DALLAS -- The Boston Celtics readily admit that the aftermath of their championship celebration has impacted their intensity this season.

"We were a lion last season, and some games this year we've looked like a house cat," center Kristaps Porzingis said after the Celtics' 122-107 win Saturday over the Dallas Mavericks. "We want to have that spirit as a team this year, and it's tough. Obviously we can't trick ourselves and make it [like] it's playoffs every game. It's tough, just human nature. But we know the group that we have and we know that we're going to bring it to the big games, but we need to bring it consistently and keep building on top of good wins like tonight."

The Celtics, who won 68 games last regular season and lost only three times during the postseason run to the franchise's record-setting 18th title, are second in the Eastern Conference standings with a 32-14 record. Boston jumped to a 21-5 start but is only 11-9 since then and sit 4.5 games behind the Cavaliers.

"We're definitely working towards getting our killer instinct back," said Porzingis, who scored 18 points in Saturday's win, his first game at the American Airlines Center since the Mavs traded him to the Washington Wizards at the 2022 deadline. "We want to have that. Some moments we've looked really good, some moments not so good. Some moments we've cruised a little bit."

Boston arrived in Dallas off an embarrassing blowout loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on national television Thursday. There was a motivational quote written on the white board in the visitors' locker room that was attributed to star forward Jaylen Brown, although he didn't think that he actually uttered those particular words.

"Whatever it takes to inspire the team," Brown said.

Brown did, however, cite one of his favorite sayings that he believes applies to Boston's relative struggles this season: "Winter always turns to spring."

In this case, the saying reflects Brown's confidence that the Celtics will soon go on a dominant run. Boston hasn't had a winning streak longer than three games since November.

"It's coming. It's coming," said Brown, who had 22 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists against the Mavs. "You just keep working. It's coming. You got to keep fighting if you want to be what you say you want to be, got to be tested and you got to pass those tests and be worthy of it. It's been hard. Shots are not going in. It's looked a little bit ugly at times. Our offense has been a little bit [off]. The energy hasn't been flowing the way it's used to, but that's all right.

"Just keep your mind, you keep your spirit lifted, you keep your teammates' spirit lifted and you come out and you play basketball, the tide will turn."

SAN FRANCISCO -- Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry acknowledged his injured right thumb bothered him but said it wasn't the reason why he matched the worst shooting half of his career, missing all eight of his second-half shots in a 118-108 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night at Chase Center.

Curry shot 4-for-17, including just 2-for-9 on 3-pointers, to finish with 13 points and nine assists. While he keeps getting his shooting thumb banged up, Curry would not use the injury as an excuse.

"It sucks, but it's not an excuse for anything," Curry said. "Got to play through it. I went 8-for-8 with it [against the Sixers]. It's just something that has been lingering to the point that it gets hit every once in a while. It's one of those things, it is almost gone and then it gets knocked again. I will deal with it, but it shouldn't bother me like it did tonight."

Curry has been battling the thumb injury and pain in his knees, which the team has had to manage. Golden State (22-23) has held out Curry in a game during back to backs because of the knee pain, though he did play in the Warriors' most recent back-to-back set against Sacramento and Chicago.

"It's trending in the right direction," Curry said of his knees. "It's still something you got to stick with the maintenance and all that type of stuff. For me to play, it checked all the boxes. In terms of how it responds from game to game, if that continues, I like where I'm at."

Keeping the injured thumb from getting hit has been an issue for Curry. Before facing the Sixers on Jan. 2, Curry was listed on the injury report with a sprained right thumb. He made all eight of his 3-point attempts and scored 30 points in a win over the Sixers. He also drilled seven triples in a win at Minnesota on Jan. 15.

But there are times when Curry can be seen shaking his right hand after getting the thumb whacked during a game. The Lakers' defense was also a thorn in Curry's side Saturday.

The Lakers held Curry scoreless in the second half, contesting seven of his eight shots. For the game, Curry shot 1-for-9, including 0-for-5 from 3-point range, on contested shots.

