Jayson Tatum vents over Jaylen Brown’s ‘cap’ post as Celtics win overshadowed by trade drama talk
BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum addressed his frustrations with the ongoing drama surrounding the relationship between he and Jaylen Brown after Brown’s trade to the Philadelphia 76ers. Instead of discussing his 36-point performance in the Celtics’ win over the Knicks, Tatum spent most of his postgame news conference explaining his side of the situation. Brown responded to comments Tatum made on a YouTube video in which he said he was surprised with by the trade with a “cap” emoji on Instagram, implying it was untrue. Tatum expressed frustration with how their relationship has been portrayed, emphasizing there’s no animosity, despite the perception otherwise.
Players in WNBA Finals tuning out President Trump, other outside noise, say their focus on the games
ATLANTA (AP) — Players in the WNBA Finals say they are focused on the upcoming game and not President Trump’s comments about the national anthem. Trump spoke a rally on Thursday in Iowa and criticized players for leaving the court before the national anthem is played. It has been part of WNBA players’ pregame routine for several years, dating back to at least when they played an entire season in Florida in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Teams have left before the anthem is played to raise awareness for social justice issues or simply to continue to get ready for the game. When asked Friday about the president’s comments, Atlanta and Golden State players who are competing for the WNBA championship said they were locked in on the next game, not the president’s comments.
Dale Brown, who has the most wins of any LSU basketball coach, dies at age 90
Dale Brown, who coached some of the most successful basketball teams in LSU history, as well as one of the Tigers’ most famous players in Shaquille O’Neal, has died. He was 90. LSU says Brown died on Friday. He was just over a week away from what would have been his 91st birthday. Brown was named AP Coach of the Year in 1981, was a four-time SEC Coach of the Year and has the most wins of a coach in program history. The highlights of his 25 years as LSU’s coach included two trips to the NCAA Final Four with his 1981 and 1986 teams.
Mavericks lose Cooper Flagg with shoulder injury following hard foul in 1st half against Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg has been ruled out for the rest of Friday night’s game against the Indiana Pacers with a left shoulder injury. Last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year was injured late in the first half when he appeared headed for a breakaway dunk. Pacers swingman Aaron Nesmith fouled Flagg hard from behind, knocking Flagg off balance and he landed awkwardly on the shoulder under the basket. A brief shoving match ensued as coaches tried to separate the players. Nesmith was called for a flagrant foul on the play and a double technical was assessed to Nesmaith and Dallas guard Naji Marshall.
Union head calls MLB’s salary cap proposal ‘nuclear bomb’ ahead of World Series opener
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Baseball’s union chief said the owners’ proposal of a salary cap this summer was a “nuclear bomb” and players have no interest in the type of economic system Commissioner Rob Manfred maintains is needed for the sport to thrive. Shortly before the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays opened the first World Series in 35 years between small-payroll teams in the bottom half of big league spending, players’ association head Bruce Meyer and Manfred held separate media sessions Friday near the first base dugout at American Family Field.
Balls glancing off gloves, runners thrown out trying to steal sink Rays in World Series opener
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers capitalized on mistakes by the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series opener, including when Victor Mesa Jr. was caught trying to steal third base with two outs in the fifth inning of a one-run game. Milwaukee scored twice in the first when hard-hit balls deflected off the gloves of center fielder Jonny DeLuca and shortstop Taylor Walls, starting the Brewers toward a 3-2 win. DeLuca missed his attempt at a diving catch, leading to a go-ahead triple. The Rays went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position after leading the majors in that hitting statistic during the regular season.
Knicks say using championship rings in an email to fool employees was an ‘unfortunate mistake’
NEW YORK (AP) — Madison Square Garden says an email that led employees to believe they were selecting a Knicks championship ring but instead was a phishing attempt was an “unfortunate mistake.” The company added Friday that more than 275 players and employees will still be getting rings as planned. Knicks players received the rings they earned by winning the NBA championship on Tuesday night. On Thursday, The Athletic reported that in September, MSG employees received an email reading: “Congratulations, your Employee Championship Ring is here.” Those who clicked on the link at the bottom of the email were forced to attend a mandatory cybersecurity class.
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders unionize after years of fighting for higher pay
DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are unionizing. The NFL franchise has agreed to recognize the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association as the collective bargaining representative for one of the most famous cheer squads in professional sports. That’s what both sides said in a joint statement Friday. The announcement follows years of the cheerleaders fighting for pay increases. According to Forbes magazine, the Cowboys are the most valuable pro sports team in the world.