Oilers sign third overall pick

NHL: The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Leon Draisaitl, the third overall pick in the 2014 draft, to a three-year entry level contract.

Draisaitl had 105 points (38 goals, 67 assists) in 64 regular-season games for the Western Hockey League’s Prince Albert Raiders last season. He also had a goal and two assists in four playoff games. He joins a young Oilers team that includes recent No. 1 overall picks Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov.

Red Bulls deal for Sene

Soccer: The New York Red Bulls have acquired forward Saer Sene and an international roster slot from the New England Revolution for forward Andre Akpan and allocation money.

Sene had 17 career goals and eight assists in his first three MLS seasons. In 2012, he led the team in scoring with 11 goals.

Akpan was in his second season with the Red Bulls. He made five appearances this season as a substitute.

• Gordon returns to Galaxy: The L.A. Galaxy have reacquired veteran forward Alan Gordon from the San Jose Earthquakes in a trade for allocation money.

Gordon spent six seasons with the Galaxy after they drafted the Southern California native in 2004, contributing 16 goals and 12 assists in 80 appearances. He won the MLS Cup with the Galaxy in 2005 and contributed to two Western Conference championship teams while becoming a fan favorite.