Connect with us

Sports

Sixers ride win streak into matchup vs. struggling Nuggets

NBA: Sacramento Kings at Philadelphia 76ersJan 29, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) shoots in front of Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers are in very different moods entering a Friday night showdown in Philadelphia.

The Nuggets (28-19) have lost three games in a row, while the Sixers have won four straight. That disparity sets up an intriguing matchup between two teams that played a lopsided game in Denver last week.

The Nuggets cruised to a 144-109 win over the Sixers on Jan. 21, prompting Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse to lament that his team “just didn’t bring it.”

The Sixers (19-27) quickly recovered from that defeat, winning their last four games, including notable victories over the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers. Most recently, they rallied from a 12-point deficit to top the Sacramento Kings 117-104 on Wednesday.

“Our defense was really, really great in the fourth, man,” Nurse said after his team allowed just 17 fourth-quarter points against Sacramento. “We were just flying all over the place, tipped a bunch of balls around.”

On the offensive end, the Sixers rode Tyrese Maxey’s 30 points and eight assists to the finish line. The dynamic guard has shot at least 50 percent from the floor in six straight games, including a 28-point, 10-assist effort in the recent loss to Denver.

Maxey continues to do much of the heavy lifting while the team plays without Joel Embiid (knee) and Paul George (finger), among others. He is averaging a career-high 27.1 points — and his 1.9 steals are nearly double his previous career best.

“I had to grow up a little bit,” Maxey said. “I think the adversity was really good for me. I just channeled it and rallied around my teammates, and now I’m pushing my teammates to be the best possible version of themselves, no matter who is on the court. I think that’s really helped us.”

The Nuggets are facing some adversity of their own. They lost their last three games to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks by an average of 15.7 points.

In Wednesday’s 122-112 loss to the Knicks, Nikola Jokic had one of his quieter games of the season, with 17 points, six assists and six rebounds. Denver struggled to get stops defensively and committed 14 turnovers, an issue plaguing the squad.

“We don’t fix (the turnover issue) because we’re doing it the last 25 games,” a blunt Jokic said after the game. “I think we need to find a way to live with that.”

Nuggets coach Mike Malone was a bit more optimistic about the performance.

“Bottom line is it’s a loss, but I do believe in how you win and how you lose. And I did not like the loss in Chicago (on Monday). … Tonight, I thought the effort was there,” Malone said. “I can walk out of here disappointed in the outcome but a lot more pleased with how we played.”

Jamal Murray had one of his better games of the season against New York, recording 33 points, six assists and five boards. He hasn’t scored 30-plus points in back-to-back regular-season games since February 2023.

–Field Level Media

source

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

IndyCar Series race at Nashville postponed to Monday

NTT IndyCar Series Santino Ferrucci’s car his pushed back to the garage during a weather delay at the Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, July 19, 2026NTT IndyCar Series Santino Ferrucci’s car his pushed back to the garage during a weather delay at the Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, July 19, 2026

The Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix was postponed to Monday at 3 p.m. ET after inclement weather delayed the start of the race Sunday evening before a second round of storms made racing impossible.

The 12th race of the IndyCar season was slated for Sunday at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn.

The official X account of the IndyCar Series initially posted that the race, scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. start, was on hold until the end of the FIFA World Cup final. Fox broadcasts both the World Cup and the IndyCar series, and the Spain-Argentina final required extra time and went past 5:30 ET before Spain prevailed 1-0.

Then came the rain. Race organizers worked to dry the track after a storm passed through the Nashville area, and because the track has floodlights, there was a chance to fit in the race Sunday night.

But another powerful storm ripped through. As a Fox host describing the scene put it, “The dry track has been utterly sodden in a sudden and almighty deluge.”

Andretti Global driver Kyle Kirkwood will hold pole position when drivers bring their cars to the starting line Monday afternoon.

