Sports
Napheesa Collier, Lynx have Sun on brink of elimination
Oct 4, 2024; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Connecticut Sun during game three of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images After taking a 1-0 lead on the road, the Connecticut Sun now face elimination from the WNBA postseason at home when they host the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday in a pivotal Game 4 of a five-game semifinal series in Uncasville, Conn.
The Sun trail the Lynx 2-1 in the series after Minnesota claimed two straight victories. Most recently, the Lynx won 90-81 on Friday night in Connecticut behind 26 points and 11 rebounds from All-Star forward Napheesa Collier.
Connecticut had been able to contain Collier early in the series — holding her to a combined 28 points on 10-of-30 shooting in the first two games — but the Defensive Player of the Year bounced back in a big way on offense in Game 3. Collier shot 11 of 19 from the floor and dished out three assists. Collier had eight points in the fourth quarter to help the Lynx hold on for the win.
“There was nobody more frustrated than Phee over the past couple games,” said Cheryl Reeve, the Lynx head coach who also coached Collier on gold medal-winning Team USA at the Paris Olympics this summer.
Combined with her performances in a first-round sweep of the Phoenix Mercury, Collier became the first player in Lynx history to have multiple games of at least 25 points and 10 rebounds in the postseason, according to ESPN.
“I think just staying aggressive,” Collier said Friday of her bounce-back offensive output. “Everybody has off-nights, of course, but we won the game. That’s all that matters. But I knew I needed to come in today being aggressive and keep that for the next game.”
The Sun lost despite having all five starters score in double figures, led by Brionna Jones’ 21 points. It was the first time since Sept. 17 that Jones had scored in double figures.
For Connecticut, the game may have gone differently had Marina Mabrey (14 points) shot a little bit better than 6 of 20 from the floor and 1 of 11 from 3-point range. It was Mabrey’s worst shooting performance in 11 games. The last time she made less than 10 percent of her 3-point attempts was a Sept. 3 loss to the Seattle Storm (0 for 5).
As a team, the Sun shot just 3 of 20 from 3-point range and missed five free throws in 23 attempts.
“A lot of us have been in this position before and have come out of it,” Sun forward Alyssa Thomas said. “If you want your season to continue, you want to make it to the finals, you’ve got to give it everything that you’ve got.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Mavericks introduce Masai Ujiri as team president
Sep 30, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Raptors vice chairman and team president Masai Ujiri talks to the media during media day at Scotiabank Area. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images The Dallas Mavericks hired former Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri as their new team president and alternate governor on Monday.
Ujiri, 55, spent 12 seasons in the Raptors’ front office (2013-25) and was the architect of the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2018-19.
“The Dallas Mavericks are committed to being a world-class organization with a strong culture and focused on winning championships. Masai Ujiri is one of the great basketball leaders of this generation and his addition to our franchise is a critical step in meeting our goals,” said Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont. “We are honored to have him join the Mavs family. We welcome his energy and determination along with his leadership, experience and many accomplishments as a basketball executive. We are very excited about the future of our team.”
Before joining Toronto, Ujiri was general manager of the Denver Nuggets from 2010-13 and was named the NBA’s Executive of the Year for 2012-13. The Raptors and Nuggets were a combined 690-504 with 12 playoff appearances in his 15 seasons in charge.
“I’m honored to join the Dallas Mavericks and step into this role at such an important time for the organization,” Ujiri said. “This is a franchise with a proud history, passionate fans, and a commitment to winning. I look forward to working with our players, coaches, and leadership team to build something that reflects that standard and competes at the highest level. We will win in Dallas.”
Ujiri’s hiring ends a six-month search process for a new leader in Dallas, which fired general manager Nico Harrison on Nov. 11. Harrison’s tenure ended after a 3-8 start to the 2025-26 season and the continued fan backlash over the February 2025 trade of superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi ran the Dallas front office as co-interim general managers following the dismissal of Harrison.
The Mavericks finished 26-56 this season, the team’s worst record since 2017-18 (24-58), despite the play of Rookie of the Year and No. 1 overall draft pick Cooper Flagg. The 19-year-old forward averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 70 games.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Sabres F Sam Carrick (arm) could practice on Tuesday
Mar 31, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Sam Carrick (10) goes off the ice with an injury during the third period against the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Carrick is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a left arm injury and could return to practice on Tuesday.
Carrick, 34, initially was expected to miss the Eastern Conference second-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens. The best-of-seven set begins Wednesday night in Buffalo.
“(He’s) going to see our doctors today and thinks he’s further along than maybe I portrayed yesterday,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Monday. “So, with good news, he could join our team back in practice tomorrow, which is great news. That would put him a little bit ahead of schedule.”
Carrick has not played or practiced since he was injured in a March 31 fight against the New York Islanders.
Acquired from the New York Rangers at the trade deadline, Carrick recorded five goals and one assist in 13 games for the Sabres.
Carrick has 89 points (43 goals, 46 assists) and 439 penalty minutes in 393 career games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, Rangers and Sabres.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Panthers add longtime S Mike Adams to coaching staff
Nov 4, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers free safety Mike Adams (29) on the sidelines with defensive tackle Dontari Poe (95) in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images The Carolina Panthers will hire longtime NFL safety Mike Adams to assist the coaching staff, multiple outlets reported Monday.
Adams, 45, began his NFL career in 2004 with the San Francisco 49ers and played for two seasons (2017-18) for the Panthers. He had 935 tackles and 30 interceptions over 16 seasons and 228 games with the 49ers (2004-06), Cleveland Browns (2007-11), Denver Broncos (2012-13), Indianapolis Colts (2014-16), Panthers and Houston Texans (2019).
He was named to consecutive Pro Bowls from 2014-15 with the Colts.
Adams will initially join the staff as a Bill Walsh coaching fellow, in an initiative to promote diversity in the coaching ranks. He will be utilized during offseason workout programs and in training camp.
–Field Level Media
Mavericks introduce Masai Ujiri as team president
Sabres F Sam Carrick (arm) could practice on Tuesday
