National Sports

NEW YORK — Kobe Bryant, Oscar winner and former NBA great, has big plans for books in the next few years. Bryant's Granity Studios plans to release five middle grade and young adult novels in 2019 and 2020.

The CFL won't be extending an olive branch to its players before the start of contract talks.

TORONTO — CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie remains bullish on Halifax becoming the league's 10th franchise, but says it's all contingent on a suitable stadium being built in the Maritimes' largest city.

SAN FRANCISCO — Willie McCovey, the sweet-swinging Hall of Famer nicknamed "Stretch" for his 6-foot-4 height and those long arms, died Wednesday. He was 80.

TORONTO — Bobby Orr doesn't like the look of the NHL labour clouds forming on the horizon. In fact, the Hall of Fame defenceman says he fully expects another lockout in the not-too-distant future.

Wednesday's Games NHL Vancouver 4 Chicago 2 --- AHL Belleville 2 Laval 1 Stockton 4 Bakersfield 3 --- NBA Brooklyn 120 Detroit 119 (OT) Denver 108 Chicago 107 (OT) Indiana 107 New York 101 Minnesota 128 Utah 125 Golden State 131 New Orleans 121 L.A.

Wednesday's Games NHL Vancouver 4 Chicago 2 --- AHL Belleville 2 Laval 1 Stockton 4 Bakersfield 3 --- NBA Brooklyn 120 Detroit 119 (OT) Denver 108 Chicago 107 (OT) Indiana 107 New York 101 Minnesota 128 Utah 125 Golden State 131 New Orleans 121 L.A.

VANCOUVER — Jake Virtanen scored twice on Wednesday, leading the Vancouver Canucks to a 4-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. It was the first two-goal game of the 22-year-old right winger's career.

CALGARY — A potential Calgary bid for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games survived a city council vote Wednesday, when a motion leading to the cancellation of an upcoming plebiscite did not pass.

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have exercised their US$8-million club option on first baseman Justin Smoak and have declined the $5.5-million club option on infielder Yangervis Solarte. The Blue Jays announced the moves Wednesday evening on Twitter.