Nico Paz scores twice despite missed penalty as Como cruises past Lazio 3-0 in Serie A

ROME (AP) — Nico Paz scored a brace but missed a penalty as Como comfortably beat Lazio 3-0 in Serie A on Monday to record a third consecutive away win by the same scoreline.

The win also puts Como just two points behind fifth-place Juventus, while Lazio is in ninth, with only one win in its last six games.

Martin Baturina scored the opener after two minutes although he was lucky that his shot took a deflection before hitting the net.

Paz was running the midfield with the poise that won him the Serie A’s Rising Star of the Month award in August and September and doubled Como’s lead midway through the first half when he rifled home a left-foot shot from close range.

The Spanish-born Argentina international but saw his penalty saved in the 35th minute but still added a second goal four minutes after the break.

Baturina’s cheeky backheel set Paz up and he stroked home a precise finish from the edge of the box.

Verona remains rooted to the bottom of the league after a 0-0 draw at Cremonese earlier Monday.

Giovane came close to breaking the deadlock for the visitors but the stalemate extended Verona’s winless run to six games.

Verona is level with Pisa on 14 points remains in last place on goal difference. Both clubs are three points adrift of Lecce and Fiorentina.

The point lifts Cremonese three places into 12th.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Verona's Santana Giovane shoots the ball during the Serie A soccer match between Cremonese and Hellas Verona, in Cremona, Italy, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Alberto Mariani/LaPresse via AP)

Cremonese's Jamie Vardy fires a shot during the Serie A soccer match between Cremonese and Hellas Verona, in Cremona, Italy, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Alberto Mariani/LaPresse via AP)

Cremonese's Jamie Vardy during the Serie A soccer match between Cremonese and Hellas Verona, in Cremona, Italy, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (Alberto Mariani/LaPresse via AP)

Lazio's Kenneth Taylor, left, and Como's Nico Paz challenge for the ball during the Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Como, in Rome, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. 2026. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Como's Nico Paz celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Como, in Rome, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. 2026. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Phoenix guard Collin Gillespie set the Suns’ franchise record for 3-pointers in a season on Thursday night.

Gillespie set the mark in the second quarter of the Suns' 127-107 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. He hit his 227th 3-pointer from the wing, surpassing the record of 226 3s, set by Quentin Richardson in the 2004-05 season.

“It’s a great accomplishment,” Gillespie said. “And I'm extremely grateful and thankful to everybody here for helping me, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t really mean much right now with the loss.”

Gillespie wasn't all that pleased with his overall performance after finishing with six points on 2-of-7 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc.

“I gotta start finding it again — offensively, defensively, pressure-wise,” Gillespie said of the Suns' sixth road loss in their last seven games. “And then just continue to move in the right direction. We just got to continue to talk to each other and figure it out on the fly here as we get guys back.”

Also in the game, Charlotte rookie Kon Knueppel set the Hornets’ franchise record for 3-pointers in a season. Knueppel needed four 3s entering Thursday night’s game and, after missing two wide open looks in the fourth quarter, Knueppel finally hit his 261st 3-pointer off an assist from Grant Williams.

The 20-year-old Knueppel beat the previous franchise mark of 260 3-pointers set by Kemba Walker in 2018-19.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) prepares to shoot a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Tyler Burton (5) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 30, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)