Sports
Suns look to move into play-in contention as they face Pelicans
Feb 23, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives to the basket against the Toronto Raptors in the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images The Phoenix Suns do a lot of talking about making a sustained postseason run, but their on-court results continue to fall short.
The Suns are on the outside of the Western Conference play-in race with 24 games left as they begin a pivotal two-game home set against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night. The teams play again on Friday in Phoenix.
The Suns were 2 1/2 games behind the Sacramento Kings for 10th place in the West entering Wednesday’s play.
Despite the constant chatter that the club is ready to break out, Phoenix is a meager 2-9 this month and finished a 1-4 road trip with a 151-148 overtime loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday.
Memphis star Ja Morant scored the tying basket with 1.9 seconds left in regulation to force the extra session. The Suns blew a four-point lead in overtime as the Grizzlies scored the game’s final seven points.
“We weren’t able to close it out,” Phoenix coach Mike Budenholzer said. “Credit to them. The guys fought. A lot of good stuff.”
The good stuff included five 20-point outings from Phoenix players for the first time since November 1990.
Devin Booker had 28 points and 10 assists; Kevin Durant recorded 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists; Bradley Beal had 24 points and 11 assists; Bol Bol registered 23 points and eight rebounds; and Grayson Allen made six 3-pointers while scoring 21 off the bench.
“I still think we had opportunities to win the game,” Booker said. “Makes it hurt that much worse.”
New Orleans is far out of the playoff race but has won three of its past four games, including a two-game home sweep of the San Antonio Spurs.
The Pelicans beat the Spurs 114-96 on Sunday and 109-103 on Tuesday. Newcomer Kelly Olynyk had a combined 20 points and 27 rebounds in the two victories, making a quick impact since being acquired from the Toronto Raptors.
“We like the big lineup so far,” New Orleans coach Willie Green said. “After many games of not being able to win the rebounding margin, we’re winning that and it’s giving up extra possessions and allowing us get out and play in transition. We’ll continue to explore and Kelly was really good (Tuesday night).”
However, Olynyk will not be suited up Thursday as he will rest on the front end of the back-to-back against Phoenix.
Trey Murphy III scored a game-high 24 points on Tuesday and Zion Williamson added 18.
Williamson was the main force Sunday with 22 points and nine rebounds. Karlo Matkovic had a career-high 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting off the bench.
New Orleans had to dig itself out of big deficits in both games, trailing by 17 points on Sunday and 19 on Tuesday before turning things around.
“We want to get off to better starts but we’ll take the two wins for sure,” Green said.
Murphy was able to see the difference on Tuesday.
“We got stops and got into transition,” Murphy said. “We changed the energy and the pace of the game.”
The Pelicans defeated the Suns 126-124 on Dec. 5 in New Orleans behind 29 points from since-departed Brandon Ingram with CJ McCollum adding 25. Booker had 28 points and Beal had 24 for Phoenix, which played without Durant.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jasper Philipsen wins Stage 17 of Tour de France
Premier Tech’s Jasper Philipsen reacts after winning stage 17 of the Tour de France. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/Pool Jasper Philipsen won his first Tour de France stage of 2026 and the 11th of his career on Wednesday to extend a win streak by Belgian riders.
Philipsen’s victory in Stage 17 from Chambery to Voiron followed countryman Remco Evenepoel’s back-to-back triumphs in Stages 15 and 16, the longest streak for Belgium since 1981.
Philipsen, 28, completed the flat 174.7-kilometer trek just ahead of Switzerland’s Mauro Schmid and the Netherlands’ Olav Kooij.
Four-time champion Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia maintained the overall leader’s yellow jersey. His lead over Evenepoel is 4 minutes and 32 seconds, with Mexico’s Isaac del Toro in third place.
Stage 18 on Thursday is a mountainous 185.2-kilometer journey from Voiron to Orcieres-Merlette. The 113th edition of the Tour de France concludes on Sunday in Paris.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Inter Miami sign Brazilian superstar M Casemiro
June 29, 2026; Houston, Texas, U.S.; Brazil’s Casemiro celebrates after the match. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Inter Miami announced the signing of Brazilian superstar midfielder Casemiro on Wednesday.
Casemiro, 34, is under contract through 2027 with an option until June 2029 following five years with Premier League side Manchester United. Inter Miami acquired his discovery priority from the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Casemiro just helped Brazil reach the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, increasing his career totals to 91 caps and 10 goals with the national team. It was his third World Cup.
“What motivates me the most, and I think this is true for every player, is winning and continuing to grow. The project the club presented to me, along with the effort everyone made to bring me here, means a lot to me,” Casemiro said.
“I’m incredibly grateful, and I can’t wait to get started so I can repay that trust — not only during the 90 minutes on matchday, but every day in training as well. All I can say is thank you, and I’ll give everything I have to return the affection and confidence the club has shown me.”
Casemiro has recorded 73 goals and 61 assists in 663 club appearances with Brazil’s Sao Paulo, Spain’s Real Madrid, Portugal’s Porto and Manchester United. His 21 club trophies include five UEFA Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns with Real Madrid from 2013-22.
“Casemiro’s arrival reflects the vision and ambition that define Inter Miami,” said managing owner Jorge Mas. “We never settle. We’re always looking to grow, improve, and raise our standards every season. We’ve built a global club with the vision of becoming not only the best club in the United States, but also a benchmark globally.
“Casemiro embodies everything this club stands for: leadership, a winning mentality, and an extraordinary track record at the highest level of the game,” Mas added. “After achieving virtually everything there is to achieve in fútbol, his decision to join Inter Miami shows that he shares our ambition and our commitment to the highest standards as we continue building for the future. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Inter Miami family.”
Casemiro now joins forces with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, his former rivals at FC Barcelona.
“I’m very proud to welcome Casemiro and his family to Inter Miami,” said co-owner David Beckham. “He is a person and a player that I have admired for a long time. He is a winner who has achieved so much in the game, and after such an incredible career with Real Madrid and Manchester United, I’m delighted that he’s decided to make Miami his next home.”
Defending MLS Cup champion Inter Miami (15-9-2, 31 points) are in second place in the Eastern Conference as they return from the World Cup break to host the Chicago Fire on Wednesday night.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Bobby Witt Jr. put on 10-day IL, likely sealing Royals' seller status
Jul 18, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) makes a diving stop during the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. landed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday due to tightness in his lower back.
A starter for the American League in the All-Star Game last week, Witt left the Royals’ 4-3 win against the San Francisco Giants on Monday with back spasms. The roster move is retroactive to Tuesday.
Being without their best player for any length of time is likely the crowning blow for the Royals, who at 42-60 have a better record than only the Los Angeles Angels (41-60) and Colorado Rockies (41-61) heading into play Wednesday.
Because of the relative weakness of the AL Central, the Royals are 12 games behind the division-leading Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians. But with a little more than two months to play and a dozen games to make up, Witt’s injury should insure the Royals will be sellers at the trade deadline on Aug. 3.
Veteran starting pitchers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha are projected to be coveted by contenders, though the Royals have said they are not inclined to move either right-hander.
In 94 games this season, Witt is batting .289 with 13 homers and 39 RBIs. He has 103 hits and 22 doubles, scoring 51 runs.
His 30 stolen bases lead the major leagues.
Witt is a three-time All-Star and the winner of two Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. He won the AL batting title in 2024 when he led the majors with a .332 average.
Kansas City’s shortstop since 2022, Witt has a career average of .288 with 118 home runs, 412 RBIs and 178 stolen bases in 720 games.
In a corresponding move, the Royals promoted 32-year-old Andrew Velazquez from Triple-A Omaha. He is a well-traveled utility infielder who has not played in the major leagues since 2023.
He and Tyler Tolbert, a 28-year-old infielder hitting .328 in 38 games this year, are expected to share duties at shortstop.
The Royals also transferred right-hander Stephen Kolek to the 60-day injured list, designated center fielder Kameron Misner for assignment and traded right-hander Nate Pearson to the Houston Astros in exchange for right-hander Max Martin.
–Field Level Media
Jasper Philipsen wins Stage 17 of Tour de France
Inter Miami sign Brazilian superstar M Casemiro
