'Across the Los Angeles area — at a coffee shop in Ladera Heights, outside the gleaming office buildings of Beverly Hills — the verdict came down Tuesday and it was not generous to Donald Sterling, the 80-year-old billionaire Clippers owner...'

Splashed across the front-page today, at the Los Angeles Times, "On street, Donald Sterling's comments about Magic Johnson called fouls":

It had been two weeks since recordings surfaced of the Clippers owner telling his 31-year-old companion, V. Stiviano, that though she could spend time with African Americans, she should not allow herself to be photographed with them. Those comments earned Sterling a lifetime ban from the NBA and a $2.5-million fine — but it wasn't until Sterling finally broke his silence, and attempted to defend himself, that Los Angeles' jaw landed on the floor with a unified, collective thud.

In an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, which aired in full on Monday, Sterling insisted that he could hold on to the team he has owned for 33 years, said fans and sponsors remained in his corner and blamed the media for his troubles. Then Sterling turned to a familiar face and an improbable foil: Johnson, the former Lakers superstar, part of the Los Angeles Dodgers ownership team and one of the most beloved figures in California sports history.

Also, "Magic Johnson defends himself against Sterling's broadsides."

And at CNN, "Magic Johnson in CNN exclusive: I'm going to pray for Donald Sterling."

Magic takes the high road.

PREVIOUSLY: "Donald Sterling Slams Magic Johnson, Cites HIV Status."