NEW YORK (AP) — As confetti fell and Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” blared through the arena, the New York Liberty celebrated the end of a long odyssey. The team that always fell short, starting from their days in Madison Square Garden, through detours to Radio City Music Hall and Westchester County Center, finally found their way to the top. Start spreading the news, indeed: There’s finally a pro basketball champion in New York again after a 67-62 overtime win over Minnesota in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Sunday night. “I’ve been manifesting this moment for awhile, There’s no feeling like it,” Breanna Stewart said. “Credit to Minnesota, they gave us a tough series. The fans have been amazing everywhere we’ve gone. To bring a championship to New York, first ever in franchise history it’s an incredible feeling. I can’t wait to continue to celebrate with the city. It’s going to be bonkers.” Jonquel Jones scored 17 points to lead New York, which was one of the original franchises in the league. The Liberty made the WNBA Finals five times before, losing each one, including last season. This time they wouldn’t be denied, although it took an extra five minutes.
CLEVELAND (AP) — Deshaun Watson’s tumultuous tenure with Cleveland has taken another significant turn. His third season appears to be over. The embattled quarterback was carted off the field Sunday with a right Achilles tendon injury he suffered on a noncontact play against the Cincinnati Bengals. Following Cleveland’s 21-14 loss, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said it “looks like” Watson’s injury is serious and will end his season. The team was still awaiting test results, but all indications are that Watson won’t play again in 2024. Watson, who has not lived up to expectations in his two-plus seasons with Cleveland, went down without being touched on a second-down play with 1:26 left in the first half. He dropped back to pass at the Cincinnati 21-yard line. When he planted, his right leg buckled and he dropped to the ground.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani carried the injury-riddled Los Angeles Dodgers to baseball’s best record during the regular season. Tommy Edman joined the team in late July and helped them reach the World Series. It’s been that kind of year for the big-spending Dodgers. When Ohtani isn’t amazing with his power at the plate and prowess on the basepaths, someone else is stepping up. Edman and Will Smith homered to send Ohtani into the World Series for the first time, and the Dodgers eliminated the New York Mets with a 10-5 victory in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series on Sunday night. Los Angeles opens the World Series against the New York Yankees on Friday.
ZURICH (AP) — Former U.S. national team captain Becky Sauerbrunn and Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema are among more than 100 women’s soccer players who have signed an open letter protesting FIFA’s sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabian state oil giant Aramco. The letter calls the deal, which includes sponsorship at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, “much worse than an own goal,” citing Saudi Arabia’s record on the rights of women and LGBTQ+ people and the impact of Aramco’s oil and gas production on climate change. Sauerbrunn voiced concern for women who are imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. “The safety of those women, the rights of women, LGBTQ+ rights and the health of the planet need to take a much bigger priority over FIFA making more money,” Sauerbrunn said in comments via campaign group Athletes Of The World.
SUNDAY SCORES
Major League Baseball Playoffs
LA Dodgers 10, NY Mets 5
Los Angeles will face NY Yankees in World Series that begins Friday
National Football League
Jacksonville 32, New England 16
Detroit 31, Minnesota 29
Buffalo 34, Tennessee 10
Seattle 34, Atlanta 14
Indianapolis 16, Miami 10
Green Bay 24, Houston 22
Cincinnati 21, Cleveland 14
Philadelphia 28, NY Giants 3
LA Rams 20, Las Vegas 15
Kansas City 28, San Francisco 18
Washington 40, Carolina 7
Pittsburgh 37, NY Jets 15