I Dig Sports
Herro scores 38 as Heat again end Bulls' season
CHICAGO -- Tyler Herro scored 38 points, and the Miami Heat dominated the Chicago Bulls 109-90 on Wednesday night to advance in the Play-In Tournament.
Herro scored 23 points as Miami grabbed a 71-47 halftime lead, and the Heat knocked the Bulls out of the Play-In for the third year in a row. They play at Atlanta on Friday for a chance to meet top-seeded Cleveland in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Hawks lost to Orlando on Tuesday.
Herro made his first eight shots and was 13-of-19 in the game. The All-Star guard nailed three 3-pointers.
Andrew Wiggins had 20 points and nine rebounds. Bam Adebayo added 15 points and 12 rebounds, and the Heat got payback for a three-game sweep in the regular season.
Josh Giddey had 25 points and 10 rebounds for Chicago. Coby White scored 17, though he shot 5-of-20. Nikola Vucevic finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
The Bulls got within 13 early in the fourth quarter, only to get shut down the rest of the way and miss the playoffs for the third year in a row.
Herro set the tone, making all eight shots as the Heat broke the game open in the first half. He was hardly a one-man show, with Wiggins scoring 12 in the half and Adebayo adding 11 points and seven rebounds.
It was 39-28 after the Bulls' Matas Buzelis stole a pass and pulled up for a buzzer-beating 3 to end the first quarter, waking up the Chicago crowd.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams got a big ovation between quarters when he was shown seated courtside. He signed a football and threw it deep into the stands.
The Heat responded in a big way, going on a 16-5 run to start the second and outscoring the Bulls 32-19 in the second quarter.
Sources: Mavs optimistic Kyrie will return by Jan.
There's optimism Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving could be fully recovered and return from his torn left ACL by January 2026, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Wednesday.
There's also an expectation around the team that Irving will be able to play a good amount of the 2025-26 season upon his return to action, the sources said.
Irving, who underwent successful surgery to repair his torn ACL on March 26, sustained the injury late in the first quarter of the Mavericks' 122-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings on March 3. The typical recovery time after an ACL surgery like Irving's is six to 12 months.
Irving, 33, averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists this season. He has a $43 million player option for the 2025-26 season, the final year of a three-year, $126 million deal he signed in 2023. The Mavericks' aim is to rip up his player option and give him a new three-year deal, potentially to align him with the same length of deals that Anthony Davis and general manager Nico Harrison have, sources said.
Irving, who made his ninth NBA All-Star team in February, was the only NBA player this season averaging at least 20 points, 40% 3-point shooting and 90% from the free throw line. It's the fifth season in his 14-year career in which he has reached or surpassed those averages -- the second most all time, trailing Golden State's Stephen Curry, according to ESPN Research.
Before the injury, Irving was averaging 39.3 minutes over his previous 10 games, a stretch that began right after the team dealt co-star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Irving played the most minutes per game by any player in the NBA from Feb. 4 to March 2.
NBA: Refs made 4 errors late in Grizz-Warriors
SAN FRANCISCO -- The NBA on Wednesday said officials made two incorrect calls in the final 37 seconds of Golden State's 121-116 play-in victory against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night.
The NBA's Last Two Minute Report said the officiating crew of Josh Tiven, Bill Kennedy and Nick Buchert should not have called a personal foul on Golden State point guard Brandin Podziemski when he made what was a block on Scotty Pippen Jr. near the basket with 37 seconds left.
Podziemski was called for a foul, resulting in two free throws for Pippen. The Grizzlies point guard made one of two to cut the Warriors' lead to 117-114.
With 7.3 seconds left and Golden State leading by one, play was stopped when Ja Morant reached in on Stephen Curry and made contact with the ball, which went out of bounds. The NBA said the ball should have been called off Curry's hand, awarding possession to Memphis instead of Golden State.
One pivotal call the NBA ruled that officials got correct was a five-second violation by Memphis on an inbounds play while trailing 119-116 with 5.4 seconds remaining. Curry was fouled after that and sealed the Warriors' win from the line.
The Last Two Minute Report also said officials made two incorrect non-calls in the final two minutes. The referees should have called a personal foul on Draymond Green on Pippen with 1:29 to go. That would have been Green's sixth personal foul. The Warriors' big man would foul out later with 58.6 seconds left.
Referees also made an incorrect non-call when Grizzlies center Zach Edey should have been called for an offensive goaltending when he made contact with the ball while it was in the imaginary cylinder above the rim with 1:28 remaining. Edey was credited with a putback that cut the Warriors' lead to 114-111.
