INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Sabrina Ionescu won the 3-point contest and her New York Liberty teammate Natasha Cloud was the skills champion at All-Star Friday night. Ionescu, who won the title in 2023 with a record performance, had a strong final round, scoring 30 points. It was less than her record-breaking effort of 37 two years ago when she made 25 of 27 shots — the most ever in either the WNBA or NBA.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell spent last week tamping down the All-Star excitement. First, she had to play some crucial games. She finally had a chance Friday to show how she felt about playing Saturday’s game on her home court. Her eyes opened wide, the trademark grin stretched across her face and the words started flying out of her mouth. Not all home All-Star Games are created equal. Just ask some of the players who've been there and done that. But for the eight-year veteran who finally made her first playoff appearance last year, this one will be special.
ATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. caught the New York Yankees off-guard with a spectacular throw to end the third inning on Friday night. The Atlanta Braves’ All-Star right fielder threw out Jorbit Vivas at third base when Vivas was trying to tag up on a deep fly to corner in right. Acuña caught the ball just in front of the warning track with his back to the infield. He spun and fired and the throw reached third base in the air just in time for third baseman Nacho Alvarez to tag a slowing Vivas, who ignored third-base coach Luis Rojas’ signal to slide. Alvarez was casual as the throw approached in an attempt to fool Vivas.
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — Scottie Scheffler has a one-shot lead over Matt Fitzpatrick going into the third round of the British Open. Saturday is known as moving day in golf. Many of the 70 players who made the cut need to get a move on it if they want to get in range of the world's No. 1 player. That includes Rory McIlroy before a home crowd in Northern Ireland. He got them going early with a 35-foot birdie putt on the last hole Scheffler took the lead with a 64 in the second round. That's his lowest score ever in a major championship.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark bounced a ball, joined a team huddle and gave one of her All-Star teammate’s shots a playful thumbs down before gingerly lobbing her own half-court heave Friday. It may be the most demanding action anyone sees out of Clark this weekend in Indianapolis. Nobody envisioned the Indiana Fever's biggest star missing the All-Star festivities with another injury. But even as Clark sits this one out, she remains the center of attention. From the 30-story, larger-than-life image covering Indianapolis’ JW Marriott Hotel to the wraps around the city’s maze of skywalks, Clarks seems every bit as in demand — maybe even more — than any other All-Star.
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — The British Open at Royal Portrush has had its first hole-in-one. English golfer John Parry hit an 8-iron at the 192-yard No. 13 that landed at the front of the green, took a couple of bounces and hopped straight into the cup. There were big celebrations on the tee with Parry congratulated by playing partner Justin Leonard, the 1997 Open champion. Parry says “the atmosphere was absolutely amazing.” Parry guessed it was “about” the 10th hole-in-one of his career and was “definitely the best one, 100%." Parry shot a 4-under 67 and was 3 under for the tournament.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers have signed Bradley Beal after the Phoenix Suns bought out his contract. Beal, a 32-year-old three-time All-Star, played 53 games for the Suns last season, averaging 17 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds. He shot 50% from the field and 39% from three-point range. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue praised Beal's versatility, calling him a rare talent who excels in scoring, playmaking, and improving teammates. Beal brings 13 years of NBA experience to the Clippers, adding depth and skill to their roster.
SEATTLE (AP) - Ichiro Suzuki has long cherished baseball history and he has visited Cooperstown in New York. Now it’s his turn to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame, his time to make a speech about a brilliant baseball career that took him from Japan to the big leagues and far beyond. The former Seattle Mariners star will be side by side with Billy Wagner and CC Sabathia for the July 27 induction ceremony.
LONDON (AP) — More than a dozen war veterans from Ukraine will be on hand when Oleksandr Usyk faces Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night in the pair’s fight to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion. The veterans are all employees of Ukraine’s largest private energy company DTEK, which has partnered with Usyk to raise awareness about the plight of the country’s civilian energy infrastructure since the Russian invasion in February 2022. Usyk says the bout is "very important to my country and the soldiers who protect my country because it’s motivation for my people.”
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has co-written a children's book featuring his dog, Decoy. The Los Angeles Dodgers star shared the news Thursday on Instagram, posting a photo of Decoy, a Dutch Kooikerhondje, with the book. Titled “Decoy Saves Opening Day," the story follows Decoy as he scrambles to retrieve his lucky baseball before throwing the first pitch on opening day. The book, illustrated by Fanny Liem, will be released on February 3 by HarperCollins. Ohtani hopes Decoy’s fame will raise awareness of the rare Kooikerhondje breed, which he has promoted through events like a first pitch and a victory parade.