INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Peyton Manning has been cleared to play by the doctor who operated on the quarterback's neck. A spokesman for Dr. Robert Watkins sent a one-paragraph email to reporters late Thursday night after ESPN first reported that Colts' star had been cleared to play. The Colts contend it is nothing new because Manning was cleared to practice in December.
NEW YORK (AP) - Four Los Angeles players have been voted to the Western Conference team for the February 26 NBA All-Star game in Orlando. Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum of the Lakers will open the game on the court with Clippers stars Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, with Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant rounding out the West's starting lineup. The East starters are Heat teammates LeBron James and Dwyane (dwayn) Wade, Bulls guard Derrick Rose, Orlando center Dwight Howard and Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony.
MURRAY, Ky. (AP) - Murray State remains the lone unbeaten team in Division I men's basketball following another comeback victory. Isaiah Canaan scored 32 points and Jewuan (juh-WAHN') Long added 13 as the Rangers downed Southeast Missouri State 81-73. The Racers' 22-0 record is the best start by an Ohio Valley Conference team since Western Kentucky opened the 1953-54 season with 21 consecutive wins.
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) - Edmonton Oilers forward San Gagner (GAHN'-yay) became the first NHL player in 23 years to score eight points in a game, producing four goals and four assists in last night's 8-4 rout of Chicago. The 22-year-old Gagner had three goals and two assists while the Oilers were scoring five times in the final period. He tied a club record for points and fell two shy of matching the league record of 10 points, set by Toronto's Darryl Sittler in 1976.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - The Washington Nationals have defeated pitcher John Lannan in baseball's first salary arbitration decision this year. The left-hander will receive the club's offer of $5 million rather than his request for $5.7 million. Lannan was 10-13 with a 3.70 ERA in 33 starts last season, when he made $2.75 million.
