BOXING: Gil Clancy dead at 88

Trainer Gil Clancy, who helped lead Emile Griffith to welterweight and middleweight titles, died early yesterday at an assisted-living facility in Lynbrook, L.I. He was 88. Clancy rose to prominence as a corner man and also worked with Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Oscar De La Hoya and Ken Buchanan. He also was a matchmaker for Madison Square Garden from 1978-81 and a boxing analyst from 1988-2006.

MLB: Brooks Robinson hospitalized

Brooks Robinson says he is on the road to recovery after being hospitalized with a fever and infection. The 73-year-old Hall of Famer was treated for prostate cancer in 2009. . . . Giants pitcher Barry Zito was released from a hospital after his car was hit broadside Wednesday night at a West Hollywood (Calif.) intersection.

* Indians outfielder Trevor Crowe had right shoulder surgery and will be sidelined for at least four months. . . . The Blue Jays appointed Roberto Alomar to the position of special assistant to the organization.

HOOPS: Celtics knock off Spurs

Rajon Rondo had 22 points and 14 assists as the Celtics, with Jermaine O’Neal back from knee surgery, dealt the Spurs their fifth straight loss, 107-97 last night in San Antonio. Paul Pierce added 21 points for Boston, which moved within two games of Chicago for the No. 1 playoff seed in the East.

* In Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 28 points, Andrew Bynum had 18 points and 13 rebounds, and the Lakers defeated the Mavericks 110-82 in a testy affair in which five players were ejected.

* Wizards rookie John Wall was suspended one game without pay for his participation in a brawl in Wednesday night’s game vs. Miami.

* Hofstra signed first-year coach Mo Cassara to a new five-year contract through the 2015-16 season. . . . Washington Huskies guard Isaiah Thomas said he’s foregoing his senior season and entering the NBA draft.

NFL: Pennington tears ACL

Chad Pennington tore an anterior cruciate ligament in a pickup basketball game and will undergo surgery next week. The hard-luck former Jets and Dolphins quarterback in the past had shoulder surgery four times and is now a free agent.

GOLF: Walker leads Houston Open

Jimmy Walker tied the course record with a 9-under 63 to take a two-shot lead over Josh Teater and Nick O’Hern after the first round of the Houston Open. Phil Mickelson shot a 70. . . . Brittany Lincicome and Stacy Lewis carded 6-under 66s to share the first-round lead at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in Rancho Mirage, Calif.