The Warriors secured the seventh seed and will face the host Houston Rockets in Game 1 of a first-round series Sunday. Memphis will host the winner of Wednesday night's Dallas-Sacramento game in a play-in game Friday to determine the Western Conference's eighth seed.
White Sox DFA struggling right-hander Clevinger
CHICAGO -- The White Sox designated right-hander Mike Clevinger for assignment Wednesday.
The 34-year-old Clevinger allowed three runs in the ninth inning of Tuesday's 12-3 loss to the Athletics. He is 0-2 with a 7.94 ERA in five appearances this year -- all in relief after spending most of his career as a starter.
Clevinger signed with Chicago in free agency in December 2022, April 2024 and again in February. He is 9-14 with a 4.24 ERA in 28 starts and eight relief appearances with the White Sox.
Right-hander Steven Wilson was promoted from Triple-A Charlotte before Wednesday's game against the A's. Wilson was acquired by Chicago in the Dylan Cease trade with the San Diego Padres in March 2024.
Wilson had a 1.69 ERA and one save in five relief appearances with Charlotte. He went 1-6 with a career-high 5.71 ERA in 40 appearances with the White Sox last year.
Clevinger, a fourth-round pick in the 2011 amateur draft, broke into the majors with Cleveland in 2016. He is 60-44 with a 3.55 ERA in nine seasons, also playing for the Padres.
PITTSBURGH -- Washington Nationals pitcher Jorge Lopez was ejected from Wednesday night's 6-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates after a pitch near Andrew McCutchen's head led to the benches briefly clearing.
In the seventh inning, Lopez hit the previous batter, Bryan Reynolds, with a pitch before facing McCutchen, who had to fall to the ground to avoid getting hit by a 92 mph ball near his head.
As the umpires gathered to discuss the incident, McCutchen and Lopez started arguing, which caused both benches to empty. Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham was seen yelling while being held back by teammate Oneil Cruz.
Cruz hit a grand slam later in the inning off Eduardo Salazar to give the Pirates a 6-0 lead.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Draw Ceremony Sets the Tone for Stage 2 of the ITTF World Cup Macao 2025
After three intense days of competition, the ITTF Mens and Womens Singles World Cup 2025 enters a new chapter. Sixty-four players have been eliminated, leaving only the group winners to progress. Now, the Top 16 in both draws stand tall as the tournament transitions to Stage 2. With the knockout rounds beginning tomorrow, the stakes are higher than ever as the remaining players prepare for the thrilling Round of 16 battles.
In the Mens singles, World No. 1 and tournament favourite Lin Shidong of China is set to clash with Swedens Anton Kallberg. Kallberg has come tantalizingly close in their last two encounters but couldnt seal the deal. The Swede, yet to drop a game in the group stages, will aim to secure his first victory over the Chinese prodigy in what promises to be a thrilling showdown.
European stars Simon Gauzy (France) and Truls Moregardh (Sweden) are gearing up for an exciting Round of 16 clash. Known for their showmanship and flair, these two crowd favourites promise to deliver an electrifying spectacle. With their first-ever meeting on the international stage, fans can look forward to thrilling long-range rallies, inventive tactics, and jaw-dropping trick shots in this high-stakes battle.
Liang Jingkun of China is set to face Japans Shunsuke Togami, the tournaments giant killer who ousted last years runner-up, Lin Gaoyuan in the group stages. Determined to avenge his compatriot, Jingkun will aim to extend his unbeaten record against Togami while pushing forward in this highly anticipated matchup.
In a highly anticipated All German showdown, Benedikt Duda takes on Dimitrij Ovtcharov, the lone former World Cup champion in the draw. Ovtcharov, buoyed by his strong form against left-handers, including a group stage victory over Lin Yun Ju of Chinese Taipei, will aim to extend his momentum in this clash of compatriots.
In the Womens singles, World No. 1 and defending champion Sun Yingsha of China begins her Stage 2 campaign against Austrian left-hander Sofia Polcanova. Yingsha boasts a flawless record against the 2-time European Champion, having never suffered a defeat and not dropping a single game in their last three encountersa streak she will be eager to extend.
Hina Hayata (Japan) and Cheng I-Ching (Chinese Taipei) are set for another gripping showdown in what will be their tenth meeting on the international stage. While Hina leads the head-to-head 6-3, Chengs recent victory at the ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup 2025 adds an extra layer of intrigue. With both players eager to assert dominance, this promises to be a fascinating contest.
