Sports
Valkyries will put stingy defense to test against visiting Aces
May 25, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) and forward Gabby Williams (1) help up guard Kaila Charles (6) against the Connecticut Sun in the second quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images The defending-champion Las Vegas Aces find themselves looking up in the standings at the second-year Golden State Valkyries as the clubs prepare to meet Sunday afternoon in San Francisco.
The Aces (4-3) have lost two in a row, including 95-87 at Dallas on Thursday night to tip off a three-game trip.
Meanwhile, the Valkyries (5-2) won their second straight Thursday, edging the Indiana Fever 90-88 in the second of four consecutive home games.
Playing for just the eighth time as an expansion franchise, Golden State surprised the Aces 95-68 as part of the Commissioner’s Cup last June. Las Vegas then exacted three measures of revenge before season’s end, including 78-72 in a return visit to San Francisco in August.
This time around, the matchup features the league’s stingiest defense (Golden State) against a team that has shot the fewest free throws in the WNBA this season (Las Vegas).
Aces coach Becky Hammon would love to see the latter change immediately, which she made clear after her club got to the foul line just 12 times (compared to Dallas’ 22) in Thursday’s loss.
“A’ja Wilson shoots one free throw. Chennedy Carter, zero; Jackie Young, zero,” Hammon cited off the stat sheet at her postgame press conference. “I’m (very) tired of that (occurrence). I’m not saying they didn’t earn their 22. But when Awak Kuier shoots more free throws than A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young and Chennedy Carter all combined, that’s a problem.”
“We’re not getting the same whistle.”
The Valkyries, on the other hand, have built up the second-highest point differential in the league at plus-8.4 per game, trailing only the Minnesota Lynx (plus-9.2). In Thursday’s game, their success at the line made a big difference.
Veronica Burton (10-for-12) and Gabby Williams (7-for-10) combined for 22 free throw attempts alone in the win over the Fever. Golden State got seven more foul shots than Indiana in the two-point win.
Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase believes the nightly sellout her club attracts at Chase Center helps in many ways.
“It’s great that everyone comes, whether it’s Indiana or Vegas coming up,” she noted to reporters Thursday. “I want it loud; I want the boos and the cheers and ups and the downs. We want all 14 (visiting teams) to be rivals. It’s good for the game.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Marina Mabrey's 18 points lead Tempo to win over Storm
May 27, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Toronto Tempo guard Marina Mabrey (3) celebrates after scoring against the Chicago Sky during the first half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Marina Mabrey scored 12 of her 18 points in the first half on Saturday afternoon, and the Toronto Tempo defeated the visiting Seattle Storm 93-72.
Kiki Rice scored 13 of her 17 points in the second half and added six rebounds and four steals as the Tempo (5-4) defeated Seattle (3-6) for the second time this season.
Toronto was 31-for-33 in free throws.
Brittney Sykes added 15 points, Laura Juskaite scored 14 and Maria Conde scored 13.
Natisha Hiedeman had 18 points and seven assists for the Storm. Jordan Horston added 15 points and four steals.
The Tempo used a 33-20 third quarter to take a 14-point lead into the fourth quarter. Rice’s layup bumped the lead to 16 with 8:26 left. Rice converted two free throws to give the Tempo a 20-point lead with 6:33 to go. Juskaite hit a 3-pointer to put Toronto into a 23-point lead with 3:34 to play.
Toronto led by as many as 11 points before taking a 21-13 lead after one quarter, taking advantage of some sloppy Seattle play.
Jordan Horston’s layup finished off some good Seattle ball movement to cut the lead to three with 7:30 left in the second quarter. Horston trimmed the margin to one when she scored on a layup after picking off Rice’s errant pass. Mabrey nailed a 3-pointer with 2:57 to go, bumping the lead to four. Awa Fam’s layup off Horston’s steal completed the first-half scoring and cut Toronto’s lead to 37-36.
Each team committed nine turnovers in the first half. Seattle shot 41% (16-for-39) in the half and Toronto was 37.9% (11-for-29).
Stefanie Dolson opened the scoring in the third quarter with a 3-pointer to give the Storm a two-point lead. The score was tied at 49 after Mabrey’s layup with 5:29 to play in the third. Mabrey set up Rice for a layup that had Toronto ahead by two. Julie Allemand’s steal and layup put Toronto ahead by four with 3:00 remaining. The lead reached six on two Rice free throws. Conde’s 3-pointer gave the Tempo a 10-point lead with 0:52 to go and Juskaite drained a 3-pointer to finish the third quarter with Toronto leading 70-56.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Blue Jays DFA RHP Austin Voth for second time this season
Sep 10, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners Austin Voth (30) delivers a pitch against the San Diego Padres at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images Right-hander Austin Voth was designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays for the second time as the club purchased the contract of right-hander Hayden Juenger on Saturday.
Voth, 33, was signed by the Blue Jays as a free agent on March 25 and called up for a single appearance of 2 2/3 innings on April 9 before he was designated for assignment. He was re-signed on April 11 and called up for a 3 1/3-inning outing Friday before another DFA.
In eight major league seasons, Voth is 17-19 with a 4.77 ERA in 209 appearances (39 starts) with four clubs, including his first five seasons with the Washington Nationals. He pitched for Chiba Lotte in Japan last season.
Juenger, 25, is set to make his major league debut after he went 1-2 with a 3.15 ERA in 17 appearances (two starts) at Triple-A Buffalo.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Mavs' Kyrie Irving "close to 100%" in recovery from torn ACL
Nov 14, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving looks on during the second half against the LA Clippers in an NBA Cup game at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving gave an update on his recovery from a torn ACL via Twitch, saying he is now close to full strength.
“I am definitely close to being over at 100% in terms on my ACL recovery,” Irving said. “It’s been a while now. … I’m just so grateful that I’ve had the time to heal and just experiment with my body more on the court.”
The nine-time All-Star has been sidelined since his injury March 3, 2025. During the 2024-25 campaign, he averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists over 50 games (all starts), while shooting 40.1% from 3-point range.
Last season, the Mavericks struggled without the 34-year-old veteran, limping to a 26-56 record.
A return means Irving will be able to pair NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg next season.
–Field Level Media
Marina Mabrey's 18 points lead Tempo to win over Storm
Blue Jays DFA RHP Austin Voth for second time this season
