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Saturday, 31 August 2024
Donovan hits three-run homer as the Cardinals top the Yankees
NEW YORK — Brendan Donovan hit a three-run homer, Kyle Gibson pitched seven strong innings and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the New York Yankees 6-5 on Saturday for their first regular-season win at Yankee Stadium.
It was the first victory for St. Louis in the Bronx since Tim McCarver hit a three-run homer in the 10th inning in Game 5 of the 1964 World Series and Bob Gibson pitched a complete game in a 5-2 win. The Cardinals improved to 1-7 at Yankee Stadium in the regular season.
St. Louis went ahead to stay with four runs in the third against rookie Will Warren (0-3). Nolan Arenado hit a tying RBI single before Donovan connected for his 11th homer. It was his first three-run drive since July 23, 2023.
Iván Herrera hit an RBI double in the sixth and scored on a throwing error by Yankees catcher Austin Wells following a wild pitch by Mark Leiter Jr. Herrera reached three times and hit a single in the third when Paul Goldschmidt was thrown out at the plate.
Gibson (8-6) allowed one run and five hits. After struggling through his worst outing this season Monday against San Diego, he got his first win since July 7 at Washington.
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Paolini, Pegula reach fourth round at US Open
NEW YORK — Jasmine Paolini joined Coco Gauff as the only women to reach at least the fourth round at every Grand Slam tournament in 2024, getting that far at the U.S. Open for the first time with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over No. 30 seed Yulia Putintseva on Saturday.
The fifth-seeded Paolini, a 28-year-old from Italy, had never made it past the second round in 16 appearances at majors entering this season. But she reached the fourth round at the Australian Open in January, before being the runner-up at both the French Open in June and Wimbledon in July.
Now she is once again into Week 2. Paolini compiled 13 of her 22 winners off the forehand side against Putintseva at Louis Armstrong Stadium and will meet 2023 French Open finalist Karolina Muchova on Monday for a berth in the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows.
Also reaching the fourth round with a win Saturday was No. 6 Jessica Pegula of the United States. She overwhelmed Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain 6-3, 6-3 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Bouzas Maneiro grabbed attention at Wimbledon by eliminating defending champion Marketa Vondrousova in the first round.
Against Pegula, Bouzas Maneiro had 29 unforced errors and only five winners.
In the first men’s match Saturday, Tomas Machac won 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 against David Goffin and moved into the fourth round at a major for the first time.
Gauff, the defending champion in New York, advanced to the fourth round by defeating the 27th-seeded Svitolina 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 on Friday. That follows semifinals at the Australian Open and French Open, and a fourth-round showing at Wimbledon.
Muchova is back in the fourth round at a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since having surgery on her right wrist, doing so by beating Anastasia Potapova 6-4, 6-2.
Muchova made it to the semifinals at Flushing Meadows before losing to Gauff. But Muchova didn’t play again last season and had a wrist operation in October, returning to the tour this June.
“I’m trying every day to put some work in and get back to where I was — maybe even better,” Muchova said.
She defeated four-time Slam champion and former No. 1 Naomi Osaka on Thursday and has won all three of her matches this week in straight sets.
“To save some energy is always nice. … Couldn’t be better so far,” said Muchova, who has been ranked as high as No. 8 and is currently No. 52. “Last year was amazing. I’m trying to follow up.”
Against the 38th-ranked Potapova on the Grandstand, Muchova displayed the same varied game that worked so well against Osaka.
There were eight aces. There were 24 winners and just 11 unforced errors. She saved both break points she faced.
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Friday, 30 August 2024
Gaudreau family releases statement after tragedy
Following the tragic deaths of Columbus Blue Jackers star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, the family released a statement on Friday.
“Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers … two friends, but truly two amazing humans,” Jim Gaudreau, uncle to both Johnny and Matthew, said in a statement, per Michael Russo of The Athletic.
