Russell Westbrook’s contract extended by Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder signed All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook to a multiyear contract extension on Thursday.

Westbrook was set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season, meaning the Thunder would have had to match any offer he received from another team if it wanted to keep him. Instead, it locked him up with a new deal 15 games into this season. Terms were not disclosed, but Yahoo Sports reported the deal was worth $80 million over five years.

Oklahoma City has the best record in the Western Conference, with Westbrook averaging 20.5 points, 5.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds. He was chosen as an All-Star for the first time last season.

ETC.

Gary Carter’s health worsens

Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter’s health has taken a turn for the worse.

The 57-year-old Carter, who learned in May that he had a malignant brain tumor, received results of his latest MRI exam Thursday, according to the online journal of his daughter, Kimmy Bloemers.

She wrote: “I wish I could say that the results were good. … There are now several new spots/tumors on my dad’s brain. I write these words with tears because I am so sad for my dad.”

Carter had the MRI tests last Friday in North Palm Beach, Fla.

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A person familiar with the decision said former St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo has agreed to take over as defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints.

The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Saints have not announced the hiring.

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Quarterback Tom Brady practiced with the New England Patriots after sitting out the previous day to rest his left, non-throwing shoulder. Also, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning was back at practice after sitting out part of the previous day’s workout because of “a stomach bug.”

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A spokesman for police in the Dominican Republic said the Cleveland Indians pitcher known as Fausto Carmona was arrested for allegedly using a false identity.

It is the second such case involving a major leaguer in four months.

Maximo Baez Aybar said that Carmona was arrested outside the U.S. consulate in Santo Domingo. Carmona had gone there to renew his visa so he could return to the United States.

Baez said Carmona’s real name is apparently Roberto Hernandez Heredia and his age is 31, three years older than the pitcher claimed. The name of his lawyer was not yet known.

Last fall, police arrested Marlins pitcher Leo Nunez for using a false identity. He is actually Juan Oviedo and he remains on the Marlins’ roster.

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Candace Parker and the Sparks will open the 16th WNBA season on the road against Sue Bird and the Seattle Storm on May 18.

The 12-team league will take a break for the London Olympics from July 14 to Aug. 15. The regular season ends Sept. 23.

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Longtime Southland sportswriter Loel Schrader, who had covered college football since 1947, died Thursday of complications from pneumonia. He was 87.

A memorial service will be held at Sts. Simon and Jude Church in Huntington Beach at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

—Gary Klein

Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke died Thursday, nine days after crashing at the bottom of the superpipe during a training run in Utah.

Burke was 29. She was injured Jan. 10 while training at a personal sponsor event at the Park City Mountain resort. Obituary, AA1.