–Field Level Media

source

Continue Reading

Sports

Paige Buckers leaves game after collision, hitting head on floor

Jul 19, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA;  Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) and Los Angeles Sparks guard Erica Wheeler (17) react after a play during the second half at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn ImagesJul 19, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) and Los Angeles Sparks guard Erica Wheeler (17) react after a play during the second half at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Dallas Wings star guard Paige Bueckers suffered a scary fall late in her team’s 90-82 win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday in Arlington, Texas, leaving with 3:33 to play and not returning.

As Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike was dribbling down the court, she was fouled and lost her balance. She tumbled into the legs of Bueckers and the second-year player fell straight back, landing on her back.

The back of Bueckers’ head appeared to hit the floor when she fell and the 24-year-old immediately grabbed her head.

After lying face down on the floor briefly, Bueckers walked off the court on her own but with members of the Wings’ staff flanking her as she continued to hold her head and had a slight limp.

Before walking off the court, she hugged Ogwumike after the two got up. Both players were selected to the WNBA All-Star Game on July 25 in Chicago.

Bueckers finished with a game-high 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including 2 of 4 from 3-point range, as well as five assists and four rebounds in 32 minutes. Ogwumike led the Sparks (10-15) with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

There was no update provided on Bueckers’ status after the game. Last season’s rookie of the year after being selected No. 1 overall out of Connecticut, Bueckers entered the day averaging 20.7 points and 6.3 assists while shooting 38.1% from distance.

The Wings are now 17-8, fourth in the WNBA and a half-game behind the Las Vegas Aces for third place.

–Field Level Media

source

Continue Reading

Sports

MLB roundup: Max Kepler completes comeback as D-Backs stun Cardinals

Jul 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks Adrian Del Castillo scores a run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn ImagesJul 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks Adrian Del Castillo scores a run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Max Kepler delivered the game-winning RBI in the 10th inning as the Arizona Diamondbacks scored eight unanswered runs in an 8-7 win against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday in Phoenix.

Kepler drove in automatic runner Jorge Barrosa with one out against Luis Gastelum (1-1), completing Arizona’s comeback. Juan Morrillo (3-4) worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win.

The Diamondbacks trailed 7-0 entering the bottom of the sixth before scoring three times in the inning. Geraldo Perdomo added a two-run inside-the-park homer in the seventh, and Nolan Arenado tied the game with a two-run shot in the eighth.

Blaze Jordan went 3-for-5 with three RBIs for the Cardinals, who scored five runs against Eduardo Rodriguez in the third inning.

Brewers 3, Marlins 1

William Contreras belted a three-run walk-off home run with one out in the ninth inning to give Milwaukee a victory over visiting Miami, completing a sweep of the three-game series.

Held to two hits through eight innings, the Brewers rallied against Marlins closer Pete Fairbanks (3-4). Jackson Chourio singled to open the ninth and Brice Turang walked. After a strikeout, Contreras sent a 1-2 cutter 411 feet to center for his 10th home run. Robert Gasser allowed one run on three hits in five innings. Grant Anderson (3-3) pitched a scoreless ninth for Milwaukee to earn the victory.

The Marlins wasted a dominating start by Eury Perez, who allowed just one hit over six innings. He struck out nine, walked three and hit one batter in a 93-pitch outing. Esteury Ruiz accounted for the Marlins’ only run with a third-inning homer off Gasser.

Padres 19, Royals 2

Jackson Merrill, Ty France and Fernando Tatis Jr. combined for five home runs and 13 RBIs as San Diego avoided a sweep with a drubbing of host Kansas City.

Merrill went 4-for-6 with two homers and four RBIs, while Tatis homered once, drove in four and scored three runs. Both of France’s hits were home runs, a grand slam in the eighth inning and a solo shot in the ninth for five RBIs.

Royals position player Tyler Tolbert took the mound and allowed six runs in the ninth, including a pair of homers. Jac Caglianone homered and doubled for Kansas City, which had won four straight at home.

White Sox 3, Blue Jays 0

Sean Burke allowed two hits and one walk with five strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings as visiting Chicago blanked Toronto.