New Jersey State police said the Gaudreau brothers were cycling on a road when a man driving an SUV in the same direction attempted to pass two other vehicles and struck them from behind. They were pronounced dead on the scene.
Police said the driver, 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and charged with two counts of death by auto, along with reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle. He was jailed at the Salem County Correctional Facility.
Johnny, often referred to as “Johnny Hockey” by fans, played 11 NHL seasons and was set to enter his third with the Blue Jackets after spending the first nine years of his career with the Calgary Flames.
Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were natives of New Jersey and were scheduled to be groomsmen at their sister Katie’s wedding on Friday in Philadelphia.
“We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages and love and support,” Jim continued. “We appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. We ask for your continued privacy during this very difficult period of grief.”
— with files from the Associated Press
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Report: Pacers sign T.J. McConnell to four-year, $45M extension
The Indiana Pacers have reportedly locked up their guard rotation for the foreseeable future as they signed backup T.J. McConnell to a four-year, $45-million extension, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Friday.
McConnell, 32, is entering his 10th year in the league after making his debut in 2015 as an undrafted rookie. He spent the first four years of his career with the Philadelphia 76ers before joining the Pacers for the next five.
In the 2023-24 season, McConnell averaged a career-high 10.2 points and 5.5 assists through 18.2 minutes a game in 71 appearances while knocking down 40.9 per cent of his three-pointers.
The six-foot-one guard upped that production in the post-season as his scoring mark ticked up to 11.8 points per game as he and the Pacers made a surprise run to the conference finals before getting swept by the eventual champion Boston Celtics.
Meanwhile, McConnell has been one of the league’s most reliable contributors as he’s rarely missed any time. Throughout his career, he’s only played fewer than 70 games in a season twice.
He’ll now run it back with backcourt mates Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard, supporting the young guards as a veteran backup. All three of whom are now locked into long-term deals with Indiana.
Haliburton, 24, signed a five-year, rookie-scale max extension last offseason that could be worth up to $260 million. Meanwhile, after a breakout playoff campaign in 2024, the Pacers inked Nembhard, 24, (an Aurora, Ont. native) to a three-year, $59 million extension.
The McConnell and Nembhard deals were part of a busy offseason for Indiana who started things by signing forward Pascal Siakam to a four-year, $189 million contract after having acquired him from the Toronto Raptors mid-way through the season.
Indiana also brought back RFA and reserve forward Obi Toppin on a four-year, $60 million deal.
With its core locked in, the Pacers will try to build upon their 47-win season, their best record since the 2019-2020 campaign which was also the last time they made the playoffs before last season. Indiana’s breakout year also saw it advance beyond the first round of the post-season for the first time in a decade.
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Thursday, 29 August 2024
MLB on Sportsnet: Giants vs. Brewers
Both the Milwaukee Brewers and the San Francisco Giants are looking for a series win with a victory in the rubber match on Thursday. Watch all the action live on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT.
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Toronto Marlies name former NHLer Steve Sullivan assistant coach
The Toronto Maple Leafs have added a little bit of spark to their AHL coaching staff.
Former NHLer Steve Sullivan has been hired as an assistant coach for the Toronto Marlies, the team announced Thursday. Sullivan, 50, joins head coach John Gruden’s staff, which also features assistant Michael Dyck, goalie coach Hannu Toivonen and video coach Troy Paquette.
Most recently, Sullivan was the assistant general manager of the Arizona Coyotes from 2017-21, where he oversaw the AHL Tucson Roadrunners. Before that, he was in Arizona’s player development department as a coach and served as director in 2016-17.
As a player in the NHL, the Timmins, Ont., native skated in 1,011 regular-season and 50 playoff games with the Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins and Phoenix Coyotes, registering 290 goals and 457 assists for 747 points.
Sullivan, known in his playing days for his speed and tenacity, was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the ninth round (233rd overall) of the 1994 NHL Draft while a member of the Soo Greyhounds.
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Report: Warriors sign Steph Curry to one-year, $62.6M extension
Steph Curry isn’t leaving the Golden State Warriors any time soon.
Curry has signed a one-year, $62.6-million extension with the Warriors, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday.
The deal will keep Curry with the Warriors through the 2026-27 season.
Curry, 36, is now guaranteed $178 million over the next three seasons.
With the Warriors missing last season’s playoffs after crashing out from the play-in tournament and the subsequent departure of Curry’s long-time partner in crime Klay Thompson, some wondered if Curry’s days in San Francisco could be numbered too.
But after Thursday’s deal, Curry will remain the face of the franchise for at least the next three seasons.
Curry proved his best days are far from over this off-season, when he helped lead the United States to an Olympic gold medal in men’s basketball. The four-time NBA champion hit four clutch three-pointers in the final three minutes of the gold-medal game to help the U.S. defeat France.
Despite Golden States’ struggles last season, Curry was far from the problem. Over 74 games, he averaged 26.4 points, 5.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds.
For his efforts, Curry was named the NBA’s 2023-24 Clutch Player of the Year, adding that award to a resume that includes two MVPs, an All-Star Game MVP, an NBA Finals MVP, a Western Conference Finals MVP and nine All-NBA selections.
Curry led the league in clutch scoring — defined as points in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter or in overtime, with the score differential in the game being five points or fewer — with 189 points.
The Warriors will have their hands full in a stacked Western Conference next season, but with Curry at the helm, it would be unfair to count them out.
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Senators need deal on downtown arena next month
The Ottawa Senators are coming down to crunch time in a bid to build a downtown arena on a preferred piece of land.
Senators president Cyril Leeder said at a season-ticket-holder event on Thursday that a memorandum of understanding with the National Capital Commission expires on Sept. 20.
The Crown corporation owns the LeBreton Flats land, where the Senators hope to build a new arena.
Leeder said negotiations continue as the two sides hope to hammer out a deal to get construction going.
Leeder said the team expects to make an announcement on LeBreton plans before the end of next month.
The current MOU was signed in 2022, before current owner Michael Andlauer bought the Senators.
The Senator play at Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, well outside the city core.
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Wednesday, 28 August 2024
MLB on Sportsnet: Royals vs. Guardians
The Kansas City Royals visit the Cleveland Guardians aiming to extend a seven-game road winning streak. Watch the game on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT.
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Tuesday, 27 August 2024
Williams drops Logan Sargeant from its F1 lineup mid-season, promotes Franco Colapinto
GROVE, England — Formula 1’s only American driver, Logan Sargeant, was dropped mid-season by Williams on Tuesday when the team promoted Formula 2 driver Franco Colapinto in his place, starting from this week’s Italian Grand Prix.
Sargeant leaves F1 with one point from 36 race starts since he joined Williams for the 2023 season — and a best finish of 11th this season. He crashed heavily in practice for last week’s Dutch Grand Prix and finished 16th in the race.
“To replace a driver mid-season is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we believe this gives Williams the best chance to compete for points over the remainder of the season,” team principal James Vowles said in a statement. “We have just brought a large upgrade to the car and need to maximize every points-scoring opportunity in a remarkably tight midfield battle.”
Vowles acknowledged the decision would be “incredibly tough” on Sargeant, who was already due to be replaced for next season as Carlos Sainz Jr. moves from Ferrari to Williams to partner Alex Albon for 2025. There are nine races remaining this season, two of them in the United States.
The 21-year-old Colapinto, who is sixth in the F2 standings, becomes the first driver from Argentina to race in F1 since Gaston Mazzacane in 2001. That was a long wait for a country with a proud tradition in F1 as the home of Juan Manuel Fangio, a five-time champion in the 1950s.
“Coming into F1 mid-season will be an enormous learning curve but I am up for the challenge, and I’m fully focused on working as hard as I can with Alex and the team to make it a success,” said Colapinto, who drove one practice session for Williams at the British Grand Prix last month using Sargeant’s car.
