Sports
Sun ready for Fever, Caitlin Clark in Game 1
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) rushes up the court Friday, July 12, 2024, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 95-86. Behind rookie sensation Caitlin Clark’s record-setting campaign, the Indiana Fever embark on their first WNBA playoffs appearance since 2016 when they begin a best-of-three series on Sunday against the host Connecticut Sun in Uncasville, Conn.
Indiana earned the No. 6 seed, going 9-5 after returning from the Olympic break. Clark, the No. 1 overall draft pick, tied Kelsey Mitchell with a team-best 19.2 points per game, while Clark’s 337 assists were a WNBA record.
The assist total gave Clark an average of 8.4 per game to go along with 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals.
“I feels night and day from where I started (the season),” Clark said. “I’m proud of myself in that regard. I think I’ve learned a lot. … Once we kind of found our groove, I think my teammates have allowed me to be myself and that’s what has kind of brought us some success.”
Indiana had a scare in its regular-season finale Thursday vs. Washington, a 92-91 loss, when two-time All-Star and veteran Mitchell went down in the first quarter after a collision. Mitchell will be available for the playoffs and at full-strength, Fever coach Christie Sides said.
Part of Indiana’s late-season surge included an 84-80 victory over Connecticut on Aug. 28, their lone success in four games between the teams.
Five Fever players scored in double figures during the victory over the Sun, including Mitchell with a game-high 23, while Clark had 19 and Lexie Hull added 17. The trio shot a combined 11-of-25 (44.0 percent) from 3-point range.
Consistent 3-point shooting has been a key for Indiana throughout its run to the playoffs. The Fever finished the regular season hitting 35.6 percent from beyond the arc, third best in the league.
“I still feel there is a lot for us that we can achieve,” Clark said. “I have seen expectations that people have for us and that can get us further as an organization.”
Connecticut, the No. 3 seed in the playoffs, held opponents to 31.3 percent on 3-point attempts, second lowest in the WNBA, and boasted the league’s stingiest defensive yield at 73.6 points allowed per game.
The Sun also matched the Seattle Storm with a WNBA-high 16.3 turnovers forced per game, thanks in part to all four Connecticut starters averaging at least 1.2 steals per game.
The Sun spread their offensive production as well, led by Brionna Jones’ 18.2 points per game. Connecticut’s seven leading scorers average at least 10.5 per game for the season.
Marina Mabrey, a midseason addition in a trade from Chicago, is scoring 19.6 points per game in her time with the Sun, while primarily bringing a spark off the bench. She has averaged 14.9 points in her 16 games (three starts) for Connecticut.
“Indiana is playing really confident basketball,” Sun head coach Stephanie White said, according to the Hartford Courant. “… You’ve got to be able to give them different looks because they’re smart players. And when they get beat, they’re going to pick you apart. We’ve got to be consistent for 40 minutes.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Alex Cora to Red Sox fans: 'Boston, we will miss you'
Feb 22, 2026; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) looks on during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Fired Red Sox manager Alex Cora sent a short farewell note to Boston via social media on Tuesday.
“Boston, we will miss you,” he wrote.
“Gracias for making us part of you. #RedSoxNation, you are the [heart emoji] of that team, keep believing, you really care and that’s what pushes everyone in the @RedSox to give it all day in and day out.
“With respect and love, AC”
Team officials dismissed Cora and five of coaches on Saturday after the Red Sox staggered out of the gate to start the season at 10-17.
While Cora’s firing has been met with some support among fans, posts on social media show they largely place the blame for the team’s woes on management, especially owner John Henry and Craig Breslow, the chief baseball owner.
After serving as bench coach for the 2017 world champion Houston Astros, Cora was hired as manager in Boston in 2018. He led the Red Sox to a franchise-record 108 victories and a World Series title.
However, after the 2019 campaign, Cora was implicated in an MLB investigation involving sign-stealing by the Astros. MLB undertook an investigation into the Red Sox practices, but Cora and the Red Sox mutually agreed to separate before the 2020 season.
Cora, 50, was suspended for the 2020 season for his role in Houston, but returned to Boston as manager in 2021.
After missing the playoffs from 2022-24, the Red Sox returned last season, but lost a American League wild-card series to the New York Yankees.
Cora posted an eight-year regular-season record of 619-541 and postseason mark of 18-10.
Chad Tracy has been elevated from manager at Triple-A Worcester to serve as interim manager of the Red Sox.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Phillies fire Rob Thomson, tab Don Mattingly as interim manager
Apr 26, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson (49) on the field during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images The Philadelphia Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson on Tuesday 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 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 move comes one week after Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said he was not considering a managerial change. Yet.
“Put it this way. We’re not,” Dombrowski said last Tuesday. “But if we were, that’s not something we’ve ever shared. Rob Thomson’s been a good manager for us since (2022). We always look at everything that’s taking place, but no.
“Generally, I’ve said about 40 games of the season is when you start to say, ‘OK, where are we shaping up? Guys have had enough time.’ But there’s no magic in that number. Sometimes it’s a little bit more; sometimes it’s a little bit less. They’re not happy with their performances. Shoot, I’m responsible for putting the club on the field, so I’m not happy with the way it’s going. But I think you just balance that all the time on a daily basis.”
Thomson, 62, had an overall record of 355-270 since taking over for the fired Joe Girardi in 2022, reaching the playoffs in each of the past four seasons. His Phillies fell in six games to the Houston Astros in the 2022 World Series.
The Phillies signed Thomson to a contract extension through the 2027 season in December.
Mattingly was named the bench coach of the Phillies on Jan. 5, uniting the former New York Yankees great with his son, Philadelphia general manager Preston Mattingly.
The former manager of the Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers, Mattingly, 65, most recently served as the bench coach for the Blue Jays. He left the position after the 2025 season, which saw Toronto lose the World Series in seven games to the Dodgers.
Mattingly joined the Blue Jays in November 2022 as the bench coach for manager John Schneider. Mattingly’s contract expired at the end of the year, and he chose to seek a new opportunity.
Mattingly went 889-950 as manager for the Dodgers (2011-15) and Marlins (2016-22). He was named the 2020 National League Manager of the Year.
A six-time All-Star first baseman, Mattingly spent his entire 14-year playing career with the Yankees. He was the American League MVP in 1985 and the 1984 AL batting champion, and he won nine Gold Gloves.
Also on Tuesday, Philadelphia promoted third base coach Dusty Wathan to bench coach, and Triple-A Lehigh Valley manager Anthony Contreras has been promoted to third base coach.
–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
Alex Cora to Red Sox fans: 'Boston, we will miss you'
Phillies fire Rob Thomson, tab Don Mattingly as interim manager
