Reuters Sports News Summary

Cavs apologize for 'insensitive' domestic violence video

The National Basketball Association's Cleveland Cavaliers apologized on Thursday for airing a video during a playoff game that depicted an incident of domestic violence. The video, which ran during Wednesday's game against the Chicago Bulls, was intended to be a humorous spoof on a popular commercial centered on the popular song and dance routine from the 1987 movie "Dirty Dancing", the team said.

Team Brady balks at NFL 'Deflategate' probe, awaits sanctions

The team behind Tom Brady ran defense for the star quarterback on Thursday after a report found he likely knew footballs were deflated to the New England Patriots' advantage in a scandal that could lead to a multigame suspension and a tainted legacy. As Brady's agent issued a stinging rebuke of the findings, the National Football League clammed up the day after releasing the 243-page "Deflategate" report, refusing to give a timetable or range on possible sanctions against Brady or the Patriots.

Rodriguez passes Mays for fourth on home run list

Alex Rodriguez blasted the 661st home run of his career on Thursday to pass Willie Mays for fourth on the all-time list. The milestone blow came in the third inning of the New York Yankees' 4-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

Mayweather makes U-turn, says no to Pacquiao re-match

Two days after saying he would be open to a re-match with Manny Pacquiao, unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather Jr. reversed course on Thursday while describing the Filipino as "a sore loser". In an interview with Showtime to be broadcast on Saturday, Mayweather expressed his disgust that Pacquiao had blamed an injured right shoulder for his defeat by the American in the so-called "Fight of the Century" in Las Vegas.

Canadiens beat Bolts 6-2 to keep series alive

The Montreal Canadiens staved off elimination from the Eastern Conference semi-finals with a 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Four on Thursday. With the season on the line, Montreal burst to a 5-0 lead midway through the second to beat the Lightning for the first time in nine meetings this season and send the series back to Montreal on Saturday.

Wizards' Wall out with fractures in left wrist, hand

The Washington Wizards were dealt a severe blow to their playoff hopes when All-Star point guard John Wall was sidelined indefinitely on Thursday because of an injured left wrist and hand. Wall sat out Game Two against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday and medical tests the following day revealed five non-displaced fractures in his hand and wrist, the National Basketball Association team said in a statement.

Matsuyama shares lead after first round at Players

Rory McIlroy outplayed Jordan Spieth in a duel between the world's two top-ranked players, but another young gun was part of a quartet who stole the show with the first round lead at the Players Championship on Thursday. Hideki Matsuyama, of Japan, fired a five-under 67 to join Canadian David Hearn and Americans Kevin Na and Charley Hoffman in the lead at TPC Sawgrass, one shot ahead of six Americans.

Patriots' Brady says Super Bowl win not tainted by 'Deflategate'

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said Thursday the team's Super Bowl victory over the Seattle Seahawks was not tainted by the "Deflategate" investigation, but he declined to directly respond to the probe's findings. "No, absolutely not," Brady said during a speaking engagement at Salem State University when asked if the scandal over deflated footballs raised questions about the team's 28-24 victory over the Seahawks in February.

Nadal breezes past Bolelli into Madrid quarters

Local hero Rafa Nadal raced into the last eight of the Madrid Open when he brushed aside unseeded Italian Simone Bolelli 6-2 6-2 on Thursday to set up a quarter-final clash against Bulgarian 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov. Chasing a third straight title at the clay Masters event in the Spanish capital, and a fifth overall, third seed Nadal needed little more than an hour to see off an outclassed Bolelli, saving both break points he faced on his serve.

Former Brazil soccer great Pele undergoes prostate surgery

Brazilian soccer legend Pele has undergone prostate surgery and is in stable condition, a Sao Paulo hospital said on Thursday. This is the second time Pele, 74, has been hospitalized in six months.