Sports Briefs

Lowry gets injections for ailing back

TORONTO (AP):

Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry has had pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory injections for his sore lower back.

The team said yesterday he was treated Friday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

Coach Nick Nurse said Monday "things are progressing really well" and it "shouldn't be too long" before Lowry returns. There is, however, no specific timetable.

The four-time All-Star has been dealing with back and hip ailments and has missed seven of the last eight games.

Toronto also said centre Jonas Valanciunas had stitches removed from his surgically repaired left hand Saturday. He's expected to miss at least a few more weeks.

Salah, Mane, Aubameyang compete for African award

CAIRO (AP):

Liverpool forwards Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, and Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, are the three finalists for the African player of the year award in a repeat of last year's shortlist.

The winner will be announced on January 8 in Dakar, Senegal.

The Confederation of African Football announced the finalists yesterday from an original list of 34 players.

Egyptian international Salah is the current holder of the award after his goals played a large part in helping Liverpool reach the Champions League final in 2018. Mane of Senegal finished ahead last time of Gabon's Aubameyang, who was then with Borussia Dortmund.

This is the fifth straight nomination for Aubameyang, who won in 2015.