Colson Montgomery went 2-for-4 and hit a solo home run for the White Sox in the rubber match of a three-game series.

Grant Taylor allowed Ernie Clement’s infield hit and Nathan Lukes’ bunt single to open the bottom of the ninth. The threat ended on a lineout and a double-play grounder to give Taylor his fifth save of the season. Lukes had two of the Blue Jays’ four hits.

Braves 8, Rangers 5

Austin Riley and Drake Baldwin each hit two home runs to lead Atlanta over visiting Texas.

Riley was 3-for-4, including his 11th and 12th home runs, with four RBIs and two runs scored. Baldwin went a career-best 5-for-5, including his 17th and 18th homers, with two RBIs and a stolen base. Braves starter Grant Holmes (6-4) threw five innings and allowed three runs on seven hits. Atlanta had 14 hits, including two each from Matt Olson, Michael Harris II and Brewer Hicklen.

Texas starter Nathan Eovaldi (9-8) pitched four innings and allowed four runs on six hits – three of them home runs. Wyatt Langford (3-for-5, 2 RBIs, 2 runs) homered and Nicky Lopez matched Langford with three hits.

Red Sox 6, Rays 1

Sonny Gray pitched six innings of one-run ball and Willson Contreras hit a two-run home run, leading Boston to a win which completed a four-game series sweep of visiting Tampa Bay.

With the victory, the Red Sox are now on a 13-game win streak. Gray (12-1) scattered five hits en route to his ninth straight quality start. The veteran right-hander has now allowed one run or fewer in five consecutive outings.

The Rays went 0-for-15 with runners in scoring position on the day. Chandler Simpson (2-for-4) was the lone Tampa Bay batter with multiple hits. Shane McClanahan (8-6) allowed six runs (four earned) on five hits over five innings.

Mets 6, Phillies 1

Nolan McLean struck out 10 over six scoreless innings as New York defeated host Philadelphia in the rubber game of their weekend series.

Francisco Lindor hit a long homer as part of a 3-for-3 afternoon in which he also walked twice and drove in three runs. That was more than enough support for McLean (7-6), who allowed only two hits and a pair of walks in lowering his ERA to 0.75 over his last four starts.

Phillies starter Alan Rangel (0-3) gave up five runs, seven hits and three walks to go with four strikeouts in four innings. Alec Bohm’s homer accounted for the only run for Philadelphia.

Dodgers 8, Yankees 2 (Game 1)

Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched a complete game four-hitter as Los Angeles scored three times off Cam Schlittler and pulled away late for a victory over host New York in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.

Yamamoto (10-6) allowed two runs in his first career regular-season complete game after throwing consecutive complete games last postseason. He struck out seven and walked none, throwing first-pitch strikes to 21 of 30 hitters. The Dodgers ran away with the game thanks to a five-run eighth against the Yankees bullpen.

Trent Grisham homered and Anthony Volpe had an RBI single as the Yankees dropped to 18-21 since losing Aaron Judge to a fractured right rib. Schlittler (9-6) allowed three runs on six hits over 4 1/3 innings, striking out eight but needing 98 pitches to record 13 outs.

Pirates 7, Guardians 1

Billy Cook collected three hits and drove in his first two runs of the season, fueling visiting Pittsburgh over Cleveland.

Rookie Esmerlyn Valdez provided insurance by belting a two-run homer in the ninth inning. Pirates ace Paul Skenes (9-8) won his third straight start. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner allowed one run on seven hits with eight strikeouts in seven innings. Jared Triolo, Jake Mangum and Nick Gonzales each had two of the team’s 11 hits.

The Guardians’ Steven Kwan had two hits, including an RBI bunt single in the third inning. Cleveland’s Joey Cantillo (8-5) was charged with four runs on seven hits in five-plus innings.

Orioles 5, Astros 2

Brandon Young twirled seven strong innings, Leody Taveras delivered a critical two-run, two-out single and visiting Baltimore completed a three-game sweep of Houston.

