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
Royals acquire RHP Nate Pearson from Astros
Jun 26, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Nate Pearson (55) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images The Kansas City Royals acquired Nate Pearson from the Houston Astros on Wednesday in exchange for fellow right-hander Max Martin.
Pearson, 29, was designated for assignment by Houston on Sunday after going 1-0 with one save and a 3.60 ERA in 16 relief appearances this season.
He is 10-6 with four saves and a 4.99 ERA in 139 career games (six starts) with the Toronto Blue Jays (2020-21, 2023-24), Chicago Cubs (2024-25) and Astros.
Martin, 22, is 6-2 with a 2.01 ERA in 26 relief appearances across two Class A levels this season. Kansas City drafted him in the 10th round in 2025.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Scottie Scheffler ready to tackle 3M Open for first time
Jul 18, 2026; Southport, ENG; Scottie Scheffler plays his shot from the second tee during the third round of The Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Birkdale. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Competing in the 3M Open for the first time this week, Scottie Scheffler fielded nearly as many questions about Minnesota’s NFL team as he did about the golf tournament.
The World No. 1 met with reporters at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minn., after playing in Wednesday morning’s pro-am with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.
“This might be my first time in Minnesota. I’m not sure if I’ve ever actually been to this state before,” said Scheffler, who is coming off a T4 finish at The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
Scheffler said he added the 3M Open to his calendar this year because he didn’t want to take time off with the PGA Tour playoffs starting next month.
“This was a tournament that I had heard a lot of good things about and so far everything seems true,” he said. “The people have been tremendous, the fans have been really nice to me so far and the tournament seems to do a really good job just taking care of everybody.”
Even though he’s a football fan, Scheffler said he tried not to pump McConnell for information.
“I love the NFL,” Scheffler said. “I wasn’t going to just start hammering him with questions about football. He’s about to start the season so he’s going to be thinking about football for quite a long period of time, but we did a little bit.
“Yeah, he seemed like a really nice guy. You can tell why he’s such a good coach, seemed very smart. I got to ask him a few questions and he told me some stuff. It was definitely very fun for me to be able to spend some time with him. Like I said, I love the NFL and I’m fascinated by what they’re able to do, especially the head coach. I think in football it’s easily the most important position on the team. I mean he’s got to handle a lot of different personalities and the X’s and O’s. He was definitely an impressive guy to be able to talk to and spend some time with.”
Scheffler was asked he if he had any advice for O’Connell on the X’s and O’s of golf.
“He actually moved it pretty well and hit some really nice shots,” Scheffler said. “I think any advice I give him now will surely be wasted because he’s probably not going to see the golf course for the next six months or so, and hopefully a deep postseason run for them.”
Scheffler, 30, is looking for his first win since The American Express in January.
He said the golf course “has a decent amount of length to it” and the biggest challenge will be keeping the ball in play off the tee.
“There’s some pretty long par 4s and a good amount of water, and so when the rough is up like that there’s going to be a premium I think on hitting fairways,” he said. “When you’re in play, you’re going to get some scorable clubs on some certain holes. And the green are fairly big, so if you’re in the fairway, things are going to be a lot easier for you. Once you start hitting in the rough it could be tough to get on the greens in two.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Azzi Fudd lone rookie to compete in WNBA 3-point contest
Jul 20, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd (35) warms up before the game against the New York Liberty at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images Rookie Azzi Fudd is accustomed to being in the national limelight after winning an NCAA championship with UConn in 2025 and being drafted No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings last April.
On Friday night in Chicago, Fudd will be back in the spotlight as one of six WNBA players participating in the 3-Point Contest during All-Star weekend festivities.
Also competing is Atlanta Dream star Rhyne Howard, who, like Fudd, was a rookie the first time she took part in 2022. Rounding out the field are Marina Mabrey of the Toronto Tempo, Bridget Carleton of the Portland Fire, Natisha Hiedeman of the Seattle Storm, and Janelle Salaun of the Golden State Valkyries.
Only Mabrey and Howard have competed in the past.
Defending champion Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty declined to take part.
The 3-point contest is a two-round event, with all six players getting their turn in the first round. The championship round will be the top two finishers only.
The contest is set to start at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, and it will be televised by ESPN. The All-Star Game will be played Saturday night at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Game time is 8:30 p.m.
–Field Level Media
Royals acquire RHP Nate Pearson from Astros
Scottie Scheffler ready to tackle 3M Open for first time
