Sports
Napheesa Collier scores 24 in season debut as Lynx beat Storm
Jul 22, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) shoot the ball against Seattle Storm center Awa Fam (11) during the second half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images Five-time WNBA All-Star Napheesa Collier scored 24 points in her season debut as the visiting Minnesota Lynx defeated the host Seattle Storm 86-76 on Wednesday afternoon.
The seventh consecutive win for the Lynx (22-6) marked the first time Collier had played in nearly 10 months. The former WNBA Defensive Player of the Year had surgery on both ankles after being injured in Game 3 of the semifinals of last year’s playoffs. Last season, Collier was the second player in WNBA history to shoot at least 50% from the floor, 40% from 3-point land and 90% from the free-throw line, joining Hall of Famer Elena Delle Donne in the exclusive 50-40-90 club.
Collier also had 10 rebounds in 22 minutes of play. Before the game, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said Collier would be on a minutes restriction.
“This is not a full tilt,” Reeve said. “We still have a couple more steps to go before we see the ‘Phee’ we know her to be.”
Minnesota also received 20 points from Kayla McBride, 13 points and six assists from rookie sensation Olivia Miles and 11 points from Natasha Howard in the win.
Dominique Malonga led Seattle (6-23) with 21 points and nine rebounds. Awa Fam had 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Flau’jae Johnson chipped in 16 points in the sixth consecutive loss for the Storm.
Collier scored her first points of the season with less than three minutes to play in the first quarter when she received a bounce pass from Courtney Williams along the perimeter, then swished a one-dribble pull-up jumper from mid-range. She shot just 1 of 6 from the floor in the first quarter before shaking off the rust and knocking down 4 of 6 shots in the second quarter.
Seattle built a six-point lead early and still had a one-point advantage at halftime before the Lynx outscored the Storm 24-15 in the third quarter. The Lynx scored 19 points off 19 turnovers by the Storm. Minnesota also shot 39.1% (9 of 23) from beyond the arc, while Seattle was held to 15.6% (5 of 32) from 3-point land.
–Field Level Media
Sports
O's place rookie C Samuel Basallo (shoulder) on 10-day IL
Jul 12, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (29) throws to first for an out during the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images Already without injured starter Adley Rutschman, the Baltimore Orioles placed rookie catcher Samuel Basallo on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation on Wednesday.
The roster move is retroactive to Monday. In a corresponding move, the Orioles recalled right fielder Johnathan Rodriguez from Triple-A Norfolk.
Basallo, 21, is enjoying a solid first full season in the majors, posting 16 homers and 46 RBIs to go along with a .241 batting average in 86 games. He left Sunday’s game at the Houston Astros with right shoulder discomfort and did not play in Monday’s series opener at the Boston Red Sox.
Sam Huff started Monday and also was behind the plate Wednesday afternoon in the opener of a day-night doubleheader against Boston. Tuesday night’s game was rained out.
Rodriguez, 26, is 0-for-7 with an RBI in five games this season with Baltimore. He played 44 games for the Cleveland Guardians in 2024-25, hitting .176 with two home runs and 15 RBIs.
–Field Level Media
Sports
No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, Raiders at odds over bonus
Jun 9, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko (left) talks with quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza (15) and Kirk Cousins (8) during minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images What’s the deal with Fernando Mendoza as the Raiders begin training camp with rookies due in Las Vegas on Thursday?
The franchise might be without the No. 1 overall pick, and the cause of his absence is a clause in his unsigned rookie deal.
The Heisman Trophy winner is locked into the four-year, $57.2 million contract parameters set by the collective bargaining agreement, with a $38.11 million signing bonus.
Representatives for Mendoza, according to multiple reports, are asking for the entire signing bonus at the time the rookie puts pen to paper on his first pro deal. Fact is, the lump sum bonus for No. 1 picks has become a matter of course since the Cincinnati Bengals decided to pay Joe Burrow, the top pick in the 2020 draft, his full signing bonus before ever taking a snap. After some posturing and public consternation, the Jacksonville Jaguars followed suit in 2021 (Trevor Lawrence) and 2022 (Travon Walker).
Rookies report for the first day of training camp with the Raiders on Thursday and veterans join next week, including backup quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins could start the season as the No. 1 quarterback even if Mendoza decides to sign.
But he’s not the only quarterback giving the stiff-arm to his rookie contract at the moment. A line formed behind Mendoza with Rams rookie first-round pick Ty Simpson (13th overall) waiting to see whether any precedent is established with the only quarterback drafted ahead of him. Carson Beck (65th overall by the Arizona Cardinals) and Drew Allar (76th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers) were in the same holding pattern as of Wednesday afternoon.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Lynx coach: Napheesa Collier on minutes restriction in debut
Jul 3, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) warms up before a game against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images Minnesota Lynx star forward Napheesa Collier will be on a minutes restriction when she makes her debut Wednesday against the host Seattle Storm, head coach Cheryl Reeve said.
Collier, 29, was the Most Valuable Player runner-up in consecutive seasons and the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year. She hasn’t played since Sept. 27, 2025, when she tore ligaments in her left ankle during a playoff loss to Phoenix.
She had surgery on both her ankles during the offseason.
Reeve addressed the tentative plan involving Collier on Wednesday.
“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 Lynx have gotten along splendidly despite her absence. The league leaders at 21-6, Minnesota has thrived thanks to rookie guard Olivia Miles (19.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists per game) and Kayla McBride (18.1 ppg, 39.4% from 3-point range).
–Field Level Media
O's place rookie C Samuel Basallo (shoulder) on 10-day IL
No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, Raiders at odds over bonus