The Orioles extended their season-best win streak to seven games and have won 10 of 13. Young (8-2) produced his eighth quality start and allowed one run on five hits and one walk with seven strikeouts.

Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (1-1) labored throughout his sixth start since his return from a two-plus-month stint on the injured list. Brown allowed four runs on three hits and a career-high six walks over 4 2/3 innings. He has walked 15 batters over his last three starts.

Cubs 10, Twins 1

Nico Hoerner went 2-for-5 with a triple and four RBIs, and Chicago cruised past visiting Minnesota.

Alex Bregman added a two-run homer for the Cubs, who won the rubber match of the three-game series. Michael Busch went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs, and Pedro Ramirez finished 2-for-4 with an RBI. Left-hander Shota Imanaga (6-8) limited the Twins to six hits over seven scoreless innings.

Minnesota right-hander Zebby Matthews (4-7) gave up 10 runs (eight earned) on nine hits in three-plus innings. Royce Lewis went 1-for-3 with a double — the Twins’ only extra-base hit.

Angels 3, Tigers 2

Rookie Ryan Johnson allowed one run on two hits over five innings and Oswald Peraza went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run as Los Angeles salvaged the final game of a three-game series with Detroit in Anaheim, Calif.

Nolan Schanuel had three hits and Vaughn Grissom added two hits, including a double, with a run, helping the Angels snap a four-game losing streak. Johnson (2-4) walked three and struck out five before Ryan Zeferjahn picked up the save.

Kevin McGonigle and Riley Greene each hit home runs for the Tigers, who took just their fourth loss in the last 15 games.

Nationals 5, Athletics 2

Foster Griffin’s seven innings of one-run ball and home runs by CJ Abrams and Dylan Crews led Washington past the host Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif.

Griffin (11-2) struck out only two but induced 12 groundball outs. Two of those grounders resulted in double plays as Griffin limited the damage from the eight hits he allowed. Curtis Mead and Harry Ford had the other RBIs for the Nationals.

Shea Langeliers went 2-for-4 with a double while Alika Williams hit a pair of two-baggers out of the No. 9 spot for the A’s, who out-hit Washington 11-7 in a losing effort. Teammates Tyler Soderstrom and Jacob Wilson each had an RBI. Jacob Lopez (4-4) gave up two runs in 4 1/3 innings.

Reds 9, Rockies 6

Tyler Stephenson slugged a pair of home runs, Sal Stewart and Nathaniel Lowe each hit three-run homers and Cincinnati overcame Hunter Goodman’s three home runs to beat Colorado in Denver.

Hunter Greene (2-1) allowed three runs on four hits with zero walks and seven strikeouts over six innings to help the Reds win the rubber match of a three-game series. Stephenson hit a two-run homer in the first inning, a solo shot in the fifth and a double in the seventh for Cincinnati.

Goodman hit three home runs in a game for the second time this season and drove in five runs for the Rockies, who lost for the fourth time in their last five games. Willi Castro added a solo homer in the ninth inning. The Reds scored five runs on four hits in the first inning off Colorado starter Ryan Feltner (3-4).

Mariners 6, Giants 3

Pinch hitter Luke Raley hit a tiebreaking home run and Cole Young added a two-run shot as Seattle got back to the .500 mark with a victory against visiting San Francisco in the rubber match of the interleague series.

Right-hander Logan Gilbert (8-6) pitched six quality innings for the Mariners, allowing three runs on four hits with 10 strikeouts. Eduard Bazardo, Gabe Speier and Andres Munoz combined for three scoreless innings of one-hit relief with six strikeouts. Josh Naylor and Weston Wilson added RBI singles for Seattle.

Bryce Eldridge opened the scoring with a first-inning solo homer for the Giants. Luis Arraez — who struck out twice for the first time this season — gave San Francisco a 3-2 lead with an RBI double in the sixth inning. Giants starter Robbie Ray went four-plus innings and gave up three runs (one earned) on seven hits. Adrian Houser (2-7) gave up the final three runs.

–Field Level Media

source

Continue Reading