SGA hits 50 for 4th time in 19 games

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s putback basket in the fourth quarter put him over 50 points and sent the the Thunder crowd into a frenzy. The All-Star guard responded by jogging downcourt expressionless, as if it were no big deal. That’s because it has become almost routine for him. His final touch on a 51-point night clinched his fourth 50-point performance in his last 19 games. “It becomes — you can say it’s not as exciting as the first one, but it’s more like getting lost in the process of just competing and playing the game you love,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “And then wherever that takes you, it takes you.” Besides, he was most concerned with the final result — a 137-128 win over the Rockets on Monday. Gilgeous-Alexander became the 12th player in NBA history with at least four 50-point games in a season. His scoring binges have helped the Thunder roll to a Western Conference-leading 50-11 record. The Thunder are 3-1 when he scores at least 50 points. “Whether it’s 50, whether it’s 27, whether it’s 17 — as long as we win, I have fun with it,” he said. “It’s a fun night.”

Eagles give Barkley record new deal

Saquon Barkley will become the highest-paid running back in NFL history after his record-setting season helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl. The Eagles are giving the 28-year-old All-Pro a two-year contract extension worth $41.2 million with $36 million guaranteed, according to reports Tuesday. The new deal includes $15 million in incentives. Entering last offseason, the top-paid back in the league, Christian McCaffrey of the 49ers, was making $16 million a year on average. Barkley ran for 2,504 yards in the regular season and playoffs, breaking Terrell Davis’ record for most yards rushing combined in one season. He had 2,005 yards in the regular season before sitting out the final game with a chance to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season mark. The Eagles signed Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million deal in free agency last year after the Giants allowed the 2018 No. 2 overall draft pick to walk away. Barkley has rushed for 7,216 yards over seven seasons with 48 TDs. He has been named to three Pro Bowls and was the offensive player of the year this past season.

Bad Bunny agency adds Padres’ Tatis

Rimas Sports, the agency co-owned by Puerto Rican musical artist Bad Bunny whose leaders have been suspended by the baseball players’ union, announced a management deal Tuesday with Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. Rimas said it will oversee marketing, brand relations and other services, working to “expand his portfolio as an athlete, businessman and philanthropist.” Tatis and the Padres agreed in 2021 to a 14-year, $340 million contract negotiated by MVP Sports, an agency headed by Dan Lozano. Rimas Sports says it is a partnership among Bad Bunny, above, and executives Noah Assad and Jonathan Miranda. The players’ union revoked the agent certification of Rimas’ William Arroyo last April and denied certification to Assad and Miranda, citing a $200,000 interest-free loan and a $19,500 gift. The union issued a $400,000 fine for misconduct. U.S. District Judge Jennifer H. Rearden in Manhattan set a Feb. 18 deadline for Assad, Miranda and Arroyo to file a response to the union’s motion to confirm the decision, but no response has been filed. —Associated Press