Sports
Pacers run away from Suns in second half
Jan 4, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) dribbles the ball against Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Tyrese Haliburton scored 27 points to lead six Indiana scorers in double figures and the Pacers bookended the second half with big runs to send the visiting Phoenix Suns to a fourth consecutive loss and seventh in their last eight games, 126-108 on Saturday in Indianapolis.
Indiana opened the second half with a 19-9 run that lasted a little more than four minutes and gave the Pacers a lead they held the rest of the way.
Phoenix stayed within striking distance behind Kevin Durant’s 25 points and Devin Booker’s 20, but the Suns could not cut the deficit to any fewer than six points after that.
Indiana pulled away with a 13-4 run over the game’s final 4:08. Haliburton hit three of his five 3-pointers in the closing stretch.
The Pacers shot 15 of 40 overall from long distance, not dramatically better than Phoenix’s 12 of 30. However, Indiana outscored the Suns by 10 points from inside the arc (31 of 56 to 26 of 48).
Myles Turner went 7 of 11 on inside 3-point land en route to 20 points. His rim-rattling dunk over Booker, set up on a back cut and assist from Andrew Nembhard in the third quarter, electrified the home crowd.
Turner joined all four of Indiana’s other starters hitting at least one 3-pointer, going 2 of 6.
Nembhard hit both of his attempts from deep and was 3-from-3 from the floor overall with nine points to go with seven assists. Bennedict Mathurin added a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Pascal Siakam finished with 15 points and nine rebounds.
The Pacers also got double-figure scoring performances off the bench from Obi Toppin with 12 points and Ben Sheppard with 10. Phoenix reserves Monte Morris and Grayson Allen scored 12 and 13 points, respectively, with Allen hitting three of his seven 3-pointers in his return from concussion protocols.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Mavericks introduce Masai Ujiri as team president
Sep 30, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Raptors vice chairman and team president Masai Ujiri talks to the media during media day at Scotiabank Area. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images The Dallas Mavericks hired former Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri as their new team president and alternate governor on Monday.
Ujiri, 55, spent 12 seasons in the Raptors’ front office (2013-25) and was the architect of the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2018-19.
“The Dallas Mavericks are committed to being a world-class organization with a strong culture and focused on winning championships. Masai Ujiri is one of the great basketball leaders of this generation and his addition to our franchise is a critical step in meeting our goals,” said Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont. “We are honored to have him join the Mavs family. We welcome his energy and determination along with his leadership, experience and many accomplishments as a basketball executive. We are very excited about the future of our team.”
Before joining Toronto, Ujiri was general manager of the Denver Nuggets from 2010-13 and was named the NBA’s Executive of the Year for 2012-13. The Raptors and Nuggets were a combined 690-504 with 12 playoff appearances in his 15 seasons in charge.
“I’m honored to join the Dallas Mavericks and step into this role at such an important time for the organization,” Ujiri said. “This is a franchise with a proud history, passionate fans, and a commitment to winning. I look forward to working with our players, coaches, and leadership team to build something that reflects that standard and competes at the highest level. We will win in Dallas.”
Ujiri’s hiring ends a six-month search process for a new leader in Dallas, which fired general manager Nico Harrison on Nov. 11. Harrison’s tenure ended after a 3-8 start to the 2025-26 season and the continued fan backlash over the February 2025 trade of superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi ran the Dallas front office as co-interim general managers following the dismissal of Harrison.
The Mavericks finished 26-56 this season, the team’s worst record since 2017-18 (24-58), despite the play of Rookie of the Year and No. 1 overall draft pick Cooper Flagg. The 19-year-old forward averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 70 games.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Sabres F Sam Carrick (arm) could practice on Tuesday
Mar 31, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Sam Carrick (10) goes off the ice with an injury during the third period against the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Carrick is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a left arm injury and could return to practice on Tuesday.
Carrick, 34, initially was expected to miss the Eastern Conference second-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens. The best-of-seven set begins Wednesday night in Buffalo.
“(He’s) going to see our doctors today and thinks he’s further along than maybe I portrayed yesterday,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Monday. “So, with good news, he could join our team back in practice tomorrow, which is great news. That would put him a little bit ahead of schedule.”
Carrick has not played or practiced since he was injured in a March 31 fight against the New York Islanders.
Acquired from the New York Rangers at the trade deadline, Carrick recorded five goals and one assist in 13 games for the Sabres.
Carrick has 89 points (43 goals, 46 assists) and 439 penalty minutes in 393 career games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, Rangers and Sabres.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Panthers add longtime S Mike Adams to coaching staff
Nov 4, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers free safety Mike Adams (29) on the sidelines with defensive tackle Dontari Poe (95) in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images The Carolina Panthers will hire longtime NFL safety Mike Adams to assist the coaching staff, multiple outlets reported Monday.
Adams, 45, began his NFL career in 2004 with the San Francisco 49ers and played for two seasons (2017-18) for the Panthers. He had 935 tackles and 30 interceptions over 16 seasons and 228 games with the 49ers (2004-06), Cleveland Browns (2007-11), Denver Broncos (2012-13), Indianapolis Colts (2014-16), Panthers and Houston Texans (2019).
He was named to consecutive Pro Bowls from 2014-15 with the Colts.
Adams will initially join the staff as a Bill Walsh coaching fellow, in an initiative to promote diversity in the coaching ranks. He will be utilized during offseason workout programs and in training camp.
–Field Level Media
Mavericks introduce Masai Ujiri as team president
Sabres F Sam Carrick (arm) could practice on Tuesday
