Sports
Pistons, on verge of winning season, face East beast Cavs
Mar 25, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Marcus Sasser (25) controls the ball in front of San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) during the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images The Detroit Pistons will try to end two long streaks in one night when they host the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.
Detroit hasn’t posted a winning season since it finished 44-38 in 2015-16. The Pistons (41-32) can end that eight-season drought as early as Friday.
They are facing a division opponent that has dominated their head-to-head matchups in recent seasons. Cleveland has won the last 12 meetings, including three this season.
The Pistons came very close to ending the latter streak on Feb. 5. Cleveland guard Darius Garland heaved in a long 3-pointer at the final buzzer, giving his team a 118-115 victory.
Detroit has won the first two contests of its current three-game homestand despite the absence of All-Star Cade Cunningham, who is nursing a bruised left calf. He will be sidelined again on Friday.
The Pistons pummeled the San Antonio Spurs 122-96 on Tuesday as reserve guard Marcus Sasser pumped in a career-high 27 points. Sasser had 20 points in Detroit’s previous outing, a 136-130 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday.
“He’s a threat whenever the ball is in his hands,” Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of Sasser. “He has the ability to create space, he can make shots. He can drive to the basket and create fouls. He’s a scorer by nature. With Cade being down, there’s points out there to be had. I thought he did a great job.”
There were no expectations that the Pistons would have this type of season after winning just 14 games last season.
“(The team) is so locked in right now, they’re only focused on the moment that’s in front of them,” said Bickerstaff, who was fired from his job as Cleveland’s head coach after last season.
“I think that’s been part of the reason why they’ve been able to grow and develop, because they just take the challenge that’s in front of them.
“They don’t look down the road or at those big picture things. I think their focus is just being dialed in to whatever challenge that’s in front of them and how we prepare for these last nine games.”
The Cavaliers (59-14) also are coming off a win over the Spurs, a 124-116 decision on Thursday in Cleveland.
Jarrett Allen had a huge night with 29 points and 15 rebounds, while Donovan Mitchell racked up 25 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds.
Cleveland heads to Detroit with a three-game winning streak but could be a little leg-weary. The home game on Thursday came after a five-game Western swing. The Cavaliers will be playing their third game in four nights on Friday.
“At this time of year, it’s less about strategy and scouting and more about, ‘How can we conserve as much energy and be ready to play a team like this?” Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said prior to the Thursday game.
Atkinson rested forward Evan Mobley, who should suit up on Friday. However, Cleveland could opt to rest other regulars.
“I think it’s part of my job to help guys stay healthy,” Atkinson said. “I communicate intimately, intensely with our performance staff and we bounce things off (them). Our No. 1 goal is to keep these guys healthy.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Hannah Green wins her 2nd HSBC Women's World Championship
Aug 21, 2025; Mississauga, Ontario, CAN; Hannah Green plays her tee shot at the third hole during first round play at the CPKC Women’s Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Australia’s Hannah Green held off Auston Kim on Sunday to win the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore for the second time.
Green, the 2024 champion, balanced three birdies and three bogeys on an eventful back nine to finish with a 3-under 69 and a final score of 14-under at Sentosa Golf Club. The 2019 Women’s PGA Championship winner tapped in for bogey at the 18th for her seventh LPGA Tour title.
“When I did win Singapore two years ago, I went on to win two other tournaments that season and pretty much had my best season on tour,” said Green, 29. “So having a win so early in the season gives me a bit more flexibility with the tournaments that I can play. So I’m hoping that this puts me in good stead for the rest of the year.”
Green was at 16-under after birdies at the first, 11th and 13th holes and an eagle at the par-5 eighth hole. Her birdie at the par-3 15th helped her survive a bogey-bogey finish.
“I knew that I had enough of a lead to be able to get away with making mistakes coming down the stretch. But I think 15 was the real turning point,” she said.
First- and second-round leader Kim nearly chased down her first title, matching the low round of the day with a 67 to finish one shot behind Green in the 72-hole, no-cut tournament.
Kim carded six birdies and an eagle at No. 8, but a bogey at the par-3 15th proved costly for the 25-year-old American.
“Overall, I think it was a really solid week,” Kim said. “A great way to start the year. I hit a lot of bad shots but I also hit a lot of good ones, and it was really confidence boosting. I hit all these bad shots, and I didn’t feel like I had anything chose to my A game, but I was still able it pull off a result like this and play some really solid golf.”
Australia’s Minjee Lee (72 on Sunday), Angel Yin (71) and France’s Pauline Roussin-Bouchard (68) tied for third place at 11-under with South Korea’s Haeran Ryu (72) another shot back in solo sixth.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand finished with a 73 and tied for 31st at 2-under, one shot behind defending champion Lydia Ko (72) of New Zealand.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Feb 22, 2026; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) looks on from inside the dugout against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol received a two-year contract extension through the 2028 season, the team announced Sunday.
Financial terms were not disclosed by the team, which holds an option for the 2029 season.
“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time — and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said.
“He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow. I am energized to continue working with him towards the on-field success that we expect and that our fans deserve.”
Marmol, 39, has guided the Cardinals to a 325-323 record during his four seasons as the skipper. He led St. Louis to the National League Central title in 2022 before the team fell in the wild-card series to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last season, the Cardinals posted a 78-84 record to finish in fourth place in the NL Central.
Marmol was a coach with St. Louis from 2017-21 under previous managers Mike Shildt and Mike Matheny.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
Oct 31, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Tyler Reif (41) during the NASCAR Truck Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie Tyler Reif was treated for heat exhaustion after Saturday night’s street race in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Reif, 18, was transported to an area medical facility after finishing 16th in the race in the No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet. He was later released.
“Tyler and his family would like to express their gratitude to the NASCAR officials, track medical workers and the local medical facility staff for their care,” Niece Motorsports said in a release.
Reif made his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series in 2025. Saturday’s race was just his third on the circuit, including a 17th-place finish at Atlanta on Feb. 21.
–Field Level Media
Hannah Green wins her 2nd HSBC Women's World Championship
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
