Sports

A’ja Wilson’s incredible season earns her a second straight AP Player of the Year award

A’ja Wilson followed up a historic season with another incredible one to earn AP Player of the Year for the second straight time. The Las Vegas Aces star topped Napheesa Collier of Minnesota and Alyssa Thomas of Phoenix, who both had terrific seasons. Aces coach Becky Hammon says Wilson “is the most exciting player in the W.” Paige Bueckers is AP Rookie of the Year and Golden State’s Natalie Nakase is AP Coach of the Year. The WNBA will announce its postseason awards over the course of the playoffs which begin Sunday.

Commanders’ Wise is out for the season and the team believes Ekeler tore his Achilles: AP Source

WASHINGTON (AP) — A person with knowledge of the players’ status tells The Associated Press that Washington Commanders defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. will miss the rest of the season after having surgery for a quadriceps injury. The person also says Friday that the Commanders believe starting running back Austin Ekeler tore his right Achilles tendon in their loss to the Green Bay Packers but are awaiting tests to confirm the severity of the injury. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because nothing had been announced by the club. Wise is a 31-year-old in his ninth NFL season and first with Washington. Ekeler is a 30-year-old in his ninth NFL season and second with Washington.

No preseason was no problem for Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Aaron Rodgers

Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson didn’t need to play a snap in the preseason. They were spectacular in their first game action of the season. Jackson led the Baltimore Ravens to a 15-point, fourth-quarter lead only to watch Allen rally the Buffalo Bills to a 41-40 victory. NFL coaches have to make difficult decisions each preseason, choosing whether to rest starters or put quarterbacks in harm’s way in meaningless games. Green Bay’s Jordan Love injured his hand in an exhibition game but was ready to play in Week 1. Sitting out doesn’t mean guys will be ineffective. Playing in preseason games doesn’t guarantee success early in the season, either.

WNBA playoffs: New York aims to repeat, Minnesota seeks redemption, Clark sidelined

The WNBA playoffs are set to begin Sunday with New York looking to become the fourth team to repeat as champions and Minnesota trying to avenge last season’s heartbreaking loss in the Finals. Indiana is back in the playoffs, but missing star guard Caitlin Clark, who has been sidelined for the last two months with a groin injury and will miss the postseason. The Liberty will have a difficult road as they are the No. 5 seed and open up at Phoenix on Sunday. After starting out 9-0, injuries decimated New York and left the Liberty in the difficult position of having to win at least one game on the road in each series to win a second straight title.

FanDuel agrees to pay Jaguars roughly $5M to offset losses from ex-employee’s theft, AP source says

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A person familiar with discussions says FanDuel has agreed to pay the Jacksonville Jaguars roughly $5 million to help offset the nearly $20 million that a former employee stole from the NFL franchise and deposited at the sportsbook. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because neither side had disclosed the agreement publicly. ESPN first reported the deal, which was finalized earlier this year. It came a year after financial manager Amit Patel pleaded guilty to stealing $22 million through a virtual credit card system the team used for expenses. Patel is serving a 6 1/2 year sentence in federal prison. He sued FanDuel last year.

Authorities raid Costa Rica hotel again over death of Brett Gardner’s son

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica (AP) — Authorities in Costa Rica raided for the second time a hotel where the youngest son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner died during a family vacation in March. Miller Gardner was 14 when he died in his sleep, according to a statement from the New York Yankees in what initially was ruled by authorities as asphyxiation. On April 2, the final ruling was that carbon monoxide poisoning was the cause of death of the minor. Prosecutor Kenneth Alvarez told ESPN that the raid at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio beach, located in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific, was to collect additional evidence related to that autopsy.

Aaron Judge hits 361st home run to tie Joe DiMaggio for 4th place in Yankees history

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge has hit his 361st career home run, tying Hall of Fame outfielder Joe DiMaggio for fourth place in New York Yankees history. The two-time AL MVP went deep twice in the first three innings against the Detroit Tigers, with President Donald Trump in attendance at Yankee Stadium on the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Judge launched homer No. 360 in the first inning, a 413-foot drive off Tyler Holton that put New York up 1-0. Judge matched DiMaggio in the third by driving a fastball from Sawyer Gipson-Long to the back of the Tigers’ bullpen in left-center field for his second homer of the game.

Brittany Force, ‘Queen of Speed,’ to retire after record-breaking season to start a family

Brittany Force, a two-time Top Fuel world champion, has announced her retirement at the end of the season to focus on starting a family. Known as “The Queen of Speed,” she recently set a new NHRA Top Fuel world speed record of 343.51 mph. Force, who turned 39 in July, has been a prominent figure in drag racing, with 18 wins and nine of the 10 fastest runs in Top Fuel history. She plans to step away after a successful career but hasn’t ruled out a return to racing. Her father, John Force, praised her achievements and dedication to the sport.

New dad McCarthy back at practice with Vikings, while Darrisaw ruled out as knee recovery continues

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has returned to practice after his fiancée gave birth to their son. McCarthy must play again without left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who has not yet been cleared in his return from knee surgery. The Vikings have ruled out edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel and backup cornerback Jeff Okudah for their game against Atlanta on Sunday night. Both are in concussion protocol. Safety Harrison Smith is questionable. If Smith isn’t cleared, the Vikings would be without three defensive starters. Linebacker Blake Cashman went on injured reserve this week and will miss a minimum of four games.

Bills rule out Ed Oliver against the Jets because of an ankle injury he suffered at practice

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott has ruled out defensive tackle Ed Oliver from playing at the New York Jets this weekend. The announcement Friday leaves the team thin at the position and without a starter who made a game-changing impact in a season-opening win over the Baltimore Ravens. McDermott said Oliver hurt his ankle after being stepped on in practice on Wednesday. The coach didn’t reveal the nature of the injury or timetable for Oliver’s return. The Bills face a short turnaround next week in hosting the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night following their game at New York on Sunday.