"Obviously Steph didn't shoot it well," said Lakers center Anthony Davis, who had 36 points and 13 rebounds. "But I think a lot of that was on us -- our guards ... constantly getting into the ball, making it tough on him. So I think everybody played a part of the Steph Curry defense that we tried to play on him tonight."

With the Warriors in a stretch in which they play eight of nine games at home, Curry has said this span could "make or break" their season as Golden State tries to get back above .500 without the injured Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga. Green is considered week-to-week with a calf injury, and head coach Steve Kerr says Kuminga is not close to returning after suffering a severe ankle injury three weeks ago.

The most nagging injury on the team, however, is Curry's shooting thumb.

"I think every time it gets hit, it's like a step-back," Curry said. "It's just annoying. Obviously I am going to play through it, but I was joking with one of our doctors tonight, I didn't even want to mention it because it's like as soon as it gets 100 percent, it gets knocked again.

"Again, not an excuse. I try not to worry about when I am out there, but hopefully it will clear up sooner than later."

Unhappy with his status with the Phoenix Suns, center Jusuf Nurkic said he hasn't spoken with head coach Mike Budenholzer in two months, going so far as to say the two "don't have a relationship."

Nurkic, who started 23 games this season before being moved to the bench earlier this month, has not played since Jan. 7. He said Budenholzer didn't tell him he would sit out a Jan. 9 game against the Atlanta Hawks, and Saturday's 119-109 win over the Washington Wizards marked the ninth consecutive game he has missed.

"We don't have a relationship," Nurkic said of Budenholzer, according to the Arizona Republic. "So, it's fine. For me, just be a pro and do the best I can. Work and stay ready for whatever might be, but there is no chaos or bringing that to this team. They already have plenty of it. Trying to be as professional as I can and work my ass off for something else."

Nurkic, who is averaging 8.6 points and 9.2 rebounds, was replaced in the starting lineup by Mason Plumlee when the Suns played at the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 6. It was his first time coming off the bench since the 2016-17 season, when he played for the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic became the starting center.

"It's hard to understand why," Nurkic said about Budenholzer moving him to the bench. "As you know, I try to do whatever they want from me. I play my role or whatever, but at the end of the day, it's the NBA."

With Nurkic out, Budenholzer has used three other centers in his rotation, including Plumlee and Nick Richards, whom the Suns acquired in a Jan. 15 trade. Richards has started the past three games and had 20 points and 19 rebounds in Saturday's win. Rookie Oso Ighodaro has also gotten minutes off the bench.

Budenholzer addressed Nurkic's remarks after Saturday's game.

"It's never easy in this league, Budenholzer said. "He hasn't played. I'm sure he's frustrated, so I respect that."

He added: "There's been conversations that have been had. There's been communication, but you know, we got three or four guys who play the same position. We're gonna go with who gives us our best chance. You've gotta earn your minutes, and that's been communicated."

Nurkic said he has nothing against the Suns' other big men.

"I'm glad Bud find somebody who he like he can play," Nurkic said of Richards. "I think that's refreshing for him to rotate four centers. I think that's something that's sustainable and that's the NBA. I have nothing against Nick. Any way I can help, but I'm glad they found someone who they want to play."

Shipped to Phoenix in a three-team trade before the 2023-24 season, Nurkic started 76 games that year, averaging 10.9 points and 11 rebounds per game.

Despite his situation, Nurkic said he believes he will be with the Suns after the Feb. 6 trade deadline but added that he will be prepared if he is moved.

"One door close, another will open eventually, sooner or later," Nurkic said.

He added: "It was what it is. Life is not fair."

Cameron Norrie has withdrawn from this week's Davis Cup tie in Japan, leaving the Great Britain team without any singles players ranked in the world's top 75.

Jack Draper had previously decided to skip the tie to continue his rehabilitation from a hip injury.

Norrie is recovering from the illness which hindered him at the Australian Open.

The world number 194 Jan Choinski comes into the team for the first-round tie in Miki on Friday and Saturday.