Bernadette Szocs (Romania) and Bruna Takahashi (Brazil) are gearing up for their fifth career meeting, both riding high on confidence following impressive winsSzocs against Sreeja Akula and Takahashi against Manika Batra. While Szocs holds a slight edge with a 3-1 lead in their head-to-head record, Takahashis recent form makes her a formidable challenger in this thrilling matchup.
Lastly, in the clash of the titans, former World Champion and World No. 2 Wang Manyu of China takes on Japanese sensation Miwa Harimoto, ranked World No. 5. Manyu holds a commanding record in this rivalry, with four wins, including a convincing straight-sets victory at the WTT Champions, Chongqing 2025. However, Harimoto, with her youthful energy and undeniable talent, will be determined to close the gap and turn the tide in this blockbuster clash. With plenty of exciting matchups, the tournament is getting more exciting than ever.
Fans can follow the draws and results here.
Shekells handed first start as England change nine
Centre Jade Shekells will earn her first start for England as one of nine changes made by John Mitchell for Saturday's Women's Six Nations match against Scotland in Leicester.
Gloucester-Hartpury's Shekells, 28, was part of the GB Sevens squad at last year's Olympics in Paris and made her Red Roses debut off the bench against Italy in round one.
Former England captain Marlie Packer, who is one try away from 50 for her country, also has not featured since the opening-round win over Italy in York and returns to start at open-side flanker.
Zoe Aldcroft replaced Packer as England captain in January and remains the only Red Roses player to start every game this championship after being named at blind-side flanker.
Maddie Feaunati was a standout performer in the opening two rounds before the return of Alex Matthews in the comfortable win over Ireland last Saturday, but the 22-year-old Exeter Chief is back to start at number eight.
Lock Rosie Galligan replaces Morwenna Talling to partner Abbie Ward in the second row, while props Sarah Bern and Kelsey Clifford are rewarded with starts following their tries off the bench in Cork.
Hannah Botterman and Maud Muir drop to the replacements, and with Amy Cockayne going for a scan on her pectoral muscle, Saracens hooker May Campbell is named on the bench to possibly make her third England appearance.
"Marlie, whether she is playing or not, has always been inputting information," Ward said.
"Even if she is not on the pitch, then she brings her experience. She has that energy and ferocity but she also has her other side, where she brings a calmness to the squad.
"Playing or not, she is trying to elevate the squad."
Scotland, who were defeated 46-0 by Mitchell's side last year, come into the fixture off the back of a disappointing 25-17 home loss to Italy, meaning their only victory this championship was a narrow win over Wales in round one.
Following three bonus-point wins, victory for England in Leicester on Saturday, with defeat for second-placed France in Italy, would guarantee their seventh Six Nations title in a row, before a home Rugby World Cup which starts in August.
DALLAS McKenna Haase has always blazed her own trail en route to becoming a professional sprint car racer. But after more than a decade of traversing a dirt-covered career path, the 28-year-old has decided to pave that path with asphalt.
Haase is making a career change from 900-horsepower sprint cars to pavement-pounding late model stock cars.
It is a vastly different discipline in a vastly different environment, and Haase is going all in. Just as the allure of westward expansion in the 19th century was rooted in opportunity, ambition and reinvention, Haase is of the same mindset here in the 21st century. She isnt going late model racing at her hometown track. Instead, the Iowa native is heading west to compete in the 602 Late Model division of the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series at Kevin Harvicks Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif., with backing from Interstate Batteries. Her first race is this Saturday.
I got connected with Charlie Wilson, who is based out in California, Haase said. Charlie has a long and extensive background in asphalt racing. Hes got a reputation for having good equipment thats fast, but also for being a really good person who is genuine, fair and ethical, and those are all values that matter to me. Theres mutual respect and we just clicked.
Wilson is a veteran crew chief who once turned wrenches for Harvick, Tony Stewart, Clint Bowyer, Ron Hornaday Jr. and Steve Park, among others, in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, before transitioning to late model team ownership.
Charlies the main reason to answer the, Why California? question, Haase said. Charlie was willing to work with me and help make this happen. I dont have endless funding to go race. I need to maximize this opportunity. Charlie understands that.
Racing is a relationship business, and just as Haase has developed a good rapport with her new car owner, Haase has fostered a strong partnership with Interstate Batteries.
The leading replacement battery brand in the United States continues its support of Haase after signing on last year as a primary partner of her 410 winged sprint car.
Having the support of Interstate Batteries has been incredible. Im super thankful for their flexibility and their loyalty, Haase said. Last year wasnt as successful of a season as we were all hoping for just had a lot of unfortunate events that were outside of our control. But Interstate Batteries was really good at pivoting when needed and being supportive, and Im very thankful for that. And now theyre on board with this stock car opportunity. It wouldnt be possible without them.
