Kobe Bryant became one of the greatest legends in the history of the NBA over two decades with the Los Angeles Lakers, fighting through pain and controversy to ensure his place among the sport's icons.

Bryant ranks third on the NBA all-time scoring list, trailing only leader Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone, and won NBA crowns with the Lakers in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2010.

Of the 12 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) teams anxiously awaiting Tuesday's draw for the Russia World Cup 2018 third round qualifiers, arguably Qatar has the most at stake.

Since being controversially chosen to host the 2022 tournament, the Gulf state has been battered by ongoing allegations of corruption, charges it denies, and labor abuse, which it claims to be addressing through reform.

Angel di Maria will attempt to exorcise some personal ghosts when he returns to Manchester for Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League quarter-final second leg at Manchester City on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old Argentina international endured a miserable time in the city with Manchester United last season, with a traumatic burglary expediting his departure at the end of the campaign.

At a time when the established powerhouses of the continent are apparently keen to change the format of the Champions League, there is just a possibility that the semi-final order will be greatly shaken up this season.

The quarter-final, second legs this Tuesday and Wednesday see Real Madrid up against it and both holders Barcelona and Bayern Munich defending narrow leads while one of Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain will break into the last four.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes Divock Origi is at the start of something special after he scored twice in a 4-1 win over Stoke City at Anfield.

Just days earlier, the Belgian grabbed a precious away goal against Klopp's former club Borussia Dortmund as the first leg of Liverpool's Europa League quarter-final ended all square at 1-1.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said that he had no regrets about not taking the Tottenham Hotspur job after the London club damaged his side's Champions League qualification hopes.

Three goals in six second-half minutes from Dele Alli, Toby Alderweireld and Erik Lamela gave Spurs a clinical 3-0 win on Sunday that took them back to within seven points of Premier League leaders Leicester City and left them 12 points clear of fifth-place United.

Marc Marquez extended his reign in the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas on Sunday, piloting his Honda to victory in Austin, Texas, for the fourth straight year.

Marquez, fresh off a win in Argentina, won in 43min 57.945sec, with Yamaha rival Jorge Lorenzo second 6.107sec behind and Italian Ducati rider Andrea Iannone third 10.947sec back.

Palermo's Serie A relegation woes deepened in a trouble-hit 3-0 defeat to Lazio that saw the match stopped twice by the referee as rocket flares came dangerously close to hitting players.

German veteran Miroslav Klose claimed his 50th and 51st Serie A goals and Felipe Anderson put the icing on the cake as Lazio moved one place up to eighth, albeit 31 points behind leaders Juventus and 11 off the European qualifying places.

Point guard Reggie Jackson wouldn't let Detroit be denied, scoring 39 points in a 112-99 triumph over the Washington Wizards that saw the Pistons clinch their first NBA playoff berth in seven seasons on Friday.

Tobias Harris had 17 points and pulled down nine rebounds for the Pistons, who squandered a 19-point lead before ending the longest post-season drought in the Eastern Conference.

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic believes Dimitri Payet's ability to produce sensational free-kicks like David Beckham will be one of the key factors in his side's bid to qualify for the Champions League.

Payet has enjoyed a memorable debut season in the Premier League and the France midfielder's penchant for scoring fabulous free-kicks has become his trademark following his move from Marseille.