Sports
Hawks hurting on defense ahead of tilt with Kings
Oct 25, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) plays defense against Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images Two teams trending in different directions will square off in Atlanta on Friday, when the Hawks host the Sacramento Kings.
Atlanta won its first two games to start the year, but a slew of early-season injuries has decimated the Hawks, who have dropped three in a row.
A season ago, the team allowed 120.5 points per game, tied for second-most in the NBA. Similar defensive issues have reappeared five games into this season, as Atlanta has surrendered 123.6 points per contest, third to the Wizards and Raptors (124).
The injury bug certainly hasn’t helped the cause, as key defenders Dyson Daniels and De’Andre Hunter have combined to miss four games. Daniels, whom the Hawks received from New Orleans in a trade for Dejounte Murray in the offseason, is second in the NBA with 2.8 steals per game.
Although Hunter (knee) and Daniels (hip) aren’t expected to miss extended time, the news wasn’t as fortunate for another pair of Atlanta contributors. Bogdan Bogdanovic, who scored a career-high 16.9 points per game last season, underwent a non-surgical procedure on his hamstring and will be re-evaluated in four weeks. The team also announced its 2023 first-round pick Kobe Bufkin will also be re-evaluated in four weeks due to a shoulder subluxation.
The injuries have reared their head for Atlanta, which fell to Washington 133-120 Wednesday, its second loss to the Wizards in as many games. The Hawks held an eight-point halftime lead, but allowed Washington to score 76 second-half points in the defeat.
“What we need to be mindful of are the things that we have more control over, like getting back on defense,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said. “Those are consistent themes for us that we care about and we’re working on. When (Washington) made runs, us not getting stops and not converting the other way, that’s a collective thing.”
Atlanta is led in scoring by Trae Young’s 28.2 points per game, followed by Hunter’s 18. Atlanta is led in scoring by Trae Young’s 28.2 points per game, followed by Hunter’s 18. Hunter and Daniels have been ruled out for Friday’s game.
Sacramento enters the game winners of two straight following an 0-2 start. It’s been a three-headed attack for the Kings’ offense, as Domantas Sabonis leads the team with 24.3 points per game, followed by DeMar DeRozan’s 23 and De’Aaron Fox’s 21.5.
The Kings are coming off a 113-96 road victory over the Utah Jazz, in which Sabonis recorded 28 points and 11 rebounds with an efficient 13-for-18 shooting mark from the field.
“(Domantas) is just a monster in there,” Kings head coach Mike Brown said. “He wears his hard hat every single game and he was fantastic (against Utah).”
Brown admits that the group looked out of whack following an 0-5 preseason rut that extended into the first two games of the year. For a Sacramento team that wants to string together three straight winning seasons for the first time in 19 years, Brown’s expectations are as high as ever.
“We were all in a little bit of a funk in the preseason, and I’ll take most of the blame for that,” Brown said. “I put these guys in a box, because I needed to see what we had and we still have a ways to go. The neat part about this is we figured out how to win our last two, and our ceiling is still high. We have a lot of room to grow on both sides of the floor.”
Brown and Sacramento swept the two-game season series with Atlanta last year.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Inter Miami sign Brazilian superstar M Casemiro
June 29, 2026; Houston, Texas, U.S.; Brazil’s Casemiro celebrates after the match. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Inter Miami announced the signing of Brazilian superstar midfielder Casemiro on Wednesday.
Casemiro, 34, is under contract through 2027 with an option until June 2029 following five years with Premier League side Manchester United. Inter Miami acquired his discovery priority from the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Casemiro just helped Brazil reach the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, increasing his career totals to 91 caps and 10 goals with the national team. It was his third World Cup.
“What motivates me the most, and I think this is true for every player, is winning and continuing to grow. The project the club presented to me, along with the effort everyone made to bring me here, means a lot to me,” Casemiro said.
“I’m incredibly grateful, and I can’t wait to get started so I can repay that trust — not only during the 90 minutes on matchday, but every day in training as well. All I can say is thank you, and I’ll give everything I have to return the affection and confidence the club has shown me.”
Casemiro has recorded 73 goals and 61 assists in 663 club appearances with Brazil’s Sao Paulo, Spain’s Real Madrid, Portugal’s Porto and Manchester United. His 21 club trophies include five UEFA Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns with Real Madrid from 2013-22.
