Minnesota forward Zach LaVine scored 30 points and pulled down seven rebounds to lead the United States to a 157-154 victory over the world team on Friday in the NBA's Rising Stars Challenge in Toronto.

LaVine was named Most Valuable Player of the contest featuring many of the NBA's top rookies and second-year players, which launched the festivities of All-Star weekend.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is set to end his latest injury absence and return to lead his side's bid to revive their Premier League title challenge against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Kompany has been out of action since a 4-1 win over Sunderland on Boxing Day when he suffered the recurrence of a calf injury that has dogged the defender in recent seasons.

Gonzalo Higuain says Napoli have no intention of buckling under pressure as they continue their quest for a first Scudetto in 26 years with a hotly-anticipated visit to champions Juventus on Saturday.

In a Serie A weekend that could also be decisive for Fiorentina and Inter Milan, who face off in Florence on Sunday, Napoli travel to Turin looking for their second victory over the Old Lady this season.

Louis van Gaal says he would be upset if it is true that Manchester United have approached Jose Mourinho behind his back.

Embattled United boss van Gaal takes his team to Sunderland on Saturday with speculation mounting that Mourinho is waiting in the wings to take charge at Old Trafford.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said Friday Gareth Bale will only return to competitive action when he is 100 percent fit as the Welshman continues his recovery from a calf injury.

Bale has been out since suffering the injury in a 5-1 win against Sporting Gijon in mid-January and has still not returned to full training.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger appealed for fans not to stage protests during Sunday's top-of-the table clash against Leicester City as new supporter anger erupted.

Wenger defended clubs and their prices after West Ham United's Slaven Bilic led calls by English Premier League managers to stop stadiums becoming the exclusive preserve of the "caviar" class.

Kenya is being investigated for breaching the world anti-doping code, WADA said Thursday, and could be declared non-compliant in a matter of weeks.

The World Anti-Doping Agency said an independent compliance review committee will now evaluate Kenya and make a recommendation to WADA's board.

Sevilla will play Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final after drawing 2-2 with Celta Vigo on Thursday, advancing 6-2 on aggregate.

Sevilla will play Luis Enrique's side in the final on May 21, after it eliminated Valencia 8-1 on aggregate in the other semifinal on Wednesday.

Playing with a heavy heart a night after the wife of assistant coach Monty Williams died, Russell Westbrook led Oklahoma to a 121-95 victory over New Orleans on Thursday.

Ingrid Williams was involved in a car crash Tuesday in Oklahoma City and died Wednesday. A moment of silence was observed by both teams who had ties to the couple. Monty Williams coached the Pelicans last season before coming to Oklahoma City to help new coach Billy Donovan.

When Greg Anthony arrived in Vancouver to join the inaugural Grizzlies team in 1995, the cash in his pocket wasn't the only currency that he needed to exchange.

Anthony was a star in college at mighty UNLV and went to the NBA to play for the Knicks, who took a backseat to nobody in New York during those playoff days.