Sports
Pelicans' Zion Williamson, after triple-double, seeks encore vs. Suns
Feb 27, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) shoots against the Phoenix Suns in the fourth quarter at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images It has been more than 5 1/2 years since Zion Williamson was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and it often feels as if he has yet to get his career going.
However, there is no denying Williamson’s immense talent, which was on display when the New Orleans Pelicans’ forward put on a show in the opening game of a back-to-back against the Phoenix Suns. The finale of the set will be played Friday in Phoenix.
Williamson produced the first triple-double of his career with 27 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds to lead New Orleans to a 124-116 road win over the Suns on Thursday night. He matched his career high in assists on a night when he made 13 of 17 field-goal attempts.
Williamson admitted an effort such as Thursday’s lets him know what he is capable of being at some point in his NBA career.
“Absolutely,” Williamson said. “These nights are definitely big for the confidence and the reminder of who I am.”
Williamson is still just 24 years old, but staying healthy is the ingredient needed for him to fulfill his potential.
The Thursday contest was just his 22nd of the season due to injuries, rest nights and a one-game suspension for missing a flight. He has played 30 or more games in a season only twice in his career — 61 in 2020-21 and a career-best 70 last season.
The player who dominated on Thursday is the version Pelicans coach Willie Green likes to see.
“He was fantastic,” Green said. “He carried us down the stretch. Triple-double. Zion’s been amazing.”
Of course, the injury history means there is no guarantee Williamson will be active for the Friday rematch.
Williamson knew the question of his Friday availability was coming at some point during his postgame media responsibilities and was ready when it was fired in his direction.
“Gotta talk to the higher-ups about that one. Great question,” Williamson said, with a laugh.
Six other Pelicans joined Williamson in double figures as New Orleans won its third straight game and prevailed for the fourth time in five contests.
The Pelicans also delivered a massive hit to the fading Suns, who lost for the 10th time in 12 games.
Phoenix slipped to five games below .500 with just 23 games to play. The Suns are 3 1/2 games behind for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference.
Phoenix star Devin Booker recorded 36 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, but his efforts were again in vain.
Booker defined what he sees as the problem with the Suns.
“Skipping over the details and always taking the ‘get ’em next game’ mentality,” Booker said. “At some point, you’ve got to draw a line, and (it) should’ve been drawn a long time ago.”
Fellow star Kevin Durant, who had 28 points, pointed to defense and rebounding as problems.
Asked whether he is having trouble staying optimistic in the midst of the team’s lengthy slump, Durant was careful with his words.
“I don’t want to say the wrong thing and people take it out of context,” Durant said, “so I’m just going to agree that we’ve got to be better.”
Pressed about Booker’s comments, Durant said the dialogue has been good and the pride is high.
“Guys still want to figure this thing out,” Durant said. “I’m confident that our group will come out (Friday) with a sense of urgency and be better.”
Phoenix coach Mike Budenholzer understands the frustration.
“They’re competing,” Budenholzer said of his players. “We’ve got to make a few more plays on both ends of the court and get over the hump and feel that and then try to build on that.”
Suns guard Bradley Beal (calf) sat out the Thursday game. His status will be determined Friday.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Wings' Paige Bueckers out vs. Liberty
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 Images Dallas Wings star guard Paige Bueckers has been ruled out for Monday’s game against the New York Liberty in Arlington, Texas.
The Wings (17-8) announced the decision was based on “rest” for Bueckers, who was involved in a scary fall during the fourth quarter of her team’s 90-82 win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday.
Bueckers was cleared from having a concussion following post-game evaluation and is not in concussion protocol, but is dealing with soreness, per the team.
As Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike was dribbling down the court, she was fouled and lost her balance. Ogwumike tumbled into the legs of Bueckers, who fell and appeared to hit the back of her head on the floor.
Bueckers, 24, 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.
She boasts team-best averages in points (20.9) and assists (6.2) to go along with 4.2 rebounds in 24 games (all starts) this season.
Bueckers was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2025, the same year she was selected by Dallas with the top overall pick of the draft out of UConn.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Injury-riddled Wings, Liberty tip off in rescheduled game
Jul 7, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard (32) and New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones (35) at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images The Dallas Wings will be chasing their seventh straight win when they host the slumping New York Liberty on Monday in Arlington, Texas, but they will be without the services of star guard Paige Bueckers.
Bueckers spent the final minutes of Sunday’s 90-82 home win over the Los Angeles Spark in the locker room after suffering an apparent head injury late in the fourth quarter.
On Monday, the Wings announced Bueckers was ruled out due to “rest” purposes. She was cleared from having a concussion following post-game evaluation and is not in concussion protocol.
As Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike was dribbling down the court, she was fouled and lost her balance after being tripped by Azzi Fudd. Ogwumike tumbled into the legs of Bueckers, who fell and appeared to hit the back of her head on the floor.
Bueckers, 24, 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.
She boasts team-best averages in points (20.9) and assists (6.2) to go along with 4.2 rebounds in 24 games (all starts) this season.
“We worked hard for this win, and when Paige went down, it was all about the rest of us stepping up,” Ogunbowale said after the victory over Los Angeles.
Wings coach Jose Fernandez said Bueckers was in good spirits.
“She’s upset at Azzi because she said Azzi tripped her (Ogwumike) and took away P’s charge,” Fernandez said lightheartedly.
Monday’s game was rescheduled from July 16 because of travel difficulties for the Liberty, creating a home back-to-back for Dallas.
The Wings (17-8) enter Monday’s game carrying their longest winning streak in 11 years. Dallas has captured six straight games for the first time since the 2015 campaign when the franchise was in Tulsa, Okla.
In that season, the Wings (then known as the Shock) won eight straight outings early in the year and then six in a row before bowing out against the Phoenix Mercury in the Western Conference semifinals.
The Liberty (13-12) limp into Arlington on the heels of a 108-88 loss in Indianapolis to the Fever on Saturday. Breanna Stewart led the way with 26 points and eight boards for New York, while Jonquel Jones netted 13 points and Marine Johannes and Sabrina Ionescu each added 12.
Johannes sustained a left ankle injury in the game and has been ruled out for Monday’s game.
The Liberty jumped out to an 11-point, first-quarter lead and were up by four at halftime before succumbing in the second half. New York’s 17 turnovers which led to 30 Fever points had plenty to do with the loss.
“We don’t like where we’re at right now, but (here) we are,” Stewart said after the loss. “(We’re) playing with that, realizing that we’re in it. We’re in the trenches, and we can either keep sinking or we can dig ourselves out.”
New York has dropped six of its past seven games and eight of its last 10. The Liberty have trailed by at least 13 points at some juncture in six of their past eight games and has lost all six of those contests.
“We’re really mature about it,” Ionescu said. “It really hasn’t been too frustrating. Every team goes through it. During the process, kind of when you’re in it, it sucks, but I think everyone has a really good mindset of knowing it’ll pay off for us in the long run.”
Key New York players Satou Sabally (concussion protocol) and Leonie Fiebich (foot) have been ruled out for the game.
It is the teams’ third and final meeting of the season. Dallas took the first two matchups, both in Brooklyn, including an 88-77 decision on July 7 that started the Liberty’s current four-game losing streak.
–Field Level Media
Sports
MLB Best Bets: Jacob Misiorowski, Dylan Cease Lead Monday's Top Picks
May 31, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images Fatigue time is over for Jacob Misiorowski as the All-Star right-hander steps on the mound for the first time since July 7 when the Milwaukee Brewers face the visiting New York Mets on Monday night. Misiorowski missed his final start before the All-Star break due to a tired pitching arm and he also sat out the All-Star Game.
Misiorowski is one of the top pitchers in the National League and the Brewers will be a trendy postseason pick if the 24-year-old fireballer is healthy. It will be interesting to see if he is on a pitch count against the Mets.
Dylan Cease of the Toronto Blue Jays took a no-hitter into the ninth inning in his last start and he will look to silence the Tampa Bay Rays. We’ll also look at the Cincinnati Reds visiting the Seattle Mariners.
NEW YORK METS AT MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Misiorowski is 10-4 over 18 starts and leads the majors with 167 strikeouts and a 1.62 ERA while throwing 111 innings, close to last year’s combined 129 1/3 innings between the minor leagues and the Brewers. Those pitches that reach 105 mph put a lot of stress on the arm and his long-term chances of avoiding a serious arm injury are a constant fear to the Brewers.
Misiorowski has fanned 10 or more batters eight times this season as he tries to silence the New York bats that sit 25th in the majors with just 409 runs scored. Juan Soto is batting .290 with 21 homers and 52 RBIs but Francisco Lindor has played in just 43 games due to injuries and has just six blasts and 15 RBIs.
Free-agent signee Bo Bichette has been a bust for the Mets with a .253/.300/.370 slash line and trade acquisition Marcus Semien is hitting just .207. It is hard seeing New York doing much against The Miz as its miserable season continues.
Jacob Misiorowski to strike out 10 or more batters, +134 (DraftKings)
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TAMPA BAY RAYS AT TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Cease ranks second in the majors with 148 strikeouts and also fanned three in his one inning as American League starter and winning pitcher in the All-Star Game. He finished play before the break with 15 shutout innings in which he allowed four hits and struck out 20.
He put up a great performance while chasing his second career no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants on July 8 before Heliot Ramos led off the ninth with a solid single to center. Toronto has been a disappointment after losing in the World Series last year and sits in last place in the AL East heading into its 100th game of the season.
The Rays own the best record in the AL but have lost a season-worst five straight games so another Cease gem is possible. Tampa Bay will look for All-Star Nick Martinez to continue a strong season in which he has issued just 19 walks in 18 starts.
Teams to combine for under 7.5 runs, -115(DraftKings)
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CINCINNATI REDS AT SEATTLE MARINERS
The Mariners have won consecutive games to get back to .500 but have been season-long underachievers after losing to Toronto in seven games in the American League Championship Series last season. Seattle has guys named Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez, Josh Naylor and Randy Arozarena on the roster but you will find surprise team leaders like Luke Raley (15 homers) and Cole Young (48 RBIs).
Raleigh has collapsed this season with a .163 average, nine homers and 29 RBIs after his monster 2025 season that included 60 homers and a second-place finish in the AL MVP race. Cincinnati is eight games under .500 and close to falling out of the National League wild-card chase in what would be a disappointing development after landing a wild-card spot last season.
Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott (5-5, 4.11) is having the worst of his four big league seasons but he’s capable of going on a strong finishing kick. He should find pitching in Seattle much to his liking despite losing in his lone appearance in the ballpark in 2024 when he gave up two runs on four hits over six innings, including homers to Raleigh and Mitch Garver.
Reds to win via Moneyline, +129 (DraftKings)
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Wings' Paige Bueckers out vs. Liberty
Raunchy 1970s Cult Classic Changed Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Forever