Haase endured two massive, highlight-reel accidents in 2024. The first was in May at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Illi., when Haase cart-wheeled through turns three and four of the three-eighths-mile dirt oval. She emerged unscathed, but the same could not be said three months later when Haase endured an even heavier crash on the first lap of the first heat on Friday night of the Knoxville Nationals at famed Knoxville Raceway in Iowa.
Haase flipped into the turn one wall at the ultra-fast, half-mile dirt oval, spun high in the air and then landed hard on the clay surface.
I had a collapsed lung and was pretty bruised up said Haase, recounting the accident that ended her season. I had a decent amount of whiplash too, lots of strains in my neck and back muscles. I didnt have any kind of head injury, which Im thankful for, because when I flipped into the wall, something metal went through the top of my carbon-fiber helmet. If I had been two inches taller, things wouldve been a lot worse. The lung injury was the main, lasting injury.
Its kind of wild because I hadnt really crashed hard in a sprint car in, like, five seasons. So itd been a long time since wed tore up equipment, and it was really frustrating to have that happen twice in one year.
After the Knoxville crash in August, I was laying in the hospital bed thinking OK, well be fine in a few weeks and well make it to Eldora. Apparently, my math was a little off because the doctor told me that I couldnt even fly for six weeks, never mind race. But for some reason, I thought I could be back in a race car in four (weeks). I dont know why I thought that, but it took me a minute to realize I wasnt going to be racing any sprint cars for the rest of the season.
As Haase recovered, she was also in the midst of wedding planning. She married NFL player Zavier Scott on March 17 in Indianapolis.
We got engaged in July and then a few weeks later I went to Knoxville and he went to training camp with the Indianapolis Colts, Haase said. Zavier was actually watching the race and saw my wreck as it happened. It was a hectic time but, thankfully, my parents were able to keep him up to date on my condition. He stayed at camp and I stayed at my parents house in Des Moines to heal.
I actually went wedding dress shopping in Des Moines while I was still healing. I probably wasnt well enough to do that. I still wasnt feeling very good. I remember the dresses were pretty painful to wear, and I couldnt even turn my head left or right to look in the different mirrors, but it was still a really cool experience because I never thought Id be married, anyway. And then to go from a hospital gown to a wedding gown, it just made me all the more grateful knowing that you dont take life for granted.
Zavier went to the Minnesota Vikings after training camp with the Colts, which was nice because its closer to my family in Des Moines, and then we got married in March. It was an incredible wedding and a super cool experience. Like I said, it was never something I thought Id do, and planning the wedding was more of a gift than an expectation, and it was pretty awesome.
Throughout recovery and planning for her wedding, Haase continued to pursue racing.
Ive always wanted to race stock cars and, you know, Im not getting any younger. I just wanted to give it a chance, Haase said. Im not saying that Im going to try and be a Cup driver, but Ive always loved NASCAR. I want to be successful at it and Im coming at it from a humble approach. The door was open for this opportunity with Charlie Wilson and Interstate Batteries, so why not take it?
Saturdays race at Kern Raceway will be the first of six races for Haase in the No. 55 Interstate Batteries 602 Late Model for Charlie Wilson Motorsports.
Tackling this new racing discipline is a full-circle moment for Haase.
As silly as this might sound, this actually reminds me of my first season ever, when I started out in Outlaw carts when I was 13, Haase said. I can remember, even though it was an entry-level Outlaw cart, I was still taking a risk. It was a big deal for me at the time, and I had to overcome a lot of challenges just trying to figure things out. Thats kind of how I feel now, especially coming off a tough season in sprint cars. Ive had to really refocus and tell myself, OK, we cant go back to last season, a lot of that was outside of your control, youve got to focus on the here and now.
In sprint car racing, theres not a lot of track time. You show up, you get some hot laps, you qualify, youre in a heat race, and then you run the race. Ive had to learn as quickly as I can, and thats just been the nature of my career.
I know Ill be up against drivers with a lot more laps, but its OK because Im used to having to figure it out, so thats what well do.
COLLEGE STATION, Texas Texas A&M University is revving its engines for a return to NASCAR in 2025 through a season-long partnership with Haas Factory Team, building on the universitys previous involvement with the Gene Haas-owned organization.
Additionally, Texas A&M will make its NTT IndyCar Series debut as a sponsor of fan-favorite driver Felix Rosenqvist.
Texas A&M has agreed to become a season-long associate sponsor of the No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford Mustang driven by Cole Custer.
