Sports
Malik Monk, Kings win 3rd straight under Doug Christie
Jan 3, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) celebrates after scoring a basket during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images Malik Monk hit three key fourth-quarter 3-pointers to stall a Memphis rally as part of a 31-point night, DeMar DeRozan chipped in with 29 points and the Sacramento Kings won for a third straight time under interim coach Doug Christie with a 138-133 triumph over the visiting Grizzlies on Friday night.
In just their fourth game since Mike Brown was fired, the Kings led by as many as 15 points early in the third quarter before the Grizzlies chipped away, eventually drawing even at 100-all on a pair of free throws by Jaren Jackson Jr. with 1:27 left in the period.
A tightly contested early fourth quarter saw the visitors go up 110-109 on two Scotty Pippen Jr. foul shots with 7:56 remaining in the game. That’s when Monk hit his first big shot, a 23-footer with 7:23 left that put the Kings back on top for good.
The margin was just two before Monk connected again from deep a little more than two minutes later, creating some breathing room for the hosts at 121-116 with 5:20 to go.
Monk’s third three capped a personal eight-point run that opened a 10-point advantage with 4:21 left.
Monk finished 6-for-12 on 3-pointers, helping the Kings gain a 63-51 advantage in points from beyond the arc. DeRozan had four 3-pointers, Trey Lyles made four in four attempts to account for a majority of his 16 points, and Domantas Sabonis hit three to pad his 17-point total.
Sabonis also found time for a game-high 10 rebounds, team-high-tying six assists and two blocks. De’Aaron Fox added 23 points, five assists and three steals, and Keon Ellis’ 13 points and three steals aided the cause.
Rookie Jaylen Wells poured in a season-best 30 points while Jackson (28) and Desmond Bane (22) also topped 20 points for the Grizzlies, who were playing the front end of a Northern California back-to-back. They will resurface Saturday night at Golden State.
Bane also had eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals, while Brandon Clarke snatched eight rebounds to go with 11 points.
Pippen totaled 16 points and Luke Kennard 11 to complement a team-high-tying eight rebounds and a team-high nine assists for the Grizzlies, who fell to 2-2 on a five-game trip.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Eagles assistant GM Alec Halaby steps down
Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; The Philadelphia Eagles logo is projected on the video board during the NFL Draft at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Philadelphia Eagles assistant general manager Alec Halaby stepped down from his post on Tuesday.
Halaby has spent 17 years in the organization, holding numerous roles before accepting the assistant general manager position in 2022. He played a role in the Eagles winning a pair of Super Bowl titles in 2018 and 2025.
“I am deeply grateful to the Eagles organization, especially (Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie) and (general manager Howie Roseman) for giving me a chance to work in the game I love,” Halaby said in a statement. “Jeffrey’s stewardship has created a first-class organization. Howie has been a mentor to me from Day One, for which I am greatly appreciative.
“It has been a rare privilege to contribute to building championship teams for the city of Philadelphia. The experience has been enriched by a set of special relationships with front office colleagues, coaches, and players. Football has been a core part of my life for as long as I can remember; that won’t change. Nevertheless, after 17 years in Philadelphia, I’ve decided to step away to start a new professional chapter. It has been a wonderful journey. Go Birds.”
The specific nature of Halaby’s “new professional chapter” was not immediately known.
“Alec has been a huge part of our success, and a close friend,” Roseman said. “Although I’m sad to see him leave the organization, I am excited to see what he does next. Whatever direction he decides to go, I have no doubt that he is going to have great success. On behalf of the entire organization, I wish him the absolute best.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
After managerial change, Phillies look to alter fortunes vs. Giants
Apr 8, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Adolis García (53) walks off the field after lining out to San Francisco Giants left fielder Harrison Bader (9) in the to pot the eighth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images The Philadelphia Phillies made news on Tuesday morning, hours before opening a three-game series against the visiting San Francisco Giants.
The Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson and named bench coach Don Mattingly as their interim skipper through the 2026 season.
USA Today reported Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, fired Friday, was offered the job and declined, opting to spend time with his family.
The floundering Phillies (9-19) have lost 11 of their last 12 games and are tied with the New York Mets (9-19) for the worst record in the majors. Both were expected to compete for the National League East title this season.
The Phillies’ run differential (-54) is by far the worst in the sport, landing Thomson on the hot seat.
“Well, that’s natural, right?” Thomson said of his job security prior to Tuesday’s news. “It’s normal. And I’ve never worried about that in my entire career. … I don’t have time to think about it.”
The Phillies snapped a 10-game losing streak Saturday with an 8-5 extra-inning victory over the Atlanta Braves. But the momentum didn’t last long, as they fell behind early in Sunday’s 6-2 series-finale loss.
Aaron Nola allowed three runs in the first inning and three more in the second, and the Phillies’ bats managed only one hit (a single) in six innings against Chris Sale.
“It’s not like the record is going to change overnight,” said designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, whose two-run homer in the eighth accounted for the Phillies’ offense on the day. “It’s going to be a continuous grind, and we’re ready for that. We know that there’s a long road ahead.”
The Phillies’ attempted path to recovery will begin Tuesday with Jesus Luzardo (1-3, 6.91 ERA) on the mound. The left-hander has labored through the first month of the season, although he was able to limit the damage in his most recent outing.
Despite allowing five hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs last Tuesday, Luzardo gave up just one run in an eventual 7-4 defeat. Still, he expects more of himself after signing a five-year, $135 million contract extension in the offseason.
“It’s very frustrating,” Luzardo said. “As a whole, we don’t feel like we’re doing the job that we need to do. … I think there’s been times that a lot of us think that we can pick up the slack, me included.”
Luzardo, who is 2-1 with a 5.23 ERA in six career starts against San Francisco, will be facing a team that has turned things around following a slow start of its own.
The Giants have won seven of their last 10 games after beginning the season 6-12. They have won three series in a row — against the Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins.
In Sunday’s 6-3 triumph over Miami, San Francisco’s Casey Schmitt hit a go-ahead home run for the second straight game.
“That’s what we’re here for: to drive in runs and be productive,” said Giants third baseman Matt Chapman, who walked and scored in the decisive seventh inning. “But we are a team, and Casey’s hot right now.”
Landen Roupp allowed just two hits and three runs over 7 2/3 innings — a performance that Tyler Mahle (1-3, 5.26) would love to copy in Tuesday’s contest.
Mahle is coming off a sparkling effort in last Wednesday’s 3-0 win over the Dodgers, as he gave up just three hits and two walks over seven innings.
In four lifetime starts against Philadelphia, Mahle is 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA. He held the Phillies to three hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings April 8 in San Francisco, helping the Giants take two of three in that series.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Dash sign USL Super League MVP Emina Ekic
Aug 20, 2022; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Racing Louisville FC forward Emina Ekic (13) takes a shot against the OL Reign in the Women’s Cup championship match at Lynn Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: EM Dash-Imagn Images The Houston Dash signed USL Super League Player of the Year Emina Ekic through the 2027 NWSL season.
The deal announced Tuesday with the 26-year-old midfielder includes a mutual option for 2028.
Ekic joins the Dash on a transfer from Lexington SC of the USL Super League.
She was named that league’s inaugural Player of the Year with the Spokane Zephyr in 2024-25 after tallying 10 goals and six assists.
The No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft, Ekic began her professional career with Racing Louisville with 38 appearances from 2021-23.
–Field Level Media
Eagles assistant GM Alec Halaby steps down
After managerial change, Phillies look to alter fortunes vs. Giants
