Sports
Knicks, with next-man-up attitude, clash with Grizzlies
Feb 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (1) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images The New York Knicks are hoping for a quick recovery for big man Karl-Anthony Towns, who suffered a knee injury.
Until then, they might be able to survive his absence if Mikal Bridges performs as he did against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. Bridges picked up the loss of Towns’ scoring from the outset, dropping in 19 first-quarter points and finishing with 28 in a 110-105 victory.
The Knicks, who won for the 11th time in 15 games, travel to Memphis for a Friday game against the Grizzlies, who escaped with a 151-148 home victory in overtime on Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns.
Towns’ availability for the game against the Grizzlies is uncertain. He was listed as questionable before the game against the 76ers but did not play. He was diagnosed with left knee patellar tendinopathy after sustaining the injury on Sunday in a 118-105 loss to Boston.
Towns hobbled to the locker room in the fourth quarter against the Celtics but returned at less than 100 percent.
Against the 76ers, Bridges finished with his highest output since scoring 28 in a 143-106 win against the Grizzlies on Jan. 27. In the Philadelphia game, Bridges was 12-of-18 shooting, including 3 of 5 from beyond the arc. He added two steals, two rebounds and praise from Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau.
“It was huge,” Thibodeau said. “You’re not replacing a guy like KAT individually. You have to do it collectively, and I thought the way Mikal played, his aggressiveness to start the game, was huge.
“I thought Jalen (Brunson) and Josh (Hart), and everyone for that matter, started searching him out and trying to create advantages for him, so it was good team play. Mikal was terrific.”
Brunson was equally impressed.
“It was big time,” said Brunson, who scored a game-high 34 points. “He made some shots, played really well. He played well on both sides of the ball. That’s what we expect. Nothing we haven’t seen before.”
The Knicks will need to continue to rely on each other.
Starting in place of Towns on Wednesday, center Ariel Hukporti suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee and is expected to miss four to six weeks, ESPN reported Thursday. It was the first career start for Hukporti, a rookie, who scored eight points and grabbed two rebounds in 16 minutes of game action.
As for the Grizzlies, they are making a push to remain in the hunt for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference behind Oklahoma City. In their overtime win over Phoenix — the highest-scoring game in the NBA this season at 299 points — Memphis needed star Ja Morant when it counted and he delivered.
Despite a poor shooting night (7 of 25), Morant scored the final 11 points for Memphis to send the game into overtime. Morant scored five points in the final 10 seconds, a 3-pointer and a floating jumper in the paint with 1.4 seconds to go.
Morant stayed positive despite his struggles.
“Just staying locked,” Morant said. “I know every shot I take won’t go in, but that don’t mean once you miss one, stop taking them. Just continuing to shoot the ball.”
Morant scored 17 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to help the Grizzlies improve to 22-6 at home. While he was 1 of 12 from 3-point range, Morant made all of his 14 free throws en route to 29 points.
“It was huge,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said. “Give him so much credit. He still took 12 3s. He was in rhythm. He was getting open shots. His teammates were trusting him even though they weren’t falling.
“Those were big-time plays in the fourth quarter. That’s the definition of resiliency. I’m just so proud of him.”
The team’s lone All-Star selection, Jaren Jackson Jr., turned in another accurate shooting night. He was 11-of-13 shooting and totaled 28 points.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Hannah Green wins her 2nd HSBC Women's World Championship
Aug 21, 2025; Mississauga, Ontario, CAN; Hannah Green plays her tee shot at the third hole during first round play at the CPKC Women’s Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Australia’s Hannah Green held off Auston Kim on Sunday to win the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore for the second time.
Green, the 2024 champion, balanced three birdies and three bogeys on an eventful back nine to finish with a 3-under 69 and a final score of 14-under at Sentosa Golf Club. The 2019 Women’s PGA Championship winner tapped in for bogey at the 18th for her seventh LPGA Tour title.
“When I did win Singapore two years ago, I went on to win two other tournaments that season and pretty much had my best season on tour,” said Green, 29. “So having a win so early in the season gives me a bit more flexibility with the tournaments that I can play. So I’m hoping that this puts me in good stead for the rest of the year.”
Green was at 16-under after birdies at the first, 11th and 13th holes and an eagle at the par-5 eighth hole. Her birdie at the par-3 15th helped her survive a bogey-bogey finish.
“I knew that I had enough of a lead to be able to get away with making mistakes coming down the stretch. But I think 15 was the real turning point,” she said.
First- and second-round leader Kim nearly chased down her first title, matching the low round of the day with a 67 to finish one shot behind Green in the 72-hole, no-cut tournament.
Kim carded six birdies and an eagle at No. 8, but a bogey at the par-3 15th proved costly for the 25-year-old American.
“Overall, I think it was a really solid week,” Kim said. “A great way to start the year. I hit a lot of bad shots but I also hit a lot of good ones, and it was really confidence boosting. I hit all these bad shots, and I didn’t feel like I had anything chose to my A game, but I was still able it pull off a result like this and play some really solid golf.”
Australia’s Minjee Lee (72 on Sunday), Angel Yin (71) and France’s Pauline Roussin-Bouchard (68) tied for third place at 11-under with South Korea’s Haeran Ryu (72) another shot back in solo sixth.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand finished with a 73 and tied for 31st at 2-under, one shot behind defending champion Lydia Ko (72) of New Zealand.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Feb 22, 2026; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) looks on from inside the dugout against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol received a two-year contract extension through the 2028 season, the team announced Sunday.
Financial terms were not disclosed by the team, which holds an option for the 2029 season.
“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time — and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said.
“He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow. I am energized to continue working with him towards the on-field success that we expect and that our fans deserve.”
Marmol, 39, has guided the Cardinals to a 325-323 record during his four seasons as the skipper. He led St. Louis to the National League Central title in 2022 before the team fell in the wild-card series to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last season, the Cardinals posted a 78-84 record to finish in fourth place in the NL Central.
Marmol was a coach with St. Louis from 2017-21 under previous managers Mike Shildt and Mike Matheny.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
Oct 31, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Tyler Reif (41) during the NASCAR Truck Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie Tyler Reif was treated for heat exhaustion after Saturday night’s street race in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Reif, 18, was transported to an area medical facility after finishing 16th in the race in the No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet. He was later released.
“Tyler and his family would like to express their gratitude to the NASCAR officials, track medical workers and the local medical facility staff for their care,” Niece Motorsports said in a release.
Reif made his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series in 2025. Saturday’s race was just his third on the circuit, including a 17th-place finish at Atlanta on Feb. 21.
–Field Level Media
Hannah Green wins her 2nd HSBC Women's World Championship
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