Jacob Fearnley and Billy Harris are likely to play singles, with Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury the doubles pair.

The qualifier takes place on 31 January and 1 February.

The Briton added: "I want to thank everyone that stayed out here and watched us play, you guys are a little bit crazy but I love you for it."

Patten sealed victory with an ace, moments after saving the second of two break points against his serve by the same means, and instantly dropped to the floor in celebration.

It ended an exhausting match, lasting three hours and four minutes, which was concluded in front of a small contingent of loyal supporters at 1:42am.

After the match, Vavassori thanked the tournament organisers but questioned the decision to hold the men's doubles final so late, after the women's singles final.

Addressing tournament director Craig Tiley, Vavassori said: "You are doing an amazing job. Hopefully, next year, you can change the time of the doubles finals. I don't think it's good for doubles to not have so many people watching.

"This is the best tournament in the world for me, thank you to all the people that make this tournament possible. In the next year, I wish that doubles will grow because it's a great sport, like singles."

While Patten is the third Briton, after Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury, to win multiple men's doubles titles this century, Heliovaara is the first Finnish player to achieve that feat.

Only 12 months ago, Patten and Heliovaara both exited the Australian Open in the second round when playing with other partners.

Heliovaara initially declined a partnership with Patten but, since winning an ATP title in Marrakech in their first tournament together, they have not looked back.

They have rapidly asserted themselves as one of the leading men's doubles pairings, winning half the Slam tournaments they have entered together.

Heliovaara, who stopped playing tennis professionally between 2013 and 2017, said: "Doubles is a team sport, so the most important thing is to find yourself a good partner. I think I have succeeded in that pretty well.

"Not only on the tennis court but also off it, we are such good friends. I think that's what keeps us close together on tennis courts and brings us titles like this, so I'm super thankful."

Keys' success is all the more impressive considering her injury woes in 2024.

The 29-year-old missed last year's Australian Open with a shoulder injury before a hamstring problem ended her Wimbledon run in the fourth round.

Determined to keep competing, Keys - on the advice of her coach and now husband Bjorn Fratangelo - decided to make a change.

Fratangelo convinced her to switch her Wilson racquets for Japanese brand Yonex - a swap he thought would limit her injuries.

"I have no idea why I like this racquet, what it does, like, all the specifics of it. I just knew when I picked it up, it felt really good, and that was the winner," Keys told Bounces on Tuesday., external

And just before the pair got married in November, Fratangelo dragged a "kicking and screaming" Keys into reworking her service motion.

"If you are going to rip things apart, you might as well rip everything apart, right?" she said.

Sinner followed up his maiden triumph at Melbourne Park 12 months ago by winning the US Open last September.

The Slam double was among eight titles he won during a stellar 2024, establishing himself as the leading player in the men's game in the same season that Rafael Nadal's retirement left Novak Djokovic as the last 'Big Three' player standing.

Sinner claimed his first major in dramatic circumstances last January, recovering from two sets down to defeat Daniil Medvedev in a five-set thriller before embarking on a memorable season in which he won 73 of 79 matches.

Sinner has dropped just two sets in six matches at this year's tournament, despite battling illness in his fourth-round win over Holger Rune and cramp in the semi-finals against Ben Shelton.

His run to his second Australian Open final has come against the backdrop of the Italian's ongoing doping case, which will be heard behind closed doors at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) from 16-17 April.

The World Anti-Doping Agency appealed against the decision to clear Sinner of blame after he twice tested positive for a banned substance last March and is seeking a one to two-year ban.

"There's a lot of things going on, on and off the court," said Sinner.

"I try to isolate myself a little bit, trying to be myself on the court. There are days where it's easier, days where I struggle a little bit more.

"I'm just happy to play for a big trophy again."

Scarlets: Ioan Nicholas; Jac Davies, Macs Page, Johnny Williams, Steff Evans; Ioan Lloyd, Gareth Davies; Alec Hepburn, Marnus van der Merwe, Archer Holz, Alex Craig, Sam Lousi, Max Douglas, Josh Macleod (capt), Vaea Fifita.

