Sports
Offensively inconsistent Storm to meet defensively challenged Fever
May 13, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga (14) goes up to make a basket against Toronto Tempo guard Brittney Sykes (20) during the first half at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images The Seattle Storm are having troubles on the offensive end, with a chance to find the bottom of the net more often when they face the Indiana Fever on Sunday night in Indianapolis.
The Fever continue to be concerned about their defense.
“We’ve got to be able to defend all the time,” Fever guard Caitlin Clark said. “When things aren’t going well, we’ve still got to find a way to defend. There’s an opportunity for us to improve in that area.”
The Storm (1-2) are wrapping up a three-game road stretch that most recently included Wednesday’s 86-73 loss to the expansion Toronto Tempo.
After 19 turnovers, Seattle is addressing ball security.
“Cleaning up some of our spacing,” Storm coach Sonia Raman said. “There’s a lot of work to be done there, but I think this is a group that is ready to tackle that.”
Center Dominique Malonga has led Seattle in scoring in two of its three games. Malonga combined with center Stefanie Dolson for 15 of the team’s 27 made baskets against the Tempo.
“I think Dom and I just found openings where we could,” Dolson said. “We did our best to get (people) open. … We just have to build that chemistry together. It’s a young group. We don’t know how to play with each other completely yet.”
Storm starting forward Jordan Horston did not take a shot in 18 minutes during Wednesday’s game.
“She’s still trying to find her spots and where that offense is going to come from for her,” Raman said.
Indiana coach Stephanie White said there are times the Fever appear to be resting on defense, and that was a concern following Friday’s 104-102 overtime loss at home to the Washington Mystics.
“We put a lot of pressure on our offense to be perfect when we don’t consistently defend,” White said. “The energy has to be dictated at that end of the floor and that’s a mindset.”
The Fever rolled on offense in the fourth quarter by shooting 61.1% from the floor and getting a game-tying 3-pointer from Clark with 3.1 seconds remaining in regulation.
“We showed the ability to make tough shots,” White said. “We just have to have more of it consistently.”
Indiana’s Aliyah Boston had no field goals for the first time in her career on 0-for-3 shooting Wednesday at Los Angeles and then departed from Friday night’s game with a lower leg injury after nine points in 21 minutes.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Red Sox SS Trevor Story headed to IL
May 4, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (10) hits a single in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story is headed to the 10-day injured list, the Boston Globe reported on Saturday.
The newspaper also reported that utility man Nick Sogard will be summoned from Triple-A Worcester to fill Story’s roster spot.
Story, 33, reportedly been dealing with a minor groin strain for much of this season.
He is batting .206 with three homers and 19 RBIs in 41 games this season, while his six errors are tied for second most in the American League heading into play on Saturday.
Story is hitting .262 with 207 homers and 655 RBIs in 1,106 career games with the Colorado Rockies and Red Sox.
Sogard, 28, played in 61 games spread over the last two seasons with Boston.
He is batting .269 with five homers and 23 RBIs in 36 games this season with Worcester.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Royals place LHP Matt Strahm on IL, activate LHP Bailey Falter
Apr 24, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Matt Strahm (25) throws a pitch in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images The Kansas City Royals placed left-hander Matt Strahm on the 15-day injured list with right knee inflammation and activated left-hander Bailey Falter from the IL.
Strahm, 34, is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 17 relief appearances during his return to the Royals, who selected him in the 2012 MLB Draft.
In 11 major league seasons, Strahm is 35-39 with a 3.37 ERA in 412 appearances (35 starts) for the Royals (2016-17, 2026), San Diego Padres (2018-21), Boston Red Sox (2022) and Philadelphia Phillies (2023-25).
Falter, 29, had a 13.50 ERA over two early-season relief appearances before going on the IL with left elbow inflammation. He was 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in nine relief appearances while on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha.
In six major league seasons, Falter is 25-30 with a 4.64 ERA in 116 appearances (83 starts) for the Phillies (2021-23), Pittsburgh Pirates (2023-25) and Royals.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Sparks seek complete effort in rematch vs. Tempo
May 15, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) reacts after defeating the Toronto Tempo at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images After picking up their first victory of the season, the Los Angeles Sparks have a chance to even their record when they play host to the Toronto Tempo for the second time in three days.
The Sparks (1-2) earned a 99-95 victory over the Tempo on Friday when Kelsey Plum scored 20 of her 27 points in the second half, while adding nine assists. Back from a two-season stint with the Seattle Storm, Nneka Ogwumike added 20 points.
The Sparks nearly squandered an early 19-point lead, as well as a 20-point advantage in the third quarter to the expansion Tempo when their lead dwindled to two points with 2:26 remaining. They held on by getting five points from Plum over the final 1:36.
“The goal is to put together 40 minutes,” Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts said about an early 21-2 lead before the close call at the end. “We haven’t done that yet this season, but the season’s early, we’ll get there.””
Dearica Hamby scored 19 points for Los Angeles, while Cameron Brink added 10 off the bench. Erica Wheeler also scored 10 points with seven assists while starting in place of Ariel Atkins (concussion).
After winning the first game in franchise history earlier in the week, Toronto (1-2) nearly rallied to win its first road game.
Brittney Sykes led the Tempo with 27 points against her former team, while Laura Juskaite, in her first WNBA season from Lithuania, scored 16 off the bench.
Nyara Sabally recorded 14 points and nine assists for Toronto, while rookie Kiki Rice scored 11 off the bench. After winning a national championship with UCLA last month, Rice was playing in her first professional game at Los Angeles.
The Tempo slowly chipped away at their deficit following the slow start but never led in the game.
“We were sleeping. It’s like we were already (in) bed in Toronto,” Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello said. “I have to get them more ready. That’s unacceptable. I was so proud of the fight back … but we did nothing that we had spoken about, so the starters have to do a better job come Sunday.”
After scoring at least 26 points in each of the opening two games, Marina Mabrey was held to seven points on 3-of-10 shooting, including 1 of 6 from 3-point range.
–Field Level Media
Report: Red Sox SS Trevor Story headed to IL
Royals place LHP Matt Strahm on IL, activate LHP Bailey Falter
