Sports news in brief

Basketball: Russell Westbrook (picture) enjoyed yet another magical night in a magical campaign as he broke the NBA’s single-season record for triple-doubles and then hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give Oklahoma City Thunder victory over Denver Nuggets. Westbrook collected 50 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists to break Oscar Robertson’s 56-year-old record with his 42nd triple-double of the season. And the last of those points came at the death as the Thunder snatched a 106-105 victory – eliminating Denver from play-off contention in the process.

Tennis: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova claimed her fourth Monterrey Open crown as she kept world number one Angelique Kerber waiting for her first title of 2017. Pavlyuchenkova prevailed 6-4 2-6 6-1 in Sunday’s final, a re-match of her last title here when she beat Kerber 4-6 6-2 6-4 in the 2013 final. Kerber was playing in her first final of the year after missing significant time with a shoulder injury, but was outgunned by Pavlyuchenkova who hit eight aces to Kerber’s three.

Rugby Union: The Japan Rugby Football Union yesterday welcomed the Sunwolves’ switch to Super Rugby’s Australian conference next season, saying the club will...