Replacements: Shaun Evans, Sam O'Connor, Gabe Hawley, Jac Price, Taine Plumtree, Efan Jones, Charlie Titcombe, Jarrod Taylor.

Edinburgh: Wes Goosen; Harry Paterson, Matt Currie, James Lang, Lewis Wells; Ben Healy, Ali Price; Boan Venter, Paddy Harrison, Paul Hill, Glen Young, Sam Skinner (capt), Liam McConnell, Hamish Watson, Tom Dodd.

Replacements: Harri Morris, Robin Hislop, Javan Sebastian, Rob Carmichael, Tom Currie, Ben Vellacott, Ross Thompson, Mosese Tuipulotu.

Referee: Andrea Piardi

Assistant referees: Craig Evans & Aaron Parry

TMO: Matteo Liperini

Sin bin: Harrison (23), Fifita (30)

Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan scored twice on his return from injury as Leinster defeated the Stormers 36-12 in Dublin.

Sheehan was making his first appearance of the season after sustaining a knee injury in Ireland's summer tour of South Africa.

After taking a lead through Ross Byrne's early penalty, Leinster's first try came when Andrew Osborne raced over in the corner after being fed by Jordie Barrett.

The Stormers responded when Ben Loader scampered over out wide but the hosts had the final say in the half.

After a lengthy delay to treat the injured Luke McGrath, who gave the thumbs up after being stretchered off, Leinster struck with the clock in the red as Sheehan rounded off a flowing move in the corner.

After an error-strewn start to the second half, New Zealand centre Barrett spotted a gap to slide over the line in the 59th minute, and Byrne added the conversion.

Sheehan secured the bonus point four minutes later when he gathered James Lowe's cross-field kick to score unchallenged.

Lowe, who was also making his return from injury, had a try disallowed but wing Osborne, brother of Ireland international Jamie, grabbed his second score of the game as he intercepted the ball on the Stormers line before diving over to touch down.

The Stormers grabbed a consolation through back row Evan Roos but could not stop Leinster's winning run this season.

Leo Cullen's side are unbeaten in 10 matches in the United Rugby Championship and topped Pool B in the Investec Champions Cup with four wins from four matches.

Sheehan and Lowe will now link up with Simon Easterby's Ireland squad in Portugal before the start of the Six Nations.

Leinster: H McErlean; A Osborne, L Turner, J Barrett, J Lowe; R Byrne, L McGrath; J Boyle, D Sheehan (capt), R Slimani; R Snyman, B Deeny; A Soroka, S Penny, M Deegan.

Replacements: J McKee, P McCarthy, R McGuire, D Mangan, J Culhane, W Connors, C Foley, C Tector.

Stormers: W Gelant; B Loader; R Nel, J Roche; L Zas; M Libbok, P de Wet; A Vermaak, J Dweba, N Fouche; JD Schickerling, R van Heerden; D Fourie (capt), B-J Dixon, E Roos.

Replacements: A-H Venter, B Harris, F Malherbe, S Moerat, M Theunissen, P de Villiers, H Jantjies, W Simelane.

Dragons: Huw Anderson; Rio Dyer, Aneurin Owen (capt), Harri Ackerman, Jared Rosser; Lloyd Evans, Morgan Lloyd; Rodrigo Martinez, Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Ryan Woodman, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Dan Lydiate, Taine Basham

Replacements: James Benjamin, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Paula Latu, Barny Langton-Cryer, George Young, Dane Blacker, Will Reed, Harry Wilson

Sin bin: Evans (20)

Munster: Ben O'Connor; Diarmuid Kilgallen, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan; Dian Bleuler, Diarmuid Barron, Oli Jager, Fineen Wycherley, Tom Ahern; Jack O'Donoghue (capt), Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes

Replacements: Danny Sheahan, Kieran Ryan, John Ryan, Evan O'Connell, Brian Gleeson, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, John Hodnett

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)

Assistant referees: Ben Connor & Matthew Leon (WRU)

TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)