The partnership will capture a focal pole position when the university serves as the teams primary sponsor at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Texas A&M will also prominently appear on the uniform and helmet of Felix Rosenqvist, one of IndyCars most popular drivers
While these opportunities offer season-long exposure, together, they reach their apex on Sunday, May 25, the day dubbed the Greatest Day in Motorsports.
Two races, 1,100 miles: the Indianapolis 500 midday, followed by NASCARs Coca-Cola 600 in the evening, both celebrating America and honoring our nations fallen military servicemembers.
These partnerships with HFT, Cole and Felix present big, natural avenues to consistently communicate externally what Texas A&M stands for with great visibility, value and shared values, said R. Ethan Braden, vice president and chief marketing and communications officer at Texas A&M. Motorsports are especially well-positioned to deliver cost-effective and efficient national reach with millions, deep fan engagement and loyalty, and a values-aligned audience for Texas A&M University. In the end, you may only see the driver in the winners circle, but propelling every lap is a car, a team, a community of supporters, as well as strategy, innovation and creativity at the highest levels. Thats Texas A&M University; thats how Texas A&M Aggies think and act, and thats the kind of country we are working to shape.
Both Custer and Rosenqvist match Bradens enthusiasm about the partnerships.
Im proud to carry the Texas A&M branding on our No. 41 Ford Mustang this season, Custer said. It was a productive partnership in 2024, so we look forward to expanding the relationship and raising awareness around Texas A&Ms commitment to our countrys military personnel. The Aggie Core Values align well with our philosophy at Haas and resonate with the NASCAR fanbase.
Rosenqvist echoed Custers thoughts.
Im excited to partner with Texas A&M for the 2025 INDYCAR season and support their efforts to honor our countrys military-affiliated personnel, Rosenqvist said. Texas A&M has a powerful message and inspiring culture, and I look forward to collaborating with the university to help share its story this year. Its an honor to be associated with an institution that is wholly committed to making a local and global impact.
Jesse Love To Get Two Cup Races With Beard Motorsports
MT. PLEASANT, Mich. Beard Motorsports has announced the addition of a pair of NASCAR Cup Series races on its schedule that will feature 20-year-old NASCAR Xfinity Series regular Jesse Love behind the wheel of its No. 62 Chevrolet.
Love, who drives for Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series will drive the Beard entry May 4 at Texas Motor Speedway and in the iconic Brickyard 400 July 27 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The two races mark the family owned teams first appearances at Texas and Indianapolis since its Cup Series debut in 2017 under the leadership of the late Mark Beard Sr., and which continues under the ownership of Linda Beard, with her children Amie Beard-Deja and Mark Beard Jr., overseeing daily operations.
Among the Beard Chevrolets 30 Cup Series outings to date, 13 have come at Daytona (Fla.) Intl Speedway and 13 at its sister track, Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, with one apiece at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval, the Daytona road course, and the teams home track, Michigan Intl Speedway.
The week prior to next months Würth 400 at Texas, the No. 62 Beard Chevrolet will compete in the April 27 Jack Links 500 at Talladega with driver Anthony Alfredo and primary sponsor Fortify Building Solutions.
We are very excited to be able to expand our racing program and visit tracks that our new to us, said Beard-Deja, executive vice president of Beard Motorsports. When my dad started this program we wanted to focus on the superspeedways. Our plan was to make that our niche and to do it well and we feel like we have been able to do that very thing. During the last couple of seasons we had partners that were interested in races outside of those that take place at Daytona and Talladega and that presented a different challenge and we enjoyed it.
We have been watching Jesse Love in his racing endeavors and have certainly been impressed with what he has been doing so it was a no-brainer for us to take on the challenge of preparing cars for and competing in the races that will take place this season at Texas and Indianapolis.
In the April 2024 Xfinity Series race at Texas, Love qualified on the pole and finished ninth in his RCR Chevrolet, his fifth of 18 top-10s over the seasons 33 events. He qualified 15th and finished 13th in the July 2024 Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis. Prior to his arrival at RCR, Love was a 12-time winner in 48 career starts in the ARCA Menards Series from 2020 through 2023.
Making my Cup Series debut last week at Bristol was a moment that I had been working towards my entire life, Love said. Thanks to the Beard family, Ill have a chance to at least do it a couple more times this season. The goals are to keep collecting experience and learning the Cup car. Both races at Texas and Indy will allow me to gain knowledge of how this car races at different tracks, which will hopefully set me up to pounce on future opportunities.
Even though theyre a small, family-owned team, the Beards have built a legacy of bringing fast and well-prepared racecars to the track. Im looking forward to seeing what we can do together.
Riding along with Love and the No. 62 Beard Chevrolet at Texas and Indianapolis will be C4 Energy.
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