Bryant out with ligament tear
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Feb. 14 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Lakers announced Thursday that Kobe Bryant could miss as many as six weeks because of a torn ligament in the pinkie finger on his right hand.
A hand specialist recommended surgery to repair the ligament tear, but Bryant said he wanted to delay surgery until after this summer's Olympics.
Bryant, the second leading scorer in the NBA this season, had previously dislocated the finger and aggravated the injury Wednesday against Minnesota. An examination then revealed the ligament damage.
"My current thinking is to give my finger some treatment and rest for a few days, and hope I can still continue to compete at a high level after that rest," Bryant said. "But, this is an injury that myself and the Lakers' medical staff will just have to continue to monitor on a day-to-day basis."
A Lakers spokesman indicated Bryant still might play play in Sunday's All-Star Game. He will not take part as planned, however, in the three-point shooting contest that is part of the weekend's activities. His place in that competition will be filled by Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks.
Through 52 games, Bryant is averaging 28 points per contest.
Earnhardt, Hamlin win Daytona qualifiers
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Denny Hamlin won the two Daytona 500 qualifying races Thursday, with both outcomes creating NASCAR milestones.
Earnhardt won his second race in as many starts for Hendrick Motorsports, which he joined this year after leaving the team founded by his late father. Hamlin's victory was the first for a Toyota since that manufacturer joined NASCAR's top series last season.
Earnhardt, who captured the Bud Shootout exhibition race last weekend, will start third in Sunday's 50th running of the Daytona 500. Hamlin will be in the fourth starting position.
The top two spots on the grid were determined Sunday. Two-time defending series champion Jimmie Johnson and Michael Waltrip had the top two qualifying times, and thus earned first-row positions.
The rest of the field was determined by Thursday's two 46-lap races at the Daytona International Speedway.
Spots Nos. 5-10 Sunday will be taken by Reed Sorenson, Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Jeff Gordon, Casey Mears and Kasey Kahne.
Among those failing to make the 43-car field were Bill Elliott, Ken Schrader, Boris Said, Sterling Marlin and Jacques Villeneuve.
K.J. Choi grabs lead at Riviera
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- K.J. Choi, attempting to become the first two-time winner on the PGA Tour this year, took a one-shot lead Thursday at the Northern Trust Open.
Choi shot a 6-under 65 in the opening round over the famed Riviera Country Club course. He won the Sony Open in Hawaii, the first full-field event of the year, and currently ranks second behind J.B. Holmes on the FedEx Cup points list.
Kevin Na was alone in second at 66 while Chad Campbell and Vaughn Taylor were at 67.
The large group at 3-under 68 included Angel Cabrera, Alex Cejka, Scott Verplank and Phil Mickelson, who opened with two straight birdies but bogeyed the final hole.
John Daly, Stuart Appleby were among those who shot 69.
There were 15 players still on the course when play was suspended because of darkness. The only one still playing with a chance to impact the leader board was rookie Dustin Johnson, who was 3-under with three holes to play.
Choi birdied four of the first seven holes and shot a 31 on the front nine.
Monica Seles retires from tennis tour
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Former world No. 1 Monica Seles Thursday announced her retirement from the women's tennis tour.
The native of Novi Sad, Yugoslavia, finishes her 15-year career with a record of 595-122. She had not played since the 2003 French Open in Paris.
"Tennis has been and will always be a huge part of my life," she said in a statement. "I have for some time considered a return to professional play, but I have now decided not to pursue that. I will continue to play exhibitions, participate in charity events, promote the sport, but will no longer plan my schedule around the tour. I look forward to pursuing other opportunities with the same passion and energy."
Seles, 34, became a U.S. citizen in 1994 and resides in Sarasota, Fla. She was the sport's first left-handed star and the youngest-ever No. 1.
Her career was interrupted for two years after a crazed fan stabbed her on a court in Hamburg, Germany.
Her career earnings were $14,891,762.
She won the Australian Open four times, the French Open three times and the U.S. Open twice, but she never won a Wimbledon title.
"Monica Seles is one of the great champions in the history of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, and an inspiration and role model for millions of fans throughout the world," said her longtime manager, Tony Godsick.
