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Dream finally
break through
(AP) -- Atlanta general manager Dan Padover built the Dream into a title contender through shrewd trades, a little bit of luck and patience from the team’s ownership group. All that has paid off as Atlanta is headed to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013 when the Dream play the Golden State Valkyries in the best-of-seven series that begins Saturday.
Padover acquired Allisha Gray, Angel Reese and Jordin Canada via trades. His first season he made a blockbuster move, acquiring the No. 1 pick in the draft which he used on Rhyne Howard.
NFL suspends
Greenlaw 1 game
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw was suspended for one game after head-butting Seattle’s Ernest Jones IV following a late hit on the Seahawks sideline. The NFL issued the suspension, saying the headbutt of a player without a helmet was “contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.” Greenlaw will miss San Francisco’s game next Monday night against Washington pending an appeal on Tuesday.
Poor decisions
prove costly
(AP) -- Poor situational management cost Philadelphia and Washington NFL victories. The Giants squandered chances, too.
It was a tough Sunday for the NFC East and a rough Week 5 altogether for the division, including Dallas losing at home on Thursday night to a previously winless team and an undrafted rookie quarterback.
The depleted Eagles gave away an improbable victory in London. The Commanders inexplicably ran the clock out on themselves in field-goal range and had to settle for a tie against the Giants, who wasted two chances to win in overtime.
Hitters win
ABS challenges
NEW YORK (AP) -- Batters have been more successful with robot umpire challenges in the playoffs than during the regular season. Teams are using the Automated Ball-Strike System more in its postseason debut.
Seventy-one of 121 overall challenges under ABS prevailed during the 25 games of the Wild Card Series and Division Series. The 59% success rate was up from 54% during the regular season. This includes an improvement for batters to 57% from 49%. Teams are challenging more in the postseason overall, with 4.8 per game compared to 4.3 during the regular season.
Batter challenges are up to 2.04 per game from 1.96.
Swanson’s return
a bright spot
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. women’s soccer team lost to defending World Cup champion Spain 2-0 over the weekend. Mallory Swanson’s entrance as a substitute near the midway point of the second half was a bright spot.
She’d last played for the U.S. in October 2024 before having her first child last year with her husband, major league shortstop Dansby Swanson. Swanson was on the U.S. team that won the 2019 World Cup. A knee injury kept her out of the 2023 World Cup, but she was back for the Paris Olympics the following year.
She scored in the final against Brazil to lift the U.S. to the gold medal.
Excitement
high for Heat
MIAMI (AP) -- Klay Thompson didn’t sleep well before his first Miami Heat training camp. Coach Erik Spoelstra’s speech fired him up. Spoelstra, in his 19th season with the Heat, is known for motivating his players.
Thompson appreciates Spoelstra’s belief in players’ potential, regardless of age. The Heat missed the playoffs last season, leading to roster changes. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tim Hardaway Jr., Bobby Portis, and Thompson have joined the team. Spoelstra is excited about the new season, and players are noticing. The Eastern Conference will be tough, but excitement is high in Miami.
BYU hosts
Notre Dame
(AP) -- The buzz over this week’s top-10 matchup between No. 2 Notre Dame and No. 8 BYU was palpable in the Utah Valley long before the season started. The teams are where they were expected to be heading into Saturday’s clash in Provo.
For the Fighting Irish, it’s the next step on the Leave No Doubt tour they began in response to being left out of the College Football Playoff. For the Cougars, it feels bigger than that. It will be the first top-10 matchup ever played at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.