NBA – Pacers future becomes cloudier because of Haliburton’s torn Achilles tendon
Tyrese Haliburton took the Indiana Pacers to heights few thought possible this season. Getting a second chance might take some more time. Team officials announced Monday that an MRI confirmed Haliburton tore his right Achilles tendon in Sunday’s Game 7 loss in the NBA Finals. Yes, the Pacers will still have a bright future thanks to its depth and the fact nine of their 10 rotational players are signed through next season. Starting center Myles Turner is the lone exception. But the questions about Haliburton’s recovery timeline and long-term outlook have created a much cloudier outlook for what happens next to a team that appeared to be on the cusp of becoming an annual title contender.
NBA – OKC’s Game 7 victory over Indiana draws largest NBA Finals audience in six years
Oklahoma City’s 103-91 victory over Indiana in Game 7 was the most-watched NBA Finals game in six years. Sunday night’s game averaged 16.53 million on ABC and ESPN+ according to preliminary ratings data from Nielsen. The audience peaked at 19.28 million during the second half (9:45-10 p.m. EDT). It is the first time since Toronto wrapped up its first title in Game 6 against Golden State in 2019 (18.34 million) that the finals have had an audience over 16 million. The last Game 7 in 2016, when Cleveland beat Golden State, averaged 31.02 million.
NBA – The NBA offseason is officially here. It’s been going on for some time, actually
Kevin Durant has been traded to Houston. The New York Knicks are looking for a coach. Cooper Flagg is about to become the No. 1 pick in the draft. Expansion plans likely will take a big step forward in a few weeks. The Los Angeles Lakers just got sold. The NBA offseason officially has started. In reality, it’s been going for a few weeks already. There’s a parade Tuesday in Oklahoma City to celebrate the newly crowned champion Thunder, and in every other NBA city there’s going to be a parade of movement over the coming weeks to try to catch the champs.
MLB – Major League Baseball
Last Night
Arizona Diamondbacks 10, Chicago White Sox 0
St. Louis Cardinals 8, Chicago Cubs 2
Tigers were off
D’Backs 10, White Sox 0 – Pavin Smith has 2 HRs and 4 RBIs as Diamondbacks beat White Sox 10-0
Pavin Smith homered twice and drove in four runs, and Arizona beat the Chicago White Sox 10-0 in a game that saw the Diamondbacks lose Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor to injuries. Suárez left after he was hit on the right hand in the first inning on a pitch from Shane Smith. Naylor, who hit a two-run double in the first for a 2-0 lead, appeared to injure his shoulder on a swing in the second and left in the fourth after grounding out. He is day to day with right shoulder discomfort. Eduardo Rodriguez (3-4) gave up five hits and struck out 10 in six innings, and Anthony DeSclafani struck out four in three hitless innings for his first career save.
Cardinals 8, Cubs 2 – Cardinals hit 4 home runs in 8-2 win over Cubs
Alec Burleson and Brendan Donovan each hit two-run homers in the fifth inning, Matthew Liberatore pitched seven strong innings, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 8-2 on Monday night. Lars Nootbaar and Nolan Gorman also homered as the Cardinals hit a season-best four home runs for the first time since April 30 at Cincinnati. Liberatore allowed two runs on six hits and struck out five for the Cardinals, who have won six of their last seven games. Ben Brown allowed eight runs on nine hits in five innings for the Cubs, who have lost four of their last five.
Tonight
Athletics (Severino 2-7) at Detroit (Skubal 8-2), 6:40 p.m. News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM 6:15p
Arizona (Nelson 4-2) at Chicago White Sox (Leasure 2-4), 7:40 p.m.
Chicago Cubs (Taillon 7-4) at St. Louis (McGreevy 1-1), 7:45 p.m.
MLB – Athletics celebrate groundbreaking of $1.75 billion stadium project in Las Vegas
With mounds of dirt, construction vehicles and the exact location where home plate will be at the new Athletics ballpark serving as the backdrop, team owner John Fisher stood in front of a large gathering with one message: “We are Vegas’ team.” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, state and local government dignitaries, former Athletics greats such as Rollie Fingers and Dave Stewart, Little Leaguers and many others looked on Monday as the team celebrated the groundbreaking of a $1.75 billion, 33,000-person capacity ballpark that is expected to be finished in time for the 2028 season.
WNBA – Women’s National Basketball Association
Tonight
Los Angeles Sparks at Chicago Sky, 8:00 p.m.
Indiana Fever at Seattle Storm, 10:00 a.m.
NHL –Ducks trade Trevor Zegras to Philadelphia for Ryan Poehling and draft picks
The Anaheim Ducks are trading forward Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers for forward Ryan Poehling and two draft picks. Zegras was the Ducks’ first-round pick in 2019. The Ducks also will get the 45th overall pick in the upcoming draft that initially belonged to Columbus, along with a fourth-round pick next season. Zegras had two 60-point seasons early in his NHL career but struggled with injuries for the past two seasons. The 26-year-old Poehling had 12 goals and 19 assists for Philadelphia last season.
FIFA – PSG beats Seattle Sounders 2-0 to reach Club World Cup round of 16
Paris Saint-Germain didn’t allow a single shot on goal as the European powerhouse beat the Seattle Sounders 2-0 and advanced to the Club World Cup round of 16. Paris Saint-Germain won Group B on a goal-differential tiebreaker after Atlético Madrid defeated Botafogo 1-0. The 68,740-capacity Lumen Field was lively on Monday with 50,628 fans. Paris will play the runner-up of Group A on Sunday in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Seattle has been eliminated from the cup.
PWHL – St. Cloud State’s Brian Idalski hired as first coach of PWHL’s Vancouver team
Brian Idalski is leaving St. Cloud State after being hired as coach of the PWHL’s expansion team in Vancouver. The 54-year-old has more than 20 years of women’s hockey coaching experience, including overseeing China’s national team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. Idalski also coached the KRS Vanke Rays to two Russian-women’s league ZhHL championships over a three-year period. Vancouver’s inaugural roster includes former Vanke Rays players, Michela Cava and Hannah Miller, who also played for China in 2022. Idalski’s hiring comes a day before the PWHL draft.
MWL – Midwest League Baseball
Tonight
West Michigan Whitecaps at Lake County Captains, 6:05 p.m.
Dayton Dragons at Lansing Lugnuts, 7:05 p.m.
Great Lakes Loons at Fort Wayne Tin Caps, 7:05 p.m.
South Bend Cubs at Cedar Rapids Kernels, 7:35 p.m. WSBT 7:15p