“Casemiro’s arrival reflects the vision and ambition that define Inter Miami,” said managing owner Jorge Mas. “We never settle. We’re always looking to grow, improve, and raise our standards every season. We’ve built a global club with the vision of becoming not only the best club in the United States, but also a benchmark globally.
“Casemiro embodies everything this club stands for: leadership, a winning mentality, and an extraordinary track record at the highest level of the game,” Mas added. “After achieving virtually everything there is to achieve in fútbol, his decision to join Inter Miami shows that he shares our ambition and our commitment to the highest standards as we continue building for the future. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Inter Miami family.”
Casemiro now joins forces with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, his former rivals at FC Barcelona.
“I’m very proud to welcome Casemiro and his family to Inter Miami,” said co-owner David Beckham. “He is a person and a player that I have admired for a long time. He is a winner who has achieved so much in the game, and after such an incredible career with Real Madrid and Manchester United, I’m delighted that he’s decided to make Miami his next home.”
Defending MLS Cup champion Inter Miami (15-9-2, 31 points) are in second place in the Eastern Conference as they return from the World Cup break to host the Chicago Fire on Wednesday night.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Bobby Witt Jr. put on 10-day IL, likely sealing Royals' seller status
Jul 18, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) makes a diving stop during the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. landed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday due to tightness in his lower back.
A starter for the American League in the All-Star Game last week, Witt left the Royals’ 4-3 win against the San Francisco Giants on Monday with back spasms. The roster move is retroactive to Tuesday.
Being without their best player for any length of time is likely the crowning blow for the Royals, who at 42-60 have a better record than only the Los Angeles Angels (41-60) and Colorado Rockies (41-61) heading into play Wednesday.
Because of the relative weakness of the AL Central, the Royals are 12 games behind the division-leading Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians. But with a little more than two months to play and a dozen games to make up, Witt’s injury should insure the Royals will be sellers at the trade deadline on Aug. 3.
Veteran starting pitchers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha are projected to be coveted by contenders, though the Royals have said they are not inclined to move either right-hander.
In 94 games this season, Witt is batting .289 with 13 homers and 39 RBIs. He has 103 hits and 22 doubles, scoring 51 runs.
His 30 stolen bases lead the major leagues.
Witt is a three-time All-Star and the winner of two Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. He won the AL batting title in 2024 when he led the majors with a .332 average.
Kansas City’s shortstop since 2022, Witt has a career average of .288 with 118 home runs, 412 RBIs and 178 stolen bases in 720 games.
In a corresponding move, the Royals promoted 32-year-old Andrew Velazquez from Triple-A Omaha. He is a well-traveled utility infielder who has not played in the major leagues since 2023.
He and Tyler Tolbert, a 28-year-old infielder hitting .328 in 38 games this year, are expected to share duties at shortstop.
The Royals also transferred right-hander Stephen Kolek to the 60-day injured list, designated center fielder Kameron Misner for assignment and traded right-hander Nate Pearson to the Houston Astros in exchange for right-hander Max Martin.
–Field Level Media
Sports
O's place rookie C Samuel Basallo (shoulder) on 10-day IL
Jul 12, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (29) throws to first for an out during the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images Already without injured starter Adley Rutschman, the Baltimore Orioles placed rookie catcher Samuel Basallo on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation on Wednesday.
The roster move is retroactive to Monday. In a corresponding move, the Orioles recalled right fielder Johnathan Rodriguez from Triple-A Norfolk.
Basallo, 21, is enjoying a solid first full season in the majors, posting 16 homers and 46 RBIs to go along with a .241 batting average in 86 games. He left Sunday’s game at the Houston Astros with right shoulder discomfort and did not play in Monday’s series opener at the Boston Red Sox.
Sam Huff started Monday and also was behind the plate Wednesday afternoon in the opener of a day-night doubleheader against Boston. Tuesday night’s game was rained out.
Rodriguez, 26, is 0-for-7 with an RBI in five games this season with Baltimore. He played 44 games for the Cleveland Guardians in 2024-25, hitting .176 with two home runs and 15 RBIs.
–Field Level Media
Inter Miami sign Brazilian superstar M Casemiro
Bobby Witt Jr. put on 10-day IL, likely sealing Royals' seller status