Sargeant arrived in F1 at the start of last year as the first U.S. driver in the series since 2015. He had placed fourth in F2 in 2022 but struggled to be competitive in F1 against his more experienced teammate Albon.
The highlight of Sargeant’s time in F1 came on home soil at the United States Grand Prix last year, when he earned the only point of his career in 10th — but only after two cars above him were disqualified for technical infringements. That made Sargeant the first American driver to score a point in F1 since Michael Andretti 30 years before.
It wasn’t the breakthrough Williams had hoped for, however, and Sargeant regularly finished far behind Albon in qualifying and races this year.
In March, the team took the unusual step of benching Sargeant and giving his car to Albon at the Australian Grand Prix after Albon’s own car was wrecked in a practice crash. At the time, Vowles praised Sargeant as “a true team player,” but the incident was a sign the team had little confidence he would score points.
“This is undoubtedly incredibly tough on Logan, who has given his all throughout his time with Williams, and we want to thank him for all his hard work and positive attitude,” Vowles said Tuesday after Sargeant was replaced. “Logan remains a talented driver and we will support him to continue his racing career for the future.”
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Monday, 26 August 2024
Report: WR CeeDee Lamb signs four-year, $136M extension with Cowboys
CeeDee Lamb finally got the contract he was looking for.
The All-Pro receiver, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, signed a four-year, $136-million contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday.
It is the second-richest deal for a non-QB in NFL history. It includes a $38-million signing bonus, the largest in history for a receiver, Schefter reports.
The deal also should signal the end of the receiver’s ongoing holdout. Lamb has not participated in any of the Cowboys’ off-season activities as he looked for a new deal.
The 25-year-old Lamb was drafted 17th overall in 2020 by the Cowboys. He led the NFL in receptions last season and has topped 1,100 yards receiving in each of the past three seasons, setting a career high with 1,749 yards in 2023.
Dallas is also reportedly still working on a new contract for quarterback Dak Prescott. The 31-year-old pivot is entering the final year of a four-year, $160-million deal he signed in 2021.
The Cowboys won the NFC East with a record of 12-5 last season. They were ousted by the Green Bay Packers in the Wild-Card round of the NFL playoffs.
Dallas will open the regular season against Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 8.
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Officer involved in Scottie Scheffler’s arrest charged with stealing from suspect
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville police officer disciplined for not switching on his body camera during the arrest of pro golfer Scottie Scheffler has been charged with stealing $4,000 from a criminal suspect.
Officer Javar Downs, 39, is accused of taking the money from a suspect being booked into jail, according to an arrest citation. The suspect was arrested during a traffic stop Friday with about $10,000 in an envelop, and Downs is accused of taking $4,000 and submitting the rest into evidence.
A review of video showed Downs taking the money, the arrest report said.
Downs was arrested Friday morning. Louisville police said Downs was placed on emergency suspension and interim Police Chief Paul Humphrey is in the process of terminating Downs from the department, WAVE-3 TV reported.
Downs was one of three officers disciplined for not turning on their body camera during the May 17 arrest of Scheffler outside a Louisville golf course hosting the PGA Championship. The charges against Scheffler were later dropped.
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Sportsnet announces Jon Abbott as new play-by-play voice of Flames
There will be a new man calling Calgary Flames games this season.
Sportsnet announced on Monday that Jon Abbott has been named the new play-by-play voice of the Flames.
“The hockey world is a small one and often provides full circle moments,” Abbott said in a statement. “Growing up in Aylmer, Ont., my minor-hockey team was named the Flames because of funding provided by a former owner of the Calgary Flames, the late Harley Hotchkiss. Mr. Hotchkiss was from the neighbouring community of Tillsonburg, and just as the Flames ownership continues to do today, he always supported his community through his love for the game. It is an honour to join both the Sportsnet and Flames families over 30 years later, and I look forward to many years of great hockey memories in Calgary.”
Abbott will team up with game analysts Kelly Hrudey and Greg Millen in the booth, with host Ryan Leslie providing updates from ice level.
Abbott started his broadcasting career with Rogers TV. Over 24 years of experience, Abbott has covered key moments in the NHL, CHL, AHL, World Junior Hockey Championship, World Men’s Hockey Championship, and Olympics.
He joins the Flames’ regional broadcasts after spending time covering the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks and Ottawa Senators.
“Jon Abbott is a fantastic addition to the Flames on Sportsnet broadcast booth, especially as we begin our new 11-year regional broadcast partnership with Calgary,” said Rob Corte, vice president of Sportsnet and NHL Production. “His passion for hockey and this industry is infectious. Sportsnet is proud and excited to have Jon, Kelly, Greg, and Ryan bring all the great action of a new season to Flames fans.”
The Flames open the regular season on Oct. 9 against the Canucks.
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Sunday, 25 August 2024
Mouat, Henderson win Euro Super Series titles
It was a double win for Scotland on home ice at the Euro Super Series tournament in Stirling.
Team Bruce Mouat defeated compatriots Team Ross Whyte 4-3 during Sunday’s men’s final and Team Fay Henderson topped Italy’s Team Stefania Constantini 7-4 on the women’s side.
It’s the second straight tour title to start the season for Team Mouat after winning last week’s Baden Masters in Switzerland.
Team Mouat, No. 2 in the world rankings and winners of six Grand Slam titles, finished with an unblemished 7-0 record and remain undefeated at 14-0 overall.
Canada’s Team Mike McEwen (1-3) and Team Jordan Chandler (0-4) missed the playoffs.
Team Henderson, the reigning Scottish women’s champions, went 2-2 through pool play to squeeze into the quarterfinals and rattled off three straight playoff wins.
Canada’s Team Kayla MacMillan went 4-0 through pool play to earn a bye to the semifinals but lost 7-6 to Henderson.
YOSHIMURA, ABE WIN ADVICS CUP
Japan’s Team Sayaka Yoshimura and Team Shinya Abe were also victorious on home ice at the Advics Cup in Tokoro.
Team Yoshimura defeated Team Ikue Kitazawa 6-5 in the women’s final and Team Abe beat Team Riku Yanagisawa 8-3 for the men’s title.
Both Yoshimura and Abe posted perfect 5-0 records through the tournament.
UP NEXT
• U25 NextGen Classic: Aug. 27-30 (Edmonton)
• Oslo Cup: Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 (Oslo)
• Icebreaker Challenge: Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 (Morris, Man.)
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Saturday, 24 August 2024
Browns’ Watson sits out pre-season finale after dealing with sore arm earlier in week
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will not play in Cleveland’s pre-season finale Saturday night against the Seattle Seahawks as expected.
Watson, who is coming off season-ending right shoulder surgery, dealt with some soreness in his arm during practice on Wednesday. The team said he took his full reps with the first-team offence during Thursday’s workout, which was closed to the media.
Coach Kevin Stefanski had planned to play Watson but now appears to be taking a cautious approach. Also, the Browns are dealing with injury issues at both offensive tackle spots, which may have factored into the decision.
A team spokesman said Watson is still on track to start Cleveland’s home opener on Sept. 8 against Dallas.
Backup QB Jameis Winston will start the exhibition against the Seahawks.
Watson had surgery in November to repair a broken socket bone in his throwing arm, ending his second season with Cleveland after just six starts.
The Browns are counting on the three-time Pro Bowler to bounce back this year. They signed him to a five-year, $230 million contract in 2022; he has played in only 12 games because of an 11-game NFL suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy and the injury.
Cleveland was forced to start five different QB last season because of injuries. They signed free agent Joe Flacco after Watson went down and the former Super Bowl MVP led the Browns to the playoffs by going 4-1 and throwing for 1,616 yards in five games.
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Bundesliga Roundup: Stuttgart stumbles at Freiburg, Leipzig prevails against Bochum
BERLIN — Bundesliga runner-up Stuttgart started the new season with a 3-1 loss at Freiburg, while Leipzig survived a sending off to beat Bochum 1-0 on Saturday.
Ermedin Demirović fired Stuttgart into an early lead at his former club with a scissors-kick in the second minute, but that was as good as it good for Sebastian Hoeneß’ team, which amassed a club-record points total last season.
Freiburg, which was playing its first league game since long-serving coach Christian Streich’s retirement, responded with three goals to give new coach Julian Schuster a winning start.
Bochum was unable to capitalize on Leipzig captain Willi Orban’s late sending off for denying Myron Boadu a clear goal chance. The 19-year-old Antonio Nusa’s second-half strike on his Bundesliga debut was enough for Leipzig.
Holstein Kiel endured a tough welcome to the league in a 3-2 loss at Hoffenheim, where the promoted side conceded an early penalty and had a player sent off late.
Augsburg drew with Werder Bremen 2-2, and Mainz held Union Berlin 1-1.
Borussia Dortmund was hosting Eintracht Frankfurt later, when the home fans had protests planned against their club’s sponsorship deal with an arms manufacturer. Nuri Sahin was also making his Bundesliga as Dortmund coach.
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Friday, 23 August 2024
Canada to be featured in upcoming Netflix Olympic men’s basketball documentary
Fans of Canada’s national men’s team will get to enjoy the action and drama of the 2024 Olympic basketball tournament all over again in an upcoming Netflix documentary.
From the production team behind The Last Dance, the untitled documentary will reportedly go behind the scenes on the path to the Olympic podium and highlight some of the top basketball nations and players from around the world.
Among the teams included in the documentary are the three medalling countries USA, France and Serbia, in addition to 2023 FIBA World Cup winners Germany and Canada.
Team USA took gold over host France at the Olympics with a dazzling showcase by its trio of NBA icons LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry, who finished with eight made threes, four of which came in the final three minutes, including a game-sealing triple that’s been appropriately dubbed “the golden dagger.”
On their run to gold at Paris, the Americans also pulled off a miraculous comeback in their semifinal matchup against Serbia after trailing by as many as 17 points and entering the fourth quarter down by 13.
Canada’s time at the Olympics was cut shorter than most expected after a quarterfinal loss to eventual silver medallist France. It brought an abrupt end to the Canadian men’s campaign after an impressive 3-0 record through the group stage.
Not exactly the follow-up performance that was expected after Canada finished third at the World Cup last year.
The Netflix series will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access of the men’s tournament in Paris, along with a focus on exploring the global boom of basketball through the years.
In 2023, the NBA boasted a record 125 international players with at least one on each team. The documentary will look through the different generations of national programs and the impact each has had on the increase of global basketball competition.
The series is expected to premiere in early 2025.
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Report: Nuggets president believes Jamal Murray wasn’t ‘100 per cent’ at Olympics
After a summer full of potential and intrigue fell flat for Jamal Murray following a disappointing Olympic campaign, it’s starting to become clear that he wasn’t firing on all cylinders.
The Kitchener, Ont., native entered training camp with the Canadian men’s basketball team this summer under the idea that he would form a dynamic backcourt pairing with Shai Gilgous-Alexander, yet that dream scenario quickly vanished as Murray required a ramp-up period heading into Paris that included a minutes restriction and struggled once the action got underway.
He averaged just six points on 29 per cent shooting from the field and 14.3 per cent shooting from beyond the arc through four games. This was a stark difference compared to his 2023-24 NBA season averages of 21.2 points on 48.1 and 42.5 per cent shooting over 59 games.
Even more surprising was Murray being essentially a no-show in Canada’s quarterfinal loss to host France as he finished the game with seven points on 3-of-13 shooting and three turnovers. This was in contrast to his trademark ability to step up when the lights have been the brightest, as evidenced by a 2023 title run with Denver in which he averaged 26 points a game and shot nearly 40 per cent from three.
Following his lackluster play while donning a red-and-white jersey for the first time since 2015, and Canada’s disappointing exit, some speculated that Murray’s unusually timid play and hesitancy might’ve been the result of injuries.
And that notion was all but confirmed on Wednesday by Denver Nuggets president Josh Kroenke from the Gardner Hendrick Pro-Am, part of the BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club, to the Denver Post.
“When you’re going against the best in the world, whether it’s in the NBA playoffs or in the Olympics, you’re gonna get (opponents) best shot,” Kroenke said, per Bennett Durando of the Denver Post. “And if you’re not 100 per cent and you know you want to be out there still, you’re gonna try to fight through it like Jamal is … but I know he wasn’t 100 per cent.”
Heading into Olympic training camp, Murray was coming off a second-round playoff exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in which he was visibly hampered by a left calf strain. During the post-season, as he battled several ailments, he averaged 18.4 points per game on 40.3 per cent shooting from the field and 31.5 per cent from three-point range — a streak of inefficiency he carried into Paris.
Meanwhile, looming over the 2023 NBA champ and the Nuggets through all this is a contract extension he’s eligible to sign this off-season, ahead of the final year of his current deal.
Murray is eligible for up to a four-year, $208.5-million max extension, and although it was previously reported the two sides were working toward getting it done, no extension has been confirmed.
Last month, Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth said he believed an agreement with the star guard was going to be “pretty easy” and that he didn’t think it would be “much of a negotiation.”
Yet two seasons removed from an ACL tear and another season filled with injuries to his ankle, hamstring and calf, “among others” as Kroenke identified, it appears the organization has more to ponder than previously anticipated.
“For me, in particular, as much as I would love to focus in on the end of the season or the playoffs or the Olympics, I usually think even kind of one step higher. You think about it (in terms of) over kind of the last couple of years,” Kroenke said, when asked how he’s weighing Murray’s poor stretch of play into contract considerations. “The amount of games that he’s played, the amount of games that all of our guys have played, and the wear and tear on their bodies. So, I think that showed up toward the end of the regular season.
“It definitely trickled into the playoffs. And Jamal was also pretty banged-up. I think that’s something that gets underestimated because of how tough he is as a person. He was playing through some dings, some pretty good dings, that probably would keep most people out of games.”
For what it’s worth, Kroenke believes that his point guard can bounce back from his poor play and recent injury luck.
“Jamal’s a great player, one of the best in the NBA, and however he felt personally that the Olympics were for him … I know he was frustrated a little bit,” Kroenke said. “So, I have no doubt that he’ll use that the right way for motivation going into the season.”
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Joachim Andersen leaves Crystal Palace for a second spell at Fulham
LONDON — Denmark defender Joachim Andersen joined Fulham for a second spell after leaving Premier League rival Crystal Palace on Friday.
The center back was on loan at Fulham in the 2020-21 season and established himself as a fans’ favorite.
Andersen has now moved to Craven Cottage on a permanent basis, on a five-year deal for a reported fee of 30 million pounds ($40 million).
“It’s really nice to be here,” Andersen said. “Feels a little bit like coming home, so it’s a good feeling.”
Andersen’s signing comes after Fulham lost defenders Tosin Adarabioyo and Tim Ream on free transfers earlier in this transfer window. He is the second central defender to join the club, after Jorge Cuenca from Villarreal.
It is a blow to Palace, which is also battling to keep fellow center half Marc Guehi at the club amid interest from Newcastle.
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Thursday, 22 August 2024
Report: Mariners fire manager Scott Servais amid collapse in standings
The Seattle Mariners are firing their manager after a stretch of losses that could cost them a playoff spot, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Manager Scott Servais was dismissed on Thursday and replaced by former Mariners player Dan Wilson. Servais was in his ninth season and guided the Mariners to their only playoff appearance in the last 22 years when Seattle reached the ALDS in 2022. Wilson has never served as a big-league coach but has been working as a special assignment coordinator and broadcaster in Seattle since spring training.
The Mariners at one point held a 10-game lead in the AL West but enter play Thursday five games back in the division and 7.5 games out of a wild-card spot. They have lost seven of their last eight games, including a three-game sweep by the Dodgers this week.
The performance of the Mariners roster has been as polar opposite as possible this season. Their pitching staff is elite and they lead the majors in both team ERA (3.53) and starters ERA (3.32) on the backs of Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Logan Gilbert and Bryce Miller. But their offence has been bone-dry all season, ranking 27th in runs scored (503) and 30th in team batting average (.216).
The Mariners tried to patch those holes in the lineup by acquiring Randy Arozzarena and Justin Turner at the trade deadline but so far in August the offensive numbers have remained among the worst in baseball.
Even with Servais out the Mariners, for now, remain in the playoff picture. But in the off-season they will have to negotiate new contracts with Gilbert, Kirby, Miller and Arozzarena and find players to help turn the offence around.
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Wednesday, 21 August 2024
Maple Leafs re-sign Alex Steeves to one-year contract
The Toronto Maple Leafs have re-signed forward Alex Steeves, the team announced Wednesday.
The one-year, two-way contract is worth $775,000 at the NHL level.
Steeves, 24, has skated in seven NHL games and been a member of the Maple Leafs organization since 2021. He was a restricted free agent this summer.
The New Hampshire native had 27 goals and 57 points in 65 AHL games last season with the Toronto Marlies.
With Steeves now signed, the Maple Leafs have two remaining RFAs who need deals: Nick Robertson and Semyon Der-Arguchintsev.
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Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Borralho updated with TUF 32 finale matchups added
Saturday’s upcoming UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Borralho fight card underwent multiple changes late Tuesday.
The two tournament final matchups from The Ultimate Fighter: Team Grasso vs. Team Shevchenko were officially added to this weekend’s card, the organization announced following the season finale episode.
Robert Valentin faces Ryan Loder in the TUF 32 middleweight finale, while Mairon Santos will take on Kaan Olfi in the featherweight finale.
Valentin, 29, and from Switzerland, earned a spot in the 185-pound finals with an opening round 18-second knockout of Giannis Bachar followed by a first-round submission of Paddy McCorry.
Loder, 33, and from California, made quick work of Canadian Tom Theocharis with a first-round submission victory in the quarterfinal round before winning a unanimous decision against Omran Chaaban in the semifinals.
Australia’s Olfi, 31, got the better of England’s Nathan Fletcher in the first round and forced a quick tap from Roedie Roets en route to the 145-pound tournament finals.
Santos, 24, edged out Edwin Cooper Jr., and won a hard-fought decision against Guillermo Torres to make it to Saturday. The young Brazilian missed weight by less than half a pound ahead of his semifinal matchup, yet he was still allowed to participate.
The organization also announced featherweight Danny Silva has been pulled from his scheduled 145-pound contest with Dennis Buzukja due to injury. Francis Marshall, a Dana White’s Contender Series veteran, was named Silva’s replacement. Marshall vs. Buzukja will take place at lightweight.
Saturday’s event is headlined by a middleweight bout between No. 5-ranked contender Jared Cannonier and ascending No. 12-ranked Caio Borralho.
Here is a look at the 11-fight card set to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas (bout order subject to change):
MAIN CARD
— Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho
— Angela Hill vs. Tabatha Ricci
— Ryan Loder vs. Robert Valentin (TUF 32 middleweight final)
— Kaan Ofli vs. Mairon Santos (TUF 32 featherweight final)
— Neil Magny vs. Michael Morales
— Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Gerald Meerschaert
PRELIMINARY CARD
— Dennis Buzukja vs. Francis Marshall
— Viacheslav Borshchev vs. James Llontop
— Zachary Reese vs. José Medina
— Jacqueline Cavalcanti vs. Josiane Nunes
— Wang Cong vs. Victoria Leonardo
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