and Page 39 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Iga Swiatek, trio of Americans advance to Australian Open 4th round
No. 2 seed and six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek didn't play her best, but it was good enough to defeat No. 31 Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 on Saturday to move to the fourth round of the Australian Open.,It took Swiatek, of Poland, one hour and 44 minutes to advance to the second week of the...

Patrick Reed takes 4-stroke lead into final round in Dubai
Patrick Reed shot a 67 on Saturday to hold a four-stroke lead heading into the final round at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in the United Arab Emirates.,The American is the only player in the field at Emirates Golf Club to finish all three rounds in the 60s and stands at 14-under for the tournament....

Trio of top-10 Americans advance to Australian Open's 4th round
Three American women -- No. 4 Amanda Anisimova, No. 6 Jessica Pegula and No. 9 Madison Keys -- advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open with straight set victories on Saturday in Melbourne.,Anisimova defeated countrywoman Peyton Stearns, 6-1, 6-4. Pegula ousted Oksana Selekhmeteva of Russ...

Sabres out to flash playoff credentials vs. weary Islanders
The New York Islanders spent the last two weeks far away from home confirming their status as a fading playoff contender.,The Buffalo Sabres barely had to leave the Eastern time zone to continue one of the most surprising in-season comebacks in memory.,The Islanders will finally return home Saturday...

Patriots rule out sacks leader Harold Landry III vs. Broncos
New England Patriots linebacker Harold Landry III has been ruled out for Sunday's AFC Championship game against the host Denver Broncos, head coach Mike Vrabel announced Friday,Landry has missed consecutive practice sessions this week as he nurses a knee injury.,He sat out the Patriots' last two reg...

Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza declares for 2026 NFL Draft
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza announced Friday morning that he is bypassing his senior season and entering the 2026 NFL Draft.,The university's first Heisman Trophy winner effectively put himself in position to be selected with the top overall pick of the draft after announcing his decision i...

No. 15 Vanderbilt vies to halt 3-game slide in visit to Mississippi State
The season has taken a turn for the worse for Vanderbilt.,The No. 15 Commodores (16-3, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) won their first 16 games before losing their last three, including a season-worst 93-68 setback at No. 20 Arkansas on Tuesday night. Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington called that loss "em...

No. 10 Michigan State strives to get in sync vs. Maryland
No. 10 Michigan State is carrying a five-game winning streak into Saturday afternoon's Big Ten game against Maryland in East Lansing, Mich.,But that doesn't mean Spartans coach Tom Izzo is totally pleased with his team. Not after watching his charges struggle to gain control against shorthanded Oreg...

Trail Blazers F Deni Avdija (back) expected to play Friday
Portland Trail Blazers standout forward Deni Avdija is expected to be available for Friday's game with the Toronto Raptors after leaving Thursday's 127-110 win over the visiting Miami Heat with back soreness.,"I think he'll be fine," Trail Blazers coach Tiago Splitter told reporters after the game, ...

Trail Blazers F Deni Avdija (back) ruled out vs. Heat
Portland Trail Blazers standout forward Deni Avdija exited Thursday night's game against the visiting Miami Heat with back soreness early in the third quarter and didn't return.,Avdija had 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists in 18 minutes before his departure.,Avdija left the contest less tha...

Lowly Kings arrive while Cavaliers plan to continue to thrive
Eight wins in their last 12 games have given the Cleveland Cavaliers a much-needed boost into fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings.,The Cavaliers seek to continue that momentum Friday when the Sacramento Kings make their annual pilgrimage to northeast Ohio.,Point guard Donovan Mitchell sc...

Nathan's hot dog contest to go on under Chinese ownership
No changes are expected at the traditional Nathan's Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest following the sale of the parent company.,Smithfield Foods of Virginia, a subsidiary of the WH Group of China, is finalizing a deal to purchase Nathan's Famous in a $450 million transaction.,A spokesperson for ...

Kraken cruise past Islanders, end 4-game skid
Vince Dunn and Jared McCann each had a goal and an assist as the Seattle Kraken snapped a four-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory against the visiting New York Islanders on Wednesday night.,Matty Beniers and Kaapo Kakko also scored for Seattle after coach Lane Lambert made changes on all four off...

Andrej Stojakovic's huge night leads No. 11 Illinois past Maryland
Andrej Stojakovic scored a season-high 30 points to pace No. 11 Illinois to its eighth straight win, 89-70 over Big Ten nemesis Maryland in Champaign, Ill., on Wednesday,Keaton Wagler contributed 13 points, eight assists and seven rebounds as the Illini (16-3, 7-1) finally handled the Terrapins, who...
Kenny Lofton’s Hall of Fame Snub Is Becoming Impossible to Defend
With Andruw Jones inducted, Kenny Lofton’s Hall of Fame omission looks more indefensible than ever. The numbers demand a second look....
Potential Landing Spots for Brandon Aiyuk After 49ers Exit
Brandon Aiyuk’s time with the San Francisco 49ers is over. Here are five teams that could pursue the 27-year-old wide receiver next season....

Pats CB Carlton Davis III (concussion) back at practice
New England Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis III returned to practice on a limited basis on Wednesday as he looks to clear concussion protocol.,Head coach Mike Vrabel made the announcement as his Patriots prepare to visit the Denver Broncos on Sunday in the AFC Championship Game.,Davis sustained a ...

France doesn't intend to boycott World Cup over Greenland issue
France's sports minister said she does not anticipate her country pulling out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup over President Donald Trump's threats amid Europe's support of an autonomous Greenland.,The World Cup largely will be played in the United States.,Trump has said he intends to assess France and s...

Foot surgery possible for Bills QB Josh Allen
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen might require surgery to repair an injury to his right foot, but he would be ready to take part in organized team activities this offseason, team president of football operations Brandon Beane said Wednesday.,Beane did not state when a potential surgery could tak...

France doesn't intend to boycott World Cup over Greenland
France's sports minister said she does not anticipate her country pulling out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup -- largely being played in the United States this summer -- over President Donald Trump's threats toward France.,Trump has said he intends to assess France and seven other European nations with t...