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
Lynx easing in Napheesa Collier for season debut vs. Storm
Jul 20, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles (5) dribbles the ball while guarded by Seattle Storm guard Natisha Hiedeman (2) during the first half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images For the second time this week, the Minnesota Lynx will face the Storm in Seattle on Wednesday in the final game for both teams before the WNBA’s All-Star break.
The Lynx (21-6) defeated the Storm (6-22) on Monday night behind a herculean effort from rookie point guard Olivia Miles. The No. 2 overall draft pick tallied 32 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in the 105-102 victory. Miles became just the fifth player in WNBA history to record such a stat line in a game and joined Candace Parker as the only rookie to do it.
On the season, Miles is averaging 19.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game while shooting 50.1% from the floor. She ranks eighth in the league in scoring and seventh in assists.
The Lynx also have enjoyed recent standout performances from veteran guard Kayla McBride, who was named WNBA Player of the Week after averaging 27 points per game over her last three outings, all wins for Minnesota.
The Lynx have needed great scoring performances from Miles and McBride because, while they’ve won six straight games, they’ve allowed 90 points or more in three of their last four.
“It’s special when you can walk away with a win and be like, ‘We have so many things to get better at,'” Miles said.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve added: “Our three perimeter players have been special all season. Right now, we’re needing them to have these prolific efforts in order for us to win a game because our defense is nowhere to be found.”
Help is on the way. Napheesa Collier, the two-time MVP runner-up and 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, will be on a minutes restriction when she makes her season debut on Wednesday, per Reeve. Collier had offseason surgery on both her ankles after tearing ligaments in her left ankle during a playoff game last September.
“I’m going to be mindful of how many minutes she plays, but she hates the idea of a minutes restriction, so just don’t tell her,” Reeve told reporters.
“… We still have a couple more steps to go before we see the Phee we know her to be.”
The Storm are riding a five-game losing streak and have lost seven of their last eight games.
Still, their young core of Dominique Malonga, Awa Fam and Flau’jae Johnson — all first-round picks over the last two drafts — have continued to shine. Johnson had 26 points against the Lynx on Monday, while Malonga is averaging 16.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
“Actually, our youth is our strength. We have a lot of energy, and we never stop,” Malonga recently told Slam Magazine. “I really can’t wait to keep developing this chemistry with the two of them because I think that’s a real big three right there.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
MLS to investigate Inter Miami over Casemiro signing
June 29, 2026; Houston, Texas, U.S.; Brazil’s Casemiro celebrates after the match. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Major League Soccer has announced a review into a tampering allegation against Inter Miami in the signing of Brazilian superstar midfielder Casemiro on Wednesday.
“The league is gathering all relevant information and will refrain from further comment until the review is complete,” MLS said in a statement.
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.
“While Inter Miami CF and the LA Galaxy have reached a settlement for the discovery priority to sign Casemiro, the terms will be released upon conclusion of the tampering investigation,” MLS said in a statement.
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
Report: St. Louis City signing Carlo Holse on $6M transfer fee
Jul 16, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Sporting Kansas City forward Capita Capemba (7) is congratulated after scoring against St. Louis CITY SC in the first half at Energizer Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images Aiming to boost a struggling offense, St. Louis City are bringing in Danish attacker Carlo Holse for an approximate $6 million transfer fee, The Athletic reported Wednesday.
Holse, 27, will be a designated player when St. Louis City and Holse’s club, Samsunspor, finalize the deal.
Only five MLS clubs have scored fewer than St. Louis’ 19 goals, so Holse will be a welcome addition. St. Louis (5-6-4, 19 points) sits 10th in the Western Conference, just one point behind the Los Angeles Galaxy for the final playoff spot with 19 matches remaining. The clubs face off Wednesday night in Los Angeles.
Holse posted eight goals and four assists in the Turkish Super Lig last season and has scored at least eight goals per season with Samsunspor since 2023. In 10 appearances in the UEFA Conference League, he contributed two goals and five assists in the club’s run to the round of 16.
Holse, who has one cap for Denmark’s national team, can join fellow attacker Marcel Hartel in St. Louis’ dual No. 10 slots in head coach Yoann Damet’s 3-4-2-1 formation. Holse is capable of contributing as a scorer or goal creator, having posted 16 assists in one season for Norwegian side Rosenborg.
Over nine professional seasons in Denmark, Norway and Turkey, Holse has 42 goals and 36 assists in 242 matches.
–Field Level Media
Lynx easing in Napheesa Collier for season debut vs